cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In rats, atrial natriuretic peptide secretion is regulated differently in the right and left atria

Recent studies have suggested the secretion of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) is regulated by receptor mediated activation of protein kinase C, which causes the autocrine release of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins stimulate ANP secretion via the adenylate cyclase second messenger system. This report examined the response of right and left atrial ANP secreting cells to the three endothelin isopeptides and to cyclooxygenase inhibition. Our results show that right atrial ANP secretion is stimulated by endothelin 1 and 2 but not 3. In addition, right atrial ANP secretion is reduced by inhibition of cyclooxygenase. In contrast, left atrial ANP secretion is stimulated by endothelin 2 and 3 but not 1. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase did not affect left atrial ANP secretion. These results show the regulation of ANP secretion is different between the two atrial chambers. Right atrial cells appear to contain the prostaglandinmediated response to protein-kinase C activation, whereas left atrial cells regulate ANP secr...
Probing and Controlling the Nonlinear Optical Properties of Nanometer Silver Antenna Clusters

The emissive properties of dendritic silver thin films due to two-photon excitation are explored. Emission is observed to occur at points more than 10 µm from the focal spot, and is polarization dependent.
DISCHARGE TO A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH MORTALITY IN ALL 50 STATES FOLLOWING HOSPITALIZATION FOR HEART FAILURE OR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Many patients are discharged to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) after hospitalization for heart failure (HF) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Yet relatively little is known about the long term outcomes of these patients, including whether outcomes vary by state rates of discharge to a SNF.
Interpretation of the D″ zone at the base of the mantle: Dependence on assumed values of thermal conductivity

A common assumption in modeling dynamic processes in the earth's lower mantle is that thermal conductivity is sensibly constant throughout the lower mantle and equal to approximately 4 W m−1 K−1. This value is the result of extrapolation using a linearized theory with estimated parameters for lattice contributions to thermal conductivity. Furthermore, this value is highly dependent on the assumed geotherm. Excluding theoretical uncertainties in the extrapolation, recent experimental data for the pressure dependence of conductivity coupled with a revised geotherm lead to substantially higher estimated values for the lower mantle. The hypothesis that the seismically resolved anomalous zone at the base of the mantle (D″) is a thermal boundary layer can be questioned in this case of a higher estimation for thermal conductivity.
SYNTHESIS OF TRYPTOPHOL AND INDOLELACTIC ACID BY CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS

Tryptophol (TOL) and indolelactic acid (ILA) were synthesized by isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans in a synthetic medium containing tryptophan as the sole nitrogen source. The compounds were prod...
Impacto dos direitos dos consumidores nas práticas empresariais

Livro oportuno sobre os efeitos do codigo do consumidor nas diferentes areas empresariais. Especificamente, a autora enfoca o nivel de prontidao nas empresas ao novo marco legal e as consequencias potenciais de falhar em atende-lo. O livro relata pesquisa empirica e adverte a comunidade empresarial sobre a necessidade de interiorizar nas empresas praticas e processos que as alinhem ao novo contexto de relacoes de mercado imposto pelo codigo
Unicondylar and bicondylar proximal phalangeal fractures

Abstract Anatomic position, stability, and early motion are the key principles for achieving good results with all types of intra-articular condylar fractures of the proximal phalanx. When stabilization is necessary, soft tissue trauma should be minimized to lessen the risk of scar formation and consequent stiffness at the proximal interphalangeal joint. Oblique unicondylar fractures treated with 2-point (or more) Kirschner wire or 1 (or more) mini-screw fixation(s) have the best results. This is also true of bicondylar fractures, although mini-condylar plate fixation may achieve equally good results in bicondylar fractures with large condylar fragments. Screw fixation is recommended for triplane fractures. Although loss of reduction, delayed treatment, nonunion, deformity, or arthritis may complicate these injuries, stiffness is the most frequent and serious complication. Infection is rare. Copyright © 2001 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Upper Bound to the Expectation Value of the Squared Hamiltonian

An upper bound to the expectation value of the squared Hamiltonian 〈H2〉 is derived which relies on replacing products of certain operators with products of the matrix representations of said operators to reduce the computational demands of 〈H2〉. An example is given which shows the strength of the bound and an application with the Temple lower bound is shown.
THE PURE CULTIVATION OF SPIROCHAETA DUTTONI, SPIROCHAETA KOCHI, SPIROCHAETA OBERMEIERI, AND SPIROCHAETA NOVYI.

1. A method for the pure cultivation of Spirochœta duttoni, Spirochœta kochi, Spirochœta obermeieri, and Spirochœta novyi is described in this paper. In vitro these strains reach their maximum growth after seven, eight, or nine days at 37°C. For their multiplication they require the presence of a piece of fresh sterile tissue and a body fluid capable of forming a loose fibrin with the tissue. The presence of some oxygen seems indispensable for their growth, since they fail to grow in an atmosphere of hydrogen or in vacuo. No growth was obtained at room temperature. 2. From cultures that show a good growth subcultures can be made and the growth can be kept up in this way for many passages. 3. The pathogenicity of these organisms is not lost by cultivation, although there is a tendency for the virulence to become attenuated after growth in vitro has continued for a long time. 4. Longitudinal division has been observed and was followed under the dark-field microscope in fresh preparations from cultures. It occurs in all the species irrespective of the length of the organism. Transverse division seems also to occur, but I have not yet observed the entire process.
Tecnología del futuro aplicada a nuestros días: Life Support for Trauma and Transport (LSTAT)

One of the most recent innovations coalescing computer technology and medical care is the development of integrated medical component technology coupled with a computer system. One such example is the patient transport system known as the Life Support for Trauma and Transport (LSTAT). LSTAT is a self-contained stretcher-based intensive care unit designed by the United States Army to provide care for critically injured patients during transport and in remote settings where resources are limited. It contains conventional medical equipment that has been reduced in size and integrated into a single platform. This article presents the latest technology applied to the field of medicine, which should not be limited to patients injured during warfare but should also be used to assist the injured civilian population who need transport from remote settings to urban trauma centers.
ICCAD-2013 CAD contest in placement finishing and benchmark suite

At advanced technology nodes, highly-optimized placements need careful post-processing to further reduce interconnect length or optimize resource distribution, and therefore, high-performance legalization and detailed placement steps are essential for performance. In the last decade, we observed impressive improvements both in quality and speed of academic placement algorithms, in part enabled by the availability of realistic benchmarks and common evaluation frameworks along the history of ISPD, DAC and ICCAD placement contests. However, most research innovations have heavily relied on improvement and extensions of global placement algorithms [4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15]. Detailed placement has been often limited to mixing existing methods and local interconnect length recovery, and individual impacts and relative performances of different detailed placement algorithms remain unclear. The goal of the ICCAD-2013 detailed-placement contest is to address these issues. In this contest, we provide (i) a suite of realistic benchmarks derived from industrial ASIC including input legal placements to detailed placers, and (ii) an evaluation framework to specifically measure the impact of detailed placement optimizations. To judge the quality of resulting placements, we consider both Half-Perimeter Wirelength (HPWL) and placement density, and impose maximum cell displacement limitations to the detailed placers. We hope that a set of standardized benchmarks and an evaluation framework will further accelerate research in the area of detailed placement.
Fitting into technical organizations: the socialization of newcomer engineers

The socialization of newly hired engineers was investigated. Subjects described early, formative incidents they experienced as they learned about the new organization. Across 12 organizations, this study compares newcomer engineers' perceptions of behavioral norms with those of their engineering managers. Results indicate that engineering managers view their organizations as supporting norms of achievement and collaboration whereas newcomer engineers believed their organizations support norms of competition and defensive interpersonal relations. Critical incidents of socialization reported by newcomer engineers are presented to illustrate how newcomers learn relevant workplace norms. Examples of incidents reported are: supportiveness of the engineering manager, conflict between the engineer and the engineering manager, coworker cooperation, and participating in a substantive project team meeting. Implications for increasing the effectiveness of socialization and for engineering management development programs are discussed. >
A mathematical model for generating the area of a drainage basin

This paper presents a mathematical model that yields the area drained by a naturally-occurring network of streams. The model is based on empirically derived relationships in the field of quantitative geomorphology and an assumption concerning the probabilistic nature of stream system formation. A wide range of model solutions is indicated, and the model is validated by comparing the results to statistics from actual stream systems.
Magnetization losses in superconducting YBCO conductor-on-round-core (CORC) cables

Described are the results of magnetization loss measurements made at 77 K on several YBCO conductor-on-round-core (CORC) cables in ac magnetic fields of up to 80 mT in amplitude and frequencies of 50 to 200 Hz, applied perpendicular to the cable axis. The cables contained up to 40 tapes that were wound in as many as 13 layers. Measurements on the cables with different configurations were made as functions of applied ac field amplitude and frequency to determine the effects of their layout on ac loss. In large scale devices such as e.g. Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) magnets, the observed ac losses represent less than 0.1% of their stored energy.
Evaluation of arch vessels: breath-hold versus non-breath-hold techniques.

Editor: I read with interest the article by Dr Randoux and colleagues in the December 2003 issue of Radiology (1). The authors made three statements that I believe are incorrect. The first (page 700) states that “on the basis of published data, a non–breath-hold technique is most appropriate for the evaluation of craniocervical vessels.” In the two references cited (2,3), however, the arch vessel origins were not evaluated, and no comparison was made between breath-hold and non– breath-hold magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. We (4) and others (5) previously demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in motion-related blurring artifacts when arch vessels were evaluated with breath holding as opposed to free breathing (4,5). As a result of these two studies, we (and many other groups) routinely perform “arch to circle of Willis” contrast material–enhanced MR angiography studies during apnea. In fact, analysis of figure 5b of the article of Dr Randoux and colleagues (1) shows the typical respiratory-induced blurring seen at the origin of the vertebral artery in question. Some of these artifacts may be minimized by means of evaluation of the source images instead of maximum intensity projections. Second, the authors state that “breath holding itself can cause artifacts.” While this may be true in rare cases, these artifacts are certainly less common than those seen with free breathing. Finally, the authors state that “we did not use the breath-hold technique because of the long imaging time (32 seconds) and the relatively old age of the study population.” First, the median patient age of 62 years (range, 32–83 years) is clearly no longer considered “old,” and a 32-year-old patient could easily hold his or her breath for 32 seconds. Second, with the use of coaching, hyperventilation, and imaging at end-inspiration (with or without supplemental oxygen), almost all patients can maintain apnea for 32 seconds unless they have severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure. Gay et al (6) showed that most outpatients who do not smoke heavily or do not have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure can achieve a single breath hold of 38 seconds. Finally, the authors used centric phase ordering for filling of k space. Maki et al (7) have shown that this technique actually minimizes breathing-related artifacts by filling the important central lines first, providing good-quality MR angiography images even if the patient cannot tolerate apnea for the entire examination. Most of this benefit was achieved with a breath-hold fraction of as little as 50% if it occurred during acquisition of central k space, while breath holding during peripheral k-space acquisition had no substantial benefit (7).
On strontium isotopic anomalies and odd-A p-process abundances

Several aspects of the nucleosynthesis of Sr isotopes are considered in an attempt to shed light on the problem of the Sr isotopic anomalies discovered in an inclusion of the Allende meteorite. Decomposition of the Sr isotopes into average r-, s-, and p-process nucleosynthetic classes is performed. It is suggested that the Allende inclusion most likely has an excess of s-process Sr and that the initial Sr-87/Sr-86 isotopic ratio is probably slightly more primitive than basaltic achondrites. The results also show that Sn-115 is mostly due to the r-process and that odd-A yields are very small. It is concluded that if the Sr anomaly in the inclusion is an average s enhancement, it argues somewhat in favor of a model of gas/dust fractionation of s and r isotopes during accumulation of the inclusion parent in the protosolar cloud.
Oscillator strength sum rule and the hydrodynamic analogy to quantum mechanics

It is shown that the functional obtained from the hydrodynamic analogy to quantum mechanics identically satisfies the 2l-pole oscillator strength sum rule if certain conditions are satisfied by the linear trial functions. Further, the eigenfrequencies are the same as those found by the Rayleigh—Ritz variational principle.
Inert gases from Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 fines - Reversals in the trends of relative element abundances

Primordial Kr and Xe trapping as possible cause of element abundance trend reversal in Apollo 11 and 12 fines
Post-translational modifications regulate the ticking of the circadian clock

Getting a good night's sleep is on everyone's to-do list. So is, no doubt, staying awake during late afternoon seminars. Our internal clocks control these and many more workings of the body, and disruptions of the circadian clocks predispose individuals to depression, obesity and cancer. Mutations in kinases and phosphatases in hamsters, flies, fungi and humans highlight how our timepieces are regulated and provide clues as to how we might be able to manipulate them.
Development and Evaluation on Surfactant Used in Chemical Flooding

Oil component and molecule structures is studied by application of gas chromatogram, infrared spectrum and nuclear magnetic resonance to develop high efficiency and cost effective surfactant used for chemical flooding, HZS surfactant has been developed on basis of relationship between effectiveness and structure of the surfactant. Study on surfactant structure characterization and performance evaluation suggests that oil/water interfacial tension is super low when distribution of carbon number of main component of surfactant is identical to the distribution of main component of oil, and concentration impairment due to surfactant retention on surface of core. Reference can be provided to reservoir selection and surfactant development of other oilfield.
Estrogen-Induced Vasoprotection Is Estrogen Receptor Dependent Evidence From the Balloon-Injured Rat Carotid Artery Model

Background—Previous studies have shown that estrogen (E2) is vasoprotective in multiple animal models of vascular injury, including mice with homologous disruptions of either the α or β isoforms of the estrogen receptor (ER) gene, calling into question the ER dependency of the vasoprotective effect. This study used ICI 182,780, a nonselective ER antagonist, to test the hypothesis that the vasoprotective effect of E2 in the rat carotid injury model is ER mediated. Methods and Results—Intact female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups and treated with the nonselective ER antagonist ICI 182,780 (ICI; 0.5, 1.5, or 5 mg · kg−1 · d−1, subcutaneously [S.C.]) or vehicle, beginning before balloon injury of the right common carotid artery and continuing for 14 days afterward. Four groups of ovariectomized rats (OVX) were treated with 17β estradiol (E2) (20 μg · kg−1 · d−1, S.C.) alone or combined with ICI 5 mg · kg−1 · d−1, S.C.; with ICI 5 mg · kg−1 · d−1 alone; or with vehicle according to a similar pro...
No Evidence for Extraocular Photoreceptors in the Circadian System of the Syrian Hamster

Campbell and Murphy reported recently that3hof bright light (13,000 lux) exposure to the area behind the knee caused phase shifts of the circadian rhythms of both body temperature and saliva melatonin in humans. The authors tested the hypothesis that extraocular photoreception is also involved in the circadian system of the Syrian hamster. Hamsters were bilaterally enucleated (eyes removed), and their backs were shaved. Hamsters with stable free-running rhythms in constant darkness were exposed to direct sunlight for 1 or 3 hours during their subjective night. Intact (control) animals showed phase shifts as expected, but the locomotor activity of enucleated animals was unaffected by the exposure to sunlight. The authors also measured the pineal melatonin content after exposure to sunlight. Pineal melatonin content in intact animals declined markedly as expected, but no decline was observed in the enucleated hamsters. The authors conclude that extraocular phototransduction is not capable of shifting the ph...
Characterization of microstructure in laser surface modified alumina ceramic

Surfaces of alumina ceramic compacts were modified by irradiating with a high-power continuous wave laser to form a rapidly solidified continuous surface layer. A detailed characterization of the laser surface modified alumina using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a development of (110) crystallographic texture and a systematic evolution of surface microstructure in terms of surface grain size, porosity and roughness with laser processing fluence. Also, due to complexity of surface microstructures, a fractal based approach is suggested to completely describe the surface state of laser surface modified alumina. The results indicated that fractal dimensions of the surface microstructures can be effectively correlated with the surface features of laser surface modified alumina.
Photoionization of excited states of molecules

Abstract This review focuses on the study of excited state photoionization dynamics for the characterization of the spectroscopy and decay dynamics of low-lying neutral excited states as well as autoionizing states of small polyatomic molecules. The review emphasizes the use of double-resonance excitation techniques to prepare selectively excited states of interest, and the use of energy dispersive photoelectron spectroscopy to characterize the states of interest through their photoionization dynamics.
Correlating Routine Cytology, Quantitative Nuclear Morphometry by Digital Image Analysis, and Genetic Alterations by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Assess the Sensitivity of Cytology for Detecting Pancreatobiliary Tract Malignancy

Routine cytologic (RC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), digital image analysis (DIA), and quantifiable morphometric results from 284 pancreatobiliary stricture brushings were compared. We chose specific DIA nuclear features assessed by pathologists in evaluating RC specimens, such as area and shape. A visual nuclear morphometric score (VNMS) was calculated. There was a difference (P < .001) in the mean VNMS when RC results were classified as negative (11.5), atypical (12.5), suspicious (13.8), and positive (16.5). The mean VNMS of specimens diagnosed as disomy (11.3), trisomy 7 (12.1), and polysomy (14.7) by FISH was also different (P < .001). There was no difference in the VNMS of false-negative and true-negative cytologic specimens (P = .225). Our findings substantiate the relationship between cell nuclear visual alterations and genetic FISH abnormalities. The low sensitivity of cytologic examination for pancreatobiliary carcinoma is due to an absence of tumor cells or the presence of well-differentiated tumor lacking recognizable nuclear atypia.
Heat of segregation of single substitutional impurities

The method of Bozzolo, Ferrante and Smith (BFS) is applied for the calculation of the heat of segregation of single substitutional impurities in fcc metals. A simple equation for predicting the heat of segregation is derived for the rigid case (no atomic relaxations). The results of including atomic relaxation using a Monte Carlo method are also presented and the results compared with a number of experimental and theoretical results.
Radiological impact of phosphogypsum applied to soils under bahiagrass pasture

Phosphogypsum (PG), a by-product in the manufacture of phosphoric acid, is primarily gypsum. The USEPA regulates the removal of PG from stacks because it contains {sup 226}Ra. Measures to quantify the transfer of radioactivity in PG to the agricultural environment are needed. The objective of the study was to collect data needed for assessment of the radiological impacts of PG applied to two Florida soils. Field experiments using 0,10, and 20 mg PG ha{sup {minus}1} were conducted for 2 yr at the University of Florida RCREC, Ona, FL. PG-attributable levels of {sup 226}Ra, {sup 210}Pb, and {sup 210}Po were observed in the top 5-cm layer of the soils. Surface {sup 222}Rn flux increased by 0.067 to 0.078 mBq m{sup {minus}2} s{sup {minus}1} per Mg PG ha{sup {minus}1}. Radionuclide concentrations in regrowth forages increased at one site where the first post-treatment rainfall did not occur until 20 d after PG application. In mature forages, radionuclide levels generally increased with PG in both soils. No effects on radionuclide levels in subsurface water down to 90 cm and only slight effects on gamma radiation and on airborne {sup 222}Rn measured 1 m from the ground were noted. The linear regression slope for amore » radiological parameter normalized with respect to the pertinent radionuclide applied per m{sup 2} per Mg PG ha{sup {minus}1} is proposed as the transfer factor (TF) of that radionuclide in PG to the agricultural medium in terms of that parameter. The TF permits the calculation of the potential effect on certain radiological parameters of PGs containing different radionuclide concentrations from the one used in this study.« less
The Common Application: When Competitors Collaborate

(2009). The Common Application: When Competitors Collaborate. Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning: Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 48-54.
Laboratory Techniques for Screening Cowpeas for Resistance to Callosobruchus maculatus F.

Best oviposition was obtained from 3 female Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), 24–48 h old, and 40 cowpea seeds in 48×48×18-mm plastic boxes. The occurrence of the “active form” under our experimental conditions was unpredictable. Weevils were not affected by either low temperature or carbon dioxide ranges (10–90 s) used. Seeds infested with eggs were less attractive for further oviposition. Fewer progeny emerged from smaller seeds. Miniature weevils weighing less than ½ the normal weevils emerged from some cowpea varieties. Variety Pl. 151563 may possess some resistance.
Empathy and hierarchy: A response to Sass

The positions Sass offers in his two papers are an invigorating alternative to the psychoanalytic doctrine and medical model of schizophrenia. He offers, first, an argument in favor of the possibility of empathy for the experience of the schizophrenic and, second, a persuasive argument against the psychoanalytic view of psychosis as regressive. Both positions are well developed, offering the particular pleasure of theory well-grounded in data. Both positions have their weaknesses, however, some of which Sass addresses but others he neglects or fails to defend adequately. In the first paper, which focuses on a comparison of the phenomena of the schizophrenic break (for which he borrows de Chirico’s use of Nietzsche’s term Stimmur~g), Sass argues, contra Karl Jaspers, among others, that the schizophrenic experience is available by empathy to a normal person. His evidence for this is the identifiable commonalities between the Stimmung described by schizophrenics and material presented by modernist writers and poets. Despite the convincing quality of the comparison, he neglects an obvious area for disagreement, one that will likely leap to the minds of those persuaded of the correctness of the medical model of psychiatry. The potential objection is that his evidence proves only that the modernists were schizophrenic, or at least schizoid. Sass himself does address this issue briefly in a footnote in the second paper, intended to address the issue of differences between schizophrenia and creativity. Unfortunately, in arguing one case he defeats himself in the other by documenting the frequency of mental illness in the modernists. In other words, although Sass’s argument about the possibility of empathy is predicated on comparing two groups, schizophrenics and modernists, he may, in fact be comparing one group with itself, that is, the single category of schizophrenics and schizoid personalities. A clearer definition of what is meant by “schizophrenic” would assist greatly here, certainly one less simplistic than that which Sass is using, which is essentially a social definition, that is, one who is treated for schizophrenia. All is not lost, however. In his meticulous explication of the Stimmung, Sass has succeeded in displaying his own empathy and evoking in the reader precisely the empathy he is arguing in favor of. Thus, unless the reader and Sass are also mad (not impossible, but perhaps unlikely), empathy for the schizophrenic experience is patent. Reading Sass’s article reminds me of the first time I was with someone who was
Comparison of pseudoachalasia and achalasia

Abstract Malignancies involving the gastric cardia or distal esophagus can result in a clinical syndrome termed pseudoachalasia that mimics idiopathic achalasia. If not promptly recognized, pseudoachalasia can result in inappropriate pneumatic dilatation of the lower esophageal sphincter segment and delay appropriate treatment of the underlying malignancy. During the past 14 years, six patients with pseudoachalasia and 161 patients with primary idiopathic achalasia were encountered. Pseudoachalasia occurred mainly in the elderly and represented about 9 percent of these patients over 60 years of age with suspected achalasia. Five of the six pseudoachalasia cases were secondary to adenocarcinoma that originated in the gastric fundus, and one was caused by a squamous cell carcinoma of the distal esophagus. Conventional esophageal manometry did not discriminate achalasia from pseudoachalasia. On the other hand, esophagogastroscopy with biopsy resulted in a diagnosis of pseudoachalasia in five of these cases and in 24 of 32 cases reported previously. Ominous endoscopic findings are mucosal ulceration or nodularity, reduced compliance of the esophagogastric junction, or an inability to pass the endoscope into the stomach. Radiographic evaluation, particularly in conjunction with amyl nitrite inhalation, was also useful in discriminating pseudoachalasia from primary achalasia. It is concluded that pseudoachalasia generally mimics idiopathic achalasia imperfectly and can usually be diagnosed prior to surgery by fastidious endoscopic and radiographic examination.
Modeling customer impatience in a newsboy problem with time-sensitive shortages

Abstract Customers across all stages of the supply chain often respond negatively to inventory shortages. One approach to modeling customer responses to shortages in the inventory control literature is time-dependent partial backlogging. Partial backlogging refers to the case in which a customer will backorder shortages with some probability, or will otherwise solicit the supplier’s competitors to fulfill outstanding shortages. If the backorder rate (i.e., the probability that a customer elects to backorder shortages) is assumed to be dependent on the supplier’s backorder replenishment lead-time, then shortages are said to be represented as time-dependent partial backlogging. This paper explores various backorder rate functions in a single period stochastic inventory problem in an effort to characterize a diversity of customer responses to shortages. We use concepts from utility theory to formally classify customers in terms of their willingness to wait for the supplier to replenish shortages. Under mild assumptions, we verify the existence of a unique optimal solution that corresponds to each customer type. Sensitivity analysis experiments are conducted in order to compare the optimal actions associated with each customer type under a variety of conditions. Additionally, we introduce the notion of expected value of customer patience information (EVCPI), and then conduct additional sensitivity analyses to determine the most and least opportune conditions for distinguishing between customer behaviors.
Surface-Dependent Kinetics of Cu(0)-Wire-Catalyzed Single-Electron Transfer Living Radical Polymerization of Methyl Acrylate in DMSO at 25 °C

The effect of Cu(0) wire dimensions on the Cu(0) wire/Me6-TREN-catalyzed heterogeneous single-electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) of methyl acrylate (MA) initiated with methyl 2-bromopropionate (MBP) in DMSO at 25 °C was analyzed by kinetic experiments. These kinetic results were compared with those of Cu(0) powder/Me6-TREN-catalyzed SET-LRP. Both wire and powder produce perfect SET-LRP with a first-order rate of polymerization in growing species up to 100% conversion. Nevertheless, Cu(0) wire experiments demonstrated SET-LRP with greater perfection, allowing for the accurate determination of the external rate order (vis-a-vis surface area) for heterogeneous Cu(0) catalyst and accurate prediction of kpapp from wire dimension. Cu(0) wire also exhibited a significantly greater control of molecular weight distribution than Cu(0) powder. The combined advantages of easier catalyst preparation, handling, predictability, tunability, simple recovery/recycling, and enhanced control of molecul...
Parity nonconservation in the hydrogen atom. III

We give a complete phenomenological analysis of parity mixing in the hydrogen atom, showing the connection between relativistic neutral-current interactions and nonrelativistic potentials. The matrix elements of these potentials are evaluated for $n=2$ hydrogen, and the mixing of $2S\ensuremath{-}2P$ states is computed at each of the level crossings. A systematic discussion of the invariant decomposition of $2S\ensuremath{-}2{S}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ microwave transitions is given, providing a catalogue of the possible parity experiments. One particular transition is analyzed to show its sensitivity to weak interactions. We conclude that it should be possible to detect weak interactions of universal strength by observing asymmetries of order ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$, with integration times of order ${10}^{4}$ sec. Such experiments are underway at this laboratory.
Effects of an Electronic Height-Adjustable Worksurface on Computer Worker Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Productivity:

Thirty three computer workers from two companies worked at fixed-height worksurfaces (FHWs) and then at electronic height-adjustable worksurfaces (EHAWs) for 4–6 weeks. Subjects completed survey questionnaires before and after using the EHAWs. Results showed significant decreases in the severity of musculoskeletal discomfort for most upper body segments. In the EHAW condition daily discomfort ratings were lower in the afternoon and productivity ratings improved. There was a strong preference for using the EHAWs. An attempt to assess any placebo effect met with limited success. Further studies are needed.
Role of excited electronic states in the interactions of fast (MeV) molecular ions with solids and gases

The authors report measurements of the joint distributions in energy and angle for fragments arising from the dissociation of 1.2-MeV ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ and 3.0-MeV He${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ in thin carbon foils and in a variety of gases at several pressures. From the foil measurements the distribution of initial internuclear separations in the incident projectiles is derived. These distributions are then used in conjunction with the results for gas targets to determine the role of excited electronic states of the projectile in collisionally induced dissociation. Finally, it is shown how these states also play a vital role in some other phenomena that occur in the interactions of fast molecular ions with foils.
Epigenetic regulation during mammalian oogenesis

The advent of the epigenetic era has sparked a new frontier in molecular research and the understanding of how development can be regulated beyond direct alterations of the genome. Thus far, the focal point of epigenetic regulation during development has been chromatin modifications that control differential gene expression by DNA methylation and histone alterations. But what of events that alter gene expression without direct influence on the DNA itself? The present review focuses on epigenetic pathways regulating development from oogenesis to organogenesis and back that do not involve methylation of cytosine in DNA. We discuss target components of epigenetic modification such as organelle development, compartmentalisation of maternal factors and molecular mediators in the oocyte and how these factors acting during oogenesis impact on later development. Epigenetic regulation of development, be it via cytosine methylation or not, has wide-ranging effects on the subsequent success of a pregnancy and the intrinsic health of offspring. Perturbations in epigenetic regulation have been clearly associated with disease states in adult offspring, including Type II diabetes, hypertension, cancers and infertility. A clear understanding of all epigenetic mechanisms is paramount when considering the increased use of assisted reproductive techniques and the risks associated with their use.
Optimized operation and offset corrections for a battery-powered wireless digital x-ray detector

It has been widely recognized that gain and offset corrections are essential for obtaining diagnostic image quality from flat-panel digital X-ray detectors. While such corrections are straightforward for detectors that are always powered and operate in a steady state, a new generation of battery-powered wireless detectors poses new challenges. Factors that need to be taken into account when optimizing the operation of such devices include image quality, battery life, robustness with respect to environmental variables and use patterns, and workflow, e.g., the readiness of the detector upon operator interaction, exposure lag, and image access time. Examples are given of the resolution to these problems for a new portable 35 × 43 cm 2 X-ray detector. Multiple power states are required to extend battery life, including a low power state that simply supports wireless communication while the detector is not taking images. As a consequence, the detector encounters slightly different operating conditions during the X-ray exposure compared with the dark images that are taken for offset compensation. A new offset-correction algorithm was developed to compensate for such systematic differences, and its performance was evaluated in terms of image uniformity and noise.
Geomicrobiological controls on light rare earth element, Y and Ba distributions during granite weathering and soil formation

In this study we examine the redistribution of trivalent and tetravalent light rare earth elements (LREEs), Ba and Y during chemical weathering of granites from southern New South Wales, Australia. In essentially abiotic zones in the lower weathering profile, primary allanite is dissolved, and apatite is extensively replaced by secondary LREE lanthanide phosphates such as rhabdophane and florencite. This association is attributed to the relatively high concentrations of phosphorus at dissolving apatite surfaces and low solubility products for lanthanide phosphates. Bulk chemical data from the lower profile indicate considerable enrichment of Y, La and Nd. In contrast, in granites weathered in proximity to the soil zone, secondary lanthanide phosphates are rare and phosphate surfaces are often colonized by bacteria and fungal hyphae. Bulk chemical data show that Y, La and Nd decrease in abundance with increasing weathering. Low dissolved phosphate concentration due to microbial uptake of phosphorus suppresses secondary phosphate precipitation and also leads to dissolution of secondary lanthanide phosphates formed prior to colonization. In the most highly weathered rocks and soils, secondary phosphates are extremely rare, and only Ce oxides remain. Bulk chemical data show Ce concentrations in excess of 1200 ppm in some soils. Retention of Ce as Ce-oxides reflects the low mobility of (tetravalent) Ce under oxidizing conditions. These observations explain heterogeneities in LREE abundances in weathering profiles, development of extreme Ce anomalies, and greatly elevated concentrations of trivalent LREEs in some regions.
No false start for novel pseudotyped vectors

Pseudotyped vectors can be used to introduce genes into cells or to study the entry process of the virus from which the outer shell of the recombinant virus is derived. Recently, several novel pseudotyped retroviruses and lentiviruses have been constructed. Virus vectors pseudotyped with an alphavirus glycoprotein hold special promise. The increasing diversity of the available pseudotyped vectors offers expanded opportunities for gene transfer to specific cells.
Issue‐Advocacy Versus Candidate Advertising: Effects on Candidate Preferences and Democratic Process

This study examined the influence of soft-money-sponsored issue-advocacy advertising in U.S. House and Senate campaigns, comparing its effects against candidate-sponsored positive advertising and contrast advertising on viewers' candidate preferences and on their attitudes that reflect democratic values. The results revealed no main effects for advertising approach on candidate preference. Instead, advertising approach exerted unique impacts based on viewer party affiliation: Advocacy ads influenced only nonpartisans, whereas candidate-sponsored contrast advertising primarily affected Republicans. Viewer exposure to candidate-sponsored advertising, both positive and contrast, elicited greater viewer awareness and interest in campaigns and more knowledge of the candidates and their positions, both in comparison to the control condition and to soft-money-sponsored issue-advocacy ads.
Vascular tumors of the conjunctiva in 140 cases.

Objective To report clinical and histopathologic features of vascular tumors of the conjunctiva. Design Retrospective, noninterventional case series. Participants A total of 140 patients. Intervention None. Main Outcome Measures Tumor diagnosis, anatomic location, clinical features, management, and histopathology. Results There were 140 vascular tumors of the conjunctiva with 93% benign and 7% malignant. The specific diagnoses included lymphangioma/lymphangiectasis (n = 54, 36%), pyogenic granuloma (n = 31, 22%), capillary hemangioma (n = 20, 14%), Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 10, 7%), acquired sessile hemangioma (n = 10, 7%), racemose hemangioma (n = 7, 5%), varix (n = 4, 3%), cavernous hemangioma (n = 3, 2%), and glomangioma (n = 1, Conclusions A variety of vascular tumors can occur in both children and adults at various anatomic locations in the conjunctiva. They tend to occur unilaterally on the bulbar conjunctiva, and the majority of tumors are benign. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Development of a novel efficient fluorescence-based plaque reduction microneutralization assay for measles virus immunity

The measurement of functional measles virus-specific neutralizing antibodies is of considerable interest for vaccine-related research. In this study, we developed and standardized a simple, rapid, highly sensitive, and reproducible fluorescence-based plaque reduction microneutralization (PRMN) assay with visual and automated readout, using a recombinant measles virus engineered to express enhanced green fluorescent protein. The assay is performed in micro format, requires less time to complete (2 versus 4 to 7 days), and is less labor-intensive and less costly than the classical plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) test, widely accepted as the “gold standard” in measles serology. Two available WHO international anti-measles virus standards and one in-house reference serum were used to develop and standardize the new assay. The mean PRMN values from repeated assays were found to be similar to those reported in the literature or assigned to the WHO standards by the classical PRN assay. For validation, we used three groups of low, moderate, and high measles virus vaccine responders’ sera with moderate values of correlation in antibody levels (mIU/ml) between PRMN and the Dade Behring immunoglobulin G enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The PRMN assay was more sensitive at low antibody levels and more informative in terms of protection than this commercial EIA. In conclusion, we have developed and validated a sensitive and high-throughput measles virus-specific PRMN that can be readily used in large population-based measles studies.
Phospholipase C-γ2 is a critical signaling mediator for murine NK cell activating receptors

Phospholipase C-γ (PLCγ) is a key regulator of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Two isoforms of PLCγ have been identified, PLCγ1 and PLCγ2. Previously, in vitro studies indicated that activating NK cell receptors signal through both isoforms. However, PLCγ2 deficiency alone was sufficient to induce a substantial impairment of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro. Why PLCγ2 is more important than PLCγ1 for NK cell activation and whether PLCγ2 is also critical for NK cell development, secretion of IFN-γ, and clearance of viral infections in vivo is not known. In this study, we report that PLCγ2 is the predominant isoform expressed in murine NK cells. PLCγ2 deficiency did not affect NK cell numbers in bone marrow and spleen, but acquisition of Ly49 receptors by NK cells was partially impaired. PLCγ2-deficient NK cells exhibited a dramatic impairment of cytolytic function and IFN-γ production upon ligation of activating receptors, whereas they did secrete IFN-γ in response to cytokines. Consequently, mice lacking PLCγ2 controlled murine CMV infection substantially less effectively than did wild-type animals, and this defect was most evident in the spleen, where viral clearance mostly depends on NK cell lytic function. These results demonstrate that PLCγ2 is crucial for development of the NK cell receptor repertoire and signaling of activating NK cell receptors, mediating optimal NK cell function in vivo.
Sustainable Electrical Energy Storage through the Ferrocene/Ferrocenium Redox Reaction in Aprotic Electrolyte†

The large-scale, cost-effective storage of electrical energy obtained from the growing deployment of wind and solar power is critically needed for the integration into the grid of these renewable energy sources. Rechargeable batteries having a redox-flow cathode represent a viable solution for either a Li-ion or a Na-ion battery provided a suitable low-cost redox molecule soluble in an aprotic electrolyte can be identified that is stable for repeated cycling and does not cross the separator membrane to the anode. Here we demonstrate an environmentally friendly, low-cost ferrocene/ferrocenium molecular redox couple that shows about 95% energy efficiency and about 90% capacity retention after 250 full charge/discharge cycles.
The design of tree-structured M-channel filter banks using perfect reconstruction filter blocks

The concept of perfect reconstruction in filter banks is examined using the Smith form of the polyphase matrix. A class of M-channel FIR (finite-impulse response) perfect-reconstruction filter banks is introduced that includes the recently developed lossless filter banks. With the proposed filter banks, the synthesis filters are of the same complexity as the analysis filters. In addition, the synthesis filter bank is easily obtained from the analysis filter bank by inverting a set of M*M constant coefficient matrices. A statistical method for the design of such filter banks is presented. These can be used as building blocks in large tree-structured filter banks where the overall number of channels is any composite integer. An analysis of the computational and storage complexity of such tree structures is given. The results of the analysis are simple formulas for required storage and computation, which helps in the selection of efficient tree structures. >
Class, Ethnicity, and the Democratic State: Nigeria, 1950-1966

Amidst the disruption of rapid social and economic change in contemporary developing nations, political order has been a fragile commodity. The simultaneous, urgent demands of integrating nations, constructing states, institutionalizing participation, and satisfying revolutionary expectations have overwhelmed most third world regimes, and liberal democratic ones in particular. The dependence of constitutional democracy on moderation, tolerance, and restraint in political behavior has been especially difficult to reconcile with the desperate, consummatory character of politics in nations where public agendas and personal expectations grossly exceed available resources and rewards.