cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incentives and Governance in Entrepreneurial Firms

This paper analyzes corporate governance decisions at firms making initial public offerings (IPOs) of common stock between 1996 and 1999. Our objective is to examine relationships between firms' corporate governance practices and the quality and availability of accounting- and market-based measures of firm performance. We collect a sample of 464 companies from the manufacturing, internet, and technology (non-internet) industries, and examine how CEO incentives vary with industry and with the extent of venture capital influence. We first study determinants of executives' compensation-related incentives and share ownership at the time of the IPO, and then examine factors affecting firms' decisions over executive compensation grants and CEO turnover subsequent to the IPO. Consistent with prior research that finds earnings are of limited usefulness in firm valuation for internet firms, we find internet and non-internet firms place differing importance on earnings and information in stock returns in determining post-IPO compensation grants. We also find that firms with little or no venture capital influence display significantly stronger association with accounting and stock performance measures than firms with more intense monitoring by venture capitalists.
Reply to Grant

Michael Grant 'Cities of Words, Cities of Cinema: Stanley Cavell's _City of Words_' _Film-Philosophy_, vol. 9 no. 49, December 2005
Determination of Significant Issues: Applying a Quantitative Method to Importance-Performance Analysis

Abstract Assuring quality depends on the quality of information obtained in measurement efforts. One assessment technique that has been used in a variety of applications is importance-performance analysis (IPA). The final analysis of any traditional IPA is based on a subjective placement of classification dividers. As such, any recommendation from the use of traditional importance-performance analysis is subject to this often overlooked limitation. This research utilizes new developments concerning the components of IPA to present a quantitative method to analyze importance-performance data. Hypothetical data is presented to illustrate the method and results are discussed.
The Transfer of Acidity from Soils to Surface Waters

The processes involved in the transfer of acidity from soils to surface waters has recently drawn considerable attention, due to the appearance of mineral acidity in lakes and streams in areas receiving acidic atmospheric deposition. The topic lies between the domains of the soil chemist and the water chemist, and it seems fair to say that it is sometimes poorly understood by both. In this chapter we shall rely heavily on the concept of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC). Key concepts include the definition of ANC as applicable to water draining from soils, the generation of ANC in soils, and the relationship of ANC to acidity transport. We shall discuss the role of processes such as the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate equilibrium, cation exchange, and the dissolution and precipitation of aluminum-bearing minerals in determining the ANC of the drainage water. The use of quantitative models to enhance our understanding of these processes and to assess the likely effect of acid deposition on acidity transport is discussed, as is the role of organic acids in the transfer of acidity.
Image-guided, endoscopic, transcervical resection of cervical chordoma

Chordomas are rare tumors that arise from the sacrum, spine, and skull base. Surgical management of these tumors can be difficult, given their locally destructive behavior and predilection for growing near delicate and critical structures. En bloc resection with negative margins can be difficult to perform without damaging adjacent structures and causing significant clinical morbidity. For chordomas of the upper cervical spine, surgical options traditionally involve transoral or submandibular approaches. The authors report the use of the image-guided, endoscopic, transcervical approach to the upper cervical spine as an alternative to traditional techniques for addressing upper cervical spine tumors, particularly for tumors where gross-total resection is not feasible.
An Ada 95 Sort Race Construction Set

A “sort race” is a set of sort algorithms, executing concurrently and using some kind of visualization scheme to display the state of the various sorts as they proceed. The sort race is often used in algorithms and data structures courses to illustrate the disparate behavior and time performance of different sort algorithms; it has also served software engineering education, as an interesting, even exciting, example of concurrent programming and separation of concerns.
ALL STIMULI ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS: MEASURING RELATIONAL PREFERENCES WITHIN AN EQUIVALENCE CLASS

Two experiments used post-class formation within-class relational assessment test performances to evaluate whether participants demonstrated preference for certain members of an equivalence class based on the type of relation that existed between class members. In Experiment 1, two 5-node 7-member equivalence classes, consisting entirely of nonsense syllables, were established using the simultaneous protocol. Only 1 of the 6 participants in Experiment 1 formed classes. After class formation, the effects of the different relations between stimuli were evaluated using within-class relational assessment tests, and the 1 participant showed an absolute preference for transitive over equivalence relations, and for baseline over symmetrical relations. Experiment 2 was identical to Experiment 1, except that one of the nonsense syllable stimuli in each class was replaced by a pictorial stimulus. Under these conditions, classes were formed by 5 of 13 participants. During the relational assessment tests, the 5 participants who formed classes demonstrated almost exclusive preferences for transitive relations over equivalence relations and for trained baseline relations over symmetrical relations. Thus, this research demonstrates that the members of equivalence classes are differentially related to each other based on relational type.
Improving representation of convective transport for scale-aware parameterization: 2. Analysis of cloud-resolving model simulations

Following Part I, in which 3-D cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulations of a squall line and mesoscale convective complex in the mid-latitude continental and the tropical regions are conducted and evaluated, we examine the scale-dependence of eddy transport of water vapor, evaluate different eddy transport formulations, and improve the representation of convective transport across all scales by proposing a new formulation that more accurately represents the CRM-calculated eddy flux. CRM results show that there are strong grid-spacing dependencies of updraft and downdraft fractions regardless of altitudes, cloud life stage, and geographical location. As for the eddy transport of water vapor, updraft eddy flux is a major contributor to total eddy flux in the lower and middle troposphere. However, downdraft eddy transport can be as large as updraft eddy transport in the lower atmosphere especially at the mature stage of 38 mid-latitude continental convection. We show that the single updraft approach significantly underestimates updraft eddy transport of water vapor because it fails to account for the large internal variability of updrafts, while a single downdraft represents the downdraft eddy transport of water vapor well. We find that using as few as 3 updrafts can account for the internal variability of updrafts well.more » Based on evaluation with the CRM simulated data, we recommend a simplified eddy transport formulation that considers three updrafts and one downdraft. Such formulation is similar to the conventional one but much more accurately represents CRM-simulated eddy flux across all grid scales.« less
When and how do seizures kill neurons, and is cell death relevant to epileptogenesis?

The effect of seizures on neuronal death and the role of seizure-induced neuronal death in acquired epileptogenesis have been debated for decades. Isolated brief seizures probably do not kill neurons; however, severe and repetitive seizures (i.e., status epilepticus) certainly do. Because status epilepticus both kills neurons and also leads to chronic epilepsy, neuronal death has been proposed to be an integral part of acquired epileptogenesis. Several studies, particularly in the immature brain, have suggested that neuronal death is not necessary for acquired epileptogenesis; however, the lack of neuronal death is difficult if not impossible to prove, and more recent studies have challenged this concept. Novel mechanisms of cell death, beyond the traditional concepts of necrosis and apoptosis, include autophagy, phagoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. The traditional proposal for why neuronal death may be necessary for epileptogenesis is based on the recapitulation of development hypothesis, where a loss of synaptic input from the dying neurons is considered a critical signal to induce axonal sprouting and synaptic-circuit reorganization. We propose a second hypothesis – the neuronal death pathway hypothesis, which states that the biochemical pathways causing programmed neurodegeneration, rather than neuronal death per se, are responsible for or contribute to epileptogenesis. The reprogramming of neuronal death pathways – if true – is proposed to derive from necroptosis or pyroptosis. The proposed new hypothesis may inform on why neuronal death seems closely linked to epileptogenesis, but may not always be.
Development of a standard reference material for vitamin D in serum

The most widely used indicator of vitamin D status is the measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in either serum or plasma. Several studies have reported discrepancies between the results of assays used to measure 25(OH)D, however, which calls into question the ability of 25(OH)D assays to reflect accurately the vitamin D status of individuals. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has been working with the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements to develop a standard reference material for circulating vitamin D analysis. This standard reference material will provide a material with stable, well-defined levels of the analytes of interest. Investigators will be able to use the standard reference material to validate new analytic methods as they are developed and to assign values to in-house quality-control materials.
1DTempPro V2: New Features for Inferring Groundwater/Surface‐Water Exchange

A new version of the computer program 1DTempPro extends the original code to include new capabilities for (1) automated parameter estimation, (2) layer heterogeneity, and (3) time-varying specific discharge. The code serves as an interface to the U.S. Geological Survey model VS2DH and supports analysis of vertical one-dimensional temperature profiles under saturated flow conditions to assess groundwater/surface-water exchange and estimate hydraulic conductivity for cases where hydraulic head is known.
Inhibitor Coordination Interactions in the Binuclear Manganese Cluster of Arginase

Arginase is a manganese metalloenzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-arginine to form l-ornithine and urea. The structure and stability of the binuclear manganese cluster are critical for catal...
Chromatin-associated DNA endonuclease activities in HeLa cells.

Summary Isolated HeLa nuclei were treated with buffer containing 0.14 M NaCl to remove nucleoplasmic DNase activities. A 1.0 M NaCl extract of the residue contained DNase activity, which was separated by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose into four fractions, each with DNA endonuclease activity. The fractions differ in thermostability and in sensitivity to a variety of inhibitors.
Convex Dimension of Locally Planar Convex Geometries

We prove that convex geometries of convex dimension n that satisfy two properties satisfied by nondegenerate sets of points in the plane, may have no more than 2 n-1 points. We give examples of such convex geometries that have n \choose 4 + n \choose 2 + n \choose 0 points.
Marijuana expectancies and relationships with adolescent and adult marijuana use

Background Outcome expectancy is a central construct in models of addiction and relapse. Much expectancy research has been conducted in the context of alcohol; however, less is known about the structure of expectancies for marijuana and their associations with marijuana use outcomes.
Acid precipitation and sulfate deposition in Florida.

The acidity of rainfall in Florida has increased markedly in the past 25 years, and the average sulfate and nitrate concentrations have increased by factors of 1.6 and 4.5, respectively, over the period. Annual average pH values below 4.7 now occur over the northern three quarters of the state. Summer rainfall has average pH values 0.2 to 0.3 unit lower than winter rainfall, and sulfate concentrations at most sites are higher in summer. The annual deposition of H+ (about 300 to 500 equivalents per hectare) in northern Florida is a third to a half of the deposition in the heavily impacted northeastern United States; comparable figures for excess sulfate (derived from sulfur dioxide) are 7 to 11 kilograms of sulfur per hectare or 50 to 90 percent of the sulfate deposition rates at Hubbard Brook, New Hampshire.
Corrosion fatigue in AlLi alloy 2090

Abstract The AlLi alloy 2090 (Al-2.9Cu-2.2Li-0.12Zr where the composition is in approximate weight per cent) was evaluated in terms of microstructure, deformation behavior and corrosion fatigue properties. Strengthening was due to extensive co-precipitation of the δ′, σ′ and T 1 phases. A significant amount of intermetallics, constituent particles and δ at grain boundaries was evident in the alloy. The deformation mode of the peak-aged material proved to be strictly planar slip. Tensile specimens tested along the rolling direction exhibited a ductile transgranular failure mode with localized intergranular ledges formed by grain delamination. Corrosion fatigue testing in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution resulted in reductions in the fatigue life of up to four orders of magnitude. The main mechanism for the corrosion fatigue process appeared to be hydrogen embrittlement resulting from mobile dislocation transport.
The effect of surface active agents on convection cells induced by surface tension

Abstract Numerous experiments have indicated that surface active agents exert a profound stabilizing effect on convection induced by surface tension. The stabilization is predicted theoretically here by extending P earson's stability analysis of surface tension induced convection to account for the presence of surface active agents.
Regulation of expression of aminopeptidase N in fetal rat lung by dexamethasone and epidermal growth factor.

Abstract Aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2) (APN) is an ectopeptidase expressed in lung at the apical surface of alveolar type II epithelial cells. Its expression is up-regulated during fetal lung development. Recently several ectopeptidases have been recognized as possible regulators of growth and cell differentiation through their role in hydrolysis of autocrine and paracrine peptides that influence these processes. The studies reported here describe effects of factors known to promote lung development and differentiation of the alveolar epithelium on expression of aminopeptidase N during fetal lung development in organ culture. Fetal rat lung was placed in organ culture at the 15th gestational day and cultured For 6 days in the presence or absence of the synthetic glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone or epidermal growth factor (EGF). Steady-state levels of APN mRNA increased approximately 10-fold during the 6-day culture. During this time the lung alveolar epithelium developed to the point where immature alveolar type II cells were recognized by the presence of lamellar bodies. Dexamethasone or EGF increased the levels of APN mRNA in the fetal lung 2-to 3-fold over control cultures by the third day in culture and concurrently accelerated the morphological development of the alveolar epithelium. Differences in treated and control cultures diminished after 6 days in culture when the epithelium appeared more mature, suggesting that the immature epithelium was more responsive to the treatments.
Dynamic photoelastic investigation on the mechanics of waterjet and abrasive waterjet machining

Abstract An experimental investigation was conducted to study the mechanics of material removal in waterjet and abrasive waterjet (AWJ) piercing processes in a birefringent polymer material. A two-dimensional dynamic photoelasticity experimental set-up was developed and utilized to record the photoelastic stress patterns associated with jet piercing. The fringe patterns recorded by the high-speed camera were used to identify the transient stress fields adjacent to holes pierced. A comparative study of material-removal mechanisms with pure-waterjet and abrasive-waterjet impacting and piercing show that a waterjet contributes to the macrocraking and scooping action of that material, whereas an abrasive waterjet contributes to microcrack nucleation, micromachining, and subsequently erosion.
Dimethyl ether (DME) from coal as a household cooking fuel in China

Dimethyl ether (DME) has characteristics similar to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a household cooking fuel. As such, DME is an attractive fuel for clean cooking. DME can be made from any carbonaceous feedstock, including natural gas, coal, or biomass, using established technologies. Given China’s rich coal resources, the production and use of coal-derived DME as a cooking fuel in China could be attractive. This article reviews characteristics of DME and technology for making DME from coal. Conditions under which coal-derived DME in China would be cost-competit ive
Dopamine releasing effect of phenylbiguanide in rat striatal slices.

The present study explored the mechanisms underlying the dopamine releasing effect of phenylbiguanide, a compound commonly used as a 5-HT3 receptor agonist. Phenylbiguanide, and also serotonin and 2-methyl-serotonin, enhanced the outflow of radioactivity from superfused rat striatal slices preloaded with [3H]dopamine. The presence of the dopamine uptake blocker nomifensin prevented the increase in outflow. The effect of phenylbiguanide was not antagonized by 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, did not require the presence of Ca2+ in the superfusion buffer, and also occurred in reserpinized preparations with depleted dopamine stores. Phenylbiguanide caused a greater shift in the distribution of superfusate radioactivity from DOPAC to dopamine than did nomifensin. All these results are in agreement with an exchange mechanism by which phenylbiguanide promotes the efflux of dopamine by operation of the uptake carrier in the reversed direction. In consonance, phenylbiguanide, and also serotonin and 2-methyl-serotonin, inhibited the binding of [3H]CFT to dopamine uptake sites, although the rank order for promoting outflow, serotonin > phenylbiguanide > 2-methyl-serotonin, differed from that for inhibiting [3H]CFT binding to dopamine uptake sites, 2-methylserotonin ∼ serotonin > phenylbiguanide. The present results raised the possibility that phenylbiguanide has an additional activity in releasing vesicular dopamine into the cytoplasmic pool.
Assuring Confidentiality: Its Effect on Adolescent Patients' Beliefs, Expectations, and Intentions • 10

Assuring Confidentiality: Its Effect on Adolescent Patients' Beliefs, Expectations, and Intentions • 10
The mathematics of statistical machine translation: parameter estimation

We describe a series of five statistical models of the translation process and give algorithms for estimating the parameters of these models given a set of pairs of sentences that are translations of one another. We define a concept of word-by-word alignment between such pairs of sentences. For any given pair of such sentences each of our models assigns a probability to each of the possible word-by-word alignments. We give an algorithm for seeking the most probable of these alignments. Although the algorithm is suboptimal, the alignment thus obtained accounts well for the word-by-word relationships in the pair of sentences. We have a great deal of data in French and English from the proceedings of the Canadian Parliament. Accordingly, we have restricted our work to these two languages; but we feel that because our algorithms have minimal linguistic content they would work well on other pairs of languages. We also feel, again because of the minimal linguistic content of our algorithms, that it is reasonable to argue that word-by-word alignments are inherent in any sufficiently large bilingual corpus.
Absence of PDGFRA Mutations in Primary Melanoma

Abbreviations: CSD, chronic sun damage; KIT, v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog; NRAS, neuroblastoma ras viral oncogene homolog; PDGFRA, platelet-derived growth factor α receptor
The effects of race, ethnicity, and age on obesity

About 30% of Americans are obese, which is roughly a 100% increase from 25 years ago. This study examines the effects of changes in the racial/ethnic composition and age distribution on the prevalence of obesity, identifies the portion of the increase in obesity caused by these changes, and projects the effects of future racial/ethnic and age changes on obesity using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Results indicate that racial/ethnic composition changes and age distribution changes have accounted for about 10% of the increase in obesity over the last 25 years. However, future racial/ethnic and age changes are not projected to increase obesity substantially.
Perceptions of climate change on the Island of Providencia

Climate change-related impacts have the capacity to substantially influence Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean. Currently, many SIDS are engaged in large-scale vulnerability assessments that aim to identify, analyse, and inform solutions to mitigate climate change-related impacts. Many of these assessments, while useful, place little emphasis on the local stakeholders' perceptions of climate change. One such Caribbean community impacted by climate-related change is Providence Island in Colombia. Using a vulnerability assessment framework (Marshall, P.A. et al. 2010. A framework for social adaptation to climate change: sustaining tropical coastal communities and industries. Gland: IUCN Publication Services), researchers interviewed island residents (N = 23) about their perceptions of climate change, impacts on the local environment, and how the island community may adapt. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using a priori and open coding to identify patterns of and relationship...
EFFECT OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN ON PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS OF 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS, DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE AND ANDROSTERONE IN MAN

ABSTRACT Following the administration of chorionic gonadotropin to normal human males, a significant increase in the concentration of plasma androsterone was demonstrated. This increase was not observed in 5 normal young females. After administration of chorionic gonadotropin the diurnal variation in the concentration of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone was nearly obliterated in normal male and female subjects. Minor variations in plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid levels were found in both sexes. It is suggested that the administration of chorionic gonadotropin with the subsequent measurement of plasma androsterone concentration may serve as a clinical test of testicular capacity in man.
Some chemical alterations of subsurface waters during diagenesis

A brief review of some of the processes which affect the chemical composition of interstitial waters is presented. The experimental results obtained by the writers indicate that the mineralization of squeezed-out solutions progressively decreases with increasing overburden pressure. Possibly, as the underground waters move through a thick shale sequence, the mineralization could increase to levels found in oil-field brines; the Ca/Cl and Ca/Na ratios could, but not necessarily, also increase.
Post-adoption needs of families adopting children with developmental disabilities

Abstract The post-adoption service use and needs of 125 families who had adopted children with developmental disabilities were examined using a structured mail questionnaire. Although satisfaction with services used was generally high, many families did not have access to basic family support services such as respite care, life planning and support groups. Income was the only demographic variable which correlated with service need. Middle income families (mean = $30,000 to $34,999) were more likely to need support groups and babysitting for other children than either lower or higher income groups. Of particular note in this study is the relatively high incidence of transracial adoptions. Thirty-one percent of the sample had adopted children of a different race than the family. The implications of the findings and service recommendations are discussed.
Submicroscopic Frosting on Eolian and Subaqueous Quartz Sand Grains

Investigation of surface features on quartz sand grains of eolian origin from 20 desert and coastal dune environments from around the world reveals that chemical solution and redeposition of silica by the action of desert dew along with mechanical wind abrasion causes frosting and rounding of sand grains. Wind-induced grain impacts create small-scale fractures that are related to wind velocity and moisture as well as the roundness, degree of polish, and size of the impacting grains. This fracture pattern, which has been reproduced experimentally by simulating wind abrasion, is most pronounced on projections from the surface of the grains. Examination with a scanning electron microscope shows that this pattern consists of minute upturned plates of quartz that overlap each other and appear to be dipping in a direction possibly consistent with internal crystallographic planes. The close spacing of these fracture plates is responsible for the frosted appearance of many desert sands. These irregular fractured plates have a high chemical potential and will dissolve under favorable physicochemical conditions. This dissolved silica can be precipitated elsewhere as an amorphous layer on grain surfaces when the solution evaporates, resulting in a progressive rounding of sharp edges and subduing of irregular mechanical fracture patterns by transfer of minute amounts of silica. The occurrence, morphology, and distribution of diagnostic mechanical and chemical surface features allows differentiation between tropical desert sands, coastal dune sands, and periglacial sands. Closely spaced chemical etch pits formed on sand grains by “abrasion solution,” or during diagenesis, when grains are exposed to high p H solutions, also can result in a frosted appearance. Defrosting can be accomplished by addition of a thin amorphous layer of silica to the grain9s surface, or by polishing during turbulent subaqueous transport.
A Compressed sensing analog-to-information converter with edge-triggered SAR ADC Core

This paper presents the design and implementation of an analog-to-information converter (AIC) based on compressed sensing. The core of the AIC is an edge-triggered charge-sharing SAR ADC. Compressed sensing is achieved through random sampling and asynchronous successive approximation conversion using the ADC core. Implemented in 90nm CMOS, the prototype SAR ADC core achieves a maximum sample rate of 9.5MS/s, an ENOB of 9.3 bits, and consumes 550µW from a 1.2V supply. Measurement results of the compressed sensing AIC demonstrate effective sub-Nyquist random sampling and reconstruction of signals with sparse frequency support suitable for wideband spectrum sensing applications. When accounting for the increased input bandwidth compared to Nyquist, the AIC achieves an effective FOM of 10.2fJ/conversion-step.
Evidence for Large Earthquakes in Metropolitan Los Angeles

The Sierra Madre fault, along the southern flank of the San Gabriel Mountains in the Los Angeles region, has failed in magnitude 7.2 to 7.6 events at least twice in the past 15,000 years. Restoration of slip on the fault indicated a minimum of about 4.0 meters of slip from the most recent earthquake and suggests a total cumulative slip of about 10.5 meters for the past two prehistoric earthquakes. Large surface displacements and strong ground motions resulting from greater than magnitude 7 earthquakes within the Los Angeles region are not yet considered in most seismic hazard and risk assessments.
Trapping radioactive {sup 82}Rb in an optical dipole trap and evidence of spontaneous spin polarization

Optical trapping of selected species of radioactive atoms has great potential in precision measurements for testing fundamental physics such as the electric dipole moment, atomic parity nonconservation, and parity-violating {beta}-decay correlation coefficients. We report on the trapping of 10{sup 4} radioactive {sup 82}Rb atoms (t{sub 1/2}=75 s) with a trap lifetime of {approx}55 s in an optical dipole trap. Transfer efficiency from the magneto-optical trap is {approx}14%. We further report evidence of spontaneous spin polarization of the atoms in optical dipole trap loading. These advancements are an important step toward a new generation of precision nuclear-spin-{beta}-emission direction correlation measurements with polarized {sup 82}Rb atoms.
Direct versus Indirect Response-Reinforcer Relationships in Teaching Autistic Children.

One possibility suggested by the literature for maximizing the efficiency of behavior modification procedures concerns the relationship between target behaviors and their reinforcers. Therefore, in this experiment three severely autistic children were taught a total of six new target behaviors (in a multiple baseline design) employing two different response-reinforcer relationships: (1) those where the target behaviors were a direct part of the response chain required to procure a reinforcer (e.g., opening the lid of a container to obtain a food reward inside the container); and (2) those where the target behavior was an indirect part of the chain leading to the reinforcer (e.g., the therapist handing the child a food reward after the child had opened the lid of an empty container). In all cases, the results showed rapid acquisition only when the target behavior was a direct part of the chain leading to the reinforcer. The results are discussed in terms of several possible conceptualizations concerning efficient reinforcement contingencies, and in terms of their implications for teaching autistic children.
A Practitioner’s Guide to Prescribing Clonazepam for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

We developed this clonazepam guideline using drug prescribing information and reviewing the available literature on relevant neuropsychiatric ­disorders in populations without intellectual disabilities because of the dearth of available literature on the population with intellectual disabilities. This guideline includes indications; contraindications; assessments prior to and during treatment; dosing with particular focus on dosing modifications required by drug–drug interactions, personal characteristics, or genetic variants; and adverse drug reactions. The procedures contained in this guideline may not fully account for all of the possible risks of treatment in this population because of the limited studies available; thus, there will be a need to periodically update this guideline as new information becomes available. Nevertheless, we believe that this guideline provides a useful resource for clinicians who treat epilepsy, anxiety, or catatonia in adult individuals with intellectual disabilities. A clonazepam drug utilization review that summarizes this guideline is described.
Detection Of Oriented Line Segments Using Discrete Cosine Transform

The widespread use and increasing sophistication of computer vision systems has generated a great deal of interest in image processing techniques capable of tracking moving targets at high speed. The Hough transform has been cohnonly used as a means of detecting target trajectories. Nevertheless, the computational load for performing a Hough transform is overwhelming. In addition, the re$ult is usually noisy. In a recent study, we discovered that the discrete cosine transform (DCT) behaves like a directional filter and, as such, can be used to detect and locate oriented line segments. This paper describes the directional filter property of the DCT and the fast computing algorithm for detecting oriented lines. The DCT has been used in image data compression for many years. Many fast DCT algorithms exist, and VLSI chips for implementing such algorithms have been designed. In this paper the directional filter property of DCT is first presented. The one-dimensional. DCT, being viewed as a filter, can split the filtered output into two halves, one corresponding to the low-frequency band of the input and the other to the high-frequency band of the input. In the two-dimensional case, the DCT behaves like a quadrature filter without aliasing. Based on the quadrature filter property of DCT, a new method for detecting oriented line segments has emerged. We next present the fast processing algorithm for digital implementation and conclude with some simulation results.
Exploring the unequal landscapes of healthcare accessibility in lower-income urban neighborhoods through qualitative inquiry

Abstract Geographers and public health researchers recognize that healthcare accessibility is a multi-dimensional concept contingent upon the interplay of a variety of spatial and non-spatial factors, including geographic distance, cost, availability, and quality of services. Understanding such complex healthcare accessibility issues often calls for broader conceptualizations and methodological apparatus. This will enable the researcher to move beyond treating individuals as subjects to be quantified, mapped and analyzed. Instead, the researcher moves toward viewing individuals as active knowledge producers with complex experiences that can inform and enhance our understandings of healthcare accessibility. In this paper, we use qualitative inquiry to understand the complex and unequal landscapes of healthcare accessibility in the Near Eastside of Columbus, Ohio (USA). We talk with and learn from lower-income residents in the study area to understand their experiences and to challenge the local, dominant discourse which suggests the neighborhood has adequate healthcare accessibility simply because it contains multiple free and low-cost clinics. We move beyond maps and official statistics to focus instead on the everyday lived experiences of individuals as they attempt to access healthcare accessibility in their neighborhood and the larger urban area. Such a shift highlights the important role for qualitative inquiry in critical health geography research. Our work develops multiple narratives and represents the experiential knowledge of multiple individuals to reveal important differences between the observed geographies of health and the reality that lower-income residents actually experience in their everyday lives while searching for quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare.
SU-E-J-47: Evaluation of the Mismatches Between DRR's and Port Films for IMRT Fields

Purpose: To quantify the frequency and magnitude of mismatches between the MLC shape on the DRR created by the Pinnacle planning system and the corresponding port film MLC shape generated by the Mosaiq record‐and‐verify system for IMRT fields. Methods: A retrospective review was made of the most recent 60 patients to receive IMRT at our clinic. The MLC shape on the DRR created by the Philips Pinnacle planning system for each treatment field was reviewed (573 fields total) and compared with the MLC shape of the port film image, which was generated by the Mosaiq treatment planning system. Results: Of the 60 patients studied, 20 had at least one leaf mismatched between the MLC shape on the DRR and port film (142 of the 573 fields). Of the affected cases, on average 59% of the fields had a mismatch. The affected fields had an average of 6.7 leaves mismatched with a mean discrepancy of 27mm. The average maximum discrepancy for each affected patient was 69mm. Discrepancies were most common for head and neck cancers.Conclusions: The MLC shape Mosaiq generates for the port film is the CIAO, or Complete Irradiated Area Outline, which is the area that is actually treated. The Pinnacle DRR displays the maximum leafmotion, which can be different for larger fields in which the MLC leaves abut within the collimator jaw opening. The discrepancy can create substantially different MLC shapes. The problem can be solved by not filming the MLC shape and only using the films for isocenter placement; however, displaying the area receiving treatment can be a useful safety check, possibly preventing a treatment error. The persons assessing the films must be aware of this issue and evaluate the films carefully.
Protein phosphatases: key players in the regulation of cell function.

The concept that protein function can be modulated through phosphorylation may be traced back to the pioneering studies of Krebs and Fischer, who demonstrated that glycogen phosphorylase is converted to an active form following its phosphorylation by phosphorylase kinase [ 11. This observation provided the stimulus for the explosion in interest in protein phosphorylation, which impinges on essentially all aspects of cellular function. It has even been suggested that there may be as many as ‘a thousand and one protein kinases’ (Hunter, cell 1987,50:823829). Nevertheless, if protein phosphorylation represents a mechanism for the reversible modulation of enzyme activity, then the enzymes that catalyse dephosphorylation reactions, the protein phosphatases, must also be considered. Until recently, the study of protein phosphatases has lagged noticeably behind that of the kinases, one contributing factor being the diihculty in obtaining suitably phosphorylated purified substrates for assay. Currently, however, interest in the protein phosphatases is intense. Initial ideas that these enzymes would be constitutively active, such that the regulation of cellular phosphorylation would be exerted solely at the level of the kinases, are far from the truth. Great steps forward have been made in our understanding of the structure, function and regulation of the protein phosphatases. However, in this short review I will focus attention on developments within the past year, paying particular attention to the protein tyrosine phosphatases. I apologise to those whose exciting work I have been unable to include. A number of very comprehensive reviews on the subject of phosphatases have been published recently (Cohen and Cohen, J Bill C%em 1989, 264:21435-21438; Shenolikar and Naim, Second Messenger Phpbqmtin Res 1990, in press)
The NPSNET Sound Cube

This paper describes the implementation of the sound system used to generate aural cues for use in the distributed virtual environment of NPSNET. This sound system is called the NPSNET-3D Sound Server. It is a MIDI-based loudspeaker system consisting of commercial, off-the-shelf equipment. This sound system currently generates 2-D aural cues via four speakers, but is designed for the potential generation of 3-D aural cues via a cube con®guration of eight speakers.
Changes in hemodynamics and left ventricular structure after menopause

To evaluate the cardiovascular changes associated with menopause, we studied hemodynamics at rest, ambulatory blood pressure, and left ventricular structure in a biracial cohort of pre- and postmenopausal women of similar age, race, weight, and blood pressure. Despite similar levels of blood pressure, postmenopausal women had a higher indexed peripheral resistance (2,722 +/- 757 vs 2,262 +/- 661 dynes.s.m(2)/cm(5), p <0.01) and a lower cardiac index (2.64 +/- 0.73 vs 3.10 +/- 0.71 L/min.m(2), p <0.01) than premenopausal women. Postmenopausal women also had less nocturnal decreases in both systolic (15 +/- 8 vs 19 +/- 8 mm Hg, p <0.01) and diastolic (12 +/- 6 vs 15 +/- 6 mm Hg, p = 0.05) pressures during ambulatory monitoring and higher levels of hematocrit (40 +/- 2% vs 38 +/- 3%, p <0.01). In association with this greater hemodynamic load, postmenopausal women had evidence of early concentric left ventricular remodeling, manifested by a greater relative wall thickness (0.38 +/- 0.06 vs 0.35 +/- 0.06, p <0.01) than that observed in premenopausal women. Differences between pre- and postmenopausal women in hemodynamics, diurnal blood pressure variation, and left ventricular structure were observed in white and African-American subjects. These results suggest that menopause is associated with hemodynamic changes and left ventricular remodeling, which may contribute to the enhanced cardiovascular risk observed in postmenopausal women.
Selection of family members for communication of cancer risk and barriers to this communication before and after genetic cancer risk assessment

Selection of family members for communication of cancer risk and barriers to this communication before and after genetic cancer risk assessment
The Effects of Group Therapy on Siblings of Pediatric Oncology Patients

The stress and psychological difficulties of siblings of children with cancer is well documented. Siblings must cope with a myriad of emotions, isolation from the family, and many changes in daily life. Therefore, a need exists to determine the effects of psychosocial interventions on siblings of cancer patients. The support group is one psychosocial intervention that has been suggested as a method to relieve stress and enhance coping. A quasi-experimental design was selected to determine the effects of participation in a support group on the social adjustment of siblings of children with cancer. Conclusions suggest that a support group provides siblings with the opportunity to decrease their sense of isolation, ventilate negative feelings, and learn from each other. Additionally, descriptive data suggest a need for ongoing follow-up with siblings to help them manage the stresses emerging from the impact of the diagnosis and treatment on the family. Implications of this study suggest that nurses should organize support groups for siblings and/or refer them to existing groups. Also, this study suggests the need to work with siblings and educate parents regarding sibling concerns.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Lanthanides with Fluorinated .beta.-Diketones and Tributyl Phosphate

Trivalent lanthanide ions (La[sup 3+], Eu[sup 3+], and Lu[sup 3+]) in solid materials can be effectively extracted by methanol-modified carbon dioxide containing a suitable fluorinated [beta]-diketone (such as HFA, TTA, or FOD) at 60[degree]C and 150 atm. Addition of a small amount of water to the solid samples can significantly increase the extraction efficiency. Tributyl phosphate (TBP) shows a strong positive synergistic effect with the fluorinated [beta]-diketones for the extraction of the lanthanides in supercritical CO[sub 2] without methanol modifier. Quantitative extraction of the lanthanides (92-98%) from sand or a cellulose-based solid material can be achieved using a mixture of TBP and one of the fluorinated [beta]-diketones in neat CO[sub 2] at 60[degree]C and 150 atm. The synergistic effect depends on the structure and fluorine substitution in the [beta]-diketone. In soil matrix, TBP+HFA are more effective than TBP+TTA or TBP+FOD for lanthanide extraction in supercritical CO[sub 2]. Without fluorine substitution, as in the case of acetylacetone, the positive synergistic extraction of lanthanides with TBP is negligible. With the mixed-ligand approach, high efficiencies of lanthanide extraction from aqueous solutions by neat CO[sub 2] can also be accomplished. 14 refs., 4 tabs.
A recombinase diversified: new functions of the RAG proteins

The RAG proteins were long thought to serve merely as a nuclease, initiating recombination by cleaving DNA. Recent work has shown, however, that these proteins are essential for many steps in the recombination pathway, such as opening hairpins and joining broken DNA ends, and that they can also act as a transposase, targeting distorted DNA structures such as hairpins.
Development of in‐pipe microrobot using microwave energy transmission

Most robots moving autonomously are equipped with batteries as an energy source. Since the energy stored in the batteries is proportional to their volume, the operating time is drastically reduced as the robot is miniaturized. To resolve this problem, it is necessary to supply energy externally. Considering the checking of pipes in electric power generating stations as the target, a microrobot has been developed that autonomously moves inside the pipe with energy supplied by microwaves. A previous report [1] noted the problems that the energy could not be supplied when the robot is rotated and that the power supply method was not suitable for the sensor circuit, since the driving waveform of the actuator was produced by amplitude modulation of the microwaves. In the present paper, a method is proposed to allow the supplying of energy with circular polarization by means of four rectennas. Autonomous reversing motion is successfully achieved by installing a driver control circuit and an infrared sensor on the robot. The microrobot proposed in this paper moves at 10 mm/s, using a power of 200 mW supplied in a pipe with a diameter of 15 mm. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 84(11): 1–8, 2001
Leadership Development Programs for Academic Law Librarians (in special issue entitled, Our Commitment to Building Leaders: Programs for Leadership in Academic and Special Libraries)

ABSTRACT In 2003, the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) identified leadership development as one of three primary goals for the organization during this decade. Motivated by a desire to provide leadership training opportunities and expand mentoring programs, a special committee on leadership development created a Leadership Academy for AALL members. The two-day program challenges participants to increase self-awareness of leadership skills and opportunities, and provides them with strategies to emerge as leaders in their organizations and the profession. Academy participation initiates a year-long program of formal mentoring and includes activities held during the AALL annual meeting.
Density‐dependent natural selection in Drosophila: correlations between feeding rate, development time and viability

We have previously hypothesized that density-dependent natural selection is responsible for a genetic polymorphism in crowded cultures of Drosophila. This genetic polymorphism entails two alternative phenotypes for dealing with crowded Drosophila larval cultures. The first phenotype is associated with rapid development, fast larval feeding rates but reduced absolute viability, especially in the presence of nitrogenous wastes like ammonia. The second phenotype has associated with it the opposite set of traits, slow development, slow feeding rates and higher viability. We suggested that these traits are associated due to genetic correlations and that an important selective agent in crowded larval cultures was high levels of ammonia. To test this hypothesis we have examined viability and larval feeding rates in populations kept at low larval densities but selected directly for (i) rapid egg-to-adult development, (ii) tolerance of ammonia in the larval environment and (iii) tolerance of urea in the larval environment. Consistent with our hypothesis we found that (i) larvae selected for rapid development exhibited increased feeding rates, and decreased viability in food laced with ammonia or urea relative to controls, and (ii) larvae selected to tolerate either ammonia or urea in their larval environment show reduced feeding rates but elevated survival in toxin-laced food relative to controls. It would appear that development time and larval feeding rate are important characters for larvae adapting to crowded cultures. The correlated fitness effects of these characters provide important insights into the nature of density-dependent natural selection.