cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep vein thrombosis in the setting of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome and sirolimus treatment.

Abstract Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a congenital vascular disorder characterized by the triad of cutaneous capillary malformation, lymphatic and venous anomalies, and soft tissue and bone overgrowth. Sirolimus is a mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitor used as an immunosuppressive drug. It has also been used to improve and treat vascular malformations that can predispose to intravascular coagulopathy. We have described the case of a patient with KTS receiving a therapeutic anticoagulation dose, for whom sirolimus was initiated, and who had presented with an extensive venous thromboembolism. Correlations between the use of sirolimus in patients with KTS are limited, and cautious use and monitoring could be necessary.
Teachers’ Beliefs about Poverty and the Impact on Learning Disabilities Identification in a Poor, Rural School District

This qualitative case study examined a rural school district where many of the students live in poverty. The purpose of the study was to develop a deeper understanding of the learning disability (LD) identification process as implemented in a high-poverty rural setting. Analysis of the data revealed the prevalence of some stereotypical beliefs regarding poverty. In addition, the findings revealed use of a traditional, Intelligence Quotient (IQ)-Achievement discrepancy model rather than Response to Intervention (RTI). Furthermore, participants conveyed that their deliberations do not typically include the legally required consideration that other factors (such as poverty) may be the primary reason that the student is struggling. Recommendations include providing educational activities to challenge stereotypical beliefs about people living in poverty, considering socioeconomic reform in discussions about school improvement, supporting teachers in their efforts to meet the needs of all students in their classrooms, and implementing assessment methods designed to help students receive the assistance needed as early as possible.
Employee Option Exercise and Equity Issuance Motives

Cash proceeds from employees' exercise of options are substantial, totaling over $1 trillion in aggregate since 1985. Option exercises are unlikely to inform us about how contemporaneous conditions influence managers' motives to issue, because the option grant is jointly a compensation decision, and is typically made years prior to the share issuance. Using a simple filter to identify the firm-initiated component in pooled data, I find that cash savings is less prevalent than reported in previous studies and that a sizable portion of the leverage effect from market timing is driven by the actions of employees.
Progressive compression of volumetric subdivision meshes

We present a progressive compression technique for volumetric subdivision meshes based on the slow growing refinement algorithm. The system is comprised of a wavelet transform followed by a progressive encoding of the resulting wavelet coefficients. We compare the efficiency of two wavelet transforms. The first transform is based on the smoothing rules used in the slow growing subdivision technique. The second transform is a generalization of lifted linear B-spline wavelets to the same multitier refinement structure. Direct coupling with a hierarchical coder produces progressive bit streams. Rate distortion metrics are evaluated for both wavelet transforms. We tested the practical performance of the scheme on synthetic data as well as data from laser indirect-drive fusion simulations with multiple fields per vertex. Both wavelet transforms result in high quality trade off curves and produce qualitatively good coarse representations.
A Comparative Study of the Accuracy between Plastic and Metal Impression Transfer Copings for Implant Restorations

Purpose A precise transfer of the position and orientation of the antirotational mechanism of an implant to the working cast is particularly important to achieve optimal fit of the final restoration. This study evaluated and compared the accuracy of metal and plastic impression copings for use in a full-arch mandibular edentulous simulation with four implants. Materials and Methods Metal and plastic impression transfer copings for two implant systems, Nobel Biocare™ Replace and Straumann SynOcta®, were assessed on a laboratory model to simulate clinical practice. The accuracy of producing stone casts using these plastic and metal impression transfer copings was measured against a standard prosthetic framework consisting of a cast gold bar. A total of 20 casts from the four combinations were obtained. The fit of the framework on the cast was tested by a noncontact surface profilometer, the Proscan 3D 2000 A, using the one-screw test. The effects of implant/system and impression/coping material on gap measurements were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results The findings of this in vitro study were as follows: plastic copings demonstrated significantly larger average gaps than metal for Straumann (p = 0.001). Plastic and metal copings were not significantly different for Nobel (p = 0.302). Nobel had significantly larger average gaps than Straumann for metal copings (p = 0.003). Nobel had marginally smaller average gaps than Straumann (p = 0.096) for plastic copings. The system-by-screw location interaction was significant as well (p < 0.001), indicating significant differences among the four screw locations, but the location differences were not the same for the two systems. A rank transformation of the data was necessary due to the nonnormal distribution of the gap measurements. No adjustments were made for multiple comparisons. Conclusions The metal impression copings were more accurate than plastic copings when using the Straumann system, and there was no difference between metal and plastic copings for the Nobel Replace system. The system-by-screw location was not conclusive, showing no correlation within each system
From Wolves, Lambs (Part 2): The Fourteenth Amendment Case for Gradual Abolition of the Death Penalty

Can a state abolish its death penalty for future crimes while retaining it for those already on death row? This turns out to be a novel question in modern death penalty law, one that has not been answered in nearly a century. In 2014, in the case of State v. Santiago, the Connecticut Supreme Court will be the first court in modern times to answer the question. This Article predicts that the answer to the question will be yes. Although the Connecticut Supreme Court will be the first court to answer this question in almost one hundred years, it will not be the last. Two inmates remain on death row in New Mexico following that state’s prospective-only repeal in 2009, five inmates remain on death row in Maryland following that state’s prospective-only repeal in 2013, and Kansas and Delaware, with a total of twenty-eight inmates on death row, are poised to abolish their death penalties prospective-only in the near future. If the Connecticut Supreme Court upholds Connecticut’s repeal in Santiago, the way will be clear for other courts to uphold legislation abolishing the death penalty prospective-only. This Article is the second of two articles examining the emergence of this new trend of “gradual abolition” of the death penalty, by which state legislatures eliminate the death penalty for future crimes only and the executive retains it for those on death row. It begins with a discussion of the legislature’s strategic decision to abolish the death penalty prospective-only — a time-tested strategy that helped to end another infamous American institution: slavery. This Article next turns from the legislature to the courts, concluding, that prospective-only repeal does not violate the Fourteenth Amendment; rational reasons abound for repealing the death penalty for some but not all, and due process is not offended by retaining death row intact. Lastly, this Article points the way forward — to the future of those who remain on death row and capital offenders who await sentencing post-repeal. It argues that, post-repeal, the executive should grant clemency and capital sentencing juries should return life sentences — not because it is unconstitutional to execute post-repeal, but because it would be an unfairness of the highest order. Indeed, there is no record of a death row prisoner ever being executed after prospective-only repeal of the death penalty; hopefully, there never will be.
Preemption's Rise (and Bit of a Fall) as Products Liability Reform: Wyeth, Riegel, Altria, and the Restatement (Third)'s Prescription Product Design Defect Standard

This Article compares and contrasts the rocky reception the Restatement (Third) of Torts section 6(c)’s restrictive prescription product design standard has endured with the rise of an increasingly active judicial approach to preemption from the 1990s through the late 2000s. Preemption’s rise may have to some extent crested (at least for now) with Riegel v. Medtronic in 2008, and it showed signs of possible contraction (again, at least for now) with Wyeth v. Levine in 2009. The Article analyzes the effect of preemption’s rise in the 1990s and pre-Wyeth 2000s on developing a generally more restrictive approach to prescription product design defect claims, along with other prescription product defect claims. The article suggests that the restrictive tone of section 6(c) may have to some extent caught the “mood” of courts regarding prescription product design liability, even if the specific details of the unfamiliar standard have not found much traction. Indeed, some of the rationales provided for section 6(c) overlap with some of the rationales the Supreme Court employed in the 1990s and 2000s to support its increasingly aggressive use of preemption analysis in prescription products cases. Thus, the article concludes that the currents underlying section 6(c)’s restrictive tone for prescription product design liability may have found a “back door” in Supreme Court rulings such as Daubert and Riegel, despite most courts’ and commentators’ refusal to provide “front door” acceptance of the Restatement (Third)’s prescription product design defect standard. Further, the article contemplates whether Wyeth may represent the start of a contraction in preemption doctrine or whether its significance will be more limited.
Boundary Layer Receptivity to Unsteady Free-Stream Pressure Gradients

It has been speculated that boundary layer receptivity to free-stream disturbance fields can be the result of distributed mechanisms. These distributed mechanisms cause the receptivity to take place over streamwise distances of several Tollmien-Schlichting wavelengths, due to the interaction of the streamwise modulation of the free-stream disturbance and the otherwise parallel boundary layer flow. This is distinct to the usual localized receptivity mechanism which result from the interaction of the long wave-length free-stream disturbance with a short scale (local) surface irregular. Linear triple-deck theory is used to model the recent experiments of Nishioka and Morkovin (1986) and Kendall (1987) which are often viewed as supporting the distributed receptivity concepts. These experiments are modeled by introducing unsteady sources into the upper deck of the triple-deck structure to appropriately account for the effects of the unsteady pressure gradients in the free-stream. It is shown that this analysis reproduces the essential features of the experimental results. The structure of the solution suggests that distributed mechanisms can only cause exponentially small receptivity levels.
Responses to customized products: the consumers’ behavioral intentions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to make contributions toward new knowledge and understanding of how marketers can provide effective online customization experiences for customers. The practicality of online mass customization has received much attention as consumers perceive more value from customized products than from their standardized counterparts. Little research has been done to understand consumers’ behavioral intentions in response to these value additions. This study incorporates product information framing in developing and empirically testing a model of the relationship between online customization and price sensitivity, endowment addition and expected likelihood of product return. Design/methodology/approach – The relationship among the constructs specified in the model was tested using multiple group structural equation modeling analysis. Findings – The findings indicate that consumers perceived knowledge gain via customization process influences the utilitarian value, which directly i...
The End of Institutional Repositories and the Beginning of Social Academic Research Service: An Enhanced Role for Libraries

As more and more universities establish Institutional Repositories (IR), awareness is developing about the limitations of IRs in enhancing the academic research service. The concept of an IR needs to be expanded to include the integration of the processes that transform intellectual endeavor into a broadening array of academic and research support services which are fundamentally social. These include, but are not limited to –(1) sharing institutionally developed intellectual product (traditional IR)(2) informing others of the availability of this product with defined purpose(3) collecting additional academically relevant materials in digital formats using IRs(4) disseminating timely information about what has been collected to researchers(5) creating an environment that encourages awareness and exchange of information(6) and more….In brief, information gathering, dissemination, and discussion in the form of library service must become a crucial part of researchers’ networks. An IR cannot and should not be viewed as a stand alone endeavor. It needs to be viewed and used as a research and communication tool in an environment that synergizes all elements of the research process. If an IR does not create discussions between librarians (information specialists) and researchers, its potential is lost both to the academy and the library. The library and its librarians must be interactive with researchers and the institution served.
Autonomous interpretation of side scan sonar returns

The automatic interpretation of side scan sonar (SSS) returns is addressed. The proposed system combines signal detection techniques, feature extraction using SSS geometry, and a neural network classification algorithm for real-time detection and classification. Preliminary results were obtained by experimenting with actual SSS data. Applying the automated system to the data, the detection subsystem was able to detect properly the targets of interest as well as other bottom objects. The feature extraction subsystem helped the neural classifier separate targets from extraneous objects. However, in many instances, more resolution was needed to describe small targets accurately so that the neural classifier could classify correctly. >
Patterns of sedentary behavior and physical function in older adults.

The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between various objectively measured sedentary behavior (SB) variables and physical function in older adults, examine the measurement properties of an SB questionnaire, and describe the domains of SB in our sample. Forty-four older adults (70 ± 8 years, 64 % female) had their SB measured via activPAL activity monitor and SB questionnaire for 1 week followed by performance-based tests of physical function. The pattern of SB was more important than total SB time. Where a gender by SB interaction was found, increasing time in SB and fewer breaks were associated with worse function in the males only. The SB questionnaire had acceptable test–retest reliability but poor validity compared to activPAL-measured SB. The majority of SB time was spent watching television, using the computer and reading. This study provides further evidence for the association between SB and physical function and describes where older adults are spending their sedentary time. This information can be used in the design of future intervention to reduce sedentary time and improve function in older adults.
Actuation of polysilicon surface-micromachined mirrors

Two types of polysilicon surface-micromachined actuators designed for moving hinged micromirrors are described. An electrostatic comb-drive actuator comprised of interdigitated capacitors has been used to move a mirror at frequencies of at least a kHz. Impact-actuated linear vibromotors allow mirrors to travel over large (> 100 micrometers ) ranges with submicron positioning.
Measuring productivity growth, technical progress, and efficiency changes of CPA firms prior to, and following the Sarbanes–Oxley Act

Abstract This paper investigates productivity growth, technical progress, and efficiency change for a group of the 56 largest CPA firms in the US from the period 1996–1999 through the period 2003–2006, where the former preceded, and the latter followed, enactment of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX). Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to calculate Malmquist indices of three measures of interest: productivity growth, technical progress, and efficiency change. Results indicate that CPA firms, on average, experienced a productivity growth of approx. 17% from the pre- to post-SOX period. Consistent with the finding of Banker et al. [Banker RD, Chang H, Natarajan R. Productivity change, technical progress and relative efficiency change in the public accounting industry. Management Science 2005;51:291–304], this productivity gain can be attributed primarily to technical progress rather than a change in relative efficiency. In addition, results indicate that the “Big 4” firms underperformed their non-Big 4 counterparts in both productivity growth and technical progress.
Seismic Source Characteristics of Nuclear and Chemical Explosions in Granite from Hydrodynamic Simulations

Seismic source characteristics of low-yield (0.5–5 kt) underground explosions are inferred from hydrodynamic simulations using a granite material model on high-performance (parallel) computers. We use a non-linear rheological model for granite calibrated to historical near-field nuclear test data. Equivalent elastic P-wave source spectra are derived from the simulated hydrodynamic response using reduced velocity potentials. Source spectra and parameters are compared with the models of Mueller and Murphy (Bull Seism Soc Am 61:1675–1692, 1971, hereafter MM71) and Denny and Johnson (Explosion source phenomenology, pp 1–24, 1991, hereafter DJ91). The source spectra inferred from the simulations of different yields at normal scaled depth-of-burial (SDOB) match the MM71 spectra reasonably well. For normally buried nuclear explosions, seismic moments are larger for the hydrodynamic simulations than MM71 (by 25 %) and for DJ91 (by over a factor of 2), however, the scaling of moment with yield across this low-yield range is consistent for our calculations and the two models. Spectra from our simulations show higher corner frequencies at the lower end of the 0.5–5.0 kt yield range and stronger variation with yield than the MM71 and DJ91 models predict. The spectra from our simulations have additional energy above the corner frequency, probably related to non-linear near-source effects, but at high frequencies the spectral slopes agree with the f −2 predictions of MM71. Simulations of nuclear explosions for a range of SDOB from 0.5 to 3.9 show stronger variations in the seismic moment than predicted by the MM71 and DJ91 models. Chemical explosions are found to generate higher moments by a factor of about two compared to nuclear explosions of the same yield in granite and at normal depth-of-burial, broadly consistent with comparisons of nuclear and chemical shots at the US Nevada Test Site (Denny, Proceeding of symposium on the non-proliferation experiment, Rockville, Maryland, 1994). For all buried explosions, the region of permanent deformation and material damage is not spherical but extends along the free surface above and away from the source. The effect of damage induced by a normally buried nuclear explosion on seismic radiation is explored by comparing the motions from hydrodynamic simulations with those for point-source elastic Green’s functions. Results show that radiation emerging at downward takeoff angles appears to be dominated by the expected isotropic source contribution, while at shallower angles the motions are complicated by near-surface damage and cannot be represented with the addition of a simple secondary compensated linear vector dipole point source above the shot point. The agreement and differences of simulated source spectra with the MM71 and DJ91 models motivates the use of numerical simulations to understand observed motions and investigate seismic source features for underground explosions in various emplacement media and conditions, including non-linear rheological effects such as material strength and porosity.
Model for equivalent ISO CCD camera speeds

The expanding use of CCD sensor based, digital cameras necessitates the development of a reliable method of determining an equivalent ISO speed for such cameras. This paper will briefly describe the physical differences between image capture, and the signal and noise properties of film and CCD based imaging systems. The model first addresses the ISO speed of a monochrome CCD sensor. The results of this model indicate that an equivalent ISO speed can be found when the exposure, Em, in Lux-seconds at a signal-to- noise ration of 30 is used to calculate the speed from the expression developed for film based systems, ISO speed equals 0.8/Em. The model shows that calibration exposures of 0.01 seconds or less must be used to eliminate the effect of dark current on determining the 'correct' ISO speed. The model is then sued to calculate the effective ISO speed for a series of CCD sensors for different pixel areas, nose characteristics and quantum efficiencies. The same model is used for color cameras by introducing a color filter. The model is also used to determine what set of color filters will provide a balanced exposure for a given light source and what electronic processing must be done to compensate for different equivalent ISO speeds between the color filter elements. The effect on ISO speed and color balance as a function of illuminant is considered. The model is also used to map the signal-to-noise characteristic of the CCD camera under usage equivalent to a film based camera.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase 2 expression in patients receiving preoperative chemoradiation for esophageal cancer.

Abstract Objective Both vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase 2 overexpression have been associated with poor prognosis in a variety of human malignancies. In this study we assessed the effect of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation on expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase 2 in patients with esophageal cancer and determined whether these markers were associated with treatment response and overall survival. Methods Expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase 2 were measured in a cohort of 46 patients with esophageal cancer receiving preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgical resection. Immunohistochemical stains were performed on both pretreatment biopsy specimens and posttreatment resection specimens for each patient. Differences in vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase 2 expression before and after treatment were measured, and pretreatment expression levels were correlated with treatment response and overall survival. Results We found that preoperative chemotherapy and radiation induced expression of cyclooxygenase 2 in stromal cells and induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression in both tumor and stromal cells. Pretreatment vascular endothelial growth factor expression did not correlate with treatment response, and cyclooxygenase 2 expression correlated with treatment response only in the subset of patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Although patients whose tumors expressed high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase 2 tended to have shorter overall survival times, this trend did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Neither vascular endothelial growth factor nor cyclooxygenase 2 are strong predictors of treatment response and survival in patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation for esophageal cancer. This lack of prognostic significance might be explained by changes in the expression levels of these markers during treatment.
'Calling Cards' method for high-throughput identification of targets of yeast DNA-binding proteins.

'Calling Cards' method for high-throughput identification of targets of yeast DNA-binding proteins
Impacts of Climate Variability and Land Use Alterations on Frequency Distributions of Terrestrial Runoff Loading to Coastal Waters in Southern California1

: The transport of water, sediment, dissolved and particulate chemicals, and bacteria from coastal watersheds affects the nearshore marine and estuarine waters. In southern California, coastal watersheds deliver water and associated constituents to the nearshore system in discrete pulses. To better understand the pulsed nature of these watersheds, frequency distributions of simulated runoff events are presented for: (1) three land use conditions (1929, 1998, 2050); (2) three time periods (all water years 1989-2002), only El Nino years (1992, 1993, 1995, 1998); and only non-El Nino years; and (3) three regions (watershed, uplands, and lowlands). At the watershed scale, there was a significant increase (>200%) in mean event runoff from 1929 to 2050 (0.4-1.3 cm) due to localized urbanization, which shifted the dominant sources of runoff from the mountains in 1929 (78% of watershed runoff) to the coastal plane for 2050 conditions (51% of watershed runoff). Inter-annual climate variability was strong in the rainfall and runoff frequency distributions, with mean event rainfall and runoff 66 and 60% larger in El Nino relative to non-El Nino years. Combining urbanization and climate variability, 2050 land conditions resulted in El Nino years being five times more likely to produce large (>3.0 cm) runoff events relative to non-El Nino years. Combining frequency distributions of event runoff with regional nutrient export relationships, we show that in El Nino years, one in five events produced runoff ≥2.5 cm and temporary nearshore nitrate and phosphate concentrations of 12 and 1.4 μM, respectively, or approximately 5-10 times above ambient conditions.
Assessment and Management of Fatigue and Dyspnea in Pediatric Palliative Care

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms in patients with a life-threatening illness. Untreated, fatigue can impair quality of life and prohibit addressing practical needs, psychosocial and spiritual distress, and opportunities for growth and closure at life's end. To this end addressing fatigue is a crucial component of the provision of effective palliative care. Dyspnea is the sensation of breathlessness. The challenge in treating it, however, is that it can come from various different abnormalities so understanding the underlying disorder and the acute abnormality are critical. With that understanding several different treatments can be offered to treat the cause of the dyspnea or palliate the symptom itself.
Inhibition of a Langerhans Cell-Mediated Immune Response by Treatment Modalities Useful in Psoriasis

Neither the pathogenesis of psoriasis nor the mechanism whereby seemingly diverse therapies alter the disease is understood. In this study, several antipsoriatic agents were tested for their effects on the skin cell lymphocyte reaction (SLR), an immunologic assay in which HLA-DR antigens on Langerhans cells (LC) stimulate proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes. Every agent tested (cortisol, methotrexate, hyperthermia, anthralin) inhibited the SLR at therapeutic dose levels. By contrast, a variety of antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory agent, and lithium carbonate and propranolol, two drugs known to be ineffective in psoriasis, failed to inhibit the SLR. Finally, we have shown that hyperthermia and anthralin treatments are toxic for LC whereas they have little or no effect on keratinocyte viability. These results suggest that antipsoriatic agents may act in psoriasis by alteration or killing of LC.
Market orientation: Review, refinement, and roadmap

Over the past ten years, significant progress has been made in the market orientation area. Scholarly attention has focused on the definition, measurement, and impact of a market orientation. Attention has also focused on organizational drivers of market orientation and its enhancement. Despite progress, several research challenges remain and rich opportunities exist for further work in the area. This paper critically reviews the “state-of-the-art” and offers a roadmap for future work in the area. The review primarily focuses on (1) the meaning of market orientation, (2) its relationship with several emerging topics/themes in the literature (e.g., market information processing, organizational learning, knowledge use, industry foresight and driving markets), (3) the quality of market-oriented behaviors, (4) impact of market orientation, and (5) issues in enhancing market orientation. We conclude with a conceptual synthesis and methodological suggestions.
Prediction of the Krichevskii parameter for volatile nonelectrolytes in water

The Krichevskii parameter, AKr, for aqueous solutes can be determined from variations of the vapor–liquid distribution constants for a solute at temperatures that are 100–150 K below the critical temperature of water. Pragmatically this means that if one can reliably evaluate the vapor–liquid distribution constant for a solute in water at temperatures up to 500–550 K, then the value of AKr for this solute can be calculated. This is exactly the approach taken in this study. We use a virial equation of state truncated at the second virial coefficient to evaluate the fugacity coefficients of the solute in the vapor phase and a simple empirical method of thermodynamic integration to calculate Henry’s constant of the solute in water up to 550 K. These results allow prediction of the vapor–liquid distribution constants and the Krichevskii parameter for many volatile nonelectrolytes in water. It appears that the accuracy of predictions is limited mainly by the accuracy of the values of the thermodynamic functions of hydration of solutes at 298.15 K. The values of AKr for aqueous organic solutes follow group additivity systematics, and we derive a set of corresponding group contribution values for a large number of functional groups. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Quantifying the external costs of vehicle use: Evidence from America's top-selling light-duty models

Vehicle externality costs include emissions of greenhouse and other gases (affecting global warming and human health), crash costs (imposed on crash partners), roadway congestion, and space consumption, among others. These five sources of external costs by vehicle make and model were estimated for the top-selling passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the US. Among these external costs, those associated with crashes and congestion are estimated to be the most practically significant. When crash costs are included, the worst offenders (in terms of highest external costs) were found to be pickups. If crash costs are removed from the comparisons, the worst offenders tend to be four pickups and a very large SUV: the Ford F-350 and F-250, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Dodge Ram 3500, and Hummer H2, respectively. Regardless of how the costs are estimated, they are considerable in magnitude, and nearly on par with vehicle purchase prices.
Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of simple aluminum-based adsorbents for fluoride removal from drinking water.

Abstract Simple aluminum (hydr)oxides and layered double hydroxides were synthesized using common chemicals and equipment by varying synthesis temperature, concentrations of extra sulfate and citrate, and metal oxide amendments. Aluminum (hydr)oxide samples were aged at either 25 or 200 °C during synthesis and, in some cases, calcined at 600 °C. Despite yielding increased crystallinity and mineral phase changes, higher temperatures had a generally negative effect on fluoride adsorption. Addition of extra sulfate during synthesis of aluminum (hydr)oxides led to significantly higher fluoride adsorption capacity compared to aluminum (hydr)oxides prepared with extra citrate or no extra ligands. X-ray diffraction results suggest that extra sulfate led to the formation of both pseudoboehmite (γ-AlOOH) and basaluminite (Al4SO4(OH)10⋅4H2O) at 200 °C; energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of sulfur in this solid. Treatment of aluminum (hydr)oxides with magnesium, manganese, and iron oxides did not significantly impact fluoride adsorption. While layered double hydroxides exhibited high maximum fluoride adsorption capacities, their adsorption capacities at dissolved fluoride concentrations close to the World Health Organization drinking water guideline of 1.5 mg L−1 were much lower than those for the aluminum (hydr)oxides.
Recurrent sinopulmonary infections, mental retardation, and combined IgA and IgE deficiency

Combined IgA and IgE deficiency was demonstrated in a 5 1/2-year-old girl with recurrent sinopulmonary infection and mental retardation. Humoral antibody formation, cellular immunity, and phagocytosis were normal. Anti-IgA antibodies were present in high titers in the patient's serum, although no apparent source of immunization could be documented.
Characterization of palindromic loop mismatch repair tracts in mammalian cells.

Single- and multi-base (loop) mismatches can arise in DNA by replication errors, during recombination, and by chemical modification of DNA. Single-base and loop mismatches of several nucleotides are efficiently repaired in mammalian cells by a nick-directed, MSH2-dependent mechanism. Larger loop mismatches (> or =12 bases) are repaired by an MSH2-independent mechanism. Prior studies have shown that 12- and 14-base palindromic loops are repaired with bias toward loop retention, and that repair bias is eliminated when five single-base mismatches flank the loop mismatch. Here we show that one single-base mismatch near a 12-base palindromic loop is sufficient to eliminate loop repair bias in wild-type, but not MSH2-defective mammalian cells. We also show that palindromic loop and single-base mismatches separated by 12 bases are repaired independently at least 10% of the time in wild-type cells, and at least 30% of the time in MSH2-defective cells. Palindromic loop and single-base mismatches separated by two bases were never repaired independently. These and other data indicate that loop repair tracts are variable in length. All tracts extend at least 2 bases, some extend 12 bases, on one side of the loop. These properties distinguish palindromic loop mismatch repair from the three known excision repair pathways: base excision repair which has one to six base tracts, nucleotide excision repair which has approximately 30 base tracts, and MSH2-dependent mismatch repair, which has tracts that extend for several hundred bases.
Vasoconstriction of guinea-pig submucosal arterioles following sympathetic nerve stimulation is mediated by the release of ATP.

1. The nature of the transmitter mediating vasoconstriction of guinea-pig submucosal arterioles following sympathetic nerve stimulation was studied. 2. Prazosin (0.1 microM) abolished the response to exogenously applied phenylephrine (1 microM) but had no effect on constrictions of submucosal arterioles evoked by nerve stimulation (100 pulses at 10 Hz). 3. Vasoconstrictions and excitatory junction potentials elicited by nerve stimulation were potentiated by idazoxan (0.1 microM). 4. Following reserpine treatment, catecholamine fluorescence was absent in submucosal arterioles but nerve-evoked vasoconstrictions were unaltered. 5. Vasoconstrictions and excitatory junction potentials recorded in response to sympathetic nerve stimulation, as well as constrictions evoked by exogenously applied ATP (3 microM), were abolished by the P2-purinoceptor antagonist, suramin (100 microM). Suramin had no effect on the vasoconstriction in response to noradrenaline (3 microM), or the nicotinic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (e.p.s.ps) and noradrenergic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (i.p.s.ps) recorded from submucosal neurones. 6. We conclude that postjunctional responses of submucosal arterioles following sympathetic nerve stimulation are mediated solely through the activation of P2X-purinoceptors by ATP or a related purine nucleotide. The function of neurally released noradrenaline is to act through prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors to depress transmitter release.
Job Stress Among Academic Health Center and Community Hospital Social Workers

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the perception of job stress and job satisfaction among 187 social workers employed in academic health centers (AHC's) and general community hospitals. Results show that social workers in Academic Health Centers reported more overall job stress, higher intensity and more frequent job pressures than community hospital social workers on the Job Stress Survey. The higher the levels of job stress, especially the intensity of job pressures, the lower job satisfaction scores were for both groups. Respondents with less job tenure felt a lack of organizational support. Hospital and social service administrators are urged to explore health promotion strategies for a positive work environment. Further empirical work is needed to compare the sources of job stress of social workers in various fields of practice.
Comparative Analysis of Complexed Prostate Specific Antigen, Free Prostate Specific Antigen and Their Ratio in Detecting Prostate Cancer

Purpose: We evaluate the diagnostic use of total, free and complexed serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), and their ratios for enhancing the specificity in detecting prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: A total of 354 nonconsecutive men undergoing prostate biopsy were eligible for this retrospective and prospective study. Cancer was found in 122 of these 354 men (34%). Receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were used to calculate and compare the performance of total PSA (Hybritech, San Diego California and Bayer, Tarrytown, New York), complexed PSA (Bayer), percent complexed PSA and percent free PSA. In addition, sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared.Results: The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was highest for percent free PSA, followed by percent complexed PSA, complexed PSA and the 2 total PSA assays (Hybritech and Bayer). The cutoff value of 3.45 ng./ml. for complexed PSA detected the same number of cancers and resulted in 1 additional false-pos...
A Model of Tax Increment Financing Adoption Incentives

With tax increment financing (TIF) a municipality pays for economic development expenditures out of future increases in tax collections. If the development expenditures are the sole cause of the increased tax collections, TIF is a fair and reasonable policy. If not, TIF can distort choices and redistribute resources. This paper develops an economic model of TIF as a choice by the sponsoring municipality with an impact on an overlying government. The analytic framework isolates the impact of key variables, permits analysis of the payoff from TIF to each government, and helps inform discussions about equity. The model clearly shows that while the special nature of TIF causes it to favor projects that generate significant tax revenue, that revenue need not be truly incremental with respect to the project alone, and projects therefore need not be efficient to be financially viable to municipalities. In fact, the projects that best fit the goals of TIF legislation may be impossible to finance through TIF. Alternative government programs may be required to help towns develop areas most in need.
Fourier shape analysis of Globorotalia truncatulinoides from late Quaternary sediments in the southern Indian Ocean

Abstract Fourier shape analysis has been used to determine the morphological variation within the planktonic foraminifera, Globorotalia truncatulinoides from the southern Indian Ocean. Measured specimens are from 20 Recent core top samples distributed from 22°S (central gyre water mass) to 47°S (subantarctic water mass). Fourier analysis determined that the two most significant components of shape within this species are elongateness and conicalness which are characterized by harmonics 2 and 3, respectively. Mean harmonic 2 values are significantly correlated with the percentage of sinistral coiled individuals in each sample ( r = +0.91). Mean values for harmonic 3 have a correlation coefficient with water temperature and salinity at 200 m of r = +0.85 and +0.88. Specimens become less elongate and more conical in a traverse from south to north. Fourier shape analysis of planktonic foraminifera was then shown to be useful in investigations of late Quaternary paleoceanographic problems. Four piston cores were examined from the southern Indian Ocean. Total faunal and oxygen isotope analyses provided the stratigraphic framework. The results indicated that the central gyre water mass remained relatively stable during glacial stages. The region of the Subtropical Convergence was strongly affected, however, by the northward migration of the Polar Front.
Purification of thromboxane synthetase and evidence of two distinct mechanisms for the formation of 12-L-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid by porcine lung microsomes.

Abstract Synthesis of thromboxane B 2 and 12- l -hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid by crude microsomes and by partially purified thromboxane synthetase from porcine lung has been studied. Formation of both compounds catalyzed by the purified enzyme is inhibited similarly by imidazole or increased temperature (52°C). However, during the initial stages of purification only the production of thromboxane B 2 was diminished by imidazole or increased temperature, indicating the presence of an additional mechanism for the formation of 12- l -hydroxy-5, 8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid . This novel mechanism is attributed to the effect of nondialyzable heat-stable factor(s) present in the crude preparation which stimulates the formation of 12- l -hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid from prostaglandin H 2 in a time-dependent manner.
Modulation of neutrophil function in host defense against disseminated Candida albicans infection in mice

Neutrophils (PMNs) constitute the main mechanism of host defense against acute invasive and disseminated candidiasis. Recent studies have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) play an important role in the recruitment of PMNs at the site of invasive Candida infection. In the absence of either TNFα or IL-6, the course of experimental disseminated candidiasis is more severe, due to defective PMN recruitment. Treatment of mice with recombinant G-CSF (rG-CSF) leads to a significantly reduced mortality during disseminated candidiasis. The outgrowth of Candida albicans from the organs of rG-CSF-treated mice is significantly decreased. Treatment with the combination of rG-CSF and fluconazole has an additive effect on the reduction of fungal load in the organs. In subacute or chronic disseminated Candida infection, rG-CSF is less effective, indicating that neutrophil recruitment and activation are crucial in acute, life-threatening candidiasis, whereas other host defense mechanisms control the outcome of less overwhelming invasive Candida infection.
Interaction between an edge dislocation and a circular inclusion

Abstract Exact elasticity solutions are used to discuss the interaction between a circular inclusion and an edge dislocation in the matrix. The force on the dislocation is given, and it is shown that for certain combinations of material constants, the dislocation has a stable equilibrium position in the matrix near the interface. Moreover, the interaction is very much affected by the orientation of the Burgers vector with respect to the inclusion. The results also exhibit a strong dependency on the difference between the Poisson's ratios of the matrix and the inclusion.
A consistency-based gaussian mixture filtering approach for the contact lens problem

In this paper a novel consistency-based Gaussian mixture nonlinear filter (CbGMF) is proposed where the distribution of the target state is represented by a dynamic set (mixture) of Gaussian distributions (“subtracks”). The subtracks are generated using a consistency-based filtering rule for the EKF and a novel approach for consistent track splitting. Simulation results show that the CbGMF has performance superior to previous algorithms for a tracking problem with a contact lens shaped uncertainty in the state estimation error as well as in keeping the range estimation error small in the early stages of the filtering.
A conceptual ecological model of Florida Bay

Florida Bay is a large and shallow estuary that is linked to the Everglades watershed and is a target of the Greater Everglades ecosystem restoration effort. The conceptual ecological model presented here is a qualitative and minimal depiction of those ecosystem components and linkages that are considered essential for understanding historic changes in the bay ecosystem, the role of human activities as drivers of these changes, and how restoration efforts are likely to affect the ecosystem in the future. The conceptual model serves as a guide for monitoring and research within an adaptive management framework. Historic changes in Florida Bay that are of primary concern are the occurrence of seagrass mass mortality and subsequent phytoplankton blooms in the 1980s and 1990s. These changes are hypothesized to have been caused by long-term changes in the salinity regime of the bay that were driven by water management. However, historic ecological changes also may have been influenced by other human activities, including occlusion of passes between the Florida Keys and increased nutrient loading. The key to Florida Bay restoration is hypothesized to be seagrass community restoration. This community is the central ecosystem element, providing habitat for upper trophic level species and strongly influencing productivity patterns, sediment resuspension, light penetration, nutrient availability, and phytoplankton dynamics. An expectation of Everglades restoration is that changing patterns of freshwater flow toward more natural patterns will drive Florida Bay’s structure and function toward its pre-drainage condition. However, considerable uncertainty exists regarding the indirect effects of changing freshwater flow, particularly with regard to the potential for changing the export of dissolved organic matter from the Everglades and the fate and effects of this nutrient source. Adaptive management of Florida Bay, as an integral part of Everglades restoration, requires an integrated program of monitoring, research to decrease uncertainties, and development of quantitative models (especially hydrodynamic and water quality) to synthesize data, develop and test hypotheses, and improve predictive capabilities. Understanding and quantitatively predicting changes in the nature of watershed-estuarine linkages is the highest priority scientific need for Florida Bay restoration.