cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of indomethacin on blood flow in the normal pancreas in conscious dogs

In anesthetised animals basal pancreatic blood flow, both in the normal gland and in acute pancreatitis, and basal renal blood flow have been shown to be dependent on prostaglandins (PGs). However, in conscious dogs it has been demonstrated that the reliance of basal renal blood flow on PGs is only apparent, and probably due to the effect of anesthesia and surgery stimulating PG synthesis through enhanced stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. This study was undertaken to investigate the changes in mean blood pressure, cardiac output, and pancreatic arterial blood flow, relative to the cardiac output, in the normal pancreas, with and without PG synthesis inhibition (indomethacin) in conscious dogs. Blood flows were measured with electromagnetic flow probes. The effects of indomethacin were measured over a 2-hr period and compared to a control group. The results show that the relative pancreatic blood flow is not affected by doses of indomethacin which decrease cardiac output (P < 0.5). It is suggested that PGs may have no effect on blood flow in the normal pancreas in conscious animals.
Dipolar spin temperature in a periodically perturbed nuclear spin system

Abstract The spin temperature hypothesis is extended to a system of nuclear spins with internal magnetic dipolar interactions and subject to periodic external perturbation in the form of intense radiofrequency pulses. Preliminary results are described for the case of phase-alternated irradiation at resonance.
Precipitants of emergency room visits and acute hospitalization in short-stay medicare nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine what precipitates rehospitalization for residents who become acutely ill in the first 90 days of a nursing home (NH) admission. DESIGN: NH medical record review comparing acutely ill Medicare admissions transferred back to hospital with those not transferred. SETTING: Sixty skilled nursing facilities in five states during 1994. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred thirty-six residents who became acutely ill with urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia, or congestive heart failure (CHF) during the first 90 days of their nursing home admission were identified from 2,414 random NH Medicare admissions, excluding those with orders not to be hospitalized. MEASUREMENTS: Diagnosis, age, gender, advance care directives, nursing shift during which problem occurred, comorbidity, symptoms, and signs of acutely ill NH residents transferred to the hospital or emergency department were compared with those not transferred. RESULTS: Rates of hospitalization varied markedly by acute illness: 11 % of residents with UTI, 46% with pneumonia, and 58% with an exacerbation of CHF (P <.001). In stratified multivariate analysis, older age decreased the odds of rehospitalization only for CHF. Male gender increased odds of hospitalization for pneumonia (odds ratio (OR) = 2.94) and decreased odds of hospitalization for CHF (OR = 0.28). Do not resuscitate orders were negatively associated with hospitalization only for pneumonia (OR = 0.23), whereas weekend and evening/night shifts increased odds of hospitalization for UTI. Each illness had its own set of symptoms, signs, and comorbidities associated with hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Whether an acutely ill NH Medicare patient was rehospitalized depended primarily on the particular illness. The relative importance of age, gender, shift, advance care directives, symptom severity, signs, and comorbid illnesses varied by diagnosis.
Evolution of femoral head deformity during the healing phase of legg-calve-perthes disease

Progressive changes in the roundness of the femoral head were noted during the healing phase of hips with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Forty-nine of 136 hips studied became progressively rounder, and 15 hips became progressively flatter after onset of reossification of the femoral head. The femoral head was more likely to undergo progressive flattening in older patients, in those with more severe lateral pillar involvement, and in those with prolonged reossification. These changes occurred during a 3- to 4-year reossification period after cessation of treatment.
Risk analysis of shrimp farming in Honduras

Abstract Honduras is the leading producer of pond‐raised shrimp in Central America, but profitability of operations is affected by fluctuating yields and prices which generate economic risk. An analysis of the financial risks associated with different management strategies would provide useful management guidelines. Data from a 1997 survey were used to develop enterprise budgets and a risk analysis for three farm‐size scenarios (73, 293, and 966 ha) and for a group of farms exhibiting an alternative, more intensive level of semi‐intensive technology (AST farms). Economies of size related to fixed costs and to feed, repair, and interest costs were identified. Net returns/ha were highest for the AST farms while low net returns/ha reported by the other farm groups were connected with low yields, conservative input usage rates, poor survivals, and economies of size. To minimize potential for loss, farms should target a minimum acceptable yield that would vary with farm size.
Production of a recombinantly derived growth hormone antibody and the characterization of growth hormone levels in yellow perch

Abstract Because of restrictions on commercial fishing and declining wild populations, there has been increased interest in the aquaculture of yellow perch. However, the slow growth of yellow perch has been an impediment to the development of this species for aquaculture. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), a growth hormone (GH) cDNA was isolated from yellow perch pituitaries that was 935 bp, coding for a protein of 204 amino acids. Yellow perch GH is most similar to sea bream GH at the amino acid level (88% identical). The cDNA was used to produce a recombinant protein in the pBAD TOPO vector, and the protein was used as an antigen to generate a polyclonal antibody to yellow perch GH. The antibody recognizes a 21-kDa protein in yellow perch pituitaries and also recognizes a purified sea bream GH preparation. However, it did not recognize any bands on Western blots of brook trout pituitaries. The antibody was used to measure the levels of GH immunoreactive protein during the year. The highest levels of GH were observed during May and the lowest levels in January. In yellow perch that were treated with estradiol-17β (E 2 ) in the diet for 46 days, there were significantly elevated levels of GH compared to controls and these results are consistent with past published reports on the stimulatory effects of E 2 on growth in yellow perch. The antibody that was generated in this study can be used to measure GH in experiments aimed at understanding the factors that affect yellow perch growth. This should facilitate the optimization of these factors for aquaculture production.
Stress-Dependent Water Uptake Behavior of Clay Reinforced Nanocomposite Epoxy

Layered silicate nanolayers can be used as alternative inorganic components for the construction of nanostructured hybrid composites. The clay silicate nanolayers possess stable Si-O bonds and high particle aspect ratios comparable to conventional fibers. Their interlayer surface is easily modified by ion-exchange reaction, and the gallery can be intercalated by organic polymer precursors for the formation of organic-inorganic nanocomposites. Exfoliated clay composites contain single, 1 nm thick layers of clay dispersed in the polymer matrix. Owing to the platy morphology of the silicate layers, exfoliated clay nanocomposites can exhibit dramatically improved properties such as barrier and mechanical properties that are not available for conventional composite materials. Since the clay particles scavenge water, the nanocomposite samples initially absorb slightly higher amounts of water in comparison to the no-clay samples, with the water molecules congregating around the clay particles. On the other hand, the presence of these clay particles still hinders diffusion of water through the sample, thus protecting the structural interfaces. In this work, low viscosity liquid aromatic diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin Epon 815C was mixed with nanoclay at 60°C for 6 hours. The epoxy-clay mixture was then mixed with curing agent DETA (Diethylenetriamine) at 80°C for 4 minutes and cured at 120°C for 3 hours to produce exfoliated clay — epoxy resin system. These samples were used to first optimize the percent clay level for lowest water uptake, and subsequently immersed in water in stressed condition (flexural stress) to assess the effect of stress on nanocomposite epoxy system for its water uptake behavior. The results revealed up to 33% reduction in water uptake for the stressed samples.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Reconstruction of large lip defects

Reconstruction of very large lip defects is almost always difficult, simply because of the nature of the defect. Compromises are therefore often necessary. The best reconstructions are usually achieved using remaining lip elements and by restoring the continuity of the orbicularis oris muscle so that lip incompetence is minimized. One useful approach is to use a combination of Karapandzic and Abbe flaps to maximize redistribution of the remaining lip. With careful technique, acceptable results can often be achieved. If this is not possible, distant tissue can be used, but lip incompetence and drooling may result.
Surface analyses of fluoroelastomer bearings exposed to geothermal environments

Abstract The surfaces of fluoroelastomers, used in bearings in the down-hole pumps which extract the energy resource from geothermal brine reservoirs at 150°C, are hydrothermally oxidized by the attack of hot brine. In the inductive stage of the oxidation pathway, the incorporation of oxygen into the elastomers led to the scission and breakage of CF and CC bonds in the polyfluorocarbon chain structure, and was followed by the formation of polyfluorocarbony derivatives as the molecular fragments. Further oxidation resulted in the substitution of carbonyl groups in the derivative by carboxylic acid groups. Concurrently, the functional carboxylic acid groups reacted with the divalent Fe and Ca cations in the geothermal brine and the bearing to form Fe- and Ca-bridged polyfluorocarboxyl complexes. This sequence of fluorocarbon→fluorocarbonyl→fluorocarboxylic acid→fluorocarboxylate complexes substitutive transition caused by oxidation was detrimental to the thermal stability of fluoroelastomers, lowering the onset of the thermal decomposition temperature by ∼120°C.
Failure of neonatal clomipramine treatment to alter forced swim immobility: chronic treadmill or activity-wheel running and imipramine

Abstract We examined whether chronic running on a treadmill or activity wheel would attenuate the increased swim immobility that has been reported after neonatal clomipramine (CLI) treatment. Male Sprague–Dawley pups (N = 60) were injected with the monoamine reuptake inhibitor clomipramine hydrochloride (40 mg/kg per day i.p.) from 8 to 21 days of age. Another group (N = 12) received saline vehicle. At age 4 weeks, the CLI pups were randomly assigned to experimental conditions: (1) sedentary; (2) 24-h access to an activity wheel; (3) sedentary that received the antidepressant drug imipramine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg twice daily) during the last 10 days of the experiment; (4) activity wheel + imipramine; (5) treadmill running (30 m/min for 1 h at 0°incline, 6 days/week). At age 16 weeks, rats underwent the Porsolt swim test 48 h after the last imipramine injection and/or the last exercise session. The increase in swim immobility among CLI-treated rats was small (one quarter of SD) and not statistically significant (p > 0.10). The results are not consistent with our previous finding of antidepressant-like effects of activity-wheel running based on brain noradrenergic adaptations and enhanced male copulatory performance after neonatal CLI treatment. The lack of change in swim performance after clomipramine questions the generalizability of the CLI model of depression and the validity of the forced swim test as a behavioral measure of depression when it is used after neonatal CLI injection or chronic activity-wheel running.
Microstructures of Cu-rich amalgam restorations with moderate clinical deterioration

Abstract Fourteen Cu-rich and 4 conventional amalgam restorations were recovered from a clinical study. All restorations had full clinical documentation from placement until removal and had been in service between 3 and 10 years. All had marginal deterioration ratings of 3 based on a photographic scale which ranged from 1–6. Microstructural studies of buccolingual cross-sections of the Cu-rich restorations showed marked variability in corrosion products, porosity and phase contents. Corrosion product content was highest near the peripheries of the restorations and decreased with distance from the interfaces. Internal corrosion products did not appear to be correlated with the age of the restoration. The major corrosion products found in all samples appeared to be tin oxides and tin hydroxychloride regardless of the type of amalgam. In addition to the tin containing corrosion products In containing products were found in the In containing amalgam. Zn-containing amalgams frequently formed a thick Zn-containing layer at tooth-amalgam interfaces as a result of clinical use. The Zn-rich layer resulted from corrosion of the amalgams since no Zn-containing bases were used in this study. The Ag-Hg matrix of the amalgams was also altered, most notably by the transformation of gamma one to beta one and by the formation of Sn-rich corrosion products along matrix grain boundaries. It is apparent from this study that amalgam restorations with the same moderate clinical status exhibited significant microstructural alterations, but no single characteristic could be correlated with the clinical rating.
Acute care surgery: now that we have built it, will they come?

BACKGROUNDConcern over lack of resident interest caused by the nonoperative nature and compromised lifestyle associated with a career as a “trauma surgeon” has led to the emergence of a new acute care surgery (ACS) specialty. This study examined the opinions of current general surgical residents abo
Investigating the mechanism of the assembly of FGF1-binding heparan sulfate motifs.

Heparan sulfate (HS) chains play crucial biological roles by binding to various signaling molecules including fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). Distinct sulfation patterns of HS chains are required for their binding to FGFs/FGF receptors (FGFRs). These sulfation patterns are putatively regulated by biosynthetic enzyme complexes, called GAGOSOMES, in the Golgi. While the structural requirements of HS–FGF interactions have been described previously, it is still unclear how the FGF-binding motif is assembled in vivo. In this study, we generated HS structures using biosynthetic enzymes in a sequential or concurrent manner to elucidate the potential mechanism by which the FGF1-binding HS motif is assembled. Our results indicate that the HS chains form ternary complexes with FGF1/FGFR when enzymes carry out modifications in a specific manner.
Digitale Ulzerationen bei Sklerodermie – eine interdisziplinäre Herausforderung

Digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis are painful ischemic necrotic lesions of the acra. Optimal treatment consists of conventional wound management and medication: iloprost infusions promote primary healing of the ulcers, while the dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan is used for secondary prophylaxis of new ulcers. The described case illustrates the essential interdisciplinary collaboration for optimal management of these patients.
Asymmetric dioptric power matrices and corresponding thick lenses

Background. When thickness or separation is taken into account, the dioptric power of systems with obliquely crossed toric surfaces (OCTS), including some corrected and uncorrected human eyes, can be represented by a four-dimensional vector space, provided that an arbitrary 2 x 2 asymmetric matrix is the equivalent power matrix of some optical system. The provision is crucial for the statistical validity of dioptric power matrix methods that take account of thickness. Previous efforts to verify the provision have not been satisfactory. Purpose. To verify the provision. Methods. Prove that an arbitrary 2 x 2 asymmetric matrix is the equivalent power for a thick bitoric lens with obliquely crossed surfaces. Results. The procedure and new equations needed to find the lens. Conclusions. The provision holds, which is an important foundation block for the validity of the statistical matrix methods for thick astigmatic systems. The resulting equations also have optical uses other than statistics.
Dose reduction for chest CT: comparison of two iterative reconstruction techniques.

BackgroundLowering radiation dose in computed tomography (CT) scan results in low quality noisy images. Iterative reconstruction techniques are used currently to lower image noise and improve the quality of images.PurposeTo evaluate lesion detection and diagnostic acceptability of chest CT images acquired at CTDIvol of 1.8 mGy and processed with two different iterative reconstruction techniques.Material and MethodsTwenty-two patients (mean age, 60 ± 14 years; men, 13; women, 9; body mass index, 27.4 ± 6.5 kg/m2) gave informed consent for acquisition of low dose (LD) series in addition to the standard dose (SD) chest CT on a 128 - multidetector CT (MDCT). LD images were reconstructed with SafeCT C4, L1, and L2 settings, and Safire S1, S2, and S3 settings. Three thoracic radiologists assessed LD image series (S1, S2, S3, C4, L1, and L2) for lesion detection and comparison of lesion margin, visibility of normal structures, and diagnostic confidence with SD chest CT. Inter-observer agreement (kappa) was calcu...
A Micro-Level Event-Centered Approach to Investigating Armed Conflict and Population Responses

In this article, we construct and test a micro-level event-centered approach to the study of armed conflict and behavioral responses in the general population. Event-centered approaches have been successfully used in the macro-political study of armed conflict but have not yet been adopted in micro-behavioral studies. The micro-level event-centered approach that we advocate here includes decomposition of a conflict into discrete political and violent events, examination of the mechanisms through which they affect behavior, and consideration of differential risks within the population. We focus on two mechanisms: instability and threat of harm. We test this approach empirically in the context of the recent decade-long armed conflict in Nepal, using detailed measurements of conflict-related events and a longitudinal study of first migration, first marriage, and first contraceptive use. Results demonstrate that different conflict-related events independently shaped migration, marriage, and childbearing and that they can simultaneously influence behaviors in opposing directions. We find that violent events increased migration, but political events slowed migration. Both violent and political events increased marriage and contraceptive use net of migration. Overall, this micro-level event-centered approach yields a significant advance for the study of how armed conflict affects civilian behavioral responses.
Fast reconfigurable communication networks

Two distributed channel allocation algorithms are presented for a reconfigurable communication network with a multiple-channel link architecture. In this architecture, every switching node can dynamically allocate transmitters and receivers among links to match traffic fluctuations and hence improve the average delay and throughput performance over that of a fixed-link architecture. The authors show that the first algorithm always converges to an optimum configuration while assuming that link may never be saturated and requiring global information on channel allocation. The second algorithm needs local information only and poses no limitation on link capacity but may terminate at suboptimum configurations. The conditions under which the local search algorithm may fail to converge to an optimum configuration is also discussed. >
TIPS in Variceal Bleeding: New and Old Indications

Variceal bleeding is one of the most dreaded complications of cirrhosis and its occurrence is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. During the past 30 years preventative therapies have reduced the risk of the first variceal bleed. Once variceal bleeding occurs use of pharmacologic and endoscopic therapies prevent rebleeding in most patients. The existing recommendations are that TIPS only be used in those patients who fail medical therapy. We reviewed recent literature focusing on the role of early TIPS in management of acute variceal hemorrhage and prevention of re-bleeding.
Bayesian inference for multinomial populations under stochastic ordering

In many parametric problems the use of order restrictions among the parameters can lead to improved precision. Our interest is in the study of several multinomial populations under the stochastic order restriction (SOR) for univariate situations. We use Bayesian methods to show that the SOR can lead to larger gains in precision than the method without the SOR when the SOR is reasonable. Unlike frequentist order restricted inference, our methodology permits analysis even when there is uncertainty about the SOR. Our method is sampling based, and we use simple and efficient rejection sampling. The Bayes factor in favor of the SOR is computed in a simple manner, and samples from the requisite posterior distributions are easily obtained. We use real data to illustrate the procedure, and we show that there is likely to be larger gains in precision under the SOR.
Partitioning of Eolian and Hemipelagic Sediment in Eastern Equatorial Pacific Core TR 163-31B and The Late Quaternary Paleoclimate of the Northern Andes

ABSTRACT We apply simple eolian-hemipelagic mixing model to characterize the terrigenous sediment component in well-dated deep-sea core TR163-31B raised from south of the Carnegie Ridge, 300 km west of the coast of Ecuador. The terrigenous component forms 11-19% of the sediment in this pelagic core. The relative amount of hemipelagic and eolian material was determined by comparison of the 1-30 m grain size distribution of the terrigenous fraction to that from a mixing model constructed from eolian and hemipelagic end members. Results indicate that hemipelagic deposition dominated this region from approximately 21.5 to 28 ka (14C age) and 15 to 17.5 ka, that both components are important from 17.5 to 21.5 ka, and that the eolian component dominated sediment younger than 15 ka. This depositional pattern generally matches the paleoclimatology of the northern Andes, specifically cooler and wetter conditions during stadials and warmer and drier conditions during interstadials and the Holocene.
Weave Room of the Future: Part I: Team Approach to Operations—A Simulation Study

On-line production monitoring of textile manufacturing operations is used increas ingly, but to fully benefit from this trend in automation, the monitored information should be used for real-time decision making. We have investigated the required changes in the more common methods of workload allocation in weaving, and we propose a different approach to workload allocation, called "team weaving." Through a computer simulation of the weave room operations, we have analyzed the advantages of the proposed approach over current practices.
Joint Effects of Radio Channels and Node Mobility on Link Dynamics in Wireless Networks

In this paper, we study link properties over dynamic radio channels based on analytical models and simulations. Specifically, channel variability and mobility are investigated through two quantities: effective transmission range and node-pair distance, respectively. We find that the PDF of link lifetime can be approximated by exponential distribution with parameter characterized by the ratio of average node speed to effective transmission range. Moreover, we show that average link lifetime for slower mobile nodes is mainly determined by radio channel characteristics, whereas for faster mobile nodes, it is dominated by node mobility. Through analysis and simulations, we find that the impacting factors on residual link lifetime are in the decreasing order of average node speed, effective transmission range, and node-pair distance on the fly. We further present the implication and application of link properties to path lifetime, network connectivity, and routing performance.
“A Voice, A Mystery”: Wordsworth's Cuckoo

William Wordsworth's cuckoo in “To the Cuckoo” is a complex symbol. The bird is celebrated as a symbolic marker for nature, but Wordsworth also makes clear that its physical presence is not its mos...
Power switch characterization for fine-grained dynamic voltage scaling

Dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) provides power savings for systems with varying performance requirements. One low overhead implementation of DVS uses PMOS power switches to connect DVS blocks to one of the available VDD supplies. While power switches have been analyzed extensively for leakage power gating, proper design of power switches for DVS is less well understood. This paper characterizes power switches for DVS in terms of VDD-switching delay and VDD-switching energy. We show the impact of these switching overheads on a novel fine-grained DVS architecture and present an RC model that allows fast estimation of the overhead. Measurements of a DVS multiplier and adder on a 90 nm CMOS test chip validate the model. Our model and measurements confirm that power switched DVS can provide sufficiently low overhead to give energy savings with only one clock cycle spent at a lower voltage, making this approach a flexible and enticing option for embedded portable systems.
Thermal stability data of amorphous binary alloys

Data on the thermal stability of amorphous (glassy) binary alloys are compiled. Where available, alloy preparation method, crystallization temperature and method of measurement of crystallization temperature are tabulated. Other relevant aspects such as crystallized phases and compositions, glass transition temperature and analytical parameter variations also are given when data are available.
Thought Leaders: Insights on the Future of Business

The article reviews the book “Thought Leaders: Insights on the Future of Business,” edited by Joel Kurtzman.
Sibling Death and Death Fear in Relation to Depressive Symptomatology in Older Adults

Previously overlooked factors in elders' depressive symptomatology were examined, including death fear, sibling death, and sibling closeness. Participants were 150 elders (61 men, 89 women) aged 65-97 years with at least one sibling. Measures were proportion of deceased siblings, sibling closeness, the Death Fear Subscale of the Death Attitude Profile-Revised, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (20-item adult form). Age and education were exogenous variables in a structural equation model. Death fear, sibling closeness, and proportion of dead siblings were directly related to depression, with path coefficients of .42, -.24, and .13, respectively. Proportion of dead siblings had indirect effects on depression, as did age and education. Depressive symptomatology in old age is influenced by death fear related to sibling death as well as by poor relationships with them; it must be understood within a situational context including death fear and sibling relationships.
MOMENTS OF TOTALITARIANISM

Hope And Memory: Lessons From The Twentieth Century. By Tzvetan Todorov. Translated by David Bellos The Dictators: Hitler's Germany And Stalin's Russia. By Richard Overy Stalinism And Nazism: History And Memory Compared. Edited by Henry Rousso. Translated by Lucy B. Golsan, Thomas C. Hilde, and Peter S. Rogers Stalinism and Nazism: Dictatorships in Comparison. Edited by Ian Kershaw and Moshe Lewin Did Somebody Say Totalitarianism? Five Interventions in the (Mis)Use of A Notion. By Slavoj Zizek
Dynamical holes in the quark-gluon plasma.

A high-temperature quark-gluon plasma is shown to have twice as many fermionic modes as at zero temperature. Besides propagating quarks and antiquarks there are also propagating quark holes and antiquark holes. The holes are generated dynamically (i.e., without any chemical potentials) and show many similarities to Cooper pairing in superconductivity. They provide some unique experimental signals for the existence of the quark-gluon plasma.
Experimental study of water wetting in oil–water two phase flow—Horizontal flow of model oil

When crude oil and water are simultaneously transported in mild steel pipelines, corrosion problems are generally associated with the water phase being in contact with the metal surface at the bottom of the pipe. Consequently, knowing whether oil or water wets the pipe wall is an important factor, which can affect the corrosion mitigation strategy and increase confidence in the integrity of the pipeline. There are large knowledge gaps in this area of research and consequently only very crude empirical criteria are used in the industry. In the present work an experimental study of oil–water flow was conducted in a large diameter (0.1 m ID) horizontal multiphase flow loop using four measurement techniques: flow pattern visualization, conductivity pins, fluid sampling and monitoring of corrosion rate via ferrous ion concentration (iron count). Five different oil/water flow patterns were observed and a flow regime map was constructed. The flow patterns were smooth stratified flow, stratified flow with water globules, stratified flow with mixing layer, semi-dispersed flow and dispersed flow. The results from the conductivity pins showed three different wetting behaviors: stable water wetting, stable oil wetting and intermittent wetting. The results of the fluid sampling were consistent with the wetting results from the conductivity pins. Ferrous ion monitoring demonstrated that corrosion occurs only when water wets the pipe walls and is greater for stable water wetting than for intermittent wetting.
Cultural traits and stock market development: an empirical analysis

Purpose – During recent times, the stock market has emerged as a major financial institution of an economy. Yet, cross-country differences, in size and role of stock market, persist. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the correlation between cultural traits and the development of the stock market in a country. Considering multiple dimensions of culture, identified in the literature by Hofstede (1980/2001) and World Value Survey, the authors construct the hypotheses: trust, a key cultural trait, should positively influence stock market development; uncertainty avoidance, Hofstede’s cultural dimension should negatively influence the development of the stock market; and individualism, an alternate cultural dimension of Hofstede’s measures, should be positively correlated with stock market development. The cross-country empirical analysis supports the hypotheses. The results hold for multiple measures of stock market development. Design/methodology/approach – This paper investigates the correlation b...
Simultaneous calibration and tracking with a network of non-overlapping sensors

We describe a method for simultaneously recovering the trajectory of a target and the external calibration parameters of non-overlapping cameras in a multi-camera system. Each camera is assumed to measure the location of a moving target within its field of view with respect to the camera's ground-plane coordinate system. Calibrating the network of cameras requires aligning each camera's ground-plane coordinate system with a global ground-plane coordinate system. Prior knowledge about the target's dynamics can compensate for the lack of overlap between the camera fields of view. The target is allowed to move freely with varying speed and direction. We demonstrate the idea with a network of indoor wireless cameras.
Sources of Emotional Strain among the Oldest Caregivers: Differential Experiences of Siblings and Spouses

The sources of emotional strain experienced by both sibling and spouse caregivers were examined from a role theory perspective. Both spouses and siblings are at risk of emotional strain associated ...
National Elections and Political Attitudes: The Case of Political Efficacy

Elections constitute a principal avenue of citizen involvement in political life, and knowledge of their effects on public attitudes towards the polity and the role of the individual therein has important implications for theories of democratic governance. One sucli attitude is political efficacy, ‘the feeling that individual political action does have, or can have, an impact on the political process’. Although many studies have documented that political efficacy is positively associated with electoral participation, the causal mechanisms involved are not well understood. Most researchers have simply assumed that the ‘causal arrow’ runs from efficacy to participation, i.e. from the attitude to the behaviour. Investigations of the hypothesis that the behaviour (participation) affects the attitude (efficacy) are rare. Rarer still are enquiries focusing on the impact of election outcomes on efficacy, and studies that examine both effects are virtually non-existent. In this Note covariance structure analysis is used to investigate the effects of voting, campaign activity and the outcomes of the 1984 national elections on political efficacy in the American electorate.
Cysteine Modification Alters Voltage- and Ca2+-dependent Gating of Large Conductance (BK) Potassium Channels

The Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel α-subunit contains many cysteine residues within its large COOH-terminal tail domain. To probe the function of this domain, we examined effects of cysteine-modifying reagents on channel gating. Application of MTSET, MTSES, or NEM to mSlo1 or hSlo1 channels changed the voltage and Ca2+ dependence of steady-state activation. These reagents appear to modify the same cysteines but have different effects on function. MTSET increases IK and shifts the GK–V relation to more negative voltages, whereas MTSES and NEM shift the GK–V in the opposite direction. Steady-state activation was altered in the presence or absence of Ca2+ and at negative potentials where voltage sensors are not activated. Combinations of [Ca2+] and voltage were also identified where Po is not changed by cysteine modification. Interpretation of our results in terms of an allosteric model indicate that cysteine modification alters Ca2+ binding and the relative stability of closed and open conformations as well as the coupling of voltage sensor activation and Ca2+ binding and to channel opening. To identify modification-sensitive residues, we examined effects of MTS reagents on mutant channels lacking one or more cysteines. Surprisingly, the effects of MTSES on both voltage- and Ca2+-dependent gating were abolished by replacing a single cysteine (C430) with alanine. C430 lies in the RCK1 (regulator of K+ conductance) domain within a series of eight residues that is unique to BK channels. Deletion of these residues shifted the GK–V relation by >−80 mV. Thus we have identified a region that appears to strongly influence RCK domain function, but is absent from RCK domains of known structure. C430A did not eliminate effects of MTSET on apparent Ca2+ affinity. However an additional mutation, C615S, in the Haem binding site reduced the effects of MTSET, consistent with a role for this region in Ca2+ binding.
An Introduction to Internet Standards

Internet standards allow hardware and software from different sources to interoperate, and we can do virtually nothing on the internet without them. Here, Standards' new department editor discusses Internet standards in general, giving a brief overview of why they're necessary. He then delves into specific standards for email that aim to reduce spammers' ability to lie about who sent an email message (spoofing) - the Sender Policy Framework, Sender ID, and Domain Keys Identified Mail.
CGI-58 facilitates the mobilization of cytoplasmic triglyceride for lipoprotein secretion in hepatoma cells.

Comparative Gene Identification-58 (CGI-58) is a member of the a/b-hydrolase family of proteins. Mutations in the human CGI-58 gene are associated with Chanarin- Dorfman syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive genetic dis- ease in which excessive triglyceride (TG) accumulation occurs in multiple tissues. In this study, we investigated the role of CGI-58 in cellular lipid metabolism in several cell models and discovered a role for CGI-58 in promoting the packaging of cytoplasmic TG into secreted lipoprotein par- ticles in hepatoma cells. Using both gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches, we demonstrate that CGI-58 facilitates the depletion of cellular TG stores without alter- ing cellular cholesterol or phospholipid accumulation. This depletion of cellular TG is attributable solely to augmented hydrolysis, whereas TG synthesis was not affected by CGI- 58. Furthermore, CGI-58-mediated TG hydrolysis can be completely inhibited by the known lipase inhibitors diethyl- umbelliferyl phosphate and diethyl-p-nitrophenyl phos- phate, but not by p-chloro-mercuribenzoate. Intriguingly, CGI-58-driven TG hydrolysis was coupled to increases in both fatty acid oxidation and secretion of TG. Collec- tively, this study reveals a role for CGI-58 in coupling li- polytic degradation of cytoplasmic TG to oxidation and packaging into TG-rich lipoproteins for secretion in hepa- toma cells.—Brown, J. M., S. Chung, A. Das, G. S. Shelness, L. L. Rudel, and L. Yu. CGI-58 facilitates the mobilization of cytoplasmic triglyceride for lipoprotein secretion in hepa- toma cells. J. Lipid Res. 2007. 48: 2295-2305.
Pre-instrumental variables in coagulation testing.

A number of variables thought to affect measurement of prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were examined in an effort to determine more precisely their effects on these measurements. On the basis of these studies, it is proposed that blood specimens be anticoagulated with one part 3.8% (w./v.) sodium citrate solution to 19 parts whole blood to avoid excessive anticoagulation of blood samples drawn from patients with polycythemia. Because of the smaller amounts of plasma in such samples, relatively larger amounts of anticoagulant are used, and spuriously prolonged PT and PTT measurements commonly result. No deleterious effect on anemic specimens is evident when the smaller amount of citrate is used. Studies of the stability of these specimens indicate that unopened , vacuum-drawn specimens do not noticeably deteriorate for as long as 6 hours, even when kept at room temperature. Prothrombin time measurements remain constant for as long as 24 hours. However, a 10–15% lengthening of the partial thromboplastin time is evident after 24 hours of storage.
A membrane-delimited effect of internal pH on the K+ outward rectifier of Vicia faba guard cells.

ABA stimulation of outward K+ current (I K,out) in Vicia faba guard cells has been correlated with a rise in cytosolic pH (pH i ). However, the underlying mechanism by which I K,out is affected by pH i has remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that pH i regulates outward K+ current in isolated membrane patches from Vicia faba guard cells. The stimulatory effect of alkalinizing pH i was voltage insensitive and independent of the two free calcium levels tested, 50 nm and 1 μm. The single-channel conductance was only slightly affected by pH i . Based on single-channel measurements, the kinetics of time-activated whole-cell current, and the analysis of current noise in whole-cell recordings, we conclude that alkaline pH i enhances the magnitude of I K,out by increasing the number of channels available for activation. The fact that the pH i effect is seen in excised patches indicates that signal transduction pathways involved in the regulation of I K,out by pH i , and by implication, components of hormonal signal transduction pathways that are downstream of pH i , are membrane-delimited.
Establishing a Carbon Emissions Baseline for Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Buildings

Climate change concerns, pending regulations, and potential legislation have made federal agencies begin to consider their carbon footprints in planning and policies. In the future, the state of Kansas may have to report and account for its carbon footprint and propose solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by conserving energy and water. As a large state agency, the carbon footprint of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is a major contributor to the Kansas state government carbon footprint. A research project was begun in 2010 to establish a baseline carbon use footprint for KDOT. Establishing a Carbon baseline for KDOT assets involves three essential steps that include data collection, data assumptions and conversion to carbon equivalents for many facets of DOT operations, including the electrical, natural gas, and potable water use. Utility data was collected for the DOT engineering, maintenance, and operations facilities. This paper documents the methods used and challenges for collecting and establishing the utility energy and carbon footprint for a large organization with hundreds of facilities, along with the carbon footprint calculation methods used.
The Spanish Textile Industry Sans ATC Quota Protection

The Spanish textile and apparel manufacturing sectors have been badly impacted by the global recession as well as the removal of quotas that were in place with the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). This study employs a cost function to investigate the presence of scale economies and the interrelationships among inputs of domestic capital, labor, and intermediate goods as well as outsourced (imported) intermediate products for the Spanish textile industry in a global environment that has become increasingly competitive. While there is evidence of scale economies at low output levels, there is also some evidence consistent with diseconomies of scale at the highest output levels. All of the inputs appear to be substitutes for one another except for domestic capital and outsourced intermediate goods. An important finding is that the demands for both labor and domestic intermediate goods have become increasingly sensitive to the prices of outsourced inputs. The estimated coefficients of dummy variables...
Study on the mutation reversion of induced waxy gene of rice

Take some parents of hybrid rice such as Nanhui 175wxR,Xianghui 288wxR,Minghui 86wxR,Shuhui 527wxR,Minghui 63wxR,II-32wxB,Longtepu wxB and D62wxB which had induced waxy gene as the material,and the characteristics of endosperm of their inbred descendant were studied by net eyes.The results were as following:induced waxy mutants reversion(waxy endosperm reversed to non-waxy ones),and the reversion frequency for 0～6.34×10-5,average for 3.74×10-5.
Exploring Produce Industry Attitudes: Relationships between Postharvest Handling, Fruit Flavor, and Consumer Purchasing

As part of a larger project to show how fresh fruits and vegetables with enhanced flavor can be successfully handled to improve consumer satisfaction without compromising food safety, key informant interviews were conducted with fruit industry leaders dealing with melons (Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus), peaches and nectarines (Prunus persica), pears (Pyrus communis), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), strawberries (Fragaria ·ananassa), and blueberries (Vaccinium sp.). The interview was designed to collect information on industry attitudes and practices related to postharvest handling of more mature fruit, harvest timing, preconditioning, cold chain management, and shipping and handling procedures throughout the supply chain. The current analysis focuses on two key questions from the interviews: 1) To what extent do industry experts believe that better fruit handling and shipping procedures contribute to better taste quality in fruit? 2) To what extent do industry experts believe that better fruit quality will lead to more consumer purchasing? In response to the first question, the majority of respondents (70%) agreed that postharvest handling affects fruit flavor with the most cited themes related to agreement being gentle handling, cold chain management, and harvest timing. Of the respondents who expressed disagreement most acknowledged the importance of postharvest handling, but felt other factors were also important, mainly the variety grown, the shelf life requirements, and the growing conditions. For the second question, 95% of respondents agreed that increased taste quality of fruit would mean increased purchasing and consumption. The primary theme related to agreement was that consumers would repeat purchase after positive eating experiences. Other important factors were the price point of fruit, retail display, product identity, and fruit appearance. With increasing consumer attention to fruit quality and a generally accepted belief among industry representatives that fruit flavor and quality drives consumer demand, there is an opportunity to shift industry practices toward postharvest handing that is conducive to consistently delivering better-tasting fruit to consumers.
Diagnosis and clinical findings of Kienböck's disease.

SUMMARY The clinical presentation and history of patients with Kienbock's disease do not permit differentiating avascular necrosis of the lunate from vague wrist pathology of a variety of causes. Diagnosis and evaluation of this disorder therefore require appropriate imaging studies. Plain-film radiography, tomography, and bone scintigraphy are useful screening tests, but MRI yields a definitive diagnosis. CT is also valuable for delineating structural changes and the amount of collapse in the lunate. The staging of Kienbock's disease is based on clinical and radiographic data.
12. High Finance

Schachermayer paused, chuckled, and beamed at this familiar gathering of financial derivatives friends who had gathered in Germany to honor the retirement of one of their own, Professor Hans Follmer. We were in Berlin and it was June 9, 2007. I was there by chance.
Women’s Labour Force Participation and Earnings Determinants in a Developing Country

Recent economic development literature has stressed increasingly the critical roles of human-capital investments in the pursuit of growth and distributional goals. Concurrently there has been a deluge of hypotheses about the importance of women in the development process. Special conditions in labour markets in developing countries have also received considerable emphasis. These include regional and sectoral pluralism, the relevance of human-capital investments in health and nutrition, and distinctive determinants of opportunity costs for female labour force participation because of factors like childcare by extended family members or older children.1
Optimal two-point visual driver model and controller development for driver-assist systems for semi-autonomous vehicles

In the research of vehicle autonomy, including the development of driver-assist systems (DAS), one important design objective is the vehicle's lateral stability during lane-tracking. This paper adopts the well-known two-point visual model to characterize the steering behavior of the driver, and investigates the optimal driver model parameters that minimize the H2-norm of the closed-loop system. A previous study has shown that a controller based on linear multi-variable output regulator theory (ORT) has good performance and robustness characteristics during typical lane-tracking maneuvers. This paper provides limits of performance by optimizing the driver model parameters (i.e., estimating the “ideal” driver). Numerical simulations illustrate the results.