cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Approaches to reducing both imprisonment and crime

The excellent and broad-ranging article by Durlauf and Nagin (2011, this issue) represents a wise policy document that builds on their excellent previous article (Durlauf and Nagin, in press), which provided a strong analysis of the issue of factors contributing to deterrence of offending. In this review, I build on what I see as the strongest points of their article, particularly their contrast of the relative importance of certainty and severity and their highlighting of certainty over severity. That observation, which many would have difficulty challenging today as the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, strongly argues for reduction of severity as reflected in the sentences imposed on convicted offenders. In exchange, it argues for using the resources thereby made available for increasing the certainty of punishment to strengthen the deterrent effect. Their primary emphasis is on providing resources to policing as a means of increasing certainty of arrest. This is certainly one important approach to using the deterrent sanction more effectively. But it also opens the door to using those resources in other ways that could contribute to less crime, thereby achieving their fundamental goal of less imprisonment (shorter sentences) and less crime: increasing certainty or pursuing other actions enabled by those resources to reduce crime. In this essay, I would like to pick up on Durlauf and Nagin’s (2011) basic objectives and discuss other approaches that should be considered as part of the policy agenda. It may well be that more and stronger policing is the best way to use those resources, but that case is far less clear than the desirability of reducing severity. Then, there should be examination in a broader systems context of the costs and benefits of a variety of other means of generating less crime.
Less reliable water availability in the 21st century climate projections

Abstract The temporal variability of river and soil water affects society at time scales ranging from hourly to decadal. The available water (AW), i.e., precipitation minus evapotranspiration, represents the total water available for runoff, soil water storage change, and ground water recharge. The reliability of AW is defined as the annual range of AW between local wet and dry seasons. A smaller annual range represents greater reliability and a larger range denotes less reliability. Here we assess the reliability of AW in the 21st century climate projections by 20 climate models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The multimodel consensus suggests less reliable AW in the 21st century than in the 20th century with generally decreasing AW in local dry seasons and increasing AW in local wet seasons. In addition to the canonical perspective from climate models that wet regions will get wetter, this study suggests greater dryness during dry seasons even in regions where the mean climate becomes wetter. Lower emission scenarios show significant advantages in terms of minimizing impacts on AW but do not eliminate these impacts altogether. Summary Modeling of future water availability predicts that wet regions become wetter and dry regions become drier, leading to an increasing likelihood of seasonal droughts and floods in regions where such vulnerability is already high.
Potentially lethal damage repair in human cells

Summary Potentially lethal damage repair (PLDR) in human cells was investigated by delayed plating experiments with three malignant tumor cell lines (breast, colon and neuroblastoma) and two normal diploid lines (lung fibroblasts) in exponential and plateau phases. All cell lines demonstrated PLDR which was considerably higher for all the cell lines in plateau phase compared to log phase. At survival levels of 0.01, the two fibroblast lines had recovery ratios of 3.8 and 4.0 for 6 h delayed plating in plateau phase. The malignant lines showed recovery ratios of 5.7 (neuroblastoma), 3.2 (breast carcinoma) and 2.4 (colon carcinoma). The data were fitted to the linear quadratic equation and in addition, a repair factor was developed to compare survival for immediate and delayed plating: S(D) =exp[− γ(αD+βD 2 )] where γ =1 for immediate plating. Previously published data on human tumor and normal lines were also fitted to this equation. In all instances the three parameter equation ( α, β, γ ) allowed a good fit of the survival data for immediate and delayed plating. By using the same α, β for the zero hour and 6 h survival curves, the γ factor allows a much more useful method of comparing PLDR among different cell lines. The γ factor for the two lung fibroblast lines were 0.70 and 0.71 while skin fibroblasts also had a 0.71 factor. The six malignant lines ranged from 0.62 to 0.93 with all but the neuroblastoma line having a higher factor (and therefore decreased PLDR capacity) than the normal lines. No correlation between PLDR and in vitro radiosensitivity or clinical radiosensitivity of the tumor type was found.
Business process reengineering and improvement: a comparison of US and Japanese firms

The purpose of the research was to examine the part a creative environment plays in creating the foundation for BPR efforts. A comparison between creative environments in US and Japanese companies was used to address the research question. The creative environment of each company was examined by looking at four categories of factors—people, process, output, and environment. These categories were used to organize and systematically analyze the data. In general, the researcher found that Japanese companies tend to adopt incremental business process improvement (BPI) rather than BPR. BPI is a way of life. Emphasis is placed on the ‘group’ rather than the individual. Since the group is emphasized, individual innovation and creativity is not generally nurtured by management. However, some Japanese companies are beginning to see the value of individual creativity. They are starting creativity training programmes for key employees. Nevertheless, it will take some time before a paradigm of individuality is generally accepted. Since US companies want to change quickly and radically to become more competitive, many are experimenting with BPR. However, a critical success factor of BPR is teamwork and cooperation. Although US companies have historically been very individualistic, teaming and nurturing is beginning to make its way into the culture of many organizations. Successful BPR hinges on changing to an environment conducive to change. Organizations that understand the importance of a change-oriented environment will have the best chance of success. It appears that US and Japanese companies are converging on similar paradigms of work. US companies are moving from ‘‘rugged’’ individualism to cooperation and teamwork. Japanese companies are moving from a group consensus paradigm to one that encourages individual creativity. Although US companies have a long way to go, it might be more difficult for Japanese companies. The culture in Japan is much more homogeneous. In addition, free flow of ideas has not been a part of the Japanese culture. Whether or not companies in the US embrace teamwork and individual creativity, the basic culture of the US has always been democratic and has encouraged free speech.Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Cornwallis Emmanuel Ltd.
PPARγ: A Critical Determinant of Body Fat Distribution in Humans and Mice

Evidence emerging from studies of humans and mice has indicated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) to be not only a key factor for adipogenesis but also a critical determinant of body fat distribution. Whereas genetically reduced PPARgamma activity in adipose tissue leads to reduction of total fat mass in humans and in mice, mutations in the ligand-binding domain of PPARgamma cause abnormal body fat distributions. It is less clear from mutation analysis how PPARgamma is involved in metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance and its cardiovascular complications. Nevertheless, similarities and differences in the phenotypes associated with PPARgamma mutations in humans and in mouse models provide opportunities to dissect relationships between body fat distribution and its metabolic complications.
The effect of second-half reinforcer type on responding for sucrose in the first half of the session.

The present study investigated whether the sucrose-reinforced lever pressing of rats in the first half of a 50-min session would be sensitive to upcoming food-pellet reinforcement in the second half. In Experiment 1, the type of reinforcer in the first half of the session was always liquid sucrose and type of reinforcer in the second half (liquid sucrose or food pellets) varied across conditions. Sucrose concentration varied across groups (1, 5, or 25%). Results showed that rates and patterns of responding for 1%, and sometimes for 5%, sucrose reinforcers in the first half of the session were higher and steeper, respectively, when food-pellet, rather than sucrose, reinforcement occurred in the second half. Responding for 25% sucrose was not similarly affected. Experiment 2 replicated the results of Experiment 1 using a within-subjects design. Although the present results represent induction (i.e. the opposite of contrast), they are consistent with some results on consummatory contrast. They also further demonstrate that responding on interval schedules of reinforcement can be altered prospectively. By doing so, however, they pose potential problems for current theories for why operant response rates change within the session.
Haloperidol produces within-session increments in operant response duration in rats

Abstract On the basis of previously reported observations that haloperidol induces within-session decrements in operant response rate in rats, it was suspected that other measures of operant behavior may also display within-session changes after treatement with this neuroleptic. Accordingly, haloperidol (0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16 mg/kg) was administered to six rats trained on a fixed-ratio 20 schedule of liquid food reinforcement, and response duration was recorded as a measure of drug effects independent of response rate. Significant within-session decrements in response rate and increments in response duration were observed as responding ensued. At the 0.08 mg/kg dose, 300% increases in response duration were seen during the last third of the responses made in a session. The progressive slowing of individual motor acts were interpreted as neuroleptic-induced Parkinsonism in the rat, and within-session decrements in response rate were likewise seen as a manifestation of the same pharmacological effects that increased response duration.
Spatially variable coevolution between a haemosporidian parasite and the MHC of a widely distributed passerine.

The environment shapes host–parasite interactions, but how environmental variation affects the diversity and composition of parasite-defense genes of hosts is unresolved. In vertebrates, the highly variable major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene family plays an essential role in the adaptive immune system by recognizing pathogen infection and initiating the cellular immune response. Investigating MHC-parasite associations across heterogeneous landscapes may elucidate the role of spatially fluctuating selection in the maintenance of high levels of genetic variation at the MHC. We studied patterns of association between an avian haemosporidian blood parasite and the MHC of rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) that inhabit environments with widely varying haemosporidian infection prevalence in the Peruvian Andes. MHC diversity peaked in populations with high infection prevalence, although intra-individual MHC diversity was not associated with infection status. MHC nucleotide and protein sequences associated with infection absence tended to be rare, consistent with negative frequency-dependent selection. We found an MHC variant associated with a ~26% decrease in infection probability at middle elevations (1501–3100 m) where prevalence was highest. Several other variants were associated with a significant increase in infection probability in low haemosporidian prevalence environments, which can be interpreted as susceptibility or quantitative resistance. Our study highlights important challenges in understanding MHC evolution in natural systems, but may point to a role of negative frequency-dependent selection and fluctuating spatial selection in the evolution of Z. capensis MHC.
What linguistic units do Chinese characters represent

Using the Internet and spreadsheet software, it is now easy to compare word and character counts for modern and literary Chinese based on very large corpora. It turns out that word counts comply with Zipf’s Law whereas character counts do not. This constitutes novel statistical evidence against the persistent claim that Chinese characters are logograms. It thus casts doubt on the practice of categorizing the elements of various writing systems as ‘phonograms’ or ‘logograms’ without regard to context, and a fortiori characterizing entire writing systems as ‘phonographic’ or ‘logographic’. Keywords: Chinese; word; character; morpheme; syllable; phonogram; logogram; Zipf’s Law; corpus
General computer education

Prof. Atchison opened the session with a brief report on the World Conference on Computer Education, held the previous week.
Effects of predictor intercorrelations and reliabilities on moderated multiple regression

Abstract Results of Monte Carlo simulation suggest that detection of moderator effects in moderated multiple regression is hampered by poor reliability in either the independent variable, x, or the moderator variable, w. This finding was anticipated from the fact that reliability of a product term, xw, is determined in part by the product of the reliabilities of its constituents. An interesting finding was that the probability of detection of a product (interaction) term increases as the correlation between x and w increases; it is known that the reliability of a product term increases similarly. An unexpected finding was the inflated probabilities of Type I errors that occurred for direct effects of x or w when they were not directly related to the criterion in the underlying model. Detection of spurious direct effects was exacerbated by increased correlation between x and w. It is clear that moderated multiple regression is adversely affected by measurement error, but that the impact is complex. It is apparent that researchers in this area must strive to improve the reliabilities of predictor variables if they are to have a reasonable chance of discovering moderator effects.
Serum Insulin Levels Following Administration of Exogenous Insulin

Circulating levels of immunoreactive insulin were measured in healthy subjects and newly diagnosed diabetic patients after the injection of regular and NPH (isophane) insulin. The peak concentration of serum insulin was 26.2 ± 2.9 μU/ml 60 min following the administration of 10 U sc regular insulin. After injection of NPH insulin (10 to 50 U sc), peak serum insulin levels occurred between 2 and 9 hr and the level was significantly correlated with the injected dose. There was marked variation in the time of occurrence of the peak insulin level and its absolute concentration in individual subjects. The serum insulin patterns observed in this study contrast with the previously reported endogenous insulin patterns measured in healthy subjects during a 24 hr period (1), and indicate one reason for the difficulty in maintaining normal blood sugar concentrations in insulin-deficient diabetic patients.
SUSPICION AND SECRECY: POLITICAL ATTITUDES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO SUPPORT FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Public attitudes toward government transparency can affect freedom of information policies, laws and even, perhaps, court rulings. Relatively little research, however, has identified factors that explain and predict public support for open government, an essential element of democracy, journalism and freedom of information law and policy. This survey-based study examines how political psychographic factors, such as skepticism, cynicism, apathy, complacency, liberalism and external efficacy relate to support for government transparency in principle. Results from a random-digit-dial telephone survey of Washington state residents (N = 416) indicate that skepticism, cynicism and political liberal values predict support for government transparency. Implications discussed include the importance of cynicism and skepticism in political decision-making, as well as the role of critical thinking and the questioning of authority in the development of freedom of information law and policy.
Tracer diffusion in thin polystyrene films

Abstract In order to determine how confinement of a polymer melt alters segmental scale mobility, we used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to measure tracer diffusion coefficients, D , of a low molecular weight fluorescent probe in supported polystyrene (PS) thin films. The effect of film thickness was investigated for a polydisperse polymer over the range ≃10 2 –10 4 A at conditions above the bulk glass transition temperature, T g . For relatively thick films (thicknesses ≃1 μm), the D agree with bulk values reported in the literature. As the film thickness decreases below ≃10 3 A, the D increase significantly, by as much as two orders of magnitude. At the same time the temperature dependence of D becomes much weaker. Analysis by free volume theory shows the data are consistent with both the effective T g and liquid state thermal expansion coefficient, α , decreasing with film thickness. This agrees qualitatively with a number of recent thermal property studies on thin PS films which suggest that changes in local packing near the free surface significantly enhance the average segmental scale mobility in sufficiently thin films.
Biochemical and biophysical characterization of recombinant rat apolipoprotein E: similarities to human apolipoprotein E3.

Abstract Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is an anti-atherogenic protein that plays a critical role in maintaining plasma cholesterol and triglyceride homeostasis by virtue of its ability to act as a ligand for the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) family of proteins. In this study, we characterized the biochemical and biophysical features of recombinant rat apoE, in comparison with those of human apoE3. Rat apoE was overexpressed in Escherichia coli using a codon optimized system and purified by affinity chromatography. SDS–PAGE and RP-HPLC of rat apoE confirmed the purity, while immunoblot verified the identity and cross-reactivity with the LDLr-binding region of apoE3. The α-helical content was calculated to be ∼45% by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The protein exists in a predominantly tetrameric form in lipid-free state. Chemical denaturation studies reveal that the unfolding pattern is biphasic with mid points of denaturation corresponding to 0.8 and 2.2 M guanidine hydrochloride, suggesting the presence of two domains. Rat apoE converts DMPC vesicles to smaller DMPC/apoE complexes with a first order rate constant of 0.12 min −1 . It has the ability to bind the LDLr and to heparin. Our studies Findicate that although its sequence resembles apoE4, an isoform of apoE3, rat apoE displays the biophysical behavior of apoE3.
Cardiac Imaging in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Unknowns and Issues Related to Diagnosis

Many adults with simple and complex congenital heart disease (CHD) survive to adulthood. The goal of imaging is to diagnose the underlying anomalies and to detect late complications of their CHD and past surgical repair, in order to assess the need for further intervention and better prepare for endovascular or open-heart surgery. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) are increasingly utilized in this patient population, due to the technical advances made to these modalities in the past decade regarding image acquisition and reconstruction, spatial and temporal resolution, and radiation dose reduction. Here, we aim to review the role of cardiac MR in initial diagnosis, pre-treatment planning and post-surgical follow-up of adults with CHD, and to discuss the ancillary role of cardiac CT in these patients.
Assessment of Cellularity and Genomic DNA Yields from Thyroid FNA Samples

s S9 soon fluid specimens. 100% routinely do IHC to distinguish AC from MM. 57% do additional IHC or FISH for p16 to help distinguish benign from malignant mesothelial proliferations. Those who do not definitively diagnose MM in fluid specimens note inability to identify invasion and overlap with reactive mesothelial proliferation as factors supporting this opinion. A suspicious or atypical diagnosis with concern for MM is followed by an open biopsy confirmation in 76% of labs; only 5% obtain repeat cytologic specimens. When asked if clinicians will treat based solely on a cytologic (fluid/FNA) diagnosis of MM, 63% replied in the affirmative. Conclusions: A primary diagnosis of MM in fluid specimens is highly accurate when made in the context of clinical data, radiologic findings, and ancillary studies and does not necessarily need histologic confirmation to initiate treatment.
High frequency guided wave natural focusing pipe inspection with frequency and angle tuning

When ultrasonic guided wave nondestructive evaluation is used to inspect pipelines, partial loading of transducers around the circumference leads to a non-axisymmetric energy distribution. At particular axial distances and frequencies, the ultrasonic energy is naturally focused at some spots via constructive wave interference. This so-called "natural focusing " phenomenon can be used to improve guided wave sensitivity for a defect by impinging more energy onto it. However, defects located in other places can be missed, unless we can move the natural focusing points throughout the pipe. We have done this by frequency and circumferential angle tuning for specific circumferential loading lengths. In order to utilize the natural focusing phenomenon to enhance detection sensitivity, a frequency and angle tuning (FAT) technique is employed to extend the area that can be scanned by focal energy. It is observed that the natural focal points at a fixed axial distance move with frequency variation and circumferential excitation length change. In this paper, the natural focusing phenomenon with FAT is theoretically calculated and experimentally investigated. The results show that the natural focusing inspection technique can sufficiently inspect an entire pipe with FAT.
A Mechanism of l‐Canaline Toxicity

L-Canaline, a highly toxic structural analogue of L-ornithine, reacted with pyridoxal phosphate to form a stable, ninhydrin-positive complex. NMR analysis revealed the involvement of a Schiff's base in complex formation. Interaction of L-canaline with L-tyrosine decarboxylase, a known B6-containing enzyme, curtailed significantly enzyme-mediated decarboxylation. Spectral scans provided evidence that the loss in catalytic activity is associated with the reaction of canaline with the pyridoxal phosphate moiety of the enzyme. Thus, the marked antimetabolic properties of canaline are due in part of its ability to form a Schiff's-base-containing complex with the B6 moiety of the enzyme.
A new gauge theory for W-type algebras☆

Abstract The rigid conformal and rigid W3-type symmetries of the action for scalar fields in d=2 dimensions are promoted to local gauge invariances of both chiralities. The complete action and transformation rules are given; both are infinitely nonlinear.
ATP Synthase: Motoring to the Finish Line

Protonmotive force produced by the electron transport chain is harnessed by the rotary molecular nanomotor ATP synthase to generate ATP. In this issue of Cell, Adachi et al. (2007), in a dazzling display of technical sophistication, now disentangle the coupling between the mechanical force generated by rotation of the ATP synthase subunits and the chemical reactions that occur simultaneously at the enzyme's three catalytic sites.
Aggression between weanling Peromyscus and Microtus

Abstract Microtus pennsylvanicus were attacked by weanling Peromyscus of all three species tested: P. leucopus noveboracensis, P. maniculatus bairdii, and P. polionotus (colemani). However, defensive behaviours were more frequent than aggressive behaviours. Of the three species of Peremyscus tested, P. m. bairdii are most likely to meet Microtus in the field and displayed more agonistic behaviours in the laboratory. Female Peromyscus of all species tested were as likely to engage in all agonistic behaviours as were males. Inter-generic aggression developed before intra-generic aggression.
Children's Use of Mnemonic Strategies: Variability in Response to Metamemory Training

In this study, 8- to 12-year-old children were tested to determine their level of use of a strategy for organizing lists of low-associated words into semantic groups. Then, on the basis of their scores in the strategy tests, the children were placed in either a strategic or nonstrategic group. The groups were divided into a sort-instruction training condition, in which they were told to group words so that they "go together" in some way, and a metamemory training condition, in which these instructions were supplemented by feedback, strategy reminders, and opportunities to self-test. One week later, each child's strategy use was reassessed. Children in the strategic group sorted semantically throughout training and transfer, and they showed high recall, regardless of condition. Children in the nonstrategic group showed high strategy use and recall during training, but they showed significantly more variability in recall than did the children in the strategic group. Children in the nonstrategic-metamemory condition who benefited from training were also more likely to transfer the use of the strategy than were children trained in the sort-instruction condition.
High-resolution continental water storage recovery from low low satellite-to-satellite tracking

Abstract The low–low satellite-to-satellite (SST) tracking mission, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), has the primary science objective of measuring climate-sensitive signals generated by mass redistributions on Earth at spatial scales greater than several hundred km and temporal scales longer than 30 days. Its science data products include 30-day time-series of geopotential models in spherical harmonic coefficients, and the changes in the geopotentials represent observations of the time-variation of the Earth's gravity field. In this contemporary technique, the spectral components representing signals are limited up to a certain degree and order, while the ill-determined higher frequency signals are usually filtered. In this study, we use an alternative method to compute the in situ disturbing potential observations at satellite altitude assuming energy conservation and to determine continental water mass variations with an objective to enhance regional spatial resolution of the signals. In a simulation study using GRACE observable, NCEP daily mean terrestrial water storage data, and realistic atmosphere and ocean tide modeling errors and temporal aliasing, we estimated monthly mean water storage variations for 1 year over South America using both this method and the contemporary global analysis method. We conclude that our method provides more accurate estimates for regional hydrology and with higher spatial resolutions than the contemporary Stokes’ approach using global spherical harmonics.
Models for poloidal divertors

Recent progress in models for poloidal divertors has both helped to explain current divertor experiments and contributed significantly to design efforts for future large tokamak (INTOR, etc.) divertor systems. These models range in sophistication from zero-dimensional treatments and dimensional analysis to two-dimensional models for plasma and neutral particle transport which include a wide variety of atomic and molecular processes as well as detailed treatments of the plasma-wall interaction. This paper presents a brief review of some of these models, describing the physics and approximations involved in each model. We discuss the wide variety of physics necessary for a comprehensive description of poloidal divertors. To illustrate the progress in models for poloidal divertors, we discuss some of our recent work as typical examples of the kinds of calculations being done.
Improving mail response rates with express mail

The purpose of this article is to report the results of a field experiment in which the response rate effects of using express delivery service for mailed questionnaires were examined. It is generally understood that when a higher postage rate is paid for mailing the questionnaire, for return mail, or for both, the response is significantly higher [l, 21 than when bulk rate postage is used, although some contradictory results have been obtained [3]. Two reasons exist for revisiting the issue of responserate differentials. First, past research has dealt with questionnaires mailed to consumer respondents; response-rate differentials in industrial market research have not been examined. Second, express mail service has become popular since most of the studies on response rates were performed. Express mail offers the researcher a premium postage alternative. However, effects of express mail on response rates are unknown. The uniqueness of business respondents is crucial in certain research settings. When respondents are upper level executives, for example, their busy schedules and time priorities ensure low response rates to mailed questionnaires. In addition, the benefit structure of some busi-
A C++ framework for developing medical logic modules and an Arden Syntax compiler

When developing a clinical decision support system that uses knowledge expressed in Arden Syntax, the availability of a robust means of translating Arden Syntax into an executable module becomes critical. This paper describes an approach where Arden Syntax is translated into an intermediate pseudo-Arden language that is in turn compiled and linked to create the executable module. The pseudo-Arden language is defined in C++ using specialized class libraries and preprocessor macros. This approach provides an alternative means of developing the code generator for an Arden Syntax compiler.
Age Diversity in Hospitality—Making a Case for the Mature Employee

Abstract The changing demographics of the American population have forced businesses to reevaluate historical recruiting, hiring, and training practices. Mature adults are a viable option in staffing businesses. This is especially apparent in the manufacturing and service industries. The aging of America in concert with a shrinking birthrate has made seniors an attractive pool of potential job applicants. To be successful in the employment of mature adults it is necessary to understand the impact of this group on the American demographic profile. Selected strategies for training mature adults to transition back into the labor market are highlighted.
Efficient extraction and partial purification of the polyribosome-associated stem-loop binding protein bound to the 3' end of histone mRNA.

Replication-dependent histone mRNAs end in a highly conserved stem−loop sequence rather than a polyA sequence. A 45-kDa stem−loop binding protein (SLBP), which specifically binds the stem−loop of histone mRNA, is present in both polyribosomes and nuclei. An identical 45-kDa protein, as determined by partial protease digestion, is cross-linked to a 30 nt RNA containing the 3‘ stem−loop from both nuclei and polyribosomes. The SLBP can also be detected by a Northwestern blot procedure using the 30 nt RNA as a probe. As judged from the Northwestern assay, more than 90% of the SLBP in the cell is found in the polyribosomes with the remaining SLBP localized to the nucleus. Only 5−10% of the SLBP could be extracted from the polyribosomes with salt. Treatment of the polyribosomes with micrococcal nuclease prior to salt extraction solubilized 5−10 times more SLBP as an RNA−protein complex. The SLBP could be subsequently partially purified from this complex.
Portfolio use and practices in US colleges and schools of pharmacy.

Objectives. To identify the prevalence of portfolio use in US pharmacy programs, common components of portfolios, and advantages of and limitations to using portfolios. Methods. A cross-sectional electronic survey instrument was sent to experiential coordinators at US colleges and schools of pharmacy to collect data on portfolio content, methods, training and resource requirements, and benefits and challenges of portfolio use. Results. Most colleges and schools of pharmacy (61.8%) use portfolios in experiential courses and the majority (67.1%) formally assess them, but there is wide variation regarding content and assessment. The majority of respondents used student portfolios as a formative evaluation primarily in the experiential curriculum. Conclusions. Although most colleges and schools of pharmacy have a portfolio system in place, few are using them to fulfill accreditation requirements. Colleges and schools need to carefully examine the intended purpose of their portfolio system and follow-through with implementation and maintenance of a system that meets their goals.
Four spontaneous pregnancies and three live births following subcutaneous transplantation of frozen banked ovarian tissue: What is the explanation?

Objective To report the long-term follow-up of an experimental heterotopic ovarian transplantation with frozen-thawed ovarian tissue. Design Long-term follow-up of an experimental surgery; case report. Setting Academic reproductive medicine center. Patient(s) A 28-year-old cancer survivor with previous Hodgkin disease and relapse. Intervention(s) Laparoscopic oophorectomy for ovarian cryopreservation before preconditioning chemotherapy for hematologic stem cell transplantation. Ovarian tissue thawing and subcutaneous heterotopic ovarian transplantation in the lower abdominal wall 2½ years after the hematologic stem cell transplantation. Main Outcome Measure(s) Resumption of ovarian function after transplantation, recovery of fertility, and pregnancy outcome. Result(s) Follicle development was observed in the graft 2 months after transplantation, and a P value of 14 ng/mL indicated ovulation. The patient conceived spontaneously four times within 5 years and delivered three children. The in situ ovary remained atrophic but showed occasional follicle activity contemporaneously with the graft. Conclusion(s) The mechanism behind spontaneous restoration of fertility with consecutive viable pregnancies after a heterotopic ovarian transplantation needs to be explored. Further laboratory and clinical research will be needed to explore the true origin of pregnancies after ovarian transplantations.
Demonstration of Specific Binding of Prolactin by Porcine Corpora Lutea

Subcellular fractions from porcine corpora lutea of the reproductive cycle and pregnancy were shown to have specific binding sites for ovine prolactin (oPRL). Aside from oPRL, only ovine and bovine growth hormone preparations competed with [125I]iodo-oPRL for its binding site. These cross reactions were at a level consistent with the prolactin contamination of these preparations. Rat growth hormone, FSH, LH, TSH, insulin, and ACTH exhibited negligible cross-reactivity. Both corpora hemorrhagica and albicantia had lower specific binding of [125I]iodoPRL than did active corpora lutea of the reproductive cycle, while corpora lutea of pregnancy demonstrated a nearly 5-fold increase in specific binding compared with that of the cycle. Corpora lutea from animals with larger fetuses (greater gestational age) bound the most prolactin. Analysis of data from cold competition studies employing weighted non-linear least-square fitting to a three-parameter model, showed high-affinity binding of oPRL with an associatio...
Tissue welding with biodegradable polymer films-demonstration of acute strength reinforcement in vivo.

Background and Objectives To demonstrate, in vivo, acute strength reinforcement benefits of polymer film patches. Study Design/Materials and Methods Full thickness incisions created in a dorsal skin flap of Sprague–Dawley rats were closed by laser-tissue welding: albumin solder was topically applied to the incision on the dermal surface, and a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer film placed on the solder as a patch (controls had no film). Breaking strength was tested acutely (15–20 minutes after sacrifice). Results The patched incisions were statistically stronger than the controls (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Conclusions Polymer film patches may be a viable method to increase acute breaking strengths of welds using topically applied solder. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:339–342, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Response of pediatric malignant solid tumors following ifosfamide or ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide: a single hospital experience.

One hundred thirty-eight pediatric patients have received treatment for malignant solid tumors with ifosfamide with mesna, and 71 have received a combination with ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide (ICE). Responses were obtained in many types of pediatric tumors, yet comparison of responses was not possible because of inadequate numbers of tumors of differing histiotypes. Comparison of results between patients with all tumors treated with ifosfamide or ICE indicated that there was a higher response rate for patients treated with ICE, with an estimated odds ratio of 2.74 (95% C.I. 1.45-5.179). Excluding patients without prior chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the odds ratio for 2.801 (95% C.I. 1.45-5.4) suggests a similar result. There remain no guarantees that the more costly treatment with ICE, which requires cytokine support, will offer therapeutic benefits against resistant solid tumors.
A role for stereoscopic depth cues in the rapid visual stabilization of the eyes.

PRIMATES have visual tracking systems that help stabilize the eyes on the surroundings by responding to retinal image motion at ultra-short latencies1,2. However, as the observer moves through the environment, the image motion on the retina depends on the three-dimensional structure of the scene3,4. We report here that the very earliest of these tracking responses is elicited only by objects moving in the immediate vicinity of the plane of fixation: objects nearer or farther are ignored. This selectivity is achieved by means of a stereoscopic depth mechanism which uses the fact that the two eyes have differing viewpoints, so only objects in the plane of fixation have images that occupy corresponding positions on the two retinae. Such behaviour is readily explained by the known binocular properties of some motion-selective neurons in the visual cortex5. Some (stereoanomalous) subjects showed highly specific tracking deficits as though lacking one subtype of these neurons.
The role of oxide microstructure and growth stresses in the high-temperature scaling of nickel

The oxidation of nickel near 1000°C is accompanied by the generation of stresses parallel with the metal-oxide interface and of magnitude (~1500 psi) sufficient to elongate nickel rod, increase sheet area, and sharpen the angle of bend of ells and helices. A primary cause of this stress is identified with the formation of layers of new nickel oxide upon boundaries of columnar grains where nickel, diffusing through the oxide crystals, meets oxygen, diffusing along grain boundaries. Classical parabolic growth of the scale gives way to a slower quasilinear rate when the major site of new oxide formation is abruptly shifted to a system of grain boundaries lying close to the metal surface and created by recrystallization of the oxide under the influence of stress and high temperature. Another source of stress in the scale arises from the constantly changing area of the metal-oxide interface when oxidation is occurring upon curved metal surfaces. This stress reinforces that generated by deposition of material at oxide grain boundaries when the surface is convex and opposes it when the surface is concave.
Single-mode optical waveguides.

An efficient and powerful technique has been developed to treat the problem of wave propagation along arbitrarily shaped single-mode dielectric waveguides with inhomogeneous index variations in the cross-sectional plane. This technique is based on a modified finite-element method. Illustrative examples were given for the following guides: (a) the triangular fiber guide; (b) the elliptical fiber guide; (c) the single material fiber guide; (d) the rectangular fiber guide; (e) the embossed integrated optics guide; (f) the diffused channel guide; (g) the optical stripline guide.
A variational algorithm for electrical impedance tomography

The problem of computing the coefficient function p in the elliptic differential equation , , , over a bounded region , from a knowledge of the Dirichlet-Neumann map for this equation, is of interest in electrical impedance tomography. A new approach to the computation of p involving the minimization of an associated functional is presented. The algorithm is simple to implement and robust in the presence of noise in the Dirichlet-Neumann data.
Apical Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia after inhaled pentamidine prophylaxis.

Pneumocystis carinll pneumonia is the most common pulmonary infection among patients with AIDS [1]. The antiprotozoal agent pentamidine is an effective IV treatment for this infection, but has significant side effects [2]. Inhalation of aerosolized pentamidine recently has been shown to be effective and less toxic, and this route is now being used to administer reduced doses for prophylaxis [3, 4]. We report a case of bilateral apical P. carinll pneumonia developing in an AIDS patient receiving aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis.
Regarding inherent preferences

Abstract Commentators offer different perspectives on and reactions to the target article's [Simonson, I. (2008). Will I like a “medium” pillow: Another look at constructed and inherent preferences. Journal of Consumer Psychology ] reassessment of research and findings used to support the conclusion that preferences are inherently constructive and of the inherent preference concept. Focusing on the latter, this reply elaborates on and develops the notion of inherent preferences. Even before tasting a licorice candy or chili peppers for the first time, trying out the Nintendo Wii, and so on, the degree of dis/like for such objects is assumed to be largely determined, though such dispositions might be masked by context and other forces of construction. Dormant inherent preferences are not un/conscious and are not implicit or explicit, stored attitudes. They are likely to evolve while still dormant, due to changes in preference components that determine the overall disposition to like the composite object. I conclude with a discussion of the falsifiability and the study of inherent preferences.
Development of a carbohydrate-supplemented semidefined medium for the semiselective cultivation of Lactobacillus spp.

The macronutrient and micronutrient compositions of traditional media used to cultivate Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are largely undefined, which precludes their use in many metabolic bioassays. In order to address this deficiency, we developed MS: a carbohydrate-supplemented semidefined medium with low-background coloration. MS was designed to support the semiselective cultivation of a wide range of fastidious species belonging to the Lactobacillus clade of the LAB. When supplemented with 100 mM D-glucose, the MS medium stimulated the proliferation of 21 strains of LAB, including Pediococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. The MS medium supported biomass accumulation comparable with MRS, an undefined medium routinely used for the cultivation of lactobacilli. Interestingly, however, the novel MS medium exhibited greater semiselectivity against non-LAB than MRS. Together, these results suggest that MS is an acceptable alternative to MRS for use in metabolic and phenotypic bioassays that use a colorimetric reporter system or would benefit from a semidefined nutrient composition. Significance and Impact of the Study The objective of this study was to develop a MRS-like semidefined medium with improved background coloration and the carbon-source supplemental properties of M17 broth to support the semiselective proliferation of fastidious lactobacilli. The resultant medium, MS, supported biomass accumulation at levels comparable with MRS; however, the new MS medium exhibited greater semiselectivity against non-Lactic Acid Bacteria than MRS. Together, these results suggest that MS is an acceptable alternative to MRS for use in metabolic and phenotypic bioassays, especially for those that use a colorimetric reporter system or would benefit from a semidefined nutrient composition.
Listening to the voices: the experiences of African American female student athletes.

“Women of color …have historically been silenced in society and sport” (Smith, 1992, p. 228). This study examined the sport participation patterns of 12 African American female collegiate student athletes using qualitative methods. Data were collected at a large midwestern university during the 1998—99 academic year. An emergent theme was the effect of silencing by the media, athletic administrators, coaches, and other student athletes on the experiences of African American female student athletes. The findings are presented in the following order: the theoretical framework for the study, an introduction to silencing, an overview of the research analyses, a description of the research setting, and a presentation of the data surrounding the theme of silencing as told through the participants' voices. Following these sections is a discussion and suggestions for future research.
High-intensity lasers and controlled fusion

The use of high-intensity lasers to cause ignition in inertial confinement fusion is presented, with emphasis on current experimental programs and physical concepts that are at the forefront of the field. In particular, we highlight the issues of fast electron transport through dense materials, an essential element of the “Fast Ignitor” concept.
Original Contribution: Averaged neural networks

Cohen and Grossberg studied an almost gradient system of ordinary differential equations with application to neural networks and used a Liapunov function, together with an invariance principle, to show that some equilibrium points attract solutions. Independently, Hopfield modeled a neural network by means of a system of ordinary differential equations which turn out to be a special case of the Cohen-Grossberg system, as pointed out by Cohen. In the Hopfield model it is clear that the functions involved in the equations are averages and that current will flow through a synapse only if a certain threshold is reached; however, none of the models take into account an averaging technique. Investigators have been interested in sustained oscillations in neural networks and have produced them in computer simulations when there is a pointwise delay. The linearized systems with a delay have also exhibited sustained oscillations. But our conjecture is that oscillations are not caused by a delay. This paper is intended to put substance to that conjecture by examining models with both pointwise and distributed delays. None of the models have solutions with sustained oscillations.