cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inside the Black Box of Strategic HRM: Parallel Realities and Unintended Disconnects

Although the field of strategic HRM has rapidly expanded within a short period of time, there is still a great deal that remains unknown. While substantial research suggests that strategic HRM posi...
Polyvinyl chloride insoluble gels: Their structure and effect on properties of cast films

The effect of insoluble gel material, crystalline aggregates, and suspension particle membranes on the physical and mechanical properties of solution cast films of suspension PVC has been studied. The chemical structure and morphology of the insoluble gel material was also studied. The suspension particle membranes are found to contain significant amounts of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups but are still predominately PVC. These particles affect the transparency of cast films as well as the surface topography by forming discrete clusters upon drying which are uniformly distributed throughout the films. Finally, insoluble gel material is found to have no significant effect on the low and high speed mechanical properties of the films.
Treatment and prevention options for respiratory syncytial virus infections.

Abstract Although the therapeutic antiviral agents ribavirin and amantadine ameliorate illness caused by influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children, these agents are used infrequently because they are not cost-effective. Research currently is directed toward defining the high-risk groups for which these antiviral drugs should be used. Treatment of severe respiratory infection with specific immune globulin, either alone or in combination with antiviral drugs, is another therapeutic approach. Prevention of viral respiratory diseases is preferable because some lung damage occurs before the beginning of treatment, and damage resulting from the immune response may continue even after the virus is inhibited. As natural history and animal studies suggest, passive immunization can be achieved for neonates through active immunization of the mother during pregnancy. However, this approach is limited by the half-life of the transferred antibodies and the lack of antibody in premature infants. Standard immune globulin does not contain sufficient RSV neutralizing antibody titer to fully protect against severe RSV illness. Passive immunization with RSV immune globulin in infants and children has been shown to prevent or attenuate RSV in high-risk groups. Active immunization against some respiratory viruses has been achieved by administration of inactive virus (or their subunits), recombinant viral antigens, and live attenuated virus. Large trials are under way to determine the safety and immunogenicity of these vaccines for children in whom young age and serious underlying illness are significant barriers to primary immune response. The current research environment is suitable for the development of an immunization strategy to prevent many of the significant respiratory infections in children. (J P EDIATR 1994;124:S22-S7)
Windows of vulnerability or cognitive illusions? Cognitive processes and the nuclear arms race

Abstract Recent analyses of the nuclear arms race have emphasized the role of psychological processes in nations' decisions to arm themselves. The present research was designed to investigate several hypotheses regarding the effects of two cognitive processes, decision framing and social differentiation, on decisions to allocate economic resources to increase security. It was predicted that decision makers would allocate more resources to security (arm themselves at higher levels) when decision frame implied high deficits in security and when the perceived level of social differentiation in their groups was high. To test these hypotheses, two experiments were conducted using a laboratory simulation of an arms race. The results of both experiments support the decision framing hypothesis. Support for the social differentiation hypothesis was more equivocal. Although social differentiation based upon perceptions of “common fate” had inconsistent effects on behavior, differentiation based upon naturally occuring social categories affected decision making in the predicted direction.
Dynamic response of some dissipative systems by means of functions of matrices

Abstract A certain class of linear, viscously damped dynamical systems, the matrix coefficients of which satisfy a certain commutativity condition, are known to exhibit the same normal modes as the ones that exist in the absence of damping. These systems are said to have classical normal modes. In the present study, such systems are shown to be particular cases of dynamical systems that possess a zero commutator, which form a subset of separable systems. The response of the latter is investigated by means of functions of matrices, and its connection with the classical eigenfunction expansion approach is established. The paper continues the author's previous work where functions of matrices were used to (a) develop an algorithm for the numerical integration of the equations of motion for such systems, and (b) to establish their conservation laws.
Immune System Maturity and Sensitivity to Chemical Exposure

It is well established that human diseases associated with abnormal immune function, including some common infectious diseases and asthma, are considerably more prevalent at younger ages. The immune system continues to mature after birth, and functional immaturity accounts for much of the increased susceptibility in the young. Although not established absolutely, it is generally believed that development constitutes a period of increased immune system susceptibility to xenobiotics, since adverse effects may occur at lower doses and/or immunomodulation may be more persistent, thus increasing the relative risk of xenobiotic exposure to the immunologically immature organism. Data from published reports were compared to determine whether age and developmental stage at exposure influence the immunotoxic effects of diethylstilbestrol (DES), diazepam (DZP), lead (Pb), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), and tributyltin oxide (TBTO). These compounds were chosen for comparison based on the fact that each h...
Abstract 3926: Abrogating tamoxifen resistance with the ribonucleoside analog, 8-amino adenosine

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Hormone therapy is a prevalent treatment of choice for patients with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) positive breast cancers. Unfortunately, due to resistance, many women do not benefit from these forms of therapy. AIB1 is a transcriptional co-activator that plays an important role in resistance to hormone therapy. Depending on the cell/gene context, agents such as tamoxifen either stimulate or antagonize the transcriptional activities of ERα. Tamoxifen binding alters ERα to an intermediate conformation with affinity for both co-activators and co-repressors, causing the conformation to be dependent on co-regulator levels in the cell milieu. The stoichiometric balance between AIB1 and co-repressors is a key determinant of tamoxifen resistance. Additionally, cross-talk between ERα and growth factor (GF) signaling further manipulates ERα activity and responsiveness to hormone therapy, particularly in cells with high AIB1 levels. Of the receptor signaling transducers, AKT, ERK, and p38 are key players in resistance. We hypothesized that strategies to target the stoichiometric balance of AIB1 to co-repressors would be clinically beneficial for abrogating tamoxifen resistance. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that agents that are able to interfere with the ERα/GF crosstalk are also highly advantageous for abrogating resistance to tamoxifen. We have shown that the ribonucleoside analog, 8-aminoadenosine (8-NH2-Ado) is a transcription inhibitor. As such, it is expected to primarily deplete the expression of the small percentage (∼5%) of gene transcripts with short-half lives, such as AIB1. We have demonstrated that treatment of MCF-7 and BT-474 cells with non-tumoricidal concentrations of 8-NH2-Ado (1 µM) decreased AIB1 protein levels. Furthermore, using in vitro kinase assays, we demonstrated the active metabolite of 8-NH2-Ado is a selective inhibitor of MEK1, 2, and 6. An initial analysis of 4-hydroxytamoxifen dose response in two different tamoxifen resistant breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7/HER-2:18 and BT-474, demonstrated non-tumoricidal analog concentrations were able to reduce the dose of 4-hydroxytamoxifen needed to inhibit proliferation in these cells. Additionally, 8-NH2-Ado inhibited AKT and ERK1/2 activity in these cells. In conclusion, AIB1 and GF signaling molecules are attractive targets for reversing resistance to hormone therapy. Our results suggest that treating ERα positive breast cancer with combinations of tamoxifen and 8-NH2-Ado would be an effective strategy to overcome tamoxifen resistance. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3926. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3926
NEIGHBORHOOD SATISFACTION, EXPECTATIONS, AND URBAN REVITALIZATION

This study examines the role of residential satisfaction and expectations as determinants of neighborhood revitalization in a working class neighborhood. An extensive set of background and social-psychological factors are identified, and their effects on housing renovation and the wish to move are assessed. The findings suggest that renovation is a more complex activity than often portrayed with neither the objective characteristics of the neighborhood or the residents adequate as explanations for explaining revitalization. Only when combined with subjective indicators do they provide reliable guides for policy decisions.
A Polynomial Algorithm for the Two-Variable Integer Programming Problem

ABSTRACT A polynomial time algorithm is presented for solving the following two-variable integer programming problem maximize ClXl + c2x2 subject to a, lxl + a,2x2 = O, integers, where a,j, cj, and b, are assumed to be nonnegattve integers This generahzes a result of Htrschberg and Wong, who developed a polynomial algorithm for the same problem with only one constraint (l e, where n = 1) However, the techniques used here are quite different KEY WORDS AND PHRASES integer programming, knapsack problem, polynomial algorithm, coefficient size, feasible region decomposition CR CATEGORIES 3 15, 5 25, 5 30, 5 40 Introduction We consider the following integer programming problem: (1) maximize clxa + czx2 subject to aaxl + a,2xz ~ b,, a= 1,2 .... n, and xl, x2 => 0, integers, where au, G, and b, are assumed to be nonnegative integers. We first show that the solution to (1) can be obtained easily from the solutions to at most n problems, each of which is of the form (2) maximize
Multitarget data association with higher-order motion models

We present an iterative approximate solution to the multidimensional assignment problem under general cost functions. The method maintains a feasible solution at every step, and is guaranteed to converge. It is similar to the iterated conditional modes (ICM) algorithm, but applied at each step to a block of variables representing correspondences between two adjacent frames, with the optimal conditional mode being calculated exactly as the solution to a two-frame linear assignment problem. Experiments with ground-truthed trajectory data show that the method outperforms both network-flow data association and greedy recursive filtering using a constant velocity motion model.
Range cube: efficient cube computation by exploiting data correlation

Data cube computation and representation are prohibitively expensive in terms of time and space. Prior work has focused on either reducing the computation time or condensing the representation of a data cube. We introduce range cubing as an efficient way to compute and compress the data cube without any loss of precision. A new data structure, range trie, is used to compress and identify correlation in attribute values, and compress the input dataset to effectively reduce the computational cost. The range cubing algorithm generates a compressed cube, called range cube, which partitions all cells into disjoint ranges. Each range represents a subset of cells with the same aggregation value, as a tuple which has the same number of dimensions as the input data tuples. The range cube preserves the roll-up/drill-down semantics of a data cube. Compared to H-cubing, experiments on real dataset show a running time of less than one thirtieth, still generating a range cube of less than one ninth of the space of the full cube, when both algorithms run in their preferred dimension orders. On synthetic data, range cubing demonstrates much better scalability, as well as higher adaptiveness to both data sparsity and skew.
Pharmacists emerge as key stakeholders in quality, patient safety efforts

Improving quality of care and en- hancing patient safety are twin goals of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Today, pharmacists work in a range of clinical settings where they serve as a touch point for health care information for patients and clinicians. Given this vital role, the pharmacist is a valuable partner with AHRQ in quality im- provement and patient safety. Patient safety advocates, including health providers, hospitals, health accred- iting groups, and others, agree on the need to reduce the prevalence of medication er- rors. These errors account for nearly 20% of adverse events overall and affect nearly 4% of all hospital stays. 1 Medication er- of medication errors and improve qual- ity and performance. Our work in some areas, such as those initiated after the new Medicare prescription drug law was implemented, is at an early stage. Other initiatives are showing impressive cost and safety benefits and growing use. evaluating pharmacy services The passage of Medicare's prescrip- tion drug law, which created the new Medicare Part D benefit, is prompting pharmacists to play a larger and more critical role in the health care decisions of older Americans. The law includes a med- ication therapy management (MTM) pro- gram for individuals with multiple chronic diseases who take multiple medications, have multiple conditions, and are likely to incur annual Medicare Part D costs that exceed $4,000. As part of the law's imple- mentation, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) kept MTM pro- gram requirements intentionally vague to allow experimentation among Medicare prescription drug plans. In keeping with their intended pur- pose, the majority of MTM programs offer patient education (75%), medica- tion adherence (70%), and medication review (60%), according to a study of 70 health plans offering MTM programs that covered 12 million Medicare patients. This 2006 study was cofunded by AHRQ and led by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. These researchers found that in-house telephone call cen- ters were the most common method of providing MTM services (used by 90% of programs), followed by mail interventions (76%). However, according to the study authors, these types of interventions have not been supported by empirical justifica- tion.
USE AND CALIBRATION OF A GAS CHROMATOGRAPH FOR GAS ANALYSIS AT THE PROJECT ROVER TEST FACILITY

Gas chromatography has become an increasingly useful tool in the quality control of manufactured products and as a technique for laboratory analysis. This paper describes a combination of these uses with a gas Chromatograph system at the Nuclear Rocket Development Station of the Atomic Energy Commission and the National Aeronautical and Space Administration.
Uranium and thorium diffusion in diopside

This paper presents new experimental data on the tracer diffusion rates of U and Th in diopside at 1 atm and 1150‐ 1300oC. Diffusion couples were prepared by depositing a thin layer of U‐Th oxide onto the polished surface of a natural diopside single crystal, and diffusion profiles were measured by ion microprobe depth profiling. For diffusion parallel to [001] the following Arrhenius relations were obtained: log 10 DU D . 5:75 0:98/ .418 28 kJ=mol/=2:303RT log10 DTh D . 7:77 0:92/ .356 26 kJ=mol/=2:303RT. The diffusion data are used to assess the extent to which equilibrium is obtained during near fractional melting of a high-Ca pyroxene bearing mantle peridotite. We find that the diffusion rates for both elements are slow and that disequilibrium between solid and melt will occur under certain melting conditions. For near-fractional adiabatic decompression melting at ascent rates > 3c m=yr, high-Ca pyroxene will exhibit disequilibrium effects. High-Ca pyroxene will become zoned in U and Th and the melts extracted will be depleted in these incompatible elements relative to melts produced by equilibrium fractional melting. U and Th diffusivities in high-Ca pyroxene are similar, and diffusive fractionation of these elements will be limited. Numerical solutions to a dynamic melting model with diffusion-controlled chemical equilibration indicate that the activity ratio [ 230 Th= 238 U] in a partial melt of spinel peridotite will be slightly less than 1 for a broad range of melting parameters. This result reinforces the already widely accepted conclusion that melting of spinel peridotite cannot account for 230 Th excesses in mid-ocean ridge and ocean island basalts, and that garnet must therefore be present over part of the melting column. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
On Operationally Defining Reconciliation

Post-conflict reconciliatory behavior has been reported to occur with variable frequencies in different primate groups and species. Because different investigators have used different criteria to operationalize reconciliation, however, it is possible that the variation reported merely reflects different methods of study. To compare different groups and species in a meaningful way, an accurate operationalization of reconciliation is necessary. This study explores the correlation between operationally defined reconciliation (what observers recognize, such as friendly reunion) and functional reconciliation (behavior that restores a dyadic social relationship) in a group of captive long-tailed macaques, using results from an experiment originally undertaken to demonstrate the function of friendly reunions in restoring dyadic tolerance after aggression. In dyads of unrelated animals, reunions were equally effective in restoring tolerance whether they involved body contact, overt friendly gestures, or mere proximity. Classification of post-conflict reunions as "reconciliations" depends on comparisons with control observations; these comparisons have been carried out in several ways. Comparisons using the "n-minute rule" missed functional reconciliations, whereas those based on the "post-conflict/matched-control rule" appeared to lead to more accurate classification of functional reconciliations. Post-conflict reunions were equally effective in restoring tolerance whether they were initiated by the original aggressor or by the victim. An accurate operational definition of reconciliation, not a conservative one, is prerequisite to comparisons of the frequency of this behavior, and depends on empirical verification. This study suggests specific guidelines for an operational definition based on such verification. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A NEW Approach to Defining and Measuring Creativity: Rethinking Technology & Creativity in the 21st Century

- Conversation between characters, Liz Lemon & Jack Donaghy in the television show 30 Rock. – Marty Rubin
Explanations for States Adopting Limits on Educational Spending

It is not obvious why voters choose to constrain themselves by imposing term limits on politicians or spending limits when they can throw an official out of office if he or she spends too much or makes other decisions that displease them. Between 1976 and 1983, voters in nearly a third of the states adopted spending limits on school districts. This paper tests a number of untested hypotheses about why some states adopt spending limits and others do not. The novel results suggest that spending limits are adopted in states in which (1) voters can easily place initiatives on the ballot, (2) house prices are outstripping income, (3) the electoral mechanism is less effective in getting rid of politicians who selected the wrong tax rates, (4) there is excessive state spending due to common-pool problems found in large legislatures, and (5) schools are less efficient due to little competition among school districts.
Clarifying the foreign aid puzzle: a comparison of American, Japanese, French, and Swedish aid flows

This study explores the donor side of debates revolving around the proper role of foreign assistance as a foreign policy tool, by empirically testing for the aid determinants of four industrial democracies: France, Japan, Sweden, and the United States. A pooled cross-sectional time-series design is employed to assess the impacts of six sets of variables on aid flows to thirty-six African states during the 1980s. Three sets of these variables--humanitarian need, strategic importance, and economic potential--are constructed using data traditionally employed in empirical foreign aid studies. Three additional sets of variables--cultural similarity, ideological stance, and region--are constructed from data that regional specialists consider to be important in the foreign aid equation. Although no two cases are alike, one can nevertheless draw some tentative conclusions about the nature of the foreign aid regime of the final cold war decade of the 1980s on the basis of several cross-national patterns. In short, the results (1) contradict rhetorical statements of northern policymakers who claim that foreign aid serves as an altruistic foreign policy tool designed to relieve humanitarian suffering; (2) confirm the expected importance of strategic and ideological factors in a foreign aid regime heavily influenced by the cold war; and (3) underscore the importance of economic, particularly trade, interests in northern aid calculations.
Safety of Inferior Vena Cava Filter Retrieval in Anticoagulated Patients

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of inferior vena cava (IVC) filter retrieval in therapeutically anticoagulated patients in comparison to prophylactically or not therapeutically anticoagulated patients with respect to retrieval-related hemorrhagic complications. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study of 115 consecutive attempted IVC filter retrievals in 110 patients. Filter retrievals were stratified as performed in patients who were therapeutically anticoagulated (group 1), prophylactically anticoagulated (group 2), or not therapeutically anticoagulated (group 3). The collected data included anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (type, form and duration of administration, dosage) at the time of retrieval. Phone interviews and chart review was performed for the international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, infusion of blood products, and retrievalrelated hemorrhagic complications. Results: Group 1 included 65 attempted filter retrievals in 61 therapeutically anticoagulated patients by measured INR or dosing when receiving low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Four retrievals were not successful. In patients receiving oral anticoagulation, the median INR was 2.35 (range, 2 to 8). Group 2 comprised 23 successful filter retrievals in 22 patients receiving a prophylactic dose of LMWH. Group 3 included 27 attempted filter retrievals in 27 patients not receiving therapeutic anticoagulation. Six retrievals were not successful. Five patients were receiving oral anticoagulation with a subtherapeutic INR (median, 1.49; range, 1.16 to 1.69). No anticoagulation medication was administered in 22 patients. In none of the groups were hemorrhagic complications related to the retrieval procedures identified. Conclusions: These results suggest that retrieval of vena cava filters in anticoagulated patients is safe. Interruption or reversal of anticoagulation for the retrieval of vena cava filters is not indicated. (CHEST 2007; 132:31–36)
Theoretical analysis of classic algorithms on highly-threaded many-core GPUs

The Threaded many-core memory (TMM) model provides a framework to analyze the performance of algorithms on GPUs. Here, we investigate the effectiveness of the TMM model by analyzing algorithms for 3 classic problems -- suffix tree/array for string matching, fast Fourier transform, and merge sort -- under this model. Our findings indicate that the TMM model can explain and predict previously unexplained trends and artifacts in experimental data.
Magnetic induction micromachine-part II: fabrication and testing

This paper presents the realization of a magnetic induction machine. The development of this machine is part of an ongoing project to create high-power density electric microgenerators for use in portable-power applications. The results reported here focus on testing a first-generation nonlaminated electromagnetic actuator, a metrology device designed for exploring and characterizing the fabrication process and the operating behavior of the magnetic induction micromachine. Achieving high power density requires large electrical currents and magnetic fluxes, which necessitate thick, multilayered microstructures that are difficult to fabricate. The batch-fabrication schemes developed as part of this work are based on low-temperature micromolding that makes extensive use of various ultra-thick photoresists and electroplating of electrical conductors (Cu) and ferromagnetic materials (Ni-Fe 80%-20%), resulting in the successful fabrication of a multilayer two-phase planar stator and a planar rotor. To evaluate the performance of the complete machine (stator plus rotor), a 4-mm-diameter, 500-/spl mu/m-thick electroplated Ni-Fe rotor is tethered to a series of flexible structures that prevent it from making a complete revolution, but allow accurate torque performance extraction. The tethered induction micromotor studied here exhibits torque production as high as 4.8 /spl mu/N/spl middot/m.
Novel two-photon-absorbing, 1,10-phenanthroline-containing π-conjugated chromophores and their nickel(II) chelated complexes with quenched emissions

Novel 1,10-phenanthroline-containing π-conjugated chromophores with varied electron donors were synthesized and characterized together with their corresponding nickel(II) chelated complexes. The linear absorption maxima for these chromophores could be tuned from 357 to 415 nm by using different electron donors. The 1,10-phenanthroline-containing π-conjugated chromophores exhibit strong fluorescence in solutions upon one- or two-photon excitation. The fluorescence of these chromophores can be quenched or partially quenched by some metal ions due to an excellent metal ion chelating ability of the 1,10-phenanthroline backbone. The nickel(II) chelating complexes show quenched emission, both in dilute and concentrated solutions, compared to their metal ion-free chromophores. Their two-photon absorption (TPA) spectra are obtained using a newly developed multi-photon spectroscopic technique which utilizes a single strong femtosecond white-light continuum generation beam. The two-photon absorption spectra show that the TPA band for these compounds can be tuned by choosing different electron donors. The maximum TPA cross-section σ2 values for the three metal ion-free chromophores are variable from 0.58 to 2.26 × 10−20 cm4 GW−1 (±15%). The metal ion-free chromophore-containing dihexylamino groups (9c) has a larger TPA cross-section σ2 value compared to the chromophores containing alkyloxy groups or alkylthio groups. When the metal ion-free chromophores coordinate with the nickel(II) ion, the resulting complexes do not lose their excellent two-photon-absorbing ability. The nickel(II) chelated complexes display red-shifted two-photon absorption bands compared with their metal ion-free chromophores.
INTRODUCTION: Internet Research as It Isn't, Is, Could Be, and Should Be

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The publisher's version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01972240591007535.
Pathologic Quiz Case: A 42-Year-Old Woman With a Recurrent Right Axillary Tumor Following Bilateral Mastectomies and Axillary Resections

42-year-old woman presented to her surgeon with an enlarging, tender, 2.5-cm mass in the right axilla. The patient’s medical history was significant for bilateral breast enlargement in 1994, biopsies, and subsequent hormonal treatment with tamoxifen. The patient’s mammograms at that time (Figure 1) revealed bilateral, noncalcified masses that were iso-opaque with respect to the adjacent breast parenchyma. In 1998, while taking tamoxifen, the patient’s breasts enlarged significantly, with the right breast nearly doubling in size. To relieve her discomfort, the patient underwent bilateral simple mastectomies. In 1999, the patient developed bilateral axillary tumors that were resected. The patient has a sister who has been diagnosed as having breast cancer. Excisional biopsy of the right axillary tumor revealed multiple nodules that measured up to 2.5 cm. Cut surfaces were pink-gray and homogenous. Microscopic examination showed abundant stroma and ectopic breast parenchyma (Figure 2, A and B). The stroma consisted of an interconnecting network of slitlike pseudovascular spaces embedded in dense, hyalinized collagen. These spaces were lined by flat, bland cells that lacked significant atypia or mitotic activity and were devoid of red blood cells. The surrounding breast ducts and lobules were variably hyperplastic. What is your diagnosis?
To Have or Not to Have the Common External Tariff: The CARICOM Countries Conundrum

This study utilizes a source-based demand systems model to estimate demand for imported poultry products in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and to evaluate the impact that modifications of the Common External Tariff (CET) would have on the demand for poultry products from the United States, Brazil, Canada and the European Union. Own price elasticities suggest that CARICOM’s poultry import demand is highly price responsive in both the short run and the long run, and that any significant increases in imported poultry prices could be expected to trigger greater than proportional decreases in quantities demanded from all source countries except Brazil. Results also suggest that if the CET were removed, all source countries would be able to expand poultry product exports into CARICOM. Canada is the only country that would decrease exports to CARICOM in the long run if the CET were removed. Poultry exports to the region from most source countries would contract with a doubling of the CET to 80%, in both the short run and the long run.
Design and synthesis of a novel PET probe for early detection of Alzheimer's disease

137 Objectives While several PET tracers (PIB, Avid 45, GE-067, AZD4694) are under development, Avid45 and GE-067 (Flutemetamol) have been recently approved by FDA for Aβ imaging in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These agents show high levels of nonspecific white matter retention and are unable to detect diffuse Aβ, a preclinical manifestation of the disease. Thus AD diagnosis at preclinical stages continues to be a challenging undertaking, and an unmet goal. To supplement an existing armamentarium of FDA approved agents, we have discovered a small fluorescent molecule that shows characteristics of translatable imaging agents, while also binding the diffuse plaques in confirmed AD tissues. Methods The fibril binding assay, immunohistochemistry, multiphoton imaging and biodistribution in mice have been performed using established procedure. Results The lead agent shows a concentration dependent and saturable binding with preformed Aβ1-42 aggregates (Kd=1.58±0.05nM). The F-18 counterpart demonstrates high first pass extraction into brains (8.86 % ID/g; 2 min) of normal mice, followed by clearance over 60 min. Additionally, the agent exhibits staining of fibrillar and diffuse plaques in the parenchymal regions of brain sections in APP/PS1 mice, and distinct labeling of diffuse as well as fibrillar Aβ plaques in the hippocampal tissue of a neuropathologically confirmed AD patient. Preliminary multiphoton real-time imaging shows ability of this molecule to traverse the blood-brain barrier and label parenchymal Aβ plaques in brains of transgenic mice within minutes post-intravenous injection. Conclusions The lead agent demonstrates characteristic features of translatable imaging agents and provides a template scaffold for further optimization and development of Aβ-targeted probes.
Challenges in emulating sensor and resource-based state changes for Android malware detection

The increasing prevalence of mobile malware has driven the need for emulated, dynamic analysis techniques. Unfortunately, emulating mobile devices is nontrivial because of the different types of hardware features onboard (e.g., sensors) and the manner in which users interact with their devices as compared to traditional computing platforms. To evaluate this, our research focuses on the enumeration and comparison of multiple attributes and event values from sensors and dynamic resources on Android runtime environments, both from physical devices and online analysis services. Utilizing our results from enumeration, we develop two different Android applications that are successful in detecting and evading the emulated environments utilized by those mobile analysis services during execution. When ran on physical devices, the same applications successfully perform a pseudo-malware action and send device identifying information to our server.
Influence of Alloying with Zirconium on the Structural-Phase State of Nd 2 Fe 14 B -Based Alloys

The influence of alloying with Zr on the microstructures of Nd11.7Fe82.3B6 and Nd16Fe76B8 alloys is investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The Nd2Fe14B , Fe, and Nd-rich phases are revealed in alloys without Zr. In addition, a phase close in its composition to the ZrFe2 phase is found in Zr-doped alloys. It is shown that the procedure of alloying with Zr prevents the separation of iron in the Nd11.7Fe81.1Zr1.2B6 alloy and changes the morphology of Nd16Fe73.9Zr2.1B8 alloy, as compared with Nd16Fe76B8 alloy.
Practical management of burns and inhalation injury

Burn injuries are often associated with profound physiologic derangements due to the nature of the underlying injuries and the overwhelming inflammatory response that ensues. In recent decades, a number of advancements have been made in the management of thermal burns. Inhalation injury frequently occurs in patients with thermal burns and can be a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Due to the intense inflammatory response that occurs after a burn injury, early aggressive volume resuscitation is necessary to minimize the risk of developing multiorgan dysfunction. Adequate sedation and analgesia, early enteral nutrition, physical rehabilitation, excision and grafting, and other supportive measures are also critically important to promoting healing and improving long-term outcomes. This review outlines a general approach to the management of patients with burn and inhalation injuries and highlights some of the recent advances in the care of these patients.
The Effects of Benefit Timing and Income Fungibility on Food Purchasing Decisions among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest nutritional safety net in the United States. Prior research has found that participants have higher consumption shortly after receiving their benefits, followed by lower consumption towards the end of the benefit month. Known as the “SNAP benefit cycle,” this consumption pattern has been found to have negative effects on beneficiaries. We hypothesize two behavioral responses of SNAP participants may work in tandem to drive much of the cycle: (1) short-run impatience—a higher preference to consume today, and (2) fungibility of income—the degree of substitutability between a SNAP dollar and a cash dollar. Using data from the National Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS), a newly developed nationally representative survey of daily food acquisitions by SNAP households, we find evidence of both behavioral responses. However, the degree of short-run impatience and fungibility of income is found to differ significantly across poverty levels and use of grocery lists to plan food purchases. SNAP households could gain from food purchase planning education.
Effect of Heparin on Endotoxin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

SummaryThe generalized Shwartzman reaction in rabbits was used as the in vivo model for endotoxin- and thrombin-induced changes in the WBC, platelets, and fibrinogen concentration. Concentrations of heparin ranging from 1000 to 25,000 units/kg did not alter the effect of heparin on the changes in these hematologic constituents. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were produced but fibrinogen consumption did not occur in the presence of heparin. Since the change in the platelets was similar to the leukocytes and not affected by heparin, it was concluded that the mechanism of platelet injury was related to the endotoxin and not to thrombin generation.
Solid state n.m.r. of biopolymers

Some aspects of high-resolution $^{13}$C n.m.r. of solid biopolymers are described. Spectra of amino acids, peptides, proteins and DNA are shown. Differences between solution spectra and solid state spectra of a molecule include multiple lines due to multiple crystal forms, splittings of substituted rings and asymmetric splittings of carbons bonded to nitrogen. The inability of magic angle sample spinning to remove $^{13}$C-$^{14}$N dipolar couplings is a consequence of the $^{14}$N quadrupole moment's altering the angular dependence of the interactions. Solid state n.m.r. of filamentous viruses is given as an example of new biological applications of this type of spectroscopy.
Torsion-Free Groups

In this chapter we start the discussion of torsion-free groups. First, we deal with general properties along with the finite rank case, and delegate the in-depth theory of torsion-free groups of infinite rank to the next chapter.
A Simple Analysis on the Collaborative Digital Reference Service in the Domestic Libraries

This article introduces concisely the original background of the collaborative digital reference service(abbreviated CDRS),the general situation of CDRS at abroad,and the actuality of six influential CDRS systems in our country.Besides,in order to promote the development of CDRS in the domestic libraries,some suggestions have been put forward.
Analysis of United States (US) and non-US pancreas transplants reported to the United network for organ sharing (UNOS) and the international pancreas transplant registry (IPTR) as of October 2001.

As of October 10, 2001, > 17,000 pancreas transplant had been reported to the IPTR, > 11,500 in the US and > 4,700 outside the US. An era analysis of US cases from 1987 to 2001 showed a progressive improvement in outcome (p 45 years old increased from 5% to 25%, and the improved outcomes encompassed the older patients as well. In patients > 45 years old, SPK pancreas GSRs at one year increased from 74% to 80% (p or = 95% in each recipient category, with one year pancreas GSRs of 83% for SPK (n = 3885), 79% for PAK (n = 630), and 78% for PTA (n = 240) (p = 0.0002). The immunological graft failure rates for 1997-2001 US SPK, PAK and PTA cases were 4%, 6%, and 8% at one year (p = 0.0001). There was a progressive increase in the use of ED (as opposed to BD) for duct management, to 67% for 1997-2001 US SPK transplants, 51% for PAK and 42% for PTA. Of US SPK ED transplants, 22% had venous drainage via the portal system. US pancreas GSRs were not significantly different for 1997-2001 ED (n = 2,519) and BD (n = 1,260) US SPK transplants (82% and 85%, respectively, at one year), nor was there a difference in pancreas GSRs for systemic (n = 1,958) versus portal (n = 557) venous-drained ED SPK transplants (82% vs. 84% at one year). Kidney GSRs were slightly higher for ED versus BD US SPK cases, 93% versus 91% at one year (p = 0.03). Duct management did matter for solitary (PAK and PTA) pancreas transplants. Pancreas GSRs for PAK recipients were 85% at one year for BD (n = 316) versus 74% for ED (n = 303) US transplants (p or = 0.37). However, BD transplants were associated with a 12% conversion rate to ED by two years posttransplant. Recipient age made little difference for outcome in any category. Indeed, in the PTA category GSRs were significantly higher for US recipients > 45 years old (n = 66) than 21-45 years old (n = 216), 85% versus 77% at 1 year (p 70%). In an analysis of outcome according to type of anti-T-cell antibody agents (depleting vs. non-depleting vs. none) for induction therapy in TAC + MMF treated recipients, there were no differences in GSRs in any of the categories. In regard to non-US cases, the overwhelming majority were in the SPK category (n = 1,649 for 1997-2001), with a one year pancreas GSR of 82%, not significantly different than for US cases. In summary, pancreas transplant graft survival rates were nearly 80% at one year in recipients of solitary (PAK and PTA) pancreas transplants, and > 80% in SPK recipients for 1997-2001 cases. The outcome continues to improve as increasing numbers of solitary pancreas transplants are done.
An Examination of Some Aspects of Factor Analysis in Damage Detection

It is well known that dynamic properties can be affected by environmental factors and this complicates the identification of damage. Among procedures explored to mitigate the fluctuations in dynamic features from environmental effects factor analysis is one of the simplest and has the merit that it operates without the need to measure the environmental variables. The method has been examined by several researchers in recent years but experience is limited and questions on some technical details remain open. This paper presents an investigation on three aspects that may affect the performance. The most important is the number of factors used in the analysis. The second relates to whether the diagonal nature on the covariance of random errors is enforced or not, and the third examines the influence of the criterion used to solve the over-determined set of equations that arise in the method. Results are obtained by simulating a system where the stiffness is cubically related to changes in temperature and where the temperature field, in each simulation, is a realization of a random process with a prescribed spatial correlation.
Mild chemical recycling of aerospace fiber/epoxy composite wastes and utilization of the decomposed resin

Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) with high Tg (>200 °C) are indispensable for aerospace industry where high service temperature is required. Chemical recycling of the matrix polymers for these CFRP composites is more difficult than that of their low Tg analogues. In this work, an efficient approach for mild chemical recycling of CFRP with a Tg of ∼210 °C was developed using a ZnCl2/ethanol catalyst system. The high efficiency of ZnCl2/ethanol was attributed to the strong coordination effect of ZnCl2 with the C-N bonds and the strong swelling ability of ethanol, which worked together to break down the chemical bonds of the cross-linked polymer. Also, mild degradation temperature (<200 °C) imparted little damage to the recovered fibers. The decomposed matrix polymer (DMP) was in the oligomer form and contained multifunctional reactive groups. When DMP was used as a reactive ingredient and added up to 15 wt% to the preparation of new epoxy materials, the resulting cross-linked polymers could still retain the high strength and modulus compared to the neat polymer without addition of DMP.
Sex and age differences in the associations between sleep behaviors and all-cause mortality in older adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

Objective Our aim was to examine sex- and age-specific relationships of sleep behaviors with all-cause mortality rates.
Place-Making and the New Mobility of Asian Cities: The Bangkok Plan

This century, it is often said, will belong to Asia. Whether or not that will be the case, the megacity is becoming an increasingly Asian phenomenon. As recently as 1950, a majority of the 20 largest cities were found in North America and Europe. They included both Philadelphia and Detroit, a reminder of how quickly city fortunes can change. Currently, 14 of the largest 20 cities in the world are in Asia. And with the loosening of migration policies in China, a new group of cities is likely to join the ranks of the world’s largest.
Development of a space-flight ADR providing continuous cooling at 50 mK with heat rejection at 10 K

Future astronomical instruments will require sub-Kelvin detector temperatures to obtain high sensitivity. In many cases large arrays of detectors will be used, and the associated cooling systems will need performance surpassing the limits of present technologies. NASA is developing a compact cooling system that will lift heat continuously at temperatures below 50 mK and reject it at over 10 K. Based on Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators (ADRs), it will have high thermodynamic efficiency and vibration-free operation with no moving parts. It will provide more than 10 times the current flight ADR cooling power at 50 mK and will also continuously cool a 4 K stage for instruments and optics. In addition, it will include an advanced magnetic shield resulting in external field variations below 5 T. We describe the cooling system here and report on the progress in its development.
Nicotinamide: a novel treatment for age-related macular degeneration?

Saini et al . recently reported in Cell Stem Cell that nicotinamide can suppress the expression of a broad set of genes in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (iPS-RPE) cells that may contribute to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (1). There are ample reasons to be excited about their findings, and many opportunities for future work. In this commentary, I will begin by providing background about the etiology of AMD before outlining some of the challenges of studying AMD using iPS-RPE. With that context in place, I will describe which elements of the Saini et al . study I find most exciting, and discuss potential future directions.
Evaluation of four commercial natural products for repellency and toxicity against the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae)

Lone star ticks are aggressive ectoparasites of domestic and wild animals, as well as humans. These ticks can transmit many pathogens that cause disease including Erhlichia and tularemia. Common compounds used for personal protection and area sprays are N-diethyl-3-methyl benzamide (DEET) and permethrin, but public concern over personal and environmental safety require the development of new, safer products. In the current study, four commercially available products (Wondercide, Essentria IC3, Vet's Best, and Mosquito Barrier) were tested for both repellent and toxic effects against lone star tick nymphs and adults. Overall, all four products were more effective against nymphs than against adults. Wondercide and Essentria IC3 were as toxic to nymphs as permethrin at concentrations of 3.13% and higher, and as repellent as DEET at all concentrations. Nymphs were also repelled by Mosquito Barrier and Vet's Best, but these products had about half or less of the repellent effects of Wondercide and Essentria IC3 at most of the concentrations. Adult ticks were repelled similarly by all products at all tested concentrations, but at lower levels than nymphs. Toxicity of the four tested products on adults was similar at concentrations of 12.5% and below, less than half of what was observed with permethrin with declining effectiveness as concentrations decreased. Overall, these four products may offer a natural way to repel lone star ticks, but further field testing is needed to determine rates of application and residual activity.