cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Participatory planning and design in a protracted conflict situation: applications with citizen peace‐building groups in Cyprus

Since the demise of the ‘cold war’ that pitted Western Europe and the United States against the Soviet Union, the world's attention has been dominated by smaller inter-state and intra-state conflicts often centered on ethnic differences but with roots in superpower rivalries. An instructive example of such conflicts exists in Cyprus, which arose during the height of cold war politics and has outlasted both the cold war and many of the disputes that have consumed the majority of the world's attention in recent years. Since the physical division of the island in 1974 into separate Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot zones, communication between ordinary citizens has been cut off, creating a serious obstacle to the development of a citizen peace-building movement. Beginning in 1994, participatory planning and design methodologies have been applied with several groups of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in a systematic attempt to develop and implement an agenda for citizen peace-building activities. Using these methodologies the groups developed a heightened mutual understanding of the situation in Cyprus and a stronger sense of teamwork, while carrying out a variety of projects related to citizen peace building. This paper summarizes the activities involved in these efforts, poses a number of research questions about the applications of such methodologies, and draws upon the work in Cyprus to address these questions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth or decline of comparative advantage

Abstract The question here is whether the dynamic effects of opening to trade will increase or decrease comparative advantage. When comparative advantage is based on the abundance or scarcity of something that is costly to acquire, one expects rational behavior to respond to a change in prices by increasing that abundance or scarcity. To explore this issue in simple theoretical terms, this paper examines two types of simple growth model – a Solow Model with proportional saving, and a Ramsey model with optimal saving – to see whether this reasoning is born out. In the Ramsey model, it is. In the Solow model, on the other hand, results vary, but this should not be surprising, as the proportional saving assumption does not embody optimizing behavior. To the extent that we believe that aggregate saving behavior is indeed based on rational and fully informed optimization, we should therefore expect that the dynamic effects of trade do indeed operate in the direction of increasing comparative advantage over time.
Wedge shaped cell for highly absorbent liquids: infrared optical constants of water

We designed an improved wedge shaped cell for measuring Lambert absorption coefficient spectra alpha(nu) of highly absorbent liquids. The design allows for accurate determination of the apex angle of the wedge, sealing the cell, and injection of the liquid without disassembling the cell. We measured alpha(nu) for water through the 500-12,500-cm(-1) wavenumber region to determine the range of alpha(nu) for which the cell provided accurate measurements. We then determined the imaginary part of the complex refractive index N(nu) = n(nu) + ik(nu) from alpha(nu) and used Kramers-Kronig methods to compute n(nu) from k(nu).
Instability Limit on Throughput for Calutrons. (Electromagnetic Isotope Separators)

Using a model of two interpenetrating ion streams in a background of magnetically immobilized electrons, I obtain a density threshold for separation disruption that agrees with the values observed. The density threshold for disruption is far above that for instability production. The inference is that in ordinary operation a calutron is operating in an unstable mode, but this unstable level is tolerable.
Attention, self-regulation and consciousness.

Consciousness has many aspects. These include awareness of the world, feelings of control over one9s behaviour and mental state (volition), and the notion of a continuing self. Focal (executive) attention is used to control details of our awareness and is thus closely related to volition. Experiments suggest an integrated network of neural areas involved in executive attention. This network is associated with our voluntary ability to select among competing items, to correct error and to regulate our emotions. Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that these various functions involve separate areas of the anterior cingulate. We have adopted a strategy of using marker tasks, shown to activate the brain area by imaging studies, as a means of tracing the development of attentional networks. Executive attention appears to develop first to regulate distress during the first year of life. During later childhood the ability to regulate conflict among competing stimuli builds upon the earlier cingulate anatomy to provide a means of cognitive control. During childhood the activation of cingulate structures relates both to the child9s success on laboratory tasks involving conflict and to parental reports of self–regulation and emotional control. These studies indicate a start in understanding the anatomy, circuitry and development of executive attention networks that serve to regulate both cognition and emotion.
Effect of dispersion characteristics on particle temperature in an idealized nonpremixed reacting jet

Abstract A detailed parametric study has been performed of inert particle dispersion characteristics and their effect on particle temperature in an idealized nonpremixed, reacting co-flow jet. A one-way coupled Lagrangian simulation was used, with the continuous phase solved using the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique. The spatial dispersion is characterized by the particle Stokes number and the injection location in both reacting and nonreacting jets. Results are consistent with those previously reported in the literature, where particles with a Stokes number near unity are preferentially-dispersed by the large-scale, coherent vortical structures of the shear layer. The heating characteristics are identified in terms of the governing nondimensional parameters for nonisothermal particulate two-phase flows. It is found that the particle temperature behavior is a strong function of the spatial dispersion behavior. For a majority of initial locations within the jet nozzle, particle heating is hindered by an enhanced spatial dispersion.
Elevated potassium induces morphological differentiation of dorsal root ganglionic neurons in dissociated cell culture.

Abstract Counts performed on dissociated cell cultures of E10 chick embryo dorsal root ganglia (DRG) maintained in control (6 m M K + ) medium showed a consistent neuron loss with time in culture, even in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). In medium containing elevated potassium (40 m M K + ), the neuron number did not decrease with time, but in fact increased. Over the first week in vitro this increase was about 25% in the absence and 60% in the presence of NGF. Time-lapse cinematography and sequential photography performed on sister cultures showed that the increase in neuronal counts in elevated K + media corresponded to a morphological differentiation of DRG cells previously not recognized as neurons. [ 3 H]Thymidine labeling studies in vitro were consistent with the conclusion that neurons or neuronal precursor cells did not divide during the phase of increase in the number of identifiable neurons. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons grown in 40 m M K + were more depolarized than those grown in 6 m M K + and, in response to changes in extracellular K + concentration, showed changes in membrane potential similar to those shown by neurons grown in control K + . Action potentials evoked by intracellular stimulation of DRG neurons grown in high K + lacked the plateau phase characteristic of neurons grown in control K + .
From the Editors' Desk: Renewing the Call for Innovations in Medical Education

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new JGIM feature, Innovations in Medical Education (IME). We recognize the need to share ideas with potential to transform health professions education, and hope that IME will encourage authors to disseminate their pioneering education efforts. IME evolved from the previous Education Innovations category, but has been reconceptualized to reflect the higher standards of scholarship now expected of medical education research. 1 We wish to take this opportunity to elaborate on what we look for in an IME article. First, we use Glassick's 2 criteria for the assessment of scholarship, namely clear goals, adequate preparation, appropriate methods, significant (important, not necessarily statistically significant) results, effective presentation, and critical reflection. We refer readers to our previous commentary on these criteria 1 for a further discussion. Second, we subscribe to the adage that guides decisions for all submissions to JGIM: 3 Is it new (have others done this)? Is it true (are the conclusions valid, as evaluated using appropriately rigorous methods)? Will it change what we do (how will this change educational practice)? In the following paragraphs, we explain how these questions apply to IME.
Relationships between speech intelligibility and the slope of second-formant transitions in dysarthric subjects

The relationship between speech intelligibility on a single-word identification test and the average second-formant (F2) slope of selected test words was examined for a group of 25 men and ten women with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient greater than 0.80 was obtained for both the male and female subjects. This moderately high correlation indicates that the F2 slope index is a useful acoustic measure of speech proficiency in ALS. F2 slope indices are reported for normal control populations of geriatric men and women. In addition, progressive deterioration of the F2 slope index is illustrated in a case study of one woman with ALS.
Persistence of response prevention effects following retraining of escape behavior

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of response prevention procedures on the extinction of escape behavior following the reinstatement of shock-escape training prior to the start of extinction. Female hooded rats were assigned to four groups ( N = 10) in a factorial design which orthogonally combined response prevention or pseudo-prevention procedures with escape retraining or no retraining procedures. Results showed that prevention reliably impaired shock-escape behavior on early retraining trials; but this effect dissipated completely by the end of retraining. In extinction, prevention reliably facilitated the extinction of escape behavior relative to that of pseudo-prevention controls; but the degree of facilitation was reliably attenuated by retraining procedures. These findings were related to the competing response interpretation of prevention effects.
Individual effects in variation analysis: Model, software, and research design

Individual-level variation is a recurrent issue in variationist sociolinguistics. One current approach recommends addressing this via mixed-effects modeling. This paper shows that a closely related model with fixed effects for individual speakers can be directly estimated using Goldvarb. The consequences of employing different approaches to speaker variation are explored by using different model selection criteria. We conclude by discussing the relation of the statistical model to the assumptions of the research design, pointing out that nonrandom selection of speakers potentially violates the assumptions of models with random effects for speaker, and suggesting that a model with fixed effects for speakers may be a better alternative in these cases.
Is MOOSE a loose goose

A proposal for reporting meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology ('MOOSE') has been published. Meta-analysis of observational studies is outwardly similar in methodology to that applied to randomised controlled trials (RCT), but it does differ inherently. It is less certain and less definitive. Single summary estimates of effect derived from it are suspect. RCT and observational studies are complementary in nature, however, and they provide assessments of efficacy and effectiveness respectively. Meta-analysis of both types of study is needed, and the MOOSE proposal is a useful one.
Analytic inequalities, isoperimetric inequalities and logarithmic Sobolev inequalities

Abstract There is a simple equivalence between isoperimetric inequalities in Riemannian manifolds and certain analytic inequalities on the same manifold, more extensive than the familiar equivalence of the classical isoperimetric inequality in Euclidean space and the associated Sobolev inequality. By an isoperimetric inequality in this connection we mean any inequality involving the Riemannian volume and Riemannian surface measure of a subset α and its boundary, respectively. We exploit the equivalence to give log-Sobolev inequalities for Riemannian manifolds. Some applications to Schrodinger equations are also given.
Comparison of streptozotocin and alloxan-induced diabetes in the rat, including volumetric quantitation of the pancreatic islets

Diabetes was induced in rats with equal molar dosages of either streptozotocin or alloxan. The clinical course of the diabetes (mortality, hyperglycemia, weight loss, polydipsia, hyperphagia, polyuria, glycosuria and diabetic indices) was recorded for six weeks before the animals were sacrificed for volumetric quantitation of the pancreatic islets. No significant differences in the pancreas (islet volumes of pancreas; beta, alpha and non-granular cell volumes and vessel volumes of both islet and total pancreas) were seen between the two groups, although differences in the clinical parameters were observed. The diabetic index at three and four weeks post injection was the clinical parameter which best reflected the terminal pancreatic beta cell volume. Analysis of the scanning data adds further empirical support for the accuracy of the linear scan method of quantitation.
Democratization and the Dynamics of Candidate Selection Rule Change in Mexico, 1991-2003

Party leaders in Mexico face the challenge of maintaining party unity while remaining competitive in a democratizing context. Candidate selection rules are central to achieving both objectives. I argue that leaders must decide between ““open”” rules that nominate electable candidates and ““closed”” rules that build strong party organizations, and suggest that strategic interests are the most powerful determinant of rule choice. Despite an evident trend toward greater openness, however, party leaders have taken advantage of Mexico9s mixed electoral system to preserve their own influence and placate party activists, while reaping the benefits of open rules. Los liideres de los partidos poliiticos en Meexico se enfrentan al reto de mantener la cohesioon de sus partidos mientras buscan seguir ganando las elecciones. Los procesos de seleccioon de los candidatos son cruciales para lograr los dos objetivos. Planteo que los liideres deben elegir entre procesos ““abiertos”” que producen candidatos atractivos y procesos ““cerrados”” que fortalecen los partidos mismos, y que las metas estrateegicas de los partidos tienen la mayor influencia en la seleccioon de las reglas. A pesar de una tendencia hacia mayor apertura, los liideres, por medio del sistema electoral ““mixto”” de Meexico, han conservado su propia influencia, conciliando con los activistas, mientras se aprovechan de los beneficios electorales de los procesos abiertos.
Comparison of interfacial tension and capillary constant for argon + krypton, CH4 + krypton, and C2H6 + krypton using two independent methods of measurement

Abstract Interfacial tension and capillary constant data were experimentally determined by two independent methods for the systems argon+krypton, methane+krypton, and ethane+krypton. Six to eight isotherms from 125 K to the critical point of the less volatile component were obtained for each system. The interfacial tension data were used to test an improved differential bubble tensiometer against the traditional differential capillary rise method and were used to further support the “field variable” based corresponding states theory. A brief description of the apparatus is presented. Comparisons of the results show that the differential bubble pressure method is as accurate as the differential capillary rise method with better repeatability. Potentially, the improved tensiometer can be automated and used with systems where visual measurements are not possible. The interfacial tension and capillary constant data were used to compare two versions of a corresponding states theory. One version incorporates a scaling law along lines of constant liquid mole fraction and the other along lines of constant fugacity fraction which is a “field variable” in the Griffiths-Wheeler sense. In order to reduce the amount of interpolation necessary to correlate the data, measurements were concentrated at liquid compositions rich in the less volatile component. The results show that the fugacity fraction based corresponding states theory better representated of the data.
Phage Libraries Displaying Cyclic Peptides with Different Ring Sizes: Ligand Specificities of the RGD-Directed Integrins

We have isolated selective ligands to the cell surface receptors of fibronectin (alpha 5 beta 1 integrin), vitronectin (alpha v beta 3 and alpha v beta 5 integrins) and fibrinogen (alpha IIb beta 3 integrin) from phage libraries expressing cyclic peptides. A mixture of libraries was used that express a series of peptides flanked by a cysteine residue on each side (CX5C, CX6C, CX7C) or only on one side (CX9) of the insert. A majority of the integrin-binding sequences derived from the CX9 library contained another cysteine, indicating preferential selection of conformationally constrained cyclic peptides. Each of the four integrins studied primarily selected RGD-containing phage sequences but favored different ring sizes and different flanking residues around the RGD motif. A cyclic peptide ACRGDGWCG was synthesized based on a phage sequence that bound particularly avidly to the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin. This peptide inhibited cell attachment to fibronectin at about 5-fold lower concentrations than the most potent cyclic peptides described earlier. The most interesting structure appeared to contain two disulphide bonds. One such peptide, ACDCRGDCFCG, was synthetized and shown to be at least 20-fold more potent inhibitor of alpha v beta 5- and alpha v beta 3-mediated cell attachment to vitronectin than similar peptides with a single disulphide bond and 200-fold more potent than commonly used linear RGD peptides. These results emphasize the importance of conformational restriction as a means of improving the potency of integrin-binding peptides and point to a new way of designing effective peptides by resticting the peptide conformation with more than one cyclizing bond.
Sensitivity considerations in polarization transfer and filtering using dipole-dipole couplings: implications for biomineral systems.

Abstract The robustness and sensitivities of different polarization-transfer methods that exploit heteronuclear dipole–dipole couplings are compared for a series of heterogeneous solid systems, including polycrystalline tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)silane (TKS), adamantane, a physical mixture of doubly 13C,15N-enriched and singly 13C-enriched polycrystalline glycine, and a powder sample of siliceous marine diatoms, Thalossiosira pseudonana. The methods were analyzed according to their respective frequency-matching spectra or resultant signal intensities. For a series of 13C{1H} cross-polarization experiments, adiabatic passage Hartmann–Hahn cross-polarization (APHH-CP) was shown to have several advantages over other methods, including Hartmann–Hahn cross-polarization (HHCP), variable-amplitude cross-polarization (VACP), and ramped-amplitude cross-polarization (RACP). For X–Y systems, such as 13C{15N}, high and comparable sensitivities were obtained by using APHH-CP with Lee–Goldburg decoupling or by using the transferred-echo double resonance (TEDOR) experiment. The findings were applied to multinuclear 1H, 13C, 15N, and 29Si CP MAS characterization of a powder diatom sample, a challenging inorganic–organic hybrid solid that places high demands on NMR signal sensitivity.
Short Communication: A Parallel Newton–Krylov Method for Navier–Stokes Rotorcraft Codes

The application of Krylov subspace iterative methods to unsteady three-dimensional Navier–Stokes codes on massively parallel and distributed computing environments is investigated. Previously, the Euler mode of the Navier–Stokes flow solver Transonic Unsteady Rotor Navier–Stokes (TURNS) has been coupled with a Newton–Krylov scheme which uses two Conjugate-Gradient-like (CG) iterative methods. For the efficient implementation of Newton–Krylov methods to the Navier–Stokes mode of TURNS, efficient preconditioners must be used. Parallel implicit operators are used and compared as preconditioners. Results are presented for two-dimensional and three-dimensional viscous cases. The Message Passing Interface (MPI) protocol is used, because of its portability to various parallel architectures.
Ion milled tips for scanning tunneling microscopy

Ion milling of electrochemically etched tungsten tips is shown to improve the characteristics for scanning tunneling microscopy. The primary mechanism for the enhancement of tip reliability is identified to be the removal of a residual oxide. A greatly decreased radius of curvature is also achieved without significantly changing the macrostructural geometry of the tip.
A role for carnitine and long chain acylcarnitine in the regulation of lipogenesis

Abstract In the absence of citrate or other acetyl-CoA carboxylase activator, fatty acid synthesis from acetate or low concentrations of citrate in cell free preparations of rat liver proceeds at a very low rate, analogous to preparations obtained from starved or fat fed animals. Under these conditions, the addition of carnitine results in a further decrease in fatty acid synthesis. In contrast, when high concentrations of citrate are added, carnitine significantly stimulates lipogenesis from both acetate and citrate. The effects observed with carnitine at varying levels of citrate are related both to the availability of carnitine and CoA as well as the ratio of activities of carnitine acetyltransferase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. In the absence of citrate, acetyl-CoA is shuttled into acetylcarnitine in the presence of carnitine, whereas at high concentrations of citrate and increased acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity, acetyl-CoA is preferentially utilized in the synthesis of fatty acids. In the latter case, carnitine enhances synthesis of long chain fatty acids perhaps by removal of a feed back inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (palmitoyl-CoA) as well as providing an activator, palmitoylcarnitine. Both palmitoyl (+) carnitine and palmitoy (−) carnitine stimulate lipogenesis in high speed supernatant liver preparations. Palmitoyl-carnitine in addition stimulates acetyl-CoA carboxylase but does not effect the incorporation of malonyl-CoA into long chain fatty acids in high speed supernatant preparations, suggesting the site of action of long chain acylcarnitine at the acetyl-CoA carboxylase step. Palmitoyl-CoA inhibits a variety of key enzymes involved in the regulation of lipogenesis and glycolysis. Of those enzymes examined, glutamic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, citrate lyase, citrate synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and carnitine acetyltransferase, only malic enzyme, malate and lactate dehydrogenases were not inhibited by palmitoyl-CoA. The remaining enzymes were all inhibited by low concentrations of long chain acyl-CoA and of those inhibited only citrate synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and carnitine acetyltransferase were relieved by palmitoylcarnitine. The results obtained suggest that perhaps the antagonistic effects of palmitoylcarnitine on inhibitions by palmitoyl-CoA may have some physiological significance and need not be necessarily categorized as non-specific.
The impact of trust and reputation on the transfer of best practices

Purpose – This research study, which is based on social information‐processing theory, proposes examining factors that affect intra‐organizational efforts at promoting the successful transfer of best practices.Design/methodology/approach – Using data collected from multiple respondents in a Fortune 500 company whose primary line of business is electricity generation, the author examines three impediments to knowledge transfer: trust, provider reputation, and recipient reputation.Findings – The findings indicate that these factors provide a signaling effect to employees and play a critical role in the transfer of best practices. These findings reinforce the notion that the successful transfer of best practices is highly dependent on the willingness of employees to share. More important, achieving knowledge transfer objectives is easier said than done. Trust and reputation develop over time, are closely guarded by its representatives, and must be nurtured and protected.Research limitations/implications – On...
On the strong convergence of an averaging iteration for the solution of operator equations involving monotone operators in Hilbert space

Theorem 1 is an iterative version of a theorem of Baillon [2] (just as the main result of [5] is analogous to a similar theorem of Baillon and Brezis [4]): if {S(t): t > 0} is a contraction semigroup on a symmetric closed convex set C, and each S(t) is odd, then the strong limr,, T-l si S(t) x dt exists and is a fixed-point of S for each 3~’ in C. If A is the generator of S then (2) is a forward differencing scheme (Euler’s method) for the equation k(t) E -A(x(t)), whose solutions are of the form S(t) x(O), and z, is the time average of the difference scheme. Essential to the proof of Theorem 1 is:
PATTERNS OF TRADE AND GROWTH UNDER INCREASING RETURNS: ESCAPE FROM THE POVERTY TRAP*

We consider a two-sector model of intertemporal resource allocation in which the investment good sector exhibits an initial phase of increasing returns in production. The economy maximizes a discounted sum of one period utilities derived from the consumption good. If it is autarkic, it may face a poverty trap from which it cannot escape even if it follows an optimal policy. If it engages in trade with the outside world as a price taker, it may escape from the trap. The optimal patterns of production and trade are analysed for such an economy.
Chronic exposure to alcohol during development alters the membrane properties of cerebellar Purkinje neurons in culture.

Abstract The active and passive membrane properties of developing Purkinje neurons in control cultures and cultures chronically treated with 20 or 40 mM ethanol for 1 or 2 weeks were examined using whole-cell current-clamp techniques. The membrane properties were characterized by the features of the voltage responses evoked by intracellular current injection of a series of depolarizing and hyperpolarizing current pulses. Analysis of these responses and background spontaneous activity showed several differences between the control and ethanol-treated Purkinje neurons: (1) membrane input resistance was significantly larger in the ethanol-treated neurons; (2) the percentage of neurons exhibiting immature firing patterns was significantly higher in the ethanol-treated neurons; (3) the afterhyperpolarization following a current-evoked train of action potentials was significantly larger in the ethanol-treated neurons; (4) spontaneous activity (synaptic potentials and synaptically evoked spike events) was significantly reduced in neurons treated with 40 mM ethanol for 1 week; spontaneous activity in neurons treated with 20 mM ethanol for 1 or 2 weeks was similar to that observed in the control group. These differences indicate that ethanol exposure during development directly alters the physiological properties of this CNS neuronal type. These neuronal actions of ethanol may contribute to the behavioral deficits observed in animal models of fetal alcohol syndrome. Similar target sites of ethanol action are likely to be present in the human CNS neurons and may be involved in human fetal alcohol syndrome.
Voronoi Diagrams and Convex Hulls of Random Moving Points

This report considers the expected combinatorial complexity of the Euclidean Voronoi diagram and the convex hull of sets of n independent random points moving in unit time between two positions drawn independently from the same distribution in Rd for fixed d\ge 2 as n→∈fty . It is proved that, when the source and destination distributions are the uniform distribution on the unit d -ball, these complexities are Θ(n(d+1)/d) for the Voronoi diagram and O(n(d-1)/(d+1) log n) for the convex hull. Additional results for the convex hull are O( log d n) for the uniform distribution in the unit d -cube and O( log (d+1)/2 n) for the d -dimensional normal distribution.
Dissociation of the motor effects of (+)-pentazocine from binding to σ1 sites

Abstract Radioligand binding and behavioral studies were conducted to determine whether a relationship existed between the motor effects produced by (+)-pentazocine and its binding to σ sites. Scatchard analyses revealed decreased [ 3 H](+)-pentazocine binding in middle aged rats (5–6 months old) compared to young adult rats (2–3 months old). However, there was no difference between the extent of circling behavior or dystonia produced by microinjection of (+)-pentazocine into the substantia nigra or red nucleus in the older animals compared to the young adult rats. There was also a significant decrease in [ 3 H](+)-pentazocine binding in rats chronically treated with haloperidol. Again, however, despite the reduction in [ 3 H](+)-pentazocine binding, there was no difference between the extent of dystonia produced by unilateral intrarubral microinjection of (+)-pentazocine into animals chronically treated with haloperidol vs. saline. The postural changes produced by (+)-pentazocine could not be attenuated with coadministration of the putative σ receptor antagonist BD1047 ( N -[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]- N -methyl-2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine), or the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone. However, the (+)-opiate, (+)-nordihydrocodeinone, partially attenuated the postural effects of (+)-pentazocine, despite its very low affinity for σ 1 , σ 2 , or opiate receptors. Taken together with previous studies, the results suggest that [ 3 H](+)-pentazocine is a potent and selective probe for σ 1 binding sites, but the in vivo effects of (+)-pentazocine cannot be fully attributed to actions through these sites. Some of the in vivo effects of (+)-pentazocine appear to involve other binding sites that are not detected under the conditions normally used in in vitro assays.
Treatment of tumors involving the optic nerves and chiasm

An approach toward treatment of tumors involving the optic apparatus is presented. When tumors cause mass effect, microsurgical excision or debulking is generally recommended. Radiosurgery has been controversial yet advances in imaging and high speed computer planning allow treatment of lesions involving the optic apparatus with low morbidity. Microsurgical and radiosurgical approaches to tumors involving the globe, orbit, suprasellar region and third ventricle are discussed. Gamma Knife radiosurgery for choroidal melanomas spares orbital excenteration. We have used a marginal dose of 2025 Gy for choroidal melanomas and generally limit the optic nerves and chiasm to less than 10 Gy in other cases. The effective dose for cavernous hemangiomas remains unclear, however we have had success with marginal doses in the range of 1620Gy. Lower doses may prove successful yet better spare vision in cases where vision is useful. Our combined microsurgical and radiosurgical approach to tumors involving the apparatus has had an excellent rate of sparing vision, a low overall morbidity and excellent success.
Utility of internal mammary lymph node removal when noted by intraoperative gamma probe detection.

Background: Lymphatic mapping LM for breast cancer has made internal mammary node IMN detection practical and dependable. This study demonstrates the necessity of IMN removal when suggested by intraoperative radioguided surgery detection.
A new family of transistor switching circuits

OVER THE PAST 10 years, electronic switching circuits have found their way into numerous pieces of equipment in many fields of endeavor. The circuits are carefully designed prototypes intended to serve with utmost reliability and in large numbers in serial or parallel digital computers, in control systems, in communications equipment or in dial telephone switching offices.1?4 The specific prototype circuit may be designed around vacuum tubes, diodes, magnetic devices, or transistors, as influenced by the system in which it is to be used. The existence of numerous basically different prototype circuits is indicative of the large variation in system goals; new families of switching circuits offer certain advantages in existing systems and open the door to new system applications. The family to be described in this paper is a new prototype available to the system designer.
Improvements on the analysis of shells of revolution by the matrix displacement method.

Shells of revolution analyzed under symmetric and antisymmetric loading by matrix displacement method
Quasi-stationary approximation for reaction-diffusion systems

where u and v are now the concentrations of the two reactants. Positive solutions of the first and last of these reaction schemes have been studied by Kahane [3,4], who shows that, if the Dirichlet boundary data have suitable limits as t--f co, then the solutions approach those of the corresponding elliptic problems obtained by dropping the time-derivative terms and using the limiting form of the data. There is another circumstance in which, intuitively, a suitable approximation is provided by an elliptic problem: the case of data changing only slowly with time. Consider, for example, the first equation above, and 224 0022-247X/81/010224-12$02.00/0
Accuracy of EUS in staging of T4 lung cancer.

Abstract Background Increasingly, EUS is being used to stage lung cancer. Direct mediastinal invasion (T4) by lung cancer is stage IIIb disease. Patients in this stage have a 5-year survival of less than 5% and generally are offered chemotherapy without surgery. This study evaluated the accuracy of EUS in detecting T4 lung cancer. Methods The study included all patients with lung cancer who had EUS staging and subsequent staging at surgery, or for whom there was unequivocal confirmation of unresectability (T4) by thoracoscopy, thoracotomy or presence of malignant pleural effusion, or definite invasion of great vessels/adjacent organs on CT. Results A total of 175 of 308 patients with lung cancer who underwent EUS over a 5-year period (1997-2002) had subsequent confirmatory tumor staging. Ten patients were found by EUS to have stage T4 tumors; 7 were confirmed to be T4 by either surgical exploration (2), CT demonstration of aortic invasion (3), or documentation of malignant pleural effusion (2). Three of the 10 (30%) patients found to have stage T4 tumors by EUS had T2 disease at surgery and underwent curative resection. Of the remaining 165 patients without evidence of T4 disease at EUS, only one was found to have aortic invasion (T4) at surgery. EUS had a sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 98%, positive predictive value of 70%, and a negative predictive value of 99% for detecting T4 disease. Conclusions Caution is warranted when unresectability of lung cancer is based solely on tumor invasion into mediastinal soft tissue at EUS. Overstaging occurs when a tumor appears to invade the pleural layer without mediastinal organ invasion. Confirmation of unresectability by other diagnostic modalities is warranted in such instances.
Internal group combustion of liquid droplets

A quasi-steady internal group combustion model of a spherical droplet cloud has been developed to assess the effects of the collective behavior of fuel droplets on combustion characteristics and cloud structures. Analytical solutions are obtained for the predictions of the distributions of the temperature, concentrations of fuel vapor, and oxidizer in strongly and weakly interacting zones. Overall burning rate under internal group combustion mode at various flame penetration is also obtained. Numerical analysis is carried out to determine the combustion behavior of droplet clouds at some selected group combustion numbers. It was found that for a cloud of n-butylbenzene droplets, the group envelope flame is stabilized on the boundary of the droplet cloud for a group combustion number of 1.36. As the group combustion number decreases, the envelope flame penetrates into the droplet cloud and divides the cloud into two zones; a strongly interacting zone located inside the group envelope flame and a weakly interacting zone established between the envelope flame and the boundary of the cloud. In the strongly interacting zone, the droplet vaporizes and the vapor produced is consumed at the group envelope flame. The droplets in a weakly interacting zone burn with an envelope flame surrounding eachmore » droplet. When the group combustion number decreases to 0.1, the group envelope flame degenerates into a point flame at the center of the droplet cloud.« less
Metabolite to parent drug concentration ratio as a function of parent drug extraction ratio: Cases of nonportal route of administration

The ratio of metabolite to parent drug concentration (Cm/Cp)of a medium or high extraction ratio (E>0.1)drug administered intravenously has been shown to depend on intrinsic clearance of drug by other metabolic routes (CLr,int)as well as on organ blood flow (Q).In contrast, for a low extraction ratio drug given intravenously or for any drug given by a portal route, this ratio is equal to the ratio of formation clearance (CLf,int)and metabolite clearance (CLm,int).The sensitivity of Cm/Cpto changes in CLr,intand CLf,inthas been analyzed quantitatively. It was shown to be dependent on the fraction metabolized to that particular metabolite (fm).
Moral Progress, Mental Retardation, and the Death Penalty

In June 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to execute mentally retarded criminals. This essay reviews this decision and describes its implications for physicians. As a result of the ruling, more physicians and psychologists will be asked to perform evaluations to determine whether criminals are eligible for the death penalty.
Noncollinear magnetism of iron along the tetragonal Bain transformation

The possibility of noncollinear magnetism of Fe along the Bain (body-centered to face-centered cubic structure) transformation is investigated through first-principles density-functional calculations. We find that a sizable portion of the tetragonal deformation phase space exhibits spin-spiral alignment of spins. Such complex magnetic behavior is predicted for overlayers of Fe on a number of substrates, for example, ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{84}{\mathrm{Al}}_{16}$, Cu, and possibly Ni. We also point out special cases with enhanced sensitivity of the theoretical predictions to the computational details, in particular on the use of different exchange-correlation functionals.
Rapid Capacitor Charger for 10 HZ Operation of a Low-Inductance Compact Marx Generator

We designed and build a rapid capacitor charger for 10 Hz, 500 J/shot operation of a low-inductance, compact Marx generator. The charger uses a hard-switched IGBT H-Bridge Inverter, which drives a 30 kHz, nano- crystalline step-up transformer. The transformer, in addition to the high-voltage rectifier and a trigger- transformer are contained in a section which is filled with transformer oil. The main circuit board also contains a solid-state Marx generator to trigger the main Marx generator. We also implemented a self-powered HV-feedback sensor to stop the charge process precisely at the target voltage. This new sensor greatly enhanced the rep-rated performance of the Marx by preventing pre-fires, since it enabled us to charge aggressively without overshooting the target voltage and have more time for spark-gap recovery.
Periprocedural Bridging Management of Anticoagulation

More than 2.5 million Americans are chronically anticoagulated for indications including venous thromboembolism (VTE), mechanical heart valve(s), or atrial fibrillation (AF).1 Each year, ≈10% of these patients require temporary interruption of anticoagulation for an invasive procedure. Defining the most appropriate management strategy for these patients requires an assessment of the periprocedural risk of thromboembolism and major hemorrhage. Bridging therapy is a recent term used to describe the application of a parenteral, short-acting anticoagulant during the interruption of warfarin. In this Clinician Update, we outline a systematic approach to defining the appropriate periprocedural strategy for anticoagulation management. A 78-year-old man is scheduled for elective colonoscopy with polypectomy next week. He is receiving chronic warfarin for stroke prevention in paroxysmal AF. He has no prior history of stroke, diabetes mellitus, or heart failure. He is treated with metoprolol both for hypertension and rate control. His international normalized ratio (INR) is well controlled on a stable warfarin dose, and he has no history of major bleeding. A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed with a first life-time right femoral-popliteal DVT 6 weeks ago. She is currently fully anticoagulated with warfarin. As part of her general medical examination, she is found to have ovarian cancer limited to her right ovary without obvious metastases. She is scheduled for total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy in 5 days. Her INR is 2.2, and her creatinine clearance is 60 mL/min. There is no universal strategy for periprocedural anticoagulation for patients on chronic warfarin therapy. However, a stepwise approach can be useful (Figure 1). In urgent/emergent settings, there is neither time nor opportunity for “bridging” therapy. Warfarin can be reversed with fresh-frozen plasma and parenteral vitamin K. Figure 1. Bridging algorithm for warfarin. Patients with low thrombosis risk include those with aortic bileaflet MHV in sinus rhythm and no previous thromboembolism; …
Multi-Institutional Phase I Trials of Anticancer Agents

Purpose Physicians involved in the conduct of phase I studies of novel anticancer agents have raised concerns about the emergence of multi-institutional phase I trials and about using the optimal biologic dose (OBD) as an alternative to the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) as the primary end point in early drug development. We sought to determine the factors associated with multi-institutional phase I studies and OBD determination. Patients and Methods We reviewed all published phase I trials between January 1998 and June 2006 from two major clinical cancer journals. The following components from each trial were determined: number of participating sites, sponsor, nation where study was conducted, MTD or OBD established, number of patients accrued, mechanism of action of the studied agent, accrual time, and tumor type. Results We identified 463 trials. Fifty-six percent were performed in single institutions. Only 30% reported accrual time. The number of patients enrolled on single institution studies was signi...
Methods for Researching Humanitarian Relief Systems

Research in the field of humanitarian relief is sparse. Yet, ineffective communication and coordination in response to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina highlight the need to research humanitarian relief information and communication systems (HR ICS) from a user-centered perspective. Currently, with little research done in the humanitarian sector, and even less done focusing on the user experience of humanitarian personnel, designing improved humanitarian relief ICS for future preparedness, response and recovery has little published empirical research on which to draw. This paper positions humanitarian relief communication as a research issue, profiles some of the research methods we could use to research HR ICS including an assessment of each method's strengths and weaknesses, and a brief conclusion offering next steps in developing a user-centered humanitarian relief ICS research community.
Mitochondrial targeting and a novel transmembrane arrest of Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein impairs mitochondrial function in neuronal cells.

Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein 695 (APP) is a plasma membrane protein, which is known to be the source of the toxic amyloid β (Aβ) peptide associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we demonstrate that by virtue of its chimeric NH2-terminal signal, APP is also targeted to mitochondria of cortical neuronal cells and select regions of the brain of a transgenic mouse model for AD. The positively charged residues at 40, 44, and 51 of APP are critical components of the mitochondrial-targeting signal. Chemical cross-linking together with immunoelectron microscopy show that the mitochondrial APP exists in NH2-terminal inside transmembrane orientation and in contact with mitochondrial translocase proteins. Mutational studies show that the acidic domain, which spans sequence 220–290 of APP, causes the transmembrane arrest with the COOH-terminal 73-kD portion of the protein facing the cytoplasmic side. Accumulation of full-length APP in the mitochondrial compartment in a transmembrane-arrested form, but not lacking the acidic domain, caused mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired energy metabolism. These results show, for the first time, that APP is targeted to neuronal mitochondria under some physiological and pathological conditions.
The effects of acupuncture on cardiac arrhythmias: A literature review

Cardiac arrhythmias increase mortality and diminish quality of life. Several online databases were searched to produce relevant articles examining the effectiveness of acupuncture on cardiac arrhythmias. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine to treat multiple medical conditions and has been documented to improve many aspects of cardiovascular functioning. Despite several identified gaps in the efficacy of typical arrhythmia treatments (eg, pharmacotherapy, cardioversion), evidence supporting the use of acupuncture for cardiac arrhythmias has yet to be synthesized. According to the eight studies reviewed, 87% to 100% of participants converted to normal sinus rhythm after acupuncture. Acupuncture seems to be effective in treating several cardiac arrhythmias, but the limited methodologic quality of the studies necessitates better-controlled clinical trials. For acupuncture to become a more viable intervention in Western medicine, more rigorous studies are needed with standardized treatment protocols, diverse patient populations, and long-term follow-up.
Feeding following intrahypothalamic injections of calcium and magnesium ions in sheep.

Abstract To study ionic effects on hypothalamic control of feeding, seven sheep were each prepared with six bilateral medial-hypothalamic guides. Hypothalamic loci were identified where feeding resulted following 1 μ l injections of calcium chloride and/or magnesium chloride. Doses of 1 and 2 μ mol were most effective to induce feeding, and potassium chloride was not effective. Injections of phentolamine, LB-46, carbachol, atropine, or prostaglandin E 1 did not inhibit the feeding responses following magnesium chloride injections into magnesium ion responsive loci. Feeding following calcium chloride injections into calicum ion responsive loci was blocked by atropine and reduced by phentolamine. Carbachol and prostaglandin E 1 elicited feeding when injected into magnesium but not calcium ion responsive loci. Injections of carbachol followed by magnesium chloride resulted in greater feeding than when either chemical was injected alone. Calcium and/or magnesium ion bound feeding loci were in the anterior, ventromedial, dorsomedial, posterior and lateral hypothalamus, and the mammillary bodies. These ions elicited feeding in sheep perhaps by decreasing excitability of feeding-inhibitory neural pathways in the hypothalamus.