cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of cardiovascular changes in dogs administered three positive controls using jacketed external telemetry-blood pressure (JET-BP).

Abstract Introduction Nonclinical safety studies are increasingly incorporating cardiac safety endpoints to discover potential cardiovascular liabilities. This trend for more thorough cardiovascular nonclinical safety evaluation is prudent given the high attrition rate of potential therapeutics due to unexpected cardiovascular liabilities discovered in late-stage clinical trials or post-market approval. In particular, the causal relationship of blood pressure changes that lead to risk of major adverse cardiac events suggests hemodynamic changes should be critically evaluated in preclinical studies of novel therapeutics. Methods Jacketed external telemetry with an implanted miniature blood pressure transmitter (JET-BP) was used to characterize the tolerability, functionality, and sensitivity of this study design in dogs. Thirty-six male or female beagles (n = 6 dogs/sex/group) were administered vehicle control (reverse osmosis water) or etilefrine (1, 10 mg/kg), sotalol (3, 30 mg/kg), and hydralazine (1, 10 mg/kg) on separate days. Telemetry data were evaluated for positive control article-related changes and retrospective power analysis was also completed. Animals were evaluated for instrumentation-related changes in clinical and anatomic pathology endpoints. Results All three positive controls elicited the expected pharmacologic responses that were statistically different at high and low doses. Retrospective power analysis confirmed this study design was able to statistically differentiate minor (approximately 5 to 15%) changes in electrocardiography and blood pressure values. This study also demonstrated the potential advantages of combining cardiovascular data across sex when the test article exposure and pharmacodynamics were consistent. Data collection using miniature telemetry blood pressure transmitters did not result in anatomic or clinical pathology findings that would prevent their use in general toxicology studies. Discussion This characterization study indicates that JET-BP in dogs offers a scientifically-robust method to evaluate novel therapeutics for potential cardiovascular liabilities.
Non-Gaussian Quasi Maximum Likelihood Estimation of GARCH Models

The non-Gaussian quasi maximum likelihood estimator is frequently used in GARCH models with intension to improve the efficiency of theGARCH parameters. However, the method is usually inconsistent unless the quasilikelihood happens to be the true one. We identify an unknown scale parameter that is critical to the consistent estimation of non-Gaussian QMLE. As a part of estimating this unknown parameter, a two-step non-Gaussian QMLE (2SNG-QMLE) is proposed for estimation the GARCH parameters. Without assumptions on symmetry and unimodality of the distributions of innovations, we show that the non-Gaussian QMLE remains consistent and asymptotically normal, under a general framework of non-Gaussian QMLE. Moreover, it has
Evaluating the Net Benefits of Investing in New Wind and Transmission Capacity on a Network

The SuperOPF provides a framework linking the short-run criterion of operating reliability and the long-run criterion of system adequacy on an AC network. This is accomplished by allowing for load shedding as an expensive option to meet contingencies. The high cost of energynot-served implies that some equipment can be very valuable in contingencies if it reduces the amount of energy-not-served. Calculating the nodal prices correctly for different states of the system provides the basis for determining the economic value of improved reliability and investments in additional network capacity. The objective of this paper is to extend the cooptimization framework to determine the net economic benefit of adding an intermittent source of generation, such as wind capacity, and new transmission capacity to a network. Using the cooptimization framework, this situation can be represented by defining new contingencies that correspond to unpredicted changes in the level of generation from the wind capacity. Using the SuperOPF, the amount of additional reserve capacity that is required to maintain reliability with higher levels of wind penetration is determined endogenously. An empirical example illustrates how the SuperOPF can be used to determine the expected annual cost of meeting load after wind capacity is installed at a remote location. These annual costs are reduced when additional transmission capacity is installed to reduce congestion in transferring wind generation to a load center. Hence, the economic issue is to determine whether the savings in production costs are high enough to cover the annualized cost of investing in the new transmission capacity.
Effect of Growth Conditions on Yield and Heme Content of Vitreoscilla

Vitreoscilla, a gliding bacterium in the Beggiatoaceae, is an obligate aerobe in which cytochrome o functions as the terminal oxidase. Protoheme IX is the only heme type present in this organism. The yield and heme content of Vitreoscilla cells grown in yeast extract, peptone, and acetate were dependent on growth conditions. Cells harvested in early stationary phase contained roughly three times as much heme as cells in early log phase. There was an optimal shaking rate for maximum heme content of cells harvested in stationary phase at fixed initial nutrient concentration. The heme content of cells grown at a fixed shaking rate increased from 5 nmol/g (wet weight) in media which had low nutrient concentration to a maximum of 45 nmol/g (wet weight) in media which had high nutrient concentration, and there was a corresponding sixfold increase in cytochrome o content and an eightfold increase in respiratory rate, evidence that some of the additional heme was incorporated into respiratory pigments. Heme content may be controlled jointly by competition for oxygen and availability of nutrients. Temperature and initial pH affected the growth rate but not the final yield or heme content. Growth rate was optimal at pH 8.0 to 8.5. A defined medium for Vitreoscilla, which is based on glutamate as the carbon source, is described; the other organic components of this medium are acetate, tryptophan, thiamine, biotin, and riboflavin.
Cap And Trade Allowance Accounting: A Divergence Between Theory And Practice

This study concerns one of the most significant and glaring divergences between theory and practice that has emerged since the accounting discipline’s conceptual framework was developed in the late 1970s. Through an extensive empirical examination of extant practices with respect to cap and trade allowances allotted to U.S. electric utilities under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, this research demonstrates a surprising—and possibly unsupportable—divergence between expected and actual practice. The results of this research show that practice and theory diverge in a substantial and negative way. EPA-issued emissions allowances meet the accepted definition of an economic resource that will provide a future benefit, i.e., an asset. Yet, examination of five years’ of public financial disclosures for the entities affected by the CAAA shows scant recognition for the acquisition, disposition, or year-end existence of these tradable emissions permits. Financial statement users and other stakeholders of the affected entities may be seriously misled by the failure to recognize the allowances. This divergence between theory and practice does not appear to be justifiable.
Seeking Alpha, Getting Beta: A Comparison of Mutual and Hedge Fund Performance, Style Attribution and Active Management Fees

Utilizing several models and regression analytics I compare factor attribution, strategies, and active management fees for 11,394 U.S. equity mutual funds and a matched sample of hedge funds from 1994 to 2010. There is modest evidence to support alpha delivery by mutual and hedge fund managers though this critically depends upon model specification. Quantile regression analysis with a robust bootstrap procedure demonstrates that typical regressions at the means do not adequately describe manager skill and factor attribution, and that these findings are not driven by the short-sample problem or backfill bias. Specifically, manager skill is demonstrably different at the 20th and 80th percentiles. Hedge funds are more actively managed than mutual funds, and thus investors pay similar fees to mutual funds and hedge funds for active management services even when taking hedge fund performance fees into consideration.
"Any-time" capacity and a separation theorem for tracking unstable processes

The problem of tracking an exponentially unstable scaler source process across a noisy channel is considered. We introduce the a new parametric notion of capacity that we call "any-time capacity" C/sub at/(/spl alpha/). It is a twist on the familiar concept of error-exponents and is always between the classical Shannon capacity and the zero-error capacity. A separation theorem is given which shows that C/sub at/(/spl alpha/) characterizes the properties of a channel needed for finite expected distortion.
Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in modulating microvascular and contractile function in rat skeletal muscle.

Please cite this paper as: Copp, Hirai, Ferguson, Musch and Poole (2011). Role of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Modulating Microvascular and Contractile Function in Rat Skeletal Muscle. Microcirculation 18(6), 501–511. Abstract Objective: This investigation tested the hypothesis that selective nNOS inhibition would lower the dynamic microvascular O2 delivery/utilization () balance (which sets the Po2mv) in rat skeletal muscle at rest and during contractions. Methods: Anesthetized male Sprague–Dawley rats had their spinotrapezius muscles exposed for blood flow (radiolabeled microspheres), (direct Fick calculation), Po2mv (phosphorescence quenching), or exteriorized for force production measurement during electrically induced contractions (1 Hz, 6–8 V, 180 seconds) pre- and post-nNOS inhibition with 2.1 μmol/kg of the selective nNOS inhibitor SMTC. Results: At rest, spinotrapezius blood flow was not different whereas SMTC reduced (27%) resulting in an elevated precontracting baseline Po2mv (control: 31.2 ± 1.6, SMTC: 37.1 ± 2.0 mmHg, p 0.05) which occurred despite an elevated (∼8%) muscle force production. Conclusions: These data demonstrate important physiological roles for nNOS-derived NO during contractions in healthy rat skeletal muscle and implicate maladaptations in nNOS function in pathological conditions associated with reduced NO bioavailability.
Cooling for Acute Ischemic Brain Damage (COOL AID): An Open Pilot Study of Induced Hypothermia in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Hypothermia is effective in improving outcome in experimental models of brain infarction. We studied the feasibility and safety of hypothermia in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with thrombolysis. Methods— An open study design was used. All patients presented with major ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score >15) within 6 hours of onset. After informed consent, patients with a persistent NIHSS score of >8 were treated with hypothermia to 32±1°C for 12 to 72 hours depending on vessel patency. All patients were monitored in the neurocritical care unit for complications. A modified Rankin Scale was measured at 90 days and compared with concurrent controls. Results— Ten patients with a mean age of 71.1±14.3 years and an NIHSS score of 19.8±3.3 were treated with hypothermia. Nine patients served as concurrent controls. The mean time from symptom onset to thrombolysis was 3.1±1.4 hours and from symptom onset to initiation of hypothermia was ...
SWI-SNF: promoter of accessibility

Time- and tissue-specific recombination of antigen-receptor genes is regulated in part by locus accessibility. New evidence demonstrates a specific function for nucleosome remodeling in the T cell receptor-β locus to allow recombination in thymocytes.
Cusp kernels for velocity-changing collisions.

We introduce an analytical kernel, the ``cusp'' kernel, to model the effects of velocity-changing collisions on optically pumped atoms in low-pressure buffer gases. Like the widely used Keilson-Storer kernel [J. Keilson and J. E. Storer, Q. Appl. Math. 10, 243 (1952)], cusp kernels are characterized by a single parameter and preserve a Maxwellian velocity distribution. Cusp kernels and their superpositions are more useful than Keilson-Storer kernels, because they are more similar to real kernels inferred from measurements or theory and are easier to invert to find steady-state velocity distributions.
Sorption of rare-earth elements from seawater onto synthetic mineral particles: An experimental approach☆☆☆

Abstract The sorptive properties of the rare-earth elements (REE) in seawater-pure synthetic mineral phase systems were investigated through standard batch equilibration experiments. Mineral phases associated with marine ferromanganese deposits such as vernadite, goethite and apatite were synthesized at low temperature and pressure and used in single solid-phase batch experiments. Results from our adsorption studies are in agreement with features of REE patterns in natural deposits including the Ce anomaly found in deep-sea marine ferromanganese minerals and a general trend of preferential uptake of light (LREE) relative to heavy (HREE) rare-earth elements. Although fractionation trends lead to a general LREE enrichment for all phases investigated, significant differences exist in the adsorptive properties of iron oxyhydroxides (α-FeOOH) and vernadite (δ-MnO 2 ). These include a positive Ce anomaly on vernadite and a difference in the extent of REE fractionation between the two phases. In addition to the fractionation of LREE from HREE which was observed on vernadite and goethite, the REE sorption patterns on hydroxylapatite lead us to suggest that incorporation of the light to intermediate REE may also occur by crystal lattice substitution for Ca 2+ .
Substantial increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in critically III emergency patients: 1986 and 1987 compared

In a follow-up study conducted one year after a previous report, we found that 7.8% of 126 patients with critical illness or injury were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in 1987 as compared with 3.0% of 203 similar patients in 1986. In the earlier study all patients with infection (six) were confined to a narrow age range (25 to 34 years old) and were trauma presentations. However, in the follow-up study, infections were found in all age groups under 45 years of age (nine) as well as in 3.4% of patients with nontrauma presentations. Infection rates among patients between the ages of 25 and 34 presenting with penetrating trauma remained over 18% during both study periods. While emergency health care providers may have inadvertently interpreted the results of the first study as indicating that the need for infection control precautions could be restricted to young victims of trauma, the follow-up study clearly indicates that appropriate protective measures must be taken on all patients requiring resuscitative measures regardless of age or clinical presentation, particularly in emergency facilities within similar locations.
Five New Species of Eudactylina Van Beneden, 1853 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Eudactylinidae) Parasitic on Japanese Elasmobranchs

Five new species of the genus Eudactylina are described based on specimens recovered from the branchial lamellae of six species of Japanese elasmobranchs. These are E. musteli nov. sp. from Mustelus griseus Pietschmann, 1908 (Triakidae), E. squatini nov. sp. from Squatina japonica Bleeker, 1858 (Squatinidae), E. dasyati nov. sp. from Dasyatis akajei (Muller & Henle, 1841) and Taeniura meyeni Muller & Henle, 1841 (Dasyatidae), E. taeniuri nov. sp. from T. meyeni, and E. gymnuri nov. sp. from Gymnura japonica (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850) (Gymnuridae). The males of four new species and the copepodid stages IV and V of E. gimnuri nov. sp. are described. Segment formation of the abdomen in the late copepodid stages of this genus and a peculiar process of the 1st endopodal segment of the male leg 2 are discussed.
Global hybrid simulation of hot flow anomalies near the bow shock and in the magnetosheath

Abstract A two-dimensional global hybrid simulation is carried out to examine the generation of hot flow anomalies (HFAs) by interaction of the Earth's bow shock (BS), magnetosheath, and magnetosphere with an interplanetary tangential discontinuity (TD). By including the dayside magnetosphere in the simulation domain, this new study focuses on the formation and internal structure of strong HFAs, both near the bow shock and in the magnetosheath, and their effects on the dayside magnetopause. The simulation is performed for directional TDs, which carry a magnetic field orientation change and propagate to the BS from various directions. In the cases in which the magnetic field orientations across the TD result in a normal component of the upstream motional electric field pointing toward the TD, a strong HFA can be generated by coherent, gyrating reflected ion beams near the BS. In the center of the upstream part of the HFA, a low plasma density and a low magnetic field strength are present. The plasma is heated to a nearly isotropic temperature that is much greater than that in the downstream magnetosheath. The bulk flow speed is greatly reduced, and a significant sunward flow deflection is present in the HFA. The HFA bulges into the solar wind due to an enhancement of the total pressure in the hot cavity. As a result, the local BS and the magnetosheath may expand into the upstream solar wind by several Earth radii. A significant enhancement in the density and magnetic field strength flanks the bulge. The structure of the magnetosheath HFA, which encompasses the transmitted tangential discontinuity, is similar to that for the upstream HFA. Nevertheless, relative to the magnetosheath total pressure perpendicular to the HFA boundaries, a low pressure region is present in the magnetosheath HFA due to pressure balance with the upstream HFA. The magnetopause can expand sunward by several Earth radii as the HFA passes by. In the simulation, the size of the diamagnetic cavity increases with the rotation angle ΔΦ of the magnetic field through the TD, which corresponds to the magnitude of the normal electric field. The maximum strength of the HFA occurs when the angle of the propagation direction of the TD relative to the Sun–Earth line, γ, is nearly 80°. In addition, spatial structures with alternate temperature increases and decreases develop at the quasi-parallel shock. These structures are elongated along field lines, both upstream and downstream of the bow shock. Those with temperature increases and density, magnetic field, and the flow speed decreases appear like weak HFAs, but without strong flow deflections.
“PRISONERS” OF PRIVATE INDUSTRY: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND STATE SUNSHINE LAWS

There is an ongoing push by governments to keep secret their negotiations with private businesses, resulting in a state-eat-state battle for jobs, with the governments often offering potential businesses millions of dollars in tax breaks and other incentives. A tire factory could pop up next door and community members may not know about it until after the deal is signed. Some states exempt such negotiations in their sunshine laws. Some include such exemptions in the codes that govern economic development agencies themselves rather than in the sunshine law. Responses by courts to such secrecy has been mixed. This article reviews fifty state codes to determine whether officials are free to negotiate behind closed doors, and examines relevant case law. It also offers recommendations for policy changes to ensure transparency in such negotiations.
Dental and Skeletal Changes in the Upper and Lower Jaws after Treatment with Schwarz Appliances Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Objective: The purpose of this research was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to evaluate dental and skeletal changes in upper and lower jaws after treatment with Schwarz appliances. Materials and Methods: 28 patients with Angle Class I molar relationships and crowding were randomly divided into two groups – 14 non-expanded and 14 expanded patients. 3D-Rugle CBCT software was used to measure various reference points before treatment (T0) and during the retention period of approximately 9 months after 6 to 12 month expansion (T1). Cephalometric and cast measurements were used to evaluate treatment in both groups. To test whether there were any significant differences between the control and treatment groups at T0 and T1, the Mann-Whitney U-test was used. Results: The dental arch (including tooth root apices) had expanded in the upper and lower jaws. Alveolar bone expansion of up to 2 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) was detected. The midpalatal sutures were separated in some c...
Interaction of RNase HD and Sh3 Proteins with DnaK Molecular Chaperone

Most proteins have DnaK binding sites. DnaK is an E. coli Hsp70 molecular chaperone which helps prevent protein aggregation by assisting co- and post-translational protein folding. How extensively and by what mechanism does DnaK interact with the proteins? We know very little about this important question. We used RNase HD and SH3 as model protein substrates to study how DnaK (and its co-chaperones DnaJ and GrpE) interacts with nonobligatory clients (i.e. proteins capable of folding even without the assistance of chaperones) and to provide insights into mechanism of action of DnaK. Stopped-flow circular dichroism, size-exclusion chromatography and enzyme activity assays provide evidence for kinetic retardation of folding due to DnaK-substrate complex formation. Furthermore, multidimensional NMR and photo-CIDNP (photo-chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization) provide atomic level details regarding DnaK-substrate interactions. Overall, a combination of various experimental techniques provides insights into how the DnaK chaperone assists protein folding within the cellular environment.
The natural history of aortic stenosis in adults

Accepted clinical views about the natural history of aortic stenosis are based on surprisingly little hemodynamically documented data, and further information in unlikely to be forthcoming in the modern surgical era. Therefore, follow-up data were obtained on 42 adult patients with isolated valvular aortic stenosis catheterized at Georgetown University Hospital who did not undergo early valve replacement. Of 32 symptomatic patients, 23 had moderate or severe stenosis and were followed until death or for an average of 64.4 months after catheterization. The prognosis was more ominous than previously reported. Mortality rates from onset of symptoms were 26% at one year, 48% at two years, and 57% at three years. Fifty-six % of deaths occurred suddenly, within hours of new symptoms. Asymptomatic patients with moderate or severe stenosis did not share the high mortality rate of those with symptoms. Eight such patients were followed for an average of 69.8 months, and none died.
The characteristics of an electron-beam-initiated pulsed chemical laser☆

Abstract We measured the HF laser energy output of a pulsed chemical laser as a function of pressure and mixing ratio for various mixtures of IF 7 and H 2 . A pulsed electron beam was used to initiate the chemical reaction. We found that the laser energy output peaks at approximately 100 torr for a wide range of mixing ratios.
General potential-energy function for H/Ni and dynamics calculations of surface diffusion, bulk diffusion, subsurface-to-surface transport, and absorption

We present a potential-energy function for H interacting with bulk metallic Ni. The potential is parametrized to be accurate both for H adsorbed on Ni surfaces and for H absorbed at interior sites. The function introduces a nonlocal density dependence into the embedded-atom method formalism. We show that the function provides dramatic improvement over the best previous embedded-atom potential function for this system, and that it gives good agreement with all available structural and energetic data characterizing stationary points on the low-index surface planes [(100), (111), and (110)] and in the interior. It also yields good agreement with experiment for most diffusion coefficients and activation energies for surface and interior diffusion. We examine the dynamics of three diffusion processes: H diffusing on the (100) and (111) crystal faces, and H migrating in the interior, for the latter of which we analyze the reaction path and predict coefficients for H diffusion between adjacent interior octahedral vacancies. We also examine two other processes: H hopping from the threefold (111) surface binding site to an octahedral vacancy immediately beneath the (111) surface plane to (absorption), and the reverse process (deabsorption). We also calculate the binding energy and frequencies for H adsorbed on the pseudothreefold site of the Ni(110) surface, and we find them to be in good agreement with experiment and a considerable improvement over previous versions of the potential function. Our potential-energy function should be useful for simulations of a variety of processes that are difficult to study experimentally, such as surface diffusion in the presence of steps and kinks, site-to-site movement of H immediately beneath a surface plane of Ni, or bulk transport across a grain boundary. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Prognostic Significance of Pretreatment Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen and Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

Sixty-seven patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (FIGO Stages IB2, IIA, and IIB) were reviewed to evaluate the pretreatment level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) which may be used to predict a subset of patients with poor prognosis. The rate of pathologic pretreatment serum level of SCC increased significantly in cases with Stage IIB compared to that of Stages IB2 and IIA (50% versus 16.3%). The rate of pathologic pretreatment serum level of CEA did not show any difference between these two groups (29.2% versus 30.2%). The 48-month disease-free survival for patients with pathologic pretreatment serum levels for one or both tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) was 40.0% versus 91.7% for patients with normal levels (log-rank test, P < 0.005) in Stages IB2 and IIA. Patients who had a pathologic pretreatment serum level for one or both TAAs showed higher incidence of lymph node metastasis than patients with normal levels (36.7% versus 10.8%). The patients who had pathologic pretreatment serum levels for both TAAs and lymph node metastasis have the poorest prognosis. The pretreatment serum levels for one or both TAAs make it possible to predict the clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of cis-platinum (DDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Our findings suggest that pretreatment of SCC in conjunction with CEA is a valuable tumor marker to predict the prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and to foresee a clinical response to subsequent neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Collaborative Authorship and Indigenous Literatures

In his article "Collaborative Authorship and Indigenous Literatures" Albert Braz discusses the duality of the writer. At least since the advent of poststructuralism, the distinction between writer and author — the first being the historical person behind the text and the second a figure in the text — has been a paradigm of contemporary critical analysis. Braz argues that this new emphasis is not germane when it comes to Indigenous literatures, a field in which one often cannot determine who are the material producers of texts and/or their writers. Braz postulates that one of the defining characteristics of Indigenous literatures is their high incidence of writer indeterminacy. From the Popol Vuh through Cogewea to I, Rigoberta Menchu, canonical Indigenous texts are the result of collaboration, usually (but not always) involving both Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals. Since by definition Indigenous texts are supposed to be the work of Indigenous people, writer indeterminacy forces us to reconsider what really constitutes Indigenous literature. Albert Braz, "Collaborative Authorship and Indigenous Literatures" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 13.2 (2011): Thematic Issue About Indigenous Literature. Ed. Angeline O'Neill and Albert Braz
The effects of some phenothiazine derivatives on the discrimination of auditory clicks

This study describes the effects of chlorpromazine, promethazine, perphenazine and trifluoperazine at each of four dose levels on the discrimination of the frequency rate or at several different standard auditory pulse rates.
The utility of pathologic evaluation of adult hernia specimens

Abstract Background Pathological examination of hernia sac specimens adds additional steps and cost to a surgical procedure but has no proven benefit. Although well studied in pediatrics, there are limited data in the adult literature pertaining to this practice. Methods This is a retrospective analysis from a single institution referral center over a 4-year period (2007 to 2011). All inguinal, incisional, ventral, and umbilical hernia repairs greater than 18 years of age were included. Results A total of 1,216 inguinal (55.4%), incisional (11.4%), umbilical (21.5%), or ventral hernia (11.7%) repairs were included. In 246 cases (20.2%), hernia sac specimens were sent to pathology (open 96.7%; laparoscopic 3.3%). There were no cases in which management of the patient changed because of the final results. Conclusion The rarity of changes in diagnosis and treatment from routine pathologic examination of a hernia sac does not justify this practice and indicates that it may be omitted except in unique circumstances.
Copolymerization of divinylbenzene with monovinyl monomers

Composition relations for the copolymerization of vinyl monomers with divinyl monomers incapable of undergoing short-range cyclization or alternating inter-intramolecular propagation have been derived both for the general case, including crosslinking reactions, and for the approximate case where the concentration of pendant unsaturation may be assumed unaffected by crosslinking reactions. The general case composition equation has a complexity similar to that for the ternary polymerization of three vinyl monomers. The approximate case closely resembles the usual binary copolymerization relationship: where r1 = k11/k14, r2 = k44/k41, [M4] is the molar concentration of vinyl comonomer, but where [M1] is the molar concentration of divinyl monomer double bonds, i.e., twice the molar concentration of divinyl monomer.
Evaluation of front-face fluorescence for assessing thermal processing of milk

The use of front-face fluorescence spectroscopy (FFFS) was assessed for its ability to monitor the development of Maillard browning in milk during thermal processing. Skim milk was processed using a Microthermics thermal processing system for a range of conditions from 70 °C to 140 °C from 3 to 30 s. Milk was analyzed using FFFS Hunter L*, a*, b*, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), tryptophan, and optical density. FFFS and HMF were found to be the most sensitive methods for distinguishing the heat treatment of milk. Activation energies of 126 and 190 kJ/ mol were found for HMF and FFFS, respectively. A strong correlation was found between these 2 methods. As a fast nonpreparatory method, FFFS is quite useful for evaluating the effect on the 1st stages of the Maillard reaction caused by the heat processing of milk. This work indicates that FFFS with no sample preparation has the potential to be of use as an online instrument for monitoring and control of thermal processing of milk; it can be applied as a process analytical technology (PAT) as is being done in the pharmaceutical industry with other methods.
Environmental Implications of Renewable Distributed Generation Technologies in Rural Electrification

Abstract Customer choices and competition have led the electric utilities to undergo major regulatory and technological changes while power sector reform continues. A part of this change also originates from the rapid emergence of viable small-scale distributed generation (DG) sources that are highly competitive with grid-delivered electricity in the isolated areas. In this article, the cost-effectiveness of renewable DG sources (i.e., photovoltaics, small-scale wind turbines, and biomass gasifiers) are assessed and compared with centralized generation for the case of a rural and isolated island in the western state of India using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER), developed and provided by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The model identifies a least cost set of various DG and centralized grid capacities and ranks them based on a life cycle cost. The adoption of DG technologies (especially wind and biomass gasifiers) provide no-regret options with signific...
Mental health needs of children in school. Role of the child psychiatric mental health nurse.

This article addresses the mental health needs of children in the school system. Children are often exposed to situations in their lives that affect their ability to master developmental and academic tasks resulting in school difficulties. The school system has the opportunity to provide primary prevention and early intervention that will promote the mental health of children. The role of the child psychiatric mental health nurse in the school is described as one model for promoting the mental health of children.
Developmental Changes in the Oxygen Equilibrium Curve of Infants as Related to the ‘Functioning DPG Fraction’ and Its Alteration with Disease

The red cell organic phosphate 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) has been shown to bind to adult hemoglobin and decrease its affinity for oxygen while it has little effect on altering the oxygen equilibrium curve of fetal hemoglobin. Sequential studies of the P50 (partial pressure of oxygen at which hemoglobin is 50% saturated), fetal hemoglobin and red cell DPG were performed in 31 term and 28 premature infants. In term infants the P50 averaged 19.4 mm Hg on day 1; 20.6 on day 5; 26.6 at 3–4 months amd 28.0 at 6 months (normal adults 27.5=0.8). The initial P50 of the premature infants was lower and its change with age more gradual. The P50 did not correlate precisely with the percent fetal hemoglobin alone or the DPG alone but correlated significantly with the product of the percent adult hemoglobin times the DPG content (‘functioning DPG fraction’). Calculations indicate that the term infants at age 3 months with a hemoglobin of 11.0 g% is delivering more oxygen to his tissues at a mean venous PO2 of 40 mm Hg than is the newborn with a hemoglobin of 17.0 g%. sick infants were found to have low P50's and DPG levels. Infants given either simple or exchange transfusions of fresh adult blood showed an increased ‘functioning DPG fraction’, a shift of the oxygen equilibrium curve to the right and their oxygen unloading capacity reached that of a 6-month infant. Such treatment appears useful in the sick infant because it facilitates peripheral oxygen delivery to the tissues.
Analysis and design of melt and solution polycondensation processes

Polycondensation processes include up to three distinct process stages: prepolymerization, polymerization, and finishing. One or more of these stages often have serious reaction rate limitations due to chemical equilibrium and the need to remove a condensate product. The problems arising in each process stage and the methods of designing each stage are unique. This article discusses many of the problems inherent to each process stage and basic design tools useful in designing each process stage. Two process design tools discussed are the mass-transfer potential and pressure-chain length plots. The application of these tools is illustrated through two design examples: nylon-6,6 and poly (ethylene terephthalate) production.
Overcoming barriers to development of cooperative medical decision support models

Attempts to automate the medical decision making process have been underway for the at least fifty years, beginning with data-based approaches that relied chiefly on statistically-based methods. Approaches expanded to include knowledge-based systems, both linear and non-linear neural networks, agent-based systems, and hybrid methods. While some of these models produced excellent results none have been used extensively in medical practice. In order to move these methods forward into practical use, a number of obstacles must be overcome, including validation of existing systems on large data sets, development of methods for including new knowledge as it becomes available, construction of a broad range of decision models, and development of non-intrusive methods that allow the physician to use these decision aids in conjunction with, not instead of, his or her own medical knowledge. None of these four requirements will come easily. A cooperative effort among researchers, including practicing MDs, is vital, particularly as more information on diseases and their contributing factors continues to expand resulting in more parameters than the human decision maker can process effectively. In this article some of the basic structures that are necessary to facilitate the use of an automated decision support system are discussed, along with potential methods for overcoming existing barriers.
Teaching with the Internet

Abstract As information technologies become increasingly accessible resources for K-12 educators to use in their teaching activities, meaningful integration of these resources into learning activities becomes an important issue for pre-service and in-service teacher education. Teachers will need to confront the vast amount of information that the Internet hosts and develop the ability to harness this resource purposefully and productively in their classrooms. Once they acquire the initial set of skills that are required to navigate and consume Internet resources, they will need to attend to issues relating to effective means of using them with their students. This article discusses lesson plans created by teachers specifically to integrate Internet resources into learning activities. The lesson plans discussed here are an outcome of two funded projects described briefly in the article. A goal of both projects was to equip teachers to independently author customized materials that would address their indiv...
A harassing climate? Sexual harassment and campus racial climate research.

In this conceptual paper, the authors discuss how research about sexual harassment and campus racial climates for undergraduate students is relegated to separate silos. Drawing on intersectionality and critical race feminist frameworks, the authors juxtapose these strands of research with attention to ethnicity/race and gender, highlighting how sexual harassment and racial climate research both aim to promote positive college environments, but with notably different approaches. The authors call for an intersectional approach that appreciates both sexual harassment as well as the racial climate, concluding with recommendations for incorporating both strands of literature into research on educational environments.
The comparative influence of manufacturer and retailer brands on customers' purchase behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to build the marketing discipline's body of knowledge by conducting a study that builds upon an exploratory study that examines whether manufacturer brand(s) or retail brand(s) have greater influence on customers' brand purchase behaviors.Design/methodology/approach – The study was administered to 112 samples (of which 87 were returned and usable), with data analyzed using structural equation modeling to test hypotheses.Findings – This study revealed that customers' loyalty to retail brand(s) has a greater influence on their brand purchase behavior than manufacturers' brand(s).Research limitations/implications – Only one retailer and a limited range of two grocery products was employed. The respondents had purchased the items from the retailer.Practicable implications – The study found that retailers may need to use dissimilar marketing strategies for customers loyal to manufacturer brands and those that are loyal to retail brands.Originality/value – This study suppo...
The binding of near-ultraviolet light-induced tryptophan photoproduct(s) to DNA.

Abstract To test one possible mode of toxicity of l -tryptophan photoproduct(s) to bacterial cells, we have examined the binding of near-ultraviolet light-treated tryptophan to purified Escherichia coli DNA in vitro. The results show that co-irradiated (or pre-irradiated) [3H]tryptophan binds to purified DNA as assayed by trichloroacetic acid co-precipitation of DNA and 3H counts on cellulose filters. This was supported by co-sedimentation of DNA and 3H photoproduct(s) on CsCl gradients. Hot trichloroacetic acid extraction or enzymatic digestion of DNA prevents filter binding. The binding is most efficient when tryptophan and DNA are co-irradiated. Under these conditions, binding is more efficient with denatured rather than native DNA. From kinetic studies, the binding is DNA-dependent at constant doses of near-ultraviolet light. At a dose of 2.16 · 106 ergs · mm−2 we estimate that 100–500 l -[3H]tryptophan equivalents are bound per E. coli genome equivalent. The binding does not occur with another aromatic amino acid such as tyrosine.
Application of Laser Interferometry to Physiological Studies of Excitable Tissues

INTERFEROMETRIC techniques offer a sensitive means of measuring small displacements, film thickness and changes in refractive index. By applying interferometry to studies of excitation processes, Kayushin and Lyudkovskaya1,2 and Lyudkovskaya3 reported that they had detected small movements of frog sciatic nerve in association with excitation. This communication describes a technique of applying laser interferometry to the investigation of various excitable tissues; we have tried to detect small movements accompanying the action potentials of fresh water algae (Nitella) and frog and lobster nerve trunks.
Short term natriuretic responses in the conscious Zucker obese rat.

Renal clearance studies were conducted in conscious, chronically catheterized obese and lean Zucker rats to investigate the natriuretic responses to i) acute IV infusion of isotonic NaCl= 5% of total body weight and ii) IV infusion of α rat atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in a dose of 300 ng/kg/min. In the baseline state, arterial blood pressure (BP) was significantly higher in obese vs lean rats. Absolute values of GFR and sodium excretion were similar but lower in obese vs lean rats when factored for body weight. In the 2 h period during and after NaCl infusion, obese rats showed a greater natriuresis vs lean while BP rose significantly and similarly. ANP infusion was natriuretic in obese rats but had no effect on lean rats. ANP lowered BP in both groups but BP remained higher in obese vs lean rats at all times. These studies show that in the chronic, unstressed preparation the 6–8 month old, female Zucker obese rat has a higher BP vs the 6–8 month old lean Zucker. The short term natriuretic response t...
SUB-DOPPLER SPECTROSCOPY USING A MULTIPLE REFLECTION MIRROR SYSTEM

A sub-Doppler spectroscopic technique using a Fresnel rhomb is combined with the White multiple-reflection cell to increase the sensitivity of ultrahigh-resolution spectroscopy. Microwave sidebands on CO2 laser radiation have been used as a frequency-tunable infrared source with high spectral purity. A gain of 4–8 in the path length with a resolution of ~100 kHz has been readily obtained. Applications of this method to observation of the hyperfine structure of NH3 and PH3, the K doubling of PH3, and the Stark spectrum of PH3 and SiH4 are given.
Image segmentation by multigrid MRF and perceptual optimization

This paper describes a Markov random field (MRF) approach to image segmentation. Unlike most previous MRF techniques, which are based on pixel-classification, this approach groups pixels that are similar. This removes the need to know the number of image classes. Mean field theory and multigrid processing are used in the subsequent optimization to find a good segmentation and to alleviate local minimum problems. Variations of the MRF approach are investigated by incorporating features/schemes motivated by characteristics of the human vision system (HVS). Preliminary results are promising and indicate that multi-grid and HVS based features/schemes can significantly improve segmentation results.
Split ergativity and transitivity in Chol

Abstract In this paper I examine two types of splits in the otherwise ergative-absolutive person marking system of Chol Mayan. First, Chol shows what is known as a “split-S” system: subjects of unergatives pattern as transitive subjects (ergative), while subjects of unaccusatives pattern as transitive objects (absolutive) ( Gutierrez Sanchez, 2004 ). This pattern is obscured in the non-perfective aspects, where we find an aspect-based split (see Vazquez Alvarez, 2002 ): both transitive and intransitive subjects receive the same morphological marking. Specifically, in the non-perfective aspects, all intransitive subjects pattern with transitive subjects. I argue below, extending Laka's (2006) proposal for Basque, that the appearance of these splits results from differences in syntactic structure, rather than from different rules of Case assignment or agreement. I show that these different structures fall out from independent facts about the language; neither split represents a departure from Chol's ergative system. While the analysis focuses on Chol, I propose that a biclausal analysis of split ergativity may account for splits in a number of unrelated languages. Finally, I examine other language with splits that lend themselves to this type of analysis, and suggest a grammatical basis for the universal tendency for languages with aspectual splits to always retain the ergative pattern in the perfective aspect.
Nontraumatic extravasation from the ureter

A case of a nontraumatic perforation of the ureter is described. Late diagnosis was responsible for the loss of the kidney. The review of the world literature and the differentiation of nontraumatic rupture of the ureter from benign peripelvic extravasation of urine are presented.
Conceptual design for the High Resolution Optical Spectrograph on the Thirty-Meter Telescope: a new concept for a ground-based high-resolution optical spectrograph

We present a conceptual design for a High Resolution Optical Spectrograph (HROS) for the Thirty Meter Telescope, a 30-m primary aperture ground-based telescope currently under development (www.tmt.org). To decouple downstream optics sizes from the size of the seeing disk and/or AO performance, we use fiber fed IFUs to generate a 0.1" pseudo-slit. The use of multiple IFUs instead of a slit also allows for spatially resolved spectroscopy, multi-object spectroscopy, positionable sky sampling, and insertion of a simultaneous wavelength calibration signal into the beam. Instead of a cross-dispersed echelle design, our concept uses a dichroic tree to provide spectral separation. The dichroics feed 32 independent first-order spectrographs that cover the 310 to 1100 nm optical waveband at a nominal spectral resolution of R=100,000. This approach allows for the optimization of coatings and on-blaze grating performance in each channel, resulting in high efficiency, near-uniform dispersion, and reduced program risk and cost due to the high degree of component commonality. We also discuss the general applicability of this concept for achieving high resolution spectroscopy in the next generation of ground-based instrumentation.