cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Ability of Corporate Blog Communication to Enhance CSR Effectiveness: The Role of Prior Company Reputation and Blog Responsiveness

The purpose of this study is to determine what constitutes effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication in the corporate blog setting. This study examines the effects of a company's prior reputation and blog responsiveness on public perception of CSR motives, attitudes, and intention to engage in word-of-mouth (WOM) communication. The results show that prior company reputation has a strong effect on the public's interpretation of CSR motives, their attitudes towards the company, and their intentions to engage in WOM communication, while blog responsiveness influences the public's attitudes towards and perception of CSR motives. The interaction effect between prior reputation and blog responsiveness on WOM communication was confirmed, meaning that for a company with a negative reputation, responsiveness is critical when communicating CSR practices. We suggest that responding to the public's comments or questions about a company's CSR activities may convince them about the company's sincere...
Desferrioxamine-mediated iron uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Evidence for two pathways of iron uptake.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, uptake of iron is largely regulated by the transcription factor Aft1. cDNA microarrays were used to identify new iron and AFT1-regulated genes. Four homologous genes regulated as part of the AFT1-regulon (ARN1–4) were predicted to encode members of a subfamily of the major facilitator superfamily of transporters. These genes were predicted to encode proteins with 14 membrane spanning domains and were from 26 to 53% identical at the amino acid level. ARN3 is identical to SIT1, which is reported to encode a ferrioxamine B permease. Deletion of ARN3 did not prevent yeast from using ferrioxamine B as an iron source; however, deletion of ARN3and FET3, a component of the high affinity ferrous iron transport system, did prevent uptake of ferrioxamine-bound iron and growth on ferrioxamine as an iron source. The siderophore-mediated transport system and the high affinity ferrous iron transport system were localized to separate cellular compartments. Epitope-tagged Arn3p was expressed in intracellular vesicles that co-sediment with the endosomal protein Pep12. In contrast, Fet3p was expressed on the plasma membrane and was digested by extracellular proteases. These data indicate that S. cerevisiae has two pathways for ferrrioxamine-mediated iron uptake, one occurring at the plasma membrane and the other occurring in an intracellular compartment.
Dysfonction myocardique post-arrêt cardiaque

La dysfonction myocardique post-arret cardiaque est une complication frequemment observee, qui aggrave la situation hemodynamique et est grevee d’une morbimortalite propre. Son identification precoce, associee a un traitement approprie, constitue un element important de la prise en charge en reanimation des survivants d’arret cardiaque. Cette dysfonction myocardique, dont le diagnostic repose essentiellement sur l’echocardiographie, survient generalement precocement apres le retour a une activite circulatoire spontanee, et est completement reversible en 48 a 72 heures. Elle se manifeste par une dysfonction systolique et diastolique. Elle peut etre observee meme en l’absence de cause coronaire a l’arret cardiaque. Une eventuelle cause ischemique doit toutefois systematiquement etre recherchee, et le cas echeant traitee, car elle constitue un facteur aggravant cette dysfonction myocardique. A ce jour, le traitement inotrope de reference dans cette situation demeure la dobutamine, aucun autre outil pharmacologique n’ayant demontre un benefice plus important. Dans les situations les plus severes, il est parfois necessaire de mettre en place une assistance mecanique circulatoire si le pronostic neurologique est considere favorable.
Hydrodynamic and heat transfer investigations conducted in a bubble column with fine powders and a viscous liquid

Abstract Experimental investigations of gas holdup and heat transfer have been conducted in semi-batch mode in a 0.108 m diameter bubble column, equipped with either one of three single axial heat transfer probes with diameters 19.0, 31.8 or 50.8 mm, or with a bundle of seven 19 mm tubes in an equilateral triangular configuration which has a pitch of 36.5 mm. Therminol® 66, fine red iron oxide powder (1.7 μm) and nitrogen were used as the liquid, solid and gas components respectively. The solid concentration was varied up to 50 wt.%. Nitrogen holdup, and heat transfer coefficient for the heated probe test section to the surrounding two- and three-phase dispersions were measured at ambient temperature and pressure as a function of nitrogen velocity. These experimental data were used to establish the influence of nitrogen velocity, solids concentration and internals configuration on these two properties. In addition, gas holdup data were used to evaluate correlations due to Reilly et al. , Smith et al. , Roy et al. and O'Dowd et al. ; similarly, the heat transfer data were used to evaluate the correlations of Deckwer, Suh and Deckwer, Kim et al. , and Pandit and Joshi. A semi-empirical correlation for h w is proposed.
Magnetic Fields in Flares and Active Prominences. I: The Flares in Active Region McMath No. 8818, May 21 and 23, 1967

The locations of flares and chromospheric absorption features on May 21 and 23, 1967, are compared with a series of Hα magnetograms. Each of the four major flares included in the study developed as double emission ribbons lying at positions of steep field gradient on opposite sides of the boundary between regions of opposite magnetic polarity. At certain stages, the flare outlines followed closely the isogauss contours of the longitudinal field. A fluctuating field of 75 gauss was measured directly in the importance two flare of May 21. Modifications in the magnetic structure of the active region followed the flares of May 23.
Optical Raman heterodyne detection of (27)Al superhyperfine spectra in ruby.

We report extension of the Raman heterodyne technique for detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to superhyperfine spectra. NMR of the four nearest neighbor sets of 27Al (I = 5/2) surrounding Cr3+ in ruby has been observed with high sensitivity using optical excitation of the R1 line at 693.4 nm. Either excited-state or ground-state resonances could be selectively displayed by setting the sample temperature to 2 or 7.5 K, respectively. All 40 expected NMR resonances were observed, with good agreement obtained between calculated and experimental values.
Convergence of the Q-curvature flow on S4

In this paper, we study the Q-curvature flow on the standard sphere S4. We show that the flow converges exponentially for all initial data.
Effect of 5-bromodeoxyuridine on the hemolysin response in rabbits.

SummaryThe analogue, 5-bromodeoxyuri-dine, when injected intraperitoneally within an hour and a half of an intravenous injection of sheep red blood cells, produced an unequivocal adjuvant effect on the hemolysin response in unirradiated rabbits as gauged by high peak titer. It was, however, ineffective when injected 2 days after the sheep red cells into unirradiated rabbits and did not modify X-ray-induced enhancement or depression when it and the antigen were injected one day before and one day after 400 R, respectively.
Existence and God's Attributes

The purpose of the present paper is to formulate and (hopefully) resolve a certain puzzle surrounding God's existence and the standard attributes traditionally assigned to God (omnipotence, perfect goodness, omniscience, and the like).
Dynamic twisting correlations in a model DNA with uniform torsion elastic constant.

The extent to which the twisting motions of two separate subunits (base pairs) in an elastic filament are correlated is discussed in terms of the two-point correlation function of their azimuthal angular displacements C(Delta,t) identical with , where m,n are the sequential subunit indices and Delta = |m - n| is their absolute difference. An approximate expression is derived for C(Delta,t) for an infinitely long model DNA from the analytical theory developed previously to treat the decay of the fluorescence polarization anisotropy of intercalated ethidium. C(Delta,t) is numerically evaluated as a function of Delta for a range of times (20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 ns) for a model DNA with a typical torsion elastic constant. By t = 120 ns, significant dynamic correlations are observed to extend over a domain (Delta) several hundred base pairs. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
[Tomographic visualization of coronary bypass grafts: the new diagnostic frontier in clinical cardiology].

In the 16th century, the astronomer Nicolas Copernicus created a new paradigm when he described the rotation of the earth on its axis and its orbit of the sun. In De Revolutionibus, he described this new concept as “A fundamental change in the way of thinking or looking at a work or concept.” 1 Revolutionary concepts do not often arise in medicine. However, they are fundamental to its progress. In 1958, Mason Sones performed the first coronary angiogram and opened a new frontier in modern cardiology. 2 Soon after, coronary angiography opened the way for the development of cardiovascular surgery and, eventually, percutaneous revascularization. Nowadays, noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease by computed tomography (CT) represents a new frontier. Current technological advances allow 3dimensional image acquisition of coronary artery anatomy with a temporal resolution of 100-220 ms and a spatial resolution of 0.6 mm. Various studies to assess the efficacy of CT for detecting coronary obstructions of greater than 50% have reported a high diagnostic sensitivity (72%-95%) and specificity (85%-100%). 3-7 In addition, recent studies indicate that, similar to intravascular ultrasound, CT can offer information regarding the composition of atherosclerotic plaques. 8 Adopting this technology into clinical practice could have various significant implications. The possibility of being able to use CT to obtain information on coronary artery anatomy noninvasively and inexpensively provides us with an opportunity to assess a larger number of patients at risk from coronary artery disease. At the same time, the implementation of CT as a diagnostic technique could limit the inappropriate use of invasive catheterization and restrict its application to patients with a high probability of requiring intervention. In this issue of REVISTA ESPANOLA DE CARDIOLOGIA,
Colicin E1 plasmid as a probe for detection and study of anti-DNA activity in SLE sera

Tritiated colicin E1 plasmid DNA ([3H]DNA) was purified, characterized and developed as a test antigen for study of anti-DNA antibody activity in a modified Farr assay. The homogeneous molecular weight (4.2 X 10(6) daltons), physical state (intact covalently closed circles), and capacity for intrinsic radioactive labeling to a suitable specific activity were all important properties of the plasmid probe. In addition, the ability of the Farr assay to measure primary antigen/antibody interactions made quantitative determinations of anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody activity possible. Sonication of the plasmid resulted in definable fragments which were thermally denatured and used in the measurement of anti-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) antibody activity. Results from studies in which unlabeled dsDNA, ssDNA, amd free 2'-deoxyribonucleotides were employed to inhibit binding of [3H]DNA by anti-DNA antibodies indicated the presence of 3 distinct anti-DNA specificities in SLE sera.
End products and mechanism of hydrolysis of pectin and pectic acid by yeast polygalacturonase (YPG).

Abstract 1. 1. The change in molecular weight of pectin (N.F.) due to the action of YPG has been studied. The weight-average molecular weight decreased from 56,200 to 15,100, and the number-average molecular weight dropped from 26,000 to 11,000. Good agreement was found between the extent of breakdown based on increase in reducing value and decrease in weightaverage molecular weight. 2. 2. At pH 5.0, pectic acid was found to be randomly hydrolyzed to a mixture of mono-, di-, and trigalacturonic acids. A procedure is described for the isolation of the last two acids in pure form. 3. 3. The naphthoresorcinol reagent is largely specific for monogalacturonic acid. In samples containing 50 μg., digalacturonic acid produces 7% of the color produced by monogalacturonic acid, trigalacturonic acid 3.5%, whereas tetragalacturonic acid and pectic acid give the same color as the blank. In mixtures with monogalacturonic acid, the interference appears to be somewhat less. 4. 4. During the initial very rapid rate of hydrolysis of pectic acid, in which about 25% of the glycosidic bonds are hydrolyzed, monogalacturonic acid does not appear in significant quantities as an end product. During the second slow phase in which the per cent hydrolysis increases to about 48, monogalacturonic acid formation roughly parallels the splitting of glycosidic bonds.
Sources of inefficiency in subsidized housing programs: A comparison of U.S. and German experience☆

Many developed countries include some mix of housing programs oriented toward either demand-side (consumer) or supply-side (producer) subsidies. Demand-side programs take the form of rent or housing allowances of various types, some of which are characterized by direct cash payments to program beneficiaries, while supply-side programs focus on either new construction or rehabilitation with a multitude of subsidy elements which cover both capital and operating costs. Debates over the efficacy of demand-side and supply-side subsidy programs are common in countries with a mix of housing subsidy mechanisms. Such debates have emphasized a number of differences in demand-side and supply-side programs. Major arguments in favor of demand-side subsidies are that they allegedly are less costly than supply-side subsidies, permit greater freedom of choice in housing and neighborhoods, are more equitable in that they permit more widespread participation among eligible populations, are more efficient in that they make better use of the existing stock of housing, and are more flexible for program administrators in that they can be easily turned on and off in response to changing needs and priorities. Arguments against such subsidies are that they allegedly result in little or no real housing improvement, fail to stimulate the supply of new housing, and drive up housing prices. In the U.S., many of these alleged advantages and disadvantages have been investigated through a series of social experiments such as the Experimental Housing Allowance Program (EHAP) and rigorous evaluations of major subsidized housing programs.’ More recently international comparisons of program outcomes have been permitted as a result of development
The use of MR‐detectable reporter molecules and ions to evaluate diffusion in normal and ischemic brain

As a result of the technical challenges associated with distinguishing the MR signals arising from intracellular and extracellular water, a variety of endogenous and exogenous MR-detectable molecules and ions have been employed as compartment-specific reporters of water motion. Although these reporter molecules do not have the same apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) as water, their ADCs are assumed to be directly related to the ADC of the water in which they are solvated. This approach has been used to probe motion in the intra- and extracellular space of cultured cells and intact tissue. Despite potential interpretative challenges with the use of reporter molecules or ions and the wide variety used, the following conclusions are consistent considering all studies: (i) the apparent free diffusive motion in the intracellular space is approximately one-half of that in dilute aqueous solution; (ii) ADCs for intracellular and extracellular water are similar; (iii) the intracellular ADC decreases in association with brain injury. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that the overall brain water ADC decrease that accompanies brain injury is driven primarily by a decrease in the ADC of intracellular water. We review the studies supporting these conclusions, and interpret them in the context of explaining the decrease in overall brain water ADC that accompanies brain injury.
gp120, an HIV-1 protein, increases susceptibility to hypoglycemic and ischemic brain injury in perinatal rats

Abstract Recent data suggest that gp120, a glycoprotein secreted by HIV-1-infected macrophages, is neurotoxic, and that toxicity is mediated, at least in part, by overactivation of NMDA-type excitatory amino acid receptors. In experimental animals, considerable evidence indicates that hypoglycemic and ischemic neuronal injury are mediated by endogenous excitatory amino acids. We hypothesized that in the presence of gp 120 the severity of brain injury resulting from hypoglycemia and cerebral ischemia would increase. To test this hypothesis in vivo, we evaluated the influence of gp120 on the extent of brain injury resulting from these two clinically relevant pathophysiological insults in 7-day-old (P7) rats, the developmental stage of peak susceptibility to NMDA neurotoxicity. We compared the severity of hippocampal injury resulting from right intrahippocampal injections of gp120 (50 ng) in P7 rats rendered markedly hypoglycemic (n = 10) and in controls (n = 12). We also determined the influence of gp120 administration on the severity of hypoxic-ischemic injury, using a perinatal rat stroke model. P7 rats received intrahippocampal injections of gp120 (50 ng) (n = 23) or saline (n = 18) and then underwent right carotid ligation, followed by 2 h exposure to 8% oxygen. Brain injury was evaluated 5 days later, based on neuropathology evaluation and measurements of bilateral regional cross-sectional areas. The severity of hippocampal injury, based on cross-sectional area measurements, was considerably greater in animals from the hypoglycemic group than in litter-mate gp120-injected controls. Among the animals that underwent hypoxic-ischemic lesioning, the severity of injury, based on histopathology scoring and regional volume measurements, was considerably greater in animals that received gp120 than in those that received saline. These results provide support for the hypothesis that locally secreted HIV peptides, such as gp120, may potentiate the neurotoxicity of endogenous excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters in HIV-infected brain.
Evidence of Transcellular Permeability Pathway in Microvessels

We used video fluorescence microscopy of the vascular bed in the cremaster muscle of rat and mouse to study the transfer of plasmalemma vesicles (caveolae) across the microvessel barrier in situ. The water-soluble styryl pyridinium dye RH414, which adsorbs to and fluoresces at the membrane-water interface, was used as a marker for vesicular traffic through endothelial cells. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), similar in molecular size to the styryl pyridinium probe, was used to mark for dye transfer by the paracellular pathway. Transcellular dye flux was determined by comparing the fluorescence intensities of RH414 and FITC on either side of the vessel wall (i.e., in microvessel lumen and in muscle tissue at various distances from the microvessel wall). We observed that RH414 accumulated in the interstitium more rapidly than FITC. We next studied the role of the 60-kDa albumin-binding glycoprotein gp60, hypothesized to activate transcellular permeability, in stimulating the transcellular vesicle traffic. Introduction of anti-gp60 antibody into the microvessel to cross-link and activate gp60 markedly increased the transvascular flux of RH414. Control isotype-matched antibody had no effect on the RH414 flux. The sterol-binding agent filipin, which disassembles caveolae, inhibited the RH414 flux induced by gp60 cross-linking. The transfer of styryl pyridinium dyes in intact microvessels suggests that plasmalemmal membrane traffic across the skeletal muscle microvessel barrier is a constitutively active process. The results indicate that the gp60-dependent pathway is important in regulating endothelial permeability in situ via a transcellular mechanism.
Hierarchic organization of blood pressure responses during the expression of natural behaviors in rat: Mediation by sympathetic nerves

We quantitatively assessed, through computer-assisted recording techniques, the magnitude and variability of changes in arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) associated with the performance of natural behaviors in the rat. The AP and HR were recorded during 1-h sessions in awake, unrestrained rats (N = 8) fitted with an indwelling aortic cannula. During recording sessions, an observer encoded the performance of five behaviors (eating, drinking, grooming, exploration, and rest) and signalled their onset and termination to the computer, which stored the behavioral and cardiovascular data for later analysis. The behaviors were unequally distributed, with eating accounting for 42%, resting for 27%, grooming and exploration each for 13%, and drinking for 4% of total encoded time, on the average. Average AP during behavior was hierarchically organized. The AP (in millimeters Hg) during eating (118 ± 3) and drinking (117 ± 6) was higher (P < 0.01) than during grooming (109 ± 4) and exploration (109 ± 5) and during each of these was higher (P < 0.01) than during rest (95 ± 5). The variability of the AP was less (P < 0.01) during rest than during each of the other behaviors. The HR was lower (P < 0.01) during rest than during the other behaviors, and its variability was greater (P < 0.05) during grooming and exploration than during the other behaviors. Chemosympathectomy through systemic injection of 6-OHDA (N = 5) abolished the rank ordering of blood pressure changes. The average magnitude of the AP during eating (83 ± 5), drinking (85 ± 5), grooming (77 ± 11), exploration (75 ± 9), and rest (83 ± 7) was not different in 6-OHDA-treated animals. The data demonstrate (a) that changes in the magnitude and variability of AP and HR during the performance of each of several natural behaviors were relatively constant within and across animals; (b) that the changes in AP during behavior were hierarchically organized, with the consummatory behaviors, eating and drinking, accounting for the greatest elevations of AP above resting baseline; and (c) that the sympathetic nerves mediate the hierarchic control of blood pressure during natural behavior.
Effect of Sodium Fluoride on the Viability and Growth of Streptococcus mutans

A fluoride-sensitive (FS) strain of Streptococcus mutans and a laboratory-induced fluoride-resistant (FR) offspring were compared for the effects of sodium fluoride on viability and growth. There was a significant fluoride-related loss of viability in resting cell suspensions of the FS strain during a 47-hour exposure to fluoride levels above 75 ppm that was not encountered with the FR strain. The addition of 300 ppmF to actively growing six-hour broth cultures almost totally arrested the growth of the FS strain, while only slightly reducing that of the FR culture. The addition of 600 ppmF immediately terminated FS growth, and greatly reduced the rate and maximum growth of FR cultures.
“Moderate” Environmental Amenities and Economic Change: The Nonmetropolitan Northern Forest of the Northeast U.S., 1970‐2000

Population, employment, and income changes in a region comprised of eighteen nonmetropolitan counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York are described using Bureau of Economic Analysis data covering 1970 to 2000. Changes at the county level are examined as net differences using pooled cross-section time series analysis. The specific focus of the empirical analysis is the effect that environmental amenities have in population and economic change. Empirical results indicate that a county's relative endowment of environmental amenities has positive economic change effects, but only when the county is relatively accessible as well. Further, the environmental amenity effects vary in their temporal consistency, even when accessibility is taken into account. In general, however, the reported results support the proposition that even relatively moderate environmental amenities can hold positive effects for economic change.
Osteoarthritis and nitric oxide

Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by both biochemical and mechanical factors. While the mechanisms that underlie the disease are not completely understood, investigators have characterized a number of catabolic and protective factors that have a role in the disease process. Nitric oxide (NO) and its redox derivatives appear to have a number of different functions in both normal and pathophysiological joint conditions. Until recently, NO was considered a catabolic factor that was responsible for perpetuating the OA disease process by mediating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, inhibiting the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans and inducing apoptosis. However, recent studies suggest that NO and its redox derivatives may also have protective effects on cartilage. This review will summarize the literature on the effects of NO on cartilage and chondrocytes as well as discuss some evidence that suggests potential protective effects of NO and/or its derivatives on other cell types. More research is needed to elucidate the role of NO and its derivatives on both normal and osteoarthritis cartilage.
New Books on Darwinism Look at the Religious and Rhetorical Aspects of Evolutionary Theory

Darwin's Proof: The Triumph of Religion Over Science, Cornelius Hunter, Brazos Press 2003 (1-58743-056-8), pp. 168, Hb $17.99 Doubts About Darwin: A History of Intelligent Design, Thomas Woodward, Baker Books 2003 (0-8010-6443-0), pp. 303, Hb $19.99
Direct provisional restoration technique

A technique has been presented for the efficient fabrication of a temporary or provisional restoration with emphasis on esthetics, proper contour, and marginal integrity. Attention to details in these procedures can be most rewarding to both the patient and the dentist.
Neighborhood based fast graph search in large networks

Complex social and information network search becomes important with a variety of applications. In the core of these applications, lies a common and critical problem: Given a labeled network and a query graph, how to efficiently search the query graph in the target network. The presence of noise and the incomplete knowledge about the structure and content of the target network make it unrealistic to find an exact match. Rather, it is more appealing to find the top-k approximate matches.In this paper, we propose a neighborhood-based similarity measure that could avoid costly graph isomorphism and edit distance computation. Under this new measure, we prove that subgraph similarity search is NP hard, while graph similarity match is polynomial. By studying the principles behind this measure, we found an information propagation model that is able to convert a large network into a set of multidimensional vectors, where sophisticated indexing and similarity search algorithms are available. The proposed method, called Ness (Neighborhood Based Similarity Search), is appropriate for graphs with low automorphism and high noise, which are common in many social and information networks. Ness is not only efficient, but also robust against structural noise and information loss. Empirical results show that it can quickly and accurately find high-quality matches in large networks, with negligible cost.
Modulation of breast cancer progression and differentiation by the gp30/neregulin

In the last decade we have come to understand that the growth of cancer cells in general and of breast cancer in particular depends, in many cases, upon growth factors that will bind to and activate their receptors. One of these growth factor receptors is theerbB-2 protein which plays an important role in the prognosis of breast cancer and is overexpressed in nearly 30% of human breast cancer patients. While evidence accumulates to support the relationship betweenerbB-2 overexpression and poor overall survival in breast cancer, understanding of the biological consequence(s) oferbB-2 overexpression remains elusive. Our recent discovery of thegp30 has allowed us to identify a number of related but distinct biological endpoints which appear responsive to signal transduction through theerbB-2 receptor. These endpoints of growth, invasiveness, and differentiation have clear implications for the emergence, maintenance and/or control of malignancy, and represent established endpoints in the assessment of malignant progression in breast cancer. We have shown thatgp30 induces a biphasic growth effect on cells witherbB-2 over-expression. We have recently determined the protein sequence ofgp30 and cloned its full length cDNA sequence. We have also cloned two additional forms to the ligand, that are believed to be different isoforms. We are currently expressing the different forms in order to determine their biological effects. To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying cell growth inhibition bygp30, we tested the effect of this ligand on cell growth and differentiation of the human breast cancer cells which overexpresserbB-2 and cells which express low levels of this protooncogene. High concentrations of ligand induced differentiation of cells overexpressingerbB-2, as measured by inhibition of cell growth, and increased synthesis of milk components, and modulation of E-cadherin and up-regulation of c-jun and c-fos. These findings indicate that ligand-induced growth inhibition in cells overexpressingerbB-2 is associated with an apparent induction of differentiation. The availability ofgp30 derived synthetic peptides and its full cDNAs provides tools necessary to acquire a better understanding of the mechanism of action of the this ligands and theerbB-2 receptor in breast cancer.
Preoperative warm-up the key to improved resident technique: a randomized study.

Background The ACGME has required that a skills lab be incorporated into the surgical residency curriculum. While the value of warm-up is generally accepted in other areas requiring complex motor skills, there is little evidence to support the benefits of warm-up prior to performing surgery. We are conducting this study in an attempt to identify whether a warm-up period prior to operating impacts operative technique.
Effects of behavioral genetic evidence on perceptions of criminal responsibility and appropriate punishment

Demonstrations of a link between genetic variants and criminal behavior have stimulated increasing use of genetic evidence to reduce perceptions of defendants' responsibility for criminal behavior and to mitigate punishment. However, because only limited data exist regarding the impact of such evidence on decision makers and the public at large, we recruited a representative sample of the U.S. adult population (n=960) for a web-based survey. Participants were presented with descriptions of three legal cases and were asked to: determine the length of incarceration for a convicted murderer; adjudicate an insanity defense; and decide whether a defendant should receive the death penalty. A fully crossed, between-participants, factorial design was used, varying the type of evidence (none, genetic, neuroimaging, both), heinousness of the crime, and past criminal record, with sentence or verdict as the primary outcome. Also assessed were participants' apprehension of the defendant, belief in free will, political ideology, and genetic knowledge. Across all three cases, genetic evidence had no significant effects on outcomes. Neuroimaging data showed an inconsistent effect in one of the two cases in which it was introduced. In contrast, heinousness of the offense and past criminal record were strongly related to participants' decisions. Moreover, participants' beliefs about the controllability of criminal behavior and political orientations were significantly associated with their choices. Our findings suggest that neither hopes that genetic evidence will modify judgments of culpability and punishment nor fears about the impact of genetic evidence on decision makers are likely to come to fruition.
Sinkhole hazard assessment in Minnesota using a decision tree model

An understanding of what influences sinkhole formation and the ability to accurately predict sinkhole hazards is critical to environmental management efforts in the karst lands of southeastern Minnesota. Based on the distribution of distances to the nearest sinkhole, sinkhole density, bedrock geology and depth to bedrock in southeastern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa, a decision tree model has been developed to construct maps of sinkhole probability in Minnesota. The decision tree model was converted as cartographic models and implemented in ArcGIS to create a preliminary sinkhole probability map in Goodhue, Wabasha, Olmsted, Fillmore, and Mower Counties. This model quantifies bedrock geology, depth to bedrock, sinkhole density, and neighborhood effects in southeastern Minnesota but excludes potential controlling factors such as structural control, topographic settings, human activities and land-use. The sinkhole probability map needs to be verified and updated as more sinkholes are mapped and more information about sinkhole formation is obtained.
Cost-minimization of amino acid usage.

Abstract The negative correlation between the frequencies of usage of amino acids and their biosynthetic cost suggests that organisms minimize costs of protein biosynthesis. Empirical results support that: (1) free-living organisms (Archaea, Bacteria, and Eucaryota) minimize the usage of heavy amino acids more than intracellular organisms (viruses, chloroplasts, and mitochondria), a result confirmed by comparing intracellular Bacteria with other Bacteria; (2) avoidance of amino acids with low impact on protein structure (Chou-Fasman indices) is greater than for those with equal molecular weight but greater structural impact: constraints on protein function limit cost-minimization; (3) amino acid weight minimization (WM) for a protein correlates positively with the protein's expression level and with its size; (4) preliminary results suggest that for different proteins, the evolutionary rate of amino acid replacements correlates negatively with WM in these proteins; (5) results suggest that WM decreases with genome-size; and (6) developmental rates correlate positively with WM (within primates and rodents), even after confounding factors were accounted for. Effects of biosynthetic cost-minimization at whole-organism levels vary with metabolic and ecological strategies. Biosynthetic cost-minimization is an adaptive hypothesis that yields a semi-mechanistic explanation for small differences in allele fitness.
Validity and Limitations of Rat Mesoappendix Bioassay Studies

Bioassay data obtained by the rat mesoappendix method lend themselves poorly to statistical representation. Sufficient reproducibility for quantitative estimation of the titer of vasoactive materials was achieved only with crystalline substances or purified biological extracts. Neither the duration of the displacement of epinephrine reactivity nor the magnitude of the shift in effective constrictor doses of epinephrine provided a satisfactory measure of vasoactivity in blood specimens. A prozone phenomenon, with agents such as Pitressin, histamine and ferritin was encountered with potentiating effects being elicited in high dose ranges and inhibitory effects in low dose ranges.
Structural stability of metal hydrides, alanates and borohydrides of alkali and alkali- earth elements: A review

Alkali and alkali– earth metal hydrides have high hydrogen storage capacity, but high operation temperature hinders their use. The alanates and borohydrides of alkali and alkali– earth metals are widely studied because of their light weight and high hydrogen content. Borohydrides are highly stable and decompose only at elevated temperatures while alanates decompose in two steps. A detailed study of the properties of these hydrides is required for further understanding of their stability. A lot of thermodynamic information can be derived from investigation of materials under pressure or temperature. Structural measurements on the hydride compounds at ambient and high P–T conditions result in a better understanding of the stability of the hydride structures and will assist us in the design of suitable storage materials with desired thermodynamic properties. The structural data are potential source of information regarding inter-atomic forces which determine pressure/temperature induced changes. During the past few years, structural stability of hydrides is widely investigated under pressure and temperature, both experimentally and theoretically. In this review we discuss structural phase transition and decomposition behavior of light metal hydrides, borohydrides and alanates of the elements that belong to first and second group in the periodic table.
Using Adult Groups of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers for Translocations and Population Augmentation

ABSTRACT The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis; hereafter RCW) was listed as federally endangered in 1973 after a population decline due primarily to habitat loss. Habitat fragmentation produces isolated populations of RCWs and managers often translocate subadult birds to augment existing populations. Although several studies have examined success of translocating subadults, detailed studies examining translocations of adults have been limited. We evaluated the feasibility and success of using adult RCWs for translocation and augmentation of existing populations in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, 2006–2009. We translocated 41 primarily adult RCWs, consisting of 12 potential breeding groups (PBGs) and 5 single bird groups to suitable habitat at the Morehouse Parish Conservation Area (MPCA). Fifty-nine percent of translocated RCWs remained on the MPCA and 45% became breeders. Thirty-four percent of translocated RCWs were breeding after being on the MPCA for 2 breeding seasons, suggesting that transloc...
Improved oxidation resistance of group VB refractory metals by Al+ ion implantation

Aluminum ion implantation of vanadium, niobium, and tantalum improved the metals’ oxidation resistances at 500 °C and 735 °C. Implanted vanadium oxidized only to one-third the extent of unimplanted vanadium when exposed at 500 °C to air. The oxidative weight gains of implanted niobium and tantalum proved negligible when measured at 500 °C and for times sufficient to fully convert the untreated metals to their pentoxides. At 735 °C, implantation of vanadium only slightly retarded its oxidation, while oxidative weight gains of niobium and tantalum were reduced by factors of 3 or more. Implanted niobium exhibited weight gain in direct proportion to oxidation time squared at 735 °C. Microstructural examination of the metals implanted with selected fluences of the 180 kV aluminum ions showed the following. The solubility limit of aluminum is extended by implantation, the body centered cubic (bcc) phases being retained to ∼60 at. pct Al in all three metals. The highest fluence investigated, 2.4 × 1022 ions/m2, produced an ∼400-nm layer of VAl3 beneath the surface of vanadium, and ∼300-nm layers of an amorphous phase containing ∼70 at. pct Al beneath the niobium and tantalum surfaces. All three metals, implanted to this fluence and annealed at 600 °C, contained tri-aluminides, intermetallic compounds known for their oxidation resistances. Specimens implanted to this fluence were thus selected for the oxidation measurements.
Cuspal deformation and fracture resistance of teeth with dentin adhesives and composites

This study investigated the effect of polymerization shrinkage of posterior composite (Herculite) on the dimensions and fracture strength of human maxillary premolars with a phosphonate-ester DBA (Bondlite) and a second DBA comprised of 4-META with MMA/TBB (Superbond). The individual role of etched enamel and nonetched dentin bonding was also studied with high-copper amalgam used as a control. Two sizes of preparation isthmus were designated for evaluation of the effect of the polymerization contraction on weakened teeth. The following conclusions were drawn. 1. Narrow intracoronal tooth preparations were significantly stronger than wider, expansive preparations. There was no difference among the narrow isthmus preparations restored with amalgam or acid etching and composite. 2. There was a significant expansion in tooth dimension when MOD cavities were restored with amalgam. 3. Teeth with narrow isthmus preparations using composite bonded with Bondlite adhesive to etched enamel demonstrated a significant contraction compared with Superbond DBA. 4. Composite restorations using Superbond DBA in wide MOD cavities significantly improved the fracture strength of maxillary premolars. 5. Superbond DBA with composite restorations benefited the tooth in dimensional change and fracture strength. 6. There was a positive correlation between the fracture strength and tooth dimension.
Validation of PD Adequest 2.0 for pediatric dialysis patients.

Kinetic modeling has proven to be a valuable tool for peritoneal dialysis (PD) prescription in adult PD patients. The clinical application of this procedure has rarely been studied in children. We therefore evaluated the PD Adequest 2.0 for Windows program (Baxter Healthcare Co., Deerfield, IL) as a prescription aid for the management of pediatric PD patients by comparing the measured and predicted PD clearances, total drain volumes, and net ultrafiltration in 34 children (15 males) (mean age 10.9±6.0 years) receiving long-term PD. In each case, a 4-h peritoneal equilibration test was conducted with a standardized test exchange volume of 1100 ml/m2 BSA. A total of 43 24-h dialysate (plus urine in 12) collections were analyzed. The levels of agreement between measured and predicted values for weekly peritoneal and total urea Kt/V, weekly peritoneal and total creatinine clearance, daily drain volume, net ultrafiltration and daily peritoneal urea and creatinine mass removal were assessed with correlation coefficients (r c) and Bland-Altman limits of agreement. The study revealed that there is a basic level of agreement between measured and modeled values for solute removal and total drain volume, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.75 to 0.98. In contrast, the r c for net ultrafiltration was only 0.34. The majority (75%) of patients had modeled urea and creatinine clearances that were within 20% of their measured values. These data suggest that the PD Adequest 2.0 for Windows program can predict urea and creatinine clearances with reasonable accuracy in pediatric PD patients, making it a valuable resource in prescription management.
Predicting subsurface CO2 movement: From laboratory to field scale

ABSTRACTFinding an appropriate model for time-lapse seismic monitoring of CO2-sequestered carbonate reservoir poses a great challenge because carbonate-rocks have varying textures and highly reactive rock-fluid system. We introduced a frequency-dependent model based on Eshelby’s inclusion and differential effective medium (DEM) theory that can account for heterogeneity in microstructure of rocks and squirt flow. We showed that the estimated velocities from the modified DEM theory match well with the laboratory measurements (ultrasonic) of velocities of carbonate rocks saturated with CO2-rich water. The theory predicts significant decrease in saturated P- and S-wave velocities in the seismic frequency band as a consequence of porosity and permeability enhancement by the process of chemical dissolution of carbonates with the saturating fluid. The study also showed the combined effect of chemical reaction and free CO2 saturation on the elastic properties of rock. We observed that the velocity dispersion and ...
Effects of mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation on the performance of flexible pavement using ME design

The purposes of this study were to establish the difference between empirical and mechanistic–empirical approaches in the flexible pavement design and to quantify the effects of mean annual precipitation and temperature on the flexible pavement distresses using the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) software. Seventy-six specific locations from 13 states throughout the USA were selected based on different climate conditions using virtual climate stations based on the interpolation from the nearest weather stations prior to meeting the objectives. Subsequently, analysis was conducted based on the predicted distresses, including longitudinal cracking, transverse cracking, alligator cracking, asphalt concrete rutting and total pavement permanent deformation. Generally, the pavement structure and materials have been set as constant to control the effects of material on the results. On the basis of the MEPDG analysis, the longitudinal cracking of flexible pavement is significantly affected by ...
RIT's BS program in software engineering: a status report

In the fall of 1996, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) enrolled the first students in its undergraduate software engineering program. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first program in the U.S. leading to a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. This note is meant to apprise the readers of SEN of both the existence and current status of our program, and to contribute to the on-going conversation vis-a-vis the proper education of professional software developers.
The Dialectic Nature of Technology and Holism: Use of Technology to Liberate Individuals with Learning Disabilities

Technology, one of the gifts of reductionistic thinking, can be used holistically to liberate students with learning disabilities from many of their struggles with text while they are learning to r...
Vertical integration in motion pictures

We developed a model to understand better the impact of vertical integration of production-distribution and exhibition of first-run motion pictures. Application of the model to conditions typical of the current successful movies implies that vertical integration of the first-run movie industry might result in as much as a 30% lower admission price, which could result in a doubling of audience and higher revenues.
α2-Macroglobulin in late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Abstract α2-macroglobulin (α2M) is an abundant plasma protein similar in structure and function to a group of proteins called α-macroglobulins. α2M is also produced in the brain where it binds multiple extracellular ligands and is internalized by neurons and astrocytes. In the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, α2M has been localized to diffuse amyloid plaques. α2M also binds soluble β-amyloid, of which it mediates degradation. However, an excess of α2M can also have neurotoxic effects. Based on genetic evidence, is now recognized as one of the two confirmed late onset AD genes. As for the three early onset genes (the amyloid β-protein precursor and the two presenilins) and for the other late onset gene (ApoE), DNA polymorphisms in the A2M gene associated with AD result in significantly increased accumulation of amyloid plaques in AD brains. These data support an important role for A2M in AD etiopathology.
An algorithm for probabilistic planning

Abstract We define the probabilistic planning problem in terms of a probability distribution over initial world states, a boolean combination of propositions representing the goal, a probability threshold, and actions whose effects depend on the execution-time state of the world and on random chance. Adopting a probabilistic model complicates the definition of plan success: instead of demanding a plan that provably achieves the goal, we seek plans whose probability of success exceeds the threshold. In this paper, we present buridan , an implemented least-commitment planner that solves problems of this form. We prove that the algorithm is both sound and complete. We then explore buridan's efficiency by contrasting four algorithms for plan evaluation, using a combination of analytic methods and empirical experiments. We also describe the interplay between generating plans and evaluating them, and discuss the role of search control in probabilistic planning.