cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hormone Replacement for Pelvic Floor Disorders

The purpose of this review article is to summarize the recent literature regarding the effect of hormone replacement therapy on pelvic floor disorders and its role as a preventative or treatment option. The recent evidence describing the effect of hormone replacement therapy on pelvic floor disorders is mainly limited to cohort studies, systematic reviews, and secondary analysis of randomized controlled trials such as the Women’s Health Initiative and Nurses’ Health Study. There are few quality randomized controlled trials, especially within the last 5 years on this topic. The data that does exist does not show hormone therapy to be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of pelvic floor disorders. In fact, it may worsen urinary and fecal incontinence when given systemically. The exception to this is the local application of vagina estrogen, where it may be of some benefit in the treatment of urinary incontinence. Local application has been shown to be beneficial when treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause and in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections. There is a paucity of quality data regarding the secondary effects and use of hormone replacement as a treatment for pelvic floor disorders. Given the lack of studies, limited efficacy, and possible side effects, it should not be offered as first-line or single treatment for pelvic floor disorders such as urinary or fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. It may be used as a treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause and for prevention of urinary tract infections when placed locally in the vagina.
Putting Students First: How Colleges Develop Students Purposefully

In over 40 years in education, I have seldom read a more captivating analysis of the importance of mindfully creating a mission-driven environment that focuses on students than Putting Students Fir...
Extremum Seeking-Based Optimum Reference Flux Searching for Direct Torque Control of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors

Dynamic performance and efficiency are critical for the interior permanent-magnet (IPM) motor drives for transportation applications. Over the past few decades, direct torque control (DTC) has attracted attention from both academia and industry, due to its advantages, such as fast dynamic response, robustness to motor parameters uncertainties, and external disturbances. To improve the efficiency of DTC drives, it is critical to determine the optimal reference stator flux linkage, which usually needs to be either tuned offline and stored in a lookup table or calculated online using machine models and parameters. In this article, first, the relationship between the stator flux linkage and the magnitude of stator current is analyzed. Then, based on this relationship, an extremum-seeking control (ESC) algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal reference flux in real time, leading to a maximum torque-per-ampere (MTPA) like approach. In addition, a stability analysis and key parameters selection for the proposed ESC are presented. The proposed method can effectively reduce the motor copper loss and, at the same time, eliminate the time-consuming offline tuning effort. Moreover, since ESC is a model-free approach, it is robust against motor parameter variations. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been validated by simulation studies using MATLAB Simulink and experimental studies on an IPM motor test bench.
Coming Full Circle: A Scholarly Personal Narrative of Religion and Spirituality in Graduate Education

This scholarly personal narrative explores the experiences of a graduate-student turned tenure-track faculty member engaging religion and spirituality in the curriculum. Using autoethnographic meth...
Removal of water binding proteins from dentin increases the adhesion strength of low-hydrophilicity dental resins

Abstract Objectives To investigate the role of proteoglycans (PGs) on the physical properties of the dentin matrix and the bond strength of methacrylate resins with varying hydrophilicities. Methods Dentin were obtained from crowns of human molars. Enzymatic removal of PGs followed a standard protocol using 1 mg/mL trypsin (Try) for 24 h. Controls were incubated in ammonium bicarbonate buffer. Removal of PGs was assessed by visualization of glycosaminoglycan chains (GAGs) in dentin under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The dentin matrix swelling ratio was estimated using fully demineralized dentin. Dentin wettability was assessed on wet, dry and re-wetted dentin surfaces through water contact angle measurements. Microtensile bond strength test (TBS) was performed with experimental adhesives containing 6% HEMA (H6) and 18% HEMA (H18) and a commercial dental adhesive. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). Results The enzymatic removal of PGs was confirmed by the absence and fragmentation of GAGs. There was statistically significant difference between the swelling ratio of Try-treated and control dentin (p Significance Changing the surface energy of dentin by PGs removal improved resin adhesion, likely due to more efficient water displacement, aiding to improved resin infiltration and polymerization.
An Integrated Innovative 3D Radiation Protection Fabric for Advanced Spacesuits and Systems

Within the next five years NASA intends to be back on the moon and within the next decade, to have long-duration, deep-space exploration missions on Mars. Radiation doses predicted for current shielding systems exceed the allowable limits for these missions. In order to achieve these goals, we propose the novel use of nanomaterials in the development of a thermal radiation and micrometeoroid protection garment for advanced spacesuits with applications to radiation protection in space systems. Preliminary results from radiation transport modeling demonstrate the improved shielding capabilities of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) over traditional space system shielding materials. Combining the novel BNNT material with Aerogels and more traditional materials such as carbon nanotubes and polyethylene, we have developed a material system which will be able to incorporate radiation shielding with thermal and micrometeoroid protection. A prototype was manufactured demonstrating the materials development capabilities and compatible applications for the proposed system.
Carbon Markets, Values, and Modes of Governance

Market governance of climate change is situated at the interface of two competing logics: universalistic governance predicated on technocratic norms and the particularities of politics embedded in local cultures. Actors implementing technocratic prescriptions for resolving climate change that rely on metrics to measure the effects of climate change, establish quantitative baselines and price emissions often miss the cultural values and social norms that shape markets. These logics of governance represent important axes along which climate policy can be mapped and assessed. This chapter assesses how policy intersects with these axes and in the process provides a broad-based qualitative and quantitative assessment of how geographically specific socio-cultural factors shape intersubjective understandings of carbon markets in particular. The authors of this chapter adopt a cross-national perspective, examining and evaluating the intersubjective meanings of carbon-market formation drawn from interview data of market makers across the United States, Australia, China, the EU, Japan, and South Korea.
Utilizing dual energy CT to distinguish blood from contrast leakage following middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomas.

Background Recently, middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has emerged as a potential alternative treatment option for chronic subdural hematomas (SDH). Imaging following MMA embolization often shows high density material in the subdural space, usually representing contrast leakage through the dura or, less commonly, hemorrhage. These cannot be reliably differentiated on conventional CT. Dual energy CT (DECT) provides the ability to differentiate materials that otherwise appear similar on conventional CT such as blood and iodine. Methods A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate patients who underwent MMA embolization for SDH between May 2019 and April 2020. Post-procedural head CT performed on an IQon Elite Spectral CT detector-based DECT scanner enabled two-material decomposition to separate iodine from blood. The dual energy reconstructions used included the virtual non-contrast and iodine no-water images. Results Four representative illustrative cases were selected to highlight the ability of DECT to characterize new hyperdensity on head CT following MMA embolization as blood, contrast or a combination. Conclusions DECT allows objective differentiation of contrast leakage from blood following MMA embolization. This technology can obviate the need for additional follow-up scanning and prolonged patient observation, which in turn can result in reduced costs and radiation exposure to patients.
Sharpening Our Tools: Conducting Medical Education Research Using Critical Theory.

Issue: As medical education continues to grapple with issues of systemic racism and oppression within its institutions, educational researchers will undoubtedly turn to critical theory to help illu...
Development of an instrument for the evaluation of weight reduction advice in women's magazines

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE EVALUATION OF WEIGHT REDUCTION ADVICE IN WOMEN'S MAGAZINES
A unified N-body and statistical treatment of stellar dynamics

We summarize the methods of a new “hybrid” computer code for stellar dynamics. All particles in the inner spatial region are followed exactly via a direct N-body code and all particles in the outer spatial region are treated statistically via a distribution function and Fokker-Planck type methods. An intermediate region, with features of both, allows exchange of particles and energy between the outer and inner regions. We apply our code to the period just before core collapse and just after and summarize the results.
Industrial Applications of High-Power Copper Vapor Lasers

A growing appreciation has developed in the last several years for the copper vapor laser because of its utility in ablating difficult materials at high rates. Laser ablation at high rates shows promise for numerous industrial applications such as thin film deposition, precision hole drilling, and machining of ceramics and other refractories.
Malate dehydrogenase. XII. Initial rate kinetic studies of substrate activation of porcine mitochondrial enzyme by malate.

Abstract Steady state product inhibition kinetic studies of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase at pH 8.0 in 0.05 m acetate-Tris buffer at 25° indicate that substrate activation occurs at malate concentrations between 3 x 10-2 and 2 x 10-1 m. The mechanism of activation apparently involves malate binding at other than the catalytic site, with the induction of a 10-fold decrease in the Michaelis constant for DPN. This accounts for activation through increased prevailing velocity without altering the basic compulsory order mechanism or the maximum velocity.
A case study of explanation-based control

An explanation-based control (EBC) strategy is shown to be in some respects superior to the known human-constructed strategies from control theory. The dynamical system to be controlled is a complex one. Any solution necessarily drives the system far into a non-linear region in which chaotic regimes are typical. The EBC solution demonstrates better time efficiency, energy efficiency, and robustness to unmodeled dynamics than existing control theory solutions.
An Extragalactic Reference Frame from DSN VLBI Measurements—1989

Assessment of the impact of recent improvements in Deep Space Network (DSN) instrumentation, as well as of joint data analyses, provide a prognosis for the accuracy level to be expected in future realizations of an inertial radio reference frame. Intercontinental dual-frequency radio interferometric measurements during 68 sessions (including two recent sessions employing Mark III instrumentation) from 1978 to 1989 using NASA’s DSN stations in California, Spain, and Australia give 8900 pairs of delay and delay rate observations. Analysis yields a catalog of positions of 200 extragalactic radio sources north of —45° declination. The resulting source position formal uncertainty distributions peak below 1 milliarcsecond, with three fourths being smaller than 2 mas. Comparison with independent measurements shows some evidence for systematic errors at the milliarcsecond level.
Qualitative Differences in the Behavior of Pneumococcal Deoxyribonucleic Acids Transforming to the Same Capsular Type

Abstract A method is described for estimating quantitatively the frequency of transformation of pneumococci to new capsular types. It is found that, when S-III cells are exposed to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from wild-type I strains, transformation to SI occurs at a frequency 20 to 60 times that of transformation to the binary type SI-III. SI markers on DNA isolated from binary strains behave qualitatively and quantitatively in a different manner from the same markers on DNA from wild-type I strains and will transform S-III cells only to SI-III. Strains are described which produce only one capsular polysaccharide, but which are genetically binary and carry a second capsular genome with a mutated gene so that the second polysaccharide is not produced. Stability and other characteristics of binary strains are discussed, and one hypothesis for the genetic organization of binary strains is presented.
Receptor-mediated gonadotropin action in ovary. Possible regulatory role of cell-surface sialic acid in gonadotropin interaction to purified bovine corpus luteum plasma membranes

The role of cell-surface sialic acid in the interaction of 125I-labeled choriogonadotropin with gonadotropin receptors from plasma membranes of bovine corpus luteum was investigated. Pretreatment of plasma membranes with neuraminidases purified from Clostridium perfringens or Vibrio cholera enhanced the binding activity of 125I-choriogonadotropin in a concentration-dependent manner. C. perfringens neuraminidase (100 mU/ml) and V. cholerae neuraminidase (1.0 I.U./ml) maximally stimulated gonadotropin-binding activity. The neuraminidase stimulation of binding was due to unmasking of gonadotropin-binding sites and not due to a change in affinity of the receptor for 125I-choriogonadotropin. The activity of plasma- membrane 5′-nucleotidase, a glycoprotein enzyme, however, was not affected by neuraminidase treatment. The stimulatory effect of C. perfringens enzyme was abolished by co-incubation of plasma membrane with glycoproteins, fetuin and mucin. Furthermore, the stimulatory effect of neuraminidase was due to an intrinsic property of the enzyme and was accompanied by a parallel dose-dependent loss of plasma-membrane-associated sialic acid residues. Other neuraminidase preparations including that purified from Arthrobacter ureafaciens also enhanced 125I-choriogonadotropin binding with concomitant hydrolysis of plasma-membrane sialic acid. By contrast, enzyme purified from influenza virus did not release plasma-membrane sialic acid and consequently failed to modulate receptor activity. Treatment of plasma membrane with neuraminidase and subsequent fractionation demonstrated that the enzyme hydrolyzed 50–60% sialic acid from glycoprotein and ganglioside components. Preincubation of plasma membrane with wheat-germ agglutinin partially blocked the hydrolysis of glycoprotein sialic acid as well as stimulation of 125I-choriogonadotropin-binding activity. Incubation with other lectins, concanavalin A and peanut agglutinin, neither affected the hydrolysis of glycoprotein/ganglioside sialic acid by neuraminidase nor prevented the stimulatory action of enzyme on 125I-choriogonadotropin-binding activity. These studies demonstrate a possible involvement of plasma-membrane-associated sialic acid (sialoglycoproteins) in the activity of gonadotropin receptors.
Microorganisms of the toe web and their importance for erysipelas of the leg.

Summary Background There has been a steady increase of the incidence of erysipelas in Germany in the recent past. Affected patients also often show defects in the cutaneous barrier caused by microorganisms. The aim of this non-interventional case-control study was to investigate a possible interrelationship between interdigital tinea pedis and bacterial toe web (interdigital space) infections and erysipelas of the leg, as well as a potential interaction among the microorganisms themselves. Material and methods The patient population contained 150 people equally distributed among three groups, one retrospective and one prospective erysipelas group (EG = rEG + pEG) plus one control group (KG). Results 51 % of the patients with erysipelas and 32 % of the control group suffered from interdigital tinea pedis. There was a significant association between interdigital tinea pedis and the recurrence rate of erysipelas, but not with erysipelas itself. Staphylococcus aureus (EG: 30.34 %; KG: 3.23 %) and non-pathogenic aerobic bacteria were significantly associated with erysipelas in each statistical analysis. Staphylococcus aureus showed a positive, the non-pathogenic aerobic germs (EG: 28,09 %; KG: 80,65 %) a negative association. Conclusions This study demonstrates an association between the microorganisms of the toe web and erysipelas of the leg. Erysipelas itself is influenced to a great extent by the bacterial flora, while its recurrence relates more to interdigital tinea pedis.
The Economics of Large Scale Infrastructure Project Finance: An Empirical Examination

This paper is an empirical examination of the use of structured finance, namely Project Finance, to mitigate transaction costs arising from specific investments, the threat of opportunistic behavior and incomplete contracts. The use of project finance to mitigate underinvestment resulting from conflict between debt and equity holders within a firm is also examined. The paper examines the hypothesis that firms use the Project Finance structure when faced with a) large sunk investments and potentially opportunistic buyers and suppliers (including governments who provide legal and physical infrastructure) and b) existing risky debt that would cause equity holders to pass up positive NPV investments. I find that the propensity for the Project Finance structure is more likely when transaction costs are high. The theory of underinvestment is weakly supported.
A goitrogenic rat diet producing normal body weight gain.

SummaryBy using 40% of brewers type dry yeast as the principal protein source, a low iodine diet has been designed that supports a good rate of body weight gain and also produces large goiters in rats. This diet appears to have a positive goitrogenic effect, over and above that attributable to its low iodine content.
The Moderating Roles of Race and Gender-Role Attitudes in the Relationship Between Sexual Harassment and Psychological Well-Being:

Although previous research has linked sexual harassment to negative psychological outcomes, few studies have focused on moderators of these relationships. The present study surveyed Black (n= 88) and White (n= 170) female undergraduates who endorsed experiences of sexual harassment to examine whether traditional gender attitudes differentially moderated the relationship between sexual harassment and three outcomes: posttraumatic stress symptoms, general clinical symptoms, and satisfaction with life. We replicated past findings that sexual harassment is related to negative outcomes. Further, the results supported our hypothesis that less traditional gender attitudes (i.e., more feminist attitudes) would buffer the negative effects of sexual harassment for White women, whereas the same attitudes would exacerbate its negative effects for Black women. We discuss reasons for these differences, including Black women's double consciousness and differences in the meaning of feminist and traditional gender attitudes for Black and White women.
Characterization and chondrocyte differentiation stage-specific expression of KRAB zinc-finger protein gene ZNF470.

Abstract As part of a study to identify novel transcriptional regulators of chondrogenesis-related gene expression, we have cloned and characterized cDNA for zinc-finger protein 470 ( ZNF470 ), the human ortholog of which encodes a 717 amino acid residue protein containing 17 Cys 2 His 2 zinc-finger domains, as well as KRAB-A and KRAB-B motifs. The cDNA library used to isolate the initial ZNF470 clone was prepared from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells at an intermediate stage of chondrogenic differentiation. We have determined the intron-exon structure of the human ZNF470 gene, which has been mapped to a zinc-finger cluster in a known imprinted region of human chromosome 19q13.4. ZNF470 is expressed at high levels in human testis and is expressed at low or undetectible levels in other adult tissues. Human ZNF470 expressed in mammalian cells as an EGFP fusion protein localizes predominantly to the nucleus, consistent with a role in transcriptional regulation. ZNF470 , analyzed by quantitative real time PCR, was transiently expressed before the maximal expression of COL2A1 during chondrogenic differentiation in vitro. We have also characterized the bovine ortholog of human ZNF470 , which encodes a 508 amino acid residue protein having 10 zinc-finger domains. A bovine ZNF470 cDNA clone was used to examine expression of ZNF470 in bovine articular chondrocytes treated with retinoic acid to stimulate dedifferentiation. Bovine ZNF470 expression was undetectable in freshly isolated bovine articular chondrocytes, but was dramatically upregulated in dedifferentiated retinoic acid-treated chondrocytes. These results, in two model systems, suggest a possible role for ZNF470 in the regulation of chondrogenesis-specific gene expression.
Effectiveness of Hair Bundle Motility as the Cochlear Amplifier

The effectiveness of hair bundle motility in mammalian and avian ears is studied by examining energy balance for a small sinusoidal displacement of the hair bundle. The condition that the energy generated by a hair bundle must be greater than energy loss due to the shear in the subtectorial gap per hair bundle leads to a limiting frequency that can be supported by hair-bundle motility. Limiting frequencies are obtained for two motile mechanisms for fast adaptation, the channel re-closure model and a model that assumes that fast adaptation is an interplay between gating of the channel and the myosin motor. The limiting frequency obtained for each of these models is an increasing function of a factor that is determined by the morphology of hair bundles and the cochlea. Primarily due to the higher density of hair cells in the avian inner ear, this factor is ∼10-fold greater for the avian ear than the mammalian ear, which has much higher auditory frequency limit. This result is consistent with a much greater significance of hair bundle motility in the avian ear than that in the mammalian ear.
Patient Bed Design for an Integrated SPECT-CT Dedicated Mammotomography System

This study investigates the significant challenges and tradeoffs associated with designing a patient positioning system for a novel, compact SPECT-CT system dedicated to 3D breast and chest wall imaging. The primary challenge is to maintain patient comfort while optimally positioning the patient for maximal chest wall imaging, given the physical and geometric dimensions of the dual-modality system. The dedicated breast SPECT system comprises a 16times20cm2 CZT-based gamma camera attached to a versatile gantry, capable of varying polar tilt, radial distance and azimuth. The dedicated breast cone beam CT system, initially designed here without dynamic polar tilt, includes a tungsten target source and a 20times25cm2 CsI(Tl) detector laterally offset from the central ray, separated by a 60cm SID. The integrated imaging system with a common field-of-view is positioned below the custom-designed, 3-dimensionally flexible bed positioning system. An additional consideration of the bed is that it is radio-opaque, which minimizes both emission contamination from the patient's body into the transmission CT system, while simultaneously minimizing any X-ray scatter onto the patient's body. This preliminary implementation and investigation indicates the need for novel camera trajectories to satisfy both chest wall proximity imaging and patient comfort. The effects of breast volume imaged within the common FOV and table angles, which are assumed to correspond to patient comfort, are examined. A manufactured galvanized steel prototype demonstrates the practicability of the bed.
On the stability of HNOH rotation. A theoretical analysis

The stability properties of HNOH were explored with ab initio MP2, CBS-Q and B1LYP hybrid density functional theory methods along the torsional potential surface. At each point of the rotation of HNOH (along the dihedral angle), the geometry was fully optimized, and the energy computed. In addition to this several decomposition mechanisms were further evaluated by computing the relative decomposition energy at 20° intervals in this torsional potential energy surface.
“That's a good question”: University researchers' views on ownership and retention of human genetic specimens

Purpose: To explore the views of university-based investigators conducting genetic research with human specimens regarding ownership and retention of specimens, and knowledge of related institutional review board and university policies. Methods: Data were collected in three phases: a qualitative pilot study of 14 investigators; a web-based survey taken by 80 investigators; and follow-up, in-depth interviews with 12 survey respondents. Results: Investigators named a variety of single or multiple owners of human specimens and often expressed confusion regarding specimen ownership. Most associated ownership with rights to control, and responsibilities to maintain, specimens. Investigators viewed specimens as “precious” resources whose value could be increased through long-term or infinite retention, particularly in light of anticipated technological advances in genome science. Their views on ownership and retention were shaped by perceptions of institutional review board policies as immortalized in subject informed consent documents, rather than knowledge of actual policies. Conclusion: Long-term retention of human specimens makes confusion about ownership particularly problematic. Given findings that investigators' views on ownership and retention are largely guided by their perception of university policies, the need for clear, consistent policies at the institution level is urgent.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection following uterine instrumentation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Shunt infections are most common within the first 6 months following implantation. A shunt infection 19 years after implantation secondary to uterine ablation has not been reported to our knowledge. Office hysteroscopic procedures have become commonplace in gynecologic practice. Infectious complication rates are low, but peritonitis has been described. We present a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection following a uterine ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Three days following the ablation she developed abdominal pain. CT scan of the abdomen 5 months after the procedure revealed a pseudocyst. She then underwent removal of her shunt with intra-operative cultures revealing Streptococcus agalactiae. Definitive treatment consisted of shunt explantation and antibiotic treatment with complete resolution of her pain and pseudocyst. Consideration for prophylactic antibiotics should be made when a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt undergoes any transvaginal procedure.
Control of Inorganic Layer Thickness in Self-Assembled Iron Oxide/Surfactant Composites

The synthesis and characterization of ordered, lamellar, iron oxide/surfactant composites in which the iron oxide layer thickness is selectively varied are presented. These new materials are prepared by the controlled precipitation and hydrolysis of aqueous iron cations into self-assembled iron/surfactant arrays. The use of redox chemistry to alter the solubility of iron oxide and thus control hydrolysis, solubility, and inorganic layer thickness is a key feature of the synthesis procedure. The composites show a layered structure as determined by X-ray diffraction and can be produced with approximately 3 to nearly 20 A of iron oxide in alternation with surfactant bilayers. For samples with 10 A or thicker iron oxide layers, magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mossbauer spectroscopy indicate the presence of superantiferromagnetic domain structures with smaller domains observed in samples with thinner layers. The results are a first step toward the simple design of hierarchical nanostructured magnetic ...
Reference futures: outsourcing, the Web, or knowledge counseling

Three possible scenarios for the future of reference services are described: outsourcing, the Web, and knowledge counseling. The ability to design reference services that users will continue to value in libraries of the future is limited by current professional reference practices. These limits are related to the failure to incorporate total quality management (TQM) principles into the design and practice of present day reference services. The following TQM principles are utilized to discuss the contrasts between TQM principles and current reference practices: focus on the customer, quality work the first time, strategic holistic approach to improvement, continuous improvement as a way of life, and mutual respect and teamwork. Finally, the roles that library organizations must fulfill to change the current professional culture are described.
Preemptive Strategies for the Assessment and Management of Financial System Risk Levels: An Application to Japan with Implications for Emerging Economies

We estimate the current potential default cost of the large amount of bad loans in the Japanese banking system to fail to range from 30 trillion yen to 45 trillion yen or higher. For many banks this would deplete at least 50% of their capital. However, it would also fix the loss and avoid potentially larger losses if weak credits continue to be supported. Using a simulation methodology, we also find that the assumed level of credit risk, equity investment, bank operating expenses, bank net interest margin, and the assumed future financial environments interact to determine future bank risk levels. If the negative financial and real estate market conditions of the recent past persist over the next three years, it is very likely that the major Japanese banks will suffer further large losses and exhaust their already low levels of capital. Alternatively, a return to a more positive economic and financial environment would moderate the risks and the cost of resolving the current problems. Nevertheless, under both scenarios, the risk of further bank failures appears to be substantial and additional large capital infusions will likely be needed to avoid losses by depositors. The implications of this analysis for emerging economies, center on the management and regulation of financial institutions in countries where financial market regulatory structures are in a state of change and asset price bubbles also occur.
Developing optical traps for ultrasensitive analysis

The authors describe the coupling of a magneto-optical trap to a mass separator for the ultra-sensitive detection of selected radioactive species. As a proof of principle test, they have demonstrated the trapping of {approximately} 6 million {sup 82} Rb (t{sub 1/2} = 75 s) atoms using an ion implantation and heated foil release method for introducing the sample into a trapping cell with minimal gas loading. Gamma-ray counting techniques were used to determine the efficiencies of each step in the process. By far the weakest step in the process is the efficiency of the optical trap itself (0.3%). Further improvements in the quality of the nonstick dryfilm coating on the inside of the trapping cell and the possible use of larger diameter laser beams are indicated. In the presence of a large background of scattered light, this initial work achieved a detection sensitivity of {approximately} 4,000 trapped atoms. Improved detection schemes using a pulsed trap and gated photon detection method are outlined. Application of this technology to the areas of environmental monitoring and nuclear proliferation are foreseen.
Quasiconformal groups and a theorem of Biship and Jones

We provide new bounds on the exponent of convergence of a planar discrete quasiconformal group in terms of the associated dilatation and the Hausdorff dimension of its conical limit set. In doing so, we use these bounds to realize a theorem of C. Bishop and P. Jones as an asymptotic limit in the dilatation.
Doubts about Being of Value: An Important Aspect of Countertransference in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

Doubts about being of value to medically ill patients and their referring physicians is not an uncommon emotional reaction of consultation-liaison psychiatrists to the medical environment. Both realistic perceptions of negative attitudes of non-psychiatric physicians as well as unrealistic doubts about their potential uesfulness, which may be projected upon and attributed to their non-psychiatric colleagues, can contribute to this unsettling response. This reaction may interfere with effective collaboration between consultation-liaison psychiatrists and their non-psychiatric colleagues and needs to be understood and mastered.
A well-defined, silica-supported tungsten imido alkylidene olefin metathesis catalyst

The reaction of [W(NAr)(CHtBu)(CH2tBu)2] (1; Ar = 2,6-iPrC6H3) with a silica partially dehydroxylated at 700 °C, SiO2-(700), gives syn-[(⋮SiO)W(NAr)(CHtBu)(CH2tBu)] (2) as a major surface species, which was fully characterized by mass balance analysis, IR, NMR, EXAFS, and DFT periodic calculations. Similarly, complex 1 reacts with [(c-C5H9)7Si7O12SiOH] to give [(SiO)W(NAr)(CHtBu)(CH2tBu)] (2m), which shows similar spectroscopic properties. Surface complex 2 is a highly active propene metathesis catalyst, which can achieve a TON of 16 000 within 100 h, with only a slow deactivation.
Absorption and Disposition of Ethambutol in Rabbits

The absorption and disposition of ethambutol was examined in six rabbits in a three-way crossover study. Each rabbit received 45-mg/kg doses of ethambutol in three treatments: one intravenous injection, and two oral solutions, ethambutol alone and ethambutol in the presence of aluminum hydroxide (40 mg/kg). Half-lives of ethambutol ranged from 2.26 to 5.20 h when administered alone and 2.18 to 4.00 h when coadministered with the antacid; the difference was not significant (p > 0.3). Mean clearance after the oral administrations (189.2 mL/min/kg) was significantly greater than the mean intravenous clearance (43.7 mL/min/kg) (p < 0.01), suggesting a first-pass metabolism of ethambutol when administered nonparenterally to rabbits. The volume of distribution ranged from 5.5 to 17.8 L/kg, suggesting an extensive distribution of ethambutol outside the central compartment and, possibly, a localized deposit within the body tissues. Mean bioavailability of ethambutol was ∼28% and was not affected by the presence of aluminum hydroxide. The rate of ethambutol absorption, however, was slightly delayed by the antacid.
Dopant Distribution during Low Energy Implant Anneal Due to Photoresist Breakdown and Anneal Ambient Effects

Photoresist outgassing during low energy ion implantation can affect the dosimetry of the process as well as the distribution of implanted dopants in the silicon substrate. The gaseous by-products of photoresist breakdowncan become entrapped in the substrate, thereby altering the diffusion and clustering characteristics of implanted dopants during high-temperature anneal. In addition, they can lead to charge exchange reactions with incoming ions, thus affecting the dose control of the process. The latter effect is well understood and corrected for in modem ion implantation equipment. This work examines the effects of photoresist outgassing on the distribution of boron and arsenic in silicon during anneal, the diffusion and clustering of the dopants, and effects on substrate sheet resistance. Single-crystal and preamorphized silicon substrates are used as well as oxide-covered wafers in low energy boron and arsenic implants to study the dopant behavior during anneal. High carbon concentration on the wafer surface from photoresist implants has opposite effects on boron- and arsenic-implanted silicon. The transient enhanced diffusion of boron is supressed, whereas diffusion of arsenic is enhanced, with corresponding effects on sheet resistance. These effects can be minimized by the use of a thin oxide layer on the implanted substrates and careful selection of ambient during anneal.
Colocalization of SCD1 and DGAT2: implying preference for endogenous monounsaturated fatty acids in triglyceride synthesis.

Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) is an endo- plasmic reticulum (ER) protein that catalyzes the D9-cis desaturation of saturated fatty acids. Mice with targeted disruption in SCD1 (Scd1 2/2 ) have significant reduction in the tissue content of triglycerides, suggesting that mono- unsaturated fatty acids endogenously synthesized by SCD1 are important for triglyceride synthesis. Acyl-coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) is the enzyme that catalyzes the final reaction in the synthesis of triglycerides. The lack of DGAT2, one of the two DGAT isoforms, results in almost a complete loss of tissue triglycerides. We hy- pothesize that SCD1 participates in triglyceride synthesis by providing a more accessible pool of monounsaturated fatty acids through substrate channeling. In this study, we test whether SCD1 is proximal to DGAT2 by colocalization study with confocal microscopy, coimmunoprecipitation, and fluo- rescence resonance energy transfer using HeLa cells as the model of study. All of the results suggest that SCD1 and DGAT2 are located very close to each other in the ER, which is a very important criterion for the channeling of substrate. By performing subcellular fractionation using mouse liv- ers, we also show, for the first time, that SCD is present in the mitochondria-associated membrane.—Man, W. C., M. Miyazaki, K. Chu, and J. Ntambi. Colocalization of SCD1 and DGAT2: implying preference for endogenous mono- unsaturated fatty acids in triglyceride synthesis. J. Lipid Res. 2006. 47: 1928-1939.
Abstract 4001: Lin28/miR-let-7c axis controls the growth and tumorigenicity of prostate cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small ∼22 nt non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to and inducing degradation of target mRNAs. Deregulated expression of several miRNAs has been found in prostate cancer cells. Let-7 is an evolutionarily conserved family of miRNAs that have been shown to regulate expression of several oncogenes like HMGA2, RAS and Myc. Expression of members of the let-7 family has been shown to be downregulated in many human cancers including lung, breast, ovarian and prostate. In this study, we examined the relative expression levels of let-7c and its master regulator, Lin28 in prostate cancer cells and clinical specimens. We also examined the role of the let-7/Lin28 axis in controlling proliferation in prostate cancer cells. Methods: Expression levels of Let-7c and Lin28 in prostate cancer cells and clinical specimens were measured by real-time qRT-PCR, Northern and Western blotting. Prostate cancer cell lines with stable expression of let-7c or Lin28 were generated and their growth characteristics, clonogenic ability and colony forming abilities in soft agar were examined. Expression of let-7c was downregulated in LNCaP cells using antisense oligonucleotides and effects on growth were examined. Lentiviruses containing let-7c were injected into tumors generated by implantation of prostate cancer cells in nude mice and tumor volumes were measured. Results: Expression levels of let-7c were found to be downregulated in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells and clinical specimens. These levels were found to be inversely correlated to expression levels of Lin28. Overexpression of let-7c reduced prostate cancer cell growth, clonogenic ability and ability to form colonies in soft agar, while downregulation of let-7c resulted in increased cell growth. Conversely, overexpression of Lin28 enhanced prostate cancer cell growth and clonogenic ability. In addition, intratumoral injection of lentiviruses containing let-7c reduced tumor volumes significantly in vivo in nude mice compared to control viruses. Conclusions: Levels of miR-let-7c are reduced in CRPC compared to androgen-dependent prostate cancer. Levels of Lin28, which regulates processing of let-7c into its mature form, are elevated in CRPC. Overexpression of let-7c reduces prostate cancer cell growth and tumorigenic ability. These results suggest that miR-let-7c is a tumor suppressor and may be developed as a therapeutic agent against CRPC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4001. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4001
A dual reciprocity boundary element method for photothermal interactions in laser-induced thermotherapy

Laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive laser hyperthermia procedure for the treatment of localized tumors. Mathematical modeling of the photothermal processes in laser-irradiated tissues is essential for optimal treatment planning. In this study, A Monte Carlo method is introduced to simulate photon transport in the tumor tissues with complex geometries. The dual reciprocity boundary element method (DRBEM) is then formulated to solve the bioheat transfer equation in the tumors. The model is validated with the finite difference solutions. To illustrate the applications of the proposed DRBEM, several laser delivery schemes, including external laser irradiation, single or multiple laser fiber delivery applicators, are studied for tumors with regular or irregular geometric shapes. The temperature transients, laser energy distribution and coagulation patterns for different laser delivery modes are demonstrated. The unique advantages of the DRBEM, such as easy adaptability to complex tumor geometries and no need to discretize the inner domain, may make it well-suited and robust approach for predicting and controlling the temperature evolution in laser-induced thermotherapy procedure.
Parsimony analysis of ecological succession, a powerful tool for interpreting changes in community structure

We apply cladistic parsimony analysis to data sets from successional ecology, borrowing data from studies of the recovery of different communities, including ants in Spain, ants and birds in Australia, and butterflies in Costa Rica. Resultant parsimony analysis demonstrate increasing diversity, rooted at the poorest site and year, extending to either the various (rich) control sites, or with branches indicating alternative assemblages of species in some study sites. This analysis produces graphical summaries that are useful to evaluate the path of succession (species following one another). We demonstrate that the product of cladistic analysis compares favorably with methods commonly used in ecology, explicitly revealing a hierarchy that may relate closely to a time series, includes rare species, and illustrates how individual species relate to observed patterns. We detail certain operational considerations that influence the performance of the cladistic method, and we discuss the robustness of the method. This technique may be applied to study of the patterns of assemblage of natural or disturbed communities, both when and where each species appears as well as the order of appearance of species to develop a rich community. © The Willi Hennig Society 2008.
Press Apologias: A New Paradigm for the New Transparency?

This article examines the requirements for ethical press apologias, defined as attempts to defend credibility when accused of ethical failure. Facing changing transparency expectations, apologists may fail to fully respond to injured stakeholders. Criticisms of CBS News' flawed report on President Bush's National Guard service illustrated this problem. Hearit's (2005b) paradigm for ethical apologias is applied to “RatherGate” to see if and where the paradigmatic criteria fell short. A revised paradigm is proposed.
Polyimide nanostructures fabricated by nanoimprint lithography and its applications

Polyimides have attractive thermal, mechanical and electrical properties, and have found applications in fields ranging from spacecraft to microelectronics and optoelectronics. Patterning polyimide at nanoscale would open the window for many new applications. In this work, we developed three approaches to pattern polyimide using nanoimprint lithography (NIL): imprint at its uncured soft state and cure it afterwards; imprint another low Tg polymer, then transfer the pattern into polyimide by RIE; and direct imprint into polyimide at temperature higher than its Tg. Polyimide gratings with 200nm period and 110nm line-width were successfully fabricated by all the three approaches. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. The first method is relatively simple and fast, but some residual solvent and water may cause outgassing when subjected to temperature well above 200^oC for prolonged time. The second approach is more complicated, while the third approach needs very high temperature. Two applications of the nanostructured polyimide are demonstrated: as a flexible mould to structure PMMA by NIL and as a template for chemical sensor based on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Both applications have taken advantage of polyimide's high temperature stability and excellent mechanical properties, and cannot be realized by other common thermoplastic polymers. We believe that NIL is an efficient technique to pattern polyimide with high throughput and low cost.
An elutriation apparatus for assessing settleability of combined sewer overflows (CSOs)

An elutriation apparatus was proposed for testing the settleability of combined sewer outflows (CSOs) and applied to 12 CSO samples. In this apparatus, solids settling is measured under dynamic conditions created by flow through a series of settling chambers of varying diameters and upward flow velocities. Such a procedure reproduces better turbulent settling in CSO tanks than the conventional settling columns, and facilitates testing coagulant additions under dynamic conditions. Among the limitations, one could name the relatively large size of the apparatus and samples (60 L), and inadequate handling of floatables. Settleability results obtained for the elutriation apparatus and a conventional settling column indicate large inter-event variation in CSO settleability. Under such circumstances, settling tanks need to be designed for "average" conditions and, within some limits, the differences in test results produced by various settleability testing apparatuses and procedures may be acceptable. Further development of the elutriation apparatus is under way, focusing on reducing flow velocities in the tubing connecting settling chambers and reducing the number of settling chambers employed. The first measure would reduce the risk of floc breakage in the connecting tubing and the second one would reduce the required sample size.