cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of dropout from group therapy among patients with bipolar and substance use disorders.

Objective Bipolar and substance use disorders frequently co-occur. Integrated treatment for these disorders has been shown to be effective at reducing substance use, but no study has examined attrition from dual diagnosis group therapy. The current study identified baseline demographic and clinical characteristics that predict treatment dropout among patients with co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders.
Transition behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(ethyl methacrylate) blends

Previous work has shown evidence that PMMA and PEMA are miscible with PVF2. The present paper examines in detail the behavior of PEMA/PVF2 blends by thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical testing. All transitions and relaxations are affected by blond composition but in a complex manner owing to the crystallization of PVF2 from blends rich in this component. Inadequacies of the simple two-phase picture of semi-crystalline polymers is believed responsible for some of the transitional behavior observed here. The melting point depression observed for PVF2 was found to be consistent with an exothermic heat of mixing for this pair comparable in value to that found for PPMA/PVF2/All evidence here are consistent with the previous conclusion of miscibility for these systems.
The response of carbide fuel elements to fast thermal transients using the UNCLE-T-BUBE code

Abstract The response of fuel elements to fast thermal transients have great implications to the safety of LMFBR's. In this article, fission gas swelling and release, and clad stress and strain are computed for a carbide fuel element during several fast thermal transients as a function of steady stae power and percent burnup. The computations are made with the UNCLE-T-BUBE code which allows for equilibrium and nonequilibrium fission gas bubbles. In some of the transients, the code UNCLE-T-BUBE predicts fuel-clad gap closure, attended with a high clad hoop stress, whereas UNCLE-T does not. It is also found that allowing for nonequilibrium fission gas bubbles strongly affects fuel swelling and clad strain but has negligible effect on gas release.
The firm-size relation and stock market responses to post-1962 changes in Federal Reserve margin levels: Evidence from an exhaustive sample of exchange-listed firms

Abstract An analysis of the effects of changes in US Federal Reserve stock market margin requirements on the return characteristics of firms of differing equity values suggests that the price changes observed for smaller firms following margin announcements are of considerably greater magnitude than the reactions observed for the S&P composite index.
Program Patterns and Preferences, and the Workability of Competition in Radio Broadcasting

I. Criteria for the appraisal of workability, 195. — II. The one period model, 197. — III. The model over time, 207. — IV. Relevance of the model to the market structure of the industry, 217. — V. Some suggestions for further analysis, 222.
Kinetic analysis of the rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay in patients during operation for hyperparathyroidism

Abstract Background: Rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone (RI-PTH) assay is used to guide adequacy of resection during operation for hyperparathyroidism. We compared the RI-PTH assay (15 minutes) with a standard PTH assay, determined whether the PTH half-life varied between patients, and constructed a kinetic analysis of the RI-PTH data. Methods: Forty-five patients with hyperparathyroidism had blood sampled at baseline and at times after parathyroid resection. Intact PTH was determined using RI-PTH and a standard assay. Values were fitted to an exponential decay curve using the baseline and the follow-up time points. PTH half-life and the new postexcision baseline value were calculated from the decay curve. Results: The RI-PTH assay and the standard PTH assay correlated well. Average PTH half-life was 1.68 ± 0.94 minutes (0.42 to 3.81 minutes). A kinetic analysis yielded a formula for the generation of a PTH decay curve. Using a 50% reduction in RI-PTH at 5 minutes as the criterion for adequate resection, 2 patients were incorrectly classified as not being cured. These patients were correctly classified using the kinetic analysis. Conclusions: PTH half-life can vary substantially. A kinetic analysis may be more accurate in assessing adequacy of resection. This method allows the surgeon to interpret RI-PTH data independent of the timing of samples. (Surgery 1999;126:1145-51.)
Seasonal variation in the metabolic rates and Q10-values of the fingernail clam, Sphaerium striatinum lamarck

Abstract 1. 1. Metabolic rates were highest during periods of maximum reproduction. 2. 2. The exponent of the metabolic rate-weight equation varied seasonally, rates of metabolism of small animals exhibited greater annual fluctuations than those of large animals. 3. 3. Absolute and weight-specific Q 10 s (determined at 5–10°C above field temperatures) for smaller clams were greatest in the winter; absolute values of Q 10 were highest for larger individuals in the summer. 4. 4. Small clams had Q 10 Q 10 -values for larger clams were near 1.0 at this time. 5. 5. 38.9% of the total energy assimilated by the population annually was allocated to metabolism, which is near the low end of the range of values reported for freshwater molluscs, suggesting that this species can partition a large amount of energy to growth and reproduction.
Unilateral family therapy for alcohol abuse: A working conception

Abstract Unilateral family therapy is presented as a new mode of family therapy in which intervention is directed toward changing the behavior of an uncooperative family member through working with a cooperative member as mediator. In this initial exposition of the unilateral approach, it is applied to the problem of endeavoring to reach and change an uncooperative alcohol abuser through giving therapeutic assistance to a cooperating spouse. A working conception of this mode of therapy is presented based upon the authors' current clinical research in this area. Directions for further research and development are identified.
Consistency of the Aharonov-Bohm effect with quantum theory

A recent claiming the inconsistency of the Aharonov-Bohm effect with the principles of quantum theory is shown to contain incorrect arguments.
Cohen's Conjecture, Howard's Hypothesis, and Ptashne's Ptruth: an exploration of the relationship between affinity and specificity

Both affinity and specificity for ligands directly influence the functions of biological macromolecules. Some investigators assume that there is a consistent relationship between the affinity of a receptor molecule for its cognate ligand(s) and the specificity of that same receptor (affinity for cognate versus non-cognate ligands). However, analysis of the range of physical factors that account for changes in affinity, in any particular direction and to any particular degree, of a receptor for a cognate ligand suggests strongly that such factors can have disparate effects on the affinities of the receptor for different non-cognate ligands. Therefore, there can be no simple relationship between affinity and specificity as defined by relative binding of the receptor to cognate and non-cognate ligands.
Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty: expanded use in primary and repeat surgery for hypospadias.

Purpose: We evaluated the impact of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty on primary and repeat hypospadias repair.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all boys who underwent hypospadias repair at our institution during a recent 3-year period. The level of the hypospadias defect, technique of repair, primary repair versus reoperation, age at surgery and complications were recorded.Results: A total of 520 hypospadias repairs were done from May 1996 through June 1999. We began to perform tubularized incised plate urethroplasty in November 1996. During the ensuing consecutive 32 months 181 primary and 25 repeat hypospadias repairs were done using this technique. Mean patient age at surgery was 22 months (range 3 months to 30 years). During the 6 months immediately before we began to use this method the Mathieu flip-flap procedure was the most commonly performed technique, accounting for 38% of all hypospadias repairs. In contrast, during the last 6 months reviewed tubul...
Striated clast pavements: Products of deforming subglacial sediment?

Studies of modern glaciers have recently drawn attention to the importance of subglacial sediment deformation to glacier dynamics and processes. Inferences regarding the probable shear strength of this sediment imply that large clasts may in some cases sink to underlying rigid sediment, where abrasion by overlying deforming sediment could occur. This scenario provides a formative mechanism for striated clast pavements commonly described from the base of fine-grained massive diamictons associated with the late Pleistocene Laurentide ice sheet. Such a mechanism indicates that, at the time of formation of clast pavements, overlying diamictons associated with pavements had a low yield strength (≤0.5 kPa) and were deforming mechanically like a debris flow. Clast pavements may therefore be an important criterion for recognition of sediments deposited by subglacial deformation transport.
Interleukin-28B gene non-TT allele strongly predicts treatment failure for genotype 1 infected chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis: a case control study

The role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin (IL)-28B in predicting therapeutic response of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (PR) for genotype 1 infected chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis (AF) is limited. The aim of this study is to assess its role in predicting sustained virologic responses (SVR) to treatment. Forty-two patients with biopsy proven hepatitis C virus (HCV) related AF (group A; Ishak fibrosis score, ≥4) and 126 sex- and HCV genotype-matched patients without AF (group B; Ishak fibrosis score, ≤3) were recruited into study. All patients received PR therapy for 24 weeks. Baseline and on-treatment clinical, virological and host factors were evaluated for treatment efficacy. The SVR rate was significantly lower in group A than group B patients with genotype 1 infection (24% vs. 53.3%; p = 0.011). However, it was similar in those with genotype non-1 infection (76.5% vs. 76.5%; p = 1.0). IL-28B rs8099917 genotype TT is the strongest predictor for SVR in genotype 1 infection. Patients who had TT genotype and achieved RVR in group A had similar SVR rates with those in group B (44.4% vs. 53.3%; p = 0.614). One third of patients in group A developed hematological adverse effects and had required modified doses during antiviral therapy. In HCV genotype 1 infected AF receiving 24 weeks of PR treatment, patients with IL28B rs8099917 genotype TT, achieving RVR had similar SVR rate with those without AF. In contrast, patients with IL-28B rs8099917 non-TT genotype without achieving RVR are suggested to stop therapy.
P01-188 A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of divalproex and olanzapine in bipolar I disorder, mixed episode

Aims This unique study of treatment of the mixed state of bipolar I disorder using simultaneous depression and mania response criteria compared divalproex monotherapy versus olanzapine augmentation in a 6-week, randomized, double-blind trial. Methods Patients (age 18-60 years) with 14-28 days of divalproex monotherapy (blood levels of 75-125 μg/mL) were randomized to augmentation with olanzapine 5-20 mg/day or placebo. Data collected included: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Clinical Global Impression for Bipolar Illness (CGI-BP), hospitalizations, concomitant medications, and adverse events (AEs). Primary co-objectives were comparisons of baseline to endpoint changes in HDRS and YMRS. Secondary objectives included comparisons of times to onset (25% reduction) and response (50% reduction) in both HDRS and YMRS, change in CGI-BP, hospitalizations, and safety. Results Patients were 59% female, 51% Caucasian, 33% African American, and 14% Hispanic with mean standard deviation (SD) HDRS and YMRS scores of 22.2 (4.5) and 20.9 (4.4). Mean standard error (SE) score changes for the olanzapine (n=100) or placebo (n=101) arms, respectively, were: HDRS, -9.37 (.55) and -7.69 (.54), p=.022; YMRS, -10.15 (.44) and -7.68 (.44), p Conclusion Six-week olanzapine treatment augmentation was associated with greater and earlier reduction of manic and depressive symptoms in mixed episode patients on divalproex treatment.
Analytic derivative methods for evaluating nonadiabatic coupling matrix elements within the SC-QDPT method

Abstract The recently developed self-consistent variant of quasidegenerate perturbation theory (the SC-QDPT method) is shown to allow one to use analytic derivative methods for evaluating both first derivative nonadiabatic couplings and first derivatives of the adiabatic state energies with respect to nuclear perturbations. The expressions obtained for the couplings prove to deviate from the analogous expressions for CI wavefunctions by an additional term arising for inaccuracies in describing the primary–external interactions by perturbation theory. It is shown, however, that this `error-term' may be expected to be small in practice and it may be evaluated using reference space wavefunctions (e.g., MCSCF).
A system for Monte Carlo experimentation

A new computer system for Monte Carlo Experimentation is presented in this thesis. The new system speeds and simplifies the process of coding and preparing a Monte Carlo Experiment; it also encourages the proper design of Monte Carlo Experiments, and the careful analysis of the experimental results.A new functional language is the core of this system. Monte Carlo Experiments, and their experimental designs, are programmed in this new language; those programs are compiled into Fortran output. The Fortran output is then compiled and executed. The experimental results are analyzed with a standard statistics package such as S, Isp, or Minitab or with a user supplied program. Both the experimental results and the experimental design may be directly loaded into the workspace of those packages.The new functional language frees programmers from many of the details of programming an experiment. Experimental designs such as factorial, fractional factorial or latin square are easily described by the control structures and expressions of the language. Specific mathematical models, such as arima(p,n,q) models, regression models with specific collinearity properties, tabular data generated by logit or log-linear models are generated by the routines of the language. Numerous random number generators and many standard statistic routines are included. It is easy to use standard variance reduction techniques, such as common or antithetic variables, conditional Monte Carlo, weighted samples, importance sampling or control variates.
Effect of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis immunization on prolonged apnea or bradycardia in siblings of sudden infant death syndrome victims.

To determine whether the incidence of apnea or bradycardia increased after the first diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) immunization in 100 subsequent siblings of victims of sudden infant death syndrome, we examined data obtained from floppy disk recordings attached to apnea-bradycardia monitors for episodes of apnea lasting 15 seconds or longer and episodes of bradycardia lasting 10 seconds or longer. The data were divided into three periods: (1) 10 days before the first DTP immunization was received (pre-DTP period), (2) 10 days immediately after the DTP (DTP period), and (3) 10 days after the DTP period (post-DTP period). Seventeen infants had at least one episode of prolonged apnea or prolonged bradycardia either before or after the 30-day study period (eight before only, eight after only, and one before and after). None of the infants had episodes of apnea lasting 15 seconds or more or bradycardia lasting 10 seconds or more during the pre-DTP or DTP period. One episode of apnea, 16 seconds long, and one episode of bradycardia lasting 11 seconds occurred in the post-DTP period. These results falled to confirm the clinical impression that DTP immunizations are associated with an increased frequency and severity of prolonged apnea. They also place in question the utility of assessing an infant's response to a DTP immunization to determine continued risk of apnea and bradycardia before home monitoring is discontinued.
Dionysopithecus from southern Pakistan and the biochronology and biogeography of early Eurasian catarrhines

Abstract New specimens of a small, advanced catarrhine primate from the Manchar Formation in Sind, southern Pakistan, are referred to Dionysopithecus sp. Their age is biochronologically estimated to be close to the early/middle Miocene boundary. Dionysopithecus is considered closely related to, and possibly congeneric with, Micropithecus from the East African early Miocene. The Manchar Dionysopithecus is among the earliest of Eurasian catarrhines. Catarrhines may have first emigrated from Afro-Arabia around 16·5 Ma, coincident with a major short-term eustatic sea level lowering event, and with the earliest records in South Asia of certain other African mammal groups. The first appearances in Eurasia of later, more advanced catarrhine lineages also appear to correlate with episodes of global sea level lowering.
Illusory correlation in observational report.

Phenomena from such diverse areas as superstition, belief in primitive magic, errors in clinical observations, social prejudice, and halo effect have certain similarities. All are based on a systematic error in reports of observations of a supposed correlation between the occurrences of two classes of events. It seems likely that the same principles may account for this systematic error regardless of the subject matter being observed. The term “illusory correlation” is proposed for such systematic errors in correlations reported by observers. Variables affecting illusory correlation were studied using visually presented words as stimuli. The findings indicate (a) that words which have a strong associative connection are reported as correlated in their occurrence when not actually correlated and (b) that illusory correlation also occurs between distinctive stimuli.
The inadvertent administration of anticoagulants to ED patients ultimately diagnosed with thoracic aortic dissection.

Abstract Objectives Aortic dissection (AD) may present similarly to acute coronary syndrome or pulmonary embolus; however, anticoagulation may be detrimental to patients with AD. Methods Clinical data were abstracted from medical records of emergency department (ED) patients with nontraumatic AD. Patients administered with anticoagulants were compared with non–anticoagulated patients with regard to presenting symptoms, chest radiograph and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, and outcome. Results A total of 44 ED patients with nontraumatic AD was identified over a 4-year period; anticoagulants were administered to 9 (21%). Anticoagulated patients had a higher incidence of chest pain without back pain (78% vs 23%; P = .002) and ST elevations or depressions on ECG (89% vs 6%; P P Conclusions There is a clinically significant incidence of anticoagulation administration to ED patients ultimately diagnosed with AD, especially in the presence of ambiguous ECG and radiographic findings.
Seeing and naming

Two preliminary comments are necessary. First, throughout this paper I shall use 'see' in an extensional sense which carries an existence entail ment: if you see an F then an F exists in your visual environment. Thus, Macbeth did not see a dagger and you do not see lines of unequal length when looking at a Muller-Lyer diagram. Some philosophers seem to think there is a sense of 'see' which doesn't carry this existence entailment-an intentional sense of 'see' according to which Macbeth did see a dagger, and you do see lines of unequal length when looking at a Muller-Lyer diagram. Obviously on such a reading of 'see' the question of the relation between your visual experience and the thing seen is moot, since no such thing need exist. Nothing in this paper hinges on whether there are or aren't two senses of 'see'. If there are, I'm speaking of seeing in only the one sense. If there aren't, as I'm inclined to believe,1 I'm speaking of seeing in its uni vocal sense. The same remarks hold for 'name' or 'refer', although perhaps with less urgency since there seems to be less tendency to think these verbs have a sense that doesn't entail the existence of what's named or referred to. Also, throughout this paper I shall assume that to see something a person must have a conscious visual experience. It is not entirely obvious
Insider/Outsider Upsides and Downsides

ABSTRACT This paper examines the roles, opportunities, and barriers for community workers in task-oriented groups who are different or “outsiders” as compared to “insiders” who share the same characteristics as community members along dimensions such as race, ethnicity, religion, class, age, sex, or sexual orientation. It explores the implications for community workers by reviewing a number of factors, including roles and responsibilities, knowledge and perceptions, experience and interests, communication and cultural competence, relationships and linkages, as well as legitimacy and trust. Suggestions are offered so that workers in either situation can act to take fullest advantage of their assets, while adequately preparing for potential problems and pitfalls.
Gas-water-rock interactions in sedimentary basins: CO2 sequestration in the Frio Formation, Texas, USA

Abstract To investigate the potential for the geologic storage of CO2 in saline sedimentary aquifers, 1600 ton of CO2 were injected at ∼1500 m depth into a 24-m sandstone section of the Frio Formation — a regional reservoir in the US Gulf Coast. Fluid samples obtained from the injection and observation wells before, during and after CO2 injection show a Na–Ca–Cl type brine with 93,000 mg/L TDS and near saturation of CH4 at reservoir conditions. As injected CO2 gas reached the observation well, results showed sharp drops in pH (6.5 to 5.7), pronounced increases in alkalinity (100 to 3000 mg/L as HCO3) and Fe (30 to 1100 mg/L), and significant shifts in the isotopic compositions of H2O and DIC. Geochemical modeling indicates that brine pH would have dropped lower, but for buffering by dissolution of calcite and Fe oxyhydroxides. Post-injection results show the brine gradually returning to its pre-injection composition.
Teachers' Opinions About the Theoretical and Practical Aspects of the Use of Native Language Minority Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract The results of studies analyzing teachers' opinions about the theoretical and practical aspects of the use of native language instruction for language minority students appear to reflect a clear discrepancy: There is strong support for the underlying theory, while there is less support for its practical implementation. The present study analyzed 218 K–8 teachers' responses to a questionnaire dealing with the aforementioned issue. In addition, the study also examined which factors influenced their opinions, and whether their opinions varied across different grades (K–2nd, 3rd–4th, 5th–8th). Consistent with previous research, support for the theoretical principles underlying the use of the students' native language was strong. Support for its practical implementation was less positive. No clear predictors of attitudes toward the issue being investigated were found. Alongside, no significant variations in opinions were found among the groups in which the teachers were clustered (K–2, 3–4, 5–8). The ...
Temperature Distributions During Thermoradiotherapy: A Sensitivity Study With a Transient Numerical Model of the Rabbit Eye

An approach to the treatment of medium-sized choroidal melanomas combines radiation with ferromagnetic hyperthermia. The study herein discusses results with a numerical thermal model of a choroidal melanoma in the rabbit eye as treated with episcleral, thermoradiotherapy plaques. The sensitivity of a temperature-dependent blood perfusion model is investigated.
Globalization and the Need for Fiscal Reform in Developing Countries

Globalization is not a new phenomenon. However, the current form is qualitatively different from past experiences. It provides great opportunities for some countries and challenges to others. A first part of the paper identifies positive and negative effects associated with globalization. The paper then discusses reforms that countries need to undertake to better cope with this phenomenon. These reforms must reduce or eliminate obstacles of a physical, institutional, or policy nature, if they are to integrate the countries successfully in the world economy. The paper discusses next the role that fiscal policy must play. It concludes that developing countries will experience pressures to increase their public spending and thus their tax burdens. On the other hand, industrial countries will be faced with downward pressures on their tax levels and thus with the need to reduce public spending. The paper concludes with a brief description of some fiscal reforms.
Two tetratricopeptide repeat proteins facilitate human aryl hydrocarbon receptor signalling in yeast.

Abstract A human aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor signalling pathway was constructed in yeast and used to identify regulatory proteins that may be related to those present in mammalian cells. The sequence similarity of human hepatitis B protein X-associated protein 2 (XAP2) protein to yeast Cpr7 and Cns1 proteins suggested that these proteins might be involved in Ah receptor signalling in this model system. Ah receptor signalling from a lacZ reporter gene was reduced by ∼60% in cells that lacked Cpr7. In vitro interaction experiments indicated that a Cpr7–GST fusion protein and Ah receptor formed a complex. Expression of Cpr7, Cns1 and the isolated tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) region of Cpr7 from plasmids restored Ah receptor signalling function in the Cpr7-deficient strain. Thus, Cpr7 and Cns1 proteins facilitate the signalling of human Ah receptor expressed in yeast, perhaps in the same manner as the TPR-containing XAP2 protein and related chaperone proteins in mammalian cells.
The limits and limitations of transaction log analysis

Introduction Since the earliest transaction monitoring studies, researchers have encountered the boundaries that define transaction log analysis as a methodology for studying the use of online information retrieval systems. Because, among other reasons, transaction log databases contain relatively few fields and lack sufficient retrieval tools, students of transaction log data have begun to ask as many questions about what transaction logs cannot reveal as they have asked about what transaction logs can reveal. Researchers have conducted transaction monitoring studies to understand the objective phenomena embodied in this statement: “Library patrons enter searches into online information retrieval systems.” Transaction log data effectively describe what searches patrons enter and when they enter them, but they don't reflect, except through inference, who enters the searches, why they enter them, and how satisfied they are with their results.
Structures of xanthoviridicatin D and xanthoviridicatin G, metabolites of penicillium viridicatum: application of proton and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy

The structures of xanthoviridicatin D and xanthoviridicatin G, toxic metabolites of Penicillium viridicatum, have been shown to be 3 and 4a, respectively by spectroscopic studies.
A comparison of CPR delivery with various compression-to-ventilation ratios during two-rescuer CPR.

Abstract Background: The number of chest compressions required for optimal generation of coronary perfusion pressure remains unknown although studies examining compression-to-ventilation ratios higher than 15:2 (C:V) in animals have reported higher C:V to be superior for return of spontaneous circulation and neurologic outcome. We examined human performance of two-rescuer CPR using various C:V. Methods: Thirty six EMT-Basic students in their final week of training performed two-rescuer CPR using C:V of 15:2, 30:2, 40:2, 50:2, and 60:2 on a recording resuscitation manikin. Compression and ventilation variables were recorded by computer while the number of pauses for ventilations and the hands-off time (time not spent performing chest compressions) were abstracted by hand. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and significant differences from the standard treatment of C:V=15:2 were assessed by Tukey's HSD post hoc test. Findings: The number of compressions delivered per minute increased with increasing C:V while the hands-off time and pauses for ventilations decreased. All comparisons were significantly different from C:V=15:2 ( P Interpretation: A 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio when performed during two-rescuer CPR results in 26s of hands off time each minute while only delivering 60 compressions. Alternative C:V ratios of 30:2, 40:2, 50:2, and 60:2 all exceed the AHA recommended 80compressions/min while still delivering a minute volume in excess of 1l.
Analytic and numerical solutions of a Riccati differential equation with random coefficients

In this paper an analytic mean square solution of a Riccati equation with randomness in the coefficients and initial condition is given. This analytic solution can be expressed in an explicit form by using a general theorem for the chain rule for stochastic processes that can be written as a composition of a C^1 function and a stochastic process belonging to the Banach space L"p, p>=1. Moreover, the exact mean and variance functions of the Riccati equation are computed and they are compared to those obtained by Monte Carlo, Differential Transform and Generalized Chaos Polynomial methods. Advantages and disadvantages of these methods are discussed for this equation.
Culture Wars in the Congressional Theater: How the U.S. House of Representatives Legislates Morality, 1993–1998

Objective. This article explores the politics of cultural conflict in the U.S. House of Representatives (1993–1998) by analyzing legislator decision making on reproductive issues. Because reproductive policies represent a major contemporary cultural cleavage between feminists and religious traditionalists, decision making should be influenced by elite – and district –level variables reflective of culture. Methods. Pro –choice support scores are derived and, using OLS, are regressed on elite – and district –level cultural and noncultural variables. Results. Republican partisanship and elite ideological and religious conservatism produce low levels of support for pro –choice reproductive policies. Conclusions. Cultural theory is a useful lens through which to view congressional politics. In the area of reproductive policy, legislator decision making is influenced by an array of cultural considerations.
Novel insights into M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor function by the use of gene targeting technology.

Abstract Until recently, little was known about the possible physiological functions of the M 5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype, the last member of the muscarinic receptor family (M 1 –M 5 ) to be cloned. To learn more about the potential physiological roles of this receptor subtype, we generated and analyzed M 5 receptor-deficient mice (M5 -/- mice). Strikingly, acetylcholine, a potent dilator of most vascular beds, virtually lost the ability to dilate cerebral arteries and arterioles in M5 -/- mice, suggesting that endothelial M 5 receptors mediate this activity in wild-type mice. This effect was specific for cerebral blood vessels, since acetylcholine-mediated dilation of extra-cerebral arteries remained fully intact in M5 -/- mice. In addition, in vitro neurotransmitter release experiments indicated that M 5 receptors located on dopaminergic nerve terminals play a role in facilitating muscarinic agonist-induced dopamine release in the striatum, consistent with the observation that the dopaminergic neurons innervating the striatum almost exclusively express the M 5 receptor subtype. We also found that the rewarding effects of morphine, the prototypical opiate analgesic, were substantially reduced in M5 -/- mice, as measured in the conditioned place preference paradigm. Furthermore, both the somatic and affective components of naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal symptoms were significantly attenuated in M5 -/- mice. It is likely that these behavioral deficits are caused by the lack of mesolimbic M 5 receptors, activation of which is known to stimulate dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. These results convincingly demonstrate that the M 5 muscarinic receptor is involved in modulating several important pharmacological and behavioral functions. These findings may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of drug addiction and certain cerebrovascular disorders.
Identities on free products of bands

If U and V are bands (idempotent semigroups), are there circumstances under which their free product U*~ V, in the variety ~ of bands, belongs to a proper subvariety ~/" of ~? There are some positive results in a few special cases. It is well known that if U and V are both trivial, then U*~ V is normal. Jones [3] showed that if U and V are both semilattices, then U*~ V is regular. It is an easy exercise, as we will demonstrate shortly, to show that if U and V are rectangular bands, U*~ V satisfies a band identity defining a proper subvariety. However, we will present an example where u is a normal band, V is trivial, and U*~ V does not satisfy any band identity defining a proper subvariety. This obviously puts an upper bound on results of the aforementioned nature. However, as something of a converse, we are able to show that if U is right normal (dually left normal) and V is a rectangular band, then U*~ V lies in a proper subvariety of bands. The example discussed and the methods of proof used in this paper have been suggested from the examples and ideas displayed in Olin [6]. Throughout this paper, U and V will be assumed to be normal bands, i.e. those satisfying the identity axya = ayxa, in addition to the basic band identity x 2 =x. Bands are discussed in Petrich [7, Chapter II] and in Howie [2, Chapter IV]. The main structure theorem for bands states that "every band is a semilattice of rectangular bands" [2, Theorem IV. 3.1]. In the case of normal bands, this can be strengthened to "every normal band is a strong semilattice of rectangular bands" [2, Theorem IV. 5.14]. This means that if U is a normal band, it has the following properties: (i) U = l..Jo~A Do~, where A is a semilattice and each D~ is a rectangular band; and, (ii) if re, fle A, tr -> fl, then there exists a homomorphism ~o~,a:Do,---~Da, where (a) if tr=fl, then ~o~.~ is the identity mapping; (b) tr, fl, yeA, o:>-fl>-7, then ~o~,7 = q~,~o q~,~; and (c) ifa ~D~ and b ~D~, then ab = (ad?~,~)(bdp~,~t~). Let 6e be the variety of semigroups, and let w be an element of U*~e V. Then w is a word gl �9 " "gn where, for 1 <- i <- n - 1, gi ~ U(V) implies &§ e V(U), and
Calculated electron affinities of the elements

The extra-electron binding energies of the ground-state monatomic negative ions with $Zl86$ are calculated using the self-interaction correction (SIC) to the local spin-density approximation (LSD) for exchange and correlation. The results agree reasonably with experiment, and the errors reflect the familiar "interconfigurational energy error" common to LSD and SIC. Some of the rare earths, e.g., Ce and possibly Gd, are predicted to form stable negative ions. In addition we have the following: (1) Relativistic (other than spin-orbit) contributions to the electron affinities are included and discussed. In Au the relativistic effects boost the calculated affinity from 1.5 to 2.5 eV. (2) The doubly negative ions ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${\mathrm{Te}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$ are predicted to have no stable ground state. (3) Electron affinities are calculated for a few excited atomic states. (4) The calculated ground-state densities $n(r)$ of all the neutral atoms and negative ions are monotonically decreasing functions of $r$. (5) Corrections to the random-phase-approximation electron-gas correlation energy are shown to cancel out of SIC calculations for atoms.
Agricultural (Nonbiomedical) Animal Research Outside the Laboratory: A Review of Guidelines for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees

Challenges and published guidelines associated with appropriate care and use of farm animals in agricultural research conducted outside the laboratory are briefly reviewed. The Animal Welfare Act (Title 9 of the 2000 Code of Federal Regulations), which regulates the care and use of agricultural animals in biomedical research, does not include livestock and poultry used in agricultural research. Farm animal research funded (and thereby regulated) by the US Public Health Service is further discussed in the National Research Council's 1996 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. However, neither of these guidelines adequately addresses the unique attributes of research and teaching designed to improve production agriculture. That information is contained in the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching (the Ag Guide), published by the Federation of Animal Science Societies in 1999. The Ag Guide provides excellent general recommendations for agricultural animal research. It serves as an invaluable resource for institutional animal care and use committees, which attempt to balance the welfare of farm animals and the needs of those working to improve animal agriculture.
Improving hybrid coding via control of quantization errors in the spatial and frequency domains

We propose new techniques to improve hybrid coding of images and video, without increasing decoder complexity, by controlling quantization effects in spatial and frequency domains, and finding optimal quantized coefficients via optimization. Additional compression is achieved by finding sets of optimal parameters, determined using training techniques. Experimental results confirm that the new method is able to provide better compression, both in objective measures, like signal-to-noise ratios, and also subjective, by reducing visually annoying blocking and banding artifacts.
On Getting the Story Crooked (and Straight)

Without the stories, or narratives that organisations construct, there could be no social negotiation or sense making. A problem is that the narratives are often “too straight”, too simplistic and self‐serving to be helpful representations of reality. Most stories in organisations that are used to manage change efforts are too simple, and too much believed. They foster naive optimism that soon degenerates into cynicism. Stories are maps, but are often confused with the territories themselves. Some examples of stories or accounts of organisational change efforts that are straight, and how they might have been made more “crooked”, are discussed. Some suggestions on how leaders in organisations can become more thoughtful consumers of straight stories and make those stories more helpful maps to guide organisations through the turbulence of change are offered.
Glass surface characterization by electrical measurements

Abstract Glass reacts with atmospheric water to produce an alkali-hydroxide layer and a high-resistivity interdiffusion layer. The level of electrode polarization was shown to be correlated with the amount of hydroxyl groups on the glass surface. The structure of the glass surface was characterized by the dielectric measurements and a space-charge model. As an example, the resistivity and thickness of the interdiffusion layer of 25 mol% Na 2 OSiO 2 glass were estimated. The space-charge model leads to a reasonable interpretation of dielectric measurements in glass.
SU-DD-A2-04: Validation of the Mechanical Systems for a Tomotherapy Hi-Art Unit

Purpose: To validate the accuracy of the table and gantry motion of the Tomotherapy Hi‐Art system and to measure the range of table deflection and to assess the impact on dose delivery. Method and Materials: The Tomotherapy Hi‐Art system delivers radiation dose to a target using a helical tomotherapy delivery. Because of this fact, the mechanical accuracy of the table speed and gantry rotation speed, which determine the pitch of the delivery, are extremely important. The amount of table sag relative to the treatment plan is also critical. Table speed and gantry speed were measured by attaching a marker with three reflective spheres to both the table top and gantry structure. The position of the markers was monitored with a Polaris infra‐red camera system. Measurements were taken for 4 treatments of varying pitch. The table top sag for 0, 150, and 300 pounds weight was measured both at the end of the table and at the isocenter for different table positions. The impact of this on a delivered plan was checked by measuring a plan using film dosimetry with 0, 150, and 300 pounds of added weight. Results: Table speed was verified to be accurate within 0.5%. The average gantry rotation period was found to be within 0.02 seconds of the planned value. The maximum sag at the end of the table ranged from 1.25 to 3.35 cm. The sag at isocenter ranged from 0.5 to 1.4 cm. The results translate to a maximum deflection angle of 1.1 degrees. The resulting films showed a maximum shift in isodose curves of 1 mm in the vertical direction. Conclusion: The mechanical systems on the Tomotherapy unit are capable of producing the planned pitch values with high accuracy. The table deflection while substantial does not significantly affect the accuracy of the delivery.
Probing Halide Distribution in [AlX4]− Anions via 27Al NMR: Application of the Pairwise-Additivity Model

A laboratory exercise using 27Al NMR spectrometry to study the tetrahedral tetrahaloaluminate anions has been developed. Spectra of the homoleptic complexes [AlX4]− and the dihalide anions [AlX4Y4−n]− (X, Y = Cl, Br, or I) are acquired, then the pairwise-additivity concept developed by Vladimiroff and Malinowski is used to predict the chemical shifts of the trihalide anions [AlClmBrnI4−m−n]−. The relationship between the 27Al NMR chemical shift and the charge on the central aluminum atom (calculated with molecular modeling) is investigated, as well as the relationship between the symmetry of the anions and the line width of their respective resonances.
Geographical Distribution of Perfluorinated Compounds in Fish from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers

In response to growing interest in human exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), the state of Minnesota measured and reported PFC concentrations in fish collected from the Minneapolis−St. Paul area. To better determine the geographical distribution of PFC contamination throughout Minnesota, fish were collected from 59 lakes throughout the state and several areas along the Mississippi River. Composite fish samples were analyzed for 10 PFC analytes by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonate) was the most commonly detected PFC, occurring in 73% of fish from the Mississippi River but only 22% of fish from lakes. Fish from Mississippi River Pool 2 near the Minneapolis−St. Paul area had the highest levels of PFOS, whereas locations upstream had PFOS concentrations below 40 ng/g, the concentration at which Minnesota issues “one meal per week” fish consumption advice. Fish from most Minnesota lakes tested (88%) had PFOS concen...
Rapidly expanding viscous drop from a submerged orifice at finite reynolds numbers.

: The rapid expansion and subsequent detachment of a drop or bubble are examined in this paper. Establishing the hydrodynamics of the drop growth and detachment process has applications ranging from improving insight into nucleate pool boiling, to improving techniques used to characterize dynamic surface tension. Here, the growth and detachment dynamics of vis-cous drops are studied numerically to establish an accurate description of the hydrodynamics. The full two-dimensional axisymmetric Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a single fluid volume-of-fluid (VOF) formulation on a fixed Eulerian grid. The interface is represented by marker particles that are convected in a Lagrangian manner on the underlying Eulerian grid. Results for surfactant-free, isothermal droplets from hemispherical caps to near detachment are presented.
Molecular Epidemiology of HIV Transmission in a Dental Practice

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission from infected patients to health-care workers has been well documented, but transmission from an infected health-care worker to a patient has not been reported. After identification of an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient who had no known risk factors for HIV infection but who had undergone an invasive procedure performed by a dentist with AIDS, six other patients of this dentist were found to be HIV-infected. Molecular biologic studies were conducted to complement the epidemiologic investigation. Portions of the HIV proviral envelope gene from each of the seven patients, the dentist, and 35 HIV-infected persons from the local geographic area were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Three separate comparative genetic analyses--genetic distance measurements, phylogenetic tree analysis, and amino acid signature pattern analysis--showed that the viruses from the dentist and five dental patients were closely related. These data, together with the epidemiologic investigation, indicated that these patients became infected with HIV while receiving care from a dentist with AIDS.
An Evaluation of New Jersey Jug-Handle Intersection (NJJI) with and without Pre-Signals

Conventional treatment of left-turn at major arterial intersections is often found to be the major cause of poor arterial operations, especially under a heavy volume condition. New Jersey Jug-handle Intersection (NJJI), an unconventional intersection scheme, eliminates direct left turn and has been in place on NJDOT heavy-volume arterial roadways for quite a long time. The NJJI scheme separates left turn vehicles prior to or after crossing the intersection via a right side jug-handle (forward or reverse) ramp and then allow them to make turn onto cross-street via ramp terminus separated from the main intersection. By introducing jug-handle ramps at all four approaches of a four-legged intersection, four identical ramp termini can be constructed. These ramp termini can be signalized along with the main intersection and each of them can be operated on a two-phase signal. CORSIM, a micro-simulation model, has been utilized to evaluate and compare the operational performance of a forward ramp NJJI scheme (with and without signals at the ramp termini) with a conventional intersection (CI) scheme. The simulation study reveals that the NJJI scheme with pre-signals significantly improves traffic operations while increasing the intersection capacity. Other benefits of the NJJI scheme include reduction of vehicle stop time, fuel consumption and emission level.
Brand equity: is it more important in services?

While the brand equity associated with tangible goods has received a great deal of attention in the literature, a basic understanding of the nature of brand equity for services has yet to emerge. Most of what is known about brand equity for services is based on theoretical or anecdotal evidence. In addition, the presumed differences in brand equity associated with search‐dominant, experience‐dominant, and credence‐dominant services has yet to be empirically examined. The objectives of this study are threefold: to empirically test whether brand equity is more important for services than for tangible goods, to test whether the presumed differences in brand equity for search‐, experience‐, and credence‐dominant services can be confirmed in an empirical examination, and to assess whether consumer knowledge of a product category has an effect on the importance of brand equity across product types. Contrary to suppositions in the literature, the results indicate that brand equity is more important for tangible ...