cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Initiation of a Night Float System in an Otolaryngology Residency: Resident Perception and Impact on Operative Volume

OBJECTIVES Evaluate resident perception on implementation of a night float (NF) system to an otolaryngology residency program. We compared these perceptions to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case log data. METHODS A retrospective anonymous survey was sent to residents and alumni graduating between 2015 and 2023. Deidentified ACGME case log information was then examined for key indicator (KI) cases from post graduate year (PGY) 2 and PGY5. RESULTS Thirty (93.8%) residents and alumni responded. Residents with NF answered more positively compared to those without NF on following duty hour violations: 80-hour work week, 1-in-7 days off, 1 call every 3 days, adequate time between shifts, and allotted time after a 24-hour shift. Residents most commonly agreed that NF has improved patient care, resident education, and resident morale. Although residents with NF were neutral on PGY2 case volume effects, they disagreed that it affected overall case volume. The only KIs that differed for both PGY2 and PGY5s were airway cases (P = .004 vs P = .002) and bronchoscopy (P = .02 vs P = .006), which were significantly higher for those with NF. Thyroid surgery was the only KI higher for the residents without NF and spanned all PGY levels. CONCLUSION Residents and alumni agreed that NF implementation had a positive effect on duty hour violations. The NF system does not have significant impact on case volume. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2211-2218, 2021.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Bacteriophage U136B

We report the genome sequence of bacteriophage U136B, which is reliant on the lipopolysaccharide and the antibiotic efflux protein TolC for infection of Escherichia coli and is a useful model for studying trade-offs and trade-ups that shape evolution. Phage U136B has a 49,233-bp genome with 87 predicted genes.
Less Harmful ¹ Safe: Effects of Cigarette Graphic Health Warnings on E-Cigarette Evaluations

As mandated by the FDA, color graphics depicting some of the lesser-known negative health consequences of smoking will soon be required on all cigarette packaging and advertising. Extensive prior research has demonstrated that Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) are a highly cost-effective way to demarket cigarettes. However, the results of this study suggest that GHW may have unintended negative health implications for consumers. While e-cigarette Addiction Warnings (AW) increased fears about the negative health effects of vaping, cigarette GHW decreased fears and beliefs about the negative health effects of vaping. GHW also had an indirect effect on consumers’ beliefs about the negative health risks of vaping. Consumers’ mindfulness (low vs. high) moderated these effects. The results provide initial insight into the inter-relationships between cigarette GHW, e-cigarette AW, and individual differences.
Immune modulation by dermal exposure to jet fuel

This chapter reviews the immunological changes that occur following dermal exposure to jet fuel. Almost all the data demonstrating immune modulation by Jet Propulsion Fuel-8 (JP-8) and Jet A comes from studies employing mice as the experimental model. Doses of JP-8 that suppressed in mice compared well to dermal exposures doses reported in Air Force personnel. In our initial experiments, we observed systemic immune suppression following dermal jet fuel exposure. The systemic nature of the immune suppression, coupled with the fact that primarily T cell-mediated immune reactions were suppressed drew our attention to cytokines and biological response modifiers that suppressed cell-mediated immune reactions. Jet fuel is made up of over 260 different aliphatic and aromatic compounds. The data suggest that the skin provides a significant route for human jet fuel exposure because jet fuel components can be found in the serum after dermal exposure.
Regionalism and Rebellion in Yemen: A Troubled National Union

Introduction 1. Understanding the regional divisions of Yemen 2. Two revolutions, two republics 3. Salih family rules and the Sanham tribe 4. Unity in name only 5. The spoils of civil war 6. A regime in control? 7. Political eruptions after 9/11 8. The return of Yemeni regionalism 9. Yemen's political meltdown Conclusion.
Evolutionary algorithm for de novo molecular design with multi-dimensional constraints

Abstract An evolutionary approach for solving molecular design problems with descriptors of varying dimensionality has been developed. Spatial fragment based descriptors are employed to generate candidate solutions within a population, which is evolved through the application of genetic operators toward an improved fitness. The candidate molecules are represented as graphs, and as such, customized operators of crossover and mutation have been developed to be compatible with this representation. The search space is conveniently represented through limitations on the occurrence of each fragment, as defined by the chosen data set, and the spatial capabilities of this space are captured through an initial conformational analysis. This spatial information is compressed and utilized to generate conformational space estimations throughout the algorithm, which expedites the search for solution graphs. The effect of various user determined input parameters is considered and exemplified through a case study involving the identification of solvents falling within a desired boiling point range, as estimated by a multi-dimensional property model.
SU-E-J-223: A BOLD Contrast Imaging Sequence to Evaluate Oxygenation Changes Due to Breath Holding for Breast Radiotherapy: A Pilot Study

Purpose: To develop a robust MRI sequence to measure BOLD breath hold induced contrast in context of breast radiotherapy. Methods: Two sequences were selected from prior studies as candidates to measure BOLD contrast attributable to breath holding within the breast: (1) T2* based Gradient Echo EPI (TR/TE = 500/41ms, flip angle = 60°), and (2) T2 based Single Shot Fast Spin Echo (SSFSE) (TR/TE = 3000/60ms). We enrolled ten women post-lumpectomy for breast cancer who were undergoing treatment planning for whole breast radiotherapy. Each session utilized a 1.5T GE MRI and 4 channel breast coil with the subject immobilized prone on a custom board. For each sequence, 1–3 planes of the lumpectomy breast were imaged continuously during a background measurement (1min) and intermittent breath holds (20–40s per breath hold, 3–5 holds per sequence). BOLD contrast was quantified as correlation of changes in per-pixel intensity with the breath hold schedule convolved with a hemodynamic response function. Subtle motion was corrected using a deformable registration algorithm. Correlation with breath-holding was considered significant if p<0.001. Results: The percentage of the breast ROI with positive BOLD contrast measured by the two sequences were in agreement with a correlation coefficient of R=0.72 (p=0.02). While bothmore » sequences demonstrated areas with strong BOLD response, the response was more systematic throughout the breast for the SSFSE (T2) sequence (% breast with response in the same direction: 51.2%±0.7% for T2* vs. 68.1%±16% for T2). In addition, the T2 sequence was less prone to magnetic susceptibility artifacts, especially in presence of seroma, and provided a more robust image with little distortion or artifacts. Conclusion: A T2 SSFSE sequence shows promise for measuring BOLD contrast in the context of breast radiotherapy utilizing a breath hold technique. Further study in a larger patient cohort is warranted to better refine this novel technique.« less
The Position of the Judiciary in the Political Systems of Argentina and Mexico

A striking feature of the North American literature on Latin American law and politics is the virtual absence of systematic consideration of the judiciary. Legal scholars have tended to concentrate on analysis and exposition of legal codes, while those historians and political scientists concerned with formal institutions have focused their studies largely on the Executive Branch, with only passing reference to the subordinate position of the judiciary. Moreover, the literature on the Latin American judiciary has been severely hampered by the lack of data on judicial behavior; hence, it has dealt primarily with the formal, legal rules which may affect but do not necessarily determine actual performance. Scattered through the literature, however, is sufficient information to make preliminary statements about the position of the judiciary and to suggest areas needing further research. That is the purpose of this article.
Multiple Run–Arrest Phenomena in Brittle Fracture

ABSTRACT A special class of transient crack propagation problems arise from the interaction of stress waves with a rapidly moving crack. We study an extreme case in this class; namely, the repeated occurrence of sudden acceleration and intermittent crack arrests within a single test specimen. Using novel optical techniques, we have obtained real-time continuous measurements of the stress intensity factor and instantaneous crack-tip velocity during a series of run-arrest segments in brittle polymeric beams. Such observations provide new insights into the role of inertia effects in bending fracture.
Quench Start Localization in Full-Length SSC R&D Dipoles

Full-length SSC R&D dipole magnets instrumented with four voltage taps on each turn of the inner quarter coils have been tested. These voltage taps enable (1) accurate location of the point at which the quenches start and (2) detailed studies of quench development in the coil. Attention here is focused on localizing the quench source. After recalling the basic mechanism of a quench (why it occurs and how it propagates), the method of quench origin analysis is described: the quench propagation velocity on the turn where the quench occurs is calculated, and the quench location is then verified by reiterating the analysis on the adjacent turns. Last, the velocity value, which appears to be higher than previously measured, is discussed.
Mutations in the autoinhibitor site of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase I : replacement of Ala-97 and Ser-99 interferes with reassociation with the catalytic subunit

Each regulatory (R) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase contains an autoinhibitor site that lies approximately 90-100 residues from the amino terminus. In order to study the importance of this autoinhibitor site in the type I R-subunit for interacting with the catalytic (C) subunit, recombinant techniques were used to replace Ala-97 with Gln, His, Lys, and Arg and to replace Ser-99 with Gly and Lys. All of the mutant proteins having a replacement at Ala-97 showed reduced affinity for the C-subunit ranging from 14- to 55-fold. In general, the decrease in affinity of the Ala-97 mutants for the C-subunit correlated with the increase in size of the side chain. In contrast to wild type R-subunit, where MgATP facilitates holoenzyme formation, MgATP inhibits the reassociation in all of the Ala-97 mutants suggesting that the larger side chains sterically interfere with bound MgATP in the active site of the C-subunit. Whereas MgATP slowed holoenzyme formation, AMP actually accelerated the reassociation of the A97K, A97H (pH 6.0), and A97Q mutants with the C-subunit. Therefore, the side chains of Lys-97, His-97, and Gln-97 can interact either electrostatically or by hydrogen bonding with the phosphate of AMP. This interpretation is reinforced by the fact that the stimulatory effect of AMP on the A97H mutant was pH-dependent. The affinities of the S99G and S99K mutants for the C-subunit were reduced 7- and 24-fold, respectively, suggesting that Ser-99 also may contribute to interactions between the R- and C-subunits.
Paying for coverage: Conflict of interest among company-sponsored research firms

The Securities and Exchange Commission has recommended company-sponsored research to address the need for greater analyst following of smaller companies. Anecdotal evidence suggests company-sponsored research is more optimistic than research from traditional brokerage firms (Kalra 2004; Lee and Metaxas 2004; Richardson 2006). Using a sample of companies with both company-sponsored analysts and traditional analysts, I find that analysts at company-sponsored research firms are more likely to issue positive recommendations than analysts at traditional brokerage firms. Further, while the market reacts to recommendation announcements of traditional analysts, I fail to find a significant market reaction to recommendation announcements of company-sponsored analysts. Interestingly, however, I find significant positive (negative) post-announcement abnormal returns following "Strong Buy" ("Sell") recommendation announcements of company-sponsored analysts. Similar results are observed following traditional analyst "Strong Buy" recommendations, but I do not find significant negative abnormal returns following their "Sell" recommendations. These results suggest that the market fails to fully appreciate the information contained in the announcement of company-sponsored and traditional analysts' "Strong Buy" recommendations, while uniquely failing to appreciate the information contained in company-sponsored analyst "Sell" recommendations.
Casbene synthetase: regulation of phytoalexin biosynthesis in Ricinus communis L. seedlings. Purification of casbene synthetase and regulation of its biosynthesis during elicitation.

Abstract Castor bean ( Ricinus communis L.) seedlings responded to stress by producing the antifungal diterpene, casbene. Casbene synthetase, the enzyme catalyzing the production of casbene from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, was purified 4700-fold to a final specific activity of 4.2 nkat/mg protein by a combination of ion-exchange and dyeligand chromatographic procedures. Approximately 500 μg of purified enzyme was recovered from 1600 seedlings that had been infected with the fungus, Rhizopus stolonifer . The purified enzyme showed a single protein band, by Ag staining, of M r 59,000 ± 1000 after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic analysis of the immunoprecipitate obtained from a crude enzyme extract and polyclonal rabbit antibodies raised against the purified enzyme revealed no contaminants or cross-reacting components. In vitro translation of polysomal RNA pools obtained from healthy castor bean seedlings and seedlings at various times after exposure to pectic fragment elicitors coupled with immunoprecipitation showed that healthy seedlings have nondetectable levels of casbene synthetase mRNA and that seedlings exposed to elicitor show a rapid increase in casbene synthetase mRNA which reaches a maximum after 6 h. Casbene synthetase activity increases to a maximum 10 h after elicitation under comparable conditions. These results show that increases in the activity of mRNA for casbene synthetase after elicitation by pectic fragments precede the appearance of casbene synthetase activity as would be expected if the enzyme were being synthesized de novo .
Antioxidant and iron chelating potential of Pongammia pinnata and its role in preventing free radical induced oxidative damage in plasmid DNA

Context : Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radical-mediated reactions are involved in degenerative or pathological processes. Antioxidants are believed to play an important role in preventing chronic diseases by reducing the oxidative damage to cellular components caused by ROS. Objective : In the present study, Pongamia pinnata leaf (PPL), seed (PPS), and flower (PPF) were investigated for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH method, scavenging activities for different free radicals such as hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, hypochlorous acid, the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in mice brain homogenate, reducing power, iron chelating and protection of DNA damage caused by free radicals. Results : PPL showed the best antioxidant activity compared to both PPS and PPF. The extract of PPL possessed most potent activity compared to other extracts in scavenging assay for singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical and nitric oxide radical. PPF exhibited strongest inhibitory activity against hypochlorous acid and peroxynitrite anion among these three extracts. PPL was the best amongst three to inhibit lipid peroxidation and Fe 2+ -ferrozine complex formation. PPL was also found effective in protecting plasmid DNA nicking at lower concentration while both PPS and PPF did the same at higher concentration. PPL presented highest content of phenolics and flavonoids among these three extracts. Conclusion : The present results show that Pongammia pinnta acts as an antioxidant, iron chelator and protector of oxidative DNA damage.
Aspects of Intramolecular Dynamics in Chemistry

The role of chaotic and quasiperiodic behavior of isolated molecules is discussed. The quantum analog of classical quasi- periodic states appears to be relatively well understood. A possible quantum analog of classical chaotic behavior is described, using overlapping quantum mechanical Fermi resonances as a way of generating irregularities. The relation of these Fermi resonances to avoided crossings in eigenvalue plots and to various treatments of intramolecular dynamics in the chemical literature is outlined.
Conclusions from July 1976 Engineering Foundation conference in rindge, N.H., on Full-Scale Structural Testing

During the week of 18-23 July 1976, an Engineering Foundation Conference on Full-Scale Structural Testing was held at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, N.H. It was organized by members of the joint American Society of Civil Engineers' Research Council of Performance of Structures/American Society for Testing and Materials Committee E06 on Performance of Building Constructions (ASCE's RCPS)/ ASTM (E06) Committee for Developing a Guide to Professional Practice for Load Tests of Buildings. The conference was partly intended to provide further input for the development of this guide. Many facets of testing of structures were covered during the conference. This included historic aspects of buildings and structures, proof testing of structures including nuclear power plant containment, and existing opportunities for full-scale structural testing. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the conference and to present conclusions pertinent to the subject symposium and as a possible input to the Guide to Professional Practice.
Integration of virtual reality and multimedia data in databases

Increasing capabilities of computer systems enable development of new, better ways of data visualization and interaction between users and computers. One of the most powerful mechanisms of data visualization and interaction is virtual reality. In this paper the use of virtual reality as a platform for multimedia presentations is proposed. A technique which enables common storage and retrieval of virtual reality and multimedia data in databases is presented. An appropriate modeling method for virtual reality data in databases and dynamic synthesis of their presentations is discussed. A geographic information system is described as an example.
Isolation and synergism of in vitro anti-inflammatory and quinone reductase (QR) inducing agents from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia (noni)

Abstract The tropical fruits and fruit products of Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni, are consumed as a food or dietary supplement with purported health benefits. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory and cancer preventive effects of noni fruit puree extracts. Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of noni, comprising ~ 2% noni puree solids, led to the isolation of scopoletin (1), rutin (2), and quercetin (3). Quantitative HPLC analysis of the EtOAc extract revealed levels (dry weight basis) of scopoletin at 0.62 μmol/g, quercetin at 0.26 μmol/g and rutin at 0.045 μmol/g. Scopoletin and quercetin inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in a concentration-dependent manner in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and exhibited quinone reductase (QR) induction in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Increases in QR activity in induced cells were associated with increases in QR protein as confirmed by Western blots. Combinations of scopoletin and quercetin at a low (
The contribution of rare and common variants in 30 genes to risk nicotine dependence.

Genetic and functional studies have revealed that both common and rare variants of several nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits are associated with nicotine dependence (ND). In this study, we identified variants in 30 candidate genes including nicotinic receptors in 200 sib pairs selected from the Mid-South Tobacco Family population with equal numbers of African Americans (AAs) and European Americans (EAs). We selected 135 of the rare and common variants and genotyped them in the Mid-South Tobacco Case-Control (MSTCC) population, which consists of 3088 AAs and 1430 EAs. None of the genotyped common variants showed significant association with smoking status (smokers vs non-smokers), Fagerstrom Test for ND scores or indexed cigarettes per day after Bonferroni correction. Rare variants in NRXN1, CHRNA9, CHRNA2, NTRK2, GABBR2, GRIN3A, DNM1, NRXN2, NRXN3 and ARRB2 were significantly associated with smoking status in the MSTCC AA sample, with weighted sum statistic (WSS) P-values ranging from 2.42 × 10(-3) to 1.31 × 10(-4) after 10(6) phenotype rearrangements. We also observed a significant excess of rare nonsynonymous variants exclusive to EA smokers in NRXN1, CHRNA9, TAS2R38, GRIN3A, DBH, ANKK1/DRD2, NRXN3 and CDH13 with WSS P-values between 3.5 × 10(-5) and 1 × 10(-6). Variants rs142807401 (A432T) and rs139982841 (A452V) in CHRNA9 and variants V132L, V389L, rs34755188 (R480H) and rs75981117 (N549S) in GRIN3A are of particular interest because they are found in both the AA and EA samples. A significant aggregate contribution of rare and common coding variants in CHRNA9 to the risk for ND (SKAT-C: P=0.0012) was detected by applying the combined sum test in MSTCC EAs. Together, our results indicate that rare variants alone or combined with common variants in a subset of 30 biological candidate genes contribute substantially to the risk of ND.
No Stone Left Unturned: Exploring the Convergence of New Capitalism in Inclusive Education in the U.S.

This paper examines how inclusive education reform is appropriated when New Capitalism work practices dominate the discourse of school improvement in an urban school. We asked how New Capitalism mediates the formation of a professional vision for inclusive education. Using analytical tools from Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), we analyzed school, district, and university documents and artifacts, interviews, field observations gathered by site professors, videos of teachers’ classroom practices, and video-stimulated interviews. The findings demonstrate how New Capitalism shaped a professional vision (Goodwin, 1994) for inclusive education through the deployment of certain technologies such as performativity and its graphic displays of quality and auditing practices. Performativity shaped relationships among school personnel and their understanding of their work, inclusive education, and students from ethnic minorities struggling to learn. Our discussion of the findings and our recommendations are guided by an inclusive education agenda that addresses issues of misdistribution, misrecognition, and misrepresentation.
Comparison of eastern gamagrass grain and cottonseed meal as supplements for sheep fed mature eastern gamagrass hay

Abstract Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.) is a highly palatable warm season grass that has the potential to become a perennial grain crop with a high protein content (29% crude protein). Twelve wether lambs were used to evaluate eastern gamagrass grain and cottonseed meal as protein supplements for mature eastern gamagrass hay in a conventional digestion and nitrogen balance trial. Voluntary intake of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility, and nitrogen balance were determined for hay alone (CONTROL), hay plus eastern gamagrass grain (GGG), and hay plus cottonseed meal (CSM) treatments. Organic matter intake of supplemented lambs (25.7 g/kg BW) was higher (p
Suicide exposure, awareness and attitudes in college students

AbstractObjective: To determine experiences about suicide and those affected by it and to determine students’ attitudes, perceptions, and behavioral intentions about suicide prevention resources. Participants: 117 students (62% female, 63% undergraduate). Methods: 1000 randomly-selected students were emailed a request to complete an online survey. Results: The experience of knowing someone who has attempted or died by suicide is common for college students — 65% reported they knew someone who attempted or died by suicide. About 21.5% endorsed being ‘suicide survivors,’ Personally affected’ by a suicide. Undergraduate students were more likely than graduate students to see suicide as preventable. Most respondents are aware people who are suicidal show warning signs. Conclusions: Students on a college campus are likely to be exposed to suicides and suicide attempts. Supports for people exposed to suicidal behavior, targeted messaging to specific groups of students and gatekeeper training with students overa...
The Global Economic Environment for Turnarounds in 2006—2007

The environment for turnarounds should be excellent in 2006 with good economic growth in Canada, China and the U.S. and slow growth in most of the member countries of the European Union and in Japan. The U.S. is likely to enter a short, mild recession in 2007. This will slow world growth dramatically and supply many opportunities to turnaround specialists. Renewed global growth in 2008 on the back of a strong U.S. rebound should help most of these new turnaround companies prosper. There is little risk of inflation and long-term interest rates should remain around 4.5 percent in the U.S. and lower in Europe and Japan.
Longitudinal-Optical-Phonon-Plasmon Coupling in GaAs

Infrared reflectivity measurements have been made at 78\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K on three samples of GaAs, doped with Te so that the plasma frequency is nearly equal to the long-wavelength LO phonon frequency. There are two prominent dips in the reflectivity spectra, but instead of occurring near the plasma frequency and LO mode frequency, they occur at the frequencies of the two normal modes of the coupled plasmon-LO-phonon system, as predicted by Varga and by Singwi and Tosi. From the reflectivity spectra at 78\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, values of the electron effective mass of 0.067, 0.073, and $0.077{m}_{e}$ are obtained for $n$-type GaAs with 7.22\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{17}$, 8.75\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{17}$, and 14.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{17}$ carriers per ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$.
Ileal pouch with ileostomy rather than ileostomy alone

Abstract Although an ileostomy as established today (Brooke type) is a satisfactory exchange for the disease being treated and is compatible with normal activities in 90 per cent of patients, it is inconvenient because of the necessity of wearing an appliance constantly and because skin problems develop in 25 per cent of the patients. Kock has proposed the creation of an intra-abdominal reservoir, which has a capacity of approximately 500 ml after six months and can be intubated periodically to evacuate the ileal content, thereby eliminating the necessity of wearing an ileostomy appliance in 90 per cent of cases. This report presents our experience to date with seven patients in whom pouches were established successfully and were observed for periods varying up to six months.
Measuring Attitude toward the Brand and Purchase Intentions

Abstract Attitude toward the brand (Ab) and purchase intentions (PI) are two pivotal and popular constructs that have been routinely used by advertising scholars and practitioners. Despite their popularity, standard scales, with known psychometric properties, for measuring Ab and PI are not available. Furthermore, these two constructs might not be empirically distinguishable. On the basis of scales reported in prior studies, the authors develop measures of Ab and PI and assess their psychometric validity within a well-established, attitude toward the ad (Aad) theoretical framework. Implications of their findings are discussed.
RNAi and small interfering RNAs in human disease therapeutic applications

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been shown to effectively downregulate gene expression in human cells, giving them potential to eradicate disease. Prospects for clinical applications are discussed in this review, along with an overview of recent history and our current understanding of siRNAs used for therapeutic application in human diseases, such as cancer and viral infections. Over recent years, progress has been made in lipids, ligands, nanoparticles, polymers and viral vectors as delivery agents and for gene-based expression of siRNA to enhance the efficacy and specificity of these methods while at the same time reducing toxicity. It has become apparent that given the recent advances in chemistry and delivery, RNAi will soon prove to be an important and widely used therapeutic modality.
STUDIES ON THE GUINEA PIG SERUM FACTOR THAT DETECTS NATURALLY OCCURRING DELAYED ISO-HYPERSENSITIVITY.

Summary The heritable serum factor that detects naturally occurring delayed-type iso-hypersensitivity in guinea pigs was found to be elutable from starch gels following electrophoresis of whole serum. About one-third of the factor applied was recovered from an area of several bands, devoid of haptoglobins and transferrins, that lies ahead of the slow alpha globulins and behind the fast alpha globulins. The serum factor containing fraction had about 0.5 per cent of the protein content of whole serum. When electrophoresed on paper strips the starch-gel-eluted fraction traveled into the beta globulin zone.
The complexity of verifying memory coherence

The general problem of verifying coherence for shared-memory multiprocessor executions is NP-Complete. Verifying memory consistency models is therefore NP-Hard, because memory consistency models require coherence for some or all operations. However, verifying memory consistency remains NP-Complete for executions known to be coherent.
What is Marketing

Welcome to the return of the marketing column! I am honored and excited to have assumed the role of editor of the marketing column for Public Services Quarterly. Marketing is an important and cruci...
Modification of the optical properties of Ag nanoclusters by sequential implantation of Sc(Ti) and O in silica

Abstract The implantation of Sc(Ti) and O results in the modification of the silica with polarizable Sc(Ti) ions. With annealing the Sc(Ti) ions are incorporated with the O in the network to form a Sc(Ti)–O–silicate layer. Subsequent implantation of Ag into this layer results in the formation of Ag metal nanocluster colloids with significantly modified optical properties compared to samples without the Sc(Ti) ions. The incorporation of the Sc(Ti) results in a shift in the wavelength of the surface plasmon resonance of the Ag nanoclusters and a change in the magnitude of the surface plasmon resonance absorption. The results are interpreted using effective medium theory.
Queer (Theory) Eye for the Straight (Legal) Guy: Lawrence v. Texas’ Makeover of Bowers v. Hardwick

In this article, I distill the complex discourse of queer theory into four claims and then employ those claims to construct an original interpretation of the 2003 decision of Lawrence v. Texas in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas law criminalizing same-sex sodomy and overturned the 1986 case of Bowers v. Hardwick. Drawing on the queer performance in the reality television show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, I characterize Lawrence as a makeover of Bowers. Using Queer Eye’s parody of sexual identity as a model, I offer a parody of judicial power, and conclude that my application of queer theory produces a better account of the complexity of constitutional change and a more savvy understanding of the persistence of power than that which is typically offered in conventional constitutional discourse.
The Effects of Respite on Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients: One-Year Evaluation of the Michigan Model Respite Programs

The impact of respite care on informal caregiversforparticipants in the Michigan Model Respite Programs was evaluated Using a nonequivalent control group design, 72 caregivers were assessed prior to program participation and again 6 months later on three dimensions: subjective, or felt, burden; objective burden; and morale. Caregivers who had used respite had a significantly lower level of subjective burden and significantly higher morale compared to controls. No differences between groups of caregivers were observed for objective burden. The findings are discussed within the context of recent research that has generally failed to document the effectiveness of respite programs for family caregivers.
Cirrhosis is not a contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results and practical recommendations.

Background Gallstones appear more frequently in patients with cirrhosis and open cholecystectomy in this patient population is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis and to provide recommendations for management.
Cocaine, in contrast to D-amphetamine, does not cause axonal terminal degeneration in neostriatum and agranular frontal cortex of Long-Evans rats.

Abstract Continuous three day administration via implanted minipumps of cocaine hydrochloride (50–450 mg/kg/day, sc and 100–250 mg/kg/day, iv) did not produce axonal degeneration in frontal agranular cortex or neostriatum that was detectable by Fink-Heimer silver staining or tyrosine hydroxylase immunolabeling. This is in contrast to the extensive axonal degeneration detectable in these regions following d-amphetamine sulfate (10–60 mg/kg/day) administered following an identical protocol. Doses of cocaine and amphetamine were equated using three measures: 1) weight loss, 2) lethality and 3) behavioral activation. Thus, cocaine resembles other catecholamine reuptake blockers and does not cause the neurodegenerative changes characteristic of other abused drugs that interact with the brain's dopamine systems.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tissue plasminogen activator in unstable angina

Angiographic, angioscopic and pathologic reports have recently demonstrated a high incidence of intracoronary thrombus in patients with unstable angina. To determine if thrombolysis could be beneficial when combined with maximal medical therapy, 40 patients with rest angina, angiographically documented coronary artery disease and pacing-induced ischemia were randomly assigned to intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA, 150 mg/8 h) or placebo in a prospective double-blind trial. All patients received nitrates, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, a calcium channel blocker, aspirin and heparin. Pacing thresholds for ischemia and quantitative coronary stenosis were measured before and after infusion of the study medication. Intracoronary thrombus was identified angiographically before infusion of the study medication in 16 patients; 7 received rt-PA and 9 received placebo. The ischemic pacing threshold in patients treated with rt-PA increased from 112 +/- 4 beats/min at baseline to 127 +/- 5 beats/min (p = 0.007) by the end of the infusion versus an insignificant change in patients who received placebo (from 116 +/- 4 to 119 +/- 4 beats/min, p = NS). In patients with intracoronary thrombus, the ischemic pacing threshold increased 26 +/- 7 beats/min with rt-PA treatment versus 0 +/- 3 beats/min with placebo (p = 0.004). In contrast, in patients without thrombus, there was no difference in ischemic pacing threshold increments between treatment groups (7 +/- 11 beats/min for rt-PA versus 6 +/- 5 beats/min for placebo, p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Calculation of the total lethality of conductive heat in cylindrical cans sterilization using linear and non linear survival kinetic models

Abstract There is growing evidence suggesting that inactivation of bacterial spores may follow the Weibullian model, of which the log linear relationship between survival ratio and time is just a special case. Where true, the time and not only the temperature dependence of the rate must be taken into account. Also, it is of interest to estimate spores survival not only at the coldest point but also throughout the whole container's volume. Numerical calculation on changing survival ratios was performed by combining the conductive heat transfer model with that of the nonlinear inactivation kinetics. Results are based on published linear and non linear inactivation parameters of Clostridium botulinum spores, typical thermal properties of solid foods and realistic thermal processing conditions. Results could be used to quantify the efficacy of thermal processes of solid products in terms of spores' residual survival ratio at the coldest point and in the container as a whole.
Separation of merged mass spectral patterns by feed-forward neural network filtering

This paper describes the separation of merged signals from a mass-selective chromatographic detector by means of an adaptive filtering technique. The technique is based on parallel feed-forward neural networks, which are trained to resolve the mass spectra of two merged chemical compounds. Specifically, the chemical mass spectra of the compounds ethyl benzene and xylene were used to evaluate a filter based on probabilistic neural networks (PNN). The results are that the PNN filter shows good noise rejection and is fast enough computationally to be utilized in real time. The filter technique has applications in on-line processing of environmental monitoring instrumentation data and direct processing of pixel spectral data, such as hyperspectral image cubes.
Universal exponents and fractal dimensions of Feigenbaum attractors

Resume des exposants universels et des dimensions fractales associees aux attracteurs de Feigenbaum, et presentation d'une methode efficace de calcul de ses dimensions fractales
Critical tactics for implementing Porter's generic strategies

Purpose – To identify and cite examples of critical tactics for implementing Porter's generic strategies.Design/methodology/approach – A survey of over 200 organizations was conducted to determine their relative use of tactics and organizational performance. Factor analysis and regression analyses were used to identify tactics that were strongly related to organizational performance. Examples of implementation are presented to illustrate use of the critical tactics.Findings – A list of ten tactics were identified as significantly related with the generic strategies and higher levels of organizational performance.Research limitations/implications – As is typical with survey research, the convenience sample of organizations used in this survey may or may not be representative of all organizations. Also, when using regression analysis it is important to keep in mind that correlation does not necessarily mean causation. Therefore we are not certain that the significant tactics caused the higher levels of orga...
Bacteriophage-coded thymidylate synthetase. Evidence that the T4 enzyme is a capsid protein.

Abstract It has previously been shown that T4 bacteriophage-coded dihydrofolate reductase is a capsid protein, specifically an element of the tail plate. This paper presents evidence that thymidylate synthetase is also a structural protein. Antiserum prepared against purified T4 thymidylate synthetase neutralizes T4 infectivity. Evidence is presented that structural thymidylate synthetase is the target of the antiphage component of the serum. The td gene in T4 codes for thymidylate synthetase. We have crossed the td gene from phage T6 into T4 and eliminated other T6 genetic material from the hybrid phage by extensive backcrossing. The hybrid phage, T4 td T6 , is inactivated at 60 °C significantly more rapidly than the parent phage, T4D. Thus, the td gene is a determinant of a physical property of the virion, providing direct confirmation that thymidylate synthetase is a capsid protein. At present the role of the virion-bound enzyme is unknown.
Extended-aperture spatial diversity and polarizational diversity using a sparse array of electric dipoles or magnetic loops

A novel eigenstructure scheme of extended-aperture spatial diversity and polarizational diversity is proposed for 2D arrival angle estimation. This innovational method involves uniformly spaced triads (or pairs) of electric dipoles or magnetic loops, spaced much farther apart than a half-wavelength. An ESPRIT-based step produces arrival angle estimates that suffer cyclic ambiguity due to the extended spacing. Then, a closed-form integer search is performed over a MUSIC null spectrum for all finite number of possible direction cosines in the cyclic ambiguity using the aforementioned cyclically ambiguous estimates. This approach produces highly accurate, yet unambiguous, azimuth and elevation angle estimates. This novel method facilitates (1) multipath de-correlation (independent fading), (2) coherent summation of multipaths from the same source, and (3) down-link beamforming from the base-station to the mobile.
CONVENIENCE VOIDS: AN IMPORTANT NEW FACTOR IN URINARY FREQUENCY VOLUME CHART ANALYSIS

ABSTRACTPurpose:: We assessed the impact of convenience voids (CVs) on urinary frequency volume chart (FVC) analysis.Materials and Methods:: A total of 53 healthy volunteers completed a FVC for 1 week, highlighting as CVs samples when there was no sensation of bladder fullness, but rather a social reason to pass urine instead.Results:: Of the volunteers 72% had at least 1 CV during the week. Removing the CVs from analysis resulted in an increase of 17 ml in average mean individual voided volume from 308 to 325 ml (p <0.001). The average mean interval between voids increased by 11 minutes from 4 hours 34 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes (p <0.001).Conclusions:: Convenience voids have a small but significant effect on parameters analyzed on FVCs. They should be considered for inclusion in the FVCs used in research when changes in voided volume are being investigated.
The effects of a course on death and grief on nurses' attitudes toward dying patients and death.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of a course on death and grief on the attitudes toward death and toward dying patients of nurses who work in high-risk death areas of hospitals. This quasi-experimental design used four groups of subjects. One group experienced the treatment. Another group served as a waiting-list control group and then experienced the treatment. Two groups were control groups. The treatment consisted of attendance at a 6-week continuing education course entitled “Coping with Death and Dying in High-risk Areas of Hospitals.” The Death Anxiety Semantic Differential, Parts I and II, was used as the dependent variable. The results indicate that the small-group counseling and education experience did have an impact on attitudes toward death and dying patients of nurses who attended. The discussion of the findings and recommendations for further study are presented.
Effects of acid-volatile sulfide on zinc bioavailability and toxicity to benthic macroinvertebrates: A spiked-sediment field experiment

Acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) has been proposed as the primary normalization phase for the development of sediment quality criteria for certain cationic metals. This study was designed to assist in this development by providing necessary field data on the relationships among season, AVS concentrations, and zinc bioavailability and toxicity in freshwater sediments. Zinc was spiked into uncontaminated sediments collected from a local pond, creating five simultaneously extracted metal (SEM) concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 12.0 {micro}mol/g dry weight. The spiked sediments were transferred to 4-L plastic trays, returned to the bottom of the pond, and sampled on five dates during 1993--1994. Results revealed a pronounced increase in AVS concentration with increasing zinc concentration. Acid-volatile sulfide concentrations in zinc-spiked sediments displayed only minor seasonal variation but were lowest in surficial (0--2 cm) sediments. Acid-volatile sulfide concentrations always exceeded SEM concentrations at {le}6.0 {micro}mol SEM/g; only at 12.0 {micro}mol SEM/g did SEM/AVS ratios exceed 1.0. Zinc was rarely detected in pore water at any treatment and never at concentrations which should have posed a hazard to benthic macroinvertebrates. No substantial effect on colonization of zinc-spiked sediments by benthic macroinvertebrates was observed. Only oligochaetes (Naididae) were significantly reduced in abundance at the high zincmore » treatment, although reductions were occasionally evident for other taxa. Lack of noteworthy pore-water zinc concentrations and lack of associated, ecologically meaningful effects were attributed to the increase in AVS levels observed with increasing SEM zinc sediment concentration. The increases in AVS theoretically resulted from a replacement of natural iron and manganese sulfides with the more stable zinc sulfide complex.« less
A Comparative Study of Data Distribution Management Algorithms

In large-scale distributed defense modeling and simulation, Data Distribution Management (DDM) controls and limits the data exchanged reducing the processing requirements of federates. In this paper, we present a comparative study of a recently proposed DDM algorithm, called P-Pruning algorithm, with three other known techniques: region-matching, fixed-grid, and dynamic-grid DDM algorithms. By populating the multicast group, first only on the basis of X-axis information of routing space, and pruning the nonoverlapping subscriber regions within multicast groups in successive steps, the P-Pruning algorithm avoids the computational overheads of other algorithms. From the simulation study, we found that the P-Pruning algorithm is faster than the other three DDM algorithms. The performance evaluation results also show that the P-Pruning DDM algorithm uses memory at run-time more efficiently and requires less number of multicast groups as compared to the three algorithms. We also present the design and implementation of a memory-efficient, scalable enhancement to the P-Pruning algorithm.
On the validity of the non-relativistic approximation in discussing binding by long-range potentials

Abstract The validity of the non-relativistic approximation in describing binding by long-range potentials is discussed. We show that for a long-range Yukawa potential the question whether the problem is relativistic or not depends very much on the magnitude of the coupling constant.
On the understanding of some relational words in aphasia.

Abstract After determining whether 5 aphasic men spoke prepositions spontaneously, this study proceeded in 2 parts. First, we required the subjects to make arrangements of objects following directions spoken by the experimenter. Secondly, we required the subjects to order pre-printed word-cards into statements describing various displays of objects. We concluded from our data that (1) aphasics understood relational terms (e.g. prepositions) less well than object names, but (2) they were able to order words systematically, as parts of speech, into statements following or closely approximating the conventional rules of English.