cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anxiolytic activity of a brain delivery system for GABA.

We evaluated the anxiolytic property of a brain-specific gamma-aminobutyric acid delivery system (GABA-CDS) in male rats by means of a drink-foot shock conflict procedure. Brain-specific delivery of the active compound was achieved by combination of GABA benzyl ester with an interconvertible dihydropyridine⇌pyridinium salt carrier, which is “locked in” to the brain upon its oxidation. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that the hydrophilic pyridinium salt form (G-Q+) of the GABA-CDS formed in situ remained in the brain for 12 h but was cleared from the blood and other peripheral tissues by 0.5–4 h. While the lipophilic form (G-DH) of the GABA-CDS caused a marked and sustained anxiolytic response when administered systemically, GABA and the charged pyridinium salt (G-Q+ form) of the GABA-CDS were ineffective. G-DH was injected at either 0, 4, 10 or 25 mg/kg IV in DMSO after rats were water and food deprived. After either 0.5, 2, 4, 8 or 24 h, rats were permitted 10 s of shock-free drinking of 10% sucrose, then given a 35 mA (DC) current through the drinking tube. Drinking time was recorded for 3 min. All doses of G-DH caused a significant increase in anxiolysis over control levels through 8 h. An increase (4 to 7-fold) in anxiolytic activity was observed through the 10 mg/kg dose with the 25 mg/kg dose causing no additional increase. No sedation or analgesia was observed at 2 h with any anxiolytic-producing dose of G-DH. These results suggest that G-DH elicits anxiolysis with minimal sedation, through the local brain action the G-Q+ or subsequent to the release of GABA.
Silver bullets for little monsters: making software more trustworthy

Despite the legions of ideas about how to improve software quality, much commercial software remains untrustworthy. In this article, the authors make the case for at least taking small steps toward improved quality by using silver bullets "corrective actions or methods" to at least eliminate some common problems, the "little monsters" of the title. Here, they discuss three such problems "memory leaks, buffer overflows, and files that remain unclosed when a program terminates" and list several techniques proposed to eliminate them in software.
Judgments of gender in computer-mediated communication

Abstract One of the most intriguing questions studied recently in the field of computer-mediated communication (CMC) has been how communicators establish a `social presence' in the absence of non-verbal cues which are relied upon heavily in face to face communication. One important area of social presence is the understanding of the gender of each of the participants in a conversation. Herring has speculated that, because of differential language cues, men and women can be identified in text-based messages (Herring, S.C. [1993]. Gender and democracy in computer-mediated communication. Electronic Journal of Communication [On-line], 3(2). Available: http://www.cios.org/getfile/Herring_v3n293). The present study investigated the ability of readers of CMC messages to identify the gender of the author when messages were selected for language characteristics identified in previous studies (Savicki, V., Kelley, M. & Lingenfelter, D. [1996]. Gender, group composition and task type in small task groups using computer mediated-communication. Computers in Human Behavior, 12, 549–565.) as being associated with both group development and gender. Twenty messages from previous research were sorted into gender groups and into high and low communication style categories. Participants were asked their perception of the probable gender of the message author and their certainty of that judgment. Accuracy and certainty of judgments of gender showed significant differences between gender-communication style conditions. However, overall accuracy and certainty of judgments were not related. Neither was there a difference in accuracy or certainty of judgments between male and female judges. Finally, judges' accuracy followed gender stereotypes for messages sent by men, but were opposed to the stereotype for messages sent by women.
Autoradiographic studies of the utilization of S35-sulfate by the chick embryo.

From studies of autoradiograms of various developmental stages of the chick embryo containing S35 given us sulfate it was determined that as early as Stages 3+ and 4 there is a selective utilization or accumulation of sulfate by the various parts. The earliest accumulation site is the axial portion of the primitive streak and the floor of the groove. Later S35 was found in the head process, Hensen's node, notochord, amniocardiac vesicle, wall of the omphalomesenteric vein, endocardium, subendocardial jelly, mesenchyme destined to become cartilage, basement membrane area of the gut, and a mucopolysaccharide layer formed on the free surface of the stomach. The early notochordal localizations of S35 coincide with the region in which a thin ring of chondroitin sulfate is subsequently laid down. However, it is apparent that there is an intracellular accumulation of inorganic sulfate by the chondroitin-forming cells prior to the time they produce sufficient chondroitin sulfate to be demonstrable histochemically. It was interesting to note that the endocardium appears to concentrate sulfate that later apparently finds its way into the subendocardial jelly. The fact that those mesenchymal cells which later form chondroblasts begin to utilize sulfate selectively before histological differentiation is apparent was determined. In addition, the presence of sulfate-containing substances in the forming basement membrane of the gut would seem to indicate that sulfate is important in the histological differentiation of this membrane.
Validation of the pedigree assessment tool (PAT) in families with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

The lifetime risk of breast cancer (BC) in patients with hereditary breast cancer syndromes is as high as 80%. The Pedigree Assessment Tool (PAT) is a scoring system to aid in identifying these patients. This validation study compares the PAT to BRCA gene mutation probability models in predicting suitability for genetic referral. Retrospective review identified subjects undergoing genetic counseling and BRCA testing from 2001 to 2008 at two institutions. PAT score and BRCA mutation probabilities were calculated using Myriad II and Penn II models. Comparisons were made between models in ability to discriminate patients appropriate for genetic evaluation based on accuracy in predicting a positive test result. Records evaluated represent 520 families. BRCA testing revealed 146 mutation-positive and 374 mutation-negative families. c-Statistic analysis was used to compare the discriminating ability of the models to correctly assign families as mutation (+) and (−). Both the PAT and Penn II model outperformed the Myriad II model. Using a threshold PAT score ≥8 and mutation probability ≥10% to assign families as mutation (+) versus (−), sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each model. The PAT was more sensitive than the Myriad II model and more specific than the Penn II model. In overall performance, the PAT is at least comparable to the Myriad II and Penn II models in screening women appropriate for genetic referral. Simplicity and identification of families with non-BRCA hereditary BC syndromes suggest that the PAT is better suited for BC risk screening.
DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF RHINITIS

The complaint of rhinitis is one of the most frequent reasons why patients seek a physician's evaluation. Rhinitis is an inflammatory response of the nasal mucosa to various stimuli (both allergic or nonallergic). It is characterized by symptoms of nasal congestion, sneezing, nasal pruritis, and rhinorrhea. 49 The prevalence of rhinitis and the economic impact for both patient and managed care organizations dictate that clinicians carefully consider the medications available to them.
Package and module substrate interconnect evaluation by thermal time domain reflectometry (TTDR)

A TAB package inner lead interconnect is characterized experimentally by thermal time- domain reflectometry. In order to estimate the low frequency thermal characteristic impedance of the lead in a module substrate, we apply TPA (total pulse area) steady state methodology to analyze transient TTDR measurements. TAB ILB bond thicknesses are measured and compared with estimates of the thermal resistances of short portions of the inner leads terminating at the ILB. The ILB thermal constriction and contact resistance of the bonds measured appear to be negligible compared to the lead resistance.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Step And Scan: A Systems Overview Of A New Lithography Tool

The Micrascan I system, a new 0.5-micron lithography tool, employs a 'step-and-scans concept that combines the virtues of ring-field scanning systems with those of conventional step-and-repeat systems. Individual exposure fields on the wafer are sequentially scanned past the arcuate image field of a catadioptric projection optics system with a 4:1 reduction ratio. The reticle is scanned in precisely coordinated fashion by a separate stage. Exposure illumination is provided by a long-life mercury-xenon arc lamp. The concept enables very large field sizes and high system productivity.
The angle of escape in the three body problem

In the three body problem, an upper bound is found for the angle defined by the invariable plane and the position vector of an escaping particle.
Evidence for a structural phase change in the fast-ion conductor Na3Sc2P3O12

Abstract Debye-Scherrer x-ray diffraction patterns, optical microscopy, and the existence of a specific heat anomaly at about 63°C strongly suggest that the fast ion conductor Na 3 Sc 2 P 3 O 12 undergoes a reversible phase change at this temperature. Experimental results indicate that the phase change is abrupt, occurs within a temperature range of about 1.5°C, and that upon slow warming the phase change occurs at a temperature about 3°C higher than upon slow cooling. Measurements at 9.2 GHz show an abrupt increased loss in the high temperature loss above the transition temperature; this increased loss in the high temperature phase is probably associated with the onset of fast ion conduction. The electron paramagnetic resonance absorptions od impurity ions also undergo marked changes at the transition temperature.
Imperfect Information and the Equitability of Competitive Prices

In many markets, sellers have imperfect information about the costs of sales to different buyers, and the pattern of competitive pricing depends on the information available. In order to analyze the equity implications of public policies requiring information suppression, non-utilitarian measures of the horizontal and vertical dimensions of pricing inequity caused by cross-subsidization are proposed and examined. Better information generally reduces vertical inequity, but if information about buyers is initially poor, additional imperfect information may increase horizontal inequity. If information is initially good, more information generally lowers both dimensions of inequity.
Respiration inhibition kinetic analysis

Abstract A protocol was developed for measuring the inhibitory effects of synthetic organic compounds on the biodegradation of naturally occurring (biogenic) organic matter. A tiered approach based on respirometry was employed. In the first tier, compounds were screened to determine if their effects were sufficiently inhibitory to warrant further testing. This was done at an inhibitor concentration of 1000 mg 1 −1 , or the solubility limit if lower, and at both high and low biogenic substrate concentrations. If a compound caused more than 50% inhibition in a screening test, the stability of its effect was determined next. Finally, compounds causing stable responses were subjected to the respiration inhibition kinetic analysis in which the Monod kinetic parameters describing the biodegradation of butyric acid were measured in the presence of several inhibitor concentrations by using a technique based on that of Cech et al . ( Wat. Sci. Technol . 17 (2/3), 259–272, 1985), thereby allowing the effects of inhibitor concentration on biodegradation kinetics to be quantified. Examples of application of the protocol are given.
Discrimination of Organic Solvents Using an Infrared-Emitting Diode-Based Analyzer. Part II: Practical Demonstration

It is demonstrated that a short-wave near-infrared analyzer equipped with a small number of discrete infrared-emitting diode sources can provide the spectral information required to discriminate organic solvents. Discrimination models were developed and validated for a large variety of compounds with the use of as few as six data points, and were, in most cases, quite successful. Additionally, the effect of added impurities on the discrimination model for methanol was investigated. As expected, the model developed for pure methanol was relatively insensitive to the presence of impurities at levels below about 5%.
Robust Processor Allocation for Independent Tasks When Dollar Cost for Processors is a Constraint

In a distributed heterogeneous computing system, the resources have different capabilities and tasks have different requirements. Different classes of machines used in such systems typically vary in dollar cost based on their computing efficiencies. Makespan (defined as the completion time for an entire set of tasks) is often the performance feature that is optimized. Resource allocation is often done based on estimates of the computation time of each task on each class of machines. Hence, it is important that makespan be robust against errors in computation time estimates. The dollar cost to purchase the machines for use can be a constraint such that only a subset of the machines available can be purchased. The goal of this study is to: (1) select a subset of all the machines available so that the cost constraint for the machines is satisfied, and (2) find a static mapping of tasks so that the robustness of the desired system feature, makespan, is maximized against the errors in task execution time estimates. Six heuristic techniques to this problem are presented and evaluated
A non-linearly elastic, finite deformation analysis applicable to the static mechanics of excised lungs.

Abstract Continuum mechanical analyses of lung behavior require a constitutive relationship for the parenchyma. For a homogenous, isotropic, elastic material this relationship is dependent upon the strain invariants. Furthermore, the sparse data available indicate that the relationship should be exponential in form. A suitable equation has previously appeared in the literature. In this paper it is developed for application to whole lung experiments.
Use of Self: A Brief Report†

One of the effects of crisis in a family is that the members become fixed in rigid attitudes with strong, narrow limits imposed on the free flow of feelings. A way for the family therapist to free up the members of such a system is to introduce his own affect into the structure. A child may be required to help the therapist gain entry.
Detection of disease with periodic screening: transient analysis and application to mammography examination

Abstract A steady state mathematical analysis of periodic mass screening programs to detect chronic diseases is extended to the transient state. One can now calculate the screening effectiveness, the number of cases, both discovered and undiscovered, and the extent of disease in these cases at any time after the screening program is started. A previously developed mathematical model for the growth and spread of human breast cancer is joined with this screening model to evaluate alternative screening strategies for breast cancer in large populations of asymptotic women. The screening effectiveness is calculated for examinations with different levels of detection sensitivity, for different intervals between examinations, and for different ages when screening begins. Tentative conclusions are that starting screening at age 40 has little advantage over starting at age 50, while there is some advantage to a screening interval of 12 months rather than 24 months.
User‐interface design for text editing: A case study

This paper describes the design of the user interface of a text editor named Occam with the goal of communicating by example the process of user-interface design. An attempt is made to induce principles; where that attempt falls, the raw details are presented. First Occam Itself Is described, and then aspects of its user Interface are used to exemplify (1) power versus ease of learning, (2) the use of prototypes and user feedback, (3) the importance of planning and (4) error detection and handling.
Total Synthesis of Dimeric Pyrrole−Imidazole Alkaloids: Sceptrin, Ageliferin, Nagelamide E, Oxysceptrin, Nakamuric Acid, and the Axinellamine Carbon Skeleton

The dimeric pyrrole imidazole natural products are a growing class of alkaloids with exotic connectivity, unique topologies, high nitrogen content, and exciting bioactivities. This full account traces the evolution of a strategy that culminated in the first total syntheses of several members of this family, including sceptrin, ageliferin, nagelamide E, nakamuric acid (and its methyl ester), and oxysceptrin. Details on the fascinating conversion of sceptrin to ageliferin, which has been used to produce gram quantities of this sensitive natural product, are provided. In addition, the first enantioselective total synthesis of sceptrin and ageliferin are reported by programming the fragmentation of an oxaquadricyclane. A hallmark of our approach to this family of alkaloids is the minimal use of protecting groups despite the presence of 10 nitrogen atoms in the target compounds. Thus, the fundamental chemistry of the 2-aminoimidazole heterocycle was explored without masking its innate reactivity. Insights gained during these explorations led to total syntheses of oxysceptrin and nakamuric acid and a successful construction of the carbon skeleton of axinellamine.
The role of information technology project management in managing the preparation for sarbanes-oxley assessments

The information technology project manager's role includes preparation for upcoming initiatives. The organization's business objectives drive the direction of the upcoming initiatives. This paper proposes an approach to apply best practices in the preparation for the Sarbanes-Oxley assessments. The information technology project manager is seen as a valued leader in the organization [3]. They can be uniquely successful in understanding what will directly influence the decisions of the business leadership team.The information technology organization recognizes that it must allow the auditors, outsourcers, and business implementers the flexibility to use innovative, streamlined best practices when applicable throughout the preparation for the Sarbanes-Oxley assessment. The success of any effort is largely dependent upon how well it is organized.
The Dimension of the Cohomology Groups of the Orlik–Solomon Algebras

The Orlik–Solomon algebra is a graded algebra defined by the partially ordered set of subspace intersections of the hyperplanes in an arrangement. Define the cohomology of an Orlik–Solomon algebra as that of the complex formed by its homogeneous components with the differential defined via multiplication by an element of degree one. The dimension of the cohomology of the Orlik–Solomon algebra in dimension one has been determined by Libgober and Yuzvinsky. Using similar techniques, we study the dimension of the cohomology groups of the Orlik–Solomon algebra in higher dimensions under the special case where the element of degree one which defines the multiplication is concentrated under an element of the intersection lattice of codimension two. We provide computational methods for the dimension of the second cohomology group.
REAL-SPACE ELECTRON-SPIN SUSCEPTIBILITY CHI '(R) AND NMR T2G FOR INCOMMENSURATE SPIN FLUCTUATIONS IN CUPRATES

The real-space electron-spin susceptibility for incommensurate spin fluctuations in cuprate high-temperature superconductors is calculated, as well as the resultant indirect nuclear coupling constants. It is shown that the incommensurabilities, typical for the cuprates, cause (1) a reduction of the range of the effective indirect nuclear coupling and (2) a nonlinear relationship of ${1/T}_{2G}$ versus the correlation length. The resulting effects on the Gaussian component ${T}_{2G}$ of the NMR spin-echo decay are discussed along with consequences for several experiments.
Antioxidant Activities of Isoflavones and Their Biological Metabolites in a Liposomal System

Genistein and daidzein, the two major soy isoflavones, principally occur in nature as their glycosylated or methoxylated derivatives, which are cleaved in the large intestine to yield the free aglycones and further metabolites. The objective of this study was to compare the antioxidant activities of genistein and daidzein with their glycosylated and methoxylated derivatives and also those of their human metabolites. The abilities of these compounds to inhibit lipid peroxidation in a liposomal system were evaluated using fluorescence spectroscopy, and structural criteria that enhance antioxidant activity were established. The peroxidation initiators employed in the study were Fe(II) and Fe(III) metal ions and aqueous-phase, azo-derived peroxyl radicals. Both the parent isoflavonoids and their metabolites were more effective at suppressing metal-ion-induced peroxidations than the peroxyl-radical-induced peroxidation. Antioxidant activities for the isoflavone metabolites were comparable to or superior to those for the parent compounds. Equol and its 4-hydroxy and 5-hydroxy derivatives were the most potent antioxidants in the study, suggesting that absence of the 2, 3-double bond and the 4-oxo group on the isoflavone nucleus enhances antioxidant activity. Additionally, the number and position of hydroxyl groups were determining factors for isoflavonoid antioxidant activity, with hydroxyl substitution being of utmost importance at the C-4' position, of moderate importance at the C-5 position, and of little significance at the C-7 position.
Interspecies Scaling of Biliary Excreted Drugs: A Comparison of Several Methods*

The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive performance of several methods of interspecies scaling for the prediction of human clearance of drugs which are excreted in the bile. Ten methods of allometric scaling were used to predict human clearance of biliary excreted drugs from animal data. The methods included the simple allometric approach; the rule of exponents; the rule of exponents with a correction factor; the ratio of human and monkey liver blood flow x monkey clearance; product of clearance and bile flow; product of clearance and UDGPT; product of clearance, bile flow, and UDGPT; and a modified version of the last three approaches in association with the rule of exponents. The results of the study indicate that among these ten approaches, the rule of exponents with the correction factor is the best approach for the prediction of human clearance for drugs which are excreted in the bile. The worst approach is the product of clearance, bile flow, and UDGPT. The simple allometry and the monkey liver blood flow (MLBF) approaches gave almost similar results. For some drugs the simple allometry predicted clearance better than the MLBF approach and vice versa.
Some questions about the moral responsibilities of drug companies in developing countries.

David Resnik begins his paper with the claim that `Providing people with affordable prescription drugs is probably the most important health care issue for the developing world as we begin the 21st century.1 I believe he is correct. He goes on to argue that drug companies have social responsibilities including moral obligations based in beneficence and justice to help meet this need by such practices as drug giveaways discount pricing and special licensing arrangements. However this responsibility is contingent he believes in part on developing countries establishing a business climate in which drug companies can expect to make reasonable profits which includes in particular respecting the product patents of drug companies. While I am in full sympathy with Resniks desire to increase the availability of prescription drugs in developing countries I want to raise two concerns about his argument in the paper. The first concern is the nature of drug companies moral obligations to develop affordable drugs for the developing world and to make these drugs accessible. The second concern is whether drug companies fulfilling this social responsibility would be at all adequate to meet the developing worlds needs and what implications this has for the responsibilities Resnik argues developing countries have to establish a profitable business climate. (excerpt)
The Effects of Divalent Ions on Langmuir Monolayer and Subphase Structure: A Grazing-Incidence Diffraction and Bragg Rod Study

Divalent ions dissolved in the aqueous subphase of fatty acid Langmuir monolayers have two types of effects on the structure of the organic film. The first and more familiar effect is to induce a structure similar to the high-pressure “S” phase on pure water, even at low pressures; ions of the first type include Ni2+(aq), Ba2+(aq), Co2+(aq), and Cu2+(aq). The presence of ions of the second type results in the appearance of superlattice structures: we see a 1 × 2 superlattice with Mn2+(aq) and a 2 × 2 superlattice with Mg2+(aq), and it is known that Cd2+(aq) and Pb2+(aq) also cause the formation of superlattices. Out-of-plane (Bragg rod) scans indicate that Mn2+(aq) and Mg2+(aq) interact with the headgroups so strongly that the organic film buckles, with a periodic out-of-plane density modulation (amplitude ∼2.5 A). In addition, a thin (∼4 A) ordered inorganic layer forms in the subphase under the Langmuir film.
Different Endovascular Referral Patterns Are Being Learned in Medical and Surgical Residency Training Programs

Physicians in residency training will be the referring physicians of tomorrow. We sought to determine the current surgical and medical trainees’ perception of vascular surgery’s endovascular qualifications and capabilities. An anonymous survey was sent to all general surgery and internal medicine residents at a single academic institution. Respondents answered the question “Which specialty is the most qualified to perform (1) inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion; (2) angiograms, angioplasty, and stenting of the carotid arteries; (3) renal arteries; (4) aorta; and (5) lower extremity arteries?” For each question, respondents chose one response, either vascular surgery, interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, or do not know. One hundred respondents completed the survey (general surgery, n = 50; internal medicine, n = 50). There was a significant difference in the attitudes of surgery and medicine residents when choosing the most qualified endovascular specialist (p < 0.05). Surgery residents chose vascular surgery as the most qualified specialty for each listed procedure: carotid (80%, n = 40), IVC (56%, n = 28), aorta (100%, n = 50), extremity (86%, n = 43), renal (78%, n = 39). Medicine residents chose vascular surgery as the most qualified specialty less frequently: carotid (66%, n = 33), IVC (6%, n = 3), aorta (88%, n = 44), extremity (72%, n = 36), renal (16%, n = 8). There was no significant difference in specialty selection based on postgraduate year. There is a large discrepancy between surgical and medical trainees’ perception of vascular surgery’s endovascular abilities, particularly regarding IVC placement and renal artery interventions. If our own institution mirrors the nation, each passing year a significant portion of the 21,722 graduating internal medicine residents go into practice viewing vascular surgeons as second-tier endovascular providers. A concerted campaign should be undertaken to educate medical residents regarding the skills and capabilities of vascular surgeons.
Clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of new naevi in adults: results from a cohort study

Summary Background Naevogenesis is a process known to occur throughout life. To date, investigators have made conclusions about new naevi in adults based on results of cross-sectional studies. Objectives To determine the incidence of new naevus development in adults and to describe the dermoscopic morphology of new naevi. Methods A cohort of 182 patients seen at the outpatient dermatology clinic at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 2000 and 2009 was evaluated with baseline total body photographs. The patients were aged 17 years or older and had presented for routine follow-up surveillance examination at least 3 months after baseline total body photographs. The number of new naevi and the dermoscopic morphology of these naevi were recorded. Results Of the 182 patients evaluated, 50 (27%) developed at least one new naevus during follow-up. The incidence of new naevi was 202 per 1000 person-years of follow-up. The most common types of naevi were reticular (47·1%), followed by the homogeneous (22·1%) and complex (reticuloglobular) patterns (15·4%). Conclusions Our results provide support for the theory that there are two distinct pathways of naevogenesis, a dynamic process occurring throughout life. This study demonstrates that the predominant dermoscopic morphology of newly acquired naevi in adults is reticular.
The microinjection of adenosine triphosphate into the protoplasm of skeletal muscle fibers

1. The average shortening of frog muscle fiber produced by the microinjection of 0.001 M ATP, pH 7.0 as compared with a sodium ion control was about 13%. 2. The microinjection of 0.003 M ATP containing 0.5 M phosphate ion was insignificant in shortening muscle protoplasm at ranges of sodium ion from 0.1 to 0.4 M.
Interface quality enhancement of the epitaxial regrowth process for [i]nipi[/i] photovoltaic devices

The nipi photovoltaic device is a doping superlattice-based device, that uses iterative n-type / intrinsic / p-type / intrinsically doped GaAs layers to minimize the effect of minority carrier diffusion length. Following photon absorption, carriers are quickly swept vertically by drift into majority doped layers. Carriers are collected in the lateral contacts via diffusion through the doped superlattice layers. Epitaxial regrowth is used to form selective lateral contacts in v-grooves that are etched into the superlattice layers. Testing was completed to improve the epitaxial regrowth process used, where an improvement in the morphology of the regrown material was demonstrated by adjusting the growth parameters. Devices have been fabricated, and the effects of varying the cell size and grid finger spacing have been studied. The competing effects of series resistance which increases as the grid finger spacing increases and shunt resistance which decreases as the finger spacing decrease have to be balance to optimize the efficiency for the design. Although an additional shunt path was created between the contacts, a one sun efficiency of 3.42% was achieved. The development of a fabrication process makes way for the use of the nipi device to be used in conjunction with quantum dots to increase subband absorption and potentially realize an intermediate band solar cell.
Frequency Mixing In The Extreme Ultraviolet (XUV) Using Rare Gas Halide Lasers

The use of rare gas halide lasers for generation of frequency conversion to the extreme ultraviolet is discussed. Experiments in third and fifth harmonic conversion of a XeCl laser are described. Areas of future progress are discussed.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Treatment of a Nocardia brasiliensis Mycetoma With Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim, Amikacin, and Amoxicillin and Clavulanate

REPORT OF A CASE A 29-year-old Mexican man who had lived in the United States for 15 years was referred to the dermatology clinic at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, for evaluation of a possible mycetoma of the right foot. The disorder had started 8 years before, when the patient injured his foot with a blunt metal object at work. Subsequently, multiple sinus tracts draining blood and pus had formed on the foot. Empiric treatment with combinations of dapsone, rifampin and isoniazid, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, gentamicin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide suspension had been unsuccessful. The patient had no relevant medical history, no allergies to medications, and used tobacco and alcohol occasionally. On physical examination, the right foot and ankle were firm, swollen, and in fixed plantar flexion. Multiple crusted, friable nodules and sinus tracts draining serosanguinous and purulent material were seen (Fig
Denitrosation of 1,3-dimethyl-2-cyano-1-nitrosoguanidine in rat primary hepatocyte cultures☆

Abstract N-Nitrosoguanidines are potential carcinogens. However, the toxicity of these agents is attenuated significantly in laboratory rodents by processes that remove the nitroso group to generate the relatively innocuous parent guanidinium compound. The denitrosation of 1,3-dimethyl-2-cyano-1-nitrosoguanidine (CyanoDMNG) mediated by rat hepatocytes in primary culture was investigated. At concentrations ⩽200 μM, applied CyanoDMNG was converted efficiently to 1,3-dimethyl-2-cyanoguanidine (CyanoDMG). In trials using 50 μM CyanoDMNG (5 mL dosing solutions), it was demonstrated that hepatocytes are capable of denitrosating a 40 μM concentration of the applied compound with little change in the total or oxidized glutathione levels. The process was inhibited by coincidently applied ethacrynic acid, a glutathione transferase inhibitor. Reduction of hepatocyte glutathione to 20% of control levels by buthionine sulfoximine pretreatment had little effect on CyanoDMG production; total depletion of cytosolic glutathione by diethyl maleate pretreatment arrested CyanoDMNG processing. Hepatocyte-mediated CyanoDMNG denitrosation did not generate nitrite; nitrate yields were 10% relative to the CyanoDMG produced. The mercuric chloride/azo dye response of cultures lysed at times during 50 μM CyanoDMNG processing indicated intact CyanoDMNG as the only dye-sensitive material present. At applied Cyano DMNG > 100 μM, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) yields were detectable; 4 μM GSNO was generated (concentration in 5 mL lysates) and maintained during 60 min at the 200 μM CyanoDMNG treatment level; this yield decayed if CyanoDMNG was withdrawn. Based on these and previous findings, it is hypothesized that CyanoDMNG is converted to CyanoDMG and GSNO by glutathione transferases and that GSNO is catabolized to eventually regenerate reduced glutathione. The fate of most of the NO moiety released remains to be determined.
The 2Bin system for controlling medical supplies at point-of-use

Abstract The increase in cost of supplies and services is outpacing the increase in revenues at many hospitals. To address this cost increase hospitals are seeking more efficient ways to store and manage vast inventories of medical supplies. A parsimonious and efficient inventory system which we call 2Bin is becoming increasingly popular in North American hospitals. Under the 2Bin system inventory is stored in two equal-sized bins. 2Bin systems are reviewed periodically and empty bins are replenished. In recent years the adoption of RFID technology for 2Bin systems is allowing continuous-time tracking of empty bins, increasing inventory visibility. In this paper we model the 2Bin inventory system under periodic and continuous review. For periodic review we show that the long-run average cost per unit time is quasi-convex, enabling a simple search for the optimal review cycle. For continuous review, we present a semi-Markov decision model, characterize the optimal replenishment policy, and provide a solution approach to obtain the long-run average cost per unit time. Using data obtained from hospitals currently using RFID-enabled 2Bin systems, we estimate the economic benefits of using the best periodic review length (i.e., parameter optimization), and of using a continuous review inventory policy (i.e., policy improvement). We characterize system conditions such as the number of medical supplies used, replenishment costs, stock-out costs, etc. that favor each option, and provide insights to hospital management on system design considerations that favor the use of periodic or continuous review.
Applications of Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Predicting Percent Wastewater in an Urban Stream

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a significant organic carbon reservoir in many ecosystems, and its characteristics and sources determine many aspects of ecosystem health and water quality. Fluorescence spectroscopy methods can quantify and characterize the subset of the DOC pool that can absorb and re-emit electromagnetic energy as fluorescence and thus provide a rapid technique for environmental monitoring of DOC in lakes and rivers. Using high resolution fluorescence techniques, we characterized DOC in the Tualatin River watershed near Portland, Oregon, and identified fluorescence parameters associated with effluent from two wastewater treatment plants and samples from sites within and outside the urban region. Using a variety of statistical approaches, we developed and validated a multivariate linear regression model to predict the amount of wastewater in the river as a function of the relative abundance of specific fluorescence excitation/emission pairs. The model was tested with independent data an...
A Review of: “THE DECISION TREE”: A Guide for Analyzing Capital Investment Risk Opportunities By John F. Magee, Arthur D. Little, Inc. 1964 48 p. $5.00

(1965). A Review of: “THE DECISION TREE”: A Guide for Analyzing Capital Investment Risk Opportunities By John F. Magee, Arthur D. Little, Inc. 1964 48 p. $5.00. The Engineering Economist: Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 33-36.
Central basis of muscle fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome

We studied whether muscle fatigue, metabolism, or activation are abnormal in the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Subjects performed both an intermittent submaximal and a sustained maximal voluntary isometric exercise protocol of the tibialis anterior muscle. The extent of fatigue, metabolic response, and changes in both M-wave amplitude and twitch tension during exercise were similar in patients and controls. The response to systemic exercise was also normal in the patients. However, voluntary activation of the tibialis was significantly lower in the patients during maximal sustained exercise. The results indicate that patients with CFS have (1) normal fatigability and metabolism at both the intracellular and systemic levels, (2) normal muscle membrane function and excitation-contraction coupling, and (3) an inability to fully activate skeletal muscle during intense, sustained exercise. This failure of activation was well in excess of that found in controls, suggesting an important central component of muscle fatigue in CFS.
ρ-Iodo-benzhydrazide as a reagent for the identification of aldehydes and ketones†

Thirty-two crystalline p-iodobenzoyl hydrazones, obtained by the action of p-iodobenzhydrazide with various aldehydes and ketones, are described in this paper. The yields of the products from the reaction were so high that one could easily operate with 300 mg of the reagent to collect enough crystalline product for a study of its physical properties and for analysis.
Thin Descriptions: The Limits of Survey Research on the Meaning of Democracy

Survey researchers have produced a body of evidence suggesting that people’s understandings of democracy are surprisingly consistent worldwide. This article challenges that finding by comparing the results of a 2002 survey conducted in the Philippines with the results of my own 2001 fieldwork in one Philippine community where, using interpretive rather than survey-research tools, I also investigated how people understand democracy. The article identifies three generic methodological problems—compression, compartmentalization, and homogenization—that have led survey researchers in the Philippines and beyond to simplify meanings and falsely twin roughly equivalent words in different languages. The global consistency in meaning that survey researchers have discovered appears to be the product not of converging worldviews, but of specific procedures used to record, code, and interpret interview responses. Insofar as democracy-promotion initiatives are shaped by such surveys, their misleading quality is not on...
MANDIBULAR BOWING AND MINERALIZATION IN BROWN PELICANS

Abstract Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) plunge dive into water to capture fish with highly distensible pouches. During prey capture, the pouch may expand to hold 11 L of water and the mandibular rami may bow from a resting position of 5 cm to over 15 cm. We compared mineralization of two bending regions of the mandible with a nonbending region, and examined cross-sectional morphology to determine if mineral content and shape play a role in mandibular bending. A rostral bending zone, adjacent to the mandibular symphysis, possessed only about 20% mineral content, significantly less than the lateral bending zone and the rigid caudal mandible, both comprised of over 50% mineral content. Additionally, the rostral zone was solid in cross section, facilitating bending, whereas the lateral zone was made up of bones joined by connective tissue. This latter morphology permits movement between the bones even though there was relatively high mineralization. We suggest that mineral content may be an overlooke...
Transcriptional repression mediated by repositioning of genes to the nuclear lamina

Artificially tethering a chromosomal region to the inner nuclear membrane (INM) of mammalian cells results in repression of gene transcription in conjunction with accumulation of lamin and INM proteins, but not nuclear pore complexes, at the tethered region. Nuclear compartmentalization seems to have an important role in regulating metazoan genes1,2. Although studies on immunoglobulin and other loci have shown a correlation between positioning at the nuclear lamina and gene repression, the functional consequences of this compartmentalization remain untested2,3. We devised an approach for inducible tethering of genes to the inner nuclear membrane (INM), and tested the consequences of such repositioning on gene activity in mouse fibroblasts. Here, using three-dimensional DNA-immunoFISH, we demonstrate repositioning of chromosomal regions to the nuclear lamina that is dependent on breakdown and reformation of the nuclear envelope during mitosis. Moreover, tethering leads to the accumulation of lamin and INM proteins, but not to association with pericentromeric heterochromatin or nuclear pore complexes. Recruitment of genes to the INM can result in their transcriptional repression. Finally, we use targeted adenine methylation (DamID) to show that, as is the case for our model system, inactive immunoglobulin loci at the nuclear periphery are contacted by INM and lamina proteins. We propose that these molecular interactions may be used to compartmentalize and to limit the accessibility of immunoglobulin loci to transcription and recombination factors.
SOY PROTEIN AND SERUM LIPIDS

Evidence exists indicating that substitution of soy for animal protein reduces both total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in humans. There are a number of biologically active compounds associated with soy protein; however, the precise mechanism and the component(s) of soy responsible have not bee
Educational correlates of early and late sexual maturation in adolescence

From the National Health Examination Survey data, 5,735 Caucasian males anf females, 12 to 17 years, were classified by age and stage of sexual maturation (Tanner). Early and late maturers were each compared to all other youth of comparable age and sex, in eight education-related categories: youth and parental aspirations and expectations concerning the level of education which would be achieved by the student, teacher reports of intellectual ability and academic achievement, and test scores (WISC and WRAT). Except at age 12, late maturing boys received significantly lower ratings than mid maturers in all these areas, and early maturing males received higher ratings. For females, no differences persisted across age groups. In advising male adolescents, physicians should be alert to the possibility that school functioning may be linked to maturational processes.
Capacitance computations in a multilayered dielectric medium using closed-form spatial Green's functions

An efficient method to compute the 2-D and 3-D capacitance matrices of multiconductor interconnects in a multilayered dielectric medium is presented. The method is based on an integral equation approach and assumes the quasi-static condition. It is applicable to conductors of arbitrary polygonal shape embedded in a multilayered dielectric medium with possible ground planes on the top or bottom of the dielectric layers. The computation time required to evaluate the space-domain Green's function for the multilayered medium, which involves an infinite summation, has been greatly reduced by obtaining a closed-form expression, which is derived by approximating the Green's function using a finite number of images in the spectral domain. Then the corresponding space-domain Green's functions are obtained using the proper closed-form integrations. In both 2-D and 3-D cases, the unknown surface charge density is represented by pulse basis functions, and the delta testing function (point matching) is used to solve the integral equation. The elements of the resulting matrix are computed using the closed-form formulation, avoiding any numerical integration. The presented method is compared with other published results and showed good agreement. Finally, the equivalent microstrip crossover capacitance is computed to illustrate the use of a combination of 2-D and 3-D Green's functions. >
Signal validation techniques and power plant applications

Abstract Computerized signal validation is a software technique for integrating information from redundant and from functionally diverse sensors to provide highly reliable information to operating crews and to auto matic controllers. High reliability results from greater and more comprehensive use of existing sensor redundancy, and from inherent fault detection and isolation (FDI) of faulty sensors. Operating crews at power plants have always performed some measure of manual signal validation. With the current thrust to introduce digital computers to support plant monitoring and operator aid functions# signal validation has become generally recognized as a key element in the interface between plant sensors and algorithms using sensor data. For any computerized system to be robust and to yield a false alarm rate that is credibly low, high information reliability must be assured at the front end. Progress of research in computerized signal validation techniques has benefited the U.S. utilities by improving the reliability of safety parameter display systems (SPDS) implemented in the nuclear power plants. Conventional signal validation techniques have been combined with more robust parity space and analytic redundancy methods to provide reliable and real-time SPDS monitoring information to PWR and BWR operators. The technical details of the methods, application to PWR and BWR SPDS, and the extension of the techniques to plant control functions are reviewed in this paper.