cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comments on "List Price Signaling and Buyer Behavior in the Housing Market"

This paper addresses the role of the "list (asking) price" in signaling to buyers and the relationship of the list price to the buyer's bidding behavior and the resulting selling price. These are important issues in housing markets, as is recognized by most individuals who own or bid for residential property. There are interesting statistical implications concerning the selling and listing prices suggested by an analysis of the bargaining process. Reflecting upon the behavior of buyers and sellers in such markets (and personal experience) suggests a number of important issue~ that are closely related to the analysis in the paper. For example, what is the optimal listing price of the seller and what is the relationship between the original listing price and the dynamic reservation price of the seller? How should the bidding behavior of buyers be influenced by the list price? What does the listing price "signal" to potential buyers? What are the tradeoffs confronting the seller with respect to setting his listing price (advantages and disadvantages at the margin of slightly higher prices)? What are the dynamic properties of the asking price (including changes in the asking price), the selling price, and the time until sale? Specifically, how does the seller adjust his asking price through time as a function of the bids received (including their timing), and what implications does this suggest for the time series dynamics of the asking price and selling price? The paper makes an attempt to address some of these issues. My major concern about the theoretical model is that the analysis is not conducted in an equilibrium setting. For example, the analysis focuses upon buyer behavior (and the optimal bid of buyers in a special context) without explicitly examining the optimization problem of the seller. The authors are interested in modeling the signaling by sellers of their selection of list price and the information content of the listing price, but the decisions of sellers of different types are not modeled explicitly. Since the choice of listing price is exogenous, the structure of the model is not rich enough to examine central issues of interest with respect to the bargaining process for purchasing residences. For example, how does the seller select his list price and how does the choice of list price relate to the seller's actual reservation price (i.e., his equilibrium cutoff acceptance rule)? In turn, how does the list price influence the behavior of potential buyers? Because the list price is not determined as part of an optimization process, it is difficult to use the model to understand the role of the list price and how the list price serves as a credible signal. In contrast, in traditional models of signaling in economics (e.g., as illustrated by such classic papers as Spence, 1973; Rothschild and Stiglitz, 1976; and Riley, 1979) the type of an agent influences his decision so that the decision (such as a listing price) can convey information to the marketplace.
The effects of extrusion processing of carbohydrate sources on weanling pig performance.

Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of extrusion processing on growth performance of weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 350 weanling pigs (initially 4.4 +/- 1.0 kg BW and 10 +/- 2 d of age) were used to study the effects of various carbohydrate sources (corn, cornstarch, broken rice, wheat flour, and grain sorghum), with or without moist extrusion processing, on growth performance in a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. No carbohydrate source x extrusion processing interactions were observed (P > .10). Growth performance was not affected by extrusion processing; however, pigs fed corn had poorer growth performance (P < .05) than those fed other carbohydrate sources. In Exp. 2, 360 weanling pigs (initially 5.0 +/- .5 kg BW and 10 +/- 2 d of age) were used to determine the interactive effects of ingredient processing and diet complexity on growth performance. Three processing combinations were used with either a simple or complex diet formulation in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The three processing conditions were 1) pelleted only (control); 2) corn that was moist-extruded and then the complete diet was pelleted (extruded); or 3) the complete diet was expanded and then pelleted (expanded). Pigs fed extruded diets had a greater improvement in ADG as diet complexity increased than those fed other diets (processing x diet complexity interaction, P < .10). Pigs fed moist-extruded corn had the best growth performance (P < .01). In Exp. 3, 210 weanling pigs (initially 6.8 +/- 1.5 kg BW and 21 +/- 2 d of age) were fed pelleted diets containing nonextruded corn (14.5% gelatinization; control) or corn extruded to provide 38.7, 52.7, 64.4, or 89.3% gelatinization. Average daily gain and ADFI decreased and then increased (P < .05), but apparent digestibility of DM, CP, and energy (P < .01) increased and then decreased with increasing gelatinization. These results indicate that moist extrusion processing of carbohydrate sources has variable effects on growth performance of early-weaned pigs and that the degree of gelatinization does not seem to be a major factor in explaining this variation.
Medical Liability in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

With the increasing popularity and interest in aesthetic surgery among the general population, the need for an adequate understanding of the complicated interplay of circumstances that leads to dissatisfied patients and potential legal action has great significance. This chapter aims to identify the salient legal principles related to patient care as well as potential pitfalls. In addition, this chapter examines how the summative contributions of patient selection, the type of procedure, and the associated psychological aspects of anatomy modification could increase the likelihood of a physician being faced with a dissatisfied patient and/or legal action. By understanding these basic legal principles as well as the aforementioned predisposing factors, one may be able to minimize the frequency and severity of legal claims.
Three-dimensional simulations of compressible mixing layers : visualizations and statistical analysis

The effects of compressibility on the planar mixing layer are investigated by means of visualization and statistical analysis of the flowfield quantities computed using three-dimensional temporally evolving inviscid simulations. The levels of compressibility studied range from relative Mach numbers of Mr — 0.2-2.4. The objectives of this research are to identify large-scale structures present in the mixing layer at different levels of compressibility as well as to examine the statistical description of the flowfield, in order to gain understanding of the physical entrainment and mixing processes. Three-dimensional simulation visualizations of both the passive scalar and pressure fields show the nature of the large-scale structure present in the planar mixing layer to change from nearly two dimensional and spanwise at low compressibility to highly three dimensional and oblique at increased compressibility. Statistical analysis of the flowfield quantities shows that the shear layer width, Reynolds shear stress, and transverse turbulence intensity decrease with increasing compressibility levels, whereas the streamwise turbulence intensity remains nearly constant and the spanwise turbulence intensity increases. These statistics support the increasingly three-dimensional nature of the large-scale motion of the mixing layer with increasing Mr.
Spontaneous breaking of discrete symmetries and the semiclassical approximation

The generating functional $Z(j)\ensuremath{\equiv}{〈0|0〉}_{j}$ is evaluated asymptotically as $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ with special attention to the existence of several extremal points of the action. We show that $Z(j)\ensuremath{\sim}N\ensuremath{\Sigma}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{}\mathrm{exp}[(\frac{i}{\ensuremath{\hbar}}){W}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}(j)]$, where $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ labels the extremal points. Here each ${W}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ has a Taylor expansion in $\ensuremath{\hbar}$, Some implications and interpretations of this new result are given.
Invisible Men: Blacks and the U.S. Army in the Mexican War

(1987). Invisible Men: Blacks and the U.S. Army in the Mexican War. The Historian: Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 463-477.
The antibody-mediated and delayed type hypersensitivity response of mice exposed to polybrominated biphenyls.

Abstract In order to determine the effect of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) (FireMaster, BP-6) on the immune response, Balb c female mice were fed diets containing 0, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ppm PBB. After 30 days the in vivo IgM and IgG primary response of mice fed 1, 10, and 100 ppm PBB was, respectively, about 80, 35, and 15% of control values as determined by the Jerne hemolytic plaque assay. The equal reduction in IgM and IgG plaque-forming cells suggested that PBB affected both B and helper T cells. Conversely, the T-cell-dependent delayed type hypersensitivity reaction to sensitization with dinitrofluorobenzene was normal for mice fed, 1, 10, or 100 ppm PBB for 31 days. Although histopathological evaluation indicated a preferential wasting of the cortex of the thymus in mice exposed to PBB, the plasma corticosterone concentrations were only modestly elevated in mice fed 100 ppm PBB and thus probably did not contribute substantially to the observed loss of immature thymocytes or helper T-cell function. By Day 14 of this experiment, over 60% of the mice fed 1000 ppm PBB were dead. The remainder were athymic and incapable of mounting an antibody-mediated response.
Analysis of Rim and Belt Constraints on the Forces and Motions of a Tire Model

Abstract A model is proposed for the influence of the rim and the belt on load carrying in tires. It consists of an infinitely long, inflated, thin‐walled tube whose cross‐sectional geometry is constrained by two rigid plates. The model structure is subjected to a vertical load, a transverse load, and a rotational moment. A general set of equations is derived in terms of one inflation and two geometric parameters. Methods of numerical solution are given which hold whether forces or deflections are the independent variables. Numerical results are given for the case of slow motions and deflections specified.
Heavy-Ion Track Structure in Silicon

The energy deposition in the vicinity of a heavy ion path in silicon has been investigated by a Monte Carlo transport analysis of the delta rays produced along the track. The dose as a function of radial distance is presented for C, A1, and Fe ions with energies between 10 and 10,000 MeV. The average dose in cylinders of radii between 10-3 and 1 ?m as a function of the distance of the cylinder from the path is also presented.
PIP Kinase Iγ Is the Major PI(4,5)P2 Synthesizing Enzyme at the Synapse

Abstract Disruption of the presynaptically enriched polyphosphoinositide phosphatase synaptojanin 1 leads to an increase of clathrin-coated intermediates and of polymerized actin at endocytic zones of nerve terminals. These changes correlate with elevated levels of PI(4,5)P 2 in neurons. We report that phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase type Iγ (PIPKIγ), a major brain PI(4)P 5-kinase, is concentrated at synapses. Synaptojanin 1 and PIPKIγ antagonize each other in the recruitment of clathrin coats to lipid membranes. Like synaptojanin 1 and other proteins involved in endocytosis, PIPKIγ undergoes stimulation-dependent dephosphorylation. These results implicate PIPKIγ in the synthesis of a PI(4,5)P 2 pool that acts as a positive regulator of clathrin coat recruitment and actin function at the synapse.
Morphology manipulation of M13 bacteriophage template for nanostructure assembly

A gold-binding M13 bacteriophage was used as a model system to explore templating of inorganic material on geometrically transformed viruses . Gold-binding filamentous phage were converted to spheroid form with a short chloroform treatment, and the resulting morphology was investigated with electron microscopy. Binding studies revealed that spheroid-shaped gold-binding phage preserved its affinity for gold. Spheroids adhered to a planar substrate assembled clusters or rings of gold nanoparticles. This gold-binding phage served as a demonstration of a highly shape-modifiable viral-template for inorganic materials.
Genetic and Biogeographic Relationships of the Invasive Round (Neogobius melanostomus) and Tubenose (Proterorhinus marmoratus) Gobies in the Great Lakes Versus Eurasian Populations

Abstract Population genetic structure and systematic relationships were investigated for two exotic fishes introduced to the Great Lakes in 1990, the round goby Neogobius melanostomus and the tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus , using DNA sequences from the left domain of the mitochondrial DNA control region. Samples of round gobies were compared from different sites in the Great Lakes, an introduced population from the Gulf of Gdansk in Poland, and a native population from the northern Black Sea. The round goby was characterized by relatively high genetic variability, and 17 haplotypes were identified from 64 individuals. Levels of genetic variation for the round goby were similar in the invasive and native sampling sites, suggesting relatively large founding populations and lack of bottlenecks. The northern Black Sea was eliminated as a probable founding source for both the Great Lakes and the exotic population in Poland. Substitutions in the left domain of the control region revealed significant differences among samples from the Great Lakes and Eurasia, and between Lakes Erie and St. Clair, suggesting non-random mating. No variation was detected in the tubenose goby population in the Great Lakes, which has been less successful in terms of spread and population growth. A molecular clock calibration suggested that the genera Neogobius and Proterorhinus diverged about 5.2 ± 1.0 million years ago, apparently separating from a common ancestor shared with Gobius during the isolation of the Paratethys basin from the Mediterranean Tethys Sea.
Obesity, Weight Management, and Health Care Costs: A Primer

Rational decision-making regarding health care spending for weight management requires an understanding of the cost of care provided to obese patients and the potential cost-effectiveness or cost savings of interventions. The purpose of this review is to assist health plans and disease management leaders in making informed decisions for weight management services. Among the review's findings, obesity and severe obesity are strongly and consistently associated with increased health care costs. The cost-effectiveness of obesity-related interventions is highly dependent on the risk status of the treated population, as well as the length, cost, and effectiveness of the intervention. Bariatric surgery offers high initial costs and uncertain long-term cost savings. From the perspective of a payor, obesity management services are as cost-effective as other commonly offered health services, though not likely to offer cost savings. Behavioral health promotion interventions in the worksite setting provide cost savings from the employer's perspective, if decreased rates of absenteeism are included in the analysis.
Regulation, reputation, and environmental risk

This paper examines how preferences for social reputation affect the design of monetary incentives in an efficient mechanism for environmental risk. Our results are a high reputation firm receives less than optimal transfer; the low reputation firm sacrifices information rent.
Exogenous GM1 gangliosides protect against retrograde degeneration following posterior neocortex lesions in developing hamsters.

Developing and adult hamsters received unilateral neocortex aspiration lesions and were then treated daily with exogenous ganglioside (GM1, 30 mg/kg, i.p.). When lesions were made at the age of two weeks, GM1-treated animals had less shrinkage of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus compared to controls. Although a similar observation was made in adults, the effect was not as striking. Thus, GM1-treatment reduces retrograde degeneration after neocortical lesions and this effect is most pronounced during early development.
Noncatalytic gas‐solid reactions in a vertical pneumatic transport reactor

A heterogeneous model is developed to account for noncatalytic gas-solid reactions in a vertical pneumatic transport reactor. The model takes into consideration both the positive and negative variations of the solid porosity and the variation of the gas diffusivity with the reaction. The method of lines utilizing the second order centered finite difference scheme for the spatial discretization is employed to obtain the model solution. Experiments utilizing a vertical pneumatic transport reactor of a laboratory scale are performed to study the reaction between limestone and sulfur dioxide generated from coal combustion. The reactor is of 16.2 cm ID and 610 cm in length. The experimental data for sulfur retention are reported for various superficial gas velocities and calcium-sulfur molar ratios. Verification of the model with experimental data is conducted. The agreement between the model prediction and experimental data is satisfactory.
An Implicit Elastic Theory for Lung Parenchyma.

The airways and parenchyma of lung experience large deformations during normal respiration. Spatially accurate predictions of airflow patterns and aerosol transport therefore require respiration to be modeled as a fluid–structure interaction problem. Such computational models in turn require constitutive models for the parencyhma that are both accurate and efficient. Herein, an implicit theory of elasticity is derived from thermodynamics to meet this need, leading to a generic template for strain-energy that is shown to be an exact analogue for the well-known Fung model that is the root of modern constitutive theory of tissues. To support this theory, we also propose a novel definition of Lagrangian strain rate. Unlike the classic definition of Lagrangian strain rate, this new definition is separable into volumetric and deviatoric terms, a separation that is both mathematically and physically justified. Within this framework, a novel material model capable of describing the elastic contribution of the nonlinear response of parenchyma is constructed and characterized against published data.
Reducing the Conservativeness of Fully Sequential Indifference-Zone Procedures

In this technical note, we study three sources of conservativeness in fully sequential indifference-zone procedures and quantify, by experiments, the impact of each source, in terms of the number of observations, to identify which source is critical. Then we propose new asymptotically valid procedures that lessen conservativeness by mean update with or without variance update. Experimental results show that meaningful improvement on the efficiency is achieved with the new procedures.
Overview of the 2008 Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee on Safety Considerations in the Development of Ultrasound Contrast Agents

Perflutren-based ultrasound contrast agents have been in clinical use in the United States for >10 years. Since their approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Optison in 1995, Definity in 2001), >2 million doses have been used for left ventricular (LV) opacification and endocardial border definition in technically difficult patients and for other off-label uses (detailed in Table 1). Despite the widespread use of contrast echocardiography, recent concerns have prompted an FDA box warning and the convening of an advisory panel. A box warning (or black box warning) is a method used by the FDA to highlight adverse reactions so serious in proportion to the potential benefit from the drug that it is essential that they be considered by the prescriber. Contraindications, warnings, or precautions can be included. Within the matter of a year, regulations on ultrasound contrast agents underwent several changes. Initially, a new box warning was required (October 2007) in response to isolated reports of serious adverse events. Then, in May 2008, after review of additional safety reports on larger cohorts of patients, the box warning was modified. At approximately the same time as the black box modification, an FDA advisory panel was organized and convened to provide guidance for the agency to delineate what further actions are necessary to further evaluate the safety of ultrasound contrast agents. This review summarizes the proceedings of the FDA advisory panel meeting, which took place on June 24, 2008, in which all of these issues were addressed. View this table: Table 1. Common Uses of Contrast Agents in Echocardiography On October 10, 2007, after reviewing spontaneously reported serious adverse events, the FDA issued a box warning for the use of intravenous perflutren-based microbubble contrast agents in echocardiography. The requirement for the warning was based primarily on the report of 4 cases of …
A pilot study of oral corticosteroid therapy for idiopathic esophageal ulcerations associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral prednisone therapy for idiopathic esophageal ulcerations (IEU) associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. patients and methods: Over a 14-month period, all HIV-infected patients with IEU as defined by clinical, endoscopic, and pathologic criteria were prospectively identified. Prednisone was initiated at a dose of 40 mg/d orally, tapering 10 mg/wk, for a total of 1 month of therapy. Patients were closely followed to determine the response to therapy as well as the occurrence of any side effects related to prednisone. All patients were requested to undergo endoscopy within 1 week of the completion of therapy. results: Of 14 patients identified with IEU, 12 consented to prednisone therapy. The mean duration of esophageal symptoms was 2.9 weeks, and odynophagia was the most common presenting symptom. Ten of 12 patients had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Eleven of the 12 patients (92%) had a complete symptomatic response, usually within the first week of therapy. In some patients, the response was dramatic such that oral intake could be rapidly resumed and discharge from the hospital possible. Two patients completed 2 and 3 weeks of therapy, respectively, prior to death, both with a complete symptomatic response. Endoscopic re-examination in seven patients demonstrated complete ulcer healing in all six symptomatic responders, but a persistent ulceration in the one nonresponder. The oral corticosteroid regimen was well tolerated. Mild asymptomatic Candida esophagitis was identified in three of seven patients undergoing follow-up endoscopy. One patient developed self-limited herpes zoster during therapy. No systemic opportunistic infections were documented during or within 1 month of the completion of therapy. conclusions: Oral corticosteroid therapy appears to be a highly efficacious and safe therapy for HIV-associated IEU. Further controlled studies will be necessary to conclusively establish efficacy, as well as determine the optimal dose and duration of therapy.
Farm wages and living standards in the Industrial Revolution: England, 1670-1869.

Md oruch has been written on agricultural wages in England from 1670 to 1869, but this information has never been formed into one national series of agricultural wages. Wilson Fox provides good evidence based on farm accounts for 1850 and later. But for the years 1770-1849 the only national series available is the one Bowley constructed in 1898 mainly from wage surveys.2 While Bowley's index is well founded in the years after 1824, for the earlier period it relies on considerable interpolation, and takes no account of manuscript sources that have become available in the past hundred years.3 In an unpublished doctoral thesis, Eccleston calculated the day wages of workers on large agricultural estates from five midland counties from 1750 to 1834, and gave an annual day wage series for these counties.4 In another unpublished thesis, Richardson
Numerical simulations of adiabatic axisymmetric accretion flow. I. A new mechanism for the formation of jets

Numerical simulations of the uniform axisymmetric flow past a gravitating sphere have been studied. It is found that the structure of the flow is extremely sensitive to the boundary condition at the surface of the gravitating object. For the case in which the boundary is totally absorbing, a steady state flow is reached. However, for a boundary which is not totally absorbing, steady state flows are not obtained. The morphology of the flow is also sensitive to the Mach number at infinity and to the ratio of the free-fall velocity at the surface of the gravitating object to the flow velocity at inifinity. A new mechanism for the formation of jets is identified in which a fraction of the accretion energy is tapped to drive an anisotropic supersonic outflow with collimation provided by a combination of the inertia of matter which surrounds the beam and the development of multiple shock structures.
Anxiety sensitivity and panic attack symptomatology among low-income African-American adolescents

Abstract This study examined the concurrent and prospective relation between anxiety sensitivity (AS) and panic attack symptomatology among a community sample of African–American adolescents ( N =107; mean age 15.6 years) from predominantly low-income, single-parent households. On two occasions, 6 months apart, youth completed self-report measures of AS, measured by the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI), and panic symptomatology, measured by the Panic Attack Questionnaire (PAQ) and/or the Panic subscale of the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED-P). Results indicated that adolescents with high levels of AS reported higher concurrent levels of panic symptomatology, compared to their less anxious peers. Earlier levels of AS were correlated with panic symptoms 6 months later but did not predict later panic symptoms once initial levels of panic were controlled. Panickers, compared to non-panickers, also reported significantly higher levels of AS at Time 2. Overall, these findings are consistent with research on AS and panic in adult and Caucasian populations and support the hypothesis that elevated levels of AS may be one of several risk factors implicated in the development of panic attack symptomatology.
1,2,4-triazine preparation via thermal cycloaddition of dimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate with aryl thioimidates

Abstract A short approach to 1,2,4-triazine preparation based on the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction of dimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate with aryl thioimidates is described.
Chemical biology: renewing embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells have great potential in medicine, but the current methods used to grow them prevent their therapeutic use. A dual-action compound has been discovered that may help solve this problem.
An enzymatic assay for available zinc in plasma and serum

A convenient enzymatic assay for available zinc in plasma and serum was developed. The assay is based upon the reactivation of the zinc metalloenzyme alkaline phosphatase which had been previously inactivated by nitrilotriacetic acid. The enzymatic assay was applied to serum samples from human subjects in a study of zinc utilization in pregnancy and to plasma samples from rats in a zinc deficiency study. Most plasma samples with low zinc levels (less than 70 microgram/dl) reactivated the enzyme to less than 30% of control activity. Most samples with normal zinc levels (70-120 microgram/dl) reactivated the enzyme 30-65%. Samples with elevated zinc levels (greater than 120 microgram/dl) reactivated the enzyme over 70%. The assay is quick, convenient, and in principle measures functionally available zinc.
Patients appearing to dental professionals with orofacial pain arising from intracranial tumors: a literature review

Background A small proportion of patients with orofacial pain appearing to dentists and dental specialists will have intracranial tumors as the underlying cause. These patients may undergo unnecessary dental interventions before the correct diagnosis is made. Method A search of the literature using the PubMed database was performed to identify case reports of this occurrence. Cases were analyzed for common characteristics or presenting features that may aid dentists in identifying patients with intracranial tumors. Results Twenty-eight cases were identified. Features consistent with the diagnoses of trigeminal neuralgia, persistent idiopathic facial pain, and temporomandibular disorders were the most common presentations. Fifty-nine percent of patients presented with sensory or motor function loss at their initial diagnosis. Clinical Implications Patients who present with symptoms that extend beyond the typical presentation of these entities are at highest risk for intracranial tumors and should be further evaluated.
Evaluation of an improved centrifugal casting machine

A Type III gold alloy, a silver-palladium alloy, and a base metal alloy were cast in two different centrifugal casting machines. With the number of complete cast mesh squares as an indicator of castability, the Airspin casting machine produced superior castings with all three alloys. The base metal alloy produced the greatest number of complete squares with both casting machines.
Microcystic adnexal carcinoma: report of four cases treated with Mohs’ micrographic surgical technique

Background Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor of the sweat glands. Clinically, it often presents as a firm subcutaneous nodule on the head and neck regions. On histology, MAC exhibits both pilar and sweat duct differentiation with a stroma of dense collagen. It often extends beyond the clinical margins with local spreading in the dermal, subcutaneous, and perineural tissue planes. It has a high local recurrence rate after standard excision. Recent preliminary reports have indicated more favorable cure rates with Mohs’ micrographic surgery (MMS). Objective To present our data on four cases of MAC treated by MMS. We also compared our findings with more recently reported series in the English language literature. Methods We reviewed the medical records of four patients (two males and two females) with MAC treated by MMS over the last 3 years. We also obtained follow-up data. Results In all four patients with MAC treated by MMS, there were no recurrences, with a mean follow-up of 1 year. Conclusion We report an additional four MAC cases treated by MMS. The accumulated data continue to confirm that, if the diagnosis of MAC is made early, and if the anatomic location is accessible to excision by MMS, a favorable outcome can be expected.
A note on practical construction of maximum bandwidth paths

Constructing maximum bandwidth paths has been a basic operation in the study of network routing, in particular in the recent study of network QoS routing. In the literature, it has been proposed that a maximum bandwidth path be constructed by a modified Dijkstra's algorithm or by a modified Bellman-Ford algorithm. In this short note. we show that maximum bandwidth paths can be constructed by a modified Kruskal's algorithm. We demonstrate that this approach is simpler, easier in implementation, more flexible, and faster than the previously proposed algorithms.
Leadership Behaviors in Sport: A Theoretical Model and Research Paradigm1

A heuristic model is presented concerning leadership behaviors in youth sports. The cognitive-behavioral model specifies individual difference variables, situational factors, and cognitive processes assumed to mediate overt coaching behaviors and athletes' reactions to them. Initially, the status of leadership research is reviewed, focusing on the potential relevance of behavioral assessment to this area of inquiry. Next, the athletic environment is characterized as a largely untapped naturalistic setting for psychological research, and a rationale is developed for the study of leadership in youth sports. Following this, consideration is given to the basic components of a mediational model of coach-athlete interactions and some preliminary research relative to the model. An expanded model is then presented, along with suggestions and hypotheses for future research. Finally, the sport-specific model and associated research is related to the larger context of theoretical advances and empirical work in the area of leadership.
The osteoblast-like differentiated phenotype of a variant of MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line correlated with altered adhesive properties

A cell line, called MG-63.3A, was selected for its resistance to detachment from cell culture by a synthetic peptide containing the fibronectin cell-attachment sequence, Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser. The mechanism of this resistance is probably the 6-fold overproduction of the cell surface fibronectin receptor in MG-63.3A cells (Dedhar et al, J. Cell. Biol. 105, 1175-1182, (1987]. Compared to the parental, tumorigenic MG-63 cells, the non-tumorigenic MG-63.3A cells display strikingly different properties. These include an altered morphology, a slower proliferation rate, ability to form a calcified matrix in vitro, increased synthesis of type I collagen and expression of bone type alkaline phosphatase activity. Studies with purified growth factors indicate that the MG-63 and MG-63.3A cell lines respond to differentially to growth factors; the growth of MG-63 cells if stimulated by PDGF and GM-CSF and inhibited IL-1 beta, whereas the growth of MG-63.3A is unaffected by GM-CSF and IL-1 beta but is stimulated by PDGF and estradiol. We conclude from these data that the MG-63.3A cells may represent a more differentiated cell type with osteoblast-like properties. Studies are currently underway to further characterize, by electron microscopy, the calcified matrix formation by MG-63.3A cells.
Some Observations on the Bacterial Content of Dried Milk

Summary 1. The bacterial counts of 31 samples of dried milk prepared by the spray process, and 13 samples prepared by the drum process are reported, before and after storage periods up to six years. 2. The original counts on the spray process samples ranged from 4400 to 5,500,000 per gram, with the majority showing counts above 50,000. 3. The original counts on the drum process samples ranged from 40 to 7,900 per gram, with the majority showing counts below 500. 4. A remarkable decrease in counts occurred in both types of dried milk after a storage period of one year. 5. The spray process powders showed a more marked reduction in counts after a two-year period of storage than did the drum process powders. The maximum reduction in counts (99.9 per cent) for the spray process powders took place after five years. In the case of the drum process samples the maximum (97.9 per cent) was reached after three years. 6. There was a significant difference in the types of bacteria present in the dried milk prepared by the two processes. 7. High temperatures seemed to be more effective in bringing about reductions in counts during storage.
Discrimination of Vanadium from Zinc Using Gene Profiling in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

We hypothesized that gene expression profiling may discriminate vanadium from zinc in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). RNA from HBECs exposed to vehicle, V (50 μM), or Zn (50 μM) for 4 hr (n = 4 paired experiments) was hybridized to Affymetrix Hu133A chips. Using one-class t-test with p < 0.01, we identified 140 and 76 genes with treatment:control ratios ≥ 2.0 or ≤ 0.5 for V and Zn, respectively. We then categorized these genes into functional pathways and compared the number of genes in each pathway between V and Zn using Fisher’s exact test. Three pathways regulating gene transcription, inflammatory response, and cell proliferation distinguished V from Zn. When genes in these three pathways were matched with the 163 genes flagged by the same statistical filtration for V:Zn ratios, 12 genes were identified. The hierarchical clustering analysis showed that these 12 genes discriminated V from Zn and consisted of two clusters. Cluster 1 genes (ZBTB1, PML, ZNF44, SIX1, BCL6, ZNF450) were down-regulated by V and involved in gene transcription, whereas cluster 2 genes (IL8, IL1A, PTGS2, DTR, TNFAIP3, CXCL3) were up-regulated and linked to inflammatory response and cell proliferation. Also, metallothionein 1 genes (MT1F, MT1G, MT1K) were up-regulated by Zn only. Thus, using microarray analysis, we identified a small set of genes that may be used as biomarkers for discriminating V from Zn. The novel genes and pathways identified by the microarray may help us understand the pathogenesis of health effects caused by environmental V and Zn exposure.
Conserved function for embryonic nodal cilia.

A similar mechanism may underlie the handedness seen in all vertebrate body plans. How left–right handedness originates in the body plan of the developing vertebrate embryo is a subject of considerable debate1,2. In mice, a left–right bias is thought to arise from a directional extracellular flow (nodal flow) that is generated by dynein-dependent rotation of monocilia on the ventral surface of the embryonic node3,4. Here we show that the existence of node monocilia and the expression of a dynein gene that is implicated in ciliary function are conserved across a wide range of vertebrate classes, indicating that a similar ciliary mechanism may underlie the establishment of handedness in all vertebrates.
Stochastic Search for Signal Processing Algorithm Optimization

This paper presents an evolutionary algorithm for searching for the optimal implementations of signal transforms and compares this approach against other search techniques. A single signal processing algorithm can be represented by a very large number of different but mathematically equivalent formulas. When these formulas are implemented in actual code, unfortunately their running times differ significantly. Signal processing algorithm optimization aims at finding the fastest formula. We present a new approach that successfully solves this problem, using an evolutionary stochastic search algorithm, STEER, to search through the very large space of formulas. We empirically compare STEER against other search methods, showing that it notably can find faster formulas while still only timing a very small portion of the search space.
Evaluation and treatment of shoulder pain

Shoulder pain is a common symptom in the adult population. The most common cause of shoulder pain is SIS, reflecting a problem with the rotator cuff or subacromial bursa. Determining the cause of a patient’s pain is usually a clinical diagnosis based on careful history taking and physical examination. Limited use of imaging studies will be needed in the setting of trauma, possible glenohumeral arthritis, or when a complete tendon tear is suspected. Therapy is based on pain control and therapeutic exercises in almost all cases. Despite the prevalence of shoulder pain, there is no consensus on the best way to achieve pain control or on the type of exercise most likely to achieve speedy recovery.
Fitting the Coulomb potential variationally in linear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals density-functional calculations

A previously developed method for self-consistent-field density-functional calculations involving a variational fit to the charge density is generalized to the case in which the total (electronic plus nuclear) Coulomb potential is fit. Previously the total energy $E(\ensuremath{\rho},\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\rho}})$ was viewed as a functional of the exact $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and fitted $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ charge density. The energy expression was modified to be correct when $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}=\ensuremath{\rho}$ while at the same time allowing $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ to be obtained variationally through $\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}E(\ensuremath{\rho},\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\rho}})}{\ensuremath{\partial}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}}=0$. Herein an expression for $E(\ensuremath{\rho},\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{V})$, where $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{V}$ is the fit to the Coulomb potential, is derived with similar properties. In particular, $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{V}$ can be determined variationally through $\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}E(\ensuremath{\rho},\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{V})}{\ensuremath{\partial}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{V}}=0$. In various linear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals calculations on atomic neon, the superiority of variational over conventional least-squares-fitting methods is demonstrated.
Polypeptide conformation of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase from an electron density map at 3.0 Å resolution

Abstract The polypeptide chain conformation of both subunits of eytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase has been determined from an electron density map at 3.0 A resolution. The two polypeptide chains are believed to be sequentially identical, but in the crystals studied, only one subunit will bind additional coenzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The present interpretation of the chain-folding places 665 alpha carbons in the dirner. A least-squares fit of these alpha carbon positions indicates that the two subunits in the dimer are closely related by 2-fold rotational symmetry. The folding of the polypeptide chains of malate dehydrogenase involves considerable amounts of secondary structure. The first 150 residues from the amino terminal end of the chain involve alternating parallel extended and helical conformations. The parallel-extended segments form a twisted sheet, one region of which includes the active site. The remaining polypeptide chain cannot be described in such a regular manner. It does, however, include helical segments and regions of anti-parallel extended polypeptide chain. The interface between the two subunits consists of three helical regions from each subunit. The polypeptide conformation of malate dehydrogenase is remarkably similar to that of dogfish lactate dehydrogenase. While the atomic co-ordinates of malate dehydrogenase will be improved by a higher resolution electron density map, it is already clear that these two different enzymes have fundamentally the same conformation. The one exception to the structural homology is the absence of the lactate dehydrogenase extended arm in the malate dehydrogenase structure. This arm in lactate dehydrogenase contains the first 22 amino acids at the N-terminal. In addition to the structural homology in the polypeptide conformation, both enzymes bind nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in structurally homologous regions.
TRP Channel Antagonists as Potential Antitussives

Cough is a troublesome symptom associated with many respiratory diseases. In some instances cough can become prolonged and excessive, and chronic cough of various aetiologies is a common presentation to specialist respiratory clinics. However, current treatment options are limited. Despite its importance, our understanding of the mechanisms that provoke cough is poor. Recent investigation has focused on the interaction between G-protein-coupled receptors and ion channels expressed on airway sensory nerves that are responsible for driving the cough reflex. In particular, the Transient Receptor Potential class of ion channels appears to play a major role as a regulator of the afferent arm of the cough reflex and could be involved in the heightened cough response observed in disease states. Current research investigating the pathogenesis of cough supports the development of TRP channel inhibitors as novel and selective treatment modalities.
Intensity fluctuation spectroscopy of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). I. Temperature profile of bacteriophage N1‐DNA

Intensity-fluctuation laser-scattering spectroscopy measurements have been reported for the DNA isolated from bacteriophage ϕ29. The cumulant method of data analysis gives well-defined weighted average decay frequencies. Available theoretical models are shown to yield good values for the diffusion coefficient and longest intramolecular relaxation time for low-molecular-weight DNA's but not for higher molecular weight species. The temperature dependence of the apparent diffusion coefficient exhibits drastic oscillations in the helix–coil transition region. The number of these oscillations is consistent with independent measurements of uv hyperchromicity measurements and suggests that ϕ29-DNA is composed of at least three regions of differing G + C content.
Predicting Early Sexual Activity with Behavior Problems Exhibited at School Entry and in Early Adolescence

Youth who initiate sexual intercourse in early adolescence (age 11-14) experience multiple risks, including concurrent adjustment problems and unsafe sexual practices. The current study tested two models describing the links between childhood precursors, early adolescent risk factors, and adolescent sexual activity: a cumulative model and a meditational model. A longitudinal sample of 694 boys and girls from four geographical locations was utilized, with data collected from kindergarten through high school. Structural equation models revealed that, irrespective of gender or race, high rates of aggressive disruptive behaviors and attention problems at school entry increased risk for a constellation of problem behaviors in middle school (school maladjustment, antisocial activity, and substance use) which, in turn, promoted the early initiation of sexual activity. Implications are discussed for developmental models of early sexual activity and for prevention programming.
Enhanced prepulse inhibition following adolescent ethanol exposure in Sprague-Dawley rats.

: Objectives: Recent studies have demonstrated that ethanol exposure differentially affects adolescents and adults. The current studies were designed to compare the effects of 2-week exposure to ethanol during adolescence or adulthood on the acoustic startle response (ASR) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to ethanol vapor 12 hr/d (on from 6 pm to 6 am) for 14 days during adolescence or adulthood. Six days after the cessation of ethanol vapor exposure, the ASR and PPI were assessed. Results: During ethanol treatment, overall blood alcohol levels averaged 230 to 250 mg/dl in the adolescent and adult treatment groups. Assessment of the ASR revealed that latency to startle was more rapid in adolescents than in adults, but ASR latency was not altered by ethanol exposure. In addition, ASR magnitude was lower in adolescents and was decreased in ethanol-exposed rats on startle trials. Ethanol exposure significantly enhanced PPI, but only after adolescent exposure Conclusions: These data further demonstrate a differential sensitivity of adolescents and adults to the effects of ethanol exposure. Specifically, a 2-week period of ethanol exposure during adolescence selectively enhanced PPI, a neurobehavioral index of sensorimotor gating. However, ASR magnitude was decreased by ethanol exposure regardless of age. On the basis of previous studies, the effects of ethanol exposure on PPI data could indicate that adolescent rats exposed to ethanol are more likely to exhibit behavioral inflexibility and that ethanol exposure acts as a more potent physical stressor in adolescent rats.
‘A splinter in the Flesh’: Levinas and the Resignification of Jewish Suffering, 1928–1947

Abstract This essay traces the development of Levinas’s conception of Judaism from 1928 to1947 with an aim to reveal how Levinas’s postwar conceptions of Jewish election and anti-historicism derive from his early treatments of the Heideggerian themes of Geworfenheit (thrownness) and historicality. In the process, I show how the similarities that Levinas perceived between Heidegger and Rosenzweig allowed him to recast Heideggerian categories in Jewish terms. Finally the essay considers the potential political implications and tensions that follow from Levinas’s concern after World War II to maintain Rosenzweig’s contention that Judaism stands outside of History.