cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing overdispersion and dose-response in the male dominant lethal assay.

In dominant lethal studies the primary variables of interest are typically expressed as discrete counts or proportions (e.g., live implants, resorptions, percent pregnant). Simple statistical sampling models for discrete data such as binomial or Poisson generally do not fit this type of data because of extra-binomial or extra-Poisson departures from variability predicted under these simple models. Extra-variability in the fetal response may originate from parental contributions. These can lead to over- or under-dispersion seen as, e.g., extra-binomial variability in the proportion response. Utilizing a large control database, we investigated the relative impact of extra-variability from male or female contributions on the endpoints of interest. Male-related effects did not seem to contribute to overdispersion in our database; female-related effects were, however, evidenced. Various statistical methods were considered to test for significant treatment differences under these forms of sampling variability. Computer simulations were used to evaluate these methods and to determine which are most appropriate for practical use in the evaluation of dominant lethal data. Our results suggest that distribution-free statistical methods such as a nonparametric permutation test or rank-based tests for trend can be recommended for use.
Phase Imaging in the Near Field

Abstract The near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) circumvents diffraction limited resolution imposed on ordinary optical microscopes. We present a novel technique for obtaining simultaneous intensity, topography, and phase images having a lateral resolution of a few tens of nanometers for sample specimens ranging in thickness from a few nanometers to more than one micron. The most recent system utilizes a rotating mirror integrated with an environmentally stabilized, hybrid (part optical fiber, part air path) Mach-Zehnder interferometer for applications involving waveguide analysis, photoresist mask characterization, and biological imaging. Instrument specifications (software, hardware, and optical train) together with images obtained to date are presented.
Saccharomyces Ku70, Mre11/Rad50, and RPA Proteins Regulate Adaptation to G2/M Arrest after DNA Damage

Saccharomyces cells suffering a single unrepairable double-strand break (DSB) exhibit a long, but transient arrest at G2/M. hdf1 cells, lacking Ku70p, fail to escape from this RAD9/RAD17-dependent checkpoint. The effect of hdf1 results from its accelerated 5' to 3' degradation of the broken chromosome. Permanent arrest in hdf1 cells is suppressed by rad50 or mre11 deletions that retard this degradation. Wild-type HDF1 cells also become permanently arrested when they experience two unrepairable DSBs. Both DSB-induced arrest conditions are suppressed by a mutation in the single-strand binding protein, RPA. We suggest that escape from the DNA damage-induced G2/M checkpoint depends on the extent of ssDNA created at broken chromosome ends. RPA appears to play a key intermediate step in this adaptation.
Syndromes of genetic juvenile retinal detachment

Childhood retinal detachment while not common is usually severe, more often accompanied by severe myopia and more often hereditary and syndromal in nature than is retinal detachment which occurs in the middle aged to elderly individual. — 6 of these syndromes, are presented and their clinical features described.
Robbery and Assault of Bus Drivers

Robbery and assault of bus drivers in the United States increased by a factor of five between 1963 and 1968. A detailed study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate potential methods and techniques of reducing the incidence of this crime. This paper discusses the criteria used and the analysis of three of the countermeasures: exact fare, alarms, and photography.
Toward a 21st Century Social Contract

This article makes the case for a new contract between business and government that will help us address the critical challenge of our time: the globalization of commerce, and its disruptive effects on labor, local communities, and the environment. The authors begin by showing how globalization has created a new playing field for government and business in which our current governance models and a social contract that proved remarkably effective during the 20th century can no longer ensure economic stability and social progress. While the private sector has for the most part demonstrated its ability to adapt and flourish in a global economy, governments have struggled, thanks in large part to complex decision-making processes and centralized bureaucracies that were created in response to 20th-century realities. The result has been ever more indebted nations and governments that have been unable to maintain the core foundation and social investments on which their economic competitiveness and the social well-being of their citizens depend. Our challenge now is to create a new social contract between business and government that is equal to the challenges of a global economy. The authors identify a number of key issues that must be addressed in creating this new framework, and explore recent and emerging business leadership initiatives that are working to address them. These range from initiatives that encourage greater self-regulation by business of its impact on society and the environment to those that explore ways for the private sector to help governments deliver services more cost effectively. As part of the fallout from the recent financial crisis, business, broadly speaking, no longer enjoys the level of public trust it once did, which has added significantly to the challenges it now faces in taking on greater social responsibility. To direct its considerable resources to the greater public good while continuing to produce a competitive return to shareholders will require a degree of innovation and leadership that many companies will find difficult. But without this increased participation of business and its leaders, it is hard to see how we will prosper in the increasingly uncertain future we now face.
Investigating Antibacterial Effects of Garlic (Allium sativum) Concentrate and Garlic-Derived Organosulfur Compounds on Campylobacter jejuni by Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, and Electron Microscopy

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to study the cell injury and inactivation of Campylobacter jejuni from exposure to antioxidants from garlic. C. jejuni was treated with various concentrations of garlic concentrate and garlic-derived organosulfur compounds in growth media and saline at 4, 22, and 35°C. The antimicrobial activities of the diallyl sulfides increased with the number of sulfur atoms (diallyl sulfide < diallyl disulfide < diallyl trisulfide). FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed that organosulfur compounds are responsible for the substantial antimicrobial activity of garlic, much greater than those of garlic phenolic compounds, as indicated by changes in the spectral features of proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides in the bacterial cell membranes. Confocal Raman microscopy (532-nm-gold-particle substrate) and Raman mapping of a single bacterium confirmed the intracellular uptake of sulfur and phenolic components. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to verify cell damage. Principal-component analysis (PCA), discriminant function analysis (DFA), and soft independent modeling of class analogs (SIMCA) were performed, and results were cross validated to differentiate bacteria based upon the degree of cell injury. Partial least-squares regression (PLSR) was employed to quantify and predict actual numbers of healthy and injured bacterial cells remaining following treatment. PLSR-based loading plots were investigated to further verify the changes in the cell membrane of C. jejuni treated with organosulfur compounds. We demonstrated that bacterial injury and inactivation could be accurately investigated by complementary infrared and Raman spectroscopies using a chemical-based, “whole-organism fingerprint” with the aid of chemometrics and electron microscopy.
Carcinoma in a bladder diverticulum: presentation and treatment outcome.

ABSTRACTPurpose: In this retrospective review we characterize the outcomes of patients treated for transitional cell carcinoma in a bladder diverticulum.Materials and Methods: Between 1986 and 2001, 39 patients were treated for tumors in a bladder diverticulum. All patients underwent initial transurethral resection of the tumor. Based on cystoscopic evaluation, bimanual examination and computerized tomography findings, tumors were classified as superficial (Ta, Tis), superficially invasive confined to diverticulum (T1) or extra diverticular (T3+). Patients with superficial or superficially invasive disease were treated either conservatively with repeat transurethral resection, or with partial or radical cystectomy. Patients with extra diverticular extension were treated with partial or radical cystectomy when amenable to surgical extirpation. Predictors of outcome were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. End point was overall and disease-specific survival.Results: Of our cohort of 39 patient...
The electronic structure of transition-metal carbonyl complexes of norbornadiene and mesitylene

Abstract The photoelectron spectra of several transition-metal carbonyl complexes of norbornadiene and mesitylene have been measured. The data for the norbordiene complexes have been compared with those reported previously for norbornadieneiron tricarbonyl. The shifts in energies of the π orbitals of the ligands introduced by the metal carbonyl moieties are remarkably insensitive to the choice o0f transition metal or geometry of the complex. However, the characters of the metal d-orbital ionization bands are markedly affected by the choice of ligand.
The significance of William James' ideas for modern psychotherapy

The functional psychology first developed by William James in 1890 exerts a strong but unrecognized influence on the thinking of most modern psychotherapists. Indeed, in many ways, clinical functionalism is the hidden philosophy which holds together the mainstream of eclectic psychotherapy. This article considers the general impact of James' point of view on modern psychotherapy and the specific relevance of James' ideas about emotions and consciousness.
The effects of oxalates produced by Salsola tragus on the phosphorus nutrition of Stipa pulchra.

Oxalic acid is produced by some species of plants and mycorrhizal fungi and it may solubilize unavailable soil phosphorus (P) bound by cations (Ca++, Al++, Fe+++). Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to show whether oxalate produced by the annual Salsola tragus or added oxalic acid would solubilize P from the inorganic-bound soil P pool, making it available for uptake by Stipa pulchra. Oxalate could be leached in the laboratory from the senescent canopy of Salsola, and leaching by rainfall was hypothesized to be a source of potential increased soil P under the Salsola canopy. Both oxalate leached from the canopy of Salsola and added oxalic acid increased the availability of soil P in greenhouse experiments. The source of the increase in available soil P in the greenhouse experiment was shown to be the inorganic-bound P pool, as the total P concentration of the soil decreased with increasing oxalate. There were significant increases in Stipa shoot P in response to Salsola leachates and in response to added oxalate in the greenhouse studies. These results suggest an important role for oxalate in P cycling. On disturbed sites where Salsola invades it may act to facilitate the establishment of later seral species like Stipa by creating a nutrient island of available P.
Topography and phase imaging using the torsional resonance mode

The torsional resonance mode (TR mode) is an innovative technique recently introduced for scanning probe microscopes (SPMs). In the TR mode, a cantilever tip vibrates laterally as compared to vibrating vertically in the tapping mode (TM). The tip in the TR mode remains at an almost constant height and interacts aggressively with the surface and/or the near surface because of very high torsional stiffness. In this paper, a comparative study of TM and TR modes is presented for further understanding of the mechanism of the phase angle data produced during the different tip?surface interaction modes. Topography and phase angle measurements were made on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) sample with a two-phase structure and metal particle (MP) tapes. It is found that although surface topography images are similar using both techniques, the TR mode phase angle image provides more detailed contrast than that obtained using the TM phase technique. The experimental evidence showed that viscoelastic deformation was primarily responsible for the phase contrast and not the friction process. Next, statistical analysis of the phase angle on the MP tapes suggests that the technique can be used for evaluating the particle concentration and the uniformity of viscoelasticity and thus screening of the magnetic tapes. The reasons for the improved contrast in the phase angle imaging in the TR mode are also discussed in this paper.
Recent Innovations in the Management of Low-Grade Gliomas

Advancement in the understanding of biologic mechanisms of low-grade glioma pathophysiology has allowed the modern era of patient-specific genetic profiling, molecular biology, and neuroimaging to design new methods of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy in hopes of preventing malignant transformation and improving outcomes. Recent innovations in the understanding of MGMT promoter methylation, IDH1 and IDH2 mutations, temozolomide chemotherapy, vascular monoclonal antibody treatment, use of radiation therapy, choice of antiepileptic drugs, surgical resection, and neuroimaging of low-grade gliomas are reviewed.
Predictors of Self-Rated Health in Patients with Chronic Nonmalignant Pain

Self-rated health (SRH) is an important outcome measure that has been found to accurately predict mortality, morbidity, function, and psychologic well-being. Chronic nonmalignant pain presents with a pattern that includes low levels of power and high levels of pain, depression, and disability. Differences in SRH may be related to variations within this pattern. The purpose of this analysis was to identify determinants of SRH and test their ability to predict SRH in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. SRH was measured by response to a single three-option age-comparative question. The Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool, McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and Pain Disability Index were used to measure independent variables. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p = .001) between SRH categories on the combined dependent variable. Analysis of variance conducted as a follow-up identified significant differences for power (p < .001) and depression (p = .003), but not for pain or pain-related disability; and discriminant analysis found that power and depression correctly classified patients with 75% accuracy. Findings suggest pain interventions designed to improve mood and provide opportunities for knowing participation may have a greater impact on overall health than those that target only pain and disability.
Luminal platelet aggregates in functional deficits in parenchymal vessels after subarachnoid hemorrhage

The pathophysiology of early ischemic injury after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is not understood. This study examined the acute effect of endovascular puncture-induced SAH on parenchymal vessel function in rat, using intravascular fluorescent tracers to assess flow and vascular permeability and immunostaining to assess structural integrity and to visualize platelet aggregates. In sham-operated animals, vessels were well filled with tracer administered 10s before sacrifice, and parenchymal escape of tracer was rare. At ten minutes and three hours after hemorrhage, patches of poor vascular filling were distributed throughout the forebrain. Close examination of these regions revealed short segments of narrowed diameter along many profiles. Most vascular profiles with reduced perfusion contained platelet aggregates and in addition showed focal loss of collagen IV, a principal component of basal lamina. In contrast, vessels were well filled at 24h post-hemorrhage, indicating that vascular perfusion had recovered. Parenchymal escape of intravascular tracer was detected at 10 min post-hemorrhage and later as plumes of fluorescence emanating into parenchyma from restricted microvascular foci. These data demonstrate that parenchymal microvessels are compromised in function by 10 min after SAH and identify focal microvascular constriction and local accumulation of luminal platelet aggregates as potential initiators of that compromise.
Electrofreezing of supercooled water

The results of a wind tunnel and could chamber investigation on the effect of intense electric fields on ice-nucleation in supercooled water are presented. It is found that electrostatically charged surfaces and externally applied electric fields significantly enhance ice-nucleation. This finding is supported by a review of recent work reported in literature. Several mechanisms are considered which can be made responsible for electrofreezing. A discussion of the electrofreezing effect suggests that it is the electrical relief of the surface of a solid substrate rather than the crystallochemical relief which is the determining factor in heterogeneous ice nucleus formation.
Surface Characteristics of Kaolinite and Other Selected Two Layer Silicate Minerals

The electrokinetic features and interfacial water structure, as revealed from molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) are considered with respect to the anisotropic features of selected two layer silicate minerals. Planar structures of kaolinite and antigorite are compared to the, compositionally equivalent, tubular structures of halloysite and chrysotile with respect to the pH dependency of zeta potential as determined from the electrophoretic mobility measurements. The importance of the atomic mismatch between the tetrahedral and octahedral sheets in a particular bilayer is discussed in order to explain the electrokinetic behaviour of these two layer silicate minerals. Interfacial water structure from MDS suggests that the silica tetrahedral surface is not wetted by water. In the case of planar silicates structural imperfections are considered to explain wetting characteristics. The possibility of polarity reversal (domain inversion) within a tetrahedral/octahedral layer and an out-of-order layer (inserted layer) within the tetrahedral/octahedral stack are considered in order to explain electrokinetic behaviour and wetting characteristics. Les caracteristiques electrocinetiques et la structure de l'eau interfaciale, telles qu'elles sont revelees par les simulations de dynamique moleculaire (MDS), sont examinees pour determiner les caracteristiques anisotropes des mineraux de silicate a double couche selectionnes. Les structures planaires de la kaolinite et de l'antigorite sont comparees aux structures tubulaires, de composition equivalente, de l'halloysite et du chrysotile pour ce qui a trait a la dependance au pH du potentiel zeta telle qu'elle est determinee par les mesures de mobilite electrophoretique. L'importance de la non-concordance atomique entre les feuilles tetraedriques et octaedriques dans une bi-couche particuliere est examinee afin d'expliquer le comportement electrocinetique de ces deux materiaux de silicate a deux couches. La structure de l'eau interfaciale revelee par les simulations MDS suggere que la surface tetraedrique de la silice n'est pas mouillee par l'eau. Dans le cas de silicates planaires, on pense que des imperfections structurales expliquent les caracteristiques de mouillage. La possibilite d'inversion de polarite (inversion de domaine) dans une couche tetraedrique/octaedrique et la presence d'une couche non-ordonnee (couche inseree) dans l'assemblage tetraedre/octaedre sont envisagees pour expliquer le comportement electrocinetique et les caracteristiques de mouillage.
Direct and indirect assessments of memory for script-based narratives in young and older adults

Direct (recall) and indirect (reading speed facilitation) assessments of memory for narratives describing a series of scripted activities were obtained for groups of young and older adults. Significant age effects were obtained for recall, with between-group differences increasing as the script-relatedness of the stimulus information decreased. In contrast, no age differences were observed in reading speed facilitation, with young and older adults benefitting equally from previous exposure to the stimulus actions. This suggests that younger adults and older adults are similar in their ability to encode individual action information, but older adults have difficulty establishing relations between actions, especially when the action's relationship to the scripted activity is not obvious. Verbal processing capacity (reading span) was found to be more predictive of recall performance in the older adults than in the younger adults, but the recall-span association was not as strong as expected.
Perception of nonverbal social cues by regular education, ADHD, and ADHD/LD students

The current study examined the ability of children diagnosed as having Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) with and without a learning disability to perceive nonverbal social cues in comparison to their non-ADHD peers. In addition, teacher ratings of students' social perceptions were obtained. Participants in the study were 45 students between the ages of seven and ten years who were identified as 1) ADHD only, 2) ADHD with a learning disability (ADHD/LD), and 3) a control group with no diagnosis. The Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy(DANVA) and the Social Perception Behavior Rating Scale(SPBRS) were used to measure social perceptions. The DANVA was administered twice to each child in the ADHD and ADHD/LD groups: once while the ADHD and ADHD/LD participants were on medication and once off medication. The ADHD/LD group demonstrated significant difficulty in comparison to their peers in perceiving paralanguage cues effectively. The ADHD/LD group also showed significant improvement on the Postures and Paralanguage subtests during on-medication conditions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
CRITICAL ISSUES FACING COMMUNITY COLLEGES

This study assessed the critical issues facing community colleges in Tennessee and measured the degree of consensus among the policy‐making bodies concerning the importance of the issues. Data were collected by means of a survey questionnaire administered by telephone and mail. A composite list of critical items was compiled by arranging the mean ratings of each item for the four respondent groups. Twelve items emerged as the most critical issues. Additionally, 18 items were listed as critical by one or more groups but the combined mean scores did not meet the criteria established for criticalness. F tests were conducted to determine if significant differences existed for the four groups. The results generally indicated a consensus among the four policy‐making bodies concerning the critical issues. State and national implications are discussed.
RNase F and 2′,5′-oligoA synthetase activities in mice after poly(I). poly(C) administration

The present study demonstrates the presence of considerable levels of 2′, 5′-oligoA synthetase activity in tissue extracts from mice. The interferon inducer, poly(I) .poly(C) , induced the synthetase activity in all the tissue extractsin vivo. Similarly, a significant amount of endonuclease RNase F activity is found to be present in these tissue extracts. But interferon induction does not seem to have any significant effect on RNase F activity.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering from a molecule adsorbed on a single cluster of nanometal particles

Very large enhancement up to 14 orders of magnitude in the Raman cross section from a molecule adsorbed on a single cluster of a few nano metal particles has been reported recently. The enhancement is believed mainly due to the enhanced electromagnetic (em) field because of the excitation of the localized surface em mode. Using scattering t-matrix approach, we have developed a Green's function theory in the Fourier (wave vector) space to solve the Maxwell equations for the enhanced electric field near the spherical metal particle cluster. The large enhancement in the field is due to the multiple scattering of the localized modes of the individual metal particles that has been included exactly. The advantage of working in the wave vector space is that one does not need the use of complicated translational addition theorem required in the real space as used in earlier calculations. Therefore, our approach can be easily extended to different shape or size of the metal particle cluster. We find the enhancement in the Raman cross section can reach up to 10 orders of magnitude for silver particle cluster. The enhancement is in a broad frequency range and is below the Mie resonance of the single metal sphere. The results for gold particle cluster are also presented.
A COMPARISON OF THE PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF THE CURRENT SAT AND AN EXPERIMENTAL PROTOTYPE

As part of a large-scale project to remodel the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), this study examined the predictive validity of a prototype revised SAT, which incorporated many of the important structural changes planned for the test. This prototype was compared to a form of the current SAT with regard to several validity-related issues. The results showed that the test revisions (a) tended to increase predictive validity for the verbal score, the mathematical score, and the composite of verbal and mathematical scores; (b) slightly increased the incremental validity of the test over high school rank; and (c) produced a modest reduction in gender-related prediction differences for the verbal score. Also, inclusion of scores from a new writing test tended to increase validity and to reduce gender-related prediction differences. This evidence is regarded as preliminary, as the data were collected under experimental conditions with a limited sample of colleges, and the prototype used here was not identical in form to the remodeled SAT as it will be implemented operationally. Tentatively, however, the results were consistent with the goals of the overall project in that, where the present revisions had effects, they tended to be in the desired direction.
Calcium Regulation of myo1b Tension Sensing

We recently demonstrated that the widely expressed myosin-I isoform, myo1b, is exquisitely sensitive to tension (Laakso et al. 2008. Science. 321:133-6), where it transitions from a low duty-ratio to a high duty-ratio motor at very low opposing forces (< 1 pN). These forces are transmitted to the motor through the IQ-motif-containing light-chain-binding-domain (LCBD), which is structurally stabilized by calmodulin molecules. Calcium binding to these calmodulins affects the ATPase and motile properties of myo1b (Coluccio & Geeves. 1999. J. Biol. Chem. 274:21575-80). Using stopped-flow fluorescence, we confirmed that calcium accelerates the biochemical rates of phosphate and ADP release by 2 - 5 fold. We performed single molecule optical-trap experiments in the presence of 25 μM ATP and 0, 1 or 9 μM free calcium. At low forces in the presence of calcium, we found an acceleration of the actin detachment kinetics, which is consistent with stopped-flow measurements. We also found that the average displacement of the myo1b step decreases to ∼ 0 nm. The decoupling of the LCBD displacement from the motor-domain kinetics prompted us to test how calcium impacts the force sensitivity of actin detachment kinetics. Using an isometric clamp, the addition of 9 μM calcium resulted in a 5-fold decrease in the distance parameter that describes force sensitivity. Finally, we measured the kinetics of calcium binding to myo1b and determined that it occurs in two steps. The first step is very fast and calcium dependent, while the second step is significantly slower and independent of calcium concentration. These results show clearly that calcium regulates the ability of myo1b to sense and sustain tension.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Care for Children With Special Health Care Needs

OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have examined racial and ethnic differences in access to and utilization of health services. However, few studies have addressed these issues with respect to children with special health care needs. This study examines whether disparities in access and utilization are present among black, white, and Hispanic children identified as having special health care needs. METHODS: We analyzed data on 57 553 children younger than 18 years old included in the 1994-95 National Health Interview Survey on Disability. Of these, 10 169, or 17.7% of the sample, were identified as having an existing special health care need. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess how race and ethnicity are related to measures of access and utilization, such as usual source of care, missed care, and use of physician and hospital services. RESULTS: Our analyses show that among children with special health care needs, minorities were more likely than white children to be without health insurance coverage (13.2% vs 10.3%; P <.01), to be without usual source of care (6.7% vs 4.3%; P <.01), and to report inability to get needed medical care (3.9% vs 2.8%; P <.05). Also, white children with special health care needs were more likely than their minority counterparts to have used physician services (88.6 vs 85.0; P <.01); however, minority children with special health care needs were more likely to have been hospitalized during the past year (7.6% vs 6.3%; P < 0.5). After adjustments for confounding variables (income, insurance coverage, health status, and other variables), racial and ethnic differences in access and utilization were attenuated but remained significant for several measures (without a usual source of care, receipt of care outside of a doctor's office or HMO, no regular clinician, no doctor contacts in past year, and volume of doctor contacts). Gaps in access were more frequent and generally larger for Hispanic children with special health care needs. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis indicates that access and utilization disparities remain between white and minority children with special health care needs, with Hispanic children experiencing especially disparate care.
On money and output: Is money redundant?

Abstract There is an emerging consensus that money can be largely ignored in making monetary policy decisions. Rudebusch and Svensson [1999, Policy Rules and Inflation Targeting. In Taylor, J.B. (Ed.), Monetary Policy Rules. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 203–246; 2002, Eurosystem Monetary Targeting: Lessons from US Data. European Economic Review 46, 417–442] provide some empirical support for this view. We reconsider the role of money and find that money is not redundant. More specifically, there is a significant statistical relationship between lagged values of money and the output gap, even when lagged values of real interest rates and lagged values of the output gap are accounted for. We also find that inside and outside money provide significant information in predicting movements in the output gap.
Technology's impact on the future of industrial engineering

Industrial engineers of the future will be working with, and within, high-technology systems that will greatly affect not only how they do their work, but also the work they do. This paper addresses some of these emerging issues and presents the potential impacts on the industrial engineer of the future.
A spectral integral method (SIM) for periodic and nonperiodic structures

This letter presents a spectral integral method for electromagnetic scattering from dielectric objects with closed boundary. The method is developed for both periodic and nonperiodic structures. Numerical results demonstrate the spectral accuracy of the method, and the advantages over the method of moments.
A SENSITIVE MICROTITER ELISA TO STUDY PLATELET MEMBRANE SPECIFIC IgG ANTIBODIES (Ab) IN ISOIMMUNE AND AUTOIMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA

A SENSITIVE MICROTITER ELISA TO STUDY PLATELET MEMBRANE SPECIFIC IgG ANTIBODIES (Ab) IN ISOIMMUNE AND AUTOIMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA
Estimation of standardized mortality ratio with missing death certificates

In epidemiological studies, interest often lies in comparing the mortality rate of acertain cohort to that of a standard population; a standard summary statistic in this regard is the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Traditionally, the observed number of events is assumed to have Poisson distribution. Thus, inference procedures for the SMR can be formulated based on those for the Poisson distribution. SMR is given by SMR = O/E, where O is the number of deaths observed in the cohort from specified causes and the expected number E is calculated from person years in the cohort and mortality rates from a reference population. While person years can easily be calculated from the cohort and reference rates are generally available from statistical offices or World Health Organization, problems can arise with the accessibility of the causes of death of the deceased study participants. In this paper, the problem of missing certificates, studied by Rittgen and Becker [1] is revisited.The model assumptions are modified and the effect of this modification is investigated.
Kontinuierliche Herstellung von kosmetischen Fettsäureestern mittels Reaktivdestillation und Pervaporation

Es konnte ein Verfahren realisiert und zum Patent angemeldet werden, das das Potenzial hat, den herkommlichen diskontinuierlichen Produktionsprozess von Fettsaureestern in vielen Fallen abzulosen. Das Zusammenfassen der chemischen Reaktion und der destillativen Stofftrennung in einer Reaktivdestillationskolonne erlaubt eine kontinuierliche Betriebsweise. Diese fuhrt zu konstant hoher Produktqualitat und ist gleichzeitig einfacher in der Handhabung und der Prozesssteuerung, was sich besonders bei groseren Produktionskapazitaten auszahlt. Die Pervaporationsmembrananlage zur Aufbereitung des Destillatstroms ersetzt zwei Destillationskolonnen und reduziert damit zusatzlich die Investitions- und Betriebskosten der Anlage. Weiterhin wird die benotigte Installationsflache der Anlage wesentlich verringert.
THE “WOMEN'S FRONT” Nationalism, Feminism, and Modernity in Palestine

Nationalisms are polymorphous and often internally contradictory, unleashing emancipatory as well as repressive ideas and forces. This article explores the ideologies and mobilization strategies of two organizations over a 10-year period in the occupied Palestinian territories: a leftist-nationalist party in which women became unusually powerful and its affiliated and remarkably successful nationalist-feminist women's organization. Two factors allowed women to become powerful and facilitated a fruitful coexistence between nationalism and feminism: (1) a commitment to a variant of modernist ideology that was marked by grassroots as opposed to military mobilization and (2) a concern with proving the cultural worth of Palestinian society to the West, a project that was symbolized by women's status in important ways. By comparing international and indigenous feminist discourses, the study also demonstrates how narratives about gender status in the Third World are implicated in, and inextricable from, internat...
Quality of life: an overview of the concept and measures

This paper summarizes the concepts and measures of quality of life. Although numerous attempts have been made to conceptualize and operationalize quality of life, there has been no universally accepted standard for the study design, data collection and data analysis of studies that use quality of life as an outcome measure. Quality of life has been defined either as a measure of happiness and satisfaction with life, or goal achievement, or social utility. However, most studies conceptualize and measure quality of life as a composite that consists of several domains. There are two approaches to the measurement of quality of life, namely, the psychometric approach and the utility approach. A quality of life measure can be either generic or diseasespecific. High reliability and validity are important criteria for a credible quality of life instrument. Published clinical studies which use quality of life as an outcome measure have to be assessed on the basis of the appropriateness of the study design, the validity of study results and the applicability of the quality of life measure to the specific patient group.
A protein on Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes functions as a transferrin receptor.

Several observations suggest that iron is essential for the development of malaria parasites1–6 but there is evidence that the parasites in erythrocytes do not obtain iron from haemoglobin. The total haemin level in parasitized erythrocytes does not vary during parasite development7, indicating that the iron-containing moiety of haemoglobin is not detectably metabolized. Although parasite proteases can degrade the protein part of haemoglobin in red cells8,9, no parasite enzymes that degrade haemin have been identified. In mammalian cells, haemin is degraded to carbon monoxide and bilirubin by the enzyme haeme oxygenase10. This enzyme has not been found in malaria parasites11. In fact haemin has been found to be toxic to parasite carbohydrate metabolism12. Thus, iron apparently cannot be liberated from haemin and instead is sequestered in infected red cells as haemozoin, the characteristic pigment associated with malarial infection13,14. If iron bound to transferrin is the source of ferric ions for malaria parasites within mature erythrocytes, then the parasite must synthesize its own transferrin receptor and localize it on the surface of the infected cell, because the receptors for transferrin are lost during erythrocyte maturation5,16. Our results here suggest that Plasmodium falciparum synthesizes its own transferrin receptors enabling it to take up iron from transferrin by receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Assembly of multimeric phage nanostructures through leucine zipper interactions

One barrier to the construction of nanoscale devices is the ability to place materials into 2D- and 3D-ordered arrays by controlling the assembly and ordering of connections between nanomaterials. Ordered assembly of nanoscale materials may potentially be achieved using biological tools that direct specific connections between individual components. Recently, viruses were successfully employed as scaffolds for the nucleation of nanoparticles and nanowires (Mao et al., 2004); however, there is a paucity of methods for the higher order assembly of phage-templated materials. Here we describe a general strategy for the assembly of filamentous bacteriophages into long, wire-like or into tripod-like structures. To prepare the linear phage assemblies, dimeric leucine zipper protein domains, fused to the p3 and p9 proteins of M13 bacteriophage, were employed to direct the specific end-to-end self-association of the bacteriophage particles. Electron microscopy revealed that up to 90% of the phage displaying complementary leucine zipper domains formed linear multi-phage assemblies, composed of up to 30 phage in length. To prepare tripod-like assemblies, phage were engineered to express trimeric leucine zippers as p3 fusion proteins. This resulted in 3D assembly with three individual phages attached at a single point. These ordered phage structures should provide a foundation for self-assembly of virally templated nanomaterials into useful devices.
Experimental Design of a Magnetic Flux Compression Experiment

Generation of ultrahigh magnetic fields is an interesting topic of high-energy-density physics, and an essential aspect of Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF). To examine plasma formation from conductors impinged upon by ultrahigh magnetic fields, in a geometry similar to that of the MAGO experiments, an experiment is under design to compress magnetic flux in a toroidal cavity, using the Shiva Star or Atlas generator. An initial toroidal bias magnetic field is provided by a current on a central conductor. The central current is generated by diverting a fraction of the liner current using an innovative inductive current divider, thus avoiding the need for an auxiliary power supply. A 50-mm-radius cylindrical aluminum liner implodes along glide planes with velocity of about 5 km/s. Inward liner motion causes electrical closure of the toroidal chamber, after which flux in the chamber is conserved and compressed, yielding magnetic fields of 2–3 MG. Plasma is generated on the liner and central rod surfaces by Ohmic heating. Diagnostics include B-dot probes, Faraday rotation, radiography, filtered photodiodes, and VUV spectroscopy. Optical access to the chamber is provided through small holes in the walls.
The Validity of the Musical Aptitude Profile for Predicting Grades in Freshman Music Theory

For a sample of 135 freshman music majors who completed one semester of music theory coursework, and for a sample of 104 freshman music majors who also completed a second semester of music theory coursework, the purpose of this study was to determine the criterion-related validity of the Musical Aptitude Profile (MAP) (Gordon, 1965) in relation to achievement in freshman music theory as determined by semester grades in the courses and by grades in the three components of the courses. It was concluded that the Tonal Imagery subtest of the MAP shows promise as a valid predictor of success in all three components of each of the two beginning music theory courses. In addition, the Rhythm Imagery subtest of the MAP is modestly valid in predicting grades in the sight-singing and ear-training components of the music theory courses, but not in the written work component. No statistically significant validity coefficients were obtained for Musical Sensitivity subtest scores as predictors of theory grades, and the ...
P‐167: FDTD and Elastic Continuum Analysis of the Liquid Crystal Polarization Grating

liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG) has advantages of polarization independence of the zero diffraction order, nearly 100% diffraction efficiency in the first orders, and higher resolution capability over previously reported binary LC gratings. Here we analyze the LCPG, an electrically controlled, polarization-independent light modulator using the finite- difference time-domain (FDTD) method and the elastic continuum theory. The optical performance is studied and critical electrical parameters for a LCPG cell are presented. 1. Introduction of liquid crystal (LC) light modulators operating on unpolarized light have been proposed in an effort to overcome the substantial losses in conventional LC displays that require polarized light. Most prominently, Bos and coworkers suggested several potentially efficient and polarization-independent diffraction gratings using liquid crystals (1-4). These approaches, however, face crucial limitations for real applications due to their binary nature: fabrication difficulty and the easy appearance of defects. They therefore tend to have inherently large periods that result in many diffraction orders with small diffraction angles. A newly demonstrated liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG) (5) is a switchable diffractive optical element with a continuously varying, periodic, anisotropic index profile. As shown in Fig. 1(a), this can be embodied as a nematic director that follows (6): n(x) = ˆ cos(￻x /￻ ) + ˆ y sin(￻x /￻) + ˆ (0) (1)
The Pediatric Upper Limb Motion Index and a temporal–spatial logistic regression: Quantitative analysis of upper limb movement disorders during the Reach & Grasp Cycle

This study describes a novel pediatric upper limb motion index (PULMI) for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The PULMI is based on three-dimensional kinematics and provides quantitative information about upper limb motion during the Reach & Grasp Cycle. We also report key temporal–spatial parameters for children with spastic, dyskinetic, and ataxic CP. Participants included 30 typically-developing (TD) children (age¼ 10.97 4.1 years) and 25 children with CP and upper limb involvement (age ¼ 12.37 3.7 years), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels I–IV. The PULMI is calculated from the rootmean-square difference for eight kinematic variables between each child with CP and the average TD values, and scaled such that the TD PULMI is 100710. The PULMI was significantly lower among children with CP compared to TD children (Wilcoxon Z ¼� 5.06, po .0001). PULMI scores were significantly lower among children with dyskinetic CP compared to spastic CP (Z ¼� 2.47, po .0135). There was a strong negative correlation between PULMI and MACS among children with CP (Spearman’s rho ¼� .78, po .0001). Temporal–spatial values were significantly different between CP and TD children: movement time (Z¼4.06, po .0001), index of curvature during reach (Z¼3.68, p¼ .0002), number of movement units (Z¼ 3.72, p ¼ .0002), angular velocity of elbow extension during reach (Z ¼� 3.96, po .0001), and transport 1:reach peak velocities (Z ¼� 2.48, p ¼.0129). A logistic regression of four temporal–spatial parameters, the Pediatric Upper Limb Temporal–Spatial Equation (PULTSE), correctly predicted 19/22 movement disorder subtypes (spastic versus dyskinetic CP). The PULMI, PULTSE, and key temporal–spatial parameters of the Reach & Grasp Cycle offer a quantitative approach to analyzing upper limb function in children with CP.
Conduction-band spin splitting effects in staggered-bandgap structures

It is well understood that the two-fold energy degeneracy for spin-up and spin-down electrons regarding two dimensional electrons gas (2DEG) confined within a semiconductor heterostructure can be removed at zero magnetic fields (Bychkov, 1984). The splitting from the structure inversion asymmetry is described by the so-called Rashba term, HR = plusmnalphak, where k is the wave vector and the coefficient alpha is proportional to the external electric field. The physical origin of Rashba effect is attributed to the spin-orbit (SO) interaction in semiconductor (Rashba, 2003).
Chronic Conditions Among Children Investigated by Child Welfare: A National Sample

OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of chronic health conditions (CHCs) among a nationally representative sample of children investigated by child welfare agencies. METHODS: The study included 5872 children, aged 0 to 17.5 years, whose families were investigated for maltreatment between February 2008 and April 2009. Using data from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, we examined the proportion of children who had CHC. We developed 2 categorical and 2 noncategorical measures of CHC from the available data and analyzed them by using bivariate and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Depending on the measure used, 30.6% to 49.0% of all children investigated were reported by their caregivers to have a CHC. Furthermore, the children identified by using diverse methods were not entirely overlapping. In the multivariable analyses, children with poorer health were more likely to be male, older, and receiving special educational services but not more likely to be in out-of-home placements. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that a much higher proportion of these children have CHC than in the general population underscores the substantial health problems of children investigated by child welfare agencies and the need to monitor their health carefully, regardless of their placement postinvestigation.
Agnathia, situs inversus, and associated malformations.

Two infants with a striking pattern of associated malformations including agnathia, situs inversus, renal agenesis and ectopia, and multiple vertebral and rib abnormalities are described. It appears that these two infants represent a previously unrecognized malformation association that involves far more than developmental arrest of the mandibular arch. It is conceivable that a single defect at a very early stage in development could account for the multiple manifestations seen.