cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Firm Characteristics Influencing Responses Towards Adoption of the Fair Value Accounting Option: A Survey of Chief Financial Officers of U.S. Firms

This paper examines the opinions of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of public companies in the U.S. with respect to the choice of fair value accounting for non-financial assets. Based on 209 surveyed firms, we first show that the majority of CFOs are resistant to fair value accounting for non-financial assets, similar to prior studies reporting that European firms were not willing to adopt fair value accounting when the option was given. We also examine what firm characteristics affect CFOs’ attitudes toward the adoption of fair value accounting and show that large firms, more leveraged firms, and firms with more non-financial assets and expertise in fair value measurements tend to choose the option of fair value accounting for non-financial assets.
Investing in formal on-the-job training: are SMEs lagging much behind?

In a modern economy, the investment in human capital by firms is crucial to foster technological adoption and foster productivity growth. This paper analyzes the correlation between firm size and the investment in job training by employers. Using a large firm level data set across 99 developing countries, we show that a strong and positive correlation in the investment in job training and firm size is a robust statistical finding both within and across countries with very different institutions and levels of development. Even though we cannot fully disentangle correlation from causality, we show that the size-training gap is not fully explained by differences across firms in market imperfections or institutional failures impeding the development of smaller firms. Our findings call for the urgency of collecting better panel data sets to understand how cost-effective are on-the-job training programs in fostering firm productivity and growth in developing countries. Jel codes: J24, D24
Purification of the MutX protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a homologue of Escherichia coli MutT. Identification of a novel catalytic domain for nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase activity.

The mutX gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a homologue of the Escherichia coli mutT mutator gene (Mejean, V., Salles, C., Bullions, L. C., Bessman, M. J., and Claverys, J.-P. (1993) Mol. Microbiol. 11, 323-330) has been cloned into an expression vector, and its gene product, the MutX protein, has been purified to apparent homogeneity. Like MutT, the pure MutX protein hydrolyzes all of the canonical nucleoside triphosphates at different rates with a preference for dGTP, yielding nucleoside monophosphates and inorganic pyrophosphate. Despite this similarity in enzymatic activity, the two proteins have notably dissimilar primary and quaternary structures. They share only a small region of amino acid homology, and under the same conditions in which MutT exists as a monomer in solution, MutX behaves as a trimer. The small region of conserved amino acid sequence most likely identifies a protein domain responsible for the novel nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase activity shared by the two enzymes, and by another protein of unknown function, the product of the E. coli orf17 gene (Takahagi, M., Iwasaki, H., Nakata, A., and Shinegawa, H. (1991) J. Bacteriol. 173, 5747-5753).
Point mutagenesis of carboxyl-terminal amino acids of cholesteryl ester transfer protein : opposite faces of an amphipathic helix important for cholesteryl ester transfer or for binding neutralizing antibody

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of neutral lipids between the plasma lipoproteins. A carboxyl-terminal sequence of CETP was recently shown to form the epitope of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (TP2) and to be necessary for neutral lipid transfer activity. To determine the role of specific amino acids in the epitope and/or in lipid transfer activity, we made single amino acid substitution mutants between Pro446 and Ser476 by in vitro mutagenesis and expressed the mutants in mammalian cells. The binding of TP2 to CETP was abolished by mutations primarily of polar or charged amino acids that occurred periodically within the sequence between His466 and Leu475 and at amino acid Asp460; however, these mutants had well preserved cholesteryl ester (CE) transfer activity. By contrast, mutants of bulky hydrophobic amino acids in this region (particularly Leu475, Phe471, Leu468, Phe461, and Phe454) showed markedly decreased CE transfer specific activity, but essentially normal binding of TP2. The paradoxical effects on antibody binding and activity could be explained if amino acids determining monoclonal antibody binding and activity are disposed on opposite faces of an amphipathic helix between amino acids 465 and 476. This model was tested by substituting alanine residues for pairs of nonpolar amino acids which would be contiguous on a helix, resulting in low activity mutants equivalent to those produced by deletion of this region. We conclude that the hydrophobic face of a carboxyl-terminal helix of CETP is directly involved in the mechanism of CE transfer, and that TP2 inhibits activity by local sterical hindrance. The general hydrophobic character of this region, imparted by the bulky hydrophobic amino acids Leu and Phe, is important for normal CE transfer.
Integrin dysregulation as a possible driver of matrix remodeling in Laminin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A)

BACKGROUND Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A) is caused by a loss of Laminin-α2. Secondary manifestations include failed regeneration, inflammation, and fibrosis; however, specific pathomechanisms remain unknown. OBJECTIVES Using the LAMA2DyW (DyW) mouse model of MDC1A, we sought to determine if Integrin-αV and -α5, known drivers of pathology in other diseases, are dysregulated in dystrophic muscle. Additionally, we investigated whether Losartan, a drug previously shown to be antifibrotic in dystrophic scenarios, rescues integrin overexpression in DyW mice. METHODS qRT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry were utilized to characterize integrin and matricellular protein dysregulation in hind limb muscles from WT and untreated/ Losartan-treated DyW mice. RESULTS Integrin-αV and -α5 are significantly upregulated on both gene and protein level in DyW muscle- Losartan treatment attenuates this dysregulation. Immunohistochemistry showed that Integrin-αV is expressed on both infiltrating cells as well as on muscle cells- Losartan attenuates expression in both compartments. In addition, transcriptional overexpression of common matricellular and beta binding partners is rescued close to WT levels with Losartan. Lastly, latent and active TGF-β are upregulated in the serum of DyW mice, but only active TGF-β levels are attenuated by Losartan treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that overexpression of Integrin-αV and -α5 are likely contributing to secondary pathologies in MDC1A. We also believe that downregulation of Integrin-αV could be partially responsible for Losartan's antifibrotic effect and therefore could serve as a novel therapeutic target in MDC1A and other degenerative fibrotic diseases.
p62/SQSTM1 is required for cell survival of apoptosis-resistant bone metastatic prostate cancer cell lines.

Background Bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) paracrine factor(s) can induce apoptosis in bone metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines. However, the PCa cells that escape BMSC-induced apoptosis can upregulate cytoprotective autophagy.
High frequency planar power transformers for resonant converters

The authors present an alternative to the problem of high-frequency transformer design via the transmission line transformer (TLT). Utilizing transmission line circuit theory, they present the characteristics of the TLT for different turns ratios and discuss its advantages, including its wideband nature. TLT prototypes with ratios 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1 were designed and fabricated. The prototype test results verify the theoretical analysis and also point out the further advantages of compact size and high efficiency, making the TLT ideally suited for high-frequency converters. >
Precision and accuracy of ground reaction force normalization in a heterogeneous population of dogs.

Objective To determine if currently used ground reaction force (GRF) normalization methods are accurate and precise enough to be used on a single-limb basis. Study Design Prospective clinical trial. Animals Clinically normal (n = 69) dogs and 40 dogs with unilateral ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments (CCL). Methods Pelvic limb GRFs of orthopedically normal dogs and those with unilateral ruptured CCL were collected. Normalization methods included none, body weight (BW), withers height (WH), WH and relative velocity (WH*F) and principal component 1 (PC1). Normalization methods were evaluated both by individual GRFs and additively. Binary logistic regression was performed for all normalization methods; sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) calculated. Stepwise backward logistic regression was used; significant values were retained in the final model. P < .05 was significant. Results Normalization of contact time (CT) by BW uniformly increased sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy. SI was the most accurate at both the walk and trot (accuracy 80–96%). Normalization by BW, WH, and WH*F all achieved similar results. When normalized GRFs were added, the accuracy increased only at the walk. Clinical Significance CT should be normalized to BW. SIs remain the gold standard, if SIs cannot be used, combining GRFs normalized to BW will result in high precision (80%) and high accuracy (89.5%) at the walk. At the trot, normalization by BW, WH and WH*F results in consistent results for the individual GRFs, though not all accuracies are >80%.
METABOLIC REGULATION OF ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE SULFURYLASE IN YEAST

de Vito, Peter C. (Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.), and Jacques Dreyfuss. Metabolic regulation of adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase in yeast. J. Bacteriol. 88:1341-1348. 1964.-The metabolic regulation of adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase (ATP-sulfurylase) from baker's yeast was studied. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by low concentrations of adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate, 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate, and sulfide. Sulfide ion was a competitive inhibitor of ATP-sulfurylase. Cysteine, methionine, sulfite, and thiosulfate were not inhibitors of the enzyme. ATP-sulfurylase was repressed when yeast was grown in the presence of methionine, and derepressed when yeast was grown in the presence of cysteine. In contrast to these results, the enzyme sulfite reductase was repressed in cysteine-grown cells. Thus, the sulfate-reducing pathway in yeast appears to be regulated at its first step both by feedback inhibition (by sulfide) and by repression (by methionine). Other known controls in the cysteine biosynthetic pathway are discussed.
Heteropentadienyl Analogues of Half-Open Ruthenocenes: Metal-Ligand Interactions and Electronic Structure Perturbations

The electronic structures of molecules of the form Cp*Ru(η5-Pdl) (where Cp* = η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and Pdl = 2,4-dimethylpentadienyl and various heteropentadienyl ligands, including the azapentadienyl ligand 1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-1-azapentadienyl and the oxopentadienyl ligands 2,4-dimethyl-1-oxopentadienyl and 2,4-di-tert-butyl-1-oxopentadienyl) have been investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy and computational methods. The photoelectron spectra of these half-open metallocenes allow direct insight into the bonding capabilities of pentadienyl ligands and the influences of heteroatom substitution on the electronic structure. The number of separate valence ionization bands that are observed corresponds directly to the number of occupied valence metal d orbitals and highest occupied π orbitals of the Cp* and Pdl ligands plus (in the case of the heteropentadienyl ligands) an ionization that derives from the heteroatom (oxygen or nitrogen) lone pair orbital that is in the plane of the ligan...
ANALYSIS OF THE MECHANISM OF PHOTODYNAMIC INDUCTION OF SYNTHESIS OF A POLYPEPTIDE IN ARTHROBACTER SP.

— Synthesis of a 21000-dalton polypeptide is greatly stimulated in a species of Arthrobacter by the combined influence of light, oxygen and a sensitizing dye. The dye must enter the cells for the effect to occur. The extent of photoinduction was not enhanced in the presence of D2O nor was it significantly inhibited by 10–20 mM azide or 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2]octane. The phenazine dye neutral red was nearly as effective as methylene blue and rose bengal in sensitizing photoinduction, although neutral red was inactive as a sensitizer of the photooxidation of histidine or methionine, singlet oxygen-mediated reactions. Thus, generation of singlet oxygen does not seem to be a necessary step in the mechanism of induction. Neutral red had low activity as a sensitizer of the oxidation of sulfite, which proceeds by a radical mechanism. Considering also the known properties of phenazine compounds, the evidence supports the involvement of radical intermediates in the mechanism of photoinduction. Furthermore, the results suggest that the dyes must interact directly with an intracellular component, possibly DNA, for induction to occur.
Synthesis of fault tolerant reaction paths

The problem of synthesizing an optimal low risk reaction network from unreliable reactions is formulated. An expected cost criterion function for decision-making is derived both for the case of a continuously operating network of reactions and for the case of reaction paths that involve batch reactions. It is shown that in general the decision space has a nonserial structure and the search for the optimal path will involve use of network search methods. An example is given where the optimal reaction path is synthesized for deoxyribonucleic acid. This example demonstrates the decision-making strategy for a class of bath reaction systems.
Determination of radium isotopes in mineral and environmental water samples by alpha-spectrometry

separation, purification and electrodeposition have been studied and discussed in the paper. The lower limits of detection of the method are 0.11 mBq . l –1 for 226 Ra, 228 Ra and 224 Ra, respectively, if 2 l of water are analyzed. The method has been checked with a certified reference material IAEA -Soil -6 supplied by the International Atomic Energy Agency and reliable results were obtained. Eighteen water samples collected in I taly have been analyzed with the method, the mean radiochemical yields for radium were 86.2 ±6.5%. The obtained radium concentrations were in the range of 0.50 –60.8 mBq . l –1 for 226 Ra, of 0.10 –25.7 mBq . l –1 for 228 Ra, and of ≤ LLD –7.97 mBq . l –1 for 224 Ra. The 228 Ra/ 226 Ra and 224 Ra/ 226 Ra ratios were in the range of 0.189 –4.45 and ≤ LLD –0.941, respectively.
Outcome after surgical resection of recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma.

Abstract Background/Purpose Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Patients with localized disease have a cure rate of 50% to 90%; however, there has been little evidence that aggressive surgical resection for recurrent disease is of benefit. We reviewed our experience with aggressive surgical resection for recurrent RMS. Methods A retrospective review of the records for patients with RMS was performed. Data extracted included tumor site, histology, initial therapy, time to recurrence, treatment, and outcomes. Results From 1991 to 2002, 122 patients with RMS (3 months–18 years) were treated at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Of 32 patients with recurrent RMS, 19 had surgical resection and 13 had biopsy only or no resection. The common primary sites included extremity (12), genitourinary nonbladder/prostate (7), and retroperitoneal/trunk (7). In the resection group, 33 operations were performed with 5 (15%) major complications and no deaths. Seventeen (52%) of these procedures (7 pelvic, 5 thoracic, 3 amputations, and 2 cranial) were classified as aggressive. After a mean follow-up period of 4.9 years, 7 patients (37%) had no evidence of disease, 8 (42%) died, and 4 were lost to follow-up. There was no correlation between survival and the type of resection. In the no-resection group only, 1 (8%) of 13 patients survived. Conclusions Despite morbidity, aggressive surgical resection is warranted to improve survival in patients with recurrent RMS.
Congenital adrenal hypoplasia, glycerol kinase deficiency and myopathy: condition requiring prompt identification. Clinical and biochemical findings in two cases

Coincident expression of otherwise unrelated inborn errors of metabolism may occur as a result of large deletions of multiple gene, referred to as the contiguous gene deletion syndrome. We describe two male infants who presented with failure to thrive and raised urinary glycerol levels, leading diagnosis of glycerol kinase deficiency, congenital adrenal hypoplasia and myopathy.These clinical diagnoses, suggest Xp21 contiguous gene deletion syndrome. The two male infants currently 48 months and 3 months old, presented with failure to thrive at 10 months and 1 month of age respectively. On evaluation for metabolic causes of poor weight gain, urine organic acids showed high levels of glycerol. Further results revealed pseudo-hypertriglyceridemia which raised the suspicion of glycerol kinase deficiency. Both infants were persistently hyponatremic and hyperkalemic, and the synacthen test showed a suboptimal cortisol peaks. Plasma renin was high with low aldosterone indicating mineralocorticoid defiency.The older male infant who presented at 10 months of age also had significant developmental delay with muscular weakness and markedly raised creatinine kinase.He was confirmed to have Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. Both the infants were started on steroid and salt replacement and monogen feeds containing medium chain triglycerides. Their weight improved with normalization of sodium & potassium levels. The above spectrum of clinical & biochemical features is consistent with a diagnosis of Xp21 contiguous gene deletion syndrome. Although rare, raised urinary glycerol and serum triglycerides leads to suspicion and allows early recognition of this condition, where prompt treatment can prevent life-threatening adrenal crises.
Helix 1/8 interactions influence the activity of nuclear receptor ligand-binding domains.

The ligand-binding domain (LBD) of apo-nuclear receptors in solution is thought to be a very dynamic structure with many possible conformations. Upon ligand binding, the structure is stabilized to a more rigid conformation. The dynamic stabilization assay is a LBD reassembly assay that takes advantage of the high specificity of the intramolecular interactions that comprise the ligand-bound LBD. Here, we demonstrate dynamic stabilization for the nuclear receptors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and nerve growth factor inducible (NGFIB)β and identify residues important for stabilization of the intramolecular interactions induced by PPARγ ligands. Site-directed mutagenesis studies identified residues in helices 1 and 8 required for LBD reassembly. Further, disrupting the helix 1/8 interaction in the context of the holo-LBD alters the response of the receptor in a compound-specific manner, suggesting that residues far from the ligand-binding pocket can influence the stability of the ligand-...
Hypersecretion of LH and FSH by a Pituitary Adenoma

A 51-year-old man who had a pituitary adenoma that appeared to be hypersecreting LH and FSH is described. Not only were serum LH and FSH concentrations above the normal ranges, but the serum concentrations of testosterone, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone were also above normal. Serum LH and FSH concentration increased in response to synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone as well as to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The elevated hormone concentrations decreased following an initial partial hypophysectomy and decreased further following repeat hypophysectomy.
Ethnic mythology: If scholars define a myth as real, it can have real consequences

Abstract Black ethnicity is not unique. Like other forms, it is deeply rooted in an elaborate mythology that gives blacks a ready-made legend of their origin, a set of praiseworthy heroes, and a source of cultural invigoration. What is most intriguing about it is its widespread acceptance by social scientists and lay persons alike, both within and beyond the black community. Stephen Steinberg maintains that ethnicity is a useful myth for explaining differences between groups without having to take serious account of structural factors. His hypothesis is anathema to writers who use ethnicity as a measure of cultural adroitness and who see personality, family, and community development as outgrowths of it. Over the years this myth has led to invidious comparisons between blacks and whites, and between native and foreign-born blacks. Although it is an important issue my purpose is not to discuss the data inadequacies that surround this issue but rather the role of the so-called “Matthew Effect” (or the partial citation phenomenon) in explaining the origin of this myth and the reason scholars continue to embrace it.
Oncofetal antigen-I (OFA-I) relative antigenicity on melanoma cells

The oncofetal antigen-I (OFA-I) has been defined as an immunogenic antigen that is expressed on human cancer cells and is cross reactive with fetal brain tissue. Quantitative variations in the expression of OFA-I among different cultured melanoma cell lines were determined by absorption techniques based on functionally monospecific anti-OFA-I serum. Allo-antibodies were removed by absorption with lymphoblasts autologous to an OFA-I-positive target cell. Functional monospecificity toward OFA-I was confirmed by complete absorption with a specimen of fetal brain but not by liver from the same fetus.
A Posteriori Error Estimates Based on the Polynomial Preserving Recovery

Superconvergence of order $O(h^{1+\rho})$, for some $\rho > 0$, is established for the gradient recovered with the polynomial preserving recovery (PPR) when the mesh is mildly structured. Consequently, the PPR-recovered gradient can be used in building an asymptotically exact a posteriori error estimator.
Post-pruning in regression tree induction: An integrated approach

The regression tree (RT) induction process has two major phases: the growth phase and the pruning phase. The pruning phase aims to generalize the RT that was generated in the growth phase by generating a subtree that avoids over-fitting to the training data. Most post-pruning methods essentially address post-pruning as if it were a single objective problem (i.e., maximize validation accuracy), and address the issue of simplicity (in terms of the number of leaves) only in the case of a tie. However, it is well known that apart from accuracy there are other performance measures (e.g., stability, simplicity) that are important for evaluating DT quality. In this paper we present an integrated approach to post-pruning phase that simultaneously accommodates multiple performance measures that are important for evaluating RT quality, and obtains the optimal subtree based on user provided preference and value function information.
pHLIP-Mediated Translocation of Membrane-Impermeable Molecules into Cells

Our goal is to define the properties of cell-impermeable cargo molecules that can be delivered into cells by pH (Low) Insertion Peptide (pHLIP), which can selectively target tumors in vivo based on their acidity. Using biophysical methods and fluorescence microscopy, we show that pHLIP can successfully deliver polar and membrane-impermeable cyclic peptides linked to its C terminus through the membranes of lipid vesicles and cancer cells. Our results also indicate that the translocation of these cargo molecules is pH dependent and mediated by transmembrane helix formation. Since a broad range of cell-impermeable molecules is excluded from discovery efforts because they cannot traverse membranes on their own, we believe that pHLIP has the potential to expand therapeutic options for acidic tissues such as tumors and sites of inflammation.
Involuntary Detention: Do Psychiatrists Clinically Justify Continuing Involuntary Hospitalization?

To elucidate disparities in clinical and legal documentation for patients admitted involuntarily to a county psychiatric hospital in Texas. The study sample comprised of 89 randomly selected patients, involuntarily hospitalized to our facility in September 2011. All patients met criteria for involuntary detention based on the legal documents filed by admitting psychiatrists. Electronic medical records were reviewed to assess if the clinical documentation from the same date when legal documents were filed; demonstrated criteria for involuntary detention (harm to self, harm to others, inability to care for self). A logistic regression model was used to assess the predictors of concordance between legal and clinical documentation of involuntary detention criteria. Of 89, 6 patients were made voluntary, while two were discharged within 24 h, thus removed from the analysis pool. Of 81, 31(38.2 %) patients lacked sufficient clinical documentation on medical records required for involuntary hospitalization. Patients, for whom detention was justified in clinical notes, were more likely to have single marital status, longer duration of hospitalization and they were more likely to undergo commitment for further inpatient mental health treatment. Our study found that involuntary detention of many patients based on the legal documents filed by admitting psychiatrists was not justified by the clinical documentation. This indicates that appropriate standards are not maintained when completing the medical certificates for involuntary detention. Maintaining appropriate standards may reduce the need for involuntary hospitalization, increase patient autonomy, and reduce resource utilization.
Development of Damage Model to Analyze Stabilized Soil Layers Subjected to Repetitive Aircraft Loadings

The U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center is developing methods to construct a contingency airfield within a short time that can support C-17 aircraft loadings. The proposed approach is to construct the runway site surface by chemically stabilizing the in-place top soil layer. To develop an optimal stabilized soil mixture, a suite of soil-chemical mixture combinations was examined. Because of the complexity and expense of full-scale testing, a numerical approach is being developed to predict stabilized soil response at contingency airfields. Results from the numerical approach will then be used to supplement data obtained from full-scale tests. Three stabilized soil mixtures were investigated by using stabilizing agents of 6% cement, 4% cement, and 4% cement plus 1.5-in. (38-mm) polypropylene fibers. These three mixtures were evaluated for strength and durability from unconfined compression and repeated load tests. A total of 33 unconfined compression load tests and 48 unconfined repeated ...
A Judicious Frame of Mind: A Tribute to Donald Capps

The following is a tribute to Donald Capps presented by the author on May 8, 2009, at a reception in honor of retiring faculty at Princeton Theological Seminary. It emphasizes Capps’s scholarly productivity and versatility and the way he personally embodies the same “judicious frame of mind” that he encourages in ministers who give counsel to others.
LONG-RANGE SATURATION OF SPATIAL DECOHERENCE IN WAVE-FIELD TRANSPORT IN RANDOM MULTIPLE-SCATTERING MEDIA

The transverse spatial coherence of an optical beam alters as the light traverses a dense, multiple-scattering, random dielectric medium. Results of measurements show the predicted initial increase of the decoherence (or decorrelation) rate with spatial separation, followed by saturation at large separation. This behavior can be modeled by using a Boltzmann-like transport equation for the Wigner function of the wave field, whereas the standard model for decoherence (developed for quantum wave fields), which is based on the Fokker-Planck phase-space diffusion equation, contains no saturation and fails at all separations to describe the observed behavior. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Size effects under homogeneous deformation of single crystals: A discrete dislocation analysis

Mechanism-based discrete dislocation plasticity is used to investigate the effect of size on micron scale crystal plasticity under conditions of macroscopically homogeneous deformation. Long-range interactions among dislocations are naturally incorporated through elasticity. Constitutive rules are used which account for key short-range dislocation interactions. These include junction formation and dynamic source and obstacle creation. Two-dimensional calculations are carried out which can handle high dislocation densities and large strains up to 0.1. The focus is laid on the effect of dimensional constraints on plastic flow and hardening processes. Specimen dimensions ranging from hundreds of nanometers to tens of microns are considered. Our findings show a strong size-dependence of flow strength and work-hardening rate at the micron scale. Taylor-like hardening is shown to be insufficient as a rationale for the flow stress scaling with specimen dimensions. The predicted size effect is associated with the emergence, at sufficient resolution, of a signed dislocation density. Heuristic correlations between macroscopic flow stress and macroscopic measures of dislocation density are sought. Most accurate among those is a correlation based on two state variables: the total dislocation density and an effective, scale-dependent measure of signed density.
Early experience with single incision transumbilical laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding using the SILS Port

Abstract Background The rapid progression of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) into the realm of advanced surgical procedures has been fueled in recent years by the development of flexible instrumentation necessary to restore triangulation lost in the divergent nature of this approach, and multichannel ports that addressed the challenges regarding the limited range of movement of trocars in close proximity. We herein are reporting our early experience using the SILS Port™ to perform single incision transumbilical laparoscopic gastric banding in five of our patients. Methods Five carefully selected female patients (body mass indices between 35 and 45kg/m 2 with peripheral obesity) underwent laparoscopic gastric banding using this single incision transumbilical technique. The same surgeon performed all surgical interventions. For all five patients, the same perioperative protocol and operative techniques were implemented. Results A total of five single incision transumbilical laparoscopic gastric banding procedures were successfully performed using this technique. Mean operative time was 111min. There were no mortalities or postoperative complications noted during the mean follow-up period of 1.5 months. Conclusion Single incision transumbilical laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding using SILS Port™ is a safe and feasible evolving approach. The intraumbilical location of the implanted port facilitates access for subsequent adjustments and provides patients with an improved cosmetic outcome.
Advanced global illumination using photon mapping

Photon mapping provides a practical way of efficiently simulating global illumination including interreflections, caustics, color bleeding, participating media and subsurface scattering in scenes with complicated geometry and advanced material models. This class will provide the insight necessary to efficiently implement and use photon mapping to simulate global illumination in complex scenes. The presentation will briefly cover the fundamentals of photon mapping including efficient techniques and datastructures for managing large numbers of rays and photons. In addition, we will describe how to integrate the information from the photon maps in shading algorithms to render global illumination. A large portion of the class will be dedicated to advanced techniques for photon mapping. In addition to a fast recap of introductory material, we will describe more recent developments including efficient methods for using photon mapping in scene with participating media and subsurface scattering.
Ecological contexts and early learning: Contributions of child, family, and classroom factors during Head Start, to literacy and mathematics growth through first grade

Abstract The current study investigated the extent to which child, family, and classroom factors during Head Start are related to children's literacy and mathematics skills at the beginning of preschool and through first grade. Children and families (n = 945) were participating in the Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES), a large-scale data collection effort that assessed children's developing skills as well as their family and classroom environments. Longitudinal growth models revealed that Head Start children began their academic careers well below their more advantaged peers in literacy and mathematics, although by the end of first grade, their scores were nearly on par with national averages. Demographic characteristics of children, as well as their early language and social skills, were the strongest predictors of children's initial status and growth in both early academic domains. Results highlight key foundations and specific promotive factors of early school success for the nation's most disadvantaged children.
Diastolic coronary artery pressure-flow velocity relationships in conscious man

We characterised the diastolic pressure-flow velocity relationship in the normal left coronary artery of conscious man before and after vasodilatation with angiographic contrast medium. Phasic coronary artery pressure and flow velocity were measured in ten patients during individual diastoles (0.5 to 1.0 s) using a 20 MHz catheter-tipped, pulsed Doppler transducer. All pressure-flow velocity curves were linear over the diastolic pressure range of 110 +/- 15 (SD) mmHg to 71 +/- 7 mmHg (r = 0.97 +/- 0.01). In the basal state, values for slope and extrapolated zero flow pressure intercept averaged 0.35 +/- 0.12 cm X s-1 X mmHg-1 and 51.7 +/- 8.6 mmHg, respectively. Vasodilatation resulted in a 2.5 +/- 0.5 fold increase in mean flow velocity. The diastolic pressure-flow velocity relationship obtained during peak vasodilatation compared to that during basal conditions was characterised by a steeper slope (0.80 +/- 0.48 cm X s-1 X mmHg-1, p less than 0.001) and lower extrapolated zero flow pressure intercept (37.9 +/- 9.8 mmHg, p less than 0.05). Mean right atrial pressure for the group averaged 4.4 +/- 1.7 mmHg, while left ventricular end-diastolic pressure averaged 8.7 +/- 2.8 mmHg. These observations in man are similar to data reported in the canine coronary circulation which are consistent with a vascular waterfall model of diastolic flow regulation. In this model, coronary blood flow may be regulated by changes in diastolic zero flow pressure as well as in coronary resistance.
A normalization scheme for comparing eddy current differential probe signals using a finite element formulation

A first-order finite element formulation is used to model an eddy current differential bobbin coil probe scanning a tube with axisymmetric flaws. A multifrequency signal normalization scheme is developed to allow direct comparison between experimental measurements of the differential bobbin coil probe signal and finite element calculations of the probe coil impedance. Results demonstrate that both magnitude and phase of the differential bobbin coil impedance are useful in characterizing flaws in tubing for multifrequency scans.
Stereospecific labeling of the glycerol moiety: synthesis of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-[3-3H]glycero-3-phospho(1-rac-glycerol)

Abstract 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-[3-3H]glycero-3- phospho(1-rac-glycerol) was synthesized from 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol using a new radiosynthetic procedure. 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycerol was oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde using pyridinium dichromate and pyridine. The aldehyde was reduced to the radiolabeled alcohol using tritiated sodium borohydride and crown ether. This material was then converted to the phosphocholine derivative using 2-chloro-2-oxo-1,3,2dioxaphospholane, followed by displacement with trimethylamine. In the last step, the 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-[3-3H]glycero-3-phosphocholine was converted to 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-[3-3H]glycero-3-phospho-(1-rac-glycerol) via a classic transphosphatidylation reaction using glycerol and cabbage phospholipase D. A theoretical explanation of unusual chemical behavior of the primary alcohol of diglycerides is also given, based on semi-empirical calculations.
Suppression of murine experimental autoimmune thyroiditis by oral administration of porcine thyroglobulin.

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) induced by the transfer of mouse thyroglobulin (MTg)-immunized spleen cells, activatedin vitrowith MTg, can be suppressed by oral administration of PTg to donor mice prior to immunization. Oral administration of 1 mg PTg five times over a 10-day period before immunization with MTg-LPS resulted in reduced EAT severity in recipient mice compared with recipients of cells from saline-fed immunized donors. MTg- or PTg-specific proliferative responses were not decreased in PTg-fed donors and anti-MTg antibody was not decreased in the donor mice fed 1 mg PTg. However, anti-MTg antibody production was markedly decreased in recipients of cells from PTg-fed donors compared with recipients of control cells. IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2Banti-MTg antibody responses were all suppressed by PTg feeding suggesting that tolerance may be induced in both Th1 and Th2 cells. The more severe and histologically distinct granulomatous form of EAT was also suppressed by feeding PTg to donor mice. Studies are underway to determine the mechanism of oral tolerance in this model.
Rethinking Patriotism in the 21st Century: Pledging Allegiance

(2007). Rethinking Patriotism in the 21st Century: Pledging Allegiance. Theory & Research in Social Education: Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 672-675.
Sulfur dioxide adsorption and reaction with atomic oxygen on the Ag(110) surface

Abstract The adsorption of SO 2 on Ag(110) and the reaction of SO 2 with oxygen adatoms have been studied under ultrahigh vacuum conditions using low energy electron diffraction, temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy. Below 300 K, SO 2 adsorbs molecularly giving p(1×2) and c(4×2) LEED patterns at coverages of one half and three quarter monolayers. respectively. At intermediate coverages, streaked diffraction patterns, similar to those reported for noble gas and alkali metal adsorption on the (110) face of face-centered cubic metals were observed, indicating adsorption out of registry with the surface. A feature at low binding energy in the ultraviolet photoemission spectrum appeared which was assigned to a weak chemisorption bond to the surface via the sulfur, analogous to bonding observed in SO 2 -amine charge transfer complexes and in transition metal complexes. SO 2 exhibited three binding states on Ag(110) with binding energies of 41, 53 and 64 kJ mol −1 ; no decomposition on clean Ag(110) was observed. On oxygen pretreated Ag(110), SO 2 reacted with oxygen adatoms to form SO 3(a) , as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Reacting preadsorbed atomic oxygen in a p(2 × 1) structure with SO 2 resulted in a c(6 × 2) pattern for SO 3(a) . The adsorbed SO 3(a) decomposed and disproportionated upon heating to 500 K to yield SO 2( g ) , SO 4(a) and subsurface oxygen.
Participation in Wikipedia's article deletion processes

We present results on a study of two levels of Wikipedia's article deletion process: speedy deletions (or CSDs) and articles for deletions (or AfDs). Our findings indicate that the deletion process is heavily frequented by a relatively small number of longstanding users. In analyzing the rationales given for such deletions, it is apparent that the vast majority of such deleted articles are not spam, vandalism, or 'patent nonsense,' but rather articles which could be considered encyclopedic, but do not fit the project's standards.
Development of cholinesterase histochemical staining in cerebellar cortex: transient expression of "nonspecific" cholinesterase in Purkinje cells of the nodulus and uvula.

Abstract Patterns of “nonspecific” cholinesterase (ChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were studied in developing rat cerebellar cortex by enzyme histochemistry and light and electron microscopy. Three types of ChE histochemical reaction product were observed in cerebellar cortex: (i) ChE is found in capillary endothelium throughout the cerebellum. Capillary ChE staining is present by the time of birth and continues into adulthood. (ii) ChE is found in radial glial fibers and their parent cell bodies, the Golgi epithelial cells. Radial glial fiber staining is most intense during the first 3 weeks of postnatal life. (iii) ChE is found in Purkinje cells of the nodulus and ventral uvula. No ChE staining of Purkinje cells was seen in other parts of the cerebellum. ChE staining of Purkinje cells appears to be transient, first appearing at Postnatal Day 2 (P2), reaching peak intensity at P7–9, and decreasing to adult levels by P16. AChE activity displays a pattern markedly different from ChE, with staining in deep cerebellar nuclei, in putative mossy fiber terminals, and in Golgi neurons of cerebellar cortex. No evidence was found for transient AChE staining in Purkinje cells in any part of the cerebellum. The function of transiently expressed ChE activity in developing Purkinje neurons is unknown, but may be related to reorganization of cerebellar cortical circuitry associated with growth of mossy fiber afferents.
Pretreatment Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI Perfusion in Glioblastoma: Prediction of EGFR Gene Amplification

Molecular and genetic testing is becoming increasingly relevant in GBM. We sought to determine whether dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion imaging could predict EGFR-defined subtypes of GBM. We retrospectively identified 106 consecutive glioblastoma (GBM) patients with known EGFR gene amplification, and a subset of 65 patients who also had known EGFRvIII gene mutation status. All patients underwent T2* DSC MRI perfusion. DSC perfusion maps and T2* signal intensity time curves were evaluated, and the following measures of tumor perfusion were recorded: (1) maximum relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), (2) relative peak height (rPH), and (3) percent signal recovery (PSR). The imaging metrics were correlated to EGFR gene amplification and EGFRvIII mutation status using univariate analyses. EGFR amplification was present in 44 (41.5 %) subjects and absent in 62 (58.5 %). Among the 65 subjects who had undergone EGFRvIII mutation transcript analysis, 18 subjects (27.7 %) tested positive for the EGFRvIII mutation, whereas 47 (72.3 %) did not. Higher median rCBV (3.31 versus 2.62, p = 0.01) and lower PSR (0.70 versus 0.78, p = 0.03) were associated with high levels of EGFR amplification. Higher median rPH (3.68 versus 2.76, p = 0.03) was associated with EGFRvIII mutation. DSC MRI perfusion may have a role in identifying patients with EGFR gene amplification and EGFRvIII gene mutation status, potential targets for individualized treatment protocols. Our results raise the need for further investigation for imaging biomarkers of genetically unique GBM subtypes.
51 year-old male with dyspnea and hypoxia

With continued advancements in medical practice, physicians are caring for more adult patients with congenital heart diseases and their sequelae. We report a 51 year-old with obstructive sleep apnea presenting with dyspnea, hypoxia and pulmonary hypertension, found to have a congenital atrial septal defect. The patient had symptomatic improvement following percutaneous closure of his ostium secundum atrial septal defect.
Primary Hypogonadism Associated with O,P′ DDD (mitotane) Therapy

AbstractMitotane is a drug which is concentrated largely in adipose tissue and the adrenal glands. It has a remarkable specificity for the adrenal cortex and can produce necrosis of that organ; consequently, it has been used as a therapeutic agent for adrenocortical carcinoma. Because of the similarity between adrenocortical and testicular tissue, mitotane could be expected to cause testicular damage; however, there is sparse support for this in the literature. We recently studied a patient who developed impotency due to primary testicular failure at the time that he was treated with mitotane. A testicular biopsy, performed about four months after the drug was discontinued, showed normal appearing Leydig cells and atrophy of the seminiferous tubules with the picture of a maturation arrest. In the four and one half years since he last received mitotane, the patient's libido has slowly improved and his plasma testosterone, gonadotropins and LH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone have become essential...
Issues in treatment

The Committee on Treatment acknowledged the paucity of information related to the management of cancer in older patients and identified short-term and long-term efforts to study these issues. Short-term efforts should focus on effects of cancer and cancer treatment on survival and quality of life, efficacy and toxicity of antineoplastic therapy, barriers to adequate treatment, alternative settings of cancer care, and special supportive care needs. Long-term efforts should focus on unique features of cancer in older patients, long-term effects of cancer and cancer treatment, and prevention and detection of new primary malignancies. The Committee recognized that our recent advances in cancer treatment including palliative surgery, limited surgery, radiosurgery, and antidotes to drug toxicity may improve the tolerance of antineoplastic therapy by older patients and be beneficial in terms of survival and quality of life.
QUESTIONING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BEHAVIOR MODELING TRAINING IN AN INDUSTRIAL SETTING

The intention of this study was to improve behavioral modeling's effectiveness by substituting managers for professional trainers and to evaluate the effect on 44 male supervisors using Kirkpatrick's four levels of evaluation: reaction, learning, behavior on the job, and performance. Twenty-two supervisors were trained with six behavior modeling modules and the effect was compared to a control group consisting of 22 supervisors. The research also examined the effects of trainees’ self-esteem and the perceived power of the trainers. The results showed that behavior modeling resulted in favorable reactions and an increase in learning, but did not produce behavior change on the job, or improved performance results. Power and self-esteem did not moderate the training effectiveness. The findings are compared with previous behavior modeling research. The discussion concludes with a recommendation for researchers to identify more complete theoretical models which explain behavioral change on the job (e.g., Maltz's theory of psycho-cybernetics) as opposed to relying solely on Bandura's social learning theory.