cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cephalomedullary helical blade is independently associated with less collapse in intertrochanteric femur fractures than lag screws

Excessive fracture site collapse and shortening in intertrochanteric femur fractures alter hip biomechanics and patient outcomes. The purpose of the study was to compare extent of collapse in cephalomedullary nails with blades or lag screws. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in collapse between helical blades and lag screws. Retrospective cohort study. Single U.S. Level I Trauma Center. 171 consecutive patients treated with cephalomedullary nails with either lag screw or blade for AO/OTA 31A1-3 proximal femur fractures and minimum 3-month follow-up. Lag screw or helical blade in a cephalomedullary nail. The primary outcome was fracture site collapse at 3 months. There was a significantly higher proportion of reverse-oblique and transverse intertrochanteric femur fractures (31-A3) in the lag screw group (15/42 vs 25/129). A3 patterns were associated with more collapse. There was significantly less collapse in the blade group (median 4.7 mm, inter-quartile range 2.5–7.8 mm) than the screw group (median 8.4 mmm, inter-quartile range 3.7–11.2 mm, p 0.006). Median collapse was no different between blades and screws when comparing stable and unstable patterns. However, blades were independently associated with 2.5 mm less collapse (95%CI − 4.2, − 0.72 mm, p 0.006) and lower likelihood of excessive collapse (> 10 mm at 3 months, OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.13–0.74, p 0.007), regardless of fracture pattern. Helical blades are independently associated with significantly less collapse than lag screws in intertrochanteric proximal femur fractures, after adjusting for unstable fracture patterns. In fracture patterns at risk for collapse, surgeons can consider use of a helical blade due to its favorable sliding properties compared to screws.
The impact of shimming strategies and scan regions on RF-induced heating near a bone screw under 3T MRI

This paper investigates the impact of shimming strategies and scan regions on the radiofrequency (RF) induced heating near a bone screw in the ASTM phantom under 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three shimming strategies, i.e. B1 homogeneity, focusing performance, and power efficiency, and two scan regions, head and chest, were studied. The peak RF-induced heating in terms of local specific absorption rate (SAR) is compared among quadrature source excitation and the three shimmed source excitations obtained by using a particle swarm optimization method. For the scan region of the head, all three shimming strategies can reduce the RF-induced heating. For the scan region of the chest, the shimming strategies of B1 homogeneity and focusing performance can reduce the peak SAR while the shimming strategy of power efficiency increases the peak SAR.
Learning Stochastic Shortest Path with Linear Function Approximation

We study the stochastic shortest path (SSP) problem in reinforcement learning with linear function approximation, where the transition kernel is represented as a linear mixture of unknown models. We call this class of SSP problems the linear mixture SSP. We propose a novel algorithm for learning the linear mixture SSP, which can attain a $\tilde O(d B_{\star}^{1.5}\sqrt{K/c_{\min}})$ regret. Here $K$ is the number of episodes, $d$ is the dimension of the feature mapping in the mixture model, $B_{\star}$ bounds the expected cumulative cost of the optimal policy, and $c_{\min}>0$ is the lower bound of the cost function. Our algorithm also applies to the case when $c_{\min} = 0$, where a $\tilde O(K^{2/3})$ regret is guaranteed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first algorithm with a sublinear regret guarantee for learning linear mixture SSP. In complement to the regret upper bounds, we also prove a lower bound of $\Omega(d B_{\star} \sqrt{K})$, which nearly matches our upper bound.
Women's Literary Collaboration, Queerness, and Late-Victorian Culture

The first full-length study to focus exclusively on nineteenth-century British women while examining queer authorship and culture, Jill R. Ehnenn's book is a timely interrogation into the different histories and functions of women's literary partnerships. For Vernon Lee (Violet Paget) and 'Kit' Anstruther-Thomson; Somerville and Ross (Edith Somerville and Violet Martin); Elizabeth Robins and Florence Bell; and Katharine Bradley and Edith Cooper, the couple who wrote under the pseudonym of 'Michael Field', collaborative life and work functioned strategically, as sites of discursive resistance that critique Victorian culture in ways that would be characterized today as feminist, lesbian, and queer. Ehnenn's project shows that collaborative texts from such diverse genres as poetry, fiction, drama, the essay, and autobiography negotiate many limitations of post-Enlightenment patriarchy: Cartesian subjectivity and solitary creativity, industrial capitalism and alienated labor, and heterosexism. In so doing, these jointly authored texts employ a transgressive aesthetic and invoke the potentials of female spectatorship, refusals of representation, and the rewriting of history. Ehnenn's book will be a valuable resource for scholars and students of Victorian literature and culture, women's and gender studies, and collaborative writing.
A Quantitative Approach to Identify Synergistic IT Portfolios

Healthcare organizations continue to make large investments in health information technology to improve quality of care and lower costs. Therefore, there is an ever-growing need to have an ever-clearer understanding of how IT investments impact these organizations. Past studies have explored the impact of individual technologies or aggregate all technologies based on overall investment, but do not explore the impact of specific portfolios of information technology and their synergistic effects on healthcare quality. Based on the past studies on portfolio theory, we introduce an approach, utilizing data mining techniques and logistical regression, to identify such optimal portfolios, and explore the presence of such synergistic effects among the components of the portfolio. This multi-step approach is then applied to publically-available datasets, and the resulting candidate IT portfolios are presented. Statistical analysis is then used to test these results and demonstrate the feasibility of this approach.
Labor Migration and Urban Employment in Developing Countries: The Impact of Population Growth and Property Institutions

In this chapter I will argue that the standard analyses of rural-urban migration and urbanization have limited explanatory power because they fail to take certain important variables into account. Specifically, the standard models have focused too narrowly on wage differentials to the neglect of population growth and institutional arrangements. By refracting migration data through models that are exclusively demand-pull in nature for cases where supply-push factors are obviously operating, analysts have come out with policy prescriptions that are palpably suspect.
Little models, big results

Artificial intelligence and artificial life are nothing if not ambitious. The creation of an artificial intellect or life form is a daunting task, and daunting tasks seem to call for pulling out all the stops and using the biggest, baddest analytical tools on the block. Indeed over many, many years, AI and A-Life have thrown a plethora of sophisticated mathematical and computational techniques at solving the important problems of AI and AL, but the track record is mixed, and many of the knotty problems are problems still. This talk suggests a simpler approach to penetrating the complexity of AI and AL. In particular, a methodology of little models, using facetwise analyses, dimensional analysis, and a procedure of patchquilt integration are suggested to construct models that are especially useful in the design of AI and AL that works. The little modeling methodology is illustrated with a case study drawn from the development of competent and efficient genetic algorithms, including models of population size, run duration, and market share, and the race, and other examples are given from current work in the development of a simplified quantitative organizational theory (SQOT). The talk concludes by suggesting specific ways to adopt these techniques to advance the agendas of AI and AL.
Hydrologic Conditions and Quality of Rainfall and Storm Runoff in Agricultural and Rangeland Areas in San Patricio County, Texas, 2000-2001

Abstract : During 2000-2001, rainfall and runoff were monitored in one mixed agricultural watershed and two rangeland watersheds in San Patricio County, located in the Coastal Bend area of South Texas. During this period, five rainfall samples were collected and analyzed for selected nutrients. Ten runoff samples from nine runoff events were collected at the three watershed monitoring stations. Runoff samples were analyzed for selected nutrients, major ions, trace elements, pesticides, and bacteria. Study area rainfall during 2000 and 2001 was 33.27 and 28.20 inches, respectively, less than the long-term average annual of 36.31 inches. Total runoff from the study area watersheds during 2000-2001 was 2.46 inches; the regional average is about 2 inches per year. Rainfall and runoff during the study period was typical of historical patterns, with periods of below average rainfall interspersed with extreme events. Three individual storm events accounted for about 29 percent of the total rainfall and 86 percent of the total runoff during 2000-2001.
High-dose cytarabine induction is well tolerated and active in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia older than 60 years

BACKGROUND: High-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) is safe and very effective in younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but it generally is not well tolerated in the elderly. METHODS: The authors explored the safety and tolerability of a modified HiDAC induction regimen consisting of 6 daily doses of cytarabine at 2 g/m2 in combination with 3 daily doses of daunorubicin at 45 mg/m2 in 59 consecutive patients aged >60 years who had de novo AML diagnosed between July 1996 and February 2005. RESULTS: The median patient age was 68 years (range, 60-86 years). The regimen was well tolerated. Infections were common and occurred in 39% of patients, but cerebellar toxicities occurred in only 7% of patients and were reversible. The day-30 induction-related mortality rate was 10%. Overall, 69% of patients achieved complete remissions (CR), and 80% received up to 3 consolidations with HiDAC. The median follow-up for surviving patients was 53 months (range, 17-114 months). The median overall survival was 15.3 months (range, 1-114 months), and the relapse-free survival was 13.8 months (range, 1-113 months). Survival for patients who achieved CR was 27 months (range, 2-114 months). CONCLUSIONS: The modified HiDAC regimen was well tolerated in patients aged >60 years with AML and was associated with low induction mortality and high rates of CR. Nevertheless, these high remissions still were associated with poor overall outcomes. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
HYBRID III - A BIOMECHANICALLY-BASED CRASH TEST DUMMY

The paper describes the Hybrid III test dummy based on the ATD 502 dummy which was developed in 1973 by General Motors under contract with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Like the ATD 502, Hybrid III features a biomechanically-based head design, human- like automotive seating posture, constant torque primary joints, and detailed documentation for fabrication. Hybrid III uniquely features a biomechanically-based neck, thorax, and knee covering. Transducers for measurement of neck loads and chest deflection are integral parts of the design. Dynamic responses are presented for head, neck, thorax and knee components. For the covering abstract see IRRD 864472.
Electric Quadrupole Effects

So far we have considered only the magnetic interactions of the nucleus with its surroundings. To be sure, by implication we have considered the effect of the nuclear charge, since it determines the electron orbits and where the nucleus sits in a molecule. However, we have not considered any electrical effects on the energy required to reorient the nucleus. That such effects do exist can be seen by considering a nonspherical nucleus. Suppose it is somewhat elongated and is acted on by the charges shown in Fig. 10.1. We see that Fig. 10.1b will correspond to a lower energy, since it has put the tips of the positive nuclear charge closer to the negative external charges. There is, therefore, an electrostatic energy that varies with the nuclear orientation. Of course,1 turning the nucleus end for end does not affect the electrostatic energy. Consequently, for spin ½ nuclei the electrostatic energy does not split the m I degeneracy.
Collaborative practices in dance research: unpacking the process

This essay explores the numerous and diverse ways collaborative practices in dance research can unfold. Strengths and challenges within the collaborative process are discussed as emphasis is given to the multiple perspectives and types of relationships that evolve from and within the process. These core elements offer scholars a rich array of choices that can enhance research endeavors as well as inform pedagogical practices. Unpacking collaboration in this manner carries particular relevance in a world that is as global as it is fragmented, underscoring the need to understand collaboration not as a specific research methodology but as a dynamic process. Examples in dance science, choreography, dance education, and pedagogy are considered to illustrate the possibilities collaboration holds for future research queries.
Sustainability of external debt: further evidence from non-linear framework

This study investigates sustainability of external debt under a two-step non-linear framework. The first step uses a general linearity test proposed by Harvey and Leybourne (2007) to determine the linearity property of external debt. The second step applies a non-linear ADF unit root test proposed by Kapetanios, Shin, and Snell (2003) on the non-liner processes and the linear ADF test on the linear processes to examine the sustainability of external debt. The analysis of 36 debt and 55 current account ratios identifies strong evidence of non-linearity and sustainability. The results indicate superior performance of the non-linear unit root test over the ADF test in determining the stationary property of the data.
Memory-efficient and scalable virtual routers using FPGA

Router virtualization has recently gained much interest in the research community. It allows multiple virtual router instances to run on a common physical router platform. The key metrics in designing network virtual routers are: (1) number of supported virtual router instances, (2) total number of prefixes, and (3) ability to quickly update the virtual table. Limited on-chip memory in FPGA leads to the need for memory-efficient merging algorithms. On the other hand, due to high frequency of combined updates from all the virtual routers, the merging algorithms must be highly efficient. Hence, the router must support quick updates. In this paper, we propose a simple merging algorithm whose performance is not sensitive to the number of routing tables considered. The performance solely depends on the total number of prefixes. We also propose a novel scalable, high-throughput linear pipeline architecture for IP-lookup that supports large virtual routing tables and quick non-blocking update. Using a state-of-the-art Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) along with external SRAM, the proposed architecture can support up to 16M IPv4 and 880K IPv6 prefixes. Our implementation shows a sustained through-put of 400 million lookups per second, even when external SRAM is used.
Response to “Comment on ‘Dynamics of zonal flow saturation in strong collisionless drift wave turbulence’ ” [Phys. Plasmas 11, 1744 (2004)]

The Comment of Krommes is addressed. It is shown that all of the substantive claims therein are incorrect.
Backbone 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments of the α-helical membrane protein TM0026 from Thermotoga maritima

Critical to the use of solution NMR to describe the structure and flexibility of membrane proteins is the thorough understanding of the degree of perturbation induced by the detergent or other membrane mimetic. To develop a deeper understanding of the interaction between membrane proteins and micelles or bicelles, we will investigate the differences in structure and flexibility of a model membrane protein TM0026 from Thermotoga maritima using solution NMR. A comparison of the structural differences between TM0026 solubilized in different detergent combinations will provide important insight into the degree of modulation of membrane proteins by detergent physical properties. Here we report the nearly complete backbone and Cβ resonance assignments of the two transmembrane helical model protein TM0026. These assignments are the first step to using TM0026 to elucidate the interaction between membrane proteins and membrane mimetics.
Distance Learning: An International Perspective:

The context for learning is undergoing a metamorphosis and distance learning is becoming a viable, international alternative for furthering one's education. The contention of this article is that t...
Collective band structure to high spin and shape coexistence in /sup 76/Kr

Excited states in /sup 76/Kr have been investigated via the /sup 66/Zn(/sup 12/C, 2n) reaction at a beam energy of 39 MeV. Gamma-ray energies, intensities, spins, parities, and mean lives of excited states were extracted from measurements of the ..gamma.. rays which were emitted in-beam. The energies of 25 excited levels were deduced from ..gamma..-..gamma.. coincidence data, and all but three of these levels are members of bandlike structures which persist to high spin. The Doppler shift attenuation method was used to extract the lifetimes of thirteen excited levels. The E2 strengths are highly collective. The positive parity yrast band to spin (12/sup +/) has been observed with a forward bend at low spin, but with no backbending in the moment of inertia below 12/sup +/. A positive parity band with even- and odd-spin members to (6/sup +/) and (9/sup +/), respectively, has been observed and is interpreted as a ..delta..J = 1 quasigamma band. Negative-parity bands built on 5/sup -/ and (6/sup -/) levels have been observed to spins of (13/sup -/) and (12/sup -/), respectively. Finally, the first excited 0/sup +/ state and a 2/sup +/ level built on it have been identified and are assigned to amore » near spherical configuration which coexists with the ground state that has an unusually large deformation.« less
Facilitating an Organization to Embrace a Work–Life Effectiveness Culture: A Practical Approach

As noted in the articles throughout this special issue, researchers consistently demonstrate the value and benefit of addressing work–life issues in the workplace. What can psychologist-managers do to create a work environment where employees believe they are valued as whole individuals who contribute to work and also have lives outside of work? How do organizations foster a culture and climate supportive of work–life effectiveness? The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical approach for developing strategies and solutions that will help organizations embrace a work–life culture. The phases of the approach evolved from synthesizing best practices with actual experiences in assisting organizations transform their cultures to be great places to work. One particular case example is used to illustrate the phases, which can stimulate discussions about implementing a process for building a work–life culture in other organizations.
Identification of flavonol glycosides in American cranberry fruit

Abstract Two flavonol glycosides, quercetin galactoside and quercetin arabinoside, have been identified in American cranberry fruit, as a complementary investigation of our previous study. The analysis processes included separation, hydrolysis and structure elucidation of flavonol glycosides. The separation of flavonol glycosides was carried out by solvent extraction, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After hydrolysis of the obtained flavonol glycosides, flavonol aglycones and sugars were identified by HPLC and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), respectively.
Transport–dependent cell injury in the S3 segment of the proximal tubule

Transport–dependent cell injury in the S 3 segment of the proximal tubule. Two distinct types of injury, cytoplasmic edema and cell fragmentation occur in the S 3 segment of the proximal tubule in isolated hypoxic perfused rat kidneys (Krebs–albumin medium gassed without O 2 ). The proportion of S 3 tubules with fragmentation strongly correlated with the GFR and urine output during the perfusion, and approached 100% when the GFR was increased by high perfusion pressure. Conversely, the fragmentation lesion was absent and the edema lesion extensive when tubular transport was inhibited by perfusion with hyperoncotic medium to prevent glomerular filtration or by addition of ouabain (10 -2 M) to the perfusate. Polyene antibiotics increase membrane permeability and thus the work of active electrolyte transport. Perfusion with amphotericin (3 × 10 -5 M) or nystatin (200 U/mliter) in oxygenated medium also produced fragmentation in S 3 . The lesion was prevented in the non-filtering kidney. Ouabain completely eliminated the cell fragmentation due to nystatin and significantly reduced that due to amphotericin. These results suggest that the injury of cell fragmentation is enhanced by transport activity and diminished when transport is inhibited. The edema lesion appears fundamentally different and more akin to lesions described in ischemia where tubular flow is absent, active transport is diminished, and the morphologic changes appear related to loss of cell volume regulation. The type of hypoxic damage exhibited by proximal tubular S 3 segments may therefore be conditioned by active ion transport of tubular cells.
Inhibition of Oral Carcinogenesis by Citrus Flavonoids

Six citrus flavonoids were tested for antineoplastic activity. The hamster cheek pouch model was utilized, and the solutions of the flavonoids (2.0-2.5%) and the solution of the carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (0.5%), were applied topically to the pouches. The pouches of the positive controls were treated with the solvent used to dissolve the flavonoids and the solution of the carcinogen. The data show that 4 flavonoids (hesperetin, neohesperidin, tangeretin, and nobiletin) were inactive. The results with naringin and naringenin show that both of these flavonoids significantly lowered tumor number [5.00 (control group), 2.53 (naringin group), and 3.25 (naringenin group)]. Naringin also significantly reduced tumor burden [269 mm(3)(control group) and 77.1 mm(3)(naringin group)]. The data suggest that naringin and naringenin, 2 flavonoids found in high concentrations in grapefruit, may be able to inhibit the development of cancer.
Analysis of Worldwide Naphthalene Surface Soil Regulatory Guidance Values

Many environmental regulatory jurisdictions worldwide specify the maximum soil contamination mass burdens that may occur without prompting a regulatory response. For residential surface soils, these regulatory guidance values (RGVs) are generally based on human (often child) health risks from inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure to contamination. RGVs have been promulgated for more than 1,200 soil contaminants. Of these, naphthalene is the most frequently regulated contaminant. The 234 known naphthalene RGVs range from a minimum of 0.0289 mg/kg to a maximum of 16,000 mg/kg and span 5.7 orders of magnitude. Analysis illustrates that, although there are small non-random clusters of values, and there may be statistically significant differences between the values used in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world, the overall distribution of numbers strongly resembles (r = 0.9953) that of a log-normal random variable. Results of Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection...
Zinc-induced sideroblastic anemia: Report of a case, review of the literature, and description of the hematologic syndrome

Zinc ingestion has become increasingly popular in the lay and food faddist population. Herein described by way of a case report and review of the 13 cases in the literature is the syndrome of severe anemia associated with excessive and prolonged intake of oral zinc. The syndrome is characterized by anemia, granulocytopenia, and bone marrow findings of vacuolated precursors and ringed sideroblasts. Serum analysis reveals increased zinc levels, decreased copper levels, and a decrease in ceruloplasmin. The mechanism appears to be zinc-induced copper deficiency, which is instrumental in producing the profound bone marrow abnormalities, as zinc itself is of low toxicity. Importantly, the syndrome is totally reversible with cessation of zinc intake. Hematologists should be aware of this form of reversible sideroblastic anemia. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Advanced Placement Academy: Case Study of a Program within a School.

The focus of this study was the first year of implementation of the Advanced Placement Academy (APA), a program within a high school providing honors and Advanced Placement coursework for high-ability African American students with previously limited access to rigorous courses. The qualitative investigation explores practical solutions from perspectives of school, classroom, and individual students. Data included document review; administrator, teacher, and student interviews; and classroom observations. Themes identified were academic, guidance, and social and emotional supports. Constructing this rigorous program required time, resources, and expertise coupled with strong leadership, a person in charge. APA created a small, caring community, building student belonging. The community included key persons intensely focused on students and what they need to achieve; e.g., culturally responsive, differentiated instruction. Students from bleak educational backgrounds require more time to develop academic tal...
Thermodynamic and kinetic considerations for crystal growth of complex molecules from solution

Abstract A general thermo-kinetic picture of crystallization from a nutrient phase is presented in terms of the driving force available in both the far field and interface regions. The necessary and sufficient boundary value problems that must be solved to correct the far field thermodynamic state variables to the interface state variables is sketched and the material parameters needed to describe the processes for small molecules identified. Extension of this modeling approach to protein crystallization is made with the recognition that small crystallites and large molecules in aqueous solution may behave like colloid particles with an accompanying electrical double layer. Thus, the concepts and numerics of colloid stability theory should probably be considered when dealing with protein crystallization. Key constraints on controlled crystallization in this case involve (a) the controlled passage of the molecules from the secondary potential minimum to the primary potential minimum of the crystal interface double layer, (b) the simultaneous partial electrolyte/solvent stripping and protein particle incorporation into the crystal, and (c) the bulk solvent neutralization of the incremental electrolyte and pH changes due to crystallization so that a steady state potential distribution may be maintained in the interface region.
DPL-1 (DP) acts in the germ line to coordinate ovulation and fertilization in C. elegans

Proper coordination of oogenesis, ovulation, and fertilization is essential for successful reproduction. In Caenorhabditis elegans, a strong loss-of-function mutation in dpl-1, which encodes a subunit of the E2F heterodimeric transcription factor EFL-1/DPL-1, causes severe defects during ovulation and fertilization. Here we demonstrate that the somatic gonad structure and sheath cell contraction rate appear normal in dpl-1 mutants, but that dilation of the spermatheca valve does not occur properly, causing oocytes to become trapped in the proximal gonad arm and enter endomitosis. This ovulation defect can be partially suppressed by increasing the activity of ITR-1, an inositol triphosphate receptor in the spermatheca that promotes dilation in response to IP(3) signaling. Tissue-specific rescue experiments demonstrate that expression of DPL-1 in germ cells but not the spermatheca can restore both ovulation and fertilization in dpl-1 mutants, indicating that the absence of DPL-1 likely disrupts a pro-ovulation signal originating in the oocyte that in turn stimulates the spermatheca. Moreover, we found that expression of a single EFL-1/DPL-1-responsive gene, rme-2, in the germ line of dpl-1 mutants significantly rescues ovulation, but not fertilization. Instead, other EFL-1/DPL-1-responsive genes function to promote successful fertilization. We propose that DPL-1 acts with EFL-1 in developing oocytes to directly regulate a transcriptional program that couples the critical events of ovulation and fertilization.
Variation in Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Genes is Associated with Multiple Substance Dependence Phenotypes

There is shared genetic risk for dependence on multiple substances, and the nicotinic receptor gene cluster on chromosome 15 harbors multiple polymorphisms that associate to this risk. Here, we report the results of an association study with 21 SNPs genotyped across the CHRNA5, CHRNA3, and CHRNB4 loci on chromosome 15q25.1. The sample consists of a discovery set (N=1858) of European-American and African-American (AA) families, ascertained on the basis of a sibling pair with cocaine and/or opioid dependence, and a case–control replication sample (N=3388) collected for association studies of alcohol, cocaine, and opioid dependence. We tested the SNPs for association with lifetime cocaine, opioid, nicotine, and alcohol dependence. We replicated several previous findings, including associations between rs16969968 and nicotine dependence (P=0.002) and cocaine dependence (P=0.02), with opposite risk alleles for each substance. We observed these associations in AAs, which is a novel finding. The strongest association signal in either sample was between rs684513 in CHRNA5 and cocaine dependence (OR=1.43, P=0.0004) in the AA replication set. We also observed two SNPs associated with alcohol dependence, that is, rs615470 in CHRNA5 (OR=0.77, P=0.0006) and rs578776 (OR=0.78, P=0.001). The associations between CD and rs684513, AD and rs615470, and AD and rs578776 remained significant after a permutation-based correction for multiple testing. These data reinforce the importance of variation in the chromosome 15 nicotinic receptor subunit gene cluster for risk of dependence on multiple substances, although the direction of the effects may vary across substances.
The effect of welfare and wage levels on the location decisions of female-headed households

Abstract This paper develops and estimates a model designed to calculate the impact of welfare-benefit levels, wages, and tax rates on the location choices of female-headed households. The empirical model assumes that women simultaneously choose both where they will live and whether or not they will participate in the welfare system based on their expected income and expected hours of work for each location/participation possibility. These income and hours expectations depend in turn on the welfare benefits, wage, and tax rates facing each household in each location. It is found that both regional welfare levels and wage rates have a significant effect on the location decisions of this population. The probability of a typical female-headed household with little outside income leaving an area with low welfare payments and low wages can be as much as 12% points higher over a 4-year period than the probability of leaving a high-welfare, high-wage area.
In Consideration of Goal-Free Planning: The Failure of Traditional Planning Systems in Education.

The apparent consensus in education about the efficacy of rational, goal-based, sequential planning models and systems is challenged on experiential and theoretical grounds. Alternative organizational perspec tives are used as a logical structure for the theoretical analysis. The results suggest that in most educational organizationals, most of the time, goal- based models will inhibit the management function ofplanning.
Characterization of the Rat Star Gene That Encodes the Predominant 3.5-Kilobase Pair mRNA ACTH STIMULATION OF ADRENAL STEROIDS IN VIVO PRECEDES ELEVATION OF Star mRNA AND PROTEIN

Abstract The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) participates in steroidogenesis through the mitochondrial transfer of cholesterol to cytochrome P450scc. The rat adrenal Star gene is transcribed as a 3.5-kilobase pair (kb) and 1.6-kb mRNA with the larger mRNA predominating (∼85% of total) in vivo. Hypophysectomy (HPX) produced a 3–5-fold decrease in Star mRNA along with a loss of adrenal steroids, whereas P450scc mRNA decreased by less than 2-fold. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) treatment of HPX rats maximally stimulated steroidogenesis rates within 5 min with over 10-fold elevation of steady state blood levels occurring within 10 min. For intact rats there was a 5–10-fold larger increase, paralleling previously observed elevations of cholesterol-cytochrome P450scc association and metabolism in subsequently isolated adrenal mitochondria. ACTH did not increase either total STAR protein or a group of modified forms until at least 30 min after completion of acute stimulation, indicating that elevated translation of STAR protein cannot alone mediate this acute stimulation. Parallel slow changes in STAR protein and corticosterone formation after ACTH treatment are consistent with participation of STAR forms as co-regulators of these hormonal responses. ACTH stimulation of HPX rats increasedStar mRNA by 2.5-fold within 20 min and by 4.5-fold after 1 h, thus preceding the rise in the STAR protein. A 3.5-kbStar cDNA clone isolated from a rat adrenal cDNA library exhibited a 0.9-kb open reading frame and a 2.5-kb 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR). The open reading frame sequence differed at only 12 amino acids from that of the mouseStar. The rat Star gene seven exons with exon 7 encoding the entire 2.5 kb of 3′-UTR of the 3.5-kb mRNA. The 3′-UTR sequence suggests that 1.6- and 3.5-kb mRNA are formed by an alternative usage of different polyadenylation signals. Multiple UUAUUUA(U/A)(U/A) motifs also suggest additional regulation through this extended 3′-UTR. Although elevation of STAR protein by ACTH does not cause the acute increase in adrenal cholesterol metabolism, changes in the turnover or distribution of an active STAR subfraction cannot be excluded.
Nonfinancial Performance Measures and Promotion-Based Incentives

In this paper, I examine the sensitivity of promotion and demotion decisions for lower-level managers to financial and nonfinancial measures of their performance and investigate the extent to which the behavior of lower-level managers reflects promotion-based incentives. Additionally, I test for learning versus effort-allocation effects of promotion-based incentives. I find that promotion and demotion decisions for store managers of a major U.S.-based fast-food retailer (QSR) are sensitive to nonfinancial performance measures of service quality and employee retention after controlling for financial performance. The likelihood of demotion in this organization is also sensitive to nonfinancial performance on the dimension of service quality, while the probability of exit is primarily sensitive to financial performance measures rather than nonfinancial performance measures. I also find evidence that the behavior of lower-level managers is consistent with the incentives created by the weighting of nonfinancial performance measures in promotion decisions. Managers in locations where there is a higher ex ante probability of promotion and a higher potential reward upon promotion demonstrate significantly higher levels and rates of performance improvement in service quality. Finally, consistent with promotion-based incentives inducing both effort-allocation and learning effects, I find that performance-improvement rates for service quality: (1) are higher in prepromotion periods in markets where promotions occur, (2) decrease immediately after the occurrence of a promotion in the same market area, and (3) remain higher than in markets where promotions do not occur. These findings provide some of the first empirical evidence on an alternative to the explicit weighting of nonfinancial metrics in compensation contracts as a mechanism for generating improvements in nonfinancial dimensions of performance.
Multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of rimantadine in Elderly adults

To assess the possible effect of aging on rimantadine hydrochloride pharmacokinetics, single- and multiple-dose kinetics were determined in 18 healthy adults with ages between 51 and 79 years. Subjects ingested single 100-mg oral doses of rimantadine after an overnight fast, followed after 5 days by a dosage of 100 mg twice a day for 9.5 days. No differences were observed among the age-stratified groups in measured or derived pharmacokinetic parameters. Peak concentrations in plasma (mean +/- standard deviation) following the single- and multiple-dose regimens, respectively, were 89 +/- 25 and 417 +/- 129 ng/ml for subjects who were 50 to 60 years of age (group 1), 92 +/- 24 and 401 +/- 84 ng/ml for those 61 to 70 years of age (group 2), and 100 +/- 14 and 538 +/- 51 for those 71 to 79 years of age (group 3). The elimination half-life in plasma following multiple doses averaged 33.5 h for group 1, 32.5 h for group 2, and 38.6 h for group 3. Steady-state concentrations in nasal mucus developed by day 5 of dosing (1.5-fold higher than concentrations in plasma), and rimantadine remained detectable in secretions for 5 days after the last dose in 65% of subjects. Stepwise regression analysis suggested that changes in maximum concentration in plasma and area under the concentration-time curve at steady state may be related to creatinine clearance. The results indicate that no important differences in rimantadine multiple-dose pharmacokinetics exist among healthy elderly adults with ages between 51 and 79 years.
Calcineurin inhibition with systemic FK506 treatment increases dendritic branching and dendritic spine density in healthy adult mouse brain

Calcineurin has been implicated as part of a critical signaling pathway for learning and memory, and recent data suggest that calcineurin activation mediates some of the neurotoxicity of the Alzheimer related neurotoxin Aβ. Immunosuppression via calcineurin inhibition with the compound FK506 is an important treatment for organ transplant patients. Here we use Golgi impregnation techniques, along with a new survival analysis-based statistical approach for analysis of dendritic complexity, to show that in healthy adult mice one week of treatment with FK506 affects both the branching patterns and dendritic spine density of cortical neurons. These results indicate that calcineurin inhibition leads to readily detectable changes in brain morphology, further implicating calcineurin related pathways in both the function and structure of the adult brain.
Photodetachment of Singly Solvated Halide Ions

Photodetachment in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer was used to measure the binding energies of (CH3OH)X- (X = F, Cl, Br, I), (ROH)Br- (R = C2H5, i-C3H7, n-C3H7), and (CH3CN)Br-. The methanol complexes of F- and Cl- were prepared by sequential ion/molecule reactions, while equilibrium solvent exchange was used for preparation of the Br- and I- complexes. The photodetachment process was observed over the wavelength range of 260−350 nm using a tunable dye laser with a frequency-doubling accessory. Assuming that the photodetachment process leads to complete dissociation to the neutral solvent plus halogen atom, the binding energies were calculated by subtracting the known electron affinities of the halogens from the measured photodetachment thresholds. The binding energy values obtained for (CH3OH)F-, (CH3OH)Cl-, (CH3OH)Br-, (CH3OH)I-, (C2H5OH)Br-, (i-C3H7OH)Br-, (n-C3H7OH)Br-, and (CH3CN)Br- are 29.6, 18.7, 15.1, 14.4, 15.2, 16.5, 16.7, and 13.4 kcal/mol, respectively. ...
CO2 foaming based on polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend and nanoclay

A poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and nanoclay composite was dispersed into polystyrene (PS) using a twin-screw extruder. The mixture was then batch foamed with supercritical CO2. It was found that the cell density of foams based on the blend is higher than that based on the weight average of the two pure polymer components at the same foaming conditions. The cell size decreases and the cell density increases with the increase of the PMMA domain size. One explanation is that the large PMMA domains serve as a CO2 reservoir and the nucleation in the PS phase is enhanced by the diffusion of CO2 from the PMMA phase to the PS phase. Very small PMMA domains cannot function as a CO2 reservoir, and so they are not able to facilitate the nucleation. A much higher cell density and smaller cell size were observed when nanoclay was located at the interface of the PMMA and the PS domains, serving as the heterogeneous nucleating agents. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:103–111, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
A Linear Compressibility Assumption for the Multiple Integral Representation of Nonlinear Creep of Polyurethane

Linear compressibility assumption incorporated into third order multiple integral representation of nonlinear creep of polyurethane, reducing time independent kernel functions
Constructivist Teaching in an Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Program: A Personal Journey

(1996). Constructivist Teaching in an Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Program: A Personal Journey. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 46-51.
Horizontal air showers, atmospheric muons and the cosmic-ray spectrum

Abstract The rate of extensive air showers at large zenith angles is calculated starting from a cosmic-ray spectrum determined from recent data. We investigate the sensitivity of this rate and the muon flux to both composition of cosmic-rays and the behavior of high energy hadronic interactions. We found that primaries heavier than helium are required to account for the detected horizontal shower rate. There is a hint of a bend in the shower size spectrum corresponding to a primary energy of a few tens of TeV which could be explained from the present knowledge of composition and hadronic cross-sections consistent with current data.
Solubility of Ferrocene in Organic Nonelectrolyte Solvents. Comparison of Observed Versus Predicted Values Based Upon Mobile Order Theory

Abstract Experimental solubilities are reported at 25.0°C for ferrocene dissolved in 46 different organic nonelectrolyte solvents containing ether-, chloro-, hydroxy-, ester, methyl-and t-butyl-functional groups. Results of these measurements, combined with previously reported ferrocene solubilities taken from the chemical literature, are used to test the applications and limitations of expressions derived from mobile order theory. For the 42 solvents for which predictions could be made computations show that mobile order theory does provide fairly reasonable estimates of the saturation mole fraction solubilities. Average absolute deviation between predicted and observed values is 107.8%. In comparison, the average absolute deviation is 627% when ideal solution behavior is assumed.
Chest port placement with use of the single-incision insertion technique.

Purpose To evaluate the single-incision technique for the placement of subcutaneous chest ports. Advantages, technical success, and complications were assessed. Materials and Methods From March 2007 through May 2008, 161 consecutive chest ports were placed with a modified single-incision technique and sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance via the right internal jugular vein (IJV; n = 130), right external jugular vein ( n = 1), right subclavian vein ( n = 1), or left IJV ( n = 28). The primary indication was for long-term chemotherapy; all patients had malignancy. Results All single-incision chest port insertions were technically successful. Ports were placed in patients 19 months to 93 years of age (mean, 56.3 y), with a mean follow-up of 203.6 device-days per patient and a total of 32,779 catheter access days. No procedure-related complications, pocket hematomas, venous thromboses, or pneumothoraces were observed. Minor delayed complications occurred in three patients. Premature catheter removal was required for two patients (1.2%; 0.006 per 100 catheter-days). One port was removed less than 30 days after implantation for infection of the pocket (0.61%; 0.003 per 100 catheter-days). Another catheter was removed because of patient dissatisfaction and unconfirmed concerns with arrhythmia (0.61%; 0.003 per 100 catheter-days). One minor superficial wound infection was successfully treated with oral antibiotics, with the port kept in place. Conclusions Use of a single-incision technique for chest port implantation in adult and pediatric oncology patients is feasible. This may be the preferred method of subcutaneous port placement, as it has a very low complication rate and a high success rate. Prospective evaluation is needed to compare it versus the conventional two-incision technique.
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated induction of F9 teratocarcinoma differentiation in the absence of retinoic acid

F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells differentiate into parietal endoderm-like cells when given retinoic acid (RA) and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (DB-cAMP). It is generally accepted that the stem cells are resistant to the action of cAMP alone and need to be primed by RA in order to respond to cAMP. In this report, we demonstrate that F9 stem cells differentiate into parietal endoderm-like cells in the absence of exogenous RA when treated with cholera toxin and 1-methyl,3-isobutyl xanthine (CT/MIX) or 8-bromo-cAMP/MIX (8B2-cAMP/MIX). Cells treated with CT/MIX or 8B2-cAMP/MIX were morphologically similar to parietal endoderm-like cells, produced high amounts of plasminogen activator, and synthesized both type IV collagen and laminin mRNA. Conversely, markers made in abundance by stem cells such as stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA-1) and an mRNA species of 6.8 kb (pST6-135) were markedly reduced in CT/MIX-treated cells. To prove that cAMP alone could induce differentiation Lipidex-1000, a hydrophobic gel, was used to remove 80-90% of the endogenous serum retinoids. F9 cells grown in this retinoid-depleted serum and treated with 8B2-cAMP/MIX differentiated to parietal endoderm-like cells as shown by both dramatic changes in morphology and induction of type IV collagen mRNA. Our results indicate that the differentiation of F9 to parietal endoderm-like cells can be induced by increased intracellular cAMP and is not strictly dependent on the addition of RA.
The Academic Library as a Gateway to the Internet: An Analysis of the Extent and Nature of Search Engine Access from Academic Library Home Pages

Academic libraries have the opportunity through their Web pages to present to the university community recommended sites and appropriate techniques for searching the Internet. But in the design and organization of home pages, academic libraries often provide inadequate navigational paths to sites that provide search engine selection and evaluation criteria. The author conducted a study of the home pages of 114 academic libraries that belong to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) to determine their paths to Internet search engines. This paper presents the study results and makes recommendations for improvement.