cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Partial Molal Volumes and Compressibilities of Nonelectrolytes and Amino Acids in 0.725 m NaCl

The partial molal volumes and compressibilities of a number of nonelectrolytes and amino acids in 0.725 m NaCl have been determined from density and compressibility measurements. The results have been used to examine the behavior of these compounds in ocean waters. The partial molal volumes of the solutes in 0.725 m NaCl were a linear function of the values in water. The partial molal compressibilities of urea, sugars and amino acids were all negative due to the hydration of water molecules. The values of partial molal compressibilities in 0.725 m NaCl were not as negative due to the decrease in the hydration in the salt solution. A simple hydration model is used to estimate the number of water molecules hydrated to the solutes in 0.725 m NaCl. The partial molal volumes and compressibilities for the nonelectrolytes determined in this study should be useful in estimating the effect of pressure on equilibrium reactions of these compounds in seawater.
The Medicalization of Male Sexual Dysfunctions: An Analysis of Sex Therapy Journals

This study explored paradigm change in sex therapy for male sexual dysfunctions. An analysis of the professional journal literature was used to examine the theories, causes, and treatments utilized to explain and treat erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation between 1967 and 1998. The journals analyzed include the Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, the Journal of Sex Research, and Archives of Sexual Behavior. Sex therapy may be characterized as a multiple paradigm science; the medical and psychological models are reviewed. The medical model includes various approaches such as hormone therapy, herbs, prescription medication, surgery, and vacuum therapy. While the behavioral model is the dominant psychological sex therapy paradigm, the results indicate that the medical model has emerged as the dominant paradigm for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions. These findings suggest several possibilities for sex therapy: a decline of practitioners without medical...
Parallel Genetic Algorithms in the Optimization of Composite Structures

Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are a powerful technique for search and optimization problems, and are particularly useful in the optimization of composite structures. The search space for an optimal composite structure is generally discontinuous and strongly multimodal, with the possibility for many local sub-optimal solutions or even singular extrema. These facts severely limit gradient-type approaches to optimization, bringing this broad class of problems under scrutiny for application of GAs. Examples described here of the successful use of parallel GAs to design composite structures by the authors include energy-absorbing laminated beams [1], airfoils with tailored bending-twisting coupling [2], and flywheel structures [3]. Optimal design of laminated composite beams was performed using a GA with a specialized finite element model to design material stacking sequences to maximize the mechanical energy absorbed before fracture. An initial GA approach to the optimal design of a specialized, idealized composite airfoil is now being refined for a practical application. The optimum stacking sequence to produce a desired twisting response while minimizing weight, maximizing in-plane stiffness and maintaining acceptable stress levels is determined. The GA has also been used to maximize the Specific Energy Density (SED) of composite flywheels. SED is defined as the amount of rotational energy stored per unit mass. Optimization of SED was achieved by allowing the GA to search for various flywheel shapes and allowing the GA to pick material sequences along the radius of the flywheel.
On the relation between additive smoothing and universal coding [language modeling]

We analyze the performance of smoothing methods for language modeling from the perspective of universal compression. We use existing asymptotic bounds on the performance of simple additive rules for compression of finite-alphabet memoryless sources to explain the empirical predictive abilities of additive smoothing techniques. We further suggest a smoothing method that overcomes some of the problems observed in previous approaches. The new method outperforms existing ones on the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) database for bigram and trigram models. We then suggest possible directions for future research.
Modifying Soft Tissue Models: Progressive Cutting with Minimal New Element Creation

Surgical simulation is a promising technology for training medical students and planning procedures. One major requirement for these simulation systems is a method to generate realistic cuts through soft tissue models. This paper describes methods for cutting through tetrahedral models of soft tissue. The cutting surface follows the free form path of the user’s motion, and generates a minimal set of new elements to replace intersected tetrahedra. Intersected elements are progressively cut to minimize the lag between the user’s motion and model modification. A linear finite element model is used to model deformation of the soft tissue. These cutting techniques coupled with a physically based deformation model increases the accuracy and applicability of a surgical simulation system.
Enhancing Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing in Older People

A need for a focus shift from increased longevity to ability and experienced wellbeing is evident to enable older adults to stay active in and engaged with society for longer. The mental health of older adults is a public health issue: mental health problems and disorders are highly prevalent in later life and thereby form a major threat to a full life. Psychosocial interventions aiming to enhance mental health, targeting the general older adult population or certain risk groups, are promising if appropriately implemented. The aim of this chapter is to describe and compare the effect of psychosocial interventions for enhancing mental health in later life. In addition, it illustrates how various aspects of social capital (i.e., social contacts, social participation, and experienced trust, sense of belonging and social support) connect to mental health and mental wellbeing among older adults. Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis, the effects of psychosocial interventions on various mental health outcomes (e.g., life satisfaction, quality of life, functioning level, depressive symptoms) are presented and discussed. Equally important, the systematic review points out the scarce research base of psychosocial interventions, with few included studies and characterized by a small or no effect. Among the evaluated intervention types, social activities involving some form of volunteering or giving were the most promising; they significantly enhanced positive mental health, life satisfaction, and quality of life, as well as reduced depressive symptoms when compared to no-intervention controls. Further, the subjective importance of psychosocial activities for the maintenance of mental health and wellbeing is highlighted and various components of social capital are identified as significant predictors for mental health among older adults.
A Dynamical Appearance Model Based on Multiscale Sparse Representation: Segmentation of the Left Ventricle from 4D Echocardiography

The spatio-temporal coherence in data plays an important role in echocardiographic segmentation. While learning offline dynamical priors from databases has received considerable attention, these priors may not be suitable for post-infarct patients and children with congenital heart disease. This paper presents a dynamical appearance model (DAM) driven by individual inherent data coherence. It employs multiscale sparse representation of local appearance, learns online multiscale appearance dictionaries as the image sequence is segmented sequentially, and integrates a spectrum of complementary multiscale appearance information including intensity, multiscale local appearance, and dynamical shape predictions. It overcomes the limitations of database-driven statistical models and applies to a broader range of subjects. Results on 26 4D canine echocardiographic images acquired from both healthy and post-infarct subjects show that our method significantly improves segmentation accuracy and robustness compared to a conventional intensity model and our previous single-scale sparse representation method.
The design of entity-relationship models for general ledger systems

Abstract General ledger systems, though not often discussed in the database literature, are fundamental to the operation of any business and illustrate many of the subtleties of database design. We present here an application of the entity-relationship model design methodology to general ledger systems. Introductions to the terminology of both entity-relationship models and general ledger accounting systems are given, in order to make the paper relatively self-contained.
The effect of alcohol use on wages

(1988). The effect of alcohol use on wages. Applied Economics: Vol. 20, No. 10, pp. 1343-1351.
Therapeutic immune response induced by electrofusion of dendritic and tumor cells.

Abstract To elicit a therapeutic antitumor immune response, dendritic cells (DCs) have been employed as a cellular adjuvant. Among various DC-based approaches, fusion of DCs and tumor cells potentially confers not only DC functionality, but also a continuous source of unaltered tumor antigens. We have recently demonstrated successful generation of fusion hybrids by a large-scale electrofusion technique. The immunogenicity and therapeutic potential of fusion hybrids were further analyzed in a model system of a murine melanoma cell line expressing β-galactosidase (β-gal) as a surrogate tumor antigen. A single vaccination with fusion hybrids plus IL-12 induced a therapeutic immune response against 3-day established pulmonary metastases. This immunotherapy was β-gal specific and involved both CD4 and CD8 T cells. In vitro, fusion hybrids stimulated specific IFN-γ secretion from both CD4 and CD8 immune T cells. They also nonspecifically induced IL-10 secretion from CD4 but not CD8 T cells. Compared to other DC loadings, our results demonstrate the superior immunogenicity of fusion. The current technique of electrofusion is adequately developed for clinical use in cancer immunotherapy.
Social support and cancer: Adult patients' desire for support from family, friends, and health professionals

Examined cancer patients' desire for social support from family, friends, and health professionals upon whom they most depended for support. Before a single interaction with each of these sources, nonhospitalized adult cancer patients (N = 64) completed a questionnaire indicating their desire for support from the source on 11 functional components. Results indicated that emotional and instrumental functions of support were distinct and required separate examination. Distinctiveness of primary sources was manifest by patients' overall preference for tangible aid from family, modeling from friends who had cancer, and open communication and clarification from health professionals. Family and friends were equally preferred sources for dealing with affective reactions to the stressfulness of cancer. All three sources were similarly desired for self-esteem enhancement and for relief from decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities. Finally, patients' perceived prognosis but not the objective severity of their illness was associated with a heightened desire for support, especially for instrumental support functions.
A study of the reliability and validity of the holmes alcoholism scale

The Holmes Am Scale was found to have low internal consistency reliability when a Likert-type response format was employed in both a college and in an alcoholic sample (N = 116). Comparison of AM scores between the alcoholic and college groups revealed a significant point-biserial correlation between Am scores and group; alcoholics had the higher mean score. Discriminant analysis resulted in 76.3% correct classification of respondents into their respective group (alcoholic vs. college) on the basis of Am scores. In addition, Am scores were found to be related modestly to self-reports of quantity and frequency of alcohol use in the college sample. Although these results provide support for the validity of the Am scale, its reliability is yet to be established. Language: en
Decline in the United States black preterm/low birth weight rate in the 1990s: can the economic boom explain it?

Purpose Macroeconomic improvements have been posited as an explanation of the decline in the Black preterm birth rate during the 1990s. This study assessed whether decreasing unemployment explained the decline in preterm, low birth weight births (PT-LBW) for Black women. Methods United States singleton births to non-Hispanic Black women ages 18 and over, conceived between 1990 and 2001, were pooled to examine PT-LBW trends by level of social advantage (approximated by education and marital status). The impact of the state-level unemployment rate in the first and second trimester of pregnancy was evaluated in multiple logistic regression models. Results During the 1990s, PT-LBW declined 11% among disadvantaged (unmarried, less than high school educated) Black women. Although the unemployment rate and PT-LBW were positively related, decreases in unemployment did not explain the decline in PT-LBW. Instead, improvements in prenatal care utilization and smoking behavior largely accounted for the temporal trend. Conclusions Macroeconomic improvements, measured by unemployment, only marginally contributed to the Black PT-LBW trend in the 1990s. To effect further reductions, future studies should investigate other possible determinants of the proximate behavioral changes that did explain the trend (e.g., Earned Income Tax Credit expansions, increased, cigarette taxes/smoking legislation).
Improved CT-based estimate of pulmonary gas trapping accounting for scanner and lung-volume variations in a multicenter asthmatic study

Lung air trapping is estimated via quantitative computed tomography (CT) using density threshold-based measures on an expiration scan. However, the effects of scanner differences and imaging protocol adherence on quantitative assessment are known to be problematic. This study investigates the effects of protocol differences, such as using different CT scanners and breath-hold coaches in a multicenter asthmatic study, and proposes new methods that can adjust intersite and intersubject variations. CT images of 50 healthy subjects and 42 nonsevere and 52 severe asthmatics at total lung capacity (TLC) and functional residual capacity (FRC) were acquired using three different scanners and two different coaching methods at three institutions. A fraction threshold-based approach based on the corrected Hounsfield unit of air with tracheal density was applied to quantify air trapping at FRC. The new air-trapping method was enhanced by adding a lung-shaped metric at TLC and the lobar ratio of air-volume change between TLC and FRC. The fraction-based air-trapping method is able to collapse air-trapping data of respective populations into distinct regression lines. Relative to a constant value-based clustering scheme, the slope-based clustering scheme shows the improved performance and reduced misclassification rate of healthy subjects. Furthermore, both lung shape and air-volume change are found to be discriminant variables for differentiating among three populations of healthy subjects and nonsevere and severe asthmatics. In conjunction with the lung shape and air-volume change, the fraction-based measure of air trapping enables differentiation of severe asthmatics from nonsevere asthmatics and nonsevere asthmatics from healthy subjects, critical for the development and evaluation of new therapeutic interventions.
Nuclear siting using decision analysis

Abstract This study identifies suitable additional future sites for nuclear power generating facilities of 3000 MW capacity in the state of Washington and parts of Oregon and Idaho. A series of screening models was used to identify nine specific sites for evaluation by decision analysis. Six major objectives concerning health and safety, environmental effects, socioeconomic impacts, and financial considerations were formally employed over the six attributes measuring the degree to which the objectives were met. Possible impacts at each site were expertly assessed for each attribute. Evaluation and sensitivity analyses led to the recommendation that site-specific studies should be conducted at three sites to select one for proceeding to the formal licensing process.
Protein kinase CK2 – A key suppressor of apoptosis

Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous and highly conserved protein serine/threonine kinase that is indispensable for cell survival. CK2 has long been implicated in cell growth and proliferation, and studies from several laboratories have suggested that CK2 plays a global role in affecting cell growth related activities. Recently, we documented that CK2, besides its role in cell growth and proliferation, can potently suppress apoptosis. Considering that CK2 has been found to be elevated in all the cancers that have been examined, the ability of CK2 to suppress apoptosis is particularly important in the context of cancer cell pathobiology since these cells exhibit dysregulation of both cell proliferation and cell death. Thus, overexpression of CK2 in cancer cells may impart a survival advantage by its action as a suppressor of apoptotic activity in these cells while promoting cell growth. In experimental studies, we have shown that overexpression of CK2 in cells can potently inhibit apoptosis mediated by a variety of agents including removal of survival factors, chemical and physical agents, and death receptor ligands. On the other hand, inhibition of CK2 by chemical inhibitors or by its molecular downregulation by antisense CK2 ODN or siRNA leads to potent induction of apoptosis. Downregulation of CK2 is associated with apoptosis mediated via effects on several downstream targets, and it appears that CK2 may have a global impact on the apoptotic machinery. While CK2 is present in both the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, several of its cell growth and cell death related activities appear to be associated with its signalling to the nuclear structures such as chromatin and nuclear matrix. In general, shuttling of CK2 to these compartments correlates with its role in cell growth and suppression of apoptotic activity whereas loss of CK2 from the nuclear structures is associated with induction of apoptosis and cessation of cell growth. These various observations on the biology of CK2 have led to our original proposal that CK2 is a potentially important target for cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic approaches; this is now being substantiated by recent studies.
Single machine scheduling with flow time and earliness penalties

This paper considers the problem of schedulingn jobs on a single machine to minimize the total cost incurred by their respective flow time and earliness penalties. It is assumed that each job has a due date that must be met, and that preemptions are not allowed. The problem is formulated as a dynamic program (DP) and solved with a reaching algorithm that exploits a series of dominance properties and efficiently generated bounds. A major factor underlying the effectiveness of the approach is the use of a greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP) to construct high quality feasible solutions. These solutions serve as upper bounds on the optimum, and permit a predominant portion of the state space to be fathomed during the DP recursion. To evaluate the performance of the algorithm, an experimental design involving over 240 randomly generated problems was followed. The test results indicate that problems with up to 30 jobs can be readily solved on a microcomputer in less than 12 minutes. This represents a significant improvement over previously reported results for both dynamic programming and mixed integer linear programming approaches.
Variables affecting patient satisfaction with health care services in the college health setting.

Abstract Patient satisfaction with health care services is an important factor in health care delivery. It will significantly influence whether or not a patient seeks medical care, complies with prescribed treatment, and/or maintains a continuing relationship with a medical practitioner. A survey questionnaire, relating patient satisfaction with a number of variables identified through a literature review, was mailed to a random sample of 500 students utilizing Student Health Service (SHS) at Kent State University (KSU) during the five week study period. The data obtained would be utilized to help with planning future health care services and staff inservice education programs. The findings of this survey indicate that patient satisfaction has a statistically significant correlation with perceived technical competence of the practitioner and perceived adequacy of the interpersonal aspects of the practitioner-patient relationship. A significant relationship did not exist between satisfaction and expectatio...
Effects of paraplegia produced by intrathecal 6-aminonicotinamide on motor units in the rat.

Abstract An intrathecal injection of 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) in adult rats produced a central myelopathy with destruction of neurons and gliosis. After a latent period of 24 to 36 h, the animals developed flaccid paralysis of the hind limbs, followed by irreversible hypertonic paraplegia. Motor nerve conduction velocities in the tibial nerve of 6-AN-treated animals (serial recordings 3–550 days) were the same as controls and teased nerve fibers to extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles showed no evidence of nerve regeneration. In vivo studies of contractile properties of 6-AN-treated soleus showed that the mean maximal twitch and tetanic tensions were greatly reduced compared to controls by 14 days. The same occurred in the 6-AN-treated EDL, but to a lesser degree. These changes in contractile properties persisted throughout the 570-day period of observation. There was no significant change in the percentage of fiber types in the soleus muscles after 6-AN. However, the EDL had an increased number of type I fibers by 30 days and this peaked at 90 days and was associated with a decrease in type IIC and IIA but not IIB fibers. Initially the type I fibers occurred at random, but by 2 to 3 months, they occurred in small groups of 5 to 20 fibers. The mean areas of all fibers were reduced as early as 2 weeks in both 6-AN-treated EDL and soleus muscles. These changes most likely resulted from the chronic hypertonic paraplegia with extensor posturing, followed by immobilization at knee and ankle joints and loss of some spinal motoneurons with peripheral sprouting, especially of type I motoneurons.
The electron signature of parallel electric fields

Dynamics Explorer I High-Altitude Plasma Instrument electron data are presented. The electron distribution functions have characteristics expected of a region of parallel electric fields. The data are consistent with previous test-particle simulations for observations within parallel electric field regions which indicate that typical hole, bump, and loss-cone electron distributions, which contain evidence for parallel potential differences both above and below the point of observation, are not expected to occur in regions containing actual parallel electric fields.
Instability of Constant {Yang-Mills} Fields

Both a constant (non-Abelian) electric field and a constant magnetic field are solutions to the sourceless Yang-Mills field equations in Minkowski space. We discuss the stability of these solutions under small fluctuations in the potentials. We conclude that a magnetic field B, which is constant over a region of size L, has instabilities which grow exponentially in time provided gBL/sup 2/ > or approx. = 1. A constant electric field is unstable. A fluctuation in such a field will accelerate continuously in the direction of the field.
The Very Low-Frequency Emissions Generated in the Earth's Exosphere

Naturally occurring, very low-frequency signals not associated with lightning discharges, and strongly correlated with solar activity, have been recognized nearly as long as the atmospheric whistlers which have their genesis in lightning discharges. Whereas whistlers have been satisfactorily explained, until recently these other phenomena have not. From the examination of a large quantity of high resolution spectrograms, it has been deduced that a major fraction, if not all, of these other "noises" are excited in the exosphere by streams and bunches of high-speed ionized particles precipitating into the ionized atmosphere in the presence of the earth's magnetic field. The electromagnetic waves excited are then propagated in the manner of whistlers. The excitation mechanism is similar to the operation of a traveling-wave tube. Two frequencies are simultaneously generated, and are given by: 2 [ H-c) ] Their values depend only on the three parameters: local electronic density in the exosphere, local magnetic field intensity, and particle velocity V. For a large range of conditions, corresponding to middle latitude observations, the low frequency explains many types of noise, and reduces to (V) 2 COP2 CO1 = ) _. Most of the observations require particle velocities of the order of 10,000 km/sec. The shape of the spectrum is also very sensitive to the ambient electronic density distribution. A model in which the ratio of electron density to magnetic field strength is almost constant, along a line force in most of the exosphere, seems indicated by several types of noise.
Hypothalamic CRH mRNA levels are differentially modulated by repeated ‘binge’ cocaine with or without D1 dopamine receptor blockade

Abstract We previously found that there was a rapid stimulatory effect of acute (1 day) ‘binge’ cocaine on CRH mRNA levels in the rat hypothalamus. In contrast, after 3 days of ‘binge’ cocaine, there was a modest decrease (12%) in hypothalamic CRH mRNA levels, which after 14 days of ‘binge’ cocaine was greater (32%) and significantly lower than control values. Also, our previous studies found an elevation of CRH mRNA in the frontal cortex after 3 days of ‘binge’ cocaine. The present study was designed to investigate the possible role of dopamine receptors in modulating these effects. Administration of 3 days of ‘binge’ cocaine (3×15 mg/kg, i.p.) was preceded by daily injections of either D 1 (SCH23390, 2 mg/kg) or D 2 (sulpiride, 50 mg/kg) dopamine receptor antagonist. Neither SCH23390 nor sulpiride had an effect on basal CRH mRNA levels in the hypothalamus, frontal cortex or amygdala. Small decreases (10–13%) in hypothalamic CRH mRNA levels were found again to be induced by 3 days of repeated ‘binge’ cocaine. However, this modest decrease was not found in the rats that received D 1 antagonist SCH23390 pretreatment. Pretreatment with D 2 antagonist sulpiride had no effect on this decrease. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of repeated ‘binge’ cocaine on the hypothalamic CRH mRNA expression is absent when there is D 1 , but not D 2 , dopamine receptor blockade. In the frontal cortex, pretreatment with either SCH23390 or sulpiride did not alter the increases in the CRH mRNA levels induced by repeated ‘binge’ cocaine. The results suggest that the cocaine-induced modulation of hypothalamic CRH mRNA expression is secondary to changes in the activity of specific components of dopaminergic systems.
Association of glutathione-S-transferase-P1 (GST-P1) polymorphisms with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to oxidative lung injury. The glutathione-S-transferases (GST) family and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEPHx) enzymes detoxify ROS, and genetic polymorphisms alter this detoxification. We hypothesized that polymorphisms encoding for less efficient enzymes were associated with bronchopulmonary dysphasia (BPD). STUDY DESIGN: We determined allelic distribution of these polymorphisms in a pilot study of 35 BPD cases and 98 controls. χ2 and regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: GST P1 val105ile distribution differed between the groups, with the more efficient val/val allele predominately in controls (p≤0.05). When controlling for race and sex, BPD cases were less likely to be homozygotes for the val/val isoform (OR 0.21, CI: 0.045–0.95, p=0.04) and more likely to possess the less efficient ile isoform (OR 4.5, CI: 1.0–20.7, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that BPD is associated with the presence of the GST-P1 105ile allele. Future prospective studies are warranted.
Role and function of school psychologists, 1992–93: A comparative study.

The roles and functions of 52 school psychologists from Iowa and Tennessee were examined. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test differences between reported time spent on prereferral, assessment, intervention, consultation, and curriculum-based assessment. Significant differences were found for the time spent in all areas. A second one-way MANOVA was used to test the differences between the two groups in reported actual time spent and desired time spent. A significant difference was found for consultation. A third MANOVA was utilized to test the differences between the two groups' desired time spent on the five variables. A significant difference was found for curriculum-based assessment. The results suggest that school psychologists in Tennessee and Iowa occupy different roles. School psychologists in Tennessee reported spending the majority of their time on assessment activities, whereas the Iowa sample balances their time between the five functions. The Iowa role exemplifies alternative functions for school psychologists. The Tennessee role is oriented more toward the refer, test, place model.
Fabrication and quantum conductance of electroplated Ni nanocontacts

Abstract Nanometer scale Ni contacts are electrodeposited between microfabricated Au(100 nm) leads separated by 100 nm obtained by the combination of optical lithography and focused ion beam etching of Si(0.2 mm)/SiO2(100 nm)/Ti(10 nm)/Au(100 nm) wafers. Quantum changes ( 2 e 2 / h ) in conductance are observed in-situ during electrodeposition and dissolution processes. The explanation of these observation lies in the creation of nano-meter scale wires during both opening and closure of the contact as evidenced by field emission scanning electron microscopy.
Interorganizational alliances and the performance of firms: a study of growth and innovation rates in a high‐technology industry

This paper investigates the relationship between intercorporate technology alliances and firm performance. It argues that alliances are access relationships, and therefore that the advantages which a focal firm derives from a portfolio of strategic coalitions depend upon the resource profiles of its alliance partners. In particular, large firms and those that possess leading-edge technological resources are posited to be the most valuable associates. The paper also argues that alliances are both pathways for the exchange of resources and signals that convey social status and recognition. Particularly when one of the firms in an alliance is a young or small organization or, more generally, an organization of equivocal quality, alliances can act as endorsements: they build public confidence in the value of an organization's products and services and thereby facilitate the firm's efforts to attract customers and other corporate partners. The findings from models of sales growth and innovation rates in a large sample of semiconductor producers confirm that organizations with large and innovative alliance partners perform better than otherwise comparable firms that lack such partners. Consistent with the status-transfer arguments, the findings also demonstrate that young and small firms benefit more from large and innovative strategic alliance partners than do old and large organizations. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase activity is increased in hippocampal pyramidal neurons of patients with alzheimer’s disease

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (QR) catalyzes the two-electron reduction of quinones, preventing their participation in redox cycling and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species. Pretreatment of neuroblastoma cells with compounds, such as tert-butylhydroquinone and dimethyl fumarate, that increase QR expression protect cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death by glutamate, H(2)O(2,) and dopamine. The potential neuroprotective role of QR as well as the evidence for oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease (AD) led us to examine the expression pattern of QR from AD and control patients. Histochemical staining of hippocampal sections from AD patients revealed QR activity in pyramidal neurons. The presence of QR protein in these neurons also was confirmed by immunoreactivity. In control patients, hippocampal pyramidal neurons were negative for both QR enzymatic activity and QR immunoreactivity. In addition, the QR positive neurons of AD patients were selectively located in areas where neuronal populations exhibited tau immunostaining. Our data demonstrate that QR is up-regulated in hippocampal pyramidal neurons of AD patients. We hypothesize that this is part of a neuroprotective system up-regulated in response to the AD process. Understanding this system may lead to further insights into the pathogenesis and potential new avenues of treatment for AD.
Differential effects of methimazole and dexamethasone in avian muscular dystrophy

Abstract We showed previously that thyroid antagonists and glucocorticoids partially alleviated the impaired righting ability and abnormally high levels of plasma creatine kinase activity in genetically dystrophic chicks. The goals of the present study were: (1) to ascertain whether the beneficial effects of methimazole (MMI; thyroid antagonist) on muscle function and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity in dystrophic thickens are correlated with significant reduction in plasma triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4); (2) to assess whether the MMI-induced thyroid changes are accompanied by increased plasma corticosterone level and/or changes in muscle glucocorticoid receptors which might account partially for the beneficial effects of MMI; and (3) to determine if plasma T3 and T4 are reduced in dexamethasone (DEX) treated dystrophic chickens which might account at least partially for the beneficial effects of DEX (a potent glucocorticoid) on avian dystrophy. The data show that beneficial effects of MMI are associated with reduced plasma levels of thyroid hormones and increased circulating levels of corticosterone. In addition, DEX actually increases plasma T3 levels. these differential effects indicate that reduced plasma thyroid hormone levels do not represent a common mechanism of beneficial drug effects in avian muscular dystrophy. On the other hand, elevated plasma glucocorticoid levels accompany the beneficial effects of both severe hypothyroidism and DEX treatment. The data also show that MMI induces down-regulation of muscle cytosolic glucocorticoid receptors which are higher than normal in dystrophic muscles.
Sibling placement in foster care: An exploration of associated concurrent preschool-aged child functioning

Abstract This correlational study explored the concurrent association between basic measures of child functioning (e.g., social competence, emotional and behavioral problems) that may be influenced by placement status (i.e., placement with, or separation from, an older sibling in foster care). Subjects were 38 preschool-aged foster children: 25 were placed with an older sibling and 13 were separated from an older sibling. ANOVA and Chi-Square tests revealed few significant between-group differences on the background and case history variables or between the two groups of foster mothers. One notable exception was that children placed with their siblings had a greater frequency of prior psychological problems. With respect to the measures of child functioning, the two groups did not differ on prosocial behavior. However, the children placed with their older siblings tended to have fewer emotional and behavioral problems but lower receptive vocabulary scores than children separated from their siblings. The results are discussed in terms of placement policy and decision-making issues.
Synaptic depression and neuronal loss in transiently acidic hippocampal slice cultures

Abstract Acidosis is a rapid and inevitable event accompanying cerebral ischemia or trauma. We used hippocampal slice cultures to examine an immediate effect of acidosis, synaptic depression; and a delayed effect, neuronal loss. Exposure to low bicarbonate artificial cerebral spinal fluid (aCSF), pH 6.70 for 30 min at 32°C, acidified intracellular pH from 7.31±0.12 to 6.53±0.08. Accompanying intracellular acidosis was a depression of synaptic responses. Both effects rapidly reversed after treatment with normal aCSF pH 7.35. Death analysis after acidosis treatment revealed no delayed neuronal loss. Increasing the duration of the acidosis to 60 min, however, induced irreversible synaptic depression and delayed neuronal loss. Increasing acidosis temperature to 37°C acidified intracellular pH and depressed synaptic responses. Delayed neuronal loss was also observed. Acidosis using lactate aCSF, pH 6.70 for 30 min at 32°C acidified intracellular pH from 7.19±0.13 to 6.43±0.07 and depressed synaptic responses. After reperfusion with lactate containing aCSF pH 7.35, intracellular pH recovered yet synaptic responses remained depressed and delayed neuronal loss was observed. This suggested that, for a 30-min treatment at 32°C, lactate acidosis was neurotoxic while low bicarbonate acidosis was not. Increasing the duration or temperature of low bicarbonate acidosis induced neuronal loss. These data provide additional evidence that acidosis contributes to the neurotoxicity during stroke and trauma.
Modeling of elastomeric materials using nonlinear fractional derivative and continuously yielding friction elements

Abstract A model of the one-dimensional dynamic behavior of elastomeric materials is developed based on a previously existing model. An initial model consisted of nonlinear multiple anelastic displacement fields in parallel with discrete friction elements. The motivation for the development of a new model is reduction of the number of parameters needed to accurately capture material behavior. A new element, a “continuously yielding element,” is developed, which conceptually represents a distribution of parallel friction elements. This element replaces the entire collection of discrete friction elements used in the initial model. In addition, a linear fractional derivative anelastic displacement field element replaces the multiple linear anelastic displacement field elements used in the older model. Finally, nonlinearity is introduced into the fractional derivative anelastic displacement field element, in an attempt to capture observed amplitude dependence of storage and loss moduli at higher amplitudes. The different parts of the new model are first compared individually to those of the initial model then combined and compared as an integrated whole. The new model captures the frequency and amplitude variation of the storage and loss moduli of the material better than the initial model, while the total number of parameters is reduced to seven from sixteen.
Effect of surface photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis on the corneal endothelium

Abstract Purpose: To investigate endothelial cell loss in pairs of fresh human autopsy globes following high-diopter myopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Setting: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices and Magill Laser Center for Vision Correction, Storm Eye Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Methods: In the first part of the study, 12 globes had either -10 diopter (D) multizone surface PRK or -10 D single-zone LASIK. In the second part, three groups of 5 globes each had -15 D, -20 D, or -25 D multizone-blend LASIK procedures. Fellow globes in both groups were used as untreated controls. Comeoscleral buttons were excised from all globes. Following 7 days in corneal organ culture, the endothelial surface was stained with two vital dyes: calcein-AM and ethidium homodimer. Fluorescence microscopy was used to obtain endothelial cell counts. Results: The mean dead cells per square millimeter (cells/mm 2 ) were 0.94 in the -10 D PRK treated corneas compared with 0.91 in the fellow untreated eyes ( P = 0.06). The mean dead cells/mm 2 in the -10 D single-zone LASIK-treated corneas and in the fellow untreated eyes were 0.61 ( P = 0.88). The mean dead cells/mm2 in the -15 D, -20 D, and -25 D multizone-blend LASIK-treated corneas were 3.08, 2.33, and 5.55, respectively, compared with 3.49, 1.92, and 5.01 in the fellow untreated eyes (P = 0.276, P=0.339, and P=0.427, respectively). Dead cell counts for treated and control paired corneas were highly correlated in all treatment groups. Conclusions: No significant endothelial cell loss occurred after -10 D PRK or LASIK corrections up to -25 D. Although this study has limitations that prevent direct extrapolation to the clinical situation, it does afford a comparable clinical correlate for endothelial cell toxicity following typical excimer laser ablations.
Feasibility of stopping paclitaxel premedication after two doses in patients not experiencing a previous infusion hypersensitivity reaction

Purpose Paclitaxel-based chemotherapy continues to be an integral component in the treatment of many solid tumors. Prolonged use of paclitaxel may result in repeated doses of premedications and potential unwanted side effects. Infusion hypersensitivity reactions occurring beyond the second dose are infrequent and not well characterized. We hypothesized that patients whose paclitaxel premedications were discontinued after two doses were unlikely to experience infusion hypersensitivity reactions with subsequent paclitaxel doses.
Prevalence and Description of Selective Mutism in a School-Based Sample

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the prevalence of selective mutism (SM) in a public school sample and compare the functioning and symptoms of children with SM to age-and gender-matched unaffected children. Method Kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers in a large district were asked to identify pupils who met DSM-IV criteria for SM and to complete ratings of speaking behavior, social anxiety, other internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and overall functioning for these and comparison youngsters. Teachers completed the same ratings on the SM children 6 months later. Results A participation rate of 94% (125 of 133 teachers) was obtained, and the prevalence of SM was .71% (16/2,256). Measures were completed for 12 (75%) of 16 identified children. Compared with peers, children with SM were more symptomatic on measures of frequency of speech, social anxiety, and other internalizing symptoms. As a group, children with SM had improved 6 months later but remained impaired and symptomatic when compared with the comparison group. Conclusions SM may not be as rare as previously thought. The functioning of children with SM is impaired, and although there is some improvement over time, notable impairment remains, suggesting that intervention is preferable to waiting for SM to remit spontaneously.
Assessment of Social Competence in High-Risk Preschoolers: Evaluation of the Adaptive Social Behavior Inventory (ASBI) across Home and School Settings:

This study evaluates the Adaptive Social Behavior Inventory (ASBI) for assessing pre-school children's social competence across home and school settings. Data were collected on a multi-ethnic sampl...
Using computer simulation to develop optimal inventory policies

A method is presented for simultaneously determining order points and order quantities for materials stocked to meet an uncertain and independent demand. A computer simulation procedure minimizes total annual costs (carrying, ordering, incoming transportation, acquisition, safety stock carrying, and expected stockout) for individual stock keeping units. This method allows for the interdependence of order points and order quantities, a comprehensive range of costs as deci sion criteria, discontinuous cost functions, and optimal solu tions for discrete units. Flowcharts document the procedure, and cost tables of actual applications demonstrate the results of the model.
Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in meat product brines containing antimicrobials.

: Brine solution injection of beef contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 on its surface may lead to internalization of pathogen cells and/or cross-contamination of the brine, which when recirculated, may serve as a source of new product contamination. This study evaluated survival of E. coli O157:H7 in brines formulated without or with antimicrobials. The brines were formulated in sterile distilled water (simulating the composition of freshly prepared brines) or in a nonsterile 3% meat homogenate (simulating the composition of recirculating brines) at concentrations used to moisture-enhance meat to 110% of initial weight, as follows: sodium chloride (NaCl, 5.5%) + sodium tripolyphosphate (STP, 2.75%), NaCl + sodium pyrophosphate (2.75%), or NaCl + STP combined with potassium lactate (PL, 22%), sodium diacetate (SD, 1.65%), PL + SD, lactic acid (3.3%), acetic acid (3.3%), citric acid (3.3%), nisin (0.0165%) + ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA, 200 mM), pediocin (11000 AU/mL) + EDTA, sodium metasilicate (2.2%), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC, 5.5%), or hops beta acids (0.0055%). The brines were inoculated (3 to 4 log CFU/mL) with rifampicin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 (8-strain composite) and stored at 4 or 15 °C (24 to 48 h). Immediate (0 h) pathogen reductions (P 2.4 log CFU/mL) depended on the antimicrobial, brine type, and storage temperature and time. These data should be useful in development or improvement of brine formulations for control of E. coli O157:H7 in moisture-enhanced meat products. Practical Application: Results of this study should be useful to the meat industry for developing or modifying brine formulations to reduce the risk of E. coli O157:H7 in moisture-enhanced meat products.