cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Latin American Households in Comparative Perspective

Comparative family sociology has had little to say about the Latin American family or household despite it links to a European colonial culture mixed with a distinct set of indigenous and historical circumstances. In this paper tentative judgements are put forward about the similarities and differences between the Western and Latin American household by examining four of its dimensions: the household's relative complexity, the separate residence of conjugal units, the incidence of households headed by women, and the incidence of household members being unrelated to the head. Data come from the World Fertility Survey household files gathered during the middle 1970s in six countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Peru. We find that household complexity in the six countries is intermediate between that of the West and East. Many of the households are extended laterally instead of vertically, because conjugal couples tend to reside in separate households, but often live with...
Dirac and Pauli Form Factors of the Neutron

The electric and magnetic form factors of the neutron are calculsted. Deuterons are bombarded with electrons at 0.3 to O.9 Bev, and measurements of the inelastic scattering cross sections are taken at two sets of energy and scattering angle values which give the same value of q/sup 2/= (momentum transfer)/sup 2/. The method of intersecting ellipses is then used to find form factors for the neutron for q/sup 2/ = from 0.3 to 0.9 Bev is also measured as a means of checking the deuteron scattering. (T.F.H.)
CT in upper gastrointestinal tract perforations secondary to peptic ulcer disease.

Computed tomographic (CT) scans of 11 patients with perforations of the stomach or duodenum were reviewed to determine the variety and relative conspicuity of findings. Five patients had de novo presentation due to perforation of peptic ulcers, two had perforations at ulcer repair sites, and the remaining four patients had ulcer perforations following unrelated surgery. CT allowed recognition of at least one component of bowel perforation, such as extragastroinestinal gas and/or contrast, in most patients. In only three patients (27%), however, could these findings be specifically related to a perforation of the stomach or duodenum from the CT scans alone.
The intensity of advertising and other selling expenses in food and tobacco manufacturing: Measurement, determinants, and impacts†

The measurement of selling effort in the food processing industries has improved in several ways. An FTC data set on both advertising and promotional expenses is used to estimate some determinants of variations in the intensity of selling effort. They are found to be related to market sales concentration, the number of brands being sold, elaborateness of packaging, and product perishability. A second analysis finds that the intensity of food-manufacturer selling efforts is nonnegatively associated with grocery wholesalers' or retailers' gross margins. The latter finding challenges the view that manufacturer advertising provides information that ultimately benefits consumers through lower retail prices.
Astrocytes Take Center Stage in Salt Sensing

Salt sensing is essential for maintaining sodium and water balance. Shimizu et al. in this issue of Neuron provide evidence that subfornical organ astrocytes act as "salt sensors" and, using lactate as a signal, control the activity of local neurons that initiate neural, hormonal, and behavioral responses underlying sodium homeostasis.
A proposed framework for developing indicators of ecosystem health

Considerations involved in developing a suite of indicators to monitor regional environmental health, similar in conception to management use of ‘leading economic indicators’, are described. Linkages between human activities and well being and the state of the environment are considered essential to the evaluation of general environmental health. Biogeochemical and socioeconomic indicators are mutually affected by environmental degradation and examples of both categories of indicators are described. Desirable properties in indicators of environmental health vary with their specific management use. Different indicators are called for when collecting data to assess the adequacy of the environment, monitor trends over time, provide early warning of environmental degradation, or diagnose the cause of an existing problem. Tradeoffs between desirable characteristics, costs, and quality of information are inevitable when choosing indicators for management use. Decisions about what information to collect for which purpose can be made more rationally when available indicators are characterized and matched to management goals.
Materials and mechanisms for amorphous robotic construction

We present and compare three different amorphous materials for robotic construction. By conforming to surfaces they are deposited on, such materials allow robots to reliably construct in unstructured terrain. However, using amorphous materials presents a challenge to robotic manipulation. We demonstrate how deposition of each material can be automated and compare their material properties, cost, and cost in time in order to evaluate their suitability for developing amorphous robotic construction system.
Clinical trial of iproplatin (cis-dichloro-trans-dihydroxy-bis-isopropylamine platinum IV, CHIP) in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Twenty-five women with advanced breast cancer were treated in a phase II trial of iproplatin 275 mg/m2 administered intravenously every 4 weeks. All patients had measurable or evaluable indicator lesions, and had undergone treatment with no more than one previous chemotherapy regimen, including adjuvant chemotherapy. Two of the twenty-four evaluable patients (8%) experienced major therapeutic responses. One patient had a complete regression of pulmonary nodules lasting 18 + months; another had a partial regression of metastatic disease in the liver (4 months). The inevaluable patient was ineligible for the study because of previous radiation to the indicator lesions on her chest wall; nonetheless, she experienced a 10 month partial regression of those nodules. Myelosuppression was generally dose limiting; thrombocytopenia was more profound, but leukopenia was more prolonged. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and general malaise were prominent toxicities, and led to discontinuation of therapy in 4 patients. Iproplatin has limited activity in previously treated women with advanced breast cancer.
Galerkin approximations for initial value problems with known end time conditions

Abstract Galerkin's method is used to approximate the transient solutions of intial value problems in which a steady state or advanced time state is known. A convergence theorem is established and choices of basis functions are discussed. The method is then applied to systems arising from nuclear reactor kinetics theory and the semi-discretization of parabolic two-point boundary value problems.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Novel CART Peptides in Rat Hypothalamus, Pituitary and Adrenal Gland

CART peptide specific polyclonal antisera were raised in rabbits. The antisera were raised to CART peptide fragments that span most of the predicted CART protein. The specificity of each antisera was demonstrated by blockade of immunostaining by the immunizing peptide but not by the other CART peptide fragments. In the hypothalamus and pituitary of colchicine and noncolchicine treated rats, immunostaining was observed in cell bodies, fibers and varicosities. Clusters of cells were also stained in the adrenal medulla. It is noteworthy that cellular immunostaining was only found in areas previously shown to express CART mRNA. These findings indicate the presence of CART peptide(s) in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal gland. Furthermore, we also present evidence for the possible processing of the CART pro-peptide into smaller peptide fragments. These neuroanatomical findings suggest a role of CART peptides in hypothalamic, pituitary and adrenal function.
Structure-toxicity relationships for unsaturated alcohols to Tetrahymena pyriformis: C5 and C6 analogs and primary propargylic alcohols.

In summary, the relative toxicity of selected unsaturated alcohols were evaluated in the static Tetrahymena pyriformis population growth assay. The alkyn-1-ols were found to be more toxic than alken-1-ols. Moreover, 2-position unsaturated derivatives were more toxic than other isomers. A linear log Kow dependent relationship was generated (slope = 0.64; intercept = −0.61; r2 = 0.974) for selected 2-alkyn-1-ols. However, the diols were observed to be more toxic than predicted.
User-Centered Design of Distributed Meeting Environments: An Initial Study of Experienced and Naive Users

In our study, a basic science approach was used to explore the constructs that defined the design of a distributed meeting space from the user's perspective. Although there is a body of literature in the group communication domain, the research in this multidisciplinary area has paid minimal attention to users' environmental preferences in the design of a meeting space. Fifty participants, half with experience and half without experience in distributed meetings, used foam-core components to create a design of their ideal distributed meeting space. Fourteen themes emerged from content analysis of responses to the post-task interview. These themes addressed the rationale participants used when creating their designs. There was a significant positive relationship between the experience level and the following design themes: visibility of displays, status, team collaboration, VTC (video teleonferencing) needs, and auditory clarity. There was also a significant positive correlation among the occurrences of sev...
Coronary Artery Calcium, Carotid Artery Wall Thickness and Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes in Adults 70 to 99 Years Old

Few population studies have evaluated the associations of both coronary artery calcium (CAC) and carotid ultrasound with cardiovascular events, especially in adults >70 years of age. At the Pittsburgh Field Center of the Cardiovascular Health Study, 559 men and women, mean age 80.2 (SD 4.1) years had CAC score assessed by electron beam computerized tomographic scan and common and internal carotid artery intimal medial wall thickness (CCA-IMT and ICA-IMT) by carotid ultrasound between 1998 and 2000 and were followed for total and incident cardiovascular disease events through June 2003. Crude rates and hazard ratios for total and incident events were examined with and without adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. After 5 years, there were 127 cardiovascular disease events, 48 myocardial infarctions or cardiovascular disease deaths, and 28 strokes or stroke deaths. Total and incident cardiovascular disease event rates were higher in each quartile of CAC and CCA-IMT, but not of ICA-IMT. For total cardiovascular disease, the adjusted hazard ratio for the fourth versus first quartile of CAC was 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 3.9) and for CCA-IMT was 2.3 (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 4.1). The CCA-IMT was more strongly related to stroke risk than was CAC, although CAC was also an important predictor of stroke. No significant gender differences were found, although relative risks appeared to be stronger in women, especially for stroke. In conclusion, in adults >70 years of age, CAC and CCA-IMT had similar hazard ratios for total cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. The CCA-IMT was more strongly related to stroke than CAC, but CAC was also a predictor of stroke.
In situ emission microscopy of scandium/scandium oxide and barium/barium oxide thin films on tungsten

The effect of a thin Sc/Sc Oxide base layer on Ba/Ba Oxide surface diffusion, adsorption and desorption on W is studied using photoelectron emission microcopy (PEEM) and thermionic emission microscopy (ThEEM).
A low-frequency vibration-to-electrical energy harvester

As the power consumption of modern electronics and wireless circuits decreases to a few hundred microwatts, it becomes possible to power these electronic devices by using ambient energy harvested from the environment. Mechanical vibration is among the more pervasive ambient available energy forms. Recent works in vibration-to-electrical energy harvesters have been centered on high frequency vibration applications. Although high-frequency mechanical vibrations are more energy rich, for some situations the local ambient environmental vibrations tend to occur at lower-frequencies. For example, the highway vibration frequencies are mainly between 10 ~ 20 Hz. This paper discusses the development of a miniature vibration-to-electrical energy harvester based on electromagnetic methods using MEMS technology, targeted on the low vibration frequency regime in the 15 ~ 20 Hz range for potential use in highway structural health monitoring (HSHM) purposes or in other applications. Innovative design considerations need to be addressed to achieve this goal in a miniature package. For example, a highly pliant material and a heavy seismic mass are needed. In our design, SU-8 is chosen as a part of the composite material for the cantilever beam, micro-coil, and seismic mass fabrication. The mechanical characteristics of the energy harvester are simulated. The power generation capability of the designed energy harvester is calculated.
Discrimination of surface wear on obsidian tools using LSCM and RelA: pilot study results (area‐scale analysis of obsidian tool surfaces)

This pilot study tests the reliability of laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) to quantitatively measure wear on experimental obsidian tools. To our knowledge, this is the first use of confocal microscopy to study wear on stone flakes made from an amorphous silicate like obsidian. Three-dimensional surface roughness or texture area scans on three obsidian flakes used on different contact materials (hide, shell, wood) were documented using the LSCM to determine whether the worn surfaces could be discriminated using area-scale analysis, specifically relative area (RelA). When coupled with the F-test, this scale-sensitive fractal analysis could not only discriminate the used from unused surfaces on individual tools, but was also capable of discriminating the wear histories of tools used on different contact materials. Results indicate that such discriminations occur at different scales. Confidence levels for the discriminations at different scales were established using the F-test (mean square ratios or MSRs). In instances where discrimination of surface roughness or texture was not possible above the established confidence level based on MSRs, photomicrographs and RelA assisted in hypothesizing why this was so.
Analysis of Plume Effects on Sonic Boom Signature for Isolated Nozzle Configurations

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis has been performed to study the plume effects on sonic boom signature for isolated nozzle configurations. The objectives of these analyses were to provide comparison to past work using modern CFD analysis tools, to investigate the differences of high aspect ratio nozzles to circular (axisymmetric) nozzles, and to report the effects of underexpanded nozzle operation on boom signature. CFD analysis was used to address the plume effects on sonic boom signature from a baseline exhaust nozzle. Near-field pressure signatures were collected for nozzle pressure ratios (NPRs) between 6 and 10. A computer code was used to extrapolate these signatures to a ground-observed sonic boom N-wave. Trends show that there is a reduction in sonic boom N-wave signature as NPR is increased from 6 to 10. The performance curve for this supersonic nozzle is flat, so there is not a significant loss in thrust coefficient as the NPR is increased. As a result, this benefit could be realized without significant loss of performance. Analyses were also collected for a high aspect ratio nozzle based on the baseline design for comparison. Pressure signatures were collected for nozzle pressure ratios from 8 to 12. Signatures were nearly twice as strong for the two-dimensional case, and trends also show a reduction in sonic boom signature as NPR is increased from 8 to 12. As low boom designs are developed and improved, there will be a need for understanding the interaction between the aircraft boat tail shocks and the exhaust nozzle plume. These CFD analyses will provide a baseline study for future analysis efforts.
Earth science: kinks and circuits.

Flow in the Earth's mantle buffets ascending mantle plumes, causing surface ‘hotspots’ to move relative to each other. A chain of deduction offers solutions to an age-old puzzle about hotspot behaviour.
Nebulization of mycophenolate mofetil inhalation suspension in rats: comparison with oral and pulmonary administration of Cellcept®.

Abstract In this study, a suspension of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) suitable for inhalation was developed using the emulsion template process and characterized for particle size and aerosolization performance. To evaluate the benefits of this suspension over a solution, the IV Cellcept ® solution was also characterized in vitro . Both formulations exhibited excellent aerosolization performance. The aerodynamic diameters for the solution and the suspension were within the respirable range (below 5 μm) and their fine particle doses were nearly equivalent, suggesting the same drug exposure during in vivo experiments. Single dose 24-h pharmacokinetic studies following inhalation of the formulations and oral administration of oral Cellcept ® were performed in rats. Following oral administration, MMF was completely and rapidly metabolized into its active metabolite, mycophenolic acid (MPA) and partial metabolism was observed following pulmonary administration. Inhaled MMF suspension displayed more favorable pharmacokinetics than inhaled IV Cellcept ® solution, but the MPA drug levels in each compartment were much lower than those obtained with oral Cellcept ® . The dose normalized MPA levels in the lung, thymus gland and plasma following inhalation of the MMF suspension with the oral control suggested that pulmonary delivery of a MMF suspension could be beneficial in preventing lung allograft rejection.
Detrital zircon geochronology of the Taku terrane, southeast Alaska

U–Pb geochronologic studies have been conducted on 60 detrital zircon grains from Permian(?) and Triassic metasandstones of the Taku terrane in central southeast Alaska. The resulting ages are mainly in the range 349–387 Ma, with five additional grains that yield probable ages ranging from ∼906 to ∼2643 Ma. These ages are similar to the ages of detrital zircons in Carboniferous and older rocks of the Yukon–Tanana terrane, which lies directly east of the Taku terrane. In contrast, these ages are different from the ages of detrital zircon grains in the Alexander terrane to the west. The data are accordingly consistent with models in which the Taku terrane is a western component of the Stikine and Yukon–Tanana terranes, and that this crustal fragment is separated by a fundamental tectonic boundary from rocks of the Alexander and Wrangellia terranes to the west.
Bootstrap learning for place recognition

We present a method whereby a robot can learn to recognize places with high accuracy, in spite of perceptual aliasing (different places appear the same) and image variability (the same place appears differently). The first step in learning place recognition restricts attention to distinctive states identified by the map-learning algorithm, and eliminates image variability by unsupervised learning of clusters of similar sensory images. The clusters define views associated with distinctive states, often increasing perceptual aliasing. The second step eliminates perceptual aliasing by building a causal/topological map and using history information gathered during exploration to disambiguate distinctive states. The third step uses the labeled images for supervised learning of direct associations from sensory images to distinctive states. We evaluate the method using a physical mobile robot in two environments, showing high recognition rates in spite of large amounts of perceptual aliasing.
Dynamic sorption of porous adsorbents — Comparison of experimental results with numerical predictions

Abstract The dynamic sorption characteristics of two porous adsorbents manufactured by different fabrication techniques are compared. The equilibrium sorption isotherms of these materials, which were experimentally determined, are used to calculate the heat of sorption. The solid-side transfer resistances of both materials are examined by comparing experimental dynamic sorption data with numerical predictions obtained using two theoretical models. One model neglects the heat and mass transfer resistances within the adsorbent, while the second model includes these resistances.
The Antimicrobial Defense Mechanism of the Female Urethra: A Reassessment

Purpose: This review of the literature and study of the cytology of the urethra were done to define the potential role of the female urethra as a staging site for urinary tract infection and examine the evidence for a urethral defense mechanism.Materials and Methods: We re-analyzed data on the quantitative microbiology of the female urethra published 3 decades ago, reviewed the literature on the initiation of ascending urinary tract infections, the cytology and anatomy of the urethra, and performed studies of the morphology of urethral cells in boys and girls, men, menstruating and menopausal women, and women with acute cystitis. We also considered clues about the urethral microenvironment provided by gonococcal cervicitis and urethritis.Results: We found strong statistical evidence that the female urethra has a powerful antimicrobial defense mechanism, which appears to differ in women with and without recurrent urinary tract infections. We corroborated the findings of previous investigators that the fema...
The use of glycine-precipitated antihemophilic factor during surgery in the hemophilic patient

A new concentrate of human plasma, glycine precipitate, was used successfully for themanagement of serious bleeding episodes in 2 hemophilic boys. The first boy had massive bleeding from esophageal varices followed by splenectomy and a splenorenal shunt. The second had craniotomy for evacuation of a subdural hematoma. There were no operative bleeding problems and the concentrate proved safe, easy to administer, and effective.
Effect of adenovirus on host cell DNA synthesis in synchronized cells.

Abstract Viral and cellular DNA synthesis were examined in synchronized HeLa cells infected at various stages in the cell cycle with adenovirus type 2. Viral DNA synthesis began approximately 9 hours after infection, whether cells were infected during S or G1. When viral DNA was synthesized during G1, premature replication of cellular DNA did not occur, and its subsequent initiation at the beginning of S was prevented. When viral DNA synthesis began after the onset of S, cellular DNA replication was partially, but not completely, inhibited. Nucleohistones were synthesized only in association with cellular DNA.
Charles Rollin and Early Neoclassicism

The classical introduction to Neoclassical art begins by comparing a painting such as Joseph Marie Vien's Vendors of Love with its antique source, in this case a Roman wall painting. Such a comparison illustrates the impact on the arts made by the mid-eighteenth century archaeological discoveries at Herculaneum, Pompeii, Athens, and elsewhere in the Mediterranean world. These discoveries generated an excitement that precipitated, or at least provided a direction to, the emergence of Neoclassicism.1 Actually, the sort of direct, complete borrowing seen in the Vien work was quite rare. A more typical example is Jacques-Louis David's Paris and Helen, in which all the details of pose, architecture, furniture, and other accessories were borrowed from a variety of antique sources.2 The late eighteenth century artist was thus enabled by the new archaeological discoveries to recreate the world of antiquity with more accuracy, and in greater detail, than his seventeenth century counterpart had been able to do.
Using continuous-time Bayesian networks for standards-based diagnostics and prognostics

In this paper we present a proposal for a new prognostic model to be included in a future revision of the IEEE Std 1232–2010 Standard for Artificial Intelligence Exchange and Service Tie to All Test Environments (AI-ESTATE). Specifically, we introduce the continuous time Bayesian network (CTBN) as an alternative to the previously proposed dynamic Bayesian network to provide an additional model for prognostic reasoning. We specify a semantic model capable of representing a CTBN within the standard and discuss the advantages of using such a model for prognosis. As with previous work, we demonstrate the feasibility and necessity of incorporating prognostic capabilities into the
Oral health education and therapy reduces gingivitis during pregnancy

Background Pregnant women demonstrate increases in gingivitis despite similar plaque levels to non-pregnant counterparts. Aim To evaluate an intensive protocol aimed at reducing gingivitis in pregnant women and provide pilot data for large-scale randomized controlled trials investigating oral hygiene measures to reduce pregnancy gingivitis and alter maternity outcomes. Materials and methods One hundred and twenty participants between 16 and 24 weeks gestation with Gingival Index (GI) scores ≥2 at ≥50% of tooth sites were enrolled. Plaque index (PI), gingival inflammation (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment levels (CAL) were recorded at baseline and 8 weeks. Dental prophylaxis was performed at baseline and oral hygiene instructions at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded at parturition. Mixed-model analysis of variance was used to compare clinical measurements at baseline and 8 weeks. Results Statistically significant reductions in PI, GI, PD, and CAL occurred over the study period. Mean whole mouth PI and GI scores decreased approximately 50% and the percentage of sites with PI and GI ≥2 decreased from 40% to 17% and 53% to 21.8%, respectively. Mean decreases in whole mouth PD and CAL of 0.45 and 0.24 mm, respectively, were seen. Conclusions Intensive oral hygiene regimen decreased gingivitis in pregnant patients.
Explaining disparities in food safety compliance by food stores: does community matter?

This paper provides a conceptual framework to explain why disparities may exist in food safety code compliance by food stores in different neighborhoods. Explanations include market dynamics, community characteristics, retailer attributes, inspector characteristics, and enforcement approaches, and interactions among the factors. A preliminary and limited empirical test of some of these relationships in Detroit, Michigan shows a higher rate of food safety violations by stores in poorer neighborhoods and in neighborhoods with higher concentrations of African-American residents. Stores inspected by female inspectors also scored higher numbers of critical violations, suggesting a need for greater examination of the social relations associated with enforcement interactions in food safety studies.
Comparative evaluation of the diffusion of tobramycin and cefotaxime out of antibiotic‐impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads

Both tobramycin and cefotaxime diffuse from antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads in quantities sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria on agar lawns or in broth cultures over a 28-day period. Extraction of antibiotic from tobramycin or cefotaxime-impregnated PMMA beads revealed that substantial amounts of both antibiotics remained within the beads despite 28 days of diffusion. Diffusion of antibiotic from the PMMA beads during the initial 3-5 days is much greater than occurs for the remainder of the 4-week period. The results of the study suggest that perhaps tobramycin of cefotaxime-impregnated PMMA beads would produce local levels of antibiotic high enough to sterilize a given dead space for a period of 28 days.
NMR and quenched molecular dynamics studies of superpotent linear and cyclic α-melanotropins

Conformational searching, computer simulations, synthesis and NMR are used on a variety of alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) analogues to understand the physical characteristics required for biological potency. Peptides I (Ac-[Nle4,Asp5,D-Phe7,Lys10]alpha-MSH(4-10)-NH2), II (Ac-c[Nle4,Asp5,D-Phe7,Lys10]alpha-MSH(4-10)-NH2) and III (Ac-[Nle4,Asp5,D-Phe7,Dap10]alpha-MSH(4-10)-NH2 all show very similar conformational properties (backbone and side-chain torsional angles), and all display high biological potencies. The modeling results for these compounds are supported by the NMR data. Peptide IV (Ac-c[Nle4,Asp5,D-Phe7,Dap10]alpha-MSH(4-10)-NH2) appears to have a markedly different conformation and has decreased biological potency.
Nonperturbative Proof of Some Results in Classical Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics

Some results of interest in classical nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, previously proved to all orders in the interaction, are proved without recourse to perturbation expansions, making it possible to avoid convergence questions. One theorem so proved is that when the interaction is switched on slowly, a Maxwellian distribution goes into the canonical distribution at the same temperature. The two steps in the Prigogine theory of the approach to equilibrium that originally depended on a perturbation proof are also demonstrated nonperturbatively. Lastly, the statement that in equilibrium cluster expansions in the density there are no articulation points in the graphs contributing to the reduced distributions is proved from a time-dependent point of view.
Two‐dimensional separation of peptides using RP‐RP‐HPLC system with different pH in first and second separation dimensions

Two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography is a useful tool for proteome analysis, providing a greater peak capacity than single-dimensional LC. The most popular 2D-HPLC approach used today for proteomic research combines strong cation exchange and reversed-phase HPLC. We have evaluated an alternative mode for 2D-HPLC of peptides, employing reversed-phase columns in both separation dimensions. The orthogonality of 2D separation was investigated for selected types of RP stationary phases, ion-pairing agents and mobile phase pH. The pH appears to have the most significant impact on the RP-LC separation selectivity; the greatest orthogonality was achieved for the system with C18 columns using pH 10 in the first and pH 2.6 in the second LC dimension. Separation was performed in off-line mode with partial fraction evaporation. The achievable peak capacity in RP-RP-HPLC and overall performance compares favorably to SCX-RP-HPLC and holds promise for proteomic analysis.
Effects of the loss of capacity for N-glycosylation on the transport activity and cellular localization of the human reduced folate carrier.

Abstract The role of N-glycosylation in reduced folate carrier (RFC) transport and membrane targeting was examined in transport-deficient K562 (K500E) cells transfected with human RFC cDNAs. Treatment of cells expressing wild-type RFC with tunicamycin (0–3 μg) resulted in a progressive shift of the ∼85 kDa RFC on western blots to 65 kDa. At 3 μg/ml tunicamycin, the nearly complete loss of glycosylated RFC was accompanied by a ∼25% decreased rate of methotrexate uptake. A deglycosylated RFC cDNA construct in which asparagine-58 was replaced by glutamine (Gln58-RFC) was expressed in K500E cells as a 65 kDa protein and restored transport capacity for methotrexate and (6S)5-formyl tetrahydrofolate. With both wild-type and Gln58-RFC constructs, expression of cDNA-encoded RFC protein far exceeded relative levels of RFC uptake. Wild-type and Gln58-RFCs containing a hemagglutinin (HA) epitope at the carboxyl terminus were similarly functional and, by immunofluorescence staining with rhodamine-conjugated anti-HA antibody, were localized to plasma membranes. Collectively, our results demonstrate that N-glycosylation of human RFC plays no significant role in either transport function or membrane targeting. The discrepancy between the stoichiometries of RFC expression and transport activity for both wild-type RFC and Gln58-RFC implies that identical regulatory controls and/or non-RFC transport components are necessary to completely restore transport function in the transfected cells.
Creativity in technology education: providing children with glimpses of their inventive potential

This article examines the claims of the school subject technology education (called Design and Technology in some countries) as a vehicle for inculcating creativity in the curriculum, by introducing children to the world of problem solving and invention. Core foundational underpinnings of the subject are explored, including its hands-on nature, its open-endedness, and its encouragement of generative cognitive processes. Issues relating to the teaching of problem solving are discussed. Examples of curricular approaches to the subject are set forth and their merits as bases for encouraging creative thinking are examined. Research on creativity in the subject is reflected upon briefly. The paper concludes by offering problem solving; and analogical, metaphorical, combination, and divergent thinking, as possible bases for pedagogy in technology education, and calls attention to the subject as a possible fruitful area of research based on creativity in the school curriculum.
The Relationship Between Communicable Diseases and FDI Flows: An Empirical Investigation

This paper focuses on the impact of communicable diseases, which affects the population health component of human capital on worldwide FDI flows. The model controls for endogeneity that can stem from the interconnected relationship between FDI, population health and per capita GDP. After controlling for this endogeneity, we find that communicable diseases have a statistically significant negative effect on FDI, which is 2 to 5 times larger than when using ordinary least squares. The results remain robust to alternative model specifications.
Polythiophene precursor electrochemical nanolithography: highly local thermal and morphological characterization

We describe the formation of nanopatterns on an electroactive polythiophene precursor (polyterthiophene methylmethacrylate, P3T) film using a current-sensing atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM) technique. Patterning parameters such as applied bias voltages, sweep duration, and scan rate were adapted for the nanolithographic electrochemical patterning process. The formation of nanopatterns on the film was mainly attributed to the electrochemical cross-linking and oxidation process of the terthiophene units. This is related to the electron transport process under an applied electric field and mass transfer due to Joule heating generated in a localized area from the tip. To further highlight the role of Joule heating, thermal AFM lithography of various blend film compositions (P3T:PMMA) was made using the heated tip AFM (HT-AFM) method. The thermal effects on local morphology were then studied not only as a function of sequential increase in local temperature, but also by nano-scale direct thermal-writing.
Comparison of tibial inlay versus transtibial techniques for isolated posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: minimum 2-year follow-up.

Purpose: Surgical treatment of isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries is controversial. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of PCL reconstruction. Two techniques were compared, the traditional endoscopic and the more recent tibial inlay, to determine if the inlay technique yielded more stable reconstructions. Type of Study: Retrospective study of surgical outcomes. Methods: Between 1980 and 1997, 29 patients underwent surgery for isolated PCL injuries at our institution. Two patients underwent primary repair, 4 underwent primary repair with semitendinosus-gracilis augmentation, and 1 had a tibial inlay with a double femoral tunnel, and these patients were excluded from this study. Two patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 20 patients who were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 5.7 years (range, 2 to 15 years). The average age at surgery was 29 years (range, 17 to 49 years). The primary indication for surgery was instability (95%). The surgical procedures included 13 traditional endoscopic transtibial PCL reconstructions (9 bone–patellar tendon–bone [BPTB] autograft, 2 BPTB allograft, and 2 allograft Achilles tendon) and 7 tibial inlay (all BPTB, 5 allograft and 2 autograft). Each patient was evaluated using the Tegner, Lysholm, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) knee-rating scales, physical examination, corrected KT-1000 arthrometry, functional testing, and radiographs. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact t test, Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, and Mann-Whitney test. Results: Overall, 90% pf patients were satisfied with their surgery. The postoperative posterior drawer test result improved in 4 of 7 (57%) in the inlay group, and in 5 of 13 (38%) in the endoscopic group. The mean corrected KT-1000 measurement was 5.7 mm overall, 5.5 mm (inlay) and 5.9 mm (endoscopic). The mean preoperative Tegner score was 6.86 (inlay) and 6.92 (endoscopic). The mean postoperative Tegner score was 6.00 for both groups. The mean Lysholm score was 76 (inlay) and 82 (endoscopic), and the AAOS knee score was 77 (inlay) and 90 (endoscopic). There was a trend toward increased radiographic progression of Fairbanks changes in the medial and patellofemoral compartments in the endoscopic group, but the numbers did not reach statistical significance ( P = .057). Conclusions: When comparing the traditional endoscopic reconstructions with the tibial inlay technique, there were no significant differences in posterior drawer testing, KT-1000, functional testing, or Lysholm, Tegner, and AAOS knee scores at a minimum 2 year follow-up. Clinical Relevance: The results of this study indicate that neither method (transtibial or inlay) of PCL reconstruction consistently restores anteroposterior stability to its original state when using a single-bundle femoral attachment site.
Retrograde pyelography via ureteral stents

Retrograde pyelography to establish ureteral patency prior to removal of ureteral stent can be done via the stent. A simple technique is described.
EDITING OF CYTOCHROME B MRNA IN PHYSARUM MITOCHONDRIA

The reading frame in the mRNA for the cytochrome b apoprotein in mitochondria of Physarum polycephalum is created by the insertion of 43 nucleotides in the mRNA relative to the mtDNA sequence encoding it (RNA editing). Most of these insertions (31) are single cytidines; however, single uridines are inserted at six sites, and the dinucleotides, CU and GC, are inserted at two sites and one site, respectively. These insertions create a 392-codon reading frame in the mature mRNA. The amino acid sequence inferred from this reading frame has similarity to cytochrome b apoproteins encoded by other mtDNAs. The insertions are quite evenly distributed throughout the length of the reading frame with an average spacing of 27 nucleotides. This mRNA has the highest percentage (23%) of noncytidine insertions of any Physarum RNA characterized to date. cDNAs corresponding to partially edited RNAs can be enriched by selective amplification. Some cDNAs that lack the GC dinucleotide insertion are fully edited at sites flanking the GC dinucleotide insertion site. Similarly some cDNAs lack the CT dinucleotide insertion or have a CC or TT insertion flanked by a fully edited sequence. These results imply that dinucleotide editing occurs by a process separate from the global insertion of cytidines.
The distribution of anodic and cathodic reaction sites during environmentally assisted cracking

Abstract This paper treats the effects of charge and mass transport limitations on the distribution of cathodic and anodic reactions on the flanks of environmentally assisted cracks. Under conditions of cathodic protection of the metal surface, it is shown that the presence of recesses or cracks leads to significant changes in the potential and ionic concentrations at various distances into the cavity. Consequently, the rate of the hydrogen evolution reaction decreases with increasing distance into the cavity. For active metals, e.g. Fe or Ni, metal dissolution occurs with progressively increasing rates at increasing distance into the crack. The variations of these cathodic and anodic current distributions with distance within the crack (or with the time of cracking) depends on the dimension of the opening of the crack a, the diffusivity of the hydrogen ion, DH+, and, hence, the conductivity of the electrolyte, and the polarization at the external surface of the metal, η(0). Analysis of the migration-diffusion problem leads to the development of a characteristic depth given by Z= FD H +C 0 H +a i 0 H exp (βη(0)) b 1 2 cm where cH+0 is the acid concentration, and β and i0 are the charge transfer coefficient and the exchange current density of the hydrogen evolution reaction, respectively. Z has a strong effect on the behavior of the system.
Adolescent self-esteem, family communication, and marital satisfaction.

Summary One hundred and eleven subjects, 14 and 15 years of age, were administered the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and two questionnaires, modified from Bienvenu's Adolescent Communication Inventory, eliciting adolescents’ perceptions of their communication with both parents. The 10 males and 10 females with the highest self-esteem scores, and the 10 males and 10 females with the lowest scores were identified to form two groups: the High Self-Esteem Group and the Low Self-Esteem Group. Parents of these students completed questionnaires concerning parent-adolescent communication and marital communication and adjustment. The five hypotheses tested were strongly supported. Adolescents with low self-esteem viewed communication with their parents as less facilitative than did adolescents with high self-esteem. Parents of adolescents with low self-esteem perceived their communication with their spouses as less facilitative, and rated their marriages as less satisfying, than did parents in the High Self-Es...
Implementing Evidence-Based Social Work Practice

Recently, social work has been influenced by new forms of practice that hold promise for bringing practice and research together to strengthen the scientific knowledge base supporting social work intervention. The most recent new practice framework is evidence-based practice. However, although evidence-based practice has many qualities that might attract social workers to adopt it, use in practice is limited. Accordingly, attention is being given to determine effective strategies for the dissemination, adoption, and implementation of evidence-based practice. This article examines the implementation literature, describes alternative strategies for implementation of evidence-based practice in social work, describes an implementation study to illustrate concepts discussed, and specifies needed research.
Synthesis and sorption properties of hexa-(peri)-hexabenzocoronene-based porous organic polymers

In this communication, we report the synthesis of several novel hexa-(peri)-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) containing microporous polymers. These polymers exhibit good adsorption properties for H2, N2 and CO2 gases. Based on fluorescence quenching studies, we have shown that the highly conjugated π-surfaces may be accessible by guests in solution.
Intestinal Colonisation of Laboratory Rats by Anaerobic Oxalate-degrading Bacteria: Effects on the Urinary and Faecal Excretion of Dietary Oxalate

Oxalobacter formigenes , an anaerobic bacterium that degrades oxalate to CO 2 and formate, colonises the intestinal tracts of man and other animals. In this study, the large intestines of laboratory rats were experimentally colonised with a strain of O. formigenes to examine effects of these bacteria on the fate of dietary oxalate. When rats (n = 6) were fed a standard rat diet plus 2 per cent sodium oxalate, urinary oxalate excretion was not significantly changed following inoculation and colonisation with O. formigenes . There was a consistent trend towards less oxalate excretion in faeces of rats after they became colonised with O. formigenes , but differences between colonised and non-colonised states were not significant. In an isotope recovery study, when rats were orally dosed with [ 14 C]oxalate, the percentage of 14 C in expired CO 2 from three colonised rats was 10-fold greater than from three non-colonised rats. Although 14 C excretion in faeces was decreased three-fold in the group of colonised rats, 14 C activity in the urine of colonised and non-colonised rats was not significantly different. Thus, although O. formigenes colonised and degraded oxalate in the rat intestinal tract, under conditions of these experiments, this colonisation did not markedly influence urinary oxalate excretion. Keywords - Oxalic acid, Oxalobacter formigenes , Intestinal bacteria, Oxalate degradation, Oxalate balance
Clinical Pearls: The Approach to the Management of Difficult Anatomy and Common Operative and Postoperative Problems

The task of learning robotic prostatectomy can be quite challenging for both novice and experienced open or laparoscopic surgeons alike. Therefore, prior to the first procedure, much training and planning is required as the entire surgical team prepares for the upcoming challenge. The learning curve to achieve basic competency has been estimated to be between 20 to 25 cases.1,2 However, these initial patients are often selected as “ideal candidates” so that the surgical team can ease into the experience. After such cases are performed, the reality of the procedure sets in as one begins to entertain the idea of operating on those with more challenging anatomy.
The 2-methoxy group of ubiquinone is essential for function of the acceptor quinones in reaction centers from Rba. sphaeroides.

Abstract The orientation of a methoxy substituent is known to substantially influence the electron affinity and vibrational spectroscopy of benzoquinones, and has been suggested to be important in determining the function of ubiquinone as a redox cofactor in bioenergetics. Ubiquinone functions as both the primary (Q A ) and secondary (Q B ) quinone in the reaction centers of many purple photosynthetic bacteria, and is almost unique in its ability to establish the necessary redox free energy gap for 1-electron transfer between them. The role of the methoxy substitution in this requirement was examined using monomethoxy analogues of ubiquinone-4 — 2-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-6-isoprenyl-1,4-benzoquinone (2-MeO-Q) and 3-methoxy-2,5-dimethyl-6-isoprenyl-1,4-benzoquinone (3-MeO-Q). Only 2-MeO-Q was able to simultaneously act as Q A and Q B and the necessary redox potential tuning was shown to occur in the Q B site. In the absence of active Q B , the IR spectrum of the monomethoxy quinones was examined in vitro and in the Q A site, and a novel distinction between the two methoxy groups was tentatively identified, consistent with the unique role of the 2-methoxy group in distinguishing Q A and Q B functionality.