cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of ultraviolet irradiation of DNA on the dissociation transition of the strong DNA-acriflavine complex.

>Fluorescence quenching was used as an expression of intercalative dye binding in an examination of the effects that prior ultraviolet irradiation of DNA has upon the dissociation transition of its complex with acriflavine. The term dissociation transition is applied to the biphasic thermal dissociation kinetics exhibited by DNA complexes with intercalating cations. At room temperatures the dye showed intercalatlve binding to denatured and native DNA. When bound to single-stranded DNA in the incompletely intercalated complex, its thermal dissociation slope was linear over the 25 to 60 deg C range; the free dye levels of fluorescence were restored at 60 deg C. The dissociation curve of the doublestranded complex was biphasic, exhibiting a low rate of increase in fluorescence yield at low temperatures, a transition region at ~60 deg C, and thereafter a rapid increase. These results were taken to indicate that dye fluoresccnce values at 60 deg C could be used to discriminate between single- stranded and double-stranded DNA--acriflavine complexes in the region of A--T pairs. It is suggested that the 27% and 88% increases in fluorescence yield at 60 deg C, which developed with the two experimental uv doses, may be crude expressions of the number of dimers formedmore » between adjacent thymine residues. (UK)« less
Automatic Reporting of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate—Just What the Doctor Ordered

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a recently recognized public health problem. CKD is defined as the presence of markers of kidney damage or of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL · min−1 · (1.73 m−2) [<1 mLs−1 · (1.73 m−2)−1] for three months or more (1)(2)(3). According to these definitions, the prevalence of CKD in noninstitutionalized US adults is estimated as ∼11%, or ∼20 million people (4). CKD is associated with poor outcomes and high cost, disproportionately affecting the elderly and racial and ethnic minorities. Thus, new public health campaigns focus on early detection of CKD, especially in patients at increased risk, including those with hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of CKD (5). To facilitate early detection of CKD, many national and international organizations now recommend automatic reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) whenever serum creatinine is measured (1)(2)(3)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Approximately 20% of participants in the College of American Pathologists’ chemistry survey were reporting eGFR calculations in 2005 (13). In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , Dr. Rainey offers a dissenting view, likening automatic eGFR reporting to “jumping the gun”. A careful examination of the arguments reveals, in our view, that reporting eGFR whenever a serum creatinine is requested is “just what the doctor ordered”. Dr. Rainey asserts that “Most creatinine measurements are not made to assess renal function in persons who have CKD or are at high risk for CKD. The great majority of creatinine measurements are ordered as part of a Basic Metabolic Panel”. The serum creatinine level holds no clinically useful meaning other than to serve as an index of kidney function. …
EPR Method for ex vivo Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species in Tissue

Measurement of free radicals, ex vivo, in biological tissue with continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been problematic. Here, a novel EPR spin trapping technique has been developed that places one or two large segments of porcine arterial tissue along with supernatant directly into a standard EPR spectrometer cavity at liquid nitrogen temperature. This approach is validated in porcine arterial tissues treated as controls in vivo. To investigate that this method has lower extraneous ROS generation than methods which slice tissue into thin slivers before assaying for reactive oxygen species (ROS), we take two sets of coronary arterial tissue from the same animal. In the first set, we excise one or two large segments of tissue, and in the second set we section the tissue into ten pieces. In both cases, tissue was harvested, placed in physiological saline solution with 190-mM PBN (N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone) and incubated in the dark for 2 hours at physiological temperature while gently being stirred. Tissue and supernatant were then loaded into a syringe and frozen at minus eighty degrees Celsius until EPR analysis. Although absorption of microwaves by an aqueous sample typically at room temperature limits the size of the sample; this method can accommodate as large as 20-mm3 tissue volume into the EPR cavity at liquid nitrogen temperature. In our experiments the tissue volumes were in a range of values between 2 mm3 and 5 mm3,and the EPR spectra were normalized with respect to tissue volume.
Dissecting Transcription-coupled and Global Genomic Repair in the Chromatin of Yeast GAL1-10 Genes

Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) and global genomic repair (GGR) of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers were investigated in the yeast GAL1-10 genes. Both Rpb9- and Rad26-mediated TCR are confined to the transcribed strands, initiating at upstream sites ∼100 nucleotides from the upstream activating sequence shared by the two genes. However, TCR initiation sites do not correlate with either transcription start sites or TATA boxes. Rad16-mediated GGR tightly correlates with nucleosome positioning when the genes are repressed and are slow in the nucleosome core and fast in linker DNA. Induction of transcription enhanced GGR in nucleosome core DNA, especially in the nucleosomes around and upstream of the transcription start sites. Furthermore, when the genes were induced, GGR was slower in the transcribed regions than in the upstream regions. Finally, simultaneous deletion of RAD16, RAD26, and RPB9 resulted in no detectable repair in all sites along the region analyzed. Our results suggest that (a) TCR may be initiated by a transcription activator, presumably through the loading of RNA polymerase II, rather than by transcription initiation or elongation per se; (b) TCR and nucleosome disruption-enhanced GGR are the major causes of rapid repair in regions around and upstream of transcription start sites; (c) transcription machinery may hinder access of NER factors to a DNA lesion in the absence of a transcription-repair coupling factor; and (d) other than GGR mediated by Rad16 and TCR mediated by Rad26 and Rpb9, no other nucleotide excision repair pathway exists in these RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes.
MULTIPLICATION IN VITRO OF PSEUDORABIES VIRUS IN THE TESTICLE TISSUE OF IMMUNIZED GUINEA PIGS

Pseudorabies virus was cultivated in vitro in washed testicle tissue from immune guinea pigs, and evidence was thus procured which indicated that the testicle cells themselves had not become immune to pseudorabies. The rate of multiplication of the virus was considerably greater in control cultures with normal guinea pig testis than in cultures with immune testis. The reason for this fact may be that even by repeated washing the immune tissue could not be completely freed from fluid antibodies, and that such antibodies somewhat inhibited the multiplication of the virus.
A degenerate Sobolev inequality for a large open set in a homogeneous space

In current literature, existence results for degenerate elliptic equations with rough coefficients on a large open set Θ of a homogeneous space (Ω, d) have been demonstrated; see the paper by Gutierrez and Lanconelli (2003). These results require the assumption of a Sobolev inequality on Θ of the form (1) {∫ Θ |ω(x)| 2σ dx} 1/2σ ≤ C{∫ Θ Q(x, ∇ω(x))dx} ½ , holding for ω ∈ Lip 0 (Θ) and some σ ∈ (1, 2]. However, it is unclear when such an inequality is valid, as techniques often yield only a local version of (1): (2) { 1 /| Br |∫ Br |ν(x)| 2σ } 1/2σ ≤ Cr{ 1 |/ Br |∫ Br Q(x, ∇ν(x))dx+ 1 /| Br |∫ Br |ν(x)| 2 dx} ½ , |B r | Br |B r | B r |B r | B r holding for ν ∈ Lip 0 (B r ), with σ as above. The main result of this work shows that the global Sobolev inequality (1) can be obtained from the local Sobolev inequality (2) provided standard regularity hypotheses are assumed with minimal restrictions on the quadratic form Q(x, ·). This is achieved via a new technique involving existence of weak solutions, with global estimates, to a 1-parameter family of Dirichlet problems on Θ and a maximum principle.
A Throughput-Optimized Optical Network for Data-Intensive Computing

Data-intensive computing increasingly involves operations at the scale of an entire computing system, requiring quick and efficient processing of massive datasets. In this article, the authors present a circuit-switched network architecture, together with requisite optical-switch and burst-mode transceiver technology, designed to support demanding graph algorithms in a distributed-memory system. The proposed optical network, configured as multiple planes of high-radix wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) switches, offers tremendous path diversity and is designed to deliver up to 10 terabytes per second of node bandwidth and predictable performance under heavy load with latencies well under a microsecond. With the optical core switch, the authors overcome pin-count and power-dissipation limitations of electrical networks with comparable bandwidth. To achieve this, they are developing new hardware, including nanosecond-scale silicon photonic switches with flip-chip-attached optical amplifiers, low-power parallel WDM transceivers operating at about 20-Gbps per channel, with burst-mode clock and data recovery circuits in advanced CMOS for link retraining in tens of nanoseconds. Network simulations predict that the proposed system could achieve graph performance on par with today's leading supercomputers, and its limited power consumption would result in several orders of magnitude of efficiency improvements that could allow the system to fit within a few racks.
Effects of T-2 Toxin on Brain Catecholamines and Selected Blood Components in Growing Chickens

Four-week-old male broiler chickens were intubated with a single dose of purified T-2 toxin at 2.5 mg/kg body weight. The brain concentrations of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) and selected blood components were determined in T-2 toxin treated and control chickens at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hr after the toxin treatment. The brain DA concentration of T-2 treated chickens was significantly greater at 12 and 24 hr, whereas brain NE was lower at 24 and 48 hr after toxin treatment as compared with controls. The brain 5-HT level was not altered by T-2 toxin. Serum cholesterol was increased at 4 and 12 hr after T-2 treatment. The serum LDH and GOT activities were not changed by T-2 toxin. T-2 treated chickens had greater packed cell volume and hemoglobin than controls at 24 hr after dosing. Red blood cell counts were not affected but white blood cell counts were decreased during the 12 to 48 hr period after T-2 treatment. The results of this study suggest that T-2 toxin influences brain catecholamines and blood components and thereby possibly brain function in chickens.
The ‘chopstick’ illusion: A simply demonstrated tactile illusion

This paper introduces and analyzes a simply demonstrated tactile illusion. The tactile illusion described here is named the “chopstick” illusion since it can be easily demonstrated using a pair of wooden chopsticks. This illusion is demonstrated by moving one's fingers up a broken-off wooden chopstick with the fingertips of the thumb and index finger. As two chopsticks are separated, an angled edge is often created at the chopstick head as one tears away a piece of the other. This edge has a gradual constant increase in the surface dimension. A tactile illusion is experienced by moving the midpoints of the fingertips of the thumb and index finger along the flat portion of the chopstick. The observer of the illusion feels as if the thickness of the material at the edge of the chopstick increases in the form of a bump, but in reality does not and the stick is only getting wider. To investigate this illusion, two experiments were conducted: One with commercially available broken-off wooden chopsticks and one with fabricated plastic chopsticks. The first experiment showed that the chopstick illusion was perceived 72% of the time, while the second experiment showed a 63% perception rate. It was also found that the chopstick groove, which initially separates the two chopsticks played a key role in perceiving this tactile illusion.
Application of the TIMI risk score in ED patients with cocaine-associated chest pain.

Abstract Objective The TIMI risk score has been validated as a risk stratification tool in emergency department (ED) patients with potential acute coronary syndrome. The goal of this study was to assess its ability to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in cocaine-associated chest pain. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of ED patients with chest pain with cocaine use. Data included demographics, medical history, and TIMI risk score. The main outcomes were acute myocardial infarction, revascularization, or death within 30 days of ED presentation. Results There were 261 patient visits. Patients were 43.2 + 8 years old, 73% male, 92% black, and 75% smokers. There were 33 patients with the composite outcome. The incidence of 30-day outcomes according to TIMI score is as follows: TIMI 0, 3.7% (95% CI, 0.1-8.3); TIMI 1, 13.2% (5.7-20.7); TIMI 2, 17.1% (4.3-29.8); TIMI 3, 21.4% (4.4-38.4); TIMI 4, 20.0% (0.1-43.6); TIMI 5/6, 50.0% (0.1-100). Conclusions The TIMI risk score has no clinically useful predictive value in patients with cocaine-associated chest pain.
Coupling of Size and Shape Equilibration in Lipid Monolayer Domains

The time-dependent dynamics of domains formed in lipid monolayers has been investigated in the case of coexisting lipid phases of different molecular areas. In general, an applied nonequilibrium pressure gives rise to both size and shape changes of domains. In this work, it is shown how the two effects can be superposed, leading to transitions from circular domains to other shapes (such as harmonic modes n = 2, 3, 4...) depending on the value of the applied excess pressure. As the excess pressure changes, the symmetry numbers of the transitions change. The description of the transient states for the growth of circular domains allows one to predict the time for the appearance of the different n-fold distortions. It is shown how in principle a sequence of applied pressures can be used to produce domains with shapes derived from a given distortion symmetry, such as n = 2.
"Subtotal" hemispherectomy in children with intractable focal epilepsy.

Summary Objective Cortical resections in epilepsy surgery tend to be larger in children, compared to adults, partly due to underlying pathology. Some children show unilateral multifocal seizure onsets involving much of the hemisphere. If there were a significant hemiparesis present, hemispherectomy would be the procedure of choice. Otherwise, it is preferable to spare the primary sensorimotor cortex. We report the results of “subtotal” hemispherectomy in 23 children. Methods All children (ages 1 year and 4 months to 14 years and 2 months) were operated on between 2001 and 2013 at Children's Hospital of Michigan (Detroit). Patients were evaluated with scalp video–electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans, and neuropsychological assessments when applicable. Subsequently, each case was discussed in a multidisciplinary epilepsy surgery conference, and a consensus was reached pertaining to candidacy for surgery and optimum surgical approach. The actual extent of resection was based on the results from subdural electrocorticography (ECoG) monitoring. The surgical outcome is based on International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification (class 1–6). Results Among the 23 patients, 11 had epileptic spasms as their major seizure type; these were associated with focal seizures in 3 children. MRI showed focal abnormalities in 12 children. FDG-PET was abnormal in all but one subject. All except two children underwent chronic subdural ECoG. Multiple subpial transections were performed over the sensorimotor cortex in three subjects. On histopathology, various malformations were seen in 9 subjects; the remainder showed gliosis alone (n = 12), porencephaly (n = 1), and gliosis with microglial activation (n = 1). Follow-up ranged from 13 to 157 months (mean = 65 months). Outcomes consisted of class 1 (n = 17, 74%), class 2 (n = 2), class 3 (n = 1), class 4 (n = 1), and class 5 (n = 2). Significance Extensive unilateral resections sparing only sensorimotor cortex can be performed with excellent results in seizure control. Even with the presence of widespread unilateral epileptogenicity or anatomic/functional imaging abnormalities, complete hemispherectomy can often be avoided, particularly when there is little hemiparesis.
Asymptotic Properties of the Estimators for Multivariate Components of Variance

Estimation of the covariance matrices in the multivariate balanced one-way random effect model is discussed. The rank of the between-group covariance matrix plays a large role in model building as well as in assessing asymptotic properties of the estimated covariance matrices. The restricted (residual) maximum likelihood estimators derived under a rank condition are considered. Asymptotic properties of the estimators are derived for a possibly incorrectly specified rank and under either the number of groups, the number of replicates, or both, tending to infinity. A higher order expansion covering various cases leads to a common approximate inference procedure which can be used in a wide range of practical situations. A simulation study is also presented.
An economic model of workplace mobbing in academe

Abstract Workplace bullying or mobbing can be defined as the infliction of various forms of abuse (e.g., verbal, emotional, psychological) against a colleague or subordinate by one or more other members of a workplace. Even in the presence of academic tenure, workplace mobbing remains a prevalent issue in academe. This study develops an economic model that employs a Stackelberg differential game in order to analyze the interaction between a university administrator (or administrators) and a professor who is being “mobbed” by university administration, perhaps for political reasons related to the professor's use of academic freedom and/or tenure to publicly criticize the actions of university officials. One of the model's implications is that it is optimal for the professor to increase his or her research in order to increase job mobility when subjected to downward mobbing, and that the university administration may succeed in pushing out the tenured professor if the administration's mobbing actions are greater than a combination of professor's optimal salary and threshold quitting rate. In the long run, however, the institution and the administrator may lose if the professor leaves and his replacements do not keep up the research productivity.
Quantitative light fluorescence: a technology for early monitoring of the caries process

Quantitative light fluorescence (QLF) can detect about twice as many demineralized precavitated enamel areas a conventional visual examination or any other caries detection instrument. This technology has been used in several controlled clinical trials with the consistent observation that it is capable of monitoring and quantifying changes in the mineral content and size of clinically visible noncavitated white spot lesions; therefore, it can be used to assess the impact of preventive measures on the remineralization and reversal of the caries process. The anticipated future use of QLF with dehydration to identify active areas of demineralization will markedly enhance the utility of this technology in clinical dental research and dental practice.
Progesterone-dependent sexual behavior and protein patterns in the ventromedial hypothalamus of the adult female rat.

Abstract Controversy exists concerning mechanisms by which progesterone exerts central nervous system effects on behavior. Progesterone may affect behavior by genomic regulation of protein synthesis. Alternatively, it may work through nongenomic mechanisms, consistent with its short latency to act. In the present study, we have examined the hypothesis that progesterone facilitation of sexual behavior is correlated with modification of the synthesis of specific proteins in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Ovariectomized rats were treated with either estradiol (4 μg/kg at 0 and 18 h) or estradiol (at 0 and 18 h) plus progesterone (2 mg/kg at 37 h). 35S-labeled cysteine and methionine were bilaterally infused into the VMH at 37 h (the time of progesterone administration). Following 4 h of infusion, animals were tested for sexual behavior and sacrificed. Newly synthesized VMH proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by fluorography. Analysis of approximately 660 spots/fluorogram in two independent replications indicated that no qualitative or quantitative changes in protein synthesis occurred in response to progesterone. In each replication statistical analysis suggested that the abundance of several proteins may have changed, but no specific proteins were changed in abundance in both replications. Within the range of this technique (10–100 kDa and 4.8–6.7 apparent pI) we found no evidence that progesterone causes alterations in VMH protein synthesis.
Missing doublet model reexamined.

We revisit the Missing Doublet Model (MDM) as a means to address the apparent difficulties of the minimal $SU(5)$ supergravity model in dealing with the doublet-triplet splitting problem, the prediction of $\alpha_3(M_Z)$, and the proton lifetime. We revamp the original MDM by extending its observable sector to include fields and interactions that naturally suppress the dimension-five proton decay operators and that allow see-saw neutrino masses. We also endow the model with a hidden sector which (via gaugino condensation) triggers supersymmetry breaking of the desired magnitude, and (via hidden matter condensation) yields a new dynamical intermediate scale for the right-handed neutrino masses ($\sim10^{10}\GeV$), and provides an effective Higgs mixing parameter $\mu$. The model is consistent with gauge coupling unification for experimentally acceptable values of $\alpha_3(M_Z)$, and with proton decay limits even for large values of $\tan\beta$. The right-handed neutrinos can be produced subsequent to inflation, and their out-of-equilibrium decays induce a lepton asymmetry which is later reprocessed (via sphaleron interactions) into a baryon asymmetry at the electroweak scale. The resulting see-saw neutrino masses provide a candidate for the hot dark matter component of the Universe ($m_{\nu_\tau}\sim{\cal O}(10\eV)$) and are consistent with the MSW solution to the solar neutrino problem. We finally compare the features of this traditional GUT model with that of the readily string-derivable $SU(5)\times U(1)$ model, and discuss the prospects of deriving the revamped MDM from string theory.
Ionization in organic thin films: Electrostatic potential, electronic polarization, and dopants in pentacene films

Ionization processes in thin films are central to organic electronics. The ionization potential $I(p)$ or electron affinity $A(p)$ of any molecule $p$ depends on the electronic polarization of the surrounding molecules and on electrostatic interactions $W(p)$ that are evaluated in films using the potential ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}^{(g)}($r$)$ due to gas-phase charge densities. $W(p)$ is combined with a self-consistent treatment of electronic polarization to obtain $I(p)$ and $A(p)$ using molecular quantum theory and the film's structure. $I(p)$ and $A(p)$ are not additive but contain cross terms in electronic polarization and electrostatics. The procedure accounts quantitatively for $I(p)$ of pentacene and perfluoropentacene films with standing molecules in bilayers or lying molecules in monolayers. Surface or subsurface dopants in pentacene films are modeled as ion pairs with Coulomb interactions between a fixed anion and an adjacent cation. Variations of ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}^{(g)}($r$)$ due to an ion pair modulate $I(p)$ and $A(p)$ locally and rationalize observed changes for tunneling into occupied and unoccupied pentacene states, respectively. As in molecular exciton theory, intermolecular overlap is neglected in the computation of $I(p)$ or $A(p)$. Electrostatic interactions are conveniently quantified by ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}^{(g)}(0)$ at the center of molecules.
Wind-Tunnel studies of variable stack heights for a low-profile building

Abstract An experimental wind-tunnel study of a proposed building with an exhaust stack was carried out. Smoke tracer techniques were employed to identify the wake and vortex shedding that was caused by the upstream edges or corners of the building. The data was used to determine a stack height required for the stack outlet to be free of the upstream wake effects. Additionally, smoke tracer experiments where smoke was emitted from the stack were conducted to identify the downwind dispersion of the smoke plume. Results from this data indicated if stack exhausts impacted upon the building roof or the downwind distance for the plume to reach ground level. An atmospheric wind tunnel was used to conduct the experiments. A 1:300 scale model of the building and its surroundings was placed in the tunnel and experiments were carried out to represent wind directions from the north, south, east, and west. Two different stack locations and three different stack heights were used in the experiments.
Recent changes in the most-cited scholars in criminal justice textbooks

Abstract This article reports the thirty-one most-cited scholars in twenty-three introductory criminal justice textbooks published from 1994 to 1998, along with the most-cited works of selected most-cited scholars. Comparisons over time in the citation patterns in criminal justice and criminology textbooks and in leading American criminal justice journals show considerable differences among the most-cited scholars. Fluctuations in the lists of the most-cited scholars over time justify additional longitudinal studies of citation patterns in criminal justice and criminology textbooks and journals.
Murder of the Newborn: A Psychiatric Review of Neonaticide

The author believes that the killing of a newborn baby is a separate entity from other filicides, differing in regard to the diagnosis, motives, and legal disposition of the murderer. Whereas most filicides are committed for "altruistic" reasons, most neonaticides are carried out simply because the child is not wanted. The author notes the different psychological characterisctics of mothers who commit these two crimes. Legal considerations and the present status of neonaticide are also discussed.
Deviance or norm? Exploring corporate social responsibility

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the body of cross‐disciplinary literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR), organizational structure, and organizational culture. The author suggests that the issue of social responsibility is a phenomenon both external and internal to organizations, as it lies on the cusp of organizational culture and social expectations.Design/methodology/approach – The paper bridges classical sociological thought and contemporary views on CSR to develop an argument about the deviant nature of CSR. It highlights the theoretical challenges to establish socially responsible behaviors of organization as a mainstream norm.Findings – The paper suggests that CSR should be perceived within the context of the existing social norms and understood as an outcome of shared set of organizational norms and values. The review of existing theories of CSR is followed by a discussion of whether CSR is a deviant or a normative phenomenon.Originality/value – The paper presents CSR a...
Color center laser pumped with a DCM dye laser

Abstract A CW, DCM dye laser has been used to pump a RbCl:Li crystal in a color center laser. The DCM dye laser was pumped by the 488 nm and 514.5 nm lines of an argon ion laser. When used in a broad band configuration the dye laser had a power output in the TEM 00 mode in excess of 600 mW at a wavelength of 655 nm. An output power in excess of 10 mW at 2.73 μm was possible from the RbCl:Li crystal in a Burleigh FCL for an input power of 600 mW at 655 nm. This method of pumping for the RbCl:Li alleviates the need for both argon ion and krypton ion laser pumps for the Burleigh FCL. All three crystals can be pumped to the specification power levels with a single argon ion laser.
EFFECT OF SAMPLE NUMBERS ON THE SENSORY ACUITY OF A TRAINED GROUND BEEF TEXTURE PANEL

Trained sensory panelists evaluated 8,12 or 18 samples of ground beef at each meeting to determine the effect of sample numbers on panelist perception of certain sensory properties. Six ground beef formulations were selected to represent a broad range of fat and connective tissue content. Panelists evaluated samples for tenderness, connective tissue amount and juiciness. Sensory ratings were affected by formulation, anticipation of sample numbers and actual number of samples (sample x session). Although panelists discriminated among formulations presented in the last six samples somewhat differently from the way they discriminated among the same formulations presented in the first six samples, there was little evidence that the panel became less sensitive.
Linking new product alliances to stock returns and risk

Although firms widely engage in new product alliances, prior research has paid limited attention to their financial impact, especially, both stock returns and risk. In addition to the direct impact of product alliances, I have assessed how firm and alliance characteristics can moderate such effects. I have examined firm size and alliance type as moderators to the product alliance and stock performance relationship. Using a large database of 506 firms and 3714 new product alliances over 21 years, I estimate a random effects model. My findings are that new product alliances demonstrate an increase in stock returns and a decrease in stock risk. In addition, these effects are heterogeneous across firm size and alliance type. This research has implications for both new product alliances and marketing-finance interface literature.
Effect of irradiation on some portions of head of young axoloti (Siredon mexicanum).

Summary1) Definite suppression of growth of treated portion of the head was observed 80–110 days after irradiation with 3,000 or 6,000 r. In irradiated portions: teeth disappeared completely, growth of olfactory chambers suppressed greatly, but they never disappeared completely, anterior portion of the lower jaw had disappeared, visceral arches all shifted in rostral direction, development of the eyes was suppressed. According to sensitivity, it is possible to distribute the tissues and organs among 5 groups. (I) The teeth and lymph nodes (disappeared completely in 100% of animals). (II) Olfactory epithelium and the lens (disappeared in 28%, damaged in 55% and normal in 17%). (III) Epithelium of the cornea (disappeared in 30%, damaged in 38% and normal in 32%) and the rods and cones layer of the retina (disappeared in 31%, damaged in 33% and normal in 36%). The gills. (IV) Other layers of retina (damaged in 16% and normal in 84%). (V) Pigment cells of choroid and other tissues of the head, which are compa...
17beta-estradiol attenuates CREB decline in the rat hippocampus following seizure.

Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is a transcription factor that has been implicated in the activation of a number of genes. We reported that CREB levels decline following a severe hypoglycemic episode in the hippocampus and cortex in the male rat brain. The present experiment was undertaken to investigate whether 17β-estradiol prevents the decline in CREB-immunoreactive cells following seizure in female rats. Rats were divided into four groups: ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized and insulin-treated (OVX-I), estrogen-replaced (E2), and estrogen-replaced and insulin-treated (E2-I). Generalized seizures were induced by injections with insulin (12.5 IU/kg, intraperitoneally) and animals were recovered by administration of glucose within 5 min of the occurrence of seizure. Control animals were injected with saline instead of insulin. All animals were perfused 90 min after recovery and the brains were processed for CREB immunoreactivity. CREB-positive neurons were counted using a computer-assisted program. Insulin treatment of OVX rats caused a significant decline in CREB-positive neurons in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus compared to OVX rats. Estrogen treatment of OVX rats significantly increased CREB-positive neurons in the CA1 and dentate gyrus and attenuated the insulin-induced decline of CREB-positive neurons in all three regions compared to OVX rats. In conclusion, estrogens appear to induce CREB expression and attenuate its decline in the hippocampus following a severe hypoglycemic episode. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 33: 961–967, 1997
Database structures for mathematical programming models

Abstract In the design and use of large-scale mathematical programming systems, a substantial portion of the effort has no direct relation to the variables and constraints, but is instead concerned with the description, manipulation and display of data. Established principles of database design do not apply directly to mathematical programming, however, because there are significant differences of organization and content between the data for an optimization model and the data for a conventional database application such as payroll or order entry. The goal of this work is thus to derive and elucidate fundamental principles of database construction for the specific case of large-scale mathematical programming. Alternative formulations of a steel mill planning model, combining aspects of production and network linear programming, are presented as an example; these formulations are shown to correspond to relational and hierarchical database schemes that have contrasting strengths and weaknesses. A particular implementation of a database system for steel optimization is then introduced and discussed, and a variety of promising generalizations are surveyed.
On Structural Comparisons of Networks

L'analyse de reseau social traduit une dissociation des modeles structurels statiques et un rapprochement de modeles conceptuels qui permettent une plus grande flexibilite. Le concept de « reseau social » fut jusqu'a J. A. Barnes, une notion imprecise. Aujourd'hui, ce concept est utilise avec une grande rigueur theorique et l'etude des reseaux en est rendue au stage ou les methodes de comparaison doivent etre clarifiees. L'article suggere une taxonomie: toute partie d'un reseau est appelee segment (« set ») qui en contiendrait cinq genres differents: le segment personnel; le segment categorique; le segment de l'action; le segment des systemes de role; et le segment des champs. Un segment particulier peut etre decrit et compare aux autres, a partir d'une matrice de frequences de poids par rapport a douze variables. En dernier lieu, l'auteur definit une technique qui permet des comparaisons multiples de telle sorte que les comparaisons structurelles rendront possibles les epreuves portant sur des hypotheses processuelles. Social network analysis expresses the theoretical trend away from static structural models and toward conceptual models recognizing greater adaptability. Until J. A. Barnes, “social network” had been but a vague notion. Now, the idea is treated with greater theoretical rigour, and the study of networks is at a stage where methods of comparison must be clarified. A taxonomy is presented, in which any limited portion of a network is called a set, and five kinds of sets are defined: personal sets, categorical sets, action sets, role system sets, and field sets. A given set may be described, and ultimately compared with others, in terms of a matrix of frequencies of scores on twelve variables. Finally, a technique is introduced by which multiple comparisons might be made, so that structural comparisons will make it possible to test processual hypotheses.
Pseudoevidence‐based medicine: what it is, and what to do about it

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to define, describe, and understand how to combat pseudoevidence‐based medicine (PBM).Design/methodology/approach – Descriptive essay and review.Findings – PBM can be defined as the practice of medicine based on falsehoods that are disseminated as true evidence, then adopted by unwitting and well‐intentioned practitioners of evidence‐based medicine (EBM). PBM borders on being not only unethical, but also criminal. It may well result not only in inappropriate quality standards and processes of care, but also in harms to patients. Is there a motive to commit the crime of PBM? Is there an opportunity to commit the crime? And is there evidence of the crime beyond reasonable doubt? This article answers those questions.Originality/value – PBM should be opposed. This article recommends individual and corporate ways to oppose it, including heightened individual skepticism when evaluating evidence, and improved professionalism in relationships with patients and scientific end...
Molecular mobility in supported thin films of polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(2-vinyl pyridine) probed by dye reorientation

Temperature-ramping anisotropy measurements were used to probe the molecular mobility of fluorescent probes in polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(2-vinyl pyridine) films supported upon silicon wafers with native oxide coatings. All polymer films showed evidence of high mobility at the free surface. The fraction of a film with high mobility was characterized as a mobile surface layer thickness, which increased with temperature. The mobile surface layer thickness for supported films of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) reasonably matched that previously deduced from freestanding films of these polymers; for poly(methyl methacrylate), enhanced mobility extends about 4 nm into the film from the free surface at Tg. For supported polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) films, the results are consistent with no decrease in mobility near the solid substrate but do not eliminate this possibility. On the other hand, the mobility of supported poly(2-vinyl pyridine) thin films provides some evidence for slower-than-bulk relaxation near the solid substrate.
Understanding advertising clutter and the real solution to declining audience attention to mass media commercial messages

Purpose – In all mass media advertising, the increasing advertising to editorial ratio is causing audience inattention and consumer complaints. The usual solutions are more creative advertising or better hiding of the messages within the editorial content. This discussion aims to describe the real solution, first predicted by Howard Gossage five decades ago, which requires understanding the problem in historical perspective and maybe a shift back to some older practices.Design/methodology/approach – Uses a historical perspective plus the wisdom to Gossage to point out the potential salvation and future for effective advertising.Findings – More effective advertising would mean that there would be less of it.Originality/value – Abuse of audiences by intrusive advertising lowers the effectiveness of the entire communications form. For better advertising, there should be less of it and more targeted both in placement and content. This offers a more realistic statement of how advertising can maximize its persu...
Implicit and explicit memory for trauma-related information in PTSD.

Experiments on content-dependent memory abnormalities in PTSD suggest several conclusions. First, PTSD patients exhibit enhanced recall of words related to trauma relative to trauma-exposed persons with the disorder. Recognition tests, however, appear insensitive to these effects. Second, PTSD patients do not exhibit implicit memory biases for trauma cues on implicit memory tasks that are strongly influenced by perceptual (e.g., orthographic) aspects of input. They may, however, exhibit enhanced implicit memory for trauma-related material on conceptually more complex tasks. Third, directed forgetting research suggests that adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse who have PTSD exhibit memory deficits only for neutral and positive material, not for material related to their abuse. Psychiatrically healthy survivors exhibit normal memory performance in this paradigm. Fourth, autobiographical memory research indicates that trauma survivors, especially those with PTSD, are characterized by difficulties retrieving specific memories from their past in response to cue words. These findings are especially dramatic in Vietnam combat veterans whose self-presentational style suggests a fixation to the war and a failure of their autobiography to unfold.
Abortion providers, stigma and professional quality of life

Abstract Objectives The Providers Share Workshop (PSW) provides abortion providers safe space to discuss their work experiences. Our objectives were to assess changes in abortion stigma over time and explore how stigma is related to aspects of professional quality of life, including compassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue for providers participating in the workshops. Study Design Seventy-nine providers were recruited to the PSW study. Surveys were completed prior to, immediately following and 1 year after the workshops. The outcome measures were the Abortion Provider Stigma Survey and the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) survey. Baseline ProQOL scores were compared to published averages using t tests. Changes in abortion stigma and aspects of professional quality of life were assessed by fitting a two-level random-effects model with repeated measures at level 1 (period-level) and static measures (e.g., demographic data) at level 2 (person-level). Potential covariates included age, parenting status, education, organizational tenure, job type and clinic type (stand-alone vs. hospital-based clinics). Results Compared to other healthcare workers, abortion providers reported higher compassion satisfaction ( t =2.65, p=.009) and lower burnout ( t =5.13, p Conclusions Participants in PSW reported a reduction in abortion stigma over time. Further, stigma is an important predictor of compassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue, suggesting that interventions aimed at supporting the abortion providing workforce should likely assess abortion stigma. Implications Stigma is an important predictor of compassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue among abortion care providers. Therefore, strengthening human resources for abortion care requires stigma reduction efforts. Participants in the PSWs show reductions in stigma over time.
Characteristics of social smoking among college students.

Abstract. Social smoking is a newly identified phenomenon in the young adult population that is poorly understood. We investigated differences in social smoking (smoking most commonly while partying or socializing) and other smoking within a convenience sample of college smokers (n = 351) from a large midwestern university. Results revealed that 70% of 351 current (past 30-day) smokers reported social smoking. No significant difference was found in motivation to quit between smoking groups. However, a significant difference was found between groups in confidence to quit, the number of days smoked, and the number of cigarettes smoked on those days. More social smokers than expected did not perceive themselves as smokers. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower physical and psychological dependence and higher social support scores predicted social smoking.
The development of the emergency medicine milestones

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has outlined its "Next Accreditation System" (NAS) that will focus on resident and residency outcome measurements. Emergency medicine (EM) is one of seven specialties that will implement the NAS beginning July 2013. All other specialties will follow in July 2014. A key component of the NAS is the development of assessable milestones, which are explicit accomplishments or behaviors that occur during the process of residency education. Milestones describe competencies more specifically and identify specialty-specific knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors (KSABs) that can be used as outcome measures within the general competencies. The ACGME and the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) convened an EM milestone working group to develop the EM milestones. This article describes the development, use within the NAS, and challenges of the EM milestones.
Time varying behavior of cocurrent gas-liquid flows in packed beds

Abstract The time-varying fluid mechanics of the pulse flow regime are studied by the use of continuous pressure measurements. It is found that pulses can occur either or intermittently and the time period between pulses scales inversely with a modified Reynolds number. A simple physical basis for this scaling is suggested by a one-dimentional map. The results emphasize the importance of knowing the time scale of pulses and suggest that it is worthwhile to look for similar scalings for other intermittent flow phenomena such as slugs in horizontal gas-liquid flows.
TU-C-T-6E-03: Adapting the Victoreen 7200(TM) Device as a Tool for Daily QA of the Helical Tomotherapy Hi-Art(TM) Unit

Purpose: To provide a simple procedure for RTT staff performing daily QA of a Helical Tomotherapy Hi‐Art Unit™ using a Victoreen 7200 ™ ion chamber device. Method and Materials: Intended for use on conventional linacs, the Victoreen 7200™ consists of a flat paddle containing 10 ion chambers embedded 5 mm deep and spanning a 20cm × 20 cm field size. There are 2 perpendicular linear arrays containing 5 chambers each with a common center chamber. The 10th chamber is located diagonally away from the center and may be covered with a stainless steel attenuator. Firmware permits entry of baseline values, temperature and pressure for measurement corrections, and computationally provides beam output, symmetry, flatness, and energy constancy information with only one exposure. By diagonal alignment of this device with the green lasers of the Hi‐Art ™ Tomotherapy Unit, a single, fixed gantry angle (0) beam exposure of 30 seconds using a 5 cm jaw width provides radiation constancy information within established tolerances for daily QA. The device is covered with a 1 cm acrylic build up sheet and a 15 mm stainless attenuator is used for energy constancy. Measurements are made with the treatment couch lowered so the SSD to the top of acrylic sheet is 103.8 cm. The diagonal alignment permits monitoring of the 5 cm jaw width. With a built in RS232 port, this information is easily downloaded into software applications permitting QA analysis and tracking with pass/fail criteria. (Our information is downloaded into ARGUS™.) Results:Analysis of more than 20 data sets indicates reliable and reproducible device performance. The procedure is simple and information rich. Conclusion: The Victoreen 7200™ device is easily adapted to Helical Tomotherapy Daily QA. Conflict of Interest: A collaborative research relationship is currently being developed with TOMOTHERAPY, Inc.