cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Asset disposition effect: The impact of price patterns and selected personal characteristics

The tendency of investors and managers to sell assets with gains early as opposed to assets with losses is called the asset disposition effect. An experiment was conducted to determine the impact of different price conditions and selected personal characteristics on the asset disposition effect. Support for the asset disposition effect was found in conditions where asset price was highly uncertain. None of the experiment participants' personal characteristics, however, was found to be a significant predictor of the disposition effect. The results indicate that the asset disposition behaviour could be explained by the mean reversion theory and participants' use of mental reference points. The possible presence of disposition effect in an investment asset market suggests that the use of mechanical rules, such as stop-loss orders, might improve the decision-making process of determining when to sell a losing asset. The reluctance to sell assets with declining values might not be optimal in some cases.
language variation and cultural hegemony: toward an integration of sociolinguistic and social theory

Although the social theory behind sociolinguistics is in need of explicit formulation and critique, basic insights from the field can be of considerable value in addressing current debates concerning social reproduction. Using sociolinguistic concepts of status and solidarity and empirical evidence from Catalonia and other community studies, this paper argues that the emphasis by reproduction theorists on formal institutions such as the school is misplaced, and that the structuralist representation of dominant, hegemonic ideologies as impenetrable does not capture the reality of working-class and minority community practices. Attention to sociolinguistic evidence by social theorists could advance the understanding of hegemonic and oppositional cultural practices in the maintenance of social inequality. [Spain, language variation, sociolinguistic theory, cultural hegemony, social reproduction]
Circuit techniques: Enhancing MOS/LSI's role in analog design: High-density amplifiers, A/D and D/A converters, filters, and coder-decoder circuits can now be fabricated

Discusses design approaches that combine analog and digital functions on one MOS LSI chip thus lowering the cost and size and improving the reliability of such circuits as linear amplifiers A/D and D/A converters, and precision frequency filters. Instead of the conventional multichip and hybrid designs, analog circuits are fabricated with the same high-density MOS/LSI processes employed for such standard components as digital logic, memory, and microprocessors.
Murine trabecular meshwork cells in tissue culture.

Trabecular meshwork cells from an inbred strain of mice (A/J) were established in tissue culture. Within 1 hour of enucleation, tissue containing the cornea and the chamber angle was excised and placed in tissue culture. Two to five days later, three cell types grew from the explants. Two of these cell types, corneal endothelium and fibroblasts, grew together, with the fibroblasts preferentially spreading on top of the endothelial cells. The trabecular meshwork cells extended from the explant as a distinct morphological type. The corneal endothelium and its associated fibroblasts were then removed from the culture flask with a sterile cotton swab, leaving a monolayer of pure trabecular meshwork cells. These cells required 3-4 weeks to reach confluency and could be passaged five times. They were actively phagocytic in culture and exhibited immunoreactivity to antibodies against two extracellular matrix components, laminin and collagen type IV. Mouse trabecular meshwork cells also expressed receptors for ac...
Acidic Mammalian Chitinase Is Secreted via an ADAM17/Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-dependent Pathway and Stimulates Chemokine Production by Pulmonary Epithelial Cells

Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) is expressed in an exaggerated fashion in epithelial cells at sites of pulmonary T helper cell type 2 inflammation and plays important roles in the pathogenesis of anti-parasite and asthma-like responses. However, the mechanisms that control epithelial cell AMCase secretion and its effector responses have not been adequately defined. To address these issues, we used in vivo and in vitro experimental systems to define the pathways of epithelial AMCase secretion and its epithelial regulatory effects. Here we demonstrate that, in murine T helper cell type 2 modeling systems, AMCase colocalizes with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ADAM17 (a membrane disintegrin and metallopeptidase 17) in lung epithelial cells. In vitro cotransfection experiments in A549 cells demonstrated that AMCase and EGFR physically interact with each other. Cotransfection of AMCase and EGFR also increased, whereas EGFR inhibition decreased AMCase secretion. Interestingly, AMCase secretion was not significantly altered by treatment with EGF but was significantly decreased when the upstream EGFR transactivator ADAM17 was inhibited. AMCase secretion was also decreased when the EGFR-downstream Ras was blocked. Transfected and recombinant AMCase induced epithelial cell production of CCL2, CCL17, and CXCL8. These studies demonstrate that lung epithelial cells secrete AMCase via an EGFR-dependent pathway that is activated by ADAM17 and mediates its effects via Ras. They also demonstrate that the AMCase that is secreted feeds back in an autocrine and/or paracrine fashion to stimulate pulmonary epithelial cell chemokine production.
Ovarian cyst from exogenous estrogen prescribed to limit height

Abstract We present a case of a large, 20-cm diameter, right ovarian cyst which appeared 1½ years after beginning a combination of Premarin (conjugated estrogens) and Provera (medroxy-progesterone acetate) therapy, given to limit the height of a tall 15-year-old female.
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF SILICON

It is shown that a purely local-pseudopotential calculation is able to accurately reproduce the major optical gaps and cyclotron masses. However, deviations from the experimental results become manifest in photoemission and x-ray charge-density results as we extend our calculations to the lower valence bands. These deviations indicate the necessity of an energy-dependent nonlocal $s$-well potential, a conclusion which is also supported by an analysis of the Heine-Abarenkov pseudopotential scheme. A detailed comparison is made between experimental results obtained from optical, photoemission, x-ray, and cyclotron-resonance measurements, and the results of both the local calculation and an energy-dependent nonlocal calculation. Yang and Coppens's recent determination of the valence charge density in silicon makes it possible to assess the accuracy of the pseudocharge densities for the first time.
Deep brain stimulation of globus pallidus internus for dystonia

Neuromodulation is the functional modification of neural structures through the use of electrical stimulation. Its most clinically applicable use is deep brain stimulation (DBS) of basal ganglia structures in Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). More recently, it has been used as a means of treating dystonic movement disorders. The main target of DBS for dystonia is the posteroventral globus pallidus internus (GPi), although the thalamus has been used as an alternate target in a minority of cases. In comparison to the effects seen in PD, the improvement in dystonic postures appear to differ in several ways--delay of clinical benefit, higher voltage requirements, and varied stimulator settings. In this review, the authors discuss the clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, microelectrode recording (MER) signatures, optimal surgical targets, programming parameters and outcomes in dystonia.
The composition and properties of oxide films on type 304 stainless steel on exposure to lithiated water at 100–350°C

Abstract The oxide films formed on type 304 stainless steel in lithiated water containing dissolved hydrogen were examined at constant temperatures of 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350°C by open circuit potential measurements, Auger electron spectroscopy analyses, semiconductivity measurements and a.c. impedance experiments. Between 150 and 200°C, most of the properties examined were found to change drastically. The steady state open circuit potential was close to that of the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and the measured current density corresponded to the exchange current density of RHE.
Curriculum Development for Outdoor Learning

(1976). Curriculum Development for Outdoor Learning. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 55-61.
Actual/Desired role functioning, perceived control over role functioning, and job satisfaction among school psychologists

This study utilized the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and a demographic data form to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction and actual/desired role functioning and perceived control over role functioning among a population of school psychologists. Results indicated that school psychologists spend more time in assessment activities than they desire to and less time in consultation, counseling, and research than they desire to. Both discrepancy between actual and desired role functioning and perceived control over role functioning were found to be significantly associated with job satisfaction. Role function and perceived control variables combined accounted for almost half of the job satisfaction variance. Four role function variables emerged as significant predictors of job satisfaction: discrepancy between actual and desired time spent in assessment, discrepancy between actual and desired time spent in clerical activities, actual time spent in research, and discrepancy between actual and desired time spent in research. Results are discussed in terms of their practical significance for practicing school psychologists.
Energetics, molecular electronic structure, and spectroscopy of forming Group IIA dihalide complexes

Abstract Multiple-collision relaxed (helium) chemiluminescence and laser-induced fluorescent spectroscopy have been used to demonstrate the highly efficient collisional stabilization of electronically excited Group IIA dihalide collision complexes formed in M (Ca,Sr)+X2 (XY) (Cl2, Br2, ICl, IBr, I2) reactive encounters. The first discrete emission spectra for the CaCl2, CaBr2, SrCl2, SrBr2, and SrICl dihalides are observed and evaluated; however, the low-pressure `continuous' chemiluminescent emission observed for forming barium dihalide (BaX2) complexes is quenched under these experimental conditions. The reactions of the Group IIA metals with molecular fluorine do not readily produce the corresponding dihalide. While the lowest-lying observed dihalide visible transition is, as predicted, found to result in an extended progression in a dihalide complex bending mode (SrCl2), the observed progression suggests the presence of a residual halogen (Cl–Cl) bond. Two higher-lying transitions are dominated by a vibrational mode structure corresponding to progressions in the symmetric stretching mode or, for nominally forbidden electronic transitions, odd quanta of the asymmetric stretching mode. Some evidence for sequence structure associated with the dihalide bending mode is also obtained. These observations are consistent with complex formation as it is coupled with a modified valence electron structure (correlation diagram) associated with the highly ionic nature of the dihalides. The bonding in the Group IIA dihalides (and their complexes), whose atomization energies are more than twice the metal monohalide bond energy, strongly influences the evaluation of energetics and the determination of monohalide bond energies from chemiluminescent processes. Discrepancies between those bond strengths determined by mass spectrometry and chemiluminescence are discussed with a focus on energy partitioning in dihalide complex formation and its influence on chemical vapor deposition.
Tissue-derived proinflammatory effect of adenosine A2B receptor in lung ischemia–reperfusion injury

Objective Ischemia–reperfusion injury after lung transplantation remains a major source of morbidity and mortality. Adenosine receptors have been implicated in both pro- and anti-inflammatory roles in ischemia–reperfusion injury. This study tests the hypothesis that the adenosine A 2B receptor exacerbates the proinflammatory response to lung ischemia–reperfusion injury. Methods An in vivo left lung hilar clamp model of ischemia–reperfusion was used in wild-type C57BL6 and adenosine A 2B receptor knockout mice, and in chimeras created by bone marrow transplantation between wild-type and adenosine A 2B receptor knockout mice. Mice underwent sham surgery or lung ischemia–reperfusion (1 hour ischemia and 2 hours reperfusion). At the end of reperfusion, lung function was assessed using an isolated buffer-perfused lung system. Lung inflammation was assessed by measuring proinflammatory cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and neutrophil infiltration was assessed via myeloperoxidase levels in lung tissue. Results Compared with wild-type mice, lungs of adenosine A 2B receptor knockout mice were significantly protected after ischemia–reperfusion, as evidenced by significantly reduced pulmonary artery pressure, increased lung compliance, decreased myeloperoxidase, and reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-α; interleukin-6; keratinocyte chemoattractant; regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted; and monocyte chemotactic protein-1). Adenosine A 2B receptor knockout→adenosine A 2B receptor knockout (donor→recipient) and wild-type→ adenosine A 2B receptor knockout, but not adenosine A 2B receptor knockout→wild-type, chimeras showed significantly improved lung function after ischemia–reperfusion. Conclusions These results suggest that the adenosine A 2B receptor plays an important role in mediating lung inflammation after ischemia–reperfusion by stimulating cytokine production and neutrophil chemotaxis. The proinflammatory effects of adenosine A 2B receptor seem to be derived by adenosine A 2B receptor activation primarily on resident pulmonary cells and not bone marrow-derived cells. Adenosine A 2B receptor may provide a therapeutic target for prevention of ischemia–reperfusion-related graft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients.
Epidermal growth factor and the control of proliferation of Balb 3T3 and benzo[a]pyrene-transformed Balb 3T3 cells

Benzo[a]pyrene-transformed Balb 3T3 cells (BP3T3) exhibit "normal" growth controls at low concentrations of serum. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates DNA synthesis and cell division in both Balb 3T3 and BP3T3 cells at physiological concentrations. The growth response of BP3T3 cells to EGF is qualitatively the same as that of 3T3 cells, however, the transformed cells have a lower quantitative requirement. Both 3T3 and BP3T3 cells show a density-dependent response to EGF, but the shift in the dose response curve for BP3T3 cells at high cell density is smaller than that seen for 3T3 cells. One cause of the restricted growth of 3T3 cells at high cell density compared with BP3T3 cells is the increased concentration of growth factor needed for stimulation of 3T3 cells at higher cell densities. A lower rate of depletion of other growth factory by BP3T3 cells may also explain the smaller effect of cell density on the EGF response of these cells.
Clues to occludin. Focus on "Knockdown of occludin expression leads to diverse phenotypic alterations in epithelial cells".

FOR MANY YEARS AFTER ITS SYSTEMATIC morphological description by Farquhar and Palade in 1963 (7), the tight junction remained a puzzle. The freeze-fracture knife exposed anastomosing ridges in platinum/carbon replicas resembling the bones of ancient fossils, and, like fossils, provided few clues to living, breathing function. Speculation abounded about the true nature of the tight junction, with those favoring protein or lipid structures squared off in competing camps (14) while others counted strands and developed models, waiting for new breakthroughs (4). All of this began to change in 1986 with the identification of ZO-1 (15), proudly named as the first bona fide component of the zonula occludens, as tight junctions were formally bestowed by Farquhar and Palade (7). Enthusiasm was tempered, however, with the recognition that ZO-1 was not an integral membrane protein, but one that associated with the cytoplasmic face of the tight junction and thus could not account for the intercellular seal or the intramembrane ridges.
Comment on: “Using a long-term interest rate as the monetary policy instrument”☆

Abstract The use of a long-term interest rate as the instrument of monetary policy would not have the advantage, sometimes claimed for it, of relaxing the constraint on what can be achieved by monetary policy when the zero lower bound on short-term interest rates is reached. The proposal would also seem an impractical one to implement.
Benign and malignant forms of erythroderma: Cutaneous immunophenotypic characteristics

In order to determine if immunohistologic features are useful in distinguishing benign from malignant types of erythroderma, we studied the immunophenotype of lesional T cells in 20 patients (8 mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome, 12 benign) and found them to be generally similar. In all cases, the majority of T cells were Leu-1+, Leu-4+, and Leu-5+, as is typical of mature T cells. Although in most cases a majority of Leu-3+ (helper/phenotype) T cells were present, in 2 there was a majority of the Leu-2+ (cytotoxic/suppressor) subset and in 12 others, a significant minority (20%-40%) of these cells. Low percentages of Leu-2+ cells (less than or equal to 10%), resulting in high Leu-3+/Leu-2+ ratios, did not distinguish benign from malignant erythroderma. Leu-8 antigen deficiency was common in both mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome and benign cases (62% vs 75%, respectively). In contrast, Leu-9 antigen deficiency was present in only one patient in each group. The lack of combined Leu-8/9 antigen deficiency in our patients may be due to a heavy inflammatory T cell component, obscuring the antigen deficiencies seen in most nonerythrodermic mycosis fungoides cases. We conclude that immunophenotypic studies with the use of the current antibody panel show many similarities between benign and malignant forms of erythroderma, as well as some minor differences that may prove diagnostically useful if corroborated by future studies.
Determinants of the FeXO (X = C, N, O) Vibrational Frequencies in Heme Adducts from Experiment and Density Functional Theory

Vibrational spectra of CO, NO, and O2 adducts of heme proteins contain information on interactions of the heme and its bound ligands with the surrounding protein matrix that may help in elucidating the mechanism of small-molecule activation. Whereas the heme−CO system is well studied and a framework exists for the interpretation of such interactions, heme−NO and −O2 complexes have not been systematically investigated. Here we examine resonance Raman spectra of all three classes of adducts, combining literature values with new data for FeIINO porphyrins having both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents. Negative linear correlations are observed for all three adducts between their Fe−XO and X−O stretching frequencies. The slopes of these correlation lines are −0.4 for five-coordinate FeCO and FeNO porphyrins and −0.8 for five-coordinate FeO2 adducts. Thus, Fe−NO and Fe−O2 bonds are equally or even more sensitive than Fe−CO bonds to electronic influences that affect metal-to-ligand π back-b...
Financial Liberalization and Economic Development: A Reassessment of Interest-Rate Policies in Asia and Latin America

When governments tax and otherwise distort their domestic capital markets, the economy is said to be financially 'repressed'.2 Usury restrictions oninter est rates, heavy reserve requirements on bank de posits, and compulsory credit allocations interact with ongoing price inflation to reduce the attrac tiveness of holding claims on the domestic banking system. In such a repressed financial system, real depositrates ofinterestonmonetary assets areoften negative, and are difficult to predict when inflation is high and unstable. Thus, the demand for money—broadly defined to include savings and term deposits as well as checking accounts and currency—falls as a proportion of GNP.
Aspects of safe attachment in the recovery from trauma

The attachment capacities of trauma survivors were hypothesized to be positively related to their recovery from traumatic event(s). Recovery from psychological trauma is conceptualized as consisting of multiple criteria, and proceeding through a series of stages. The safe attachment dimension of the Multidimensional Trauma Recovery and Resiliency (MTRR) scale was examined through factor analyses, resulting in four factors or subscales. One hundred and twenty-six participants were rated according to recovery status and on the MTRR scale by clinicians from various clinical settings. Recovery status was positively correlated with the overall Safe Attachment dimension and with each of the four separate subscales. Implications for psychotherapeutic goals are discussed.
Is There a Farm Crisis

This balanced, careful examination of the “farm crisis” provides a historical, quantitative, and analytical description of the origins, nature, and broader implications of the recent problems of the farm sector. It will be especially useful supplementary reading for instructors and students examining this issue in the introductory course.
Top-down processing modulates older adults’ susceptibility to noise

ABSTRACTThe present study examined older and younger adults’ ability to use top-down processes to mitigate the effects of display noise during simple feature, visual search. As display noise levels increased, older adults (age 60–74 years, n = 32) exhibited greater top-down search reaction time (RT) benefits (bottom-up minus top-down search RT), compared to younger adults (age 18–27, n = 32). Older adults’ ability to mitigate the effects of noise was further assessed with RT variability, as measured by intra-individual standard deviations across trials. Older adults again exhibited larger top-down benefits (i.e., less RT variability) compared to younger adults, and more so when display noise was present vs. absent. These results suggest a sparing of top-down processes with age (Madden, Whiting, Spaniol, & Bucur, 2005; Psychology and Aging, 20, 317), and that top-down processes in older adults enhance search efficiency by optimizing signal-to-noise ratios.
The ho'oponopono group: A conflict resolution model for school counselors

Abstract This article describes a conflict resolution group technique known asho'oponopono. The ho'oponopono process was developed by native Hawaiians as a method of resolving conflict between tribal families. Mental health practitioners in Hawaii and other parts of the United States frequently use the approach in agencies and business organizations. The authors provide guidelines and a case example to illustrate how a group counselor might implement this conflict resolution model in a school setting. Suggestions on how to best adapt the technique to other group settings are included.
Interaction of Notch Signaling Modulator Numb with α-Adaptin Regulates Endocytosis of Notch Pathway Components and Cell Fate Determination of Neural Stem Cells

The ability to balance self-renewal and differentiation is a hallmark of stem cells. In Drosophila neural stem cells (NSCs), Numb/Notch (N) signaling plays a key role in this process. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Numb function in a stem cell setting remain poorly defined. Here we show that α-Adaptin (α-Ada), a subunit of the endocytic AP-2 complex, interacts with Numb through a new mode of interaction to regulate NSC homeostasis. In α-ada mutants, N pathway component Sanpodo and the N receptor itself exhibited altered trafficking, and N signaling was up-regulated in the intermediate progenitors of type II NSC lineages, leading to their transformation into ectopic NSCs. Surprisingly, although the Ear domain of α-Ada interacts with the C terminus of Numb and is important for α-Ada function in the sensory organ precursor lineage, it was dispensable in the NSCs. Instead, α-Ada could regulate Sanpodo, N trafficking, and NSC homeostasis by interacting with Numb through new domains in both proteins previously not known to mediate their interaction. This interaction could be bypassed when α-Ada was directly fused to the phospho-tyrosine binding domain of Numb. Our results identify a critical role for the AP-2-mediated endocytosis in regulating NSC behavior and reveal a new mechanism by which Numb regulates NSC behavior through N. These findings are likely to have important implications for cancer biology.
Hydrothermal chemistry of Th(IV) with aromatic dicarboxylates: New framework compounds and in situ ligand syntheses

Abstract A novel thorium (IV) coordination polymer, Th(C5H2N2O4)2(H2O)2 (1), has been prepared under the hydrothermal reaction of thorium nitrate tetrahydrate and 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid (H3pdc). Compound 1 (orthorhombic, P212121, a=6.9362(5) A, b=10.7806(8) A, c=17.9915(14) A, Z=2, R1=0.0210, wR2=0.0470) consists of thorium metal centers connected via H3pdc linkages to form an overall three-dimensional structure containing π–π interactions between the pyrazole rings. 2,3-Pyrazinedicarboxylic acid (H2pzdc) was explored as well to (1) study the effect of the location of the carboxylic groups around the aromatic ring and (2) produce heterometallic compounds. Thorium (IV) and copper (II) were combined with H2pzdc, resulting in an interesting decomposition reaction characterized though the isolation of Th(C2O4)2(H2O)2·2H2O (2) (monoclinic, C2/c, a=13.8507(12) A, b=7.8719(7) A, c=10.7961(16) A, β=118.0310(10)°, Z=2, R1=0.0160, wR2=0.0349), Cu(C6H2N2O4) (3) (monoclinic, C2/c, a=11.499(3) A, b=7.502(2) A, c=7.402(2) A, β=93.892(5)°, Z=4, R1=0.0472, wR2=0.0745) and Cu(C5H3N2O2)(NO3)(H2O) (4). The capture of these species provides mechanistic evidence for the formation of the oxalate anions observed in 2 via the decarboxylation of H2pzdc to yield the linker in 4: 2-pyrazinecarboxylate anions.
GASTROINTESTINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN NORMAL ADULT PONIES

The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics based on ultrasonographic examination of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, cecum, and peritoneal fluid in normal adult ponies. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed in nine unsedated standing ponies. The duodenum was examined at three sites and the jejunum in 12 regions. Wall thickness, contractility, distention, and luminal contents were recorded. Stomach wall thickness and location, cecal wall thickness, and peritoneal fluid location and character were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed. Wall thicknesses (in cm) were 0.431 +/- 0.069 for the stomach, 0.188 +/- 0.033 for the duodenum (at all sites), 0.195 +/- 0.031 for the jejunum (at all regions), and 0.179 +/- 0.031 for the cecum. Duodenal contractions per minute were 3.78 +/- 1.10. The stomach spanned 5.14 +/- 0.9 intercostal spaces, with the 8th intercostal space being the most cranial and the 15th intercostal space being the most caudal space through which the stomach was identified. It was possible to identify the jejunum in all ponies dorsal to the left dorsal colon and from the ventral abdominal wall. Peritoneal fluid was identified in six ponies. Peritoneal fluid was usually seen transiently and most commonly in the ventral aspect of the abdominal cavity or around the duodenum. Overall, the ponie's abdominal ultrasonographic examinations revealed wall thicknesses that were less than the published normal ranges for horses. It appears that ponies may have increased duodenal contractility than horses and that the conformation of ponies may change the locations for imaging the stomach.
URBAN/REGIONAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

How does the research about rural economies in developed countries compare to urban/regional economics? What can the new generation contribute? This paper briefly reviews modern research concerning rural development in one country, the U.S., and reports indicators of U.S. rural distress. It examines the market forces and market failures that cause rural distress and that may limit the applicability of existing urban/regional theories to rural problems. A feast of uniquely rural issues that require—and should inspire—theoretical innovations in rural, urban, regional, and spatial economics are identified and discussed.
Cytoplasmic streaming and gravity sensing in Chara internodal cells.

Since the nineteenth century, the merits of two alternate models for explaining the mechanism of plant gravity perception have been discussed. The gravitational pressure model states that plant cells perceive gravity by sensing their relative buoyancy to that of the surrounding medium, whereas the more popular starch-statolith model states that intracellular sedimenting particles act as gravity sensors. Vertically-oriented Chara internodal cells exhibit a gravity dependent polarity of cytoplasmic streaming such that the downardly-directed stream moves ca. 10% faster than the upwardly-directed stream. This polarity of cytoplasmic streaming is not simply a consequence of gravity acting directly on the cytoplasm but is rather under physiological control. When Chara internodal cells are placed in a medium more dense than themselves, the gravity-induced polarity of cytoplasmic streaming is reversed. This phenomenon cannot be explained by a model which relies on intracellular sedimenting particles as gravity sensors but is consistent with the gravitational pressure model for gravity sensing. We propose that gravity causes the internodal cells to settle within the confines of the extracellular matrix resulting in a tension between the plasma membrane and the extracellular matrix at the top of the cell and a compression between the plasma membrane and the extracellular matrix at the bottom of the cell. These stresses are proposed to act upon peptides which span the plasma membrane/extracellular matrix interface at the ends of the cells and which subsequently activate Ca2+ channels which in turn may induce a polarity of cytoplasmic streaming.
Development of models for specific crop calendar events

In order to test growth prediction and yield prediction equations on historical weather data for areas where planting dates were not published, or for areas where dates of planting will not be as readily accessible as weather data, there is a need for a model to predict the date of planting. Such a model was developed by regressing reported percentages of the wheat crop planted on various weather variables and their transformations. The model for predicting percentage of wheat acreage planted in North Dakota was tested on data not used in formulating the coefficients of the model. Although the predictions may have errors of several days the model is considered to be an improvement over a system utilizing a constant year-to-year average planting date.
Evaluation of shigellosis in a Turkish children's hospital.

Background : The aim of the present study was to evaluate cases of Shigella and determine the pattern of anti- microbial resistance of shigella species in central Turkey. Methods and Results : One hundred and ninety-eight patients with shigella gastroenteritis presenting to Sami Ulus Children's Hospital from June 2002 to December 2002 were included in the study. The clinical and laboratory data of the patients with shigellosis were collected by chart review. Male/female ratio was 1.35 and mean age was 4.83 ± 3.2 years (range: 1 - 16 years). Shigella sonnei (83.3%) was the most common serogroup. This was followed by S. fl (10.1%), then S. dysenteria (5.1%), and S. boydii (1.5%). The antibiotic sus- ceptibility of the shigella strains was determined. Most strains of Shigella species were resistant to trimethoprim - sulfamethoxazole (90.4%). All strains were found to be sensitive to ciprofl oxacin (100%). Ampicillin susceptibility was 86.4% and cefotaxim (and/or ceftriaxon) susceptibility was 98%. Conclusion : Ampicillin is the drug of choice in the treatment of shigella infection in this region of Turkey. Cefotaxim or ceftriaxon was the second choice of antibiotics. Thus, Shigella is an important etiologic agent of diarrhea in Turkey. To determine the antibiotic susceptibility of the Shigella strains and appropriate empiric antibiotic treatment in Turkey, further studies will be needed.
Highly nonstationary wavelet packets

We introduce a new class of basic wavelet packets, called highly nonstationary wavelet packets, that generalize the class of nonstationary wavelet packets. We define the periodic Shannon wavelet packets and show how to obtain perturbations of this system using periodic highly nonstationary wavelet packets. Such perturbations provide examples of periodic wavelet packets that do form a Schauder basis for Lp[0,1) for 1<p<∞. We also consider the representation of the differentiation operator in such periodic wavelet packets.
Restricted heterogeneity of antibodies to idiotypes of isologous immunoglobulins.

Abstract To determine whether isologous anti-idiotypic antibody responses are degenerate, the antibodies made by BALB/c mice to the idiotype of M167, an IgA,k myeloma protein of BALB/c origin, were tested for: (a) homogeneity with respect to affinity, (b) immunoglobulin class, and (c) polydispersity in isoelectric focussing. The results showed that the anti-idiotypic antibodies to M167 belonged to the IgGl class, were essentially homogeneous in affinity for the 125 I-Fab fragment of M167, and displayed little polydispersity by isoelectric focussing. The relative homogeneity of these isologous anti-idiotypic molecules is particularly notable because they were elicited by an immunization procedure that, with conventional antigens, usually evokes highly heterogeneous antibody responses.
The role of arthrography in the management of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica can be diagnosed on plain radiographs of the affected areas. However, double contrast arthrography in three new cases provided additional information. The cartilaginous portions of the lesion at the artic- ular surface of the bone were precisely demon- strated, aiding the orthopedic surgeon in deciding which patients should have surgery and planning the extent of operation necessary.
Modeling the Transport Phenomena in Moving 3-D Dual-Beam Laser Keyhole Welding

In recent years, laser-beam welding using two laser beams, or dual-beam laser welding, has become an emerging welding technique. Previous studies have demonstrated that it can provide benefits over conventional single-beam laser welding, such as increasing keyhole stability, slowing down cooling rate and delaying the humping onset to a higher welding speed. It is reported that the dual beam laser welding can significantly improve weld quality. However, so far the development of the dual-beam laser welding technique has been limited to the trial-and-error procedure. In this study, the objective is to develop mathematical models and the associated numerical techniques to investigate the transport phenomena, such as heat transfer, metal flow, keyhole formation and weld pool shape evolutions during the moving three-dimensional dual-beam laser keyhole welding. Detailed studies have been conducted to determine the effects of key parameters, such as laser-beam configuration on weld pool fluid flow, weld shape, and keyhole dynamics. Some experimentally observed phenomena, such as the changes of the weld pool shape from oval to circle and from circle to oval during the welding process are predicted and can be well explained by the present model.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Planning and supervision of reactor defueling using discrete event techniques

New fuel handling and conditioning activities for the defueling of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II are being performed at Argonne National Laboratory. Research is being conducted to investigate the use of discrete event simulation, analysis, and optimization techniques to plan, supervise, and perform these activities in such a way that productivity can be improved. The central idea is to characterize this defueling operation as a collection of interconnected serving cells, and then apply operational research techniques to identify appropriate planning schedules for given scenarios. In addition, a supervisory system is being developed to provide personnel with online information on the progress of fueling tasks and to suggest courses of action to accommodate changing operational conditions. This paper provides an introduction to the research in progress at ANL. In particular, it briefly describes the fuel handling configuration for reactor defueling at ANL, presenting the flow of material from the reactor grid to the interim storage location, and the expected contributions of this work. As an example of the studies being conducted for planning and supervision of fuel handling activities at ANL, an application of discrete event simulation techniques to evaluate different fuel cask transfer strategies is given at the end of the paper.
EFFECT OF MICROWAVE POWER LEVEL AND TIME ON ASCORBIC ACID CONTENT, PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY AND COLOR OF SELECTED VEGETABLES

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effects of blanching at various microwave power levels (30%, 55%, 70%, 100%) for various times (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 min) on peroxidase inactivation, and ascorbic acid and color preservation in broccoli, green beans and asparagus. As power level and time increased, moisture losses increased. Actual ascorbic acid concentration (mg/100 g) increased, but when adjusted for moisture loss, it decreased. Microwave treatment at any power level for as little as 1 min reduced peroxidase activity. However, at higher powers (70% and 100%), less time was required to achieve the maximum reduction. Microwave heating at 70% or 100% caused some darkening (decreased L* value). Hue angle decreased (less green) at 55%, 70% and 100% power after 1 min of treatment. Overall, microwave power level and time had greater effects on moisture, RAA content and on peroxidase activity than on color.
Heart block and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia

An 88-year-old woman presented with 1 day of lower abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. She claimed fatigue and dyspnea on exertion for the past 3 weeks. She had been healthy all her life and took no medications. She was afebrile with a heart rate of 40 beats per minute and blood pressure of 134/61 mmHg. Her abdomen was soft with minimal lower tenderness, and the exam was otherwise normal. Lab chemistries, lactate, and CBC were normal except WBC of 23.54. We obtained the ECG shown in Fig. 1 and the abdominal CT shown in Fig. 2. She was admitted to the cardiology service. We ordered the CT because we believed that any abdominal tenderness in such an elderly patient could indicate serious pathology, such as abscess, aortic aneurysm, or mesenteric ischemia. Fig. 1 Electrocardiogram showing regular bradycardia with a 2:1 ratio of P waves to QRS complexes Fig. 2 Transverse computed tomographic (CT) image showing colonic wall thickening and surrounding mesenteric stranding (arrows) Upon further evaluation, she was found to have heart block with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. The ECG reveals second-degree atrioventricular block with 2:1 conduction. If the PR interval increases progressively prior to a non-conducted P wave, the atrioventricular block is Mobitz type I. In Mobitz type II, the non-conducted beats are not heralded by an increasing PR interval, as noted in this patient [1]. All type II or symptomatic type 1 patients are candidates for pacemaker implantation [2]. The CT image reveals colonic wall thickening with mesenteric stranding, consistent with ischemic colitis. However, the mesenteric vessels were patent, leading to a diagnosis of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia. Up to 30% of mesenteric ischemia cases fall into this category, usually in the setting of low cardiac output [3]. Previous case reports most often describe this phenomenon in settings such as hemodialysis and cardiac or vascular surgery [4-6]. As with all mesenteric ischemia, the classic presentation is pain out of proportion to the exam; hematochezia and lactic acidosis are late findings whose absence should not influence the workup. We believe our patient’s heart block and bradycardia impaired cardiac output, causing bowel hypoperfusion. The normal blood pressure we observed must have belied prior periods of hypotension. Treatment is directed at reversal of the low-flow state, sometimes followed by injection of vasodilators such as papaverine into the mesenteric vessels [3]. Our patient had a pacemaker placed and subsequently recovered uneventfully.
Minimizing power with flexible voltage islands

Power dissipation is becoming the most challenging design constraint in nanometer technologies. Among various design implementation schemes, standard cell ASIC offer the best power efficiency for high-performance applications. The flexibility of ASIC allow for the use of multiple voltages and multiple thresholds to match the performance of critical regions to their timing constraints, and minimize the power everywhere else. The use of multiple supply voltages presents some unique physical and electrical challenges. Level shifters need to be introduced between the various voltage regions. The physical layout needs to be designed to ensure the efficient delivery of the correct voltage to various voltage regions. More flexibility can be gained by using appropriate level shifters.
Caffeinated Alcohol Consumption Profiles and Associations with Use Severity and Outcome Expectancies

Growing evidence suggests that the consumption of caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CAB) may be riskier than alcohol alone. Efforts to identify patterns of CAB use and the correlates of such drinking patterns could further our conceptualization of and intervention for this health issue. Consequently, the current study aimed to (1) identify distinct classes of CAB users, (2) examine differences between classes on measures of alcohol and caffeine problems, and (3) compare distinct classes of CAB users on caffeine and alcohol outcome expectancies. Participants were 583 (31% men) undergraduate students from a psychology research pool. Latent profile analysis models were derived using four indicators: CAB use quantity, CAB use frequency, alcohol use quantity, and alcohol use frequency. Finding revealed four classes of drinkers: High Alcohol/High CAB (6.00%), High Alcohol/Moderate CAB (5.15%), High Alcohol/Low CAB (22.99%), and Low Alcohol/Low CAB (65.87%). The Low Alcohol/Low CAB class reported the lowest relative levels of caffeine dependence symptoms, caffeine withdrawal, alcohol use problems, and heavy episodic drinking frequency. Further, results indicated differential expectancy endorsement based on use profiles. CAB users in the High Alcohol/Low CAB class endorsed more positive alcohol expectancies than the Low Alcohol/Low CAB group. Those in the High Alcohol/High CAB class endorsed stronger withdrawal symptom caffeine expectancies than all other classes. Inclusion of substance-specific expectancies into larger theoretical frameworks in future work of CAB use may be beneficial. Findings may inform intervention efforts for those at greatest risk related to CAB consumption.
A comprehensive review of direct borohydride fuel cells

Abstract A direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) is a device that converts chemical energy stored in borohydride ion (BH4−) and an oxidant directly into electricity by redox processes. Usually, a DBFC employs an alkaline solution of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as fuel and oxygen or hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. DBFC has some attractive features such as high open circuit potential, ease of electro-oxidation of BH4− on non-precious metals such as nickel, low operational temperature and high power density. The DBFC is a promising power system for portable applications. This article discusses prominent features of DBFC, reviews recent developments in DBFC research, and points out future directions in DBFC research.
On‐treatment monitoring of chronic hepatitis B virus infection: An Asian–Pacific perspective

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality from sequelae of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the past decades, better understanding of the natural history and immunopathogenesis of chronic HBV infection and of the development of many powerful antiviral agents has allowed us to improve therapeutic efficacy. Among these agents, nucleos(t)ide analogs are important and potent viral suppressors. However, when administered alone, they are not able to permanently eradicate HBV, and long-term maintenance therapy is required for therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, prolonged treatment is frequently associated with the emergence of drug-resistant HBV mutants. Before an ‘ideal’ drug(s), or drug combination, with optimal antiviral efficacy and negligible rates of drug resistance becomes available, the on-treatment monitoring approach using serum HBV DNA level as a predictor for therapeutic efficacy and drug resistance is useful. However, most countries in the Asia–Pacific region have low income economies, insufficient medical care systems, and low awareness of the disease among the general population and government officers. The easy approach of the road-map concept using an affordable drug to treat chronic HBV infection is more important in this region. There is already evidence that the long-term outcomes of chronic HBV infection can be improved under well-managed antiviral therapy. Profound and long-lasting suppression of HBV replication, either maintained on-therapy or sustained after stopping therapy, has been identified as the key determinant for achieving the goals of therapy, for reducing liver damage, and for preventing development of cirrhosis and/ or hepatocellular carcinoma.
Supporting component-based failover units in middleware for distributed real-time and embedded systems

Although component middleware is increasingly used to develop distributed, real-time and embedded (DRE) systems, it poses new fault-tolerance challenges, such as the need for efficient synchronization of internal component state, failure correlation across groups of components, and configuration of fault-tolerance properties at the component granularity level. This paper makes three contributions to R&D on component-based fault-tolerance. First, it describes the COmponent Replication based on Failover Units (CORFU) component middleware, which provides fail-stop behavior and fault correlation across groups of components treated as an atomic unit in DRE systems. Second, it describes how CORFU's Components with HEterogeneous State Synchronization (CHESS) module provides mechanisms for real-time aware state transfer and synchronization in CORFU. Third, we empirically evaluate the client failover and group shutdown capabilities of CORFU and its CHESS module and compare/contrast it with existing object-oriented fault-tolerance methods. Our results show that component middleware (1) has acceptable fault-tolerance performance for DRE systems, (2) allows timely recovery while considering failure location, size, and functional topology of the group, and finally (3) eases the burden of application development by providing middleware support for fault-tolerance at the component level.
The peel-back mechanism: its role in producing and extending posterior type II SLAP lesions and its effect on SLAP repair rehabilitation

Abstract A previously undescribed mechanism of injury for posterior Type II SLA P lesions is described. The primary feature of this mechanism is a torsional peel-back of the posterosuperior labrum. Secure fixation by posterior-superior placement of suture anchors into the posterosuperior corner of the glenoid is essential. The repair must be protected against torsional peel-back forces by avoiding external rotation beyond 0 degrees for 3 weeks. Arthroscopy 1998 Sep;14(6):637-40