cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Steroid Administration on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Function in Immature Brain ♦ 342

Corticosteroid administration in the fetus and newborn enhances organ maturation and may decrease perinatal brain injury. To test the hypothesis that dexamethasone pretreatment alters development of the NMDA receptor, a mediator of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, NMDA receptor ion channel function was investigated in 6 groups: fetal lambs at 84d gestation (n=6), fetal lambs at 120d gestation after maternal pretreatment with either placebo(n=4) or dexamethasone (n=4), and 5d-old term (154d) newborn lambs treated with placebo (PD, n=3), or low-dose (LD, n=5) or high-dose (HD, n=5) dexamethasone. Fetal treatment consisted of dexamethasone, 6 mg IM, or placebo every 12 h × 4 doses to pregnant ewes. Lambs received dexamethasone, 0.02 mg/kg (LD), 0.5 mg/kg (HD), or saline (PD) every 12 h × 4 doses from postnatal day 3. Postnatal doses were chosen to match fetal exposure to maternal steroids (LD) or doses used in premature infants (HD). Tissue was obtained 12 hr after the 4th dose in all animals. Saturation binding assays were performed using 3H-MK801, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, and Bmax (apparent number of receptors) and Kd (dissociation constant) were calculated. Bmax (pmoles/mg protein) increased from 0.60± 0.09 at 84d to 0.97 ± 0.12 at 120d and 1.91 ± 0.32 in 5-day-old lambs (p<0.05). Kd did not change significantly with maturation(5.1 ± 0.4 nM at 84d, 4.9 ± 0.8 at 120d, and 5.5 ± 0.4 in lambs). Steroid pretreatment had no effect on Bmax or Kd at 120d. However, Bmax decreased significantly in treated lambs, to 1.65 ± 0.08 and 1.62± 0.06 in LD and HD, respectively (p<0.05 for both vs PD). Kd was also significantly lower in both LD and HD compared to PD (4.4 ± 0.4 and 4.0 ± 0.3, respectively, vs 5.5 ± 0.4 nM), indicating a 20% increase in affinity of the MK-801 binding site within the NMDA receptor ion channel. Previous studies in several species have shown that Bmax peaks in the perinatal period, then declines to adult levels. Thus the decrease in Bmax after postnatal steroid treatment suggests that dexamethasone accelerates the maturational decrease in number of NMDA receptors in the term lamb. The change in Kd associated with steroid treatment could be due to modification of cell membrane lipid composition, leading to altered conformation of the receptor ion channel. These results suggest that steroid administration alters NMDA-type glutamate receptor function in immature brain, and that the effect is dependent on the degree of brain development at the time of administration.
Strategies for Improving Fidelity in the National Evidence-Based Practices Project.

Background: The National Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) Project developed and tested a model for facilitating the implementation of five psychosocial EBPs for adults with severe mental illness in ...
Construction and characterization of a recombinant ureolytic Streptococcus mutans and its use to demonstrate the relationship of urease activity to pH modulating capacity

To begin to understand the contribution of oral microbial ureolysis to the inhibition of dental caries, we sought to construct a recombinant, ureolytic mutans streptococcus and correlate the ureolytic capacity of plaque bacteria with pH moderating ability. Streptococcus mutans GS-5 was transformed with a plasmid containing the urease genes from Streptococcus salivarius 57.I. The recombinant strain, S. mutans AC04, stably maintained the urease genes. High levels of urease activity were detected, with a maximum specific activity of 0.9 μmol of urea hydrolyzed/min/mg cell dry weight when the growth medium was supplemented with 50 μM exogenous NiCl2. Harboring the recombinant plasmid, or growth in NiCl2, did not markedly affect the glycolytic capacity of S. mutans. In vitro pH drop analysis of S. mutans AC04, metabolizing glucose and physiologically relevant concentrations of urea simultaneously, demonstrated that increasing the urease activity of plaque bacteria resulted in a corresponding reduction in the depth and the duration of the glycolytic pH fall. The results demonstrate the feasibility of engineering urease producing S. mutans and suggest that enhancing the ureolytic capacity of dental plaque, particularly cariogenic plaque, may help to offset the progression of the caries process.
Endhost-based shortest path routing in dynamic networks: An online learning approach

We consider the problem of endhost-based shortest path routing in a network with unknown, time-varying link qualities. Endhost-based routing is needed when internal nodes of the network do not have the scope or capability to provide globally optimal paths to given source-destination pairs, as can be the case in networks consisting of autonomous subnetworks or those with endhost-based routing restrictions. Assuming the source can probe links along selected paths, we formulate the problem as an online learning problem, where an existing solution achieves a performance loss (called regret) that is logarithmic in time with respect to (wrt) an offline algorithm that knows the link qualities. Current solutions assume coupled probing and routing; in contrast, we give a simple algorithm based on decoupled probing and routing, whose regret is only constant in time. We then extend our solution to support multi-path probing and cooperative learning between multiple sources, where we show an inversely proportional decay in regret wrt the probing rate. We also show that without the decoupling, the regret grows at least logarithmically in time, thus establishing decoupling as critical for obtaining constant regret. Although our analysis assumes certain conditions (i.i.d.) on link qualities, our solution applies with straightforward amendments to much broader scenarios where these conditions are relaxed. The efficacy of the proposed solution is verified by trace-driven simulations.
Radiation Therapy for Early Stage Lung Cancer

Radiation therapy for early stage lung cancer is a promising modality. It has been traditionally used in patients not considered candidates for standard surgical resection. However, its role has been changing rapidly since the introduction of new and advanced technology, especially in tumor tracking, image guidance, and radiation delivery. Stereotactic radiation therapy is one such advancement that has shown excellent local control rates and promising survival in early stage lung cancer. In addition, the toxicity profiles are quite favorable. In addition to stereotactic radiation, advances in brachytherapy techniques have enabled high local control rates in operable patients who receive sublobar resections due to compromised pulmonary function. Isotopes that have been used include iodine-125, palladium-103, and cesium-131. In this review article, the role of radiation therapy in treatment of lung cancer, patient selection, outcomes, toxicity and recent technological advancements are discussed. The radiation therapy techniques described in this article are also being used in the management of locally advanced lung cancers.
Trends in augmentative and alternative communication use by individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The majority of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) at some point during the disease process. Different AAC approaches are used, depending on functional status, communication purposes, familiarity of the communication partner, and the environment. Early, middle, and late stages of AAC intervention have been identified and reflect changes in an individual's functional status and subsequent changes in communication needs. Trends in the use of low- and high-technology AAC systems appear to correspond to these stages. In this article, case studies are used to demonstrate how individuals tend to rely on both unaided and low-technology AAC methods during the early stages of ALS, on high-technology systems during the middle stages of the disease, and again on unaided and low-technology AAC methods during the late stages of ALS.
An analytical investigation of high-temperature heat pump system with screw compressor and screw expander for power recovery

An analytical investigation of a high-temperature heat pump system was developed to estimate the thermal cycle and to assess the thermal fluids for their high-temperature delivery (up to 180°C) capacities without decomposition or the use of lubricant mechanisms. Then, a screw-type compressor was applied in the above conditions. Furthermore, a screw expander was also used as a replacement for the throttle valve [Taniguchi et al. J. Engng Gas Turbine and Power (ASME) 110, 628–635 (1988). In order to assess the performance of the heat pump system, leakage and friction effects had to be determined and simulated when using the screw machines. Numerical results of system tests are presented from cases where steam-water (for higher temperatures) and ammonia (for lower temperatures) were used as thermal fluids instead of normally used fluids such as halogenated chlorofluorocarbon, which has been implicated in the depletion of stratospheric ozone.
Complications of Nonoperative Management of High-Grade Blunt Hepatic Injuries

Abstract : Nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injuries is highly successful. Complications associated with high- grade injuries, however, have not been well characterized. The purpose of the present study was therefore to define hepatic-related complications and associated treatment modalities in patients undergoing non-operative management of high-grade blunt hepatic injuries. Methods: Three hundred thirty-seven patients from two regional Level I trauma centers with grade 3 to 5 blunt hepatic injuries during a 40-month period were reviewed. Complications and treatment of hepatic-related complications in patients not requiring laparotomy in the first 24 hours were identified. Results: Of 337 patients with a grade 3 to 5 injury, 230 (68%) were managed non-operatively. There were 37 hepatic-related complications in 25 patients (11%); 63% (5 of 8) of patients with grade 5 injuries developed complications, 21% (19 of 92) of patients with grade 4 injuries, but only 1% (1 of 130) of patients with grade 3 injuries. Complications included bleeding in 13 patients managed by angioembolization (n = 12) and laparotomy (n = 1), liver abscesses in 2 patients managed with computed tomography-guided drainage (n = 2) and subsequent laparotomy (n = 1). In one patient with bleeding, hepatic necrosis followed surgical ligation of the right hepatic artery and required delayed hepatic lobectomy. Sixteen biliary complications were managed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and stenting (n = 7), drainage (n = 5), and laparoscopy (n = 4). Three patients had suspected abdominal sepsis and underwent a negative laparotomy, whereas an additional three patients underwent laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome. Conclusion: Nonoperative management of high-grade liver injuries can be safely accomplished. Mortality is low; however, complications in grade 4 and 5 injuries should be anticipated and may require a combination of operative and nonoperative management strategies.
Role of Granular Activated Carbon Surface Chemistry on the Adsorption of Organic Compounds. 1. Priority Pollutants

Uptake of two synthetic organic contaminants (SOCs), trichloroethylene and trichlorobenzene, by one coal-based and one wood-based granular activated carbon (GAC), modified using liquid-phase oxidation (HNO3) and heat treatment in an inert atmosphere (N2), and by several different as-received GACs was compared. Carbons were characterized by elemental analysis, surface area and pore size distribution, water vapor adsorption, acid−base adsorption characteristics measured using the Boehm technique, and a mass titration/pH equilibration method to determine the pHpzc. The results of isotherm experiments with the surface-treated coal- and wood-based carbons indicated that carbon surface acidity played an important role on the adsorption of hydrophobic SOCs. It was found that increasing surface acidity increased the polarity of the surface and reduced adsorption of hydrophobic SOCs by GAC. However, no significant trend was evident for as-received carbons; their behavior differed significantly from surface-treated...
The Roles Played by Order of Convexity or Starlikeness and the Bloch Condition in the Extension of Mappings from the Disk to the Ball

Let \({G: \mathbb {C}^{n-1} \rightarrow \mathbb {C}}\) be holomorphic such that G(0) = 0 and DG(0) = 0. When f is a convex (resp. starlike) normalized (f(0) = 0, f′(0) = 1) univalent mapping of the unit disk \({\mathbb {D}}\) in \({\mathbb {C}}\) , then the extension of f to the Euclidean unit ball \({\mathbb {B}}\) in \({\mathbb {C}^n}\) given by \({\Phi_G(f)(z)=(f(z_1)+G(\sqrt{f^{\prime}(z_1)} \, \hat{z}),\sqrt{f^{\prime}(z_1)}\, \hat{z})}\) , \({\hat{z}=(z_2,\dots,z_n) \in \mathbb {C}^{n-1}}\) , is known to be convex (resp. starlike) if G is a homogeneous polynomial of degree 2 with sufficiently small norm. Conversely, it is known that G cannot have terms of degree greater than 2 in its expansion about 0 in order for \({\Phi_G(f)}\) to be convex (resp. starlike), in general. We examine whether the restriction that f be either convex or starlike of a certain order \({\alpha \in (0,1]}\) allows, in general, for G to contain terms of degree greater than 2 and still have \({\Phi_G(f)}\) maintain the respective geometric property. Related extension results for convex and starlike Bloch mappings are also given.
Improved max-min scanning method for phase determination

We present an improved signal processing algorithm for the max-min scanning method for phase determination in speckle and other interferometric techniques. After recording the intensity changes at one point on the image for a range of arbitrary phase shifts, curve fitting is employed to obtain the intensity waveform corresponding to this position. The phase value is derived from this curve, and the sign of the computed phase angle is determined using the derivative of the fitting curve. The phase map is obtained by performing the same procedure throughout the entire image. This improved algorithm requires neither sorting the recorded image signals nor additional sign images. Experimental examples are provided.
Hemodynamic effects of high versus low-osmolar contrast media for ventriculography in severe aortic stenosis.

The hemodynamic effects of high-(diatrizoate meglumine/sodium) and low-(iopamidol) osmolar constrast administration for left ventriculography were compared in 15 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. Patients were similar with respect to aortic valve gradient, aortic valve area, age, body surface area, and baseline hemodynamics as well as associated coronary disease and valvular insufficiency. Administration of diatrizoate meglumine/sodium was associated, with a 22% increase in heart rate, and marked (27%) decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure, with a small (15%) increase in left ventricular end diastolic pressure. In contrast, administration of larger volumes of iopamidol was associated with only a slight (9%) increase in heart rate, a small (6%) decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure, and a smaller (6%) increase in left ventricular end diastolic pressure. In patients with severe aortic valve stenosis iopamidol may offer a safer hemodynamic profile than diatrizoate meglumine/sodium.
Scaling of the specific heat Cp (T, H) of a single crystal Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ near Tc

Abstract We have shown that the specific heat of a superconducting single crystal of Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7- δ in a magnetic field is consistent with the thermodynamic scaling relations of Douglass.
Molecular weight characterization of polybutadiene rubber with high molecular weight and broad molecular weight distribution

Following the molecular weight characterization of two polybutadiene samples, it was found that Mw from gel permeation chromatography with universal calibration and light scattering were in agreement, but Mn by gel permeation chromatography was less than Mn from membrane osmometry. A more detailed analysis revealed that the high molecular weight and broad molecular weight distribution of the two samples forced two corrections to the membrane osmometry results for (a) diffusional layer effects caused by high solution viscosities, and (b) solute permeability of the membrane. In the latter effect, the high viscosities of the solutions prevented actual diffusion through the membrane, but “reflection” of these species as defined by the Staverman coefficient prevented an accurate Mn determination. After making these corrections, it was found that Mn from membrane osmometry using a very tight membrane was in very good agreement with Mn from gel permeation chromatography. A method is demonstrated for obtaining Mn from a combination of membrane osmometry and gel permeation chromatography, where membrane osmometry data from membranes of different porosities (after corrections for diffusional layers and membrane reflection) are used to verify the accuracy of the gel permeation chromatography data as representing the true molecular weight distribution, allowing the gel permeation chromatography data to be used to calculate Mn.
Adolescent alcohol use and suicide indicators among adolescents in Hawaii

Research on suicide has focused on gender, age, ethnicity, and psychiatric profiles. However, few studies have examined alcohol use and its relationship to suicide among Native Hawaiians and other Asian American/Pacific Islanders. This study analyzes data from the 1997 and 1999 Hawaii Youth Risk Behavior Survey to examine whether alcohol problems increase the risk for suicide indicators (as evidenced by responses to questions asking whether an individual has considered, planned, attempted, or required treatment for a suicide attempt). Drinking pattern was the best predictor for all suicide indicators. School and community-based programs can help to increase an adolescent's knowledge about the consequences of alcohol use and prevention of suicide.
Managing Troubles in Answering Survey Questions: Respondents' Uses of Projective Reporting.

Standardized survey interviewing is a form of institutional talk whose special constraints often conflict with ordinary conversational practices. Although survey manuals tend to recognize the conflict between standardization and respondents' requests for clarification, an alternative strategy for managing troubles in answering—“projective reporting”—is largely missing from the literature. Respondents may report circumstances in response to fixed-choice questions rather than providing an answer option. Such reports invite the interviewer to infer its relevance for an answer. Respondents use projective reporting in two different ways: to account for particular answers and to defer judgments in answering. Speakers and recipients in ordinary conversation have a variety of options for dealing with the upshots of projective reportings, but some of these options are prohibited in standardized interviews. When respondents use reporting to defer judgment, ordinary conversation and standardized interviewing can con...
Altered expression of unidirectional extrusion routes for methotrexate and cholate in an efflux variant of L1210 cells

The specificity and function of two unidirectional anion-efflux pumps in mouse L1210 cells were evaluated using a variant cell line selected for growth in the presence of cholate and bromosulfophthalein. Transport analysis revealed that cholate efflux in the variant L1210/C7 cell line had declined 8-fold, due to the loss of a bromosulfophthalein-sensitive efflux system, the major extrusion route for cholate in parental cells. Efflux measurements showed further that a bromosulfophthalein-sensitive efflux system for methotrexate was also absent in L1210/C7 cells. Total unidirectional efflux of methotrexate, however, was similar in the variant and parental cells, since the loss in the bromosulfophthalein-sensitive system was compensated by a rise in a second probenecid-sensitive route. The latter was identified from inhibitor studies to be the same system which acts as a minor efflux route for methotrexate in parental cells. These results support the hypothesis that L1210 cells contain a bromosulfophthalein-sensitive efflux system which mediates the unidirectional extrusion of either methotrexate or cholate, and a second probenecid-sensitive route which differs from the bromosulfophthalein-sensitive system in inhibitor specificity and also in its ability to transport methotrexate but not cholate.
Use of the Hough transform for image data compression

Abstract It is shown here that the Hough transform may be used for encoding of line curves and waveforms that consist of the concatenation of curves from an underlying set of families of curves. Several properties of the transform are given in this context.
What is the prognostic significance of lymphovascular invasion in radical prostatectomy specimens

What is the prognostic significance of lymphovascular invasion in radical prostatectomy specimens?
Insights into serotonin signaling mechanisms associated with canine degenerative mitral valve disease.

Little is known about the molecular abnormalities associated with canine degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). The pathology of DMVD involves the differentiation and activation of the normally quiescent mitral valvular interstitial cell (VIC) into a more active myofibroblast phenotype, which mediates many of the histological and molecular changes in affected the valve tissue. In both humans and experimental animal models, increased serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) signaling can induce VIC differentiation and myxomatous valve damage. In canine DMVD, numerous lines of evidence suggest that 5HT and related molecules such as transforming growth factor-β play a critical role in the pathogenesis of this disease. A variety of investigative techniques, including gene expression, immunohistochemistry, protein blotting, and cell culture, shed light on the potential role of 5HT in the differentiation of VIC, elaboration of myxomatous extracellular matrix components, and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. These studies help support a hypothesis that 5HT and its related pathways serve as an important stimulus in canine DMVD. This review describes the pathological characteristics of canine DMVD, the organization and role of the 5HT pathway in valve tissue, involvement of 5HT in human and experimental models of valve disease, avenues of evidence that suggest a role for 5HT in naturally occurring DMVD, and finally, a overarching hypothesis describing a potential role for 5HT in canine DMVD.
Measurement of the incorporation and repair of exogenous 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine in human cells in culture using gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

The DNA of all organisms is constantly damaged by oxidation. Among the array of damage products is 5-hydroxymethyluracil, derived from oxidation of the thymine methyl group. Previous studies have established that HmU can be a sensitive and valuable marker of DNA damage. More recently, the corresponding deoxynucleoside, 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (HmdU), has proven to be valuable for the introduction of controlled amounts of a single type of damage lesion into the DNA of replicating cells, which is subsequently repaired by the base excision repair pathway. Complicating the study of HmU formation and repair, however, is the known chemical reactivity of the hydroxymethyl group of HmU under conditions used to hydrolyze DNA. In the work reported here, this chemical property has been exploited by creating conditions that convert HmU to the corresponding methoxymethyluracil (MmU) derivative that can be further derivatized to the 3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl analogue. This derivatized compound can be detected by gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS) with good sensitivity. Using isotopically enriched exogenous HmdU and human osteosarcoma cells (U2OS) in culture, we demonstrate that this method allows for the measurement of HmU in DNA formed from the incorporation of exogenous HmdU. We further demonstrate that the addition of isotopically enriched uridine to the culture medium allows for the simultaneous measurement of DNA replication and repair kinetics. This sensitive and facile method should prove valuable for studies on DNA oxidation damage and repair in living cells.
The adsorption of CO, H2, H2, CO2 and H2O on carburized and graphitized Ni(110)

Abstract A study of the adsorption/desorption behavior of CO, H 2 O, CO 2 and H 2 on Ni(110)(4 × 5)-C and Ni(110)-graphite was made in order to assess the importance of desorption as a rate-limiting step for the decomposition of formic acid and to identify available reaction channels for the decomposition. The carbide surface adsorbed CO and H 2 O in amounts comparable to the clean surface, whereas this surface, unlike clean Ni(110), did not appreciably adsorb H 2 . The binding energy of CO on the carbide was coverage sensitive, decreasing from 21 to 12 kcal mol as the CO coverage approached 1.1 × 10 15 molecules cm −2 at 200K. The initial sticking probability and maximum coverage of CO on the carbide surface were close to that observed for clean Ni(110). The amount of H 2 , CO, CO 2 and H 2 O adsorbed on the graphitized surface was insignificant relative to the clean surface. The kinetics of adsorption/desorption of the states observed are discussed.
Change of reflectivity of metallic surfaces during irradiation by CO 2 -TEA laser pulses

Measurements of the decrease in reflectivity of metallic surfaces as a function of time during irradiation by pulses from a CO 2 - TEA laser are described. The TEA laser delivered power densities up to 3 \times 10^{8} W/cm2in a 100-ns-duration pulse. The reflectivity was monitored as a function of time by a probing beam from a low-power continuous CO 2 laser operating at 9.6 μm, and focused onto the same area struck by the TEA laser pulse. This paper presents data on the decrease in specular reflectivity as a function of time under various conditions of laser power density, laser pulse duration, ambient air pressure, and cumulative number of pulses on the same area.
Millimeter-wave center of curvature test for a fast paraboloid

We describe a technique for measuring the surface profile of a radio telescope with a fast paraboloidal primary. The technique uses a sensor, at the center of curvature of the primary, consisting of a millimeter-wave source and an array of receivers to measure the field in the caustic. The sensor is mounted on the telescope enclosure and it moves with the telescope, so the measurements can be used for continuous, slow, closed-loop control of the surface. Sensor decenter and despace errors, due to wind buffeting and thermal deformation of the sensor support, do not compromise the surface measurements because they result in profile errors that are mainly translation, which has no effect on astronomical observations, or tilt and defocus, which can be measured using astronomical sources. If the position of the sensor is known to 20 μm rms, the surface can be measured to ∼1 μm rms at λ=3 mm.
A Simulation of Lean Manufacturing: The Lean Lemonade Tycoon 2

This article discusses the functions and effectiveness of games and simulations in the learning processes, in particular as an experiential learning methodology. The application of the game Lemonade Tycoon in the development of lean manufacturing concepts is described. This article addresses the use of the game to teach the principles of lean enterprise, including zero waiting time, zero inventory, scheduling, internal customer pull instead of push system, batch to flow, cut batch sizes, line balancing, and cut actual process times. Other outcomes of learning such as promoting communication and interaction, facilitating cooperative learning, encouraging peer learning and fostering teamwork are also discussed. Games and simulations are relevant in all of the four learning phases of experiential learning and have a very positive impact on the learning and future application of lean manufacturing principles. Games are especially relevant in the generalization and application phases by helping shift learnerâs personal paradigms.
Automatically identifying special and common unit tests for object-oriented programs

Developers often create common tests and special tests, which exercise common behaviors and special behaviors of the class under test, respectively. Although manually created tests are valuable, developers often overlook some special or even common tests. We have developed a new approach for automatically identifying special and common unit tests for a class without requiring any specification. Given a class, we automatically generate test inputs and identify common and special tests among the generated tests. Developers can inspect these identified tests and use them to augment existing tests. Our approach is based on statistical algebraic abstractions, program properties (in the form of algebraic specifications) dynamically inferred based on a set of predefined abstraction templates. We use statistical algebraic abstractions to characterize program behaviors and identify special and common tests. Our initial experience has shown that a relatively small number of common and special tests can be identified among a large number of generated tests and these identified tests expose common and special behaviors that deserve developers' attention
Godrap Girls, Draou Boys, and the Sexual Economy of the Bluff in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

In Abidjan, both economic and sexual exchanges are structured around the bluff, a mimetic performance of modern urban identity that is both a form of deception and a means of social transformation. Men and women attempt to seduce each other through the bluff and exploit the relationship for material gain. While marriage is held up as an ideal, it is increasingly elusive as kinship has come to mimic the peer networks of the informal economy. Like drag, the bluff collapses oppositions between appearance and reality, highlighting the performative aspects of ‘modernity’. I suggest that widespread urban sexual antagonism may be constructed around gendered performative consumption, such that the impossible demands of maintaining a deceptive appearance of success produces sexual exploitation and anxiety on both sides of the gender divide.
Self&#8211;precharging flip&#8211;flop (SPFF): A new level converting flip&#8211;flop

Clustered voltage scaling scheme is an effective method of power consumption reduction without performance degradation. One of the main issues in this scheme is performance and power penalties due to insertion of level converting flip-flops at the interface from low-supply to high supply clusters to simultaneously perform latching and level converting functions. A new level converting flip-flop, called Self-Precharging Flip-Flop (SPFF), is proposed that outperforms conventional level converting flip-flops in terms of performance and power-delay product. It is a pulsed flip-flop that employs conditional capturing and self-precharging techniques to efficiently perform latching and level converting functions. Based on simulation results in a 0.25µm CMOS technology, the proposed flip-flop exhibits up to 60% delay reduction and 35% improvement in power delay product as compared to conventional level converting flip-flops.
Diffusion of an effective skin cancer prevention program: design, theoretical foundations, and first-year implementation.

This article describes the design and theoretical foundations of the Pool Cool Diffusion Trial and reports 1st-year findings. Aims of the study are to evaluate the effects of 2 strategies for diffusion of the Pool Cool sun safety program on implementation, maintenance, and sustainability; improvements in environmental supports for sun safety in swimming pools; and sun protection habits and sunburn among participating children. There was a high rate of program participation (86.6%; n = 375 swimming pools) in the 1st year and somewhat lower study participation (75.8%). Analysis of pool manager surveys revealed a time effect for overall sun safety programs and for sun safety policies, environmental strategies, and programs for pool users. There were few differences in implementation between treatment groups in year one.
A diabetes-specific measure of patient desire to participate in medical decision making.

PURPOSEthe goal of this study was to develop a diabetesspecific scale of patient desire to participate in medical decision making (DPMD) and examine its internal consistency reliability, stability, and validity (content, discriminant, convergent, and construct).METHODSIn a cross-sectional study, 65 patients with type 2 diabetes from a teaching hospital's general medical clinic were interviewed at baseline and 2 weeks later to measure their DPMD scores. Data were collected on demographic/clinical features, health value, social support, desire to make a final decision, and value of patient autonomy.RESULTSOf the 11 DPMD items, 2 distinct factors emerged representing desire for discussion and desire for information. The DPMD scale had high internal consistency reliability, was stable over 2 weeks and demonstrated good content validity. DPMD scale items were more correlated with each other than with health value or social support. Overall, patients who obtained diabetes education reported greater desire to pa...
Review of Integrated Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment for Patients With Dual Disorders

Patients with severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and co-occurring substance use disorders traditionally received treatments for their two disorders from two different sets of clinicians in parallel treatment systems. Dissatisfaction with this clinical tradition led to the development of integrated treatment models in which the same clinicians or teams of clinicians provide substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment in a coordinated fashion. We reviewed 36 research studies on the effectiveness of integrated treatment for dually diagnosed patients. Studies of adding dual-disorders groups to traditional services, studies of intensive integrated treatments in controlled settings, and studies of demonstration projects have thus far yielded disappointing results. On the other hand, 10 recent studies of comprehensive, integrated outpatient treatment programs provide encouraging evidence of the programs' potential to engage dually diagnosed patients in services and to help them reduce substance abuse and attain remission. Outcomes related to hospital use, psychiatric symptoms, and other domains are less consistent. Several program features appear to be associated with effectiveness: assertive outreach, case management, and a longitudinal, stage-wise, motivational approach to substance abuse treatment. Given the magnitude and severity of the problem of dual disorders, more controlled research on integrated treatment is needed.
Thermal properties of poly(styrene) containing brominated aryl phosphate additives

General purpose poly(styrene) is a large volume commodity polymer widely used in a range of applications. For many of these the presence of an additive to impart some flammability resistance is required. Most commonly, brominated aromatics are used for this purpose. As the polymer undergoes combustion these compounds decompose to generate bromine atoms and/or hydrogen bromide which escape to the gas phase and trap flame propagating radicals. While these species are effective in inhibiting flame propagation they present the opportunity for loss of halogen to the atmosphere. For this reason, the use of these compounds is being limited in some parts of the world. Phosphorus compounds, on the other had, impart a flame retarding influence by promoting char formation at the surface of the burning polymer. This prevents heat feedback to the polymer and consequent pyrolysis to generate fuel fragments. The combination of both bromine and phosphorus present in a single compound might generate a superior flame-retarding additive in that both modes of retardancy might be promoted simultaneously. Should this be the case smaller amounts of additive might be necessary to achieve a satisfactory level of flame retardancy. A series of such additives, brominated aryl phosphates, has been synthesized and fully characterized spectroscopically. Blends of these additives, at various levels, with poly(styrene) have been examined by DSC, TG and in the UL-94 flame test. The flammability of the polymer is dramatically diminished by the presence of the additive.
Effects of Age, Sex, and Melodic/Harmonic Patterns on Vocal Pitch-Matching Skills of Talented 8-11-Year-Olds

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of age, sex and melodic/harmonic patterns on pitch-matching skills of children. Subjects were 128 talented singers, ages 8-11, equally divided among boys and girls, who sang 16 pitch-matching patterns; 4 patterns were melodic and 12 were harmonic. In 4 harmonic patterns, the upper tone was matched; in another 4, the lower tone was matched, and in the last set, the middle tone was matched. Two judges recorded correct/incorrect responses across 1,536 trials with 85% agreements. Results of a three-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures indicated no differences between age or sex groups and significant differences among pitch-matching tasks. More errors were made on matching the middle pitch of a chord than on any other trials. Singing the lower pitch of two tones was more difficult than matching the higher pitch of two tones or singing back a short melody. A task hierarchy for children's part-singing is suggested.
Commentary: is collaboration a viable target for family therapists?

It is hoped that this commentary might serve to begin a discussion regarding collaboration, what is meant by it and whether it is a worthy goal for family therapists. I present the varying and sometimes contradictory meanings of the word, ‘collaboration’, as it is used in the therapy literature. Many of these meanings incorrectly imply an equality of the therapist–client relationship that only obscures the power differential that exists in the therapeutic relationship. A linguistic analysis of the primary meaning of ‘collaboration’ as ‘work with’ is presented. It is argued that equality between therapist and client cannot be achieved and need not be strived for. Therapists are encouraged to focus on the quality rather than the equality of their relationships.
Change in Adrenal Response from Free Stall Competition

Abstract Lactating Holsteins were monitored for differences in adrenal glucocorticoid response to exogenous adrenocorticotropin as a physiological indicator of stress due to reduced numbers of available free stalls. Twenty cows were blocked by production and randomly assigned to either a control group or were exposed to .75, .63, .5, or .37 free stalls per cow for 7 days after which they were tested for adrenal response to adrenocorticotropin. The latter 16 cows formed the experimental group and were housed in a facility with 4.5m 2 concrete lot and .38m feed bunk per cow. Four experimental cows and one random control were test for adrenal response at the end of each treatment. Time spent lying or standing in free stalls and time eating were summarized from time lapse photography at intervals of 1min. Average time cows spent in free stalls (h) and percentage of total time stalls were occupied were 13.9, 89%; 12.8, 96%; 10.4, 99%; 8.0, 99%; for .75, .63, .5, and .37 free stalls per cow. Means and standard deviations of the integrated glucocorticoid responses for experimental treatments were 118±27, 123±22, 172±57, and 169±35ng/ml. Glucocorticoid response of control cows, ∿1 stall and 15m 2 of lot space/cow, was 130 52ng/ml. The glucocorticoid response in cows with reduced stall numbers was indicative of stress; however, milk production was not affected.
Reduced polysome levels and preferential recruitment of a defense gene transcript into polysomes in soybean cells treated with the syringolide elicitor

The bacterial syringolide elicitor induces a hypersensitive defense response (HR) in leaf tissue and cell suspensions of soybean cultivars carrying resistance gene Rpg4. To investigate the possible involvement of translational control of gene expression in the syringolide-induced HR, ribosome profiles and polysome-loading of two gene transcripts were investigated. Sucrose density gradient fractionation of soybean cell extracts was used to demonstrate a syringolide-induced, Rpg4-specific reduction in large polysomes and a concomitant increase in 80S ribosomes, presumably reflecting an overall inhibition of translation initiation. Syringolide treatment also led to an accumulation of chalcone synthase defense gene mRNA, which remained efficiently loaded into large polysomes in spite of a 22% reduction in cellular large polysome levels. In contrast, while mRNA levels of the housekeeping gene actin remained unchanged following syringolide treatment, the amount of actin mRNA loaded into large polysomes was decreased by 49%. Thus, the translational machinery appeared to selectively exclude a subpopulation of actin transcripts while simultaneously maintaining efficient loading of transcripts for the defense gene chalcone synthase. These data suggest that elicited soybean cells utilize translational control of gene expression during the shift from normal metabolism to defense response activation.
Repression of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated transcriptional activation by unliganded thyroid hormone receptor (TR) is TR isoform-specific

Two genes, c-ErbA alpha and c-ErbA beta, generate at least three functional T3 receptor (TR) isoforms in the rat: TR alpha-1, TR beta-1, and TR beta-2. The latter is an N-terminal splice variant of TR beta-1 whose expression is high in the pituitary gland, whereas the other isoforms are more widely expressed. It is believed that TR beta-2 might play an important role in the pituitary, but no specific biological activities have been defined. Using in vitro translated receptors, we were unable to detect striking isoform-specific differences in T3 binding, DNA binding, homodimerization and heterodimerization activities with retinoid X receptor in the electrophoretic mobility assay, or T3-dependent repression and activation of basal transcription in transfection assays. The N-terminus of TR beta is completely dispensible for these activities. However, we found that unliganded TR alpha-1 and TR beta-1, but not TR beta-2, can repress glucocorticoid receptor-mediated transcriptional activation if the reporter gene promoter contains binding sites for both receptor species. TR beta-2 also synergizes most efficiently with the glucocorticoid receptor in the presence for the of T3. The TR beta-2-specific N-terminus is required for these effects. This result indicates that the relative abundance of specific TR isoforms may determine the with the glucocorticoid receptor in the presence of T3. The TR beta-2 specific N-terminus is required for these effects. This result indicates that the relative abundance of specific TR isoforms may determine the quantitative response of a gene that is regulated by T3 and glucocorticoids. In particular, pituitary TR beta-2 may be an important mediator of GH gene expression, which is regulated by both of these hormones.
Solutions of the equation of heat flow

The geometry of sunspots has been used to suggest a problem in heat flow. The equation of heat transport is solved for the case of a cylinder with a given thermal conductivity imbedded in an otherwise uniform medium with different conductivity. The surface of this region radiates heat with flux proportional to temperature. At a lower surface, either in heat flux or temperature is held constant. The cylinder can have an anisotropic thermal conductivity. The variations in temperature along the radiating surface have been determined. A simple approximation is noted which has been found to give a general solution with acceptable accuracy. This method may be of some use in other situations requiring the solution of Laplace's equation with a free surface. The analysis is used to set limits on the ratio of diameter to depth for cases which preserve the sharp surface temperature transition across the cylinder.
Verification of Web services using an enhanced UDDI server

The UDDI (Universal Description Discovery and Integration) provides classification to find the distributed Web services (WS) by keyword matching. The UDDI version 3 allows searching WS using digital signatures. However, it still needs systematic verification to ensure WS quality in a timely fashion. This paper proposes adding verification mechanism to the UDDI servers including check-in and checkout of WS. The key idea is that test scripts should be attached to WS, and both WS providers and clients use these test scripts. Before accepting a new WS into the service directory. The associated test scripts must test the new WS, and they will be accepted only if the test was successful. Before using a specific WS, a client can use the appropriate test scripts to test the WS and it will be used only if the test was successful. While the code for WS may not be available, but the associated test scripts test script specification techniques and distributed test execution techniques to perform testing with a UDDI server.
Grammatical inference using higher order recurrent neural networks

As a step towards proving theorems on the capabilities of a connectionist cognitive model, a higher order recurrent network's capabilities and limitations in learning to perform grammatical inference on regular languages is evaluated. It is seen that the recurrent neural network can learn to recognize an unknown regular grammar, and the finite state automata (FSA) corresponding to the learned grammar is extractable from the state space of the network. The proposed network can also recognize strings much longer than it was trained on. A straightforward method for incorporating partial knowledge of a deterministic FSA in the recurrent network was implemented, to see its effect on the convergence time. Simulation results show a substantial improvement in the rate of convergence of the network.
Combustion of multiphase reactants for the synthesis of nanocomposite materials

Controlling nanocomposite composition and morphology is a vital step toward designing new and advanced materials. The current work presents the results of an experimental investigation of the use of mixed-phase reactants for the synthesis of nanocomposite materials. Gas-phase tetramethyltin was used as a precursor for tin dioxide (SnO2). Metal additives were introduced to the SnO2 synthesis system using solid-phase metal acetates as the precursors. The physical and chemical properties of the metal acetate reactants, the combustion environment and the nanocomposite materials were characterized in order to clarify the reaction processes important during synthesis of nanocomposite materials from these categories of mixed-phase reactants. X-ray diffractometry was used to determine composition and the crystalline structure of reactant and product materials. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine particle morphology of reactant and product materials, and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy was used for elemental speciation. The results indicate the metal acetates are an excellent source of metal and metal oxide additives in a flame reactor. The metal acetates rapidly decompose and experience considerable restructuring, leading to metal additives with a range of microstructures in the SnO2 nanocomposites: from metal encapsulation in SnO2 to mixed aggregates.
Opinion Formation in a Crisis Situation

The loyalty oath controversy at the Univerous experience and attitudes were in large part sity of California presented an exceptional determinative of student reaction, with the opportunity to study the process of opinion press and University community serving prinformation. The author here reports on a surcipally to activate and reinforce them. vey of student opinion, taken when the conS. M. Lipset is Assistant Professor of Socitroversy was at its height. He found that previology at Columbia University.