cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Personality Development at Work: Workplace Conditions, Personality Changes, and the Corresponsive Principle

Investigations concerning adult personality development have increasingly focused on factors that are associated with apparent personality trait changes. The current study contributes to this literature by replicating and extending previous research concerning personality trait development in young adulthood and perceptions of workplace conditions. Analyses were based on up to 442 individuals who participated in the ongoing Family Transitions Project (e.g., Conger & Conger, 2002). The current analyses included personality trait data from 1994 and 2003, high school grades and socioeconomic status indicators from 1994, and reports about work conditions in 2001, 2003, and 2005. Personality attributes were prospectively associated with work conditions and income. Findings also support the corresponsive principle of personality development (e.g., Roberts, Caspi, & Moffitt, 2003): Traits that were prospectively associated with particular workplace conditions often seemed to be accentuated by those conditions. Personality traits are prospectively associated with perceptions of the workplace. Workplace conditions are also associated with trait development.
Minimally invasive component separation with inlay bioprosthetic mesh (MICSIB) for complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

Background Ventral hernia repair can be challenging, particularly in patients with serious comorbidity. Minimally invasive component separation with inlay bioprosthetic mesh (MICSIB) uses tunnel incisions for external oblique aponeurosis release. It preserves both the rectus abdominis myocutaneous perforator vessels that supply the overlying skin and the connection between the subcutaneous fat and anterior rectus sheath, thereby reducing subcutaneous dead space and potentially improving overlying skin flap vascularity. Inlay bioprosthetic mesh reinforces the musculofascial repair. This study evaluated surgical outcomes of the technique used to repair challenging ventral hernias in cancer patients. Methods Data from all patients who underwent minimally invasive component separation with inlay bioprosthetic mesh abdominal wall reconstruction from 2007 to 2010 were analyzed. Surgical outcomes assessed included wound complications, hernia recurrence, and repair-site bulge/laxity. Results Thirty-eight cancer patients (mean age, 63.3 years) considered at high risk for wound healing complications and hernia recurrence were included: 80 percent had preexisting medical comorbidities, 42 percent had infected or contaminated defects, and 26 percent had previous ventral hernia repairs. Despite the mean fascial defect size of 494 ± 229 cm2, only seven patients required a bridged repair. During a mean follow-up of 12.4 months, three patients (8 percent) required operative interventions, and nonoperative complications occurred in eight (21 percent). None developed a postoperative laxity/bulge; one (3 percent) had a hernia recurrence requiring operative repair. Conclusion Minimally invasive component separation with inlay bioprosthetic mesh yields acceptable early outcomes in complex patients, likely because it reduces subcutaneous dead space, preserves the vascularity of overlying skin, and reinforces the musculofascial repair with mesh. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, IV.
Endosulfan has no adverse effect on soil respiration

Abstract Endosulfan (6,7,8,9,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin-3-oxide) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon used as a broad spectrum contact insect/acaricide. The continuous agricultural production of tomatoes, green beans, and squash make Miami-Dade County, Florida one of the heaviest users of this pesticide in the country. A field study was initiated at the USDA, Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Miami, FL to examine the effects of endosulfan on soil respiration. Snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and adjacent bare soil plots were treated either with or without endosulfan. Soil respiration was measured weekly as the difference between CO2 in the ambient air and that generated within a 10-cm diameter, 1178-cm3 chamber secured at the soil surface. Treatments were replicated four times and the study continued over three growing seasons. Respiration from bare soil was similar to that from plots planted with snap bean implying soil microbes were the dominant source of CO2 compared to root respiration. Endosulfan applications resulted in inconsistent increases in soil respiration. Increases were short-lived. By the end of the study more CO2 evolved from endosulfan treated than untreated plots. Soil was kept well irrigated and the percent moisture remained near maximum and varied little, soil moisture was not a controlling factor for soil respiration. Endosulfan had a short-lived inhibitory effect on soil fungi but bacteria increased in number in response to endosulfan application. Individual microbial colonies were not identified and it is possible that one or two bacterial species decomposed the endosulfan and rapidly multiplied causing the increased bacterial colony count. There were no adverse effects of endosulfan found on soil respiration.
Purine acyclic nucleosides. Unambiguous synthesis of acyclovir via a furazano[3,4‐d]pyrimidine

Acyclovir was synthesized in five steps from 7-formamido-5-methylthiofurazano[3,4-d]pyrimidine 2. Alkylation of 2 with 2-(benzoyloxy)ethoxymethyl chloride, followed by reductive cleavage of the furazan ring gave 9-[[2-(benzoyloxy)ethoxy]methyl]-2-(methylthio)adenine 5. Hydrolysis of the 6-amino group of 5, followed by amination of 7 with ammonia gave 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]guanine (1, acyclovir).
A new discrete distribution induced by the Luria–Delbrück mutation model

In this paper, we study a limiting distribution induced by Bartlett's formulation of the Luria–Delbruck mutation model. We establish the validity of the probability generating function and devise an algorithm for computing the probability mass function. Maximum-likelihood estimation and asymptotic behaviour of the distribution are considered.
Measurement of uptake of chelated and unchelated Ca and Sr from solution culture

The uptake of Ca and Sr by three-week old tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants from solutions containing Ca++ and Sr++, and chelated Ca and Sr (CaL and SrL) was measured over a two-day period. The solution was double-labelled with Ca45 and Sr85. Two chelates, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) were used at five chelate-cation ratios. When the Ca and Sr content of the solution was held constant, addition of chelate reduced uptake. The reduction was greater with EDTA than with DTPA.
Health Information Technology Knowledge and Skills Needed by HIT Employers

Objective: To evaluate the health information technology (HIT) workforce knowledge and skills needed by HIT employers. Methods: Statewide face-to-face and online focus groups of identified HIT employer groups in Austin, Brownsville, College Station, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio, and webinars for rural health and nursing informatics. Results: HIT employers reported needing an HIT workforce with diverse knowledge and skills ranging from basic to advanced, while covering information technology, privacy and security, clinical practice, needs assessment, contract negotiation, and many other areas. Consistent themes were that employees needed to be able to learn on the job and must possess the ability to think critically and problem solve. Many employers wanted persons with technical skills, yet also the knowledge and understanding of healthcare operations. Conclusion: The HIT employer focus groups provided valuable insight into employee skills needed in this fast-growing field. Additionally, this information will be utilized to develop a statewide HIT workforce needs assessment survey. Citation: S.H. Fenton; E. Joost; M.J. Gongora-Ferraez. Health Information Technology knowledge and skills needed by HIT employers. Appl Clin Inf 2012; 3: 448–461 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2012-09-RA-0035
SU‐FF‐J‐39: Comparison of Patient Positioning Corrections For Prostate IMRT Patients Using Competing Image Guided Radiation Therapy Technologies

We compared prostate position corrections using ultrasound and megavoltage CTimage guided systems following initial patient positioning with lasers. Internal prostate movements between the two patient cohorts were assumed to be equivalent given a sufficient number of measurements, so we hypothesize the image guided shifts should average out to the same magnitude. Therapists adjusted patient positions with physician supervision based on daily imaging prior to each treatment. A total of 17 prostate patients were studied. Ten patients (Group I) were scanned in 3‐D mode using an ultrasound system. Contours (prostate/bladder/rectum) from the treatment planning system were transposed on the image set to register the ultrasoundimage. Therapists shift the contours to match the ultrasoundimage set and then adjust the patient by these same shifts. The number of shifts recorded from Group I was 432. Group II patients (seven subjects yielding 315 recorded shifts) were treated using Tomotherapy. Patients were scanned over the prostate region and the megavoltage CTimage was registered with the treatment planningCT and contours. Shifts were produced for each axes and in roll. The patient table is adjusted to match the registration shifts. Roll corrections were minor and deemed insignificant for this study. The average prostate size from Group I was 104.9cc with a standard deviation of 42.1cc while Group II was 104.2cc and 54.8cc. A panel of four was formed to evaluate the quality of images to check possible operator bias due to image quality. Group I showed an average shift magnitude of 6.1mm with a standard deviation of 3.4mm. The average shift from Group II was 10.6mm with a standard deviation of 6.1mm. Tomotherapy imaging averaged 43% larger shifts compared to ultrasound. Possible explanations for this difference include operator laxity in initial tomotherapy positioning while depending on imaging and auto‐adjustment to compensate.
The measured cost of copying garbage collection mechanisms

We examine the costs and benefits of a variety of copying garbage collection (GC) mechanisms across multiple architectures and programming languages. Our study covers both low-level object representation and copying issues as well as the mechanisms needed to support more advanced techniques such as generational collection, large object spaces, and type segregated areas.Our experiments are made possible by a novel performance analysis tool, Oscar. Oscar allows us to capture snapshots of programming language heaps that may then be used to replay garbage collections. The replay program is self-contained and written in C, which makes it easy to port to other architectures and to analyze with standard performance analysis tools. Furthermore, it is possible to study additional programming languages simply by instrumenting existing implementations to capture heap snapshots.In general, we found that careful implementation of GC mechanisms can have a significant benefit. For a simple collector, we measured improvements of as much as 95%. We then found that while the addition of advanced features can have a sizeable overhead (up to 15%), the net benefit is quite positive, resulting in additional gains of up to 42%. We also found that results varied depending upon the platform and language. Machine characteristics such as cache arrangements, instruction set (RISC/CISC), and register pool were important. For different languages, average object size seemed to be most important.The results of our experiments demonstrate the usefulness of a tool like Oscar for studying GC performance. Without much overhead, we can easily identify areas where programming language implementors could collaborate with GC implementors to improve GC performance.
An investigation of the use of Geiger-Muller photoelectron counters in the spectrographic analysis of phosphorus in steel.

For routine quantitative spectrographic analysis of phosphorus, using the line at 2136A, the Geiger-Muller photoelectron counter has certain advantages over both the photographic plate and the electron multiplier photo-tube. The construction of the counters and the methods of electrically shielding and mounting them on the Littrow spectrograph are briefly described. The adjustments of counter orientation, slit widths, and focus are discussed with reference to the analyses of ferrous alloys where good resolution is necessary. Because of the absorption of radiation by quartz at low wave-lengths, both absolute and relative intensities are dependent upon the position of the arc on the electrode surface. This effect, which results in appreciable error in the measured percentage composition of a sample, is investigated photographically and with G-M counters, and several methods of reducing the effect are discussed. The effect of temperature changes of the dispersing prism on line position is investigated and a suitable method of control is mentioned. Preliminary consideration of this direct-reading method shows that it seems possible to reduce the various errors so that the source fluctuation is the controlling factor.
Historical dictionary of the new deal : from inauguration to preparation for war

This volume will be useful in all types of libraries from high school up where material on this historical period is needed. Reference Books Bulletin
Competitive-level differences on sport commitment among high school- and collegiate-level athletes.

The purpose of this study was to examine competitive-level differences on psychological and social constructs related to sport commitment as a means to better understand which factors enhance commitment depending on playing level. Considerable research has consistently shown that enjoyment, investments, attractive alternatives, involvement opportunities, social constraints (SCs), and social support are important predictors of sport commitment; however, competitive-level differences in the psychological desire and resolve to continue and their predictors have only begun to be tapped. A total of 284 high school- and 207 college-level, male and female, athletes competing in several sports participated. Collegiate athletes reported significantly higher perceptions of investments, costs, involvement opportunities, perceived competence, social support, and performance-motivational climate than did high school athletes. In contrast, high school athletes reported significantly greater perceptions of parental SCs ...
Evaluation of visual servoing control of aerial manipulators using test gantry emulation

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer a means to vastly expand a manipulator's reach. Mounting an arm to a UAV greatly increases the utility of both the arm and the UAV. This paper describes the application of partitioning to control the redundant degrees of freedom of an emulated aerial manipulation system. Visual servoing is used to drive the end-effector pose relative to a target, treating relative motions between the host vehicle and target as perturbations. The position of the host platform, emulated by a gantry, is servoed using kinematic information from the manipulator in such a way that it enables the arm to return to a pose with a high degree of reachability while imposing minimal static torque on the host. A prototype system is implemented and evaluated using a 6-DOF manipulator and a gantry in place of a flying UAV. The partitioning algorithm is exercised as a proof of concept motivating the future use of this approach on a flying platform, though further refinement is required before this goal may be realized.
Rotation and Structure of Low-Frequency Oscillations inside the ST-Tokamak Plasma

Low-frequency oscillations, which can lead into the violent disruptive instability which sets the $\mathbf{q}$ (current) limit of tokamak operation, are investigated with a heavy-ion beam probe. Direct measurements of the space potential and the perturbation of the electron density inside the hot tokamak plasma resolve the electric field contribution to the mode rotation and the spatial structure of the mode.
Mechanical properties of solution-precursor plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings

Abstract The microstructure of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) of 7 wt.% Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (7YSZ) deposited using the solution-precursor plasma spray (SPPS) method has: (i) controlled porosity, (ii) vertical cracks, and (iii) lack of large-scale “splat” boundaries. An unusual feature of such SPPS TBCs is that they are well-adherent in ultra-thick forms (~ 4 mm thickness), where most other types of ultra-thick ceramic coatings fail spontaneously. Here a quantitative explanation is provided as to why as-deposited ultra-thick SPPS TBCs are so well-adherent. The mode II toughness of thin (0.2 mm) SPPS TBCs has been measured using the “barb” shear test, which is found to be 66 J m− 2. Residual stresses in SPPS TBCs of thickness 0.2, 1.5, and 4.0 mm have been estimated using a microstructure-based object-oriented finite element (OOF) method. These stresses are found to be low, as a result of the strain-tolerant microstructure of the SPPS TBCs. The corresponding strain energy release rates that drive mode II cracks in the three different thickness SPPS TBCs have been found to be less than the mode II toughness.
Liquid crystal reflection cell with improved response times.

Abstract : In recent papers the authors described a liquid crystal (LC) device, operated in the transmission mode, that had response times of the order of 0.2-0.4 msec and contrasts of 6%. These response times are considerably faster than the 20-50 msec normally associated with cells using the twisted nematic configuration. The improvement in response time results from (1) the addition of a small amount of a cholesteric to a binary nematic, and (2) operation of the cell with the signal voltage superimposed on a square-wave pedestal voltage whose polarity is reversed at a 20-Hz rate. With an aim toward incorporating these features into a light valve of the type described by Beard et al., which uses a photoconductor-LC sandwich configuration, we have carried out experiments similar to those described earlier but on a cell in the reflection mode.
Iron status and the treatment of the anemia of prematurity

Many unanswered issues regarding rhEPO therapy in prematurity remain, including which premature infants best respond to rhEPO, what the long-term effect of decreased erythrocyte transfusions is, how nutritional supplementation optimizes the effect of rhEPO, whether or not rhEpo therapy causes iron deficiency later in life, and whether or not it is safe to supplement with parenteral iron. Further study of rhEPO therapy and iron status in prematurity is necessary.
Pricing Weather Derivatives Using the Indifference Pricing Approach

Abstract This paper adopts an incomplete market pricing model–the indifference pricing approach–to analyze valuation of weather derivatives and the viability of the weather derivatives market in a hedging context. It incorporates price risk, weather/quantity risk, and other risks in the financial market. In a mean-variance framework, the relationship between the actuarial price and the indifference price of weather derivatives is analyzed, and conditions are obtained concerning when the actuarial price does not provide an appropriate valuation for weather derivatives. Conditions for the viability of the weather derivatives market are examined. This paper also analyzes the effects of partial hedging, natural hedges, basis risk, quantity risk, and price risk on investors’ indifference prices by examining the distributional impacts of the stochastic variables involved.
Recent Developments in Single-Phase Transient Forced Convection in Channels: A State-of-Art-Review

Many analytical and experimental studies, involving both liquids and gases, have been carried out to gain a better understanding of transient fluid flow and forced convection heat transfer phenomena in macro and micro channels over the last half century. Starting with the early contribution and including Professor S. Kakac’s seminal studies, a state-of-the-art review of the recent developments in the study of transient thermal response of channel flows is given. The parallel-plate channel and the circular tube, which are the two commonly encountered geometries in practice, are considered with both laminar and turbulent flows.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The Short‐term Outcome of Hypoglycemic Diabetic Patients Who Refuse Ambulance Transport after Out‐of‐hospital Therapy

Abstract. Objective: lb determine the short-term medical outcome of hypoglycemic insulin-dependent diabetic patients who refuse transport after out-of-hospital therapy and return to baseline mental status. Methods: Prospective, descriptive, short-term medical outcome data for adult patients were collected between May 1996 and December 1996. Paramedics responding to the aid of hypoglycemic insulin-dependent diabetic patients who refused transport after administration of dextrose solution (D50W) contacted a medical command physician at the University of Pennsylvania. The patients' medical histories, names, addresses, and telephone numbers were recorded. Three days after their hypoglycemic episodes, these patients were contacted by telephone by a registered nurse to determine their medical conditions. Results: Of 132 patients enrolled in the study, 103 (78%) could be contacted by telephone follow-up. Ninety-four (91%) of these patients had no recurrence of symptoms. Nine patients (9%) had recurrence of hypoglycemia and recontacted 911. Eight of these (8%) were transported to a hospital via ambulance and 3 (3%) were admitted, 1 (1%) for a cancer-related illness and 2 (2%) for hypoglycemia, 1 of whom died (1%). The remaining patient refused transport a second time after being treated, despite having the risks of refusal explained to him by a medical command physician. Conclusions: The practice of treating and releasing most hypoglycemic insulin-dependent diabetic patients who return to normal mental status after D50W administration appears in general to be safe. Patients should be advised of the risks of recurrent hypoglycemia.
Overcoming therapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer is not a simple mix of PDT and chemotherapy: Evaluation of PDT-chemotherapy combinations in 3D tumor models

ABSTRACT The dismal survival statistics for pancrea tic cancer are due in large part to the notoriously poor response of these tumors to conventional therapies. Here we examine the ability of photodynamic therapy (PDT), using the photosensitizer verteporfin to enhance of the efficacy of traditional chemotherapy agents and/or eradicate populations that are non-responsive to these agents. Using an in vitro 3D tumor model of pancreatic cancer combined with an imaging-based methodology for quantifying therapeutic response, we specifically examine PDT combination treatments with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin. We show that our 3D cell culture model recapitulates a more clinically-relevant dose response to gemcitabine, with minimal cytotoxic response even at high doses. The same cultures exhibit modest response to PDT treatments, but are also less responsive to this modality relative to our previous reports of monolayer dose response in the same cells. In combination we found no evidence of any enhancement in efficacy of either PDT or gemcitabine treatment regardless of dose or sequence (PDT before gemcitabine, or gemcitabine before PDT). However, when oxaliplatin chemotherapy was administered immediately after treatment with 2.5J/cm
The effects of salesperson mood, shopper behavior, and store type on customer service

Abstract This paper proposes that salesperson mood, shopper behavior, and store type have significant effects on the level of customer service provided by a store. Results from a laboratory experiment reveal that salespeople enjoy unpleasant shoppers less but serve them more . Salespeople in a good mood are more uniform in their delivery of customer service, while those in a bad mood are more likely to provide poor service to pleasant than to unpleasant customers. The study also reveals that department-store salespeople provide a more uniform level of customer service than discount-store salespeople. Conclusions and management implications are discussed.
Development aspects of migration in third world settings: a simulation, with implications for urbanization.

In this paper we report a simulation addressing development—migration interrelationships in Third World settings and their implications for urbanization. Development is represented as the diffusion of demographic transition, employment opportunities, and formal and communication channels, which in turn affect informal communications and the overall economic base. The simulation falls within the genre of neoclassical development models, but, unlike many, explicitly explores the long-run aspects of landscape evolution. Our outcomes generally conform with expectations hypothesized in earlier research, including phenomena such as polarization reversal, converging regional disparities, and low-level equilibrium traps at small remote places where continual resource drain thwarts the agglomeration economies necessary for sustained growth. We also find that the initial urban system configuration has little effect on the final configuration, and that only urban size diseconomies are likely to alter significantly t...
A Simple and Efficient AC-DC Load-Flow Method for Multiterminal DC Systems

A new ac-dc Load-flow method for multiterminal dc-ac systems that uses a novel approach to solve the equations of the multiterminal dc system is described. A simplified version of the ac-dc load-flow method with all of the capabilities of estabLished Newton's methods is shown to have the best qualities of simultaneous and sequential solution ac-dc methods combined. Next, important features such as discrete taps, distinction between scheduled voltage and scheduled angle controls, fixed taps and extended phase controls, and current limits are incorporated to enhance the versatility of the method, especially for transient stability studies. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the various features of the method. Its performance is compared with those of an established Newton's method and a recent method. The method is simpLe to program, economical and fast.
Materials science: Clear leap for superconductors.

Electric fields offer an innovative means of controlling condensed-matter systems. The approach has been applied to nanoscale oxide interfaces, for studying the physics of two-dimensional superconductors.
Augmentation of bladder contractility after beta-adrenergic blockade in spinal cord injured patients.

Six spinal cord injured patients were evaluated with cystometry, bladder electromyography, and external urethal sphincter pressure profiles before and after propranolol hydrochloride administration. Bladder contractility was significantly augmented, and therefore was associated with decreased beta-sympathetic bladder stimulation. The results of these clinical neuro-physiological investigations suggest inhibitory influences upon the smooth muscle of the human urinary bladder via beta-sympathetic receptors.
Do apnea monitors decrease emotional distress in parents of infants at high risk for cardoopulmonary arrest

Abstract Introduction: The immediate post partum period is stressful for most parents. The need to use a home aprea monitor may taxparental coping skills even further. Therefore, we conducted a study to assess thepsychosocial consequences of aphea monitoring on parental emotional distress and family functioning. Method: We studied 104 parents of infants at high risk for cardiopul-monary arrest. Fifty-two parents had infants who used home apnea monitors, and 52 parents were age matched and geneder-matched control subjects. Data were collected during the infant's hospitalization, and then at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after discharge. At 1 year, parents were interviewed about their attitudes toward using the apnea monitor. Results: Both groups experienced elevated levels of emotinnal distress, but the group with infants who used the monitors had significant increases in depression and hostility immediately following discharge from the hospital compared with baseline, whereas the non-monitored group had a significant increase in hostility at 6 months. At 1-year follow-up, the majority of the parents reported that they used the monitor every night, felt more secure in using it, and judged it helpful. Discussion: The immediate period following hospital discharge of infants who need to use a home apnea monitor is characterized by significant emotional distress for the parents, which resolves over time. Anticipatory education and counseling of parents is recommended.
StormRider: harnessing "storm" for social networks

The focus of online social media providers today has shifted from "content generation" towards finding effective methodologies for "content storage, retrieval and analysis" in the presence of evolving networks. Towards this end, in this paper we present StormRider, a framework that uses existing cloud computing and semantic web technologies to provide application programmers with automated support for these tasks, thereby allowing a richer assortment of use cases to be implemented on the underlying evolving social networks.
Inhibition of Electrical Activity by Retroviral Infection with Kir2.1 Transgenes Disrupts Electrical Differentiation of Motoneurons

Network-driven spontaneous electrical activity in the chicken spinal cord regulates a variety of developmental processes including neuronal differentiation and formation of neuromuscular structures. In this study we have examined the effect of chronic inhibition of spinal cord activity on motoneuron survival and differentiation. Early spinal cord activity in chick embryos was blocked using an avian replication-competent retroviral vector RCASBP (B) carrying the inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1. Chicken embryos were infected with one of the following constructs: RCASBP(B), RCASBP(B)-Kir2.1, or RCASBP(B)-GFP. Infection of chicken embryos at E2 resulted in widespread expression of the viral protein marker p27 gag throughout the spinal cord. Electrophysiological recordings revealed the presence of functional Kir2.1 channels in RCASBP(B)-Kir2.1 but not in RCASBP(B)-infected embryos. Kir2.1 expression significantly reduced the generation of spontaneous motor movements in chicken embryos developing in ovo. Suppression of spontaneous electrical activity was not due to a reduction in the number of surviving motoneurons or the number of synapses in hindlimb muscle tissue. Disruption of the normal pattern of activity in chicken embryos resulted in a significant downregulation in the functional expression of large-conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels. Reduction of spinal cord activity also generates a significant acceleration in the inactivation rate of A-type K+ currents without any significant change in current density. Kir2.1 expression did not affect the expression of voltage-gated Na+ channels or cell capacitance. These experiments demonstrate that chronic inhibition of chicken spinal cord activity causes a significant change in the electrical properties of developing motoneurons.
Effect of magnesium deficiency in guinea pigs on kidney function and plasma ultrafiltrable ions.

SummaryRenal function and ion binding in plasma were studied in magnesium-deficient and control guinea pigs. Renal clearance of creatinine and phosphate in magnesium-deficient guinea pigs was one-half the control rate. Magnesium sulfate, administered intraperitoneally, stimulated phosphate excretion significantly in deficient animals, but not in controls. Impaired renal function may well contribute to the elevated blood phosphorus levels in magnesium-deficient guinea pigs, and magnesium appears to exert a direct biochemical role in phosphate clearance. The percentages of ultrafil-trable calcium and phosphate in plasma were not altered by magnesium deficiency, but because of hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, the concentration of ultrafiltrable calcium was less and of ultrafiltrable phosphate greater in the deficient animals. The concentration of plasma magnesium was markedly reduced but the ultrafiltrable proportion was slightly increased.
Diphenylhydantoin is not genotoxic in a battery of short-term cytogenetic assays.

5,5-Diphenylhydantoin (DPH) is an antiepileptic drug associated with an increase in malformations in infants born to women taking DPH during pregnancy. Positive and negative results have been reported by various investigators for in vivo and in vitro chromosome aberration (CAB) assays, in vivo and in vitro sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assays, and in vivo micronucleus tests (MNT). In this laboratory, DPH was tested in an in vitro CAB assay using Chinese hamster ovary cells with and wihout an S-9 activation system, an in vivo SCE assay in female CD-1 mice, an in vivo MNT, using both male and female CD-1 mice, and a transplacental micronucleus test. The results from this comprehensive battery of cytogenetic tests were uniformly negative and support a conclusion that the known teratogen, DPH, is not clastogenic. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Late-Holocene glaciation and twentieth- century retreat, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska:

Lichenometric dating of moraines deposited by eight glaciers in the northeastern Brooks Range suggests major glacial advances or stillstands at about 2600, 1000, 450, and 60 lichenometric (L) years BP. The latter two advances of the early-middle and latest part of the 'Little Ice Age', respectively, formed promi nent moraines at all glaciers studied. In response to overall twentieth-century warming, these glaciers have retreated at average rates of 2 to 19 m yr-1 from the distinct ridges formed in AD 1890. Glacier thinning at rates of 0.7 to 0.9 m yr-1 accounts for over 90% of the ice loss.
A lexical knowledge base approach for English–Chinese cross-language information retrieval

This study proposes and explores a natural language processing- (NLP) based strategy to address out-of-dictionary and vocabulary mismatch problems in query translation based English–Chinese Cross-Language Information Retrieval (EC-CLIR). The strategy, named the LKB approach, is to construct a lexical knowledge base (LKB) and to use it for query translation. In this article, the author describes the LKB construction process, which customizes available translation resources based on the document collection of the EC-CLIR system. The evaluation shows that the LKB approach is very promising. It consistently increased the percentage of correct translations and decreased the percentage of missing translations in addition to effectively detecting the vocabulary gap between the document collection and the translation resource of the system. The comparative analysis of the top EC-CLIR results using the LKB and two other translation resources demonstrates that the LKB approach has produced significant improvement in EC-CLIR performance compared to performance using the original translation resource without customization. It has also achieved the same level of performance as a sophisticated machine translation system. The study concludes that the LKB approach has the potential to be an empirical model for developing real-world CLIR systems. Linguistic knowledge and NLP techniques, if appropriately used, can improve the effectiveness of English–Chinese cross-language information retrieval. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pareto Optimality and Optimistic Stability in Repeated Extensive Form Games

Abstract This paper extends the applications of the theory of social situations . In particular, we investigate characteristics of optimistic stable standards of behavior (OSSBs) in repeated extensive form games. The OSSB is interesting for two reasons: First, it refines subgame perfect equilibrium. Second, it strongly relates to von Neumann–Morgenstern abstract stable sets . We characterize the nondiscriminating OSSB and derive a sufficient condition for the existence of a unique nondiscriminating OSSB—a condition that is independent of the discount factor, δ . Our main result shows that the nondiscriminating OSSB selects Pareto optimal subgame perfect equilibrium paths in a class of repeated games. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C70, D70.
Resting heart rate does not predict growth in preterm infants.

Abstract Background Previous reports indicate that preterm infants with higher baseline heart rate (HR) have greater weight gain than preterm infants with lower baseline HR. To verify this correlation and the potential utility of resting HR as a bench mark for risk of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR), we studied preterm infants born between 32 and 36 weeks gestation. Earlier gestation infants (27 to 31 weeks) were included. Methods In retrospective chart review we collected heart rate (HR) and growth data on 156 infants between 27.0 and 34.0 weeks gestation from birth to hospital discharge. Results There was a significant increase in weight gain from day 10 of life in infants with higher resting HR compared to infants with lower resting HR. However, upon controlling for birth weight and gestational age, there was no significant relationship between HR and weight gain for any gestational age group of premature infants. Conclusions Contrary to previous reports, there was no significant relationship between HR and growth at any gestational age after controlling for birth weight and gestational age. It is important to continue to search for a clinical marker of risk for poor growth in preterm infants and to give an opportunity for nutritional interventions which may support better growth and developmental outcomes.
[3]Pseudorotaxanes based on the cryptand/monopyridinium salt recognition motif

The first cryptand/monopyridinium salt [3]pseudorotaxanes were prepared from two cryptand hosts and two bispyridinium guests as confirmed by proton NMR characterization, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray analysis. It was found that the two monopyridinium binding sites are independent of each other for the formation of one [3]pseudorotaxane.
Self-Representation and Bizarreness in Children′s Dream Reports Collected in the Home Setting

Abstract We have conducted a home-based study of children′s dream reports in which parents used open-ended interviewing styles to collect 88 dream reports from their 4- to 10-year-old children in the comfortable and supportive environment of their own homes. Particular attention was paid to formal properties including characters (e.g., family members, human strangers, or frightening characters), settings, self-representation, and bizarreness. In contrast to previous studies, our data indicate that young children are able to give long, detailed reports of their dreams that share many formal characteristics with adult dream reports. Because this wide range of dream mentation is only revealed to trusted confidants in a familiar and comfortable environment, an important implication is that the sleep laboratory may not be the best source of naturalistic dream data.
The Value of Peritoneal Cytology as a Preoperative Predictor in Patients With Gastric Carcinoma Undergoing a Curative Resection

Background Although positive peritoneal cytology is associated with poor prognosis, it has not been found to be independently predictive of outcome when evaluated in context of post-resection pathologic T and N stage. This study was undertaken to evaluate the predictive value of positive cytology in context of other prognostic factors available prior to surgery in patients undergoing R0 resection for gastric cancer, to assess its role in selecting patients for appropriate treatment prior to surgical resection.
An Efficient Route for the Preparation of a 21-Fluoro Progestin-16α,17α-Dioxolane, a High-Affinity Ligand for PET Imaging of the Progesterone Receptor

Two different synthetic routes were explored for the synthesis of fluoro furanyl norprogesterone (FFNP) 1, a high-affinity ligand for the progesterone receptor (PgR) that is being developed as a PET imaging agent for PgR-positive breast cancer. Both approaches proceed through a key intermediate, triol 5. The first approach, starting from keto-ketal 2, employed a dioxenyl group as a synthon for installing a corticosteroid side chain in keto-alcohol 4. The second approach, starting from propargylic acetate 12b, involved the application of a two-step method, a Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative rearrangement followed by a base-catalyzed acetate rearrangement of the intermediate unsaturated acetate 13b, to generate the requisite corticosteroid side chain in keto-acetate 14b. This intermediate was further elaborated to the final product 1 via efficient dihydroxylation with potassium permangnate, furan acetalization with scandium triflate, and mesylation and fluorination reactions. The palladium-catalyzed route is considerably more efficient than the dioxene approach for the synthesis of key intermediate triol 5, and the scandium triflate-catalyzed acetalization, in particular, led to a considerable improvement in the overall yield of the endo furan acetal alcohol 16a. This route provides a major improvement in the overall yield of the final progestin target, FFNP 1.
Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis mimicking gallbladder cancer and causing obstructive cholestasis.

BACKGROUND: Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a destructive inflammatory disease of the gallbladder that can mimic gallbladder carcinoma. METHODS: We present the case of a 35-year-old Hispanic male complaining of right upper quadrant pain and jaundice for 2 months prior to admission. He denied a history of fever, nausea/vomiting, and weight loss. The past medical history was relevant only for diabetes. He had no previous history of jaundice or previous operations. RESULTS: CA19-9 was slightly elevated (52 U/mL). Abdominal ultrasonography showed an irregular thickening of the gallbladder wall and no gallstones were detected. CT scan also revealed an irregular thickening of the wall of the gallbladder body suggestive of malignancy. At laparotomy, the mass was adherent to the duodenum and colon, and although the frozen section biopsy was negative, the intraoperative findings were suggestive of malignancy, and the patient underwent left liver trisegmentectomy, resection of the common bile duct and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Pathological examination unexpectedly revealed XGC without malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative and intraoperative differential diagnosis of XGC from gallbladder carcinoma remains a challenge when it is associated with inflammatory involvement of surrounding tissues. Since gallbladder carcinoma and XGC may coexist, radical resection is justified when malignancy cannot be completely ruled out.
Children, Welfare and the State

Goldson, B., Lavalette, M., & McKechnie, J. (Eds.). (2002). Children, Welfare and the State. London: Sage, 191 pp. Paperback ISBN: 0-7619 72331, $29.95. The editors of Children, Welfare and the State succinctly address the complex relationship between child welfare and society in this collection of 13 chapters contributed by themselves and fellow lecturers from universities in the United Kingdom. Undergraduate students are the intended audience. Each chapter examines an issue, question, concept, theory, theme, policy, or milestone that defines childhood or provides a foundation for further study or dialogue. The contributors make a concerted effort to show the relevance of international standards, treaties, and rules, especially the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child, even though examples and details in each chapter are specific to the United Kingdom. In the introductory chapter, coeditor Goldson provided a brief overview of each chapter and acknowledges that the "discussions and analyses are by no means exhaustive" (p. 8). He asserted that the central significance of class is increasingly marginalized in emerging academic literature on childhood. In the second chapter, the contrasted sociological frames for the concepts of childhood and children are compared. Lavalette and Cunningham's discourse examined the evolution of sociological thought from the early 19th century to the present. Included in this contrast and comparison are Philippe Aries, Linda Pollock, Lloyd DeMause, Jens Qvortrup, United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child, and new sociology of childhood (NSC). The third chapter champions the value of the psychological study of children. Sandy Hobbs argued that NSC proponents may be less than well informed about the true value of psychological research. McKechnie followed with a chapter that supports the need for pluralistic approaches to child-related research. An examination of both qualitative and quantitative approaches to "listening to the voices of children" (p. 42) lead to the conclusion that interdisciplinary approaches to research provide a richer and more complete understanding of childhood. Tony Novak focused attention on the causes of cyclical poverty and the possible child outcomes that may result from living in poverty and makes a strong case for the need to consider the full spectrum of childhood inequality when making policy decisions. He called for a "radical assault on class privilege and the system that maintains it" (p. 72). Henry Maitles followed with a critical look at how the current government in Great Britain is addressing education. He drew a close parallel between educational inequality and economic inequality. The next chapter looks at economic inequality from the perspective of child employment. …
A thermodynamic prediction of tie chain length distribution in drawn semicrystalline polymers

The mechanism underlying fracture of many oriented semicrystalline polymers is hypothesized to be a thermally activated, stress-aided rate process in which the tie chains connecting crystalline units suffer thermomechanical dissociation. Some previous numerical models based on this concept have assumed a Gaussian distribution of tie chain contour lengths which are ruptured progressively by successively higher specimen strains, and have used electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy to obtain the numerical parameters of the distribution. The distribution of tie chain lengths in the intererystalline region is calculated theoretically in this paper, based on minimization of free energy. Our results, although in basic agreement with earlier models, suggest a reinterpretation of some of the ESR findings with regard to molecular fracture processes.
Insecticide Resistance: Challenge to Pest Management and Basic Research

The agricultural use of synthetic insecticides usually protects crops but imposes strong selection pressures that can result in the development of resistance. The most important resistance mechanisms are enhancement of the capacity to metabolically detoxify insecticides and alterations in target sites that prevent insecticides from binding to them. Insect control methods must incorporate strategies to minimize resistance development and preserve the utility of the insecticides. The most promising approach, integrated pest management, includes the use of chemical insecticides in combination with improved cultural and biologically based techniques.
Edge dislocation inside a circular inclusion

Abstract Equilibrium positions of an edge dislocation inside a circular inclusion are investigated using elasticity solutions. The conditions under which the centre of the inclusion is stable equilibrium position are given, and it is shown that the equilibrium positions away from the centre are unstable. The results indicate that the Poisson's ratios play an important role in characterizing the different types of behaviour.