cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some Comments on Graduate Education in the Management Sciences

The educational goal of a graduate program in the management sciences should be to adequately prepare a student for a lifetime pursuit of any phase of management science he chooses. More specifically, the program should be designed for a student who desires a management science education to meet his career goal in either a university, business or government position. However, any educational program must distinguish between the objectives of a doctoral student and a terminal master's student. A program leading to a Ph.D. degree should be directed to those primarily interested in a teaching and research career in University, or a research career in business or government Training at the master's level should emphasize applications of the techniques associated with management science. Such technically trained personnel are often used to develop advanced planning methods and/or operating policies within a company.
Fecundity of commercially available convergent lady beetles, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, following shipment

Abstract The fecundity of Hippodamia convergens following shipment did not exceed 1.2±0.5 eggs/female/day during 7-day trials. Fecundity was higher (7.4±1.8 and 7.6±1.6) in 14-day trials. If beetles do not disperse, egg production may be expected 5 days following their release if an adequate food source and favorable local environment are provided.
Multiple Objective Districting: A General Heuristic Approach Using Multiple Criteria

This paper presents a heuristic approach for the creation of similar districts which are required to satisfy multiple and potentially divergent goals. The heuristic creates districts whose members fall within acceptable ranges of variation on a lexiographic ordering of prescribed criteria. Through the variation of the ordering of the criteria and the allowable ranges of variation, alternative formulations are obtained from which the final structure can be selected.
A novel and facile preparation of bremazocine enantiomers through optically pure N-norbremazocines

Abstract In order to provide ready access to multigram quantities of the optically pure bremazocines [(−)- and (+)-9,9-dimethyl-5-ethyl-2-hydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-cyclopropylmethyl)-6,7-benzomorphan)], we have developed an improved non-chromatographic synthesis, and determined the optical purity of their N -nor precursors using a rapid and relatively simple 1 H NMR method based on diastereomeric derivatization with optically pure 1-phenylethylisocyanate. This method of determining optical purity should be readily amenable to similar systems containing phenolic amino functionalities. Finally, a greatly simplified methodology for introduction of the N -(1-hydroxycyclopropylmethyl) substituent in bremazocine is described. The improved synthetic method—the overall yield was increased about 3-fold—combined with the practical methodology to determine optical purity will considerably facilitate the employment of these enantiomers as pharmacological tools for examination of the κ-opioid receptor system, as well as their evaluation as drug abuse treatment agents. This synthesis will also enable the study of these enantiomers for other, non-classical applications (e.g., treatment agents for HIV).
Epidemiology of Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Lessons from the Sleep Heart Health Study

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a chronic condition characterized by partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep. The resulting apneas and hypopneas often lead to a reduction in oxyhemoglobin saturation and recurrent arousals from sleep. Aside from the obvious complaints of daytime fatigue and excessive sleepiness, SDB is associated with impaired cognitive function, poor work performance, increased risk for motor vehicle accidents, and a constellation of problems in daily living that diminish quality of life. The Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) was established to answer many of the pressing questions regarding the clinical consequences of SDB, particularly its effects on hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The primary objective of this article is to review briefly the scientific progress made by the SHHS over the last decade.
Recombination velocity effects on current diffusion and imref in schottky barriers

Abstract A detailed theoretical treatment is given of the effects of a thermionic velocity boundary condition on diffusion transport of majority carriers and the spatial variation of the majority carrier quasi-Fermi potential (imref) in metal-semiconductor (Schottky) diodes. Diode parameters such as n(={kT/q[dlnJ/dV]}−1) and Js, the reverse saturation current are calculated for the case of parabolic band bending. These results are expressed in terms of the Dawson function, the solution to the differential equation d D(y) d y = 1 − 2yD(y) . In contrast to recent estimates of ≅ 1·06 for typical conditions, the parameter n is shown to be slightly bias dependent, to have a value of less than 1·01 for typical operating conditions and a maximum value of 1·28 for forward bias ≅ 2kT/q from flat band. A calculation of spatial variation of imref in the same case shows that under moderate forward bias the electron imref is very nearly constant through the depletion region. For reverse bias the imref rapidly deviates from constancy for applied bias in excess of kT/q. Diffusion effects on T-F emission are shown to be very small.
Range spectra in electron penetration problems

The theory of electron penetration as predicted by the Fokker–Planck equation is first reviewed within a restricted context that considers the multiple scattering and transport of charged particles. We then broaden the context and show that range straggling effects also fit successfully into this framework, which completes an electron model initiated by Yang. We introduce those effects with a superposition of Fokker–Planck solutions, i.e., by using an incident beam that contains a spectrum of initial energies, or equivalently, a set of csda ranges. Straggling effects appear to be a beam property in this approach but are returned to the material when we use it. All the information needed to construct the spectrum is obtained from a measurement of the electron rest charge distribution in polystyrene. To illustrate the correctness of this procedure, we consider the case of a 20 MeV electron beam incident on water. We predict the absorbed dose distribution as a function of depth and also measure it with an ionization chamber in a water tank. We find nearly perfect agreement between calculation and experiment in this case where all the results derive and apply to a clinically operational machine.
Enzyme-histochemical studies on the muscle spindle.

Histochemical tests on enzymes distribution in rhesus and squirrel monkeys intrafusal and extrafusal muscle fibers
Calicivirus (SMSV-5) infection in experimentally inoculated Opaleye fish(Girella nigricans)

At 15°C, San Miguel sea lion virus infected fish(Girella nigricans), producing 107.6 TCID50 per gram of spleen, replicated in Vero cells (108 TCID50/gm) and retained viability after 14 days exposure to salt water (105 TCID50/ml dropped to 102).
Regulation of OX40 gene expression in graft-versus-host disease

Abstract OX40 (CD134), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is expressed on activated T cells, including CD4 + CD25 + T regulatory (Treg) cells. To investigate the kinetics of OX40–OX40L in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), OX40 mRNA transcript levels were temporally examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients undergoing either allogeneic (allo) bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT) or autologous (auto) BMT with the induction of autoGVHD by cyclosporine (CsA) treatment posttransplant. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that OX40 mRNA expression decreased significantly in PBMCs from patients with either alloGVHD or autoGVHD compared with healthy individuals. No differences were detected between patients developing alloGVHD and those who did not develop this posttransplant complication. On the other hand, a decrease in OX40 mRNA levels correlated directly with the development of autoGVHD. Moreover, the upregulation of OX40 gene expression coincided with the resolution of autoGVHD. Interestingly, expression of OX40 by CD4 + T lymphocytes after stimulation with autoantigen (Ag) was significantly (>700-fold) increased with a concomitant increase in expression of the Foxp3 regulatory gene. Expression of OX40 was increased (maximum 11-fold) after allo-Ag via mixed-lymphocyte reaction response. CsA suppressed the upregulation of OX40 expression after allo-Ag in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that the decrease in OX40 expression posttransplant includes the defective reconstitution of Treg cells, and the active inhibition of gene transcription by CsA.
Sulbactam Forms Only Minimal Amounts of Irreversible Acrylate-Enzyme With SHV-1 β-Lactamase

Sulbactam is a mechanism-based inhibitor of beta-lactamase enzymes used in clinical practice. It undergoes a complex series of chemical reactions in the active site that have been studied extensively in the past three decades. However, the actual species that gives rise to inhibition in a clinical setting has not been established. Recent studies by our group, using Raman microscopy and X-ray crystallography, have found that large quantities of enamine-based acyl-enzyme species are present within minutes in single crystals of SHV-1 beta-lactamases which can lead to significant inhibition. The enamines are formed by breakdown of the cyclic beta-lactam structures with further transformations leading to imine formation and subsequent isomerization to cis and/or trans enamines. Another favored form of inhibition arises from attack on the imine by a second nucleophilic amino acid side chain, e.g., from serine 130, to form a cross-linked species in the active site that can degrade to an acrylate-like species irreversibly bound to the enzyme. Thus, the imine is at a branch point on the reaction pathway. Using sulbactam and 6,6-dideuterated sulbactam we follow these alternate paths in WT and E166A SHV-1 beta-lactamase by means of Raman microscopic studies on single enzyme crystals. For the unlabeled sulbactam, the Raman data show the presence of an acrylate-like species, probably 3-serine acrylate, several hours after the reaction is started in the crystal. However, for the 6,6-dideutero analogue the acrylate signature appears on the time scale of minutes. The Raman signatures, principally an intense feature near 1530 cm-1, are assigned based on quantum mechanical calculations on model compounds that mimic acrylate species in the active site. The different time scales observed for acrylate-like product formation are ascribed to different rates of reaction involving the imine intermediate. It is proposed that for the unsubstituted sulbactam the conversion from imine to enamine, which involves breaking a C-H bond, is aided by quantum mechanical tunneling. For the 6,6-dideutero-sulbactam the same step involves breaking a C-D bond, which has little or no assistance from tunneling. Consequently the conversion to enamines is slower, and a higher population of imine results, presenting the opportunity for the competing reaction with the second nucleophile, serine 130 being the prime candidate. The hydrolysis of the resulting cross-linked intermediate leads to the observed rapid buildup of the acrylate product in the Raman spectra from the dideutero analogue. The protocol used here, essentially running the reactions with the two forms of sulbactam in parallel, provides an element of control and enables us to conclude that, for the unsubstituted sulbactam, the formation of the cross-linked intermediate and the final irreversible acrylate product is not a significant route to inhibition of SHV-1.
New Insights into the Vulnerable Plaque from Imaging Studies

The concept of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque first developed through histological evaluation of post-mortem coronary arteries has been significantly advanced in recent years by new imaging modalities. Imaging has: 1) verified histological findings, 2) identified features that are associated with unstable plaque, 3) followed plaques over time to study the dynamic nature of vulnerable plaque, 4) predicted clinical events based on imaging features, 5) tested the impact of medical interventions on plaque morphology. This review will summarize the major findings of imaging studies with a focus on how the knowledge base of vulnerable plaque has been advanced.
Coupled and uncoupled limb oscillations during paw-shake response

Intersegmental limb dynamics and muscle activities were analyzed for consecutive cycles of paw-shake responses from chronic-spinalized cats to investigate how hindlimb trajectories organize into a pattern with regular oscillations, a steady-state response, or alternatively, into a pattern with irregular oscillations, a nonsteady-state response. In the spinalized preparation, steady-state and nonsteady-state responses have an equal likelihood of emerging from the initial cycles of a paw-shake response, suggesting that regular coupling of joint oscillations is not planned by pattern-generating networks within lumbosacral segments. To examine the characteristics of coupled and uncoupled limb oscillations during paw-shake responses, we assessed patterns of muscle activity and hindlimb kinematics of six adult chronic-spinalized cats. Additionally, we used inverse-dynamics techniques to quantify the intersegmental dynamics of the paw, leg, and thigh. Our data indicate that by the second cycle of both steady-state and nonsteady-state responses, the basic pattern of interaction between muscle and motion-dependent torques at the ankle and knee joints was established. During subsequent cycles of steady-state responses, a consistent sequence of timing changes occurred, such that, just prior to steady-state oscillations, torque maximums peaked simultaneously at each joint and joint reversals occurred simultaneously. Although nonsteady-state responses showed a similar sequence during beginning cycles, increased ankle muscle and net torques during middle cycles created larger inertial torques at the knee joint that were not counteracted and resulted in irregular and uncoupled knee oscillations. It is likely that neither steady-state nor nonsteady-state oscillations are planned by pattern-generating networks within lumbosacral segments, but that patterns of interjoint coordination emerge from the coupling among oscillators. For paw-shake responses in the spinalized preparation, coupling may depend on interactions between central circuits and motion-dependent feedback that is necessary to stabilize inertial effects due to large ankle joint accelerations.
The role of MRI in evaluation of an adolescent with a pelvic mass

Abnormalities of the genital tract are common in adolescent females. Evaluation of pelvic pathology generally involves the use of ultrasonography. Recently, MRI has been shown to be effective in the diagnosis of pelvic pathology in adult females. Here, we present the case of an 11-year-old female with a pelvic mass in whom MRI proved to be an important diagnostic tool.
Design and performance of A 3He-free coincidence counter based on parallel plate boron-lined proportional technology

Abstract Thermal neutron counters utilized and developed for deployment as non-destructive assay (NDA) instruments in the field of nuclear safeguards traditionally rely on 3He-based proportional counting systems. 3He-based proportional counters have provided core NDA detection capabilities for several decades and have proven to be extremely reliable with range of features highly desirable for nuclear facility deployment. Facing the current depletion of 3He gas supply and the continuing uncertainty of options for future resupply, a search for detection technologies that could provide feasible short-term alternative to 3He gas was initiated worldwide. As part of this effort, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) designed and built a 3He-free full scale thermal neutron coincidence counter based on boron-lined proportional technology. The boron-lined technology was selected in a comprehensive inter-comparison exercise based on its favorable performance against safeguards specific parameters. This paper provides an overview of the design and initial performance evaluation of the prototype High Level Neutron counter—Boron (HLNB). The initial results suggest that current HLNB design is capable to provide ~80% performance of a selected reference 3He-based coincidence counter (High Level Neutron Coincidence Counter, HLNCC). Similar samples are expected to be measurable in both systems, however, slightly longer measurement times may be anticipated for large samples in HLNB. The initial evaluation helped to identify potential for further performance improvements via additional tailoring of boron-layer thickness.
Nkx2.2 and Arx genetically interact to regulate pancreatic endocrine cell development and endocrine hormone expression

Nkx2.2 and Arx are essential pancreatic transcription factors. Nkx2.2 is necessary for the appropriate specification of the islet alpha, beta, PP and epsilon cell lineages, whereas Arx is required to form the correct ratio of alpha, beta, delta and PP cells. To begin to understand the cooperative functions of Nkx2.2 and Arx in the development of endocrine cell lineages, we generated progenitor cell-specific deletions of Arx on the Nkx2.2 null background. The analysis of these mutants demonstrates that expansion of the ghrelin cell population in the Nkx2.2 null pancreas is not dependent on Arx; however, Arx is necessary for the upregulation of ghrelin mRNA levels in Nkx2.2 mutant epsilon cells. Alternatively, in the absence of Arx, delta cell numbers are increased and Nkx2.2 becomes essential for the repression of somatostatin gene expression. Interestingly, the dysregulation of ghrelin and somatostatin expression in the Nkx2.2/Arx compound mutant (Nkx2.2null;ArxΔpanc) results in the appearance of ghrelin+/somatostatin+ co-expressing cells. These compound mutants also revealed a genetic interaction between Nkx2.2 and Arx in the regulation of the PP cell lineage; the PP cell population is reduced when Nkx2.2 is deleted but is restored back to wildtype numbers in the Nkx2.2null;ArxΔpanc mutant. Moreover, conditional deletion of Arx in specific pancreatic cell populations established that the functions of Arx are necessary in the Neurog3+ endocrine progenitors. Together, these experiments identify novel genetic interactions between Nkx2.2 and Arx within the endocrine progenitor cells that ensure the correct specification and regulation of endocrine hormone-producing cells.
The League of Nations Covenant—1939 Model

Any constitutional instrument is subject to strains and stresses by reason of demonstrated inadequacy or omission at some times, and of failure to reflect the current state of mind of its constituents at others. The Covenant of the League of Nations, which is by way of a constitutional instrument in the hitherto unoccupied field between independent states, has had reputations as diverse as that of a straight-jacket and an empty sack. In the end, most of the waves of sentiment arrive at the customary human dilemma, that the trouble is not so much with the mechanism as with its human operators.The League of Nations has had a hectic existence for an institution just emerging from its teens. Its first ten years were a series of easy successes, but the eight years just past have confronted it with problems too tough for the morale of its members; or problems have been kept away from it because, if it cut at all, it would likely come too close to the quick.After this period of confusion, the members of the League, at the 19th session of the Assembly, took a series of actions to make the Covenant more useful to them. Resolutions of September 30, 1938, dealt with the question of the so-called separation of the Covenant from the peace treaties by approving amendments in the Preamble and Annex and Articles 1, 4, and 5 of the Covenant; and by interpretation with the procedure under Article 11, par. 1; the obligations under Article 16; and collaboration of the League and non-member states. Whether or not these decisions make any actual change from recent practice, the meaning of the Covenant is the clearer because of them, and its application will be more certain when the occasion arises.
Pressure vs Flow Triggering During Pressure Support Ventilation

Background Adult mechanical ventilators have traditionally been pressure- or time-triggered. More recently, flow triggering has become available and some adult ventilators allow the choice between pressure or flow triggering. Prior studies have supported the superiority of flow triggering during continuous positive airway pressure, but few have compared pressure and flow triggering during pressure support ventilation (PSV). The purpose of this study was to compare pressure and flow triggering during PSV in adult mechanically ventilated patients. Methods The study population consisted of 10 adult patients ventilated with a mechanical ventilator (Nellcor-Puritan-Bennett 7200ae) in the PSV mode. In random order, we compared pressure triggering of −0.5 H 2 O, pressure triggering −1 cm H 2 O, flow triggering of 5/2 L/min, and flow triggering 10/3 L/min. Pressure was measured for 5 min at the proximal endotracheal tube using a data acquisition rate of 100 Hz. From the airway pressure signal, trigger pressure (AP) was defined as the difference between positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and the maximum negative deflection prior to onset of the triggered breath. Pressure-time product (PTP) was defined as the area produced by the pressure waveform below PEEP during onset of the triggered breath. Trigger time (AT) was defined as the time interval below PEEP during onset of the triggered breath. Results A pressure trigger of −0.5 cm H 2 O was significantly more sensitive than the other trigger methods for AP, PTP, and AT (p Conclusions For this group of patients, flow triggering was not superior to pressure triggering at-0.5 cm H 2 O during PSV.
Plotting stereographic projections as an orienter-setting subroutine

Abstract The computer calculation of stereographic projections becomes very simple if one utilizes information that can be supplied by other, already widely available programs. The subroutine described here implements this strategy.
ILLISIM program for end-result specification development

A new computer simulation program, called ILLISIM, is presented. ILLISIM allows the user to conduct a comprehensive assessment of agency and contractor risks over a wide variety of end-result specification (ERS) parameters. ILLISIM was created to assist the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in developing an ERS for asphalt pavement construction. The focus is on the use of ILLISIM to explore the possibility of using the nuclear density gauge as a basis for acceptance testing of as-constructed pavement density. Preliminary simulation results from ILLISIM suggest that it may be feasible to use the nuclear gauge for acceptance if stratified random sampling techniques and adequate test replications are used. However, this is true only if test bias is kept under control, for example, if a representative nuclear gauge-to-core correlation is maintained throughout the project. ILLISIM can be used to study the effects of changing device bias, which should be investigated in future work. The results also indicate that a larger sample size will be necessary to increase accuracy and minimize disputes when marginal quality levels are detected.
Extending the similarities subtest of the WAIS for increased validity

Departures from standard administration of intelligence tests that raise scores are meaningless unless increased validity is achieved. One hundred and two Ss were administered the Similarities subtest and two predictor measures were derived: the Regular score, and the Extended score which represented the best of several answers given to a particular item. The criterion measures were three SAT scores, the GPA, and a Vocabulary test. Results showed that not only was the Extended score uniformly higher than the Regular score, it was far superior in predicting the various criteria. As such, the Extended score seems to qualify as a good measure of „potential intelligence.” The superiority of the Extended score seemed mainly due to its effectiveness in extracting a greater number of maximum, 2-point answers from the Ss.
Working with Hindu Clients in a Spiritually Sensitive Manner

Although social work is witnessing growing interest in spiritual and religious issues, little guidance has appeared in the literature to assist practitioners in addressing the unique spirituality of rapidly increasing non-Western populations. This article discusses the significant cultural/spiritual beliefs, practices, and values of Hindus, the largest Asian religion in the United States. Possible conflicts emanating from the lack of congruence between the values of Hindu consumers, derived from the dharma--the sacred moral order--and the values of social workers, derived from a Western Enlightenment discourse, are highlighted. The author offers practice-oriented suggestions to facilitate cultural sensitivity and to further integrate the spiritual strengths of Hindus into the clinical dialogue.
Midlife activity predicts risk of dementia in older male twin pairs

Abstract Background This was a prospective study of dementia to elucidate mechanisms of disease risk factors amenable to modification and specifically to determine whether midlife cognitive and physical leisure activities are associated with delayed onset or reduced risk of dementia within older male twin pairs. Methods The co-twin control design used prospectively collected exposure information to predict risk of dementia 20 to 40 years later. The subjects were community-dwelling and nursing home residents living throughout the continental United States. We studied 147 male twin-pairs who were discordant for dementia or age of dementia onset and were members of the National Academy of Sciences–National Research Council Twin Registry of World War II veterans and participants in the Duke Twins Study of Memory in Aging. The main outcome measure was diagnosed dementia by using a two-stage screen and full clinical evaluation. Conditional odds ratios were estimated for the association between midlife leisure activities and late-life dementia. Results Greater midlife cognitive activity was associated with a 26% risk reduction for dementia onset. Protective effects were most robust in monozygotic twin pairs, where genetic and early-life influences were most tightly controlled, and for activities that were often cognitive and social in nature. Cognitive activity was particularly protective among monozygotic twin pairs carrying the apolipoprotein E e4 allele, with a 30% risk reduction. Midlife physical activity did not modify dementia risk. Conclusions Participation in a range of cognitively and socially engaging activities in midlife reduced risk for dementia and AD in twins discordant for onset, particularly among twin pairs at elevated genetic risk, and might be indicative of an enriched environment.
Incidence and spectrum of chromosome abnormalities in spontaneous abortions: new insights from a 12-year study.

Purpose: Despite advances in harvesting and culturing techniques, analysis of the impact of these improvements on the observed frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in spontaneous abortions (SAB) has not been determined. We sought to evaluate the effect of these refinements on the success rate of our cultures and on the resulting frequency of detected chromosomal abnormalities. Methods: Between 1990 and 2002, 2301 specimens obtained from the products of conception (POC) of SABs were submitted to our laboratory for cytogenetic analysis. Due to refinements in specimen processing and culture techniques introduced at the end of 1997, our data were analyzed for two periods: Period A from 1990 through 1997 with 907 eligible specimens and Period B from 1998 through 2002 with 1273 eligible specimens. Results: Modifications in physician communication and sample processing contributed to significant improvements in the culture success rate and in the ratio of male-to-female cases with normal karyotypes. Additionally, increased detection of trisomic, triploid, and multiple aneuploid cases in Period B resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of cases with abnormal karyotypes (42.8% in Period A vs. 65.8% in Period B). Monosomy X accounted for < 10% of all abnormalities in Period B. Eighty five multiple aneuploid karyotypes, including 57 double trisomies, comprised 7.7% of our 1099 abnormal cases. These karyotypes were detected predominantly in POCs from the older women in our study. This collection of multiple aneuploidies is the largest published to date and includes abnormalities not reported in prior studies. We also present a table empirically derived from the data in Period B that indicates the likelihood of a specific abnormal karyotype based on maternal age. The table can be utilized by health care providers, who counsel patients after a spontaneous miscarriage. Conclusion: Improvements in laboratory technique have led to reduced contamination and growth failure of POCs, irrespective of maternal age. This in turn has led to a more balanced male-to-female ratio and to the detection of an increased number of abnormal cases.
The content and value of letters of recommendation in the resident candidate evaluative process.

Abstract Purpose To determine the content and value of letters of recommendation (LOR) in the selection of residents for general surgery training. Methods During the 1999 application process, we evaluated the source, content, and usefulness of 966 LOR for 288 viable applicants to our program. Each letter was reviewed to determine if the author had clinical contact with the student and whether the student’s fund of knowledge, clinical achievements, psychomotor skills, and personal characteristics were described. The use and type of a “single word” summary was also noted. The program director then determined if the LOR was helpful in evaluating the student. Participants All LOR in the application materials of candidates applying to the General Surgery Residency of the University of Arizona. Results All of the candidates submitted 3 LOR and 34% submitted 4. The average length was 13.7 (range, 4 to 36) sentences. Department chairs wrote LOR for 66% of the students, and these comprised 20% of the total LOR. Program directors, division chiefs, and clerkship directors wrote 16%, whereas other general surgery faculty contributed 40%. In 17% of the LOR, no evidence of direct clinical supervision could be found. Personal characteristics were described in 89% of the letters, but reference to psychomotor skills occurred in only 27%. In 58% of the LOR, a single adjective was used to describe the students; of these, “outstanding” (or equivalent) was used in 37% and “excellent” (or equivalent) was used in 38%. Meaningful comparison to student colleagues appeared in 11%. In our program director’s opinion, 24% of the LOR were helpful in the evaluation process. The department chair’s letters were helpful only 19% of the time. Conclusions Letters of recommendation are imprecise indicators of student performance for resident candidate evaluation. A “standardized LOR” may help provide a consistent and more objective evaluative tool, and the APDS should consider its development for future selection processes.
MSL — Medicine as a Second Language

Rachel Sobel writes that learning medicine as a second language can be trying, and not only because fluency varies tremendously with the team to which she's assigned on a given rotation. She must constantly navigate two worlds, patient-speak and doctor-speak, and hardly do the two meet.
Geometry shapes cell signaling network output

Through live cell imaging and computational modeling, Neves et al. (2008) demonstrate that molecular interactions alone are insufficient to explain the patterns of MAPK activation: a model must include the cell morphology and spatial distribution of signaling molecules.
Dynamic response of microwave land surface properties to precipitation in Amazon rainforest

Abstract The responses of land surface microwave properties to precipitation, including the brightness temperature (Tbs) and emissivities (MLSEs) at 18.7, 23.8 and 37.0 GHz, are studied by combining satellite synergetic retrievals (from AQUA AMSR-E and MODIS) with in-situ measured land surface temperature, soil moisture (SM), and precipitation at two Amazonia tropical rainforest sites Km83 and Km67. In general, Tbs and MLSEs are found to be negatively correlated to SM. Their dependences on the vegetation water content (VWC) are not monotonic: positive correlations at relatively low VWC and negative correlations at high VWC range. Although Amazon dense rainforest is the most stable vegetation regime, there are significant seasonal variations in both MLSE and Tbs, with amplitudes of about 0.025 and 7.0 K, respectively. The day-to-day variation of MLSE and Tbs is larger in the wet seasons than in the dry seasons, although the mean MLSE and Tbs are lower in the wet seasons than in the dry seasons. After precipitation, the SM, VWC and canopy interception water increase and reach their peak values at different transit times. There is an equilibrium time point (about 4 h in this case) at which the vegetation–soil system holds the largest amount of moisture. Consequently, Tbs and MLSEs decrease during the first several hours after the start of precipitation and then increase after the equilibrium time point. Ignoring the “turning point” may introduce significant errors in the estimation of MLSEs (up to 0.04) and Tbs (up to 10 K) under rainy conditions.
Improving colorectal cancer screening by using community volunteers: results of the Carolinas cancer education and screening (CARES) project.

BACKGROUND. The goal of the Carolinas Cancer Education and Screening (CARES) Project was to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among lowincome women in subsidized housing communities in 11 cities in North and South Carolina who were traditionally underserved by cancer control efforts. METHODS. Cross-sectional samples were randomly selected from housing authority lists at 5 timepoints in this nonrandomized community-based intervention study. Face-to-face interviews focused on CRC knowledge, beliefs, barriers to screening, and screening behaviors. The intervention components were based on a previous evidence-based program. RESULTS. A total of 2098 surveys were completed. Seventy-eight percent of the respondents were African American, 62% were 651 years, and 4% were married. At baseline, the rate of CRC screening within guidelines was 49.3% and physician recommendation was the strongest predictor (odds ratio [OR] 5 21.9) of being within guidelines. There was an increase in positive beliefs about CRC screening (P 5 .010) and in the intention to complete CRC screening in the next 12 months (P 5 .053) after the intervention. The odds of being within CRC screening guidelines for women living in a city that had received the intervention were not significantly different from women living in a city that had not received the intervention (P 5 .496). CONCLUSIONS. Although CRC screening rates were not significantly better after the intervention, there was a positive change in beliefs about screening and intention to be screened. The results suggest that the dissemination of an evidence-based behavioral intervention may require a longer duration to engage hard-to-reach populations and change behaviors. Cancer 2007;110:1602–10. � 2007 American Cancer Society.
Electrochemical properties of lanthanum strontium aluminum ferrites for the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract The oxygen reduction reaction was studied on the La 1− x Sr x Al y Fe 1− y O 3 ( x =0.2, y =0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) system by cyclic voltametry and electronic conductivity. Activation energies for the bulk and film conductivities were determined. Tafel analysis afforded the activation energies “from the temperature dependence of the exchange current densities” as well as the charge transfer coefficient. The electrical conductivity of bulk material was found to decrease with aluminum content. Formation of the materials into thin porous films further decreased the conductivity after correcting for porosity. Aluminum substitution substantially decreased the performance through influence of the pre-exponential factor in the Butler–Volmer formulation. Neither the activation energies nor the charge transfer coefficient for these materials varied significantly. Aluminum does not adversely influence the basic mechanism of oxygen reduction. It may occupy and block electrochemically active sites on the electrode surface, but it does not appear to decrease the intrinsic activity of available surface sites.
The Promise and Perils of Stem Cell Therapeutics

Stem cells are the seeds of tissue repair and regeneration and a promising source for novel therapies. However, apart from hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, essentially all other stem cell treatments remain experimental. High hopes have inspired numerous clinical trials, but it has been difficult to obtain unequivocal evidence for robust clinical benefit. In recent years, unproven therapies have been widely practiced outside the standard clinical trial network, threatening the cause of legitimate clinical investigation. Numerous challenges and technical barriers must be overcome before novel stem cell therapies can achieve meaningful clinical impact.
Bilateral pneumothoraces from a malfunctioning resuscitation valve

Disposable resuscitation valves appear as relatively simple devices used to ventilate patients during both emergent situations and transport from the operating room to the intensive care unit. We report a case of a nonfunctional disposable resuscitation valve that resulted in barotrauma and bilateral pneumothoraces. A routine check for proper function of these valves before use in critically ill patients may help to eliminate such cases.
Determinants of Effective Population Size for Loci With Different Modes of Inheritance

Here we report an assessment of the determinants of effective population size (N(e)) in species with overlapping generations. Specifically, we used a stochastic demographic model to investigate the influence of different life-history variables on N(e)/N (where N = population census number) and the influence of sex differences in life-history variables on N(e) for loci with different modes of inheritance. We applied an individual-based modeling approach to two datasets: one from a natural population of savannah baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in the Amboseli basin of southern Kenya and one from a human tribal population (the Gainj of Papua New Guinea). Simulation-based estimates of N(e)/N averaged 0.329 for the Amboseli baboon population (SD = 0.116, 95% CI = 0.172 - 0.537) and 0.786 for the Gainj (SD = 0.184, 95% CI = 0.498 - 1.115). Although variance in male fitness had a substantial impact on N(e)/N in each of the two primate populations, ratios of N(e) values for autosomal and sex-linked loci exhibited no significant departures from Poisson-expected values. In each case, similarities in sex-specific N(e) values were attributable to the unexpectedly high variance in female fitness. Variance in male fitness resulted primarily from age-dependent variance in reproductive success, whereas variance in female fitness resulted primarily from stochastic variance in survival during the reproductive phase.
Induction of Surfactant Protein A Expression by Cortisol Facilitates Prostaglandin Synthesis in Human Chorionic Trophoblasts

Context: Surfactant protein A (SP-A) may be an important link between the maturation of fetal organs and the initiation of parturition. However, the local expression of SP-A and the effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis in human fetal membranes have not been resolved. Objective: Our objective was to examine SP-A expression and the effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis in human fetal membranes. Design: SP-A expression was examined with immunohistochemistry and PCR. The effect of SP-A on prostaglandin synthesis was investigated in cultured human chorionic trophoblasts. Patients: Patients were normal-term pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean sections. Results: Both SP-A protein and mRNA were present in amnion epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and chorionic trophoblasts. Cortisol (10−7 and 10−6 m, 24 h) induced SP-A expression in cultured chorionic trophoblasts, which could be blocked by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486. Treatment of chorionic trophoblasts with SP-A (10–100 μg/ml, 24 h...
Using a Reactive Planner as the Basis for a Dialogue Agent

This paper describes APE (the Atlas Planning Engine), the reactive planner at the center of the Atlas dialogue management system. The goal of Atlas is to build conversation-based systems, where turns in the “conversation” may include graphical actions and/or text. Since APE can be used to generate a dialogue involving arbitrarily nested discourse constructs, it is more powerful than dialogue planners based on finite-state machines. Although it is intended largely to model dialogue containing hierarchical, multi-turn plans, APE can also be used as a general-purpose programming tool for implementing a dialogue system.
Judicial Behavior under Political Constraints: Evidence from the European Court of Justice

The actual impact of judicial decisions often depends on the behavior of executive and legislative bodies that implement the rulings. Consequently, when a court hears a case involving the interests of those controlling the executive and legislative institutions, those interests can threaten to obstruct the court's intended outcome. In this paper, we evaluate whether and to what extent such constraints shape judicial rulings. Specifically, we examine how threats of noncompliance and legislative override influence decisions by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Based on a statistical analysis of a novel dataset of ECJ rulings, we find that the preferences of member-state governments—whose interests are central to threats of noncompliance and override—have a systematic and substantively important impact on ECJ decisions.
Impact of the RNA Chaperone Hfq on the Fitness and Virulence Potential of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Hfq is a bacterial RNA chaperone involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of many stress-inducible genes via small noncoding RNAs. Here, we show that Hfq is critical for the uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolate UTI89 to effectively colonize the bladder and kidneys in a murine urinary tract infection model system. The disruption of hfq did not affect bacterial adherence to or invasion of host cells but did limit the development of intracellular microcolonies by UTI89 within the terminally differentiated epithelial cells that line the lumen of the bladder. In vitro, the hfq mutant was significantly impaired in its abilities to handle the antibacterial cationic peptide polymyxin B and reactive nitrogen and oxygen radicals and to grow in acidic medium (pH 5.0). Relative to the wild-type strain, the hfq mutant also had a substantially reduced migration rate on motility agar and was less prone to form biofilms. Hfq activities are known to impact the regulation of both the stationary-phase sigma factor RpoS (σS) and the envelope stress response sigma factor RpoE (σE). Although we saw similarities among hfq, rpoS, and rpoE deletion mutants in our assays, the rpoE and hfq mutants were phenotypically the most alike. Cumulatively, our data indicate that Hfq likely affects UPEC virulence-related phenotypes primarily by modulating membrane homeostasis and envelope stress response pathways.
Relation between the effective area of a single-mode fiber and the capture fraction of spontaneous Raman scattering

The spontaneous Raman capture fraction in a single-mode fiber is inversely related to the effective area of the fiber. This relation ties together classical and quantum approaches to stimulated Raman scattering in fibers and has implications for calculations of gain and noise in fiber Raman amplifiers. The relation between capture fraction and effective area is derived, first, by comparison of the classical and quantum treatments of spontaneous Raman scattering in a fiber and, second, by treatment of the source of the Raman scattered light as oscillating dipoles and calculation of the capture fraction of the dipole radiated power.
Inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase by 6,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines related to dopamine: demonstration using liquid chromatography and a novel substrate for O-methylation.

: We report that 6,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines related to dopamine are potent inhibitors of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), but are not apparent substrates for the enzyme in vitro or in vivo. Three dihy-droxy (catecholic) dihydroisoquinolines, including the 1-benzyl (DesDHP) and the 1-methyl (DSAL) analogs, were found to inhibit COMT activity in rat liver supernatant more effectively than the well-known inhibitor, tropolone. Inhibition of O-methylation was uncompetitive with substrate, and O-methylated products of the catecholic dihydroisoquinolines were undetectable. For these in vitro studies, a facile liquid chromatographic assay was developed utilizing as a site-specific substrate, 1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1 -carboxylate (salsolinol-1-carboxylate). This catechol produces only one phenolic product isomer when incubated with liver supernatant and S-adenosylmethionine. Following central injection of DSAL in rats, inhibition of brain COMT in vivo was indicated by the reduced brain levels of homovanillic acid, but not of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. Furthermore, O-methylated DSAL metabolites could not be detected in brain by liquid or gas chromatography. We suggest that 6,7–dihydroxy-dihydroisoquinolines are “nonmethylatable” COMT inhibitors because they exist as quinoidal tautomers resembling pyridones or tropolones rather than as catechols. Quinoid formation is supported by the fluorescence and ultraviolet spectra for DSAL and its O-methyl derivatives. The experiments reveal a new class of COMT inhibitors that may be of pharmacological and mechanistic value. Additionally, 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines could arise endogenously via oxidation of the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines which are ingested or produced from cellular catecholamine condensations. However, it is unlikely that dihydroisoquinoline (e.g., DSAL) concentrations necessary to inhibit COMT significantly would be attained via endogenous pathways.
Electron-wave interaction in submicrometer gate field-effect transistors

The electromagnetic wave effects on the behavior of submicrometer gate FETs is investigated by coupling a full wave solution of Maxwell's equations to the active device model. Three-dimensional simulations verify the expected device-wave interaction. According to simulation results, energy transfer between electrons and the EM wave takes place along the device width. This effect is represented by a build-up in the wave amplitude and an increase in the device gain. >