cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of neutron activation methods for measurement of sodium and aluminium in green liquor

Abstract The feasibility of neutron activation methods including prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA), neutron activation analysis (NAA), and continuous neutron activation analysis (CNAA) has been investigated for both the off-line and on-line continuous measurement of sodium and aluminum in green liquor. It is found that in the measurement of sodium and aluminium dissolved in green liquor at the 11% and 5.5% levels, respectively, one must also know the chlorine content to determine the average neutron flux for any method involving neutron activation. Chlorine may be present in green liquor in amounts up to 0.5% which would significantly (as much as 10%) affect the average thermal neutron flux in a sample. It was found that PGNAA is quite sensitive to chlorine and somewhat to sodium, but very insensitive to aluminum. However, NAA and CNAA are quite sensitive to aluminum, then sodium, but very insensitive to chlorine. The final proposed approaches for discrete samples and continuous samples are to use NAA and CNAA, respectively, with time lags incorporated between activation and detection to reduce the effect of the otherwise overly intense aluminum spectrum on the less intense sodium spectrum and use of a 3 He detector to monitor the average neutron flux (a function primarily of chlorine content) in the samples. Extensive experimental and benchmarked Monte Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the feasibility of this approach. It appears that the approach is viable and will allow accurate (1% relative standard deviation for both sodium and aluminum) discrete sample or on-line continuous analysis of both sodium and aluminum in green liquor in reasonable times (10–30 min) with a relatively small (15 μg) 252 Cf source. Prototype devices are planned for future development.
Adaptive non-linear control with incomplete state information

Motivated by several recent adaptive non-linear control results which use either full-state or single-output feedback, we present two new adaptive design tools and show how they can be used to construct systematic design procedures for non-linear systems with incomplete state information. The main features of these procedures are illustrated on a simple third-order system. We also provide the geometric conditions which give a co-ordinate-free characterization of one of the partial-state-feedback forms to which these procedures are applicable.
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy and radical surgery for locally advanced distal rectal adenocarcinoma: pathologic findings and clinical implications.

PURPOSE: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgical resection has been the preferred treatment for patients presenting with locally advanced distal rectal carcinoma at our institutions. We postulated that chemoradiotherapy-induced pathologic response of the primary tumor would identify which patients would be candidates for local excision as definitive surgical therapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 60 patients with palpable, locally advanced, distal rectal adenocarcinomas treated from 1995 to 2000 was performed. All patients received preoperative chemoradiotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil (325 mg/m2) and leucovorin (20 mg/m2) by bolus infusion on Days 1 through 5 and 29 through 33 delivered concurrently with at least 45.0 to 50.4 Gy of pelvic radiation, followed six to eight weeks later by radical surgery and then adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Among 60 patients (20 females) there was a mean age of 58.7 (28–84) years. Clinical staging was as follows: Stage II, 14 patients (23 percent); Stage III, 35 patients (58 percent); and Stage IV, 11 patients (18 percent). Pathologic examination revealed that negative margins were obtained in 58 patients (97 percent). Downstaging to T0-2N0 was achieved in 17 patients (28 percent), with five (8 percent) achieving a pathologically complete response. Lymph nodes were positive in 24 patients (40 percent) despite chemoradiotherapy. Pathologic node positivity was found in 0 of 5 pT0 patients, 9 (41 percent) of 22 pT1 or pT2, and 15 (45 percent) of 33 pT3. Clinical stage, tumor size, pathologic stage, and adverse histologic features could not reliably predict pN0 status, except pT0 (5 patients only). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy often downsizes and downstages locally advanced rectal carcinoma. Neither pretreatment clinical characteristics, response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy, or pathologic features reliably predict pN0 status. Therefore, local excision is not recommended as an alternative to radical surgery for locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the distal rectum regardless of the response of the primary tumor to preoperative chemoradiotherapy.
Do Habitat Conservation Plans Protect Endangered Species

The number of threatened and endangered (T&E) species in the United States is increasing monthly and critical habitat is constantly being destroyed. The number of newly listed T&E species greatly outweighs the number recovered from threatened extinction, and the federal and state governments demonstrate little desire to step in on behalf of species at risk. These ecological crises faced by endangered species (1) may be exacerbated by the application of one aspect of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)—habitat conservation plans (HCPs). Many T&E species will be at a crossroads over the next few years and the strength and use of the ESA will determine their fate.
Input-to-State Stability Analysis on Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper examines the dynamics of particle swarm optimization (PSO) by modeling PSO as a feedback cascade system and then applying input-to-state stability analysis. Using a feedback cascade system model we can include the effects of the global-best and personal-best values more directly in the model of the dynamics. Thus in contrast to previous study of PSO dynamics, the input-to-state stability property used here allows for the analysis of PSO both before and at stagnation. In addition, the use of input-to-state stability allows this analysis to preserve random terms which were heretofore simplified to constants. This analysis is important because it can inform the setting of PSO parameters and better characterize the nature of PSO as a dynamic system. This work also illuminates the way in which the personal-best and the global-best updates influence the bound on the particle's position and hence, how the algorithm exploits and explores the fitness landscape as a function of the personal best and global best.
Borrowing constraints and individual welfare in a neoclassical growth model

The welfare effects of borrowing constraints are examined within a version of Diamond's 1965 neoclassical growth model with two types of agents: lenders and constrained borrowers. Changes in the borrowing limit affect factor prices and, consequently, agents' welfare. When the borrowing constraint is relaxed, constrained borrowers' steady-state welfare may be either higher or lower as a result. The same result applies to lenders' welfare. The ratio of the number of constrained borrowers to the number of lenders influences the direction of welfare changes, as does the value of agents' intertemporal elasticity of substitution. The analysis focuses on steady states, but transitional dynamics also are considered.
Design of a high-speed high-resolution teleradiology system

A teleradiology system acquires radiographic images from one location and transmits them to one or more distant sites where they are displayed and/or converted to hardcopy film recordings. The long term goal of this research is to demonstrate that teleradiology systems can provide diagnostically equivalent results when compared to conventional radiographic film interpretation. If this hypothesis is proven, the following radiology tasks will be improved: (1) providing for primary interpretation of radiological images for patients in under served areas as well as other medical facilities; (2) integration of radiological services for multi- hospital/clinic health care provides consortiums (HMOs); (3) improving emergency service and intensive care unit coverage; (4) offering consulting-at-a-distance with sub-speciality radiologists; and (5) providing radiologists in the community or in rural areas immediate access to large academic centers for help in the interpretation of difficult and problematic cases. We are designing a high-speed, high-resolution teleradiology system between our level I medical center and several outlying medical centers within the metropolitan area. CT, MR and screen-film examinations will be digitized to 2 K or 4 K at the remote sites, transmitted to the central referral facility and sent to a laser film printer, reproducing the original film. The film can then be used for primary diagnosis, overreading/consultative purposes or for emergency room preparation. Inherently digital modality data (e.g. MR and CT) can be sent without digitization of the multi-format film is desired. A teleradiology system using a Wide Area Network (WAN) is to be connected to the following sites: (1) Olive View Medical Center; (2) Harbor General Medical Center; (3) UCLA Department of Radiological Sciences; and (4) two radiologist''s private residences. The wide area network (WAN) consists of a local carrier (GTE California Incorporated) and an inter-exchange carrier (US Sprint). Each affiliated hospital site is equipped with: (1) a radiographic film digitizer; (2) an interactive grayscale display workstation; (3) a computer system with teleradiology application software; (4) a local area network (LAN); (5) a LAN-WAN router; and (6) and dial-up (multiple switched N X 56 kbps lines) DS-1 WAN interfaces. The UCLA site is equipped with a local area image management network (PACS) for archiving, displaying, laser printed film hardcopy recordings, and WAN interfaces. The radiologists private residence is equipped with a grayscale station and a DS-0 56 kbps modem. We estimate the hardware costs at each remote site to be $DLR160,000, $DLR200,000 for the central referring facility, and under $DLR20,000 for the radiologist private residence.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Wave and particle evolution downstream of quasi-perpendicular shocks

Distributions of ions heated in quasi-perpendicular bow shocks have large perpendicular temperature anisotropies that provide free energy for the growth of Alfven ion cyclotron (AIC) and mirror waves. These modes are often obsreved in the Earth's magnetosheath. Using two-dimensional hybrid simulations, we show that these waves are produced near the shock front and convected downstream rather than being produced locally downstream. The wave activity reduces the proton anisotropy to magnetosheath levels within a few tens of gyroradii of the shock but takes significantly longer to reduce the anisotropy of He(++) ions. The waves are primarily driven by proton anisotropy and the dynamics of the helium ions is controlled by the proton waves. Downstream of high Mach number shocks, mirror waves compete effectively with AIC waves. Downstream of low Mach number shocks, AIC waves dominate.
Stock market crashes, firm characteristics, and stock returns

Abstract A number of studies have investigated the causes and effects of stock market crashes. These studies mainly focus on the factors leading to a crash and on the volatility and co-movements of stock market indexes during and after the crash. However, how a stock market crash affects individual stocks and if stocks with different financial characteristics are affected differently in a stock market crash is an issue that has not received sufficient attention. In this paper, we study this issue by using data for eight major stock market crashes that have taken place during the December 31, 1962–December 31, 2007 period with a large sample of US firms. We use the event-study methodology and multivariate regression analysis to study the determinants of stock returns in stock market crashes.
Family, community, and educational outcomes in South Asia

In this article, we review research on the economics and sociology of education to assess the relationships between family and community variables and children’s educational outcomes in South Asia. At the family level, we examine the variables of family socioeconomic status (SES), parental education, family structure, and religion and caste. At the community level, we assess the limited research on the relationships between economic, cultural, and social characteristics and children’s educational outcomes. The literature presents several consistent relationships between the roles of family and community characteristics in determining educational outcomes and reveals several possibilities for further research.
Leadership Characteristics of Rising Stars in Construction Project Management

This study examined a group of 151 high—potential construction professionals and their self-identified and supervisor-identified leadership qualities using a widely recognized leadership assessment instrument, Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI). To our knowledge, this is the first study that provides leadership assessment data for construction industry professionals. The results indicate that the more tangible managerial skills of enabling others to act, modeling expected behaviors and challenging the status quo are more highly valued than the “soft skills” of nurturing and encouraging others and inspiring a shared vision among subordinates. These findings offer a unique look at what qualities construction executives look for in the next generation of talent for their organizations, and challenge construction educators to develop these desired leadership and management skills in students.
Regulation of nuclear histone acetyltransferase by nucleic acids, histone · DNA complex, and chromatin

Nuclear histone acetyltransferase is found to be inhibited by various nucleic acids and components. Of the adenosine phosphates, the order of inhibitory potency is ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP. Among the nucleoside triphosphates, GTP seems to be the best inhibitor, followed by ATP, CTP, and UTP. Deoxymononucleotides have the same order of inhibition potential as their ribonucleotide counterparts, with inhibition constants in the low millimolar range. Oligonucleotides and polynucleotides are much better inhibitors than mononucleotides. The inhibition constants of the DNA molecules are size dependent. Molecules larger than 40 base pairs have inhibition constants less than 18 micrograms/ml, whereas molecules with decreasing numbers of base pairs have increasing magnitudes of inhibition constants. However, acetyltransferase has a lower affinity for free DNA molecules than for DNA.histone complexes as revealed by its interaction with DNA-Sepharose and histone.DNA-Sepharose columns. Furthermore, native chromatin depleted of endogenous histone acetyltransferase activity shows no inhibitory effect on the enzyme. Yet heated chromatin not only loses substrate activity but also becomes an inhibitor for the enzyme. Since unmodified sea urchin sperm chromatin has been shown to be a potent acetyltransferase inhibitor, it seems possible that DNA.histone complexes may be the true inhibitory species and that the conformational states of such complexes may serve as a regulatory mechanism in the control of the enzyme activity.
200 Consecutive Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomies: Evolution of Operative Technique and Outcomes

Purpose: Despite the popularity of hand assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy published experience is less than that with standard laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and few critical assessments of operative maneuvers have been described.Materials and Methods: We describe the impact of changes in operative technique made by a single surgeon during 200 hand assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomies.Results: With a mean operative time of 229 minutes and hospital stay of 1.9 days the rates of conversion to open surgery, intraoperative complications and major postoperative complications were 1%, 1.5% and 6%, respectively. Lasting changes in technique were dissection of a ureteral/gonadal packet, bipolar cautery use on gonadal/adrenal/lumbar veins and resting the kidney before removal. The incidence of ureteral complications decreased from 8% to 5.1% with dissection of the ureter in conjunction with the gonadal vein rather than isolating it. Warm ischemia time decreased from a mean of 186 to 143 seconds with bip...
Mutations in vacuolar H+-ATPase subunits lead to biliary developmental defects in zebrafish

Abstract We identified three zebrafish mutants with defects in biliary development. One of these mutants, pekin ( pn ), also demonstrated generalized hypopigmentation and other defects, including disruption of retinal cell layers, lack of zymogen granules in the pancreas, and dilated Golgi in intestinal epithelial cells. Bile duct cells in pn demonstrated an accumulation of electron dense bodies. We determined that the causative defect in pn was a splice site mutation in the atp6ap2 gene that leads to an inframe stop codon. atp6ap2 encodes a subunit of the vacuolar H + -ATPase (V-H + -ATPase), which modulates pH in intracellular compartments. The Atp6ap2 subunit has also been shown to function as an intracellular renin receptor that stimulates fibrogenesis. Here we show that mutants and morphants involving other V-H + -ATPase subunits also demonstrated developmental biliary defects, but did not demonstrate the inhibition of fibrogenic genes observed in pn . The defects in pn are reminiscent of those we and others have observed in class C VPS (vacuolar protein sorting) family mutants and morphants, and we report here that knockdown of atp6ap2 and vps33b had an additive negative effect on biliary development. Our findings suggest that pathways which are important in modulating intracompartmental pH lead to defects in digestive organ development, and support previous studies demonstrating the importance of intracellular sorting pathways in biliary development.
Pulmonary Vaccination as a Novel Treatment for Lung Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is an untreatable, uniformly fatal disease of unclear etiology that is the result of unremitting chronic inflammation. Recent studies have implicated bone marrow derived fibrocytes and M2 macrophages as playing key roles in propagating fibrosis. While the disease process is characterized by the accumulation of lymphocytes in the lung parenchyma and alveolar space, their role remains unclear. In this report we definitively demonstrate the ability of T cells to regulate lung inflammation leading to fibrosis. Specifically we demonstrate the ability of intranasal vaccinia vaccination to inhibit M2 macrophage generation and fibrocyte recruitment and hence the accumulation of collagen and death due to pulmonary failure. Mechanistically, we demonstrate the ability of lung Th1 cells to prevent fibrosis as vaccinia failed to prevent disease in Rag−/− mice or in mice in which the T cells lacked IFN-γ. Furthermore, vaccination 3 months prior to the initiation of fibrosis was able to mitigate the disease. Our findings clearly demonstrate the role of T cells in regulating pulmonary fibrosis as well as suggest that vaccinia-induced immunotherapy in the lung may prove to be a novel treatment approach to this otherwise fatal disease.
Human prothrombin fragments FI(αβ) and F2: Preparation and characterization of structural and biological properties☆

Abstract Human prothrombin fragments F1(αβ) and F2 were isolated as by-products of α-thrombin preparations. Prothrombin concentrates were activated to > 90% completion with thromboplastin (30–60 min, 23° C). The generated thrombin was quantitatively removed from clarified activation mixtures with Amberlite CG-50 resin (polymethylacrylic acid). The nonadsorbed fraction, containing the activation fragments, was desalted, freeze-dried, and chromatographed on DE-23 cellulose (diethylaminoethyl cellulose) employing an increasing salt gradient. Two pools containing F1(αβ) and F2 were obtained and further purified by gel filtration through Sephadex G-100. Fragment identity and purity were determined by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing polyacrylamide gels. The two isolated fractions migrated electrophoretically in SDS-containing gels as distinct nonreduced proteins ( M r 27,600 ± 1,300 and 15,800 ± 700 for F1(αβ) and F2, respectively). Following reduction, F2 remained electrophoretically homogeneous ( M r 15,800 ± 500). The reduced F1(αβ) gave rise to predominantly an M r 22,800 component and low M r materials (intact F1 was detected in some F1(αβ) preparations). Homogeneity of F2 was confirmed by detecting only an NH2-terminal serine and a CO2H-terminal arginine (1.1 mol. Arg/mol. F2 released by carboxypeptidase B digestion). Secondary cleavages within F1(αβ) were demonstrated by identifying threonine (0.44 mol. Thr/mol. Ala), and aspartic acid (0.15 mol. Asp/mol. Ala) as NH2 terminal residues, and by obtaining arginine (0.6 mol. Arg/mol. FL(αβ) and trace amounts of lysine as the CO2H-terminal residues). Sequential NH2-terminal degradations (8 cycles) confirmed the deleted glycine at position-4 in human prothrombin and permitted identification of the internal F1 cleavage sites at Arg-52/Thr-53 and secondarily at Arg-55/Asp-56 (bovine prothrombin numbering). Since both cleavage sites are located within the same disulfide loops (Cys-48 to Cys-61), they account for the electrophoretic behavior of nonreduced versus reduced F1(αβ). Neither F1 (αβ) nor F2 exhibited biological activities similar to complement C3 or C5 fragments when examined in guinea pig ileal, skin permeability, or chemotaxis assays. The prothrombin fragments further did not promote cellular proliferation of cultured embryo fibroblasts. These findings suggest that the prothrombin fragments F1(αβ) and F2 are biologically inactive peptides except for their possible role of interfering with prothrombin activation.
Polarization of the nuclear spins of noble-gas atoms by spin exchange with optically pumped alkali-metal atoms

The theory of spin exchange between optically pumped alkali-Inetal atoms and noble-gas nuclei is presented. Spin exchange with heavy noble gases is dominated by interactions in long-lived van der Waals molecules. The main spin interactions are assumed to be the spin-rotation interactions yN S between the rotational angular momentum N of the alkali-metal — noble-gas pair and the electron spin S of the alkali-metal atom, and the contact hyperfine interaction aK S between the nuclear spin K of the noble-gas atom and the electron spin S. Arbitrary values for EC and for the nuclear spin I of the alkali-metal atom are assumed. Precise formal expressions for spin transfer coefficients are given along with convenient approximations based on a perturbation expansion in powers of (o.'/yX), a quantity which has been shown to be small by experiment.
Projections of the Parabrachial Nucleus in the Old World Monkey

The efferent projections of the pontine parabrachial nucleus (PBN) were examined in the Old World monkey (Macaca fascicularis) using tritiated amino acid autoradiography and horseradish peroxidase histochemistry. Parabrachiofugal fibers ascended to the forebrain along three pathways: the central tegmental tract, the ventral ascending catecholaminergic pathway, and a pathway located on the midline between the medial longitudinal fasciculi. The PBN projected heavily to the central nucleus of the amygdala and the lateral division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and moderately to the ventral tegmental area and the substantia nigra. Light terminal label also was present within the dorsomedial, ventromedial, lateral, supramammillary, and infundibular nuclei of the hypothalamus and the annular nucleus and the dorsal raphe nucleus within the brain stem. The overall pattern of terminal label was similar to that previously reported for nonprimate species, but several differences were notable. In monkey the projection to the ventrobasal thalamus did not coincide with the region that contains gustatory-responsive neurons. In rats, these parabrachiothalamic fibers convey gustatory activity but in the monkey these fibers may carry visceral afferent information. The projections from the PBN to the hypothalamus in the monkey were neither as widespread nor as intense as in the rat, and the monkey lacks a projection from the PBN to the frontal and insular cortices.
Influence of wall-jet gas injection on liquid-metal MHD generator performance☆

Abstract Earlier experiments on use of gas wall-jets as a means of reducing shunt current losses and liquid metal boundary layers are critically reevaluated. A number of new liquid-metal MHD (LMMHD) generator experiments, with and without gas wall injection, were performed and analyzed. Experimental visualization of air wall injection in water revealed jet behavior under different pressure gradients. A gas wall-jet can separate liquid from the walls only under positive pressure gradient conditions. The basic physical cause of the inability to prevent wetting of walls under a negative pressure gradient is absence of a force that would repulse liquid from walls, such as exist, for example, in film boiling or in electromagnetic confinement.
Truck Queues at Country Grain Elevators

During grain harvest, especially wheat harvest in the Central Great Plains, truck queuing at country grain elevators is a problem. Truck waiting times were studied for three types of receiving systems, using information from limited field studies and simulation using electronic computers. Several methods of evaluating truck waiting costs were investigated. From the information on waiting times and costs, the optimal capacities of receiving systems for different ranges of truck receipts were determined. Several methods of improving truck receiving at country elevators were discovered.
Applying Trained Skills on the Job: The Importance of the Work Environment

The influence of the work environment on the transfer of newly trained supervisory skills was examined. Participants were 505 supermarket managers from 52 stores. The work environment was operationalized in terms of transfer of training climate and continuouslearning culture. Climate and culture were hypothesized to have both direct and moderating effects on posttraining behaviors. Accounting for pretraining behaviors and knowledge gained in training, the results from a series of LISREL analyses showed that both climate and culture were directly related to posttraining behaviors. In particular, the social support system appeared to play a central role in the transfer of training. Moderating effects were not found. Implications for enhancing the transfer of training are discussed
Determination of fiber-matrix interphase moduli from experimental moduli of composites with multi-layered fibers

In this paper we report a method for inverse determination of effective elastic moduli of fiber-matrix interphases from experimentally measured composite moduli. Multi-phase micromechanical models and simplified spring approximations are used for inversion. An analytical expression for the transverse shear modulus of a composite with multi-layered fibers is derived using a multi-phase generalized self-consistent (MGSC) model, which forms the theoretical basis for inversion. This method has been used to determine the moduli of fiber-matrix interphases in ceramic and intermetallic matrix composites with similar SiC fibers and carbon fiber coating using the composite moduli measured ultrasonically. We find that the calculated moduli of interphasial carbon in the intermetallic matrix composite, after considering differences in microstructure, are very close to those available in the literature. The interphasial moduli obtained for the ceramic matrix composite are smaller than those published. We have found that this difference can be well explained by considering imperfect contact between the interphasial carbon and the matrix due to excessive matrix porosity at the interfacial region. Special emphasis is placed on error propagation in the inversion process and interpretation of experimental results. The results show that the interphasial moduli in intermetallic matrix composites are more sensitive to measurement error than those in ceramic matrix composites due to higher interphase-to-matrix stiffness ratio in intermetallic matrix composites. For both types of composites the calculated interphasial moduli are most sensitive to error in measurements of composite and matrix moduli and less sensitive to error in fiber moduli.
Prioritization of data quality dimensions and skills requirements in genome annotation work

The rapid accumulation of genome annotations, as well as their widespread reuse in clinical and scientific practice, poses new challenges to management of the quality of scientific data. This study contributes towards better understanding of scientists' perceptions of and priorities for data quality and data quality assurance skills needed in genome annotation. This study was guided by a previously developed general framework for assessment of data quality and by a taxonomy of data-quality (DQ) skills, and intended to define context-sensitive models of criteria for data quality and skills for genome annotation. Analysis of the results revealed that genomics scientists recognize specific sets of criteria for quality in the genome-annotation context. Seventeen data quality dimensions were reduced to 5-factor constructs, and 17 relevant skills were grouped into 4-factor constructs. The constructs defined by this study advance the understanding of data quality relationships and are an important contribution to data and information quality research. In addition, the resulting models can serve as valuable resources to genome data curators and administrators for developing data-curation policies and designing DQassurance strategies, processes, procedures, and infrastructure. The study's findings may also inform educators in developing data quality assurance curricula and training courses.
Molecular expression and functional evidence of a drug efflux pump (BCRP) in human corneal epithelial cells.

Purpose: Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) belongs to the family of efflux transporters involved in drug efflux leading to drug resistance. The objective of this study was to explore physical barriers for ocular drug absorption and to verify the presence and possible role of BCRP as a barrier for ocular drug resistance. Methods: Transfected human corneal epithelial cells (SV40-HCEC) wereselectedas an in vitro model for corneal epithelium with MDCKII-BCRP as positive control. [3H]-Mitoxantrone ([3H]-MTX), which is a proven substrate for organic anion transporter like BCRP, was selected as a model drug for functional expression studies. Fumetremorgin C (FTC), a known specific inhibitor for BCRP and GF120918, an inhibitor for BCRP and P-gp, were added to inhibit BCRP-mediated efflux. PGP-4008, a specific inhibitor of P-gp was used to delineate the contribution of P-gp. The mRNA extracted from cells was used for RT-PCR analysis and gene expression. Membrane fractions of SV40-HCEC and MDCKII-BCRP were us...
Distal partial gastrectomy and gastrojejunal anastomosis for recurrent ovarian cancer

One must be familiar with the vascular anatomy of the stomach before performing a gastrectomy. The stomach has an extensive intramural collateral vessel that allows it to retain viability with only one major arterial supply intact. It receives blood from the right and left gastric, right and left gastroepiploic, and short gastric arteries. The left gastric artery is the smallest branch of the celiac trunk, which arises anteriorly from the abdominal aorta immediately below the aortic hiatus. The right gastric artery is usually a branch of the common hepatic artery. The left gastroepiploic artery arises from the splenic artery, the largest branch of the celiac trunk. The left gastroepiploic artery reaches the greater omentum through the lienogastric ligament and runs along the greater curvature. The
Encouraging People With Mood Disorders to Attend a Self-Help Group1

Using an intervention based on referent power, self-help sponsors sought to encourage attendance at self-help meeting. They encouraged patients with major depression or bipolar disorder to attend self-help meetings following their hospitalizations. The intervention successhlly increased the attendance of the experimental group compared to those in the control group. Implications for practice are discussed. For persons with serious mental illness, participation in self-help groups has been associated with better outcomes (Edmunson, Bedell, Archer, & Gordon, 1984; Galanter, 1988; Galanter, Talbott, Gallegos, & Rubenstone, 1990; Humphreys & Rappaport, 1994; Raiff, 1982; Young 8z Williams, 1988). In particular, for persons with mood disorders, participation in a diagnosis-related selfhelp group has been associated with better coping and less rehospitalization (Kurtz, 1988). The processes by which participation in mood disorder self-help groups can lead to better outcomes by helping people learn about the illness, maintain morale, negotiate with professionals, update medication information, and reduce stigma have been described in various qualitative studies (Karp, 1992; LeVeck, 1982; Wetzel, 1991).
Holes in a Quantum Antiferromagnet: A Formalism and Some Exact Results

Abstract This is a detailed version of an earlier communication in which a theory of hole motion in a quantum antiferromagnet was developed and some exact results obtained in d =1. In this picture, hole motion is very naturally restricted to sublattice A or B of a bipartite lattice. Holes in A or B behave like oppositely charged particles coupled to a gauge field driven by the antiferromagnetic fluctuations of the medium. The general picture is studied in detail for d =1, for a finite concentration of holes. The continuum theory is that of a massless Dirac fermion coupled to the nonlinear sigma model field via a gauge coupling. It is found that holes can wipe out the topological θ term, reduce the power law antiferromagnetic correlations to exponentials and show a divergent superconducting susceptibility. The style of the paper is rather pedagogical and intended for a broad readership.
An empirical investigation of faculty research productivity and implications for practice

The research productivity of management faculty is examined with a web-based survey and random sample of 236 faculty from a wide range of AACSB-accredited schools. Various hypotheses are tested to assess the influence of "person" variables (i.e., Big Five personality, individual research values, time management skills, career position) and situational variables (i.e., time availability, primary teaching audience, and institutional support) on research productivity. Based on the results, practical implications for selecting and developing university faculty as researchers and teachers are discussed.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter: Long-Term Results and Patient Satisfaction

The published evidence concerning the safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction for implantation of the current model of the artificial urinary sphincter (AS 800) in men with post prostatectomy urinary incontinence was the objective of this review. A Pub Med English language literature search from 1995 to 2011 was performed. A majority of men who undergo AUS implantation for post prostatectomy urinary incontinence achieve satisfactory results (0 to 1 pad per day). Infection rates range from 0.46 to 7%, cuff erosion rates range from 3.8 to 10%, and urethral atrophy ranges from 9.6 to 11.4%. Kaplan-Meier 5 year projections for freedom from any reoperation were 50% for a small series and 79.4% for a larger series. Kaplan-Meier projections for freedom from mechanical failure were 79% at 5 years and 72% at 10 years. In another series 10 year projections for freedom from mechanical failure were 64%. Although the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard for the treatment of this disorder, most men will continue to need at least one pad per day for protection, and they are subject to a significant chance of future AUS revision or replacement.
Children's social competence and skill: Current research practices and future directions

The concepts of social competence and social skill and their interrelationships are examined at conceptual, assessment, and procedural levels. Social competence judgments reflect the subjective views of social agents in a child's environment and provide a global assessment of a child's social functioning. The major objective of research is to determine which specific, observable, social behaviors are the skills contributing to social competence. A situation-specific view is contrasted with a cross-situational taxonomic one. The implications of maturation and sex differences for assessment and treatment are discussed. Three major approaches to social skills intervention, reinforcement, modeling, and coaching, are examined from an empirical perspective. Comparisons are confounded by assessment and subject selection differences. No particular treatment program appears to be more powerful than another in producing long-term change in problematic children. A combination of current procedures is recommended that would provide specific interventions dependent upon the specific skill deficits of each child. Finally, the implications of research with normals for identifying assessment and intervention techniques for more severely handicapped children are discussed.
Time-delayed second-harmonic generation in cesium vapor

Refined measurements and analysis of time-delayed second-harmonic generation on the 6D3/2-6S1/2 transition in Cs vapor are presented that resolve the disparity between the measured and calculated time delays reported in its initial observation. We extend our work to the 6D5/2-6S1/2 transition which, in agreement with our analysis, is characterized by a slightly smaller delay. For both transitions we also measure the amplitude of the second-harmonic intensity and find it close to what we estimate it should be. @S1050-2947~97!08611-3#
The convergence of neo-Ricardian and embodied energy theories of value and price

Abstract The concepts of embodied energy, entropy, and the like have made limited inroads into orthodox economic thought. Ecological economists, however, have been developing a coherent theoretical perspective to be considered with and/or against orthodox economics. This paper focuses on the classical economic implications of the embodied energy theory of value. It is argued that the embodied energy theory of value is very similar to neo-Ricardian economics. After examining the issues separating classical and neoclassical economics, the paper makes a beginning theoretical integration between these two theories. Finally, several suggestions for theoretical development of embodied energy theory and for the empirical testing of the theory are made.
Decolonization and Its Paradoxes: The (Re)envisioning of Health Policy in Bolivia

In one of the most traditionally hierarchical and “colonial” of the Bolivian state apparatuses, the official health sector, attempts since 2006 by Evo Morales and the MAS government at radical restructuring have proved innovative but inconclusive and divisive. Reflecting a series of conflicts and contradictions, a number of often fundamentally competing scenarios are at work: the institutionalization of traditional medicine, the reinterpretation of previous primary health care and community participation models, social and “socialized” medicine, and the durability of a deeply ingrained vertical health system. The challenges and risks inherent in what at heart may be a struggle between cultural and political factions and ideologies among the government’s public health authorities and planners are emblematic of many paradoxes in the effort to decolonize the Bolivian state as a whole.
Mariner Mars 1969 infrared spectrometer.

The infrared spectrometer that recorded spectra of the atmosphere and surface of Mars during the Mariner 6 and 7 flyby missions is described. The instrument continuously scanned the 1.9-μ to 14.4-μ spectral region at 10 sec per scan. Approximately 1 % spectral resolution was furnished by two rotating, circular, variable interference filters. The spectral region 1.9–6.0 μ was recorded with a PbSe detector cooled to 175 K by radiation to deep space. The spectral region 3.9–14.4 μ was modulated by a cold (175 K) tuning fork chopper and recorded with a mercury-doped germanium detector cooled to 22 K by a Joule-Thomson two-stage (N2 and H2) cryostat. The total weight of the instrument was 17.4 kg (monochromator plus electronics, 11.5 kg; gas delivery system, 5.9 kg), and it consumed 11 W of power.
The use of robust statistics to improve the prediction of software failure time

In this paper, we introduce an approach to reduce the over-estimation of Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) by current software reliability models, specifically, the exponential class of models. The motivation, technique and the results of this approach are discussed.
GPRA—a Foundation for Performance Budgeting

The federal government is moving from traditional budgeting to performance-based budgeting, pursuing a clearer and closer alignment among strategic and performance planning, budgeting, and financial reporting. Based on his experience developing and implementing the Government Performance and Results Act, the author presents an insider's account of the development and enactment of the Act, with an assessment of what has worked and what has not, and concludes that performance-based budgeting is the next logical step in the implementation of results-oriented government.
The MURFI linker for multiple reading frame insertion of a sense or nonsense codon into DNA.

Blunt-end palindromic DNA linkers with a central restriction site have been designed for the multiple reading frame insertion (abbreviated MURFI) of a sense or nonsense codon into DNA. We have utilized an amber MURFI linker, 5'CTAG TCTAGA CTAG3' to disrupt the lacZ gene, yielding truncated beta-galactosidase proteins. Conditional disruption of the tetr gene in E. coli has also been demonstrated. Nonsense codon MURFI linkers permit conditional fusion of multiple gene products while sense codon linkers can add structural elements (e.g. beta-turn, cationic segment, hydrophobic segment) or a desired amino acid to a protein (e.g. methionine, cysteine). Shotgun or alternatively site-directed insertion of the symmetric linkers is possible. The over-all length of the linker may be adjusted to retain the original reading frame, matching nucleotide additions or subtractions at recipient DNA sites. If a linker restriction site occurs elsewhere in the target DNA, single linker copies may still be inserted using non-phosphorylated linkers.
HIV‐Associated Disorders in Fat Distribution and Lipid Metabolism

HIV-associated lipodystrophy is most commonly characterized by fat redistribution and/or metabolic changes, such as reduced lipid metabolism or impaired glucose tolerance. Despite the growing recognition of this disorder, its causes, characteristics, consequences, and optimal treatment are not fully understood. This review examines the current understanding of the etiology of this syndrome, its acute and long-term implications for affected HIV-infected patients, and treatment strategies currently under investigation, including changes in antiretroviral regimens, and the use of insulin-sensitizing agents, growth hormones, and exercise regimens.
Relaxation-selective magnetization preparation based on T1 and T2

A magnetization-preparation scheme is described that combines the spin-echo and inversion-recovery (SEIR) to select spins based on both T1 and T2 characteristics. The inclusion of T2 weighting allows for greater relative suppression of some tissues with respect to others, depending on their respective relaxation times, than does inversion-recovery alone. Formulae describing the observed magnetization following SEIR and double-SEIR (DSEIR) are presented with the corresponding formulae for inversion-recovery (IR) and double-IR (DIR). The formulae are validated with experimental studies on MnCl2 solutions and compared numerically for a variety of possible applications. Results indicate that DSEIR may yield 2x or more signal than DIR in some potential applications.
The effect of group clinics in the control of diabetes

Abstract Objectives Novel interventions are needed for long-term maintenance of diabetes control. We studied the effects of a group diabetes clinic (GDC) on diabetes control when compared to usual care with primary care providers (PCP). Research design/methods Data from the electronic medical records of 56 patients were collected. Twenty-nine patients were in the group diabetes clinic (GDC) while 27 patients followed with their PCP. Outcome variables, A1c, LDL, and blood pressure (BP) were measured at baseline and every 6 months for a 2 year period. Results A1c, LDL and BP were no different at the end of 2 years in the GDC cohort and the PCP cohort. Slight upward trend in time was detected for A1c in both groups, but more so in the PCP group. Conclusion GDC can lead to maintenance of diabetes control in a population with difficult to manage diabetes as effectively as and more efficiently than usual care.
International Trade, Technology, and the Wage Gap: Evidence from Granger‐causality Tests*

In this paper, we propose an alternative approach under which to examine the source of the increased wage gap between skilled and unskilled workers in US manufacturing. Rather than imposing the assumptions inherent in a given structural form, we posit a long-run equilibrium relationship between international trade, technology, and the wage premium using a vector error-correction model. We first test for the existence of a long-run relationship using cointegration tests. If a cointegrating relationship is found, we then conduct tests on the direction of the long-run relationship and of Granger causality. We apply our approach to each two-digit and four-digit SIC industry and find evidence in support of international trade being an important source of the wage gap. Our results suggest that it is premature to dismiss international trade as a possible suspect behind the rising wage premium.
C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, soluble tumor necrosis factor α receptor 2 and incident clinical depression.

Background Despite an extensive literature on the role of inflammation and depression, few studies have evaluated the association between inflammatory biomarkers and depression in a prospective manner, and results are inconclusive.
Disease, Death, and the Body Politic: An Areal Interpolation Example for Political Epidemiology

More than a trillion dollars of public money is spent annually on health care in the United States. In order to inform policymakers, health advocacy groups, tax-paying constituents, and beneficiaries, it would be useful to present and analyze health outcome and health-related data at the U.S. congressional district level. Presently, health event data are not reported at this political unit; however, recent interest and advances in areal interpolation techniques are beginning to transcend the inherent limitations imposed by legacy data collection and analyses systems. In this paper, the authors use the dasymetric approach to illustrate how this areal interpolation technique can be used to transfer county-level mortality rate data from several causes of death to the U.S. congressional district level. The studyâ€™s primary goal is to promote areal interpolation techniques in the absence of a systematic and comprehensive national program for geocoding health events.