cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tacrolimus Dose Requirements in Lung Transplant Recipients on Systemic Azole Antifungals: The Influence of Race

Purpose The CYP3A5*1 polymorphism, predominant in African Americans (AAs), and drug interactions with CYP3A inhibitors/inducers significantly impact tacrolimus metabolism. Minimal data evaluating tacrolimus dose requirements (TDRs) in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) on concurrent strong CYP3A inhibitors exists. We sought to assess the effect of race on TDRs and transplantation outcomes in a cohort of LTRs initiated on a fixed tacrolimus dose and antifungal prophylaxis with a systemic azole after transplant. Methods All adult LTRs transplanted from 1/2015-10/2019 initiated on an equivalent tacrolimus dose posttransplant per institutional protocol were included and stratified by race. TDRs, tacrolimus levels, systemic azole use, biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR), patient survival, and graft survival for the first year posttransplant were evaluated. Results 68 LTRs were included (10 AA, 58 non-AA); the majority were on a systemic azole at 1 (90.8%) and 3 (90.3%) months posttransplant. TDRs were significantly higher in AAs at the first therapeutic level, discharge, and months 1, 3, 12 posttransplant (Figure 1); tacrolimus levels and time within therapeutic range (55% AA vs 40.5% non-AA, p=0.13) were similar. AAs had a similar time to first therapeutic level (11.2 days AA vs 7.8 days non-AA, p=0.10) and number of dose adjustments to achieve this level (4 vs 2.6, p=0.08). The majority of LTRs did not achieve a therapeutic tacrolimus level prior to discharge (80% AA vs 69% non-AA, p=0.48). No differences in BPAR (20% AA vs 25.9% non-AA, p=0.69), patient survival (100% AA vs 86.2% non-AA, p=0.21), or graft survival (100% for both) within 12 months posttransplant were observed. Conclusion While AA LTRs had significantly higher TDRs to maintain similar trough levels compared to non-AAs, this did not influence transplantation outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosing strategy in LTRs immediately posttransplant.
Mesenteric Meckel's diverticulum in a 17 month old female

Abstract Meckel's diverticulum is a common gastrointestinal anomaly that is a remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct which typically remains on the antimesenteric border of the small intestine. Mesenteric variation of the Meckel's diverticulum are uncommon and only 22 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 17 month old female presenting with a symptomatic lower gastrointestinal bleed and an ambiguous mesenteric lesion on ultrasound subsequently found to be a mesenteric Meckel's diverticulum. The existing literature was reviewed to understand age and presentation of mesenteric Meckel's diverticulum cases. We also review the differential, including presentation and epidemiology for mesenteric lesions in children.
Perspectives on the pharmacist's "product": a narrative review.

Clarity about the pharmacist’s “product” is fundamental to developing and communicating the value of pharmacy offerings. It i s clear within the profession that pharmacists use their scope of knowledge and technical skills to address medicatio n - related needs of individuals and populations. However, confusion still remains in the professional and public literature about what a pharmaci st precisely produces for society. Is it a drug, service, program, solution, or something else? As the professio n evolves from one that focuses on dispensing drugs to a profession that seeks to achieve positive patient health outcomes, pharmacists need to bette r conceptualize and articulate what they produce. This narrative review explores ideas from the marketing, business strategy, and entrepreneurship literature to discuss diverse perspectives on the pharmacist’s product. The four perspectives are the produc t as (1) a tangible product, (2) an intangible service, (3) a “smart, connected” good or service, and (4) a solution to a customer problem in whatever form provided. Based upon these perspectives, the pharmacist’s product can be any combination of tangible or intangi ble, face - to - face or virtual offering produced by pharmacists that seeks to satisfy medication - re lated needs and wants of pharmacy patients and customers. Ideas discussed in this review include the total product concept, classification schemes from the ser vices marketing literature, the theory of service - dominant logic, the concepts of “smart, connect ed” products and industrialized intimacy, and the jobs - to - be - done framework. These various perspectives offer lessons for pharmacists on how to innovate when serving patients and customers and to communicate the pharmacist’s value proposition to the people they serve.
Ascertaining Framingham heart failure phenotype from inpatient electronic health record data using natural language processing: a multicentre Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) validation study.

Objectives Using free-text clinical notes and reports from hospitalised patients, determine the performance of natural language processing (NLP) ascertainment of Framingham heart failure (HF) criteria and phenotype. Study design A retrospective observational study design of patients hospitalised in 2015 from four hospitals participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study was used to determine NLP performance in the ascertainment of Framingham HF criteria and phenotype. Setting Four ARIC study hospitals, each representing an ARIC study region in the USA. Participants A stratified random sample of hospitalisations identified using a broad range of International Classification of Disease, ninth revision, diagnostic codes indicative of an HF event and occurring during 2015 was drawn for this study. A randomly selected set of 394 hospitalisations was used as the derivation dataset and 406 hospitalisations was used as the validation dataset. Intervention Use of NLP on free-text clinical notes and reports to ascertain Framingham HF criteria and phenotype. Primary and secondary outcome measures NLP performance as measured by sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value (PPV) and agreement in ascertainment of Framingham HF criteria and phenotype. Manual medical record review by trained ARIC abstractors was used as the reference standard. Results Overall, performance of NLP ascertainment of Framingham HF phenotype in the validation dataset was good, with 78.8%, 81.7%, 84.4% and 80.0% for sensitivity, specificity, PPV and agreement, respectively. Conclusions By decreasing the need for manual chart review, our results on the use of NLP to ascertain Framingham HF phenotype from free-text electronic health record data suggest that validated NLP technology holds the potential for significantly improving the feasibility and efficiency of conducting large-scale epidemiologic surveillance of HF prevalence and incidence.
The Bernoulli CUSUM Chart for Detecting Decreases in a Proportion

This article considers the Bernoulli CUSUM chart for detecting a decrease in the proportion p of nonconforming items when a continuous stream of Bernoulli observations from the process is available. The properties of the Bernoulli CUSUM chart can be obtained using a Markov chain model. However, in some cases, the number of transient states in the Markov chain may be so large that it is not feasible to work directly with the transition matrix. This article provides a solution to the equations used in defining the Markov chain so that properties of the chart can be obtained without explicitly using the transition matrix. This solution allows the practitioner to determine the control limit required to give a specified in-control performance. A simple example is used to show that using the Bernoulli CUSUM chart is a better option than the standard practice of artificially grouping the observations into samples of size n > 1 and using a Shewhart chart. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Culinary Industry Practitioners and Educators' Perceptions of Core Competencies for a Four-Year Bachelor's Degree in the Culinary Arts

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to survey practitioners and educators to rank their perception of the importance of culinary manager trainee competencies to prepare students for an entry-level managerial position in the culinary industry. A study conducted by Richard Tas in 1983 was used as the foundation for this study, and his survey instrument was enhanced to incorporate competencies specific to the culinary industry. Although his study was completed more than 25 years ago, the 6 competencies that were identified in Tas’s study as being essential centered on human relation skills. The present survey, which included the responses of 271 educators and practitioners, identified interpersonal skills as the most essential competency and competencies pertaining to conceptual skills as the least important aptitudes. The significance of the findings comparing the educators and practitioners is that the perceptions of the two groups in regard to core competencies are notably similar, indicating the lack o...
NCSX electrical power systems

The National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) is being designed to be built in the existing facilities at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). The design of the NCSX electrical power system is tailored to suit the available infrastructure and electrical equipment on site. The equipment at PPPL is located primarily in two sites called C-Site and D-Site. D-Site houses the majority of electrical equipment. Most of the equipment being used for the currently operating National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) located in D-Site and the earlier Fusion Experimental devices in C-Site, are proposed to be used with suitable modifications to reflect NCSX needs. The NCSX is proposed to be located in C- Site, based on the available Neutral Beam equipment and a Test Cell to house the device. Thus NSTX and NCSX will share some of the available power supplies. The number of circuits and the location of the NCSX device in the C-Site, drove the major changes in the power system hardware. Only the D-Site power supplies can meet the time response and energy requirements of NCSX. DC power will be transmitted from D-Site to C-Site. The NCSX has a total of nine circuits to be fed from D-Site. Three of the nine circuits are bipolar and the rest are unipolar. Two circuits known as Trim Coils will be fed from the available thyristor power supplies in C-Site. Additional power supplies are available for two more circuits. The hardware needs to be modified to address the requirements of NCSX power loops. The aim is to make the changes in the most cost-effective manner without compromising technical requirements. This paper describes the design changes and addition to the electrical power system components for the NCSX magnet system.
Neonatal Transport Nurses: An Analysis of Their Role in the Transport of Newborn Infants

From September 1976 to March 1979, nurses selected from the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) assumed the transport team leadership role for 443 newborns. Each nurse had successfully completed an eight-week didactic and practical educational program in the assessment, management, stabilization, and transport of ill newborns including premature infants, those with various medical and surgical disorders, and those requiring assisted ventilation. Physician supervision and consultation was always available. The overall survival rate for these infants was 81%, a rate similar to that for newborns transported by physicians. The transport nurses consistently demonstrated the ability to effectively assess, manage, stabilize, and transport ill newborns. In addition, their utilization has alleviated a physician shortage on the NICU, has improved the response time to transport requests, and has enhanced educational opportunities for physicians and nurses.
Spatial pattern analysis of pre- and post-hurricane forest canopy structure in North Carolina, USA

Existing spatial patterns of a forest are in part a product of its disturbance history. Using laser altimetry and field measures of canopy top height to represent pre- and post-hurricane canopy topography, respectively, we measured changes in spatial patterns of stand structure of a United States southern mixed coniferous-deciduous for est. Autocorrelative and fractal properties were measured in this opportunistic study to quantify changes in canopy architecture along twelve, 190-250 m transects that were subjected to moderate to high levels of wind disturbance. Prior to the hurricane, canopy heights were autocorrelated at scales <40 m with an average fractal dimension of 1.71. After the disturbance, autocorrelation disappeared; the average fractal dimension rose to 1.94. This shift towards spatial randomness illustrates part of the cyclical nature of ecosystem development. It shows how a catastrophic collapse of biomass accumulation corresponds to a decrease in ecosystem organization across a landscape.
Paramyosin and the filaments of molluscan "catch" muscles. II. Native filaments: isolation and characterization.

Abstract A method has been developed for the partial separation of the filaments of molluscan muscles. A fraction has been obtained which consisted mainly of actin filaments many of which were attached to dense bodies. When complexed with rabbit heavy meromyosin, the actin filaments showed arrowhead structures which appeared to have opposite polarity at either end of the dense bodies. The other fraction consisted of very long and thick filaments containing essentially all of the paramyosin and the myosin in the muscle. Some actin filaments were also present in this fraction. When myosin solubilization was prevented, myosin filaments similar to those of vertebrate striated muscle were rarely found in either of the two fractions. Myosin could be selectively extracted from the thick filaments without the solubilization of paramyosin; extraction of paramyosin, however, was always accompanied by the solubilization of myosin. The removal of myosin changed the surface appearance of the thick filaments: a characteristic pattern of darkly staining nodes or gap regions in the paramyosin filament became visible in negatively stained preparations. The nodes have a roughly triangular shape defining the polarity of the structure. A number of filaments were found which showed a reversal of polarity along their length. These results lead to the conclusion that paramyosin forms a bipolar core of the thick filament which is covered by a surface layer of myosin. The specific interactions between paramyosin and myosin could be demonstrated structurally and enzymically. Molluscan myosin formed filaments resembling those of rabbit myosin when precipitated in vitro . Its assembly in the molluscan thick filament is therefore determined by the underlying paramyosin core. Paramyosin greatly inhibited the actin activated ATPase of myosin in a selective manner when these proteins were mixed in about a mole to mole ratio. The long bipolar thick filaments with myosin on the surface can account for the tension development in these molluscan muscles according to the sliding filament theory. These results also suggest that paramyosin may have a specific regulatory role in tension maintenance: in the catch mechanism a phase change in paramyosin may be coupled to the movement of cross-bridges formed between myosin and actin.
International Arbitration’s Public Realm

To the casual observer, international arbitration and domestic arbitration might seem to be Siamese twins, identical, co-joined at birth, and laboriously separated later. The thesis of this chapter is that, in contrast to criticisms of domestic arbitration, international arbitration has a vibrant public realm. International arbitration has the potential to produce public goods and to go beyond simply promoting resolution of disputes, but also international cooperation, transnational governance, and development of the international rule of law. To date, the modest efforts to explore the public side of arbitration have concentrated on the domestic U.S. context and have focused almost exclusively on the question of whether arbitration implicates state action such that it is subject to U.S. constitutional procedural protections. There are, however, numerous other ways in which so-called private international arbitration manifests public facets. The chapter finally documents the public side of so-called private international arbitration. Keywords: domestic arbitration; international arbitration; international rule of law; public facets; U.S. constitutional procedural protections
The politics of niche-regime conflicts: Distributed solar energy in the United States

Abstract In the U.S. utilities have attempted to slow the growth of distributed generation (DG) solar by reversing policy support, and they have greater financial and political resources than the solar industry. Empirical analysis of all major cases of niche-regime conflict over net metering policies in the U.S. shows that utilities are testing a range of strategies to slow the growth of DG solar, and outcomes vary by strategy type. An additional analysis of four case studies of DG solar conflicts shows that niche organizations can partially overcome the political power of regime organizations via three mechanisms: form coalitions with political parties that support the niche technologies, gain support from countervailing industrial organizations, and form coalitions with social movements to mobilize political protests and petitions. The political opportunity structure (in this case the party in control of the state government) affects the pattern of niche-regime strategies and interactions.
Critical Analysis of Primary Literature in a Master’s-Level Class: Effects on Self-Efficacy and Science-Process Skills

The ability to think analytically and creatively is crucial for success in the modern workforce, particularly for graduate students, who often aim to become physicians or researchers. Analysis of the primary literature provides an excellent opportunity to practice these skills. We describe a course that includes a structured analysis of four research papers from diverse fields of biology and group exercises in proposing experiments that would follow up on these papers. To facilitate a critical approach to primary literature, we included a paper with questionable data interpretation and two papers investigating the same biological question yet reaching opposite conclusions. We report a significant increase in students' self-efficacy in analyzing data from research papers, evaluating authors' conclusions, and designing experiments. Using our science-process skills test, we observe a statistically significant increase in students' ability to propose an experiment that matches the goal of investigation. We also detect gains in interpretation of controls and quantitative analysis of data. No statistically significant changes were observed in questions that tested the skills of interpretation, inference, and evaluation.
CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPING ARMS CONTROL ACCORDS

This paper offers a new definition of arms control and traces some of the implications of that definition. It also sets out a list of prerequisites for arms control, within the framework, the current and future prospects for arms control are briefly assessed, as are the fundamental limitations of arms control as a strategy for peace and security.
The cerebral cortex: a case for a common site of action of antipsychotics

Recent evidence from studies of receptor occupancy and regulation in post-mortem brains of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders and in non-human primates is providing new leads in the ongoing quest to understand the pathophysiology and causes of schizophrenia and to develop more effective methods of treatment. These studies suggest that the cerebral cortex may harbour the elusive common sites of action of antipsychotic medications and indicate that chronic treatment with these drugs differentially regulates both families of dopamine receptors in this structure. Upregulation of the cortical dopamine D2 receptors is accompanied by a downregulation of the D1 sites. Balancing the opposing actions of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor regulation may hold the key to optimal drug therapy and to understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this article, Michael Lidow, Graham Williams and Patricia Goldman-Rakic review the evidence supporting the cerebral cortex as a pivotal site for these mechanisms underlying the action of antipsychotics.
Conditional independence in valuation-based systems

Abstract This study introduces the concept of conditional independence in valuation-based systems (VBS). VBS is an axiomatic framework capable of representing many different uncertainty calculi. We define conditional independence in terms of factorization of the joint valuation. The definition of conditional independence in VBS generalizes the corresponding definition in probability theory. Besides probability theory, our definition applies also to Dempster-Shafer's belief-function theory, Spohn's epistemic-belief theory, and Zadeh's possibility theory. In fact, it applies to any uncertainty calculi that fit in the VBS framework. We prove that our definition of conditional independence satisfies many of the usual properties associated with it. In particular, it satisfies Pearl and Paz's graphoid axioms.
Identification of phosphorylated peptides from complex mixtures using negative-ion orifice-potential stepping and capillary liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A rapid method for identifying and characterizing sites of phosphorylation of peptides and proteins is described. High-performance capillary liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is used to distinguish non-phosphorylated and phosphorylated peptides originating from mixtures as complex as enzyme digests. The method relies on the ability to produce a fragment ion characteristic and unique to phosphopeptides (m/z 79, PO3−) by stepping the orifice potential of the mass spectrometer as a function of mass. At low m/z values, a high orifice potential is applied to induce extensive fragmentation of the peptide, leading to the formation of the m/z 79 phosphate-derived ion. This method is analogous to that described by Carr et al. for the identification of glycopeptides from enzymatic digestion of glycoproteins (S.A. Carr, M. J. Huddleston, M. F. Bean, Protein Science 2, 183 (1993)). The method was first evaluated and validated for a mixture of non-, mono- and di-phosphorylated synthetic peptides. Both mono- and di-phophorylated peptides were found to generate fragment ions characteristic of PO3− whereas the non-phosphorylated peptide did not. Application of the method was extended to identifying phosphopeptides generated from an endoprotease Lys-C digestion of β-casein. Both the expected mono- and tetra-phosphorylated Lys-C peptides were observed and identified rapidly in the LC/SEI-MS analysis. The procedure was used additionally to identify the site(s) of phosphorylation of the cytosolic non-receptor tyrosine kinase, pp60c-src.
New and Emerging Disease-Modifying Therapies for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: What is New and What is to Come

The therapeutic landscape for multiple sclerosis (MS) is rapidly changing. Currently, there are eight FDA approved disease modifying therapies for MS including: IFN-β-1a (Avonex, Rebif), IFN-β-1b (Betaseron, Extavia), glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), natalizumab (Tysabri), and fingolimod (Gilenya). This review will highlight the experience to date and key clinical trials of the newest FDA approved agents, natalizumab and fingolimod. It will also review available efficacy and safety data on several promising therapies under active investigation including four monoclonal antibody therapies: alemtuzumab, daclizumab, ocrelizumab and ofatumumab and three oral agents: BG12, laquinimod, and teriflunomide. To conclude, we will discuss where each of these new therapies may best fit into treatment algorithms.
NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF HEAD START CHILDREN WITH SHORT STATURE

Twenty-nine children in the Head Start program were referred for evaluation of short stature after preliminary screening by nutrition aides, three months after starting school. This group comprised 18 Hispanos, 3 Negroes and 8 Anglos (15 males and 14 females) with a mean age of 4.4 years (range 3.2-6.4 years). The height was <3P in 26/29 children and weight <3P in 19/29. Physical abnormalities included multiple cavities (4/29), hepatomegaly (4/29), cardiac murmurs (4/29), stigmata of rickets (4/29), and skin or mucosal changes compatible with Vitamin A deficiency in 5/29. Normal laboratory parameters included: hematocrits (39.8% ± 2.65), urinalyses, serum Ca, Alk. Phos., BUN, total protein and serum albumin. Vitamin A levels were <30μg% in 18 patients and <20μg% in 9 of these. Vitamin C levels were <.5mg% in 2. The mean hair zinc concentration was 105 ± 4ppm, lower than control children of similar age (p <0.01). Low hair zinc levels (<70ppm) were present in 8 and low plasma zinc levels (<70μg/100ml) in 4 children. The present study demonstrates inadequate vitamin and trace mineral nutrition or metabolism in 50% of this Head Start group of children with short stature, emphasizing the need for medical and nutritional attention in this high risk group.
The pioneer translation initiation complex is functionally distinct from but structurally overlaps with the steady-state translation initiation complex.

The bulk of cellular proteins derive from the translation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)4E-bound mRNA. However, recent studies of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) indicate that cap-binding protein (CBP)80-bound mRNA, which is a precursor to eIF4E-bound mRNA, can also be translated during a pioneer round of translation. Here, we report that the pioneer round, which can be assessed by measuring NMD, is not inhibited by 4E-BP1, which is known to inhibit steady-state translation by competing with eIF4G for binding to eIF4E. Therefore, at least in this way, the pioneer round of translation is distinct from steady-state translation. eIF4GI, poly(A)-binding protein (PABP)1, eIF3, eIF4AI, and eIF2α coimmunopurify with both CBP80 and eIF4E, which suggests that each factor functions in both modes of translation. Consistent with roles for PABP1 and eIF2α in the pioneer round of translation, PABP-interacting protein 2, which is known to destabilize PABP1 binding to poly(A) and inhibit steady-state translation, as well as inactive eIF2α, which is also known to inhibit steady-state translation, also inhibit NMD. Polysome profiles indicate that CBP80-bound mRNAs are translated less efficiently than their eIF4E-bound counterparts.
The interpretation of two electron pseudo-states☆

Abstract A method of distinguishing different channel contributions contained in the pseudo-states obtained by diagonalizing a two electron atom in a Hilbert space is presented.
Nucleotide sequence of Clostridium pasteurianum S5 rRNA

1. Introduction Ribosomal RNAs (rRNA) are quite unique in that related and to some extent equivalent molecular species have been readily identified and isolated from every organism examined to date. Among the three species of rRNA, the 5s rRNA is the only one that can be readily sequenced with present techniques. It thus affords a unique opportunity, through sequence com- parisons, to detail the constraints which have guided the evolution of this molecule. A comparative study of 5S rRNA sequences will, moreover, be useful in addressing the general problem of structure-function relationships in the translation apparatus and in identifying phylogenetic relationships. All the procaryotic 5s rRNAs sequenced to date show a common general pattern of secondary structure and a remarkable constancy of sequence in several areas [
Conserving approximations for strongly correlated electron systems: Bethe-Salpeter equation and dynamics for the two-dimensional Hubbard model

A semianalytical approach is described for strongly correlated electronic systems which satisfies microscopic conservation laws, treats strong frequency and momentum dependences, and provides information on both static and dynamic properties. This approach may be used to treat large systems and temperatures lower than those currently accessible to finite-temperature quantum Monte Carlo techniques. Examples of such systems include heavy-electron compounds, organic Bechegaard salts, bis-(ethylenedithiolo)-TTF superconductors, and the oxide superconductors. The technique is based on the derivation and self-consistent solution of infinite-order conserving approximations. The technique is used to derive a low-temperature phase diagram and dynamic correlation functions for the two-dimensional Hubbard lattice model.
Moisture Absorption and Desorption of Composite Materials

Expressions are presented for the moisture distribution and the mois ture content as a function of time of one dimensional homogeneous and composite materials exposed either on one side or on both sides to humid air or to water. The results apply during both moisture absorption and desorption when the moisture content and the temperature of the environ ment are constant. Test procedures are described for determining experi mentally the values of the moisture content and the diffusivity of com posite materials. A series of tests using unidirectional and π/4 Graphite T-300 Fiberite 1034 composites were performed in the temperature range 300—425 K with the material submerged both in moist air (humidity 0 to 100%) and in water. The test data support the analytical results and pro vide the moisture absorption and desorption characteristics of such com posites. Extension of the results to materials exposed to time varying envi ronmental conditions is indicated.
Semiempirical theory of Carver rates in alkali/noble-gas systems

During an encounter between a noble-gas atom and an alkali-metal atom, the electron density at the alkali nucleus is altered, resulting in a collisional change in the alkali's hyperfine coupling (i.e., AI.S-->(A+deltaA)I.S). In the case of binary encounters, this process has been termed the Carver mechanism. The short-lived collisional change in hyperfine coupling can have very noticeable effects: it plays an important role in the loss of nuclear spin polarization in high magnetic fields, and it can be one of the dominant line broadening mechanisms for alkali hyperfine transitions (e.g., in atomic clocks). Unfortunately, though there have been measurements of the Carver relaxation rate, to date there has been little theoretical analysis of the Carver mechanism, in large part due to the very difficult problem of computing deltaA. In the present work, the author develops a theory of the Carver rate based on a semiempirical expression for deltaA(r)/A, where r is the internuclear alkali/noble-gas separation, and validates the theory by comparing to experiment. This model is then used to compute Carver and Bouchiat relaxation rates (i.e., the three-body sticking-collision analog of the Carver rate) in diverse/alkali-noble gas systems. The main conclusion of this work is that Carver rates vary by orders of magnitude across the alkalies, and in general will likely only play a significant role for Rb and Cs noble-gas systems.
Science Learning in Special Education: The Case for Constructed Versus Instructed Learning

Throughout the history of education, debate has existed between the relative merits of instructed versus constructed knowledge. In this article, we review our program of research in science education for students with disabilities in order to reveal some insights into this debate. We review research in science curriculum, mnemonic strategies, text-processing strategies, hands-on approaches, coached elaborations, “discovery” learning, correlates of effective inclusive science classrooms, and class-wide peer tutoring with differentiated curriculum enhancements. Overall, both instructed and constructed knowledge are important and can be facilitated with appropriate instructional strategies. Implications for practice and future research are provided.
Performance parameters of material studies for AMTEC cell

In the recent past, a number of programs have focused on developing AMTEC technology associated with its fabrication and design. The performance level, however, achieved to-date is below the theoretical potential of this device. For improving performance characteristics we examined the sources of power loss and proposed some solution which are demonstrated with computer calculations. Two kind of losses that reduce efficiency are thermal (as a result of thermal conduction and radiation of materials) and electrical (related to the ohmic resistance of material). Each of the losses can, in principle, be reduced separately by varying current in the load. To reduce the thermal losses, the current must be increased; to reduce the electrical losses, the current in the load must be decreased. In such inversely competitive situation, an optimum value must be sought which has been achieved by applying the optimization theory. Heat losses due to radiation are reduced by increasing the current density and by reducing the emissivity of electrodes and other surfaces. Changing of some of the materials used in the cell has proved to be helpful in improving the cell performance. As a result of this overall effort, we have been able to demonstrate the improvement in the efficiency of AMTEC cell by 77%.
Optimal accelerometer layouts for data recovery in signature verification

Current experimental use of pen acceleration data for signature verification has prompted the mathematical theory of our recent paper on the subject, expounding motion recovery techniques for a special pen with imbedded accelerometers. This continuation seeks to optimize the instrument layout as a mechanical filter which serves to extract the kinematic observables from the experimental noise. Our early sections, through various algebraic postulates, determine a simplest function of the layout geometry expressing the relative desirability of an accelerometer configuration. Any nontrivial layout demands some off-axial instruments, but natural "feel" requires few such placements. Hence, our middle sections prove mathematical results under various geometric assumptions which yield optimal layouts with one, two, or three offaxial instruments. Our final sections discuss the further constraint that all accelerometers measure just three directions. They assume not more than two off-axial instruments and obtain the best configurations of these tridirectional types.
The non-desirability of structured programming in user languages

The applicability of structured programming concepts in the design of special-purpose languages for the nonprogramming "casual user" is examined. Design criteria for a casual user language are presented along with a modus operendi (the 4:50 FRIDAY approach) for developing "natural notations" which are easily learned and used. An example of a casual user language is presented along with evidence that, for the casual user, the ability to write or even recognize a well-structured program is an unnecessary burden.
The appropriateness of different modes of strategy from a product-market perspective

Strategy-making is an important yet complex task. The present research examines the issue of strategy mode, that is, the manner or style in which strategy is determined in an organization. Prior researchers have proposed various typologies for strategy modes. However, research into which strategy modes are appropriate to what kinds of firm situations and contexts has been limited. Specifically, there has been no research that explores strategy modes from a marketing environment perspective. Given that research at the intersection of marketing and management disciplines has often produced mutually beneficial, rich insights, we approach strategy modes from a product-market perspective and examine the normative appropriateness of different strategy modes with reference to firms' external and internal environments. The research also explores the relevance and value of combining various strategy modes in regard to different stages of the product-market life cycle. In exploring strategy modes and their combinat...
Why Social Work, and What does the Future Hold?: The Narratives of Recently Graduated Hispanic and African-American Male BSW and MSW Students

Employing a focus group interview, this exploratory study investigated the influences on the social work career choice of recently graduated (spring 2007) Hispanic and African-American male BSW and MSW students (N = 7). Also investigated were the views of these men regarding entering a female majority profession and their future in the profession. The informants identified three factors as influencing their social work career choice: (1) personal experience with a social worker, (2) wanting to give something back to the community, and (3) preexisting internalized altruism. Regarding entering a female majority profession, the informants believe they are bringing alternative perspectives that will help to strengthen the profession. The informants also believe they have a bright future in the profession. Implications for social work programs are discussed.
Out-of-Shape DNA Minor Groove Binders: Induced Fit Interactions of Heterocyclic Dications with the DNA Minor Groove†

DB921 and DB911 are benzimidazole-biphenyl isomers with terminal charged amidines. DB911 has a central meta-substituted phenyl that gives it a shape similar to those of known minor groove binding compounds. DB921 has a central para-substituted phenyl with a linear conformation that lacks the appropriate radius of curvature to match the groove shape. It is thus expected that DB911, but not DB921, should be an effective minor groove binder, but we find that DB921 not only binds in the groove but also has an unusually high binding constant in SPR experiments (2.9 x 10(8) M(-)(1), vs 2.1 x 10(7) M(-)(1) for DB911). ITC thermodynamic analysis with an AATT sequence shows that the stronger binding of DB921 is due to a more favorable binding enthalpy relative to that of DB911. CD results support minor groove binding for both compounds but do not provide an explanation for the binding of DB921. X-ray crystallographic analysis of DB921 bound to AATT shows that an induced fit structural change in DB921 reduces the twist of the biphenyl to complement the groove, and places the functional groups in position to interact with bases at the floor of the groove. The phenylamidine of DB921 forms indirect contacts with the bases through a bound water. The DB921-water pair forms a curved binding module that matches the shape of the minor groove and provides a number of strong interactions that are not possible with DB911. This result suggests that traditional views of compound curvature required for minor groove complex formation should be reevaluated.
Complementary Effects of Information Technology Investment on Firm Profitability: The Functional Forms of the Complementarities

This paper focuses on developing economic theory on the interrelation between information technology investment components. Three functional forms to model the joint effects between components of investment on firm accounting profitability are identified and empirically tested. The results suggest that the complementarities between components of IT investment can be best modeled by using the multiplicative functional forms, providing a framework to model the joint effects of different factors that impact firm profitability.
Observation of Size Confinement Effects of Excitons in AgX Nanocrystals by Cryo-Energy-Filtering TEM/EELS

The non-uniform size-dependent contrast of AgBr0.95I0.05 nanocrystals (NCs) ranging from 22 to 80 nm in equivalent diameter (dc) observed by cryo-energy-filtering TEM is referred to predominant excitations at the surfaces and near the edges. When the fields due to surface losses reach throughout the structure, they couple and the probability for their generation becomes periodic in the NC size. Since electronic sum rules must be satisfied, the surface excitations reduce the strength of the bulk excitations. Coupling of surface and volume losses may cause oscillations of the image intensities with the NC size. The appearance of such oscillations demonstrates a size confinement of excitations of valence electrons due to contributions to the energy-level structure from carrier confinement and surface states. The imaginary part of relative dielectric permittivity derived from electron energy-loss spectra shows an enhanced intensity of the band at 4 eV for NCs with dc = 50±4 nm as compared to those of 109±7 nm in size, while the bands at 7 eV and at 10 eV appear to be suppressed. An increase of the intensity of exciton-assisted direct interband transition at 4 eV ( $$\left( {{\Gamma _{{8^ - }}},{\Gamma _{{6^ - }}} \to {\Gamma _6}} \right)$$ ) correlates with the size-dependent enhancement of free exciton luminescence from AgBr NCs, when their size is less than 100 nm.
Current concepts in androgen deprivation therapy--is there a "best" endocrine treatment?

Androgen deprivation therapy has become the mainstay treatment for locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Castrate testosterone levels can be achieved by a multitude of treatments. We performed a medline literature search to answer the question, is there a “best” endocrine treatment? In conclusion we found that the “best” endocrine therapy for advanced prostate cancer is complete androgen blockade (CAB) with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist and a nonsteroidal antiandrogen.
Direct observation of impurity motion in quartz using the Raman effect

Abstract Intensity enhancements in the Raman spectrum of quartz have been found to occur when crystals are subjected to ultrasonic stress. Negative enhancements having magnitudes up to fifteen per cent of the total band intensity, have been studied in the 466 cm −1 ( A 1 ) and 207 cm −1 ( A 1 ) modes. Enhancements appear above a threshold in ultrasonic strain amplitude and follow approximately the pattern of strain gradient in the ultrasonic standing wave. These effects are attributed to motion of silver impurities trapped in cylindrical channels of the lattice parallel to the quartz optic axis.
Tumor-induced osteomalacia--unveiling a new hormone.

Phosphate plays a critical part in the regulation of cell metabolism, and phosphate homeostasis is closely regulated in normal humans. Indeed, like serum calcium, serum phosphate is maintained with...
Cell Compilation with Constraints

This paper describes a cell compiler that translates cell descriptions given in form of Boolean equations including pass transistors into layout descriptions in Caltech Intermediate Form (CIF). The translation process is constrained by given height and width of the cell and the position of each I/O signal on the boundary of the cell. Furthermore, the size of each transistor as well as power consumption can be arbitrarily chosen. This cell compiler allows routing through the cell in any direction. The cell architecture is based on PLA structures.
Motivation and Maturity Patterns in Marital Success.

Married couples rated their marital satisfaction and played an interpersonal competitive game which revealed the success with which they interacted. Younger husbands who score more mature on the Stewart measure of psychosocial maturity tend to belong to more successful marriages, as judged by both criteria, as do college educated wives who show less immaturity and more phallic adventurousness.
Low-emittance 08 AK + ion source for the LBL induction linac system experiment (ILSE)

A high-current injector for heavy-ion fusion presently under construction at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory requires large sources of up to 17 cm in diameter and total potassium ion current of 790 mA with a low normalized transverse emittance of less than 0.5 mm mrad. A 1″ diameter hot alumino silicate (zeolite) source was fabricated and tested in the injector set-up of SBTE, an existing facility at LBL. Initial measurements showed a maximum space-charge-limited ion current of 95 mA. The corresponding density of 19 mA/cm2 was limited by the source diode optics and not by the source emission. The density required for the high-current injector is 4 mA/cm2. The normalized emittance was measured to be 0.06 mm mrad, corresponding to a transverse temperature of 0.2eV. Nondestructive life tests showed that the source can be operated under continuous operating conditions of the high-current injector for more than a month (twenty eight-hour days, with 1 μs long pulses at 1 Hz). d.c. destructive life tests showed that ∼30% of the total stored K can be ionized and extracted, allowing, in principle, for years of operation for the high-current injector. Furthermore, we shall describe the extension of the fabricating technique to large-diameter sources (up to 17 cm) and report on measured ion emission performance, measured surface temperature uniformity and heating power considerations.
A Turning Point in Mathematical Learning Theory

This target article by Estes (1950) sparked the mathematical learning theory movement, which took seriously the goal of predicting quantitative details of behavioral data from standard learning experiments. The central constructs of Estes's theory were stimulus variability, stimulus sampling, and stimulus-response association by contiguity, all cast within a framework enabling predictions of response probabilities and latencies. The math models enterprise flourished during the period 19501975 and provided successful quantitative accounts of data from Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning, probability learning, verbal learning, concept identification, and other standard learning paradigms. The techniques have been assimilated into the armamentarium of theoretical psychology. Stimulus sampling theory has faded away as it has been transformed into modern descendants such as connectionism and information-processing models of cognition. The designation of the 1950 article by Estes as a major event in the history of theoretical psychology is assuredly warranted. So few of the thousands of articles we toil to publish and read cause a major difference in how we think, what we believe, and how we behave as scientists. Estes's 1950 article marked a major turning point in my career as well as the careers of many other quantitatively oriented psychologists. I am pleased to have this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the influence that Estes's writings, beginning with this article, had on the careers of so many psychologists.
Functional group screening of complex mixtures with a double quadrupole mass spectrometer

Abstract A double quadrupole mass spectrometer is used to obtain mass spectra which represent only those species in a complex mixture which undergo fragmentation with loss of a constant neutral moiety. Examples are given where these spectra for Brxxx loss and NO2xxx loss allow recognition of bromo compounds and the nitro functional group in complex mixtures. The method is easier to implement than the corresponding scans on asector instrument.