cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PPI Therapy and Albumin are Better Predictors of Recurrent Clostridium difficile Colitis than Choice of Antibiotics

Recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis (RCDC) is common, but data regarding recurrence rates and predisposing factors are sparse. A retrospective case–control study was performed, identifying all inpatients and outpatients ≥18 years of age with C. difficile colitis (CDC) confirmed by a positive stool sample collected at our institution from January 2008 to August 2011. Factors associated with RCDC, the number of RCDC episodes, and the need for admission for RCDC were sought. A total of 739 patients (male, 47 %) were studied, of whom 527 (71 %) received inpatient treatment for their index episode of CDC. There was no difference (p = 0.53) between RCDC rates for inpatients (17.6 %) and outpatients (19.8 %). While severity score and albumin were associated with RCDC in our population, use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) correlated with decreased RCDC (p = 0.006) and decreased need for admission (p = 0.005). The addition of vancomycin to metronidazole therapy did not lower RCDC rates (p = 0.52) or decrease the need for admission (p = 0.78). Hypoalbuminemia strongly correlated with higher recurrence rates, while PPI therapy actually reduced RCDC, representing previously underappreciated potential therapeutic targets for lowering CDC recurrence. The addition of vancomycin to metronidazole did not improve RCDC rates.
Near-threshold behavior of the K-shell satellites in CO.

The study of photoelectron satellites in the near-threshold region is important for differentiating among various electron correlation mechanisms. For CO, which is a prominent test case for theories describing electron correlation effects, the threshold and near-threshold branching ratios (BR's) of the [ital K]-shell satellites were measured. Eight different C 1[ital s] satellite states were identified, showing very complex threshold behavior. The resonancelike behavior of the (2[sigma])[sup [minus]1](1[pi])[sup [minus]1](2[pi][sup *])[sup 1]([ital S][prime]=1) satellite BR agrees with recent theoretical calculations. The observed energy dependence of the singlet (2[sigma])[sup [minus]1](1[pi])[sup [minus]1](2[pi][sup *])[sup 1] satellite compares less well with the calculations. Three [sup 2][Sigma][sup +] satellites with a (2[sigma])[sup [minus]1](5[sigma])[sup [minus]1]([ital n][sigma])[sup 1] configuration have a constant satellite BR over the energy range studied. Three 2[sigma] satellites, which have been assigned as pure conjugate shake-up states, have intensity only near threshold. The threshold spectrum above the O 1[ital s] ionization threshold consists of two distinct groups of satellites. Conjugate shake-up transitions contribute to the intense feature centered at 551-eV binding energy, which is not observed above its threshold. Two [sup 2][Sigma][sup +] satellites, which have been described by configuration interaction of (1[sigma])[sup [minus]1](5[sigma])[sup [minus]1]([ital n][sigma])[sup 1] states with a singlet [pi][pi][sup *] state, showmore » indications of shape-resonance-like behavior.« less
A Case Study of Relationships between Organizational Culture and Curricular Change in Engineering Education

We examined two curricular change efforts at a small, midwestern engineering and science college in order to explore how organizational culture influences curricular change processes. We found that the failure of one effort (measured by inability to sustain the curriculum over time) and the success of the other (the curriculum continues to be offered by the institution) were directly linked to how well the change strategies aligned with the culture of the institution.
Influence of gonadotropin treatment interval on follicular maturation, in vitro fertilization, circulating steroid concentrations, and subsequent luteal function in the domestic cat.

The impact of the eCG-hCG interval on in vitro fertilization (IVF), endogenous hormonal patterns, and luteal integrity was studied in the domestic cat. Adult cats with inactive ovaries were given eCG (i.m.) and then hCG (i.m.) 80, 84, 88, 92, or 96 h later. Oocytes were aspirated 25-27 h after hCG and co-cultured with swim-up-processed cat spermatozoa. Blood samples were collected daily from 2 days before eCG treatment (Day -2) through Day 14, and sera were analyzed for estradiol-17 beta and progesterone. The mean number of oocytes recovered from the 80-92-h groups (range, 17.2 +/- 2.1 to 21.1 +/- 3.0) did not differ (p greater than 0.05); however, oocyte number was reduced (p less than 0.05) in the 96-h group (10.3 +/- 2.1). The proportion of all oocytes classified as mature was greater (p less than 0.05) when hCG was given 80, 84, or 88 h compared to 92 or 96 h after eCG. Delaying hCG treatment until 96 h caused more than 25% of all oocytes to degenerate, which was a greater rate (p less than 0.05) than in all other groups. The IVF rate at 80 (57.1%), 84 (56.5%), 88 (65.0%), and 92 (52.5%) h was greater (p less than 0.05) than that observed at 96 h (33.6%). Circulating estradiol-17 beta concentrations began to rise above nadir within 24 h of eCG injection in all interval groups. On the basis of areas under the curve, cats in the 80- and 84-h treatments produced more (p less than 0.05) estradiol-17 beta than other groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Indirect Searches for Dark Matter with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

Abstract There is overwhelming evidence that non-baryonic dark matter constitutes ∼ 27% of the energy density of the Universe. Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are promising dark matter candidates that may produce γ rays via annihilation or decay detectable by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). A detection of WIMPs would also indicate the existence of physics beyond the Standard Model. We present recent results from the two cleanest indirect WIMP searches by the Fermi -LAT Collaboration: searches for γ-ray spectral lines and γ-ray emission associated with Milky Way dwarf spheroidal satellite galaxies.
IPRAIL: intellectual property reuse-based analog IC layout automation

This paper presents a computer-aided design tool, IPRAIL, which automatically retargets existing analog layouts for technology migration and new design specifications. The reuse-based methodology adopted in IPRAIL utilizes expert designer knowledge embedded in analog layouts. IPRAIL automatically extracts analog layout intellectual properties as templates, incorporates new technology design rules and device sizes, and generates fully functional layouts. This is illustrated by retargeting two practical operational amplifier layouts from the TSMC 0.25 µm CMOS process to the TSMC 0.18 µm CMOS process. While manual re-design is known to take days to weeks, IPRAIL only takes minutes and achieves comparable circuit performances.
Auger spectra from resonant transfer excitation of O VI

Abstract Auger spectra observed in the resonant transfer excitation of O VI by He targets are analyzed in terms of the e+O 5+ resonant excitation cross section. Peak ratio for the 3 D and 1 D states of the intermediate state configuration (1s2s2p 2 ) is found to be 3 : 1, in rough agreement with the experimental data. In addition, Auger decay of resonance states generated by collisional excitation of O VI (1s2s 2 , 1s2s2p, 1s2p 2 ) is examined.
Effect of Reciprocal Bud-Graft Transfers Between Old Home and Bartlett Pears and Centrifugatiou on Trans-location of Endogenous Growth Substances in Hardwood Cuttings

An investigation was made of the effect of bud-graft exchanges between two pear varieties—the easily-rooted Old Home and the hard-to-root Bartlett—on the root-promoting activity of extracts obtained from basal segments of hardwood cuttings of each variety. The effect of a centrifugal force obtained from 2000 rpm for 30 minutes on the root-promoting activity of diffusates and extracts from bases of centrifuged cuttings of these two varieties was also studied. Bud exchange treatments showed no appreciable influence on the root-promoting or inhibiting activity of basal extracts unless the transbudded shoots (used for making cuttings) were girdled one month prior to the sampling date; in such cases an influence did appear. The centrifugation treatment increased the number of buds sprouting on cuttings. It also increased the root-promoting activity of extracts from the basal parts of cuttings and of their growth-active components (separated by paper chromalography) when bioassayed by the mung bean rooting test. Apparently some inhibitory materials from the buds were removed through the bases of the cuttings by centrifuging.
Effects of antihypertensive agents on serum lipids and lipoproteins.

CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS The major independent risk factors for coronary artery disease include hypercholesterolemia~ low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, and cigarette smoking. The coexistence of two 01 more of these factors is indicative of a progressive increase in cardiovascular risk 111. Recent studies slio~ that persons with essential hypertension have higher blood cholesterol levels than do normotensive subjects 12,s I, raising the possibility that blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels may be interdependent. Treated hypertensive patients may have even higher cholesterol levels (21, which suggests that some forms of anti,hypertensive therapy may adversely affect blood hpld levels 141.
Ozone effects on growth and assimilate partitioning in alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were exposed to O3 concentrations varying between 118×10−6 μg cm−3 (0·06 ppm) and 157×10−6 μg cm−3 (0·08 ppm) for 6 h per day 5 days per week for several weeks. Typical plants were sacrificed weekly, and growth parameters were measured. O3 reduced overall growth, relative growth rates and unit leaf rates in alfalfa before it was cut, indicating that O3 had reduced photosynthesis. However, after the alfalfa was cut, these same parameters indicated that in some cases, O3-stressed plants had greater photosynthetic rates than controls during regrowth. O3 also altered dry matter partitioning. Roots were most affected, followed by leaves and stems, respectively. In general, O3 reduced photosynthate production and reduced the proportion of photosynthate partitioned to roots relative to leaves and stems. This could reduce starch reserves in alfalfa, and be detrimental to stand longevity. However, the post-cutting study indicated that at least some alfalfa cultivars may be able to acclimate to O3-stress, though plants did not fully recover from pre-cutting differences.
Tunable THz wave transmission using liquid metal based devices

In this paper, we report novel designs of tunable THz plasmonic devices. The designed devices will be able to dynamically control and change the spectrum responses of extraordinary THz wave transmissions. The tuning of the devices is accomplished by electrowetting-controlled liquid metals morphing. Different THz device configurations are investigated and numerical simulations have been conducted to theoretically predict the feasibility of proposed structures. Since all of these devices will be constructed by liquid metals, their geometrical shapes can be actively modulated by electrowetting. In this way, THz devices with tunable wave transmission property can be realized. These new THz devices are expected to be applied in various areas of sensing, communication, and imaging.
Locomotion induced by non-contingent intracranial stimulation: comparison to psychomotor stimulant.

Abstract Non-contingent experimenter-applied stimulation (nEAS) to the ventral mesencephalon, unlike contingent intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), elicits high rates of general locomotion. This locomotion may be due to the nature of the presentation of stimulation, in that nEAS is non-contingent, while ICSS depends on a specific and focused response (e.g., bar pressing). Psychomotor stimulants also elicit high amounts of general locomotion, with the locomotion attributed to increased dopamine release. Interestingly, dopamine release decreases or is absent with repeated ICSS, but not nEAS. This suggests that the locomotion elicited by nEAS may be the result of DA release similar to that observed with psychomotor stimulants. To determine the relationship between locomotion induced by nEAS and psychomotor stimulants, locomotion elicited by nEAS was directly compared to that produced by cocaine, a psychomotor stimulant and indirect DA agonist. Six groups of rats were examined: (1) DA + group: rats were implanted with a stimulating electrode in the ventral mesencephalon and activation of DA neurons was verified during surgery by monitoring DA release in the striatum; (2) DA − group: rats were also implanted with stimulating electrodes, but the location in the ventral mesencephalon did not elicit DA release; (3) 10-mg/kg cocaine group: rats were exposed to a low dose (10 mg/kg) of cocaine; (4) 40-mg/kg cocaine group: rats were exposed to a high dose (40 mg/kg) of cocaine; (5) saline group: rats were injected with saline; and (6) naive group: rats received no treatment. The topography of behavior was assessed in all rats during four periods: a pre-treatment baseline, treatment, early post-treatment, and a late post-treatment end point. The results suggest that locomotion elicited by nEAS was stereotypic, dependent upon DA release and similar, but not identical, to psychomotor stimulant-induced locomotion.
The effect of various biogenic amines on the activity of the foregut of the cockroach, Blaberus giganteus.

Abstract A differential transformer displacement transducer recorded the activity of the visceral muscle of Blaberus giganteus (L.) with a high degree of sensitivity. The denervated foregut proved to have myogenic properties with certain specific pacemaker regions. Nevertheless, stimulation of the oesophageal nerve innervating the region of the crop caused a slow type of graded contraction in the longitudinal muscles. Preparations of both the innervated and the denervated foregut were sensitive to 5-hydroxytryptamine (10−7 M), noradrenaline (10−6 M), and acetylcholine (5 × 10−6 M). Also, Factor S, a biogenic amine of uncertain structure found in arthropods, caused an excitatory response in innervated foreguts and an inhibitory response in denervated foreguts. Denervated foreguts had a greater sensitivity to l -glutamic acid than innervated preparations. The neurochemical divergence between the control of visceral and somatic musculature of insects is discussed in relation to the pharmacology of these biogenic amines.
Quasi-static analysis of a.c. resistance of rectangular conductors

Abstract The distribution of current density over the cross section of a rectangular conductor is calculated by an integral equation method. The alternating current resistance is calculated from the current. The ac.c. resistance is needed in computation of the conductor losses in microstrip lines.
Education for Agriculture and Allied Subjects in India

India, predominantly an agricultural country, has significantly improved the well-being of its people in recent decades. However, poverty remains India's most compelling challenge. With over half a century of development, agricultural education and research have been instrumental in ushering in a Green Revolution in the country. The United States land-grant colleges’ model of teaching, research, and extension began in India in 1962 with the establishment of the first university specializing in agriculture. During the past 60 years, agricultural education has expanded rapidly in India to meet the nation's demand for human resources and agricultural technology. Currently, India has a total of 41 agricultural universities with a mandate for teaching, research, and extension in each of the states or regions. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), an apex body established by the government of India, oversees the working and accreditation aspects of the State Agricultural Universities. This article...
Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Thyme Oil to Suppress Plant-Parasitic Nematodes on English Boxwood

A 2-year experiment was conducted to test suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes on English boxwood using entomopathogenic nematodes and 3.5% thyme oil formulated as Promax. Treatments were Steinernema riobrave formulated as BioVector and S. feltiae formulated as Nemasys, both applied at a rate of 2.5 billion infective juveniles/ha, thyme oil at rate of 9.3 liters/ha, and nontreated control. In the 2001 season, treatment with S. feltiae reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth of Tylenchorhynchus sp. 7 days after treatment and Hoplolaimus sp. 30 and 60 days after treatment. Treatment with S. riobrave reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth of all plant-parasitic nematode species at all sampling dates, with the exception of Mesocriconema sp. 30 days after treatment and Tylenchorhynchus sp. and Rotylenchus buxophilus 60 days after treatment. Treatment with thyme oil reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth of all plant-parasitic nematode genera at all sampling dates except Tylenchorhynchus sp. and R. buxophilus 60 days after treatment. In the 2002 season, treatment with S. feltiae had no effect on nematode population growth. Treatment with S. riobrave reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth of R. buxophilus 7 days after treatment, and all plant-parasitic nematodes 30 and 60 days after treatment except Hoplolaimus sp. 30 days after treatment and Mesocriconema sp. 60 days after treatment. Treatment with thyme oil reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth at all sampling dates of plant-parasitic nematodes except Mesocriconema sp. 60 days after treatment.
Covariant Approach to Kinematic Constraint Relations for Helicity Amplitudes

With the aid of a covariant spin formalism, the kinematic constraint equations for helicity amplitudes are studied in a systematic way for all mass configurations, including the case of zero-mass particles. The complete set of constraints at thresholds and pseudothresholds is given in a form convenient for calculation; that is, the coefficients of the helicity amplitudes are simple numerical ones (as opposed, for instance, to $D$ functions). For nonzero-mass particles, the reduction of the constraints in terms of total spin amplitudes is shown to follow. Amplitudes with different values of total spin are not related at thresholds or pseudo-thresholds.
Meeting times for independent Markov chains

Abstract Start two independent copies of a reversible Markov chain from arbitrary initial states. Then the expected time until they meet is bounded by a constant times the maximum first hitting time for the single chain. This and a sharper result are proved, and several related conjectures are discussed.
Listen compose listen: A study of perception, process and the spaces between in two works made from listening

This paper presents a detailed study of two works that arrive at sounds composed through the experience of sounds heard. Frances White's composition Centre Bridge, composed in 1999 for two shakuhachi and tape, is based largely on the sounds of a sonorous metal grate bridge that crosses the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. ASound Map of the Danube, composed by Annea Lockwood in 2005, reflects four years of sound recording along the length of that river's European to Balkan trajectory. Employing a range of diverse technical tools and aesthetic ideas, both works convey, powerfully and dynamically, a sense of deeply invested listening. I approach the discussion of specific compositional processes and musical outcomes in these two works through an investigation of Lockwood's and White's firsthand experiences as both listeners and composers. Centring on the exchange between sensing body and thinking mind, my research here engages with the arc of the creative process as an experience permeated by spaces of perception, reflection, imagination and action.
Time From Treatment to Subsequent Diagnosis of Brain Metastases in Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Review by the Southwest Oncology Group

PURPOSE A retrospective review of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) database was undertaken to review the incidence and timing of diagnosis of brain metastases in patients undergoing combined-modality therapy for stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Four hundred twenty-two eligible, assessable patients with stage IIIA/B NSCLC were treated on four SWOG protocols. Treatment varied with protocol but consisted of concurrent cisplatin-etoposide and radiation in all patients, with a surgery arm in two of the four protocols. Results Of the 422 total patients, 268 (64%) have experienced disease progression; 54 relapses (20%) were in brain only, 17 (6.5%) were in brain and other sites simultaneously, and 197 (63.5%) were in sites other than brain. Of the 268 patients with disease progression, progression in the brain only, in the brain and other sites, and not in the brain occurred in 20%, 6%, and 74% of patients, respectively. Time from treatment to diagnosis of disease progression in the brain in 71 patients was as follows: during treatment, 16 relapses (22.5%); 0 to 16 weeks after treatment, 17 relapses (24%); 16 weeks to 6 months after treatment, 10 relapses (14%); 6 to 12 months after treatment, 16 relapses (22.5%); and more than 12 months after treatment, 12 relapses (17%). Nonsquamous histology and young patient age were the only significant predictors for increased risk of early relapse with brain metastases. CONCLUSION Brain metastases often develop early in the course of treatment for stage IIIA/B NSCLC. The statistical designs of ongoing trials of prophylactic cranial irradiation in stage III NSCLC have taken this into account.
Passive control of bilateral teleoperated manipulators

The control of a bilateral teleoperated manipulator system is considered. The goals of the control are to (i) coordinate the motions of the two manipulators according to a predefined kinematic scaling, (ii) render the dynamics of a locked system, and its response to forces from the human operator and environment to approximate that of predefined natural dynamics, (iii) to provide for possible scaling of power. In addition, for safety reasons, the closed loop system need to remain passive. For linear dynamically similar systems, dynamics of the system can be block diagonalized into two decoupled mechanical systems: the shape system that deals with the coordination error, and the locked system that describe the average motion of the two manipulators. The passive velocity field control methodology is then applied to the shape system to regulate the coordination error at 0 and at the same time preserves the passivity of the overall system.
Prophylactic antibiotics in obstetrics–gynecology: a current asset, a future liability?

Currently, prophylactic antibiotics have proven effective in lowering the postoperative and postprocedure infection rate following vaginal hysterectomy, emergency cesarean section for the patient in labor, radical hysterectomy, abdominal hysterectomy, pregnancy termination, hysterosalpingogram and intrauterine device insertion. Guidelines for the most effective and safe use are presented. Concerns are raised regarding the widespread prolonged use of prophylactic antibiotics on women in labor to prevent Group B streptococcal infections in newborn children and women with prolonged preterm membrane rupture. There is also an awareness needed of a growing incidence of infections seen in the hospital from community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile. These problems have not been addressed by the current prophylactic antibiotic strategies.
CONDITIONAL DEMAND FUNCTIONS, SEPARABILITY, AND THE LENGTH OF RUN: SOME NOTES FOR THE APPLIED RESEARCHER OF HOUSEHOLD BEHAVIOUR1

This paper introduces the concepts of conditional demand functions, the length of run, and separability to consumer and family economists as useful tools for empirical research on household behaviour. The relationships among demand, expenditure, and consumption functions are sketched. Then conditional demand functions are explained, their uses in empirical work addressed, and several applications discussed. The concepts of the length of run and of separability are explained in terms of conditional demand and their implications for and applications to empirical research on household behaviour treated.
Distinguishing a MSSM Higgs boson from the SM Higgs boson at a linear collider

The decoupling properties of the Higgs sector in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) imply that a light CP-even Higgs boson discovered at the Tevatron or LHC may closely resemble the Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson. In this paper, we investigate how precision measurements of Higgs properties at a Linear Collider (LC) can distinguish between a CP-even Higgs boson of the MSSM and the SM Higgs boson. We review the expected theoretical behavior of the partial widths and branching ratios for decays of the neutral MSSM Higgs bosons with significant couplings to the W and Z bosons, including the leading radiative corrections to the mixing angle alpha and tan beta-enhanced vertex corrections. The general expectation is that the Higgs couplings to W+W-, ZZ, c cbar and t tbar should quickly approach their SM values for increasing CP-odd Higgs mass mA, while the couplings to b bbar and tau+ tau- do so more slowly. Using the expected experimental and theoretical accuracy in determining SM branching ratios and partial widths, we demonstrate the sensitivity of measurements at the LC to variations in the MSSM parameters, with particular attention to the decoupling limit. For a wide range of MSSM parameters, the LC is sensitive to mA ~ 600 GeV almost independently of tan beta. For large values of tan beta and some specific choices of MSSM parameters [e.g., A_t mu < 0 and |A_t| ~ |mu| ~ O(M_S)], one of the CP-even Higgs bosons can be SM-like independent of the value of mA. In the case of large deviations from the SM, we present a procedure using Higgs coupling measurements to extract the supersymmetric correction to the relation between the b quark mass and Yukawa coupling.
On the alleged superiority of probabilistic representation of uncertainty

The author identifies some points of his agreement or disagreement with the position taken by Laviolette and Seaman (1994) in their debate paper. In particular, the author argues that some statements regarding the superiority of probabilistic representation of uncertainty, which are made by Laviolette and Seaman in their paper, are untenable. >
Hyperkalemia of the blood-primed ECLS circuit does not result in post-initiation hyperkalemia in infants < 10 kg.

Objective: To assess the risk of hyperkalemia with blood-primed extracorporeal life support (ECLS) circuits in infants < 10 kg.Design: Retrospective cohort study of all neonatal and pediatric patients <10 kg placed on ECLS from May 1998 to April 2001.Measurements and main results: Data collection including patient weight, patient potassium levels pre- and post-initiation of ECLS, potassium level of the primed ECLS circuit, age of the packed red blood cell (PRBC) unit, type of preservative, and preservative reduction status. Seventy-six circuits were available for the analysis. The age of the PRBC unit and preservative reduction status significantly affected the potassium level of the primed ECLS circuit. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed no significant effect on the post-ECLS initiation patient potassium level with respect to the PRBC age, the preservative reduction status, the patient potassium level prior to ECLS initiation, and the potassium level of the primed ECLS circuit.Conclusions: In...
Clean: A false alarm reduction method for SAR CCD

Synthetic Aperture Radar Coherent Change Detection (SAR CCD) is a sensitive change detector capable of finding ground surface height changes on the order of a radar wavelength. While this detector is capable of finding small changes such as tire tracks left on the ground, it is fraught with false alarms. This paper introduces a new algorithm, the Clutter Location, Estimation, And Negation (CLEAN) method, to remove multiple classes of false alarms, enhancing the detection of true change in CCD.
Land Tenure in Peru: A CIDA Study

WHILE STUDYING THE PERUVIAN ECONOMY during June and July, 1967, we came across a fascinating book that is wrapped in an aura of mystery and intrigue. It is called Tenencia de la Tierra y Desarrollo SocioEconomico del Sector Agricola. Peru. The title may be translated as Land Tenure and Socio-Economic Development of the Agricultural Sector. Peru. This volume of 538 pages was published by the Pan American Union, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Washington, D.C., 1966. It is listed on the title page as "A CIDA publication," and in this article we will refer to it as "the CIDA study." "CIDA" stands for "Comite Interamericano de Desarrollo Agricola." This organization is made up of the following: Organization of American States (OEA), Inter-American Bank for Development (BID), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Economic Commission for Latin America of the United Nations (CEPAL), and the Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IICA). CIDA was created at the time aproval was given the Charter of Punta del Este, which also created the Alliance for Progress. Its fundamental purpose is to coordinate the activities of agricultural planning and agrarian reform. One would thing that a book issued under such distinguished sponsorship and published during the previous year would be readily available, but such was not and is not the case. Apparently the CIDA study was withdrawn from sale because it proved to be embarrassing to the large landowners, who are part of the oligarchy that dominates Peru. The book was not for sale anywhere in Peru. We were told, however, that it could be bought from the CIDA office, care of the Pan American Union, Washington, D.C., or from the Instituto de Capacitaci6n E Investigaci6n en Reforma Agraria in Santiago, Chile. Our attempt to buy the book in Chile elicited a reply saying that the book was not available there but it could be obtained from the CIDA office in Washington. However, the Washington office of CIDA did not have any copies available. We were finally able to borrow a copy of the CIDA study from a Peruvian government official. The book is really the second edition of the CIDA study on land tenure in Peru. A first and much shorter edition was published sev-
Scenario-Based Forecast of Regional Water Demands in Northeastern Illinois

This paper reviews the principles of scenario-based planning and illustrates an application of this approach in a study of a regional water supply and demand in northeastern Illinois. The scenario-based planning has been adopted over the traditional approaches because the scenario approach facilitates an explicit consideration of uncertainty in both supply and demand. An important component of the study was the development of scenario-based forecasts of water demand for major user sectors and geographical subareas within the 11-county region which, includes the city of Chicago and 250 municipalities. The study revealed that the increase in total withdrawals in 2050, under baseline scenario, would be 530 mgd (millions of gallons per day) (36 %) and could reach as high as 949 mgd (64 %) under high demand growth scenario. Thus, meeting these additional demands would require large capital outlays for water infrastructure and would likely have significant impacts on some of the regional sources of water supply...
Electronic Structure of InN/GaN Quantum Dots: Multimillion-Atom Tight-Binding Simulations

The theoretical calculation of the electronic structure of any constituent materials is the first step toward the interpretation and understanding of experimental data and reliable device design. This is essentially true for nanoscale devices where both the atomistic granularity of the underlying materials and the quantum-mechanical nature of charge carriers play critical roles in determining the overall device performance. In this paper, within a fully atomistic and quantum-mechanical framework, we investigate the electronic structure of wurtzite InN quantum dots (QDs) self-assembled on GaN substrates. The main objectives are threefold: 1) to explore the nature and the role of crystal atomicity, strain field, and piezoelectric and pyroelectric potentials in determining the energy spectrum and the wave functions; 2) to address the redshift in the ground state, the symmetry lowering and the nondegeneracy in the first excited state, and the strong band mixing in the overall conduction-band electronic states, which is a group of interrelated phenomena that has been revealed in recent spectroscopic analyses; and 3) to study the size dependence of the internal fields and its impact on the electronic structure as a whole. We also demonstrate the importance of 3-D atomistic material representation and the need for using realistically extended substrate and cap layers (multimillion-atom modeling) in studying the built-in structural and electric fields in these reduced dimensional QDs. The models used in this study are as follows: 1) valence-force-field Keating model for atomistic strain relaxation; 2) 20-band nearest neighbor sp 3 d 5 s* tight-binding model for the calculation of single-particle energy states; and 3) microscopically determined polarization constants in conjunction with an atomistic 3-D Poisson solver for the calculation of piezo- and pyroelectric contributions.
Noradrenergic modulation of the masseteric reflex in behaving cats. I. Pharmacological studies.

Studies in the preceding paper demonstrated that the amplitude of the masseteric reflex in behaving cats is augmented by pharmacological manipulations that increase norepinephrine (NE) tone in the motor trigeminal nucleus (MoV) through exogenous means. The present studies examine whether such a relationship also exists under physiological conditions, i.e., whether physiological increases in NE synaptic activity are correlated with increases in the reflex amplitude. The masseteric reflex was elicited in behaving cats by electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MesV) and the response recorded via electrodes permanently placed in the masseter muscle. Following baseline measures of the reflex amplitude, the reflex was gain elicited while cats were exposed to various environmental stimuli known to activate NE neurons: 15 min of 100-dB white noise, confrontation with a dog, or auditory clicks presented repetitively at various intervals prior to MesV stimulation. Presentation of the white noise or the dog significantly facilitated the reflex response for the duration of the exposure. The clicks produced reflex facilitation at 100 and 150 msec following their presentation and reflex suppression at 20 msec. Two approaches were then employed to determine whether NE mediated, at least in part, augmentation of the reflex produced by these environmental conditions. In the first, cats were given either the alpha-1-noradrenergic antagonist prazosin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) or the serotonin antagonist methysergide (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). In all cases, prazosin blocked the reflex augmentation whereas methysergide was without effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The conditioning effect of time on firm survival: An industry life cycle approach

In an effort to reconcile theoretical “blind spots,” we integrated research in technology management, organizational ecology, and evolutionary economics. The central premise underlying the resultan...
Dantrolene Is Cytoprotective in Two Models of Neuronal Cell Death

The neuroprotective effects of dantrolene, an inhibitor of calcium release from intracellular stores, were investigated in a model of cell death induced by calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum in vitro. Thapsigargin (50 nM), a selective inhibitor of endoplasmic reticular Ca(2+)-ATPase, significantly increased the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration to 230% over basal levels, induced DNA fragmentation, and reduced cell viability from 94% in control cells to 41% after a 24-h treatment in GT1-7 hypothalamic neurosecretory cells. Pretreatment with dantrolene for 30 min significantly inhibited elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels, DNA fragmentation, and GT1-7 cell death induced by thapsigargin in a dose-dependent manner. To determine if dantrolene would also be protective in an in vivo model of neurodegeneration, it was administered intravenously immediately following a 5-min global cerebral ischemia in gerbils, and the number of intact hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons was counted 7 days later. The effects of dantrolene on brain and rectal temperature were monitored in a separate experiment. Dantrolene significantly increased the number of intact CA1 pyramidal neurons from 40% (untreated ischemic animals) to 67 (10 mg/kg), 78 (25 mg/kg), or 83% (50 mg/kg) of values in sham controls (all p < 0.001). No significant changes in brain or rectal temperature were detected for 4 h following 50 mg/kg dantrolene. These results suggest that abnormal Ca2+ release from intracellular stores can induce neuronal death and that such a mechanism may contribute to delayed hippocampal neuronal death after cerebral ischemia. Dantrolene may be a potentially useful drug for neuroprotection after cerebral ischemia.
YOUNG BRITISH MUSLIMS: IDENTITY, CULTURE, POLITICS AND THE MEDIA

Nahid Ahid Kabir, YOUNG BRITISH MUSLIMS: IDENTITY, CULTURE, POLITICS AND THE MEDIA, Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press, 2010, 240 pp., £75.00 (hb) Young British Muslims offers a descriptive ...
The effects of impression management on the performance appraisal process

Abstract A laboratory experiment was designed to test the influence of subordinate impression management on two aspects of the performance appraisal process: supervisor ratings of subordinate performance and supervisor verbal communication in a performance appraisal interview. It was hypothesized that subordinate impression management would inflate performance ratings and both impression management and objective performance would influence the supervisor's style of verbal communication in the interview. Subjects consisted of 96 undergraduate students who performed a supervisory role in the study. Subjects interacted with a confederate subordinate who engaged in high or low levels of impression management and performed at a high, average, or low level. Results suggested support for the positive influence of subordinate impression management on performance ratings. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for human resource management practice.
Tensile Creep and Rupture of Silicon Nitride

We have characterized the tensile creep, rupture lifetime, and cavitation behavior of a commercial, gas-pressure-sintered silicon nitride in the temperature range 1150° to 1400°C and stress range 70 to 400 MPa. Individual creep curves generally show primary, secondary, and tertiary creep. The majority of the primary creep is not recoverable. The best representation of the data is one where the creep rate depends exponentially on stress, rather than on the traditional power law. This representation also removes the need to break the data into high and low stress regimes. Cavitation of the interstitial silicate phase accompanies creep under all conditions, and accounts for nearly all of the measured strain. These observations are consistent with a model where creep proceeds by the redistribution of silicate phase from cavitating interstitial pockets, accommodated by grain-boundary sliding of silicon nitride.
Low-Dimensional Embedding with Extra Information

A frequently arising problem in computational geometry is when a physical structure, such as an ad-hoc wireless sensor network or a protein backbone, can measure local information about its geometry (e.g., distances, angles, and/or orientations), and the goal is to reconstruct the global geometry from this partial information. More precisely, we are given a graph, the approximate lengths of the edges, and possibly extra information, and our goal is to assign two-dimensional coordinates to the vertices such that the (multiplicative or additive) error on the resulting distances and other information is within a constant factor of the best possible. We obtain the first pseudo-quasipolynomial-time algorithm for this problem given a complete graph of Euclidean distances with additive error and no extra information. For general graphs, the analogous problem is NP-hard even with exact distances. Thus, for general graphs, we consider natural types of extra information that make the problem more tractable, including approximate angles between edges, the order type of vertices, a model of coordinate noise, or knowledge about the range of distance measurements. Our pseudo-quasipolynomial-time algorithm for no extra information can also be viewed as a polynomial-time algorithm given an "extremum oracle" as extra information. We give several approximation algorithms and contrasting hardness results for these scenarios.
Induction Motor Control Scheme for Battery-Powered Electric Car (GM-Electrovair I)

Several experimental vehicles have been built by the General Motors Corporation to investigate the technical feasibility of a battery-powered electric car using a variable speed induction motor. This paper describes the control scheme for the first experimental car?Electrovair I.
The measurement of regional cerebral blood flow during glossolalia: A preliminary SPECT study

Glossolalia (or "speaking in tongues") is an unusual mental state that has great personal and religious meaning. Glossolalia is experienced as a normal and expected behavior in religious prayer groups in which the individual appears to be speaking in an incomprehensible language. This is the first functional neuroimaging study to demonstrate changes in cerebral activity during glossolalia. The frontal lobes, parietal lobes, and left caudate were most affected.
Collaboration: a concept analysis

Collaboration is a complex phenomenon, yet one that is of significance to nursing. This concept analysis presents definitions and defining characteristics of collaboration so that the concept may be used in the creation of operational definitions, or to develop and evaluate tools for measuring collaboration. Antecedents, consequences and empirical referents of collaboration are explored. Model, contrary and related cases are presented to clarify this concept further.
Effects on spermiogenesis in the mouse of a male sterile neurological mutation, Purkinje cell degeneration

Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) is a neurological mutation in the mouse that causes male sterility, but not female sterility. In order to assess the effects of this mutation on spermiogenesis, the structure of the testis and of epididymal spermatozoa was examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. In the mutant males, the sperm count was reduced, sperm were nonmotile, and 93% of the sperm were characterized by structural abnormalities of the head, the tail, or both. In the testes of mutant mice, Sertoli cell structure was normal, as were also the early stages of spermiogenesis. However, the elongating and maturing spermatids were characterized by abnormally shaped heads and tails with extraneous and ectopic outer dense fibers. These defects were common in the testes of the mutant mice and rare in the testes of the littermate control mice. It was concluded that the structural abnormalities of the pcd sperm occurred during spermiogenesis and were not due to degeneration of the sperm in the epididymis. These structural abnormalities are similar to those found in all other reported male sterile mutants of the mouse; therefore, although they are caused by the expression of the pcd gene, they are not unique to the expression of this gene.
Lessons from the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake

The 2004 Sumatra–Andaman earthquake (MwZ9.0–9.3) is one of the greatest earthquakes ever recorded. In terms of its physical size, it is comparable to the 1960 Chilean (MwZ9.5) and the 1965 Alaskan (MwZ9.2) earthquakes. However, the damage caused by this earthquake is far greater than that caused by other great earthquakes. The 2004 Sumatra–Andaman earthquake has been studied in great detail over broad time-scales, from a fraction of seconds to hours and months, using the modern seismic data available from global seismic networks and the Global Positioning System data. We summarize the findings obtained mainly from seismic data, and discuss the unique feature of this earthquake, and possible directions of research to minimize the impact of great earthquakes on our society.
Electrical Detection of Protein Biomarkers Using Nanoneedle Biosensors

Here we present the development of an array of electrical nano-biosensors in a microfluidic channel, called Nanoneedle biosensors. Then we present the proof of concept study for protein detection. A Nanoneedle biosensor is a real-time, label-free, direct electrical detection platform, which is capable of high sensitivity detection, measuring the change in ionic current and impedance modulation, due to the presence or reaction of biomolecules such as proteins or nucleic acids. We show that the sensors which have been fabricated and characterized for the protein detection. We have functionalized Nanoneedle biosensors with receptors specific to a target protein using physical adsorption for immobilization. We have used biotinylated bovine serum albumin as the receptor and sterptavidin as the target analyte. The detection of streptavidin binding to the receptor protein is also presented.
Plasma adiponectin and the risk of hypertension in white and black postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin may have a protective role in the development of obesity-related metabolic and vascular disorders, including hypertension. We conducted a prospective, nested case control study to investigate the relation between baseline plasma adiponectin, measures of adiposity, and subsequent risk of hypertension. METHODS: We selected 400 white and 400 black postmenopausal women, age <70 years, who developed incident hypertension during 5.9-year follow-up and an equal number of age- and race-matched controls in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. We measured plasma concentrations of total adiponectin in their baseline blood samples. RESULTS: In crude matched models, plasma adiponectin was inversely associated with risk of hypertension among both white and black women. The association appeared to be nonlinear in white women but dose related in black women. Adjustment for lifestyle factors, measures of obesity, and obesity-related clinical factors attenuated these associations. The multivariable relative risk (95% CI) of hypertension across increasing quartiles of plasma adiponectin were 1.00, 0.98 (0.66–1.46), 0.63 (0.41–0.97), and 0.92 (0.60–1.42) in white women ( P trend: 0.38) and 1.00, 0.96 (0.64–1.46), 0.83 (0.53–1.29), and 0.58 (0.36–0.94) in black women ( P trend: 0.02). Further adjustment for inflammatory markers and endothelial markers eliminated the association in white, but not black, women. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective, nested case control study, we found an inverse association between plasma adiponectin and risk of hypertension in white and black postmenopausal women. The reduced risk of hypertension was limited to only intermediate concentrations of adiponectin in white women whereas it was graded across quartiles of adiponectin in black women.