cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the growing public interest in selective androgen receptor modulators

To characterise trends and interest in selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). SARMs are androgen receptor ligands that bind androgen receptors selectively. SARMs have anabolic effects on muscle and bone and were originally synthesised for treatment of muscle wasting conditions, osteoporosis and breast cancer. To date, no SARM has been clinically approved and little is known about their beneficial effects and other adverse effects on users. We examined Google Trend searches of SARMs. Using Google Trends, we analysed how interest in SARMs has evolved over the last 15 years and compared it to trends in testosterone. Comparing 'TRT', 'SARMs' and 'Low Testosterone' together, we see low search interest in SARMs compared to TRT until February 2018, when the interest in both SARMs and TRT terms appear to be the same. Since February 2018, search interest for SARMs has surpassed search interest for both 'TRT' and 'Low Testosterone'. Trends for SARMs demonstrate a continuous increase over the years which has to date surpassed interest for both 'TRT' and 'low testosterone'. The rising interest in SARMs is concerning as the adverse effects of its usage, including its potential effects on fertility, have not been explored. Further investigation is necessary.
Marketing in the Nonprofit Sector–The Unique Case of Art Museums

ABSTRACT Art museums face the problem of survival while endeavoring to maintain their sometimes lofty intellectual and educational missions. Threats abound in the external environments from reductions in funding from national, state, and local agencies to threats from competition, which may be any form of entertainment, leisure activity, or educational effort. A study was conducted to examine the marketing practices in art museums in the southeastern United States to identify the museums' responses to these threats. The findings describe the marketing practices deemed successful and used most frequently by most museums and the marketing practices that appear to be the least helpful and least used.
Teaching molecular mechanisms: using a model of expert explanations to remediate students' illusions of understanding (531.12)

Teaching undergraduates to explain a molecular mechanism is difficult in part because of the abstract nature of the molecular world, and because students overestimate how much they understand. A te...
Influences on Video Poker Machine Performance

Abstract This study seeks to determine if slot machine performance levels are influenced by casino floor location and specific game characteristics. A Las Vegas hotel casino supplied the results of 418, $0.25, video poker machines, which were used to test hypotheses based on the findings of extant performance-potential research and casino management theory. Results from a simultaneous multiple regression model indicate that the core locations of the slot floor, featuring superior access and traffic volume, outperform the perimeter locations. Variables representing cabinet style (i.e., slant-top and bar-top units), par and program are also found to influence a machine's performance, at the .05 alpha level. The resulting equation offers an alternative performance measure that considers the unique operating parameters of a game, moving beyond basic performance comparisons of unit results to category averages (e.g., all $0.05 video poker games).
Gonadotropin receptors and regulation of steroidogenesis in the testis and ovary.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the gonadotropin receptors and regulation of steroidogenesis in the testis and ovary. The regulation of testicular and ovarian function by gonadotropic hormones is mediated by specific, high-affinity receptors that are located in the plasma membrane of the respective target cells. A common feature of receptors for gonadotropins and other protein hormones is their extremely high affinity for the respective ligands, with association constants of about 1010 M−1. The initial demonstration of gonadotropin receptors in the rat testis and ovary by isotopic tracer methods was performed by in vivo localization of radioiodinated lutenizing hormone (LH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) upon the LH receptor sites. The morphological evidence for the existence of gonadotropin receptor sites in the gonads has been complemented by a considerable body of in vitro data demonstrating that specific hormone binding sites are present in slices, cell suspensions, and homogenates of the testis and ovary. The location of LH receptors in the plasma membrane of the Leydig cell of the testis and the luteinized cells of the corpus luteum is also elaborated in the chapter.
MAC Layer Multicast in Wireless Multihop Networks

Many applications in wireless ad-hoc networks require multicast communication. In order to provide efficient multicast, various multicast routing protocols have been designed in recent years to facilitate formation of routes between multicast senders and receivers. There has also been some work to develop a suitable MAC protocol to improve efficiency of multicast communication. In this work we explore some approaches for reliable multicast at the MAC layer. We develop a multicast extension of IEEE 802.11 protocol and evaluate its performance. We have implemented our protocol in the popular ns-2 simulator and have performed experiments with multicast routing protocol.1. Our approach demonstrates superior performance in terms of packet deliveryfraction as well as delay compared to the IEEE 802.11 protocol.
Classification of Disorders versus Individuals

The issue of whether a psychiatric classification focuses on individuals or on disorders is a fundamental conceptual problem that has significant implications for how the classification is both used and interpreted. Both positions have specific merits, which are outlined in this entry. Keywords: classification; psychopathology; abnormal; stigma
Understanding Second Language Educational Policies in Multilingual Settings

The three main concepts in this entry,’ second languages’, ‘educational policies’, and ‘multilingual settings’, can be given various meanings, so a delimitation of terms is called for.
Primary Somatosensory Cortices Contain Altered Patterns of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in the Interictal Phase of Migraine.

The regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a complex integrated process that is critical for supporting healthy brain function. Studies have demonstrated a high incidence of alterations in CBF in patients suffering from migraine with and without aura during different phases of attacks. However, the CBF data collected interictally has failed to show any distinguishing features or clues as to the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. In this study we used the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique—arterial spin labeling (ASL)—to non-invasively and quantitatively measure regional CBF (rCBF) in a case-controlled study of interictal migraine. We examined both the regional and global CBF differences between the groups, and found a significant increase in rCBF in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) of migraine patients. The CBF values in S1 were positively correlated with the headache attack frequency, but were unrelated to the duration of illness or age of the patients. Additionally, 82% of patients reported skin hypersensitivity (cutaneous allodynia) during migraine, suggesting atypical processing of somatosensory stimuli. Our results demonstrate the presence of a disease-specific functional deficit in a known region of the trigemino-cortical pathway, which may be driven by adaptive or maladaptive functional plasticity. These findings may in part explain the altered sensory experiences reported between migraine attacks.
Rounding Dairy Herd Improvement Milk Weights to the Nearest Pound

Abstract Supervisors in the Northeast United States currently report milk weights on test day to the tenth of a pound on only 39.9% of the cows tested. Of the remaining cows, 25.4% are reported to the fourth pound, 24.8% to the half pound, and 9.9% to the full pound. Corresponding for cows on owner sampler test are 45.7, 9.0, 24.3, and 21.0%. Reporting Dairy Herd Improvement milk weights to full pounds rather than tenths of pounds increases the standard deviation of the difference of estimated and actual 305-day milk production by 1.7% for twice-a-day collection schemes and 2.6% for once-a-day collection schemes. A bias of approximately +18kg would occur for twice and once-a-day collection schemes regardless of the number of test days in a lactation. The maximum bias that could occur due to rounding to the nearest full pound would be 138kg in a 305-day lactation.
Fading-memory feedback systems and robust stability

Abstract This paper considers fading memory for nonlinear time-varying systems and associated problems of robust stability. We define two notions of fading memory for stable dynamical systems: uniform and pointwise. We then provide conditions under which stable linear or nonlinear systems exhibit uniform or pointwise fading memory. In particular, we show that (1) all stable discrete-time linear time-varying (LTV) systems have uniform fading-memory, (2) all stable continuous-time LTV systems have pointwise fading-memory, and (3) stable finite-dimensional continuous-time LTV systems have uniform fading-memory. We then show that a version of the small gain theorem which employs the asymptotic gain of a fading-memory system is necessary for the stable invertibility of certain feedback operators. These results are presented for both continuous-time and discrete-time systems using general lp or L p notions of input/output stability and generalize existing results for l2 stability. We further investigate fading memory in a closed-loop context. For linear plants, we parametrize all nonlinear controllers which lead to closed-loop pointwise fading memory.
Massive Thrombosis Associated with Use of the Swan-Ganz Catheter

A patient with severe respiratory failure due to overwhelming pneumonia was monitored with a Swan-Ganz catheter. Postmortem examination revealed massive antemortem thrombosis surrounding the Swan-Ganz catheter tip. The presence of the thrombus about the catheter tip was not suspected before death, but retrospective analysis of a variety of parameters suggested massive pulmonary vascular obstruction.
Irregular Excess Energy Transfer Observed with a Cerulean Donor and Multiple Venus FRET Acceptors

Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a mechanism where energy is transferred from an excited donor fluorophore to adjacent chromophores via non-radiative dipole-dipole interactions. FRET theory primarily considers the interactions of a single donor-acceptor pair. Unfortunately, it is rarely known if only a single acceptor is present in a molecular complex. Thus, the use of FRET as a tool for measuring protein-protein interactions inside living cells requires an understanding of how FRET changes with multiple acceptors. When multiple FRET acceptors are present it is assumed that a quantum of energy is either released from the donor, or transferred to only one of the acceptors present. The rate of energy transfer between the donor and each specific acceptor (kDA) can be measured in the absence of other acceptors, and these individual transfer rates can be used to predict the ensemble FRET efficiency. The generality of this approach was tested by measuring the ensemble FRET efficiency in two constructs, each containing a single fluorescent-protein donor (Cerulean) and either two or three acceptors (Venus). FRET transfer rates between individual donor-acceptor pairs were measured by systematically introducing point mutations to eliminate the chromophores of the other acceptors. We find that the amount of FRET with multiple acceptors is significantly greater than predicted by the sum of the individual transfer rates. We conclude that either an additional energy transfer pathway exists when multiple acceptors are present, or that a theoretical assumption that the prediction calculation is based on is incorrect. These possibilities will be discussed.
Bayesian analysis. II. Signal detection and model selection

In the preceding. paper, Bayesian analysis was applied to the parameter estimation problem, given quadrature NMR data. Here Bayesian analysis is extended to the problem of selecting the model which is most probable in view of the data and all the prior information. In addition to the analytic calculation, two examples are given. The first example demonstrates how to use Bayesian probability theory to detect small signals in noise. The second example uses Bayesian probability theory to compute the probability of the number of decaying exponentials in simulated T1 data. The Bayesian answer to this question is essentially a microcosm of the scientific method and a quantitative statement of Ockham's razor: theorize about possible models, compare these to experiment, and select the simplest model that “best” fits the data.
Revision of dysfunctional filtering blebs by conjunctival advancement with bleb preservation

Abstract PURPOSE: To assess the outcome of advancing a conjunctival flap with preservation of the bleb in eyes undergoing filtration bleb revision after trabeculectomy. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases from a university-based referral practice identified 30 eyes of 30 patients that had undergone bleb revision after trabeculectomy by advancement of a conjunctival flap over the de-epithelialized bleb. Success was defined as resolution of the bleb-associated complication necessitating the revision (leak, hypotony, discomfort) with maintenance of intraocular pressure greater than or equal to 6 and less than or equal to 21 mm Hg without glaucoma medications. Qualified success met the above criteria but with the use of glaucoma medications. Summary data including visual acuity were obtained. RESULTS: On the 30 eyes, 30 conjunctival advancement procedures were performed. Seventeen were for bleb leaks, 10 for prolonged hypotony without bleb leak, and three for dysesthetic bleb. Eighteen eyes (60%) were classified as a complete success and 24 eyes (80%) achieved at least a qualified success. Cumulative probability of at least qualified success was 77% at 2 years. Failures included inadequate intraocular pressure control (one eye), recurrent bleb leak (three eyes), and hypotony without bleb leak (two eyes). The mean preoperative intraocular pressure for all eyes increased from 4.4 ± 3.7 mm Hg to 12.3 ± 6.2 mm Hg ( P CONCLUSION: Advancement of a conjunctival flap with preservation the preexisting bleb often provides successful resolution of bleb-associated complications.
Multimode Lasing at Room Temperature from InGaAs/GaAs Quantum Dot Lasers

We demonstrate InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot lasers with multimode lasing at room temperature immediately above threshold. The lasing modes are separated by about ten times the Fabry-Perot mode spacing, with several dark modes in between the lasing modes. Rate equation simulations indicate that this multimode behavior can be explained by a homogeneous broadening that is on the order of the mode spacing.
Muscle type-dependent responses to insulin in intramyocellular triglyceride turnover in obese rats.

Objective: To understand the role of hyperinsulinemia in intramyocellular (imc) triglyceride (TG) accumulation and in regulating imcTG turnover. Research Methods and Procedures: imcTG was first prelabeled by continuous infusion of [U-14C]glycerol (pulse), and then the rate of label loss from the prelabeled imcTG pool (turnover) in gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and soleus muscle of awake, high-fat-fed obese rats during the subsequent hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp experiments (chase) was determined. Results: Post-absorptive basal fractional imcTG turnover rate in soleus was 0.010 ± 0.001/min, significantly lower than that in gastrocnemius (0.026 ± 0.002/min, p 0.05). The pool size of imcTG was not affected by hyperinsulinemia. Discussion: The results demonstrated muscle-type dependence in the response of imcTG turnover to hyperinsulinemia in the obesity model. The reciprocal insulin effects on imcTG turnover in oxidative vs. oxidative-glycolytic muscle indicated a possibility that oxidative muscle contributes more to insulin resistance under hyperinsulinemia if imcTG-fatty acid oxidation is a function of turnover. imcTG turnover does not seem to regulate imcTG pool size acutely.
Optimized vector bilateral filter for multispectral image denoising

Vector bilateral filtering has been shown to provide several advantages in processing hyperspectral images such as good noise removal while minimizing edge degradation, and dynamic range enhancement of bands with impaired signal to noise ratios. This paper introduces an approach for selection of the parameters of a vector bilateral filter through an optimization procedure rather than by ad hoc means. The approach is based on posing the filtering problem as one of nonlinear estimation and minimizing the Stein's unbiased risk estimate (SURE) of this nonlinear estimator. Experimental results show that the optimized vector bilateral filter provides improved denoising performance on multispectral images when compared to several other approaches.
Vector dominance of the invariant amplitudes for photoproduction

Abstract Vector dominance is expressed for the invariant amplitudes in photoproduction. Kinematics implies a strong dependence on the external mass for one of the polarized cross sections and invalidates the conventional expression. The resultant predictions require detailed analysis of vector meson data but are consistent with available experimental information.
Terahertz Dielectric Response Sensitivity to Protein Oxidation State

Previously we have shown that the terahertz dielectric response is sensitive to the oxidation state for cytochrome c (CytC) films. Here we discuss the origin of this sensitivity through hydration dependent measurements on films, solution phase measurements as a function of temperature and normal mode calculations as a function of hydration. We find that the hydration dependence of the terahertz response rapidly approaches its fully solvated value for ferri CytC, whereas for ferro CytC the effect of added water is more gradual, with the system not reaching fully hydrated values up to 0.5 gm water/gm protein. For solution phase samples below 270 K we do not see a significant difference in the terahertz response suggesting that the fully hydrated ferro cytochrome c has the same picosecond dynamics as ferri cytochrome c. These results contradict X-ray B factor measurements that suggest that ferri cytochrome c is significantly more flexible than ferro suggesting that the B-factor determination from X-ray crystal measurements may not represent in vivo values as crystal water is less than 0.5 gm water/gm protein.
On Cumulus-scale Transport of Horizontal Momentum in Monsoon Depression over India

A diagnostic method of cumulus parameterization is suggested in which vertical transport of horizontal momentum by cumulus-scale is derived by making use of large-scale vorticity as well as divergence budget equations. Data for composite monsoon depression over India available from our earlier studies are used to test the method. As a first approximation, the results are obtained using only the vorticity budget equation.
Intimate Partner Violence and Depressive Symptoms Before Pregnancy, During Pregnancy, and After Infant Delivery An Exploratory Study

Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy also tend to experience depressive symptoms. Unfortunately, little is known about how victimized women's levels of depressive symptoms change longitudinally before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after infant delivery. In addition, few studies have used a comparison group of women to determine if levels of depressive symptoms among victimized women differ from depressive symptom levels in women who have not experienced IPV. To help address these knowledge gaps, we examined longitudinal trends in levels of depressive symptoms among a sample of 76 women who did (n = 33) and did not (n = 43) experience physical IPV during pregnancy. Using multilevel analysis, we estimated the relationship of physical IPV victimization and women's depressive symptom levels across six time periods: (a) the year before pregnancy, (b) first and second trimesters, (c) third trimester, (d) the first month postpartum, (e) Months 2 to 6 postpartum, and (f) Months 7 to 12 postpartum. Women who experienced physical IPV victimization during pregnancy had significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms during each time period (p < .05). No significant difference between the two groups was found in the rate of change in levels of depressive symptoms over time. These findings point to the importance of screening for IPV within health care settings and suggest that women physically abused during pregnancy need safety interventions that are coordinated with interventions targeting symptoms of depression.
Evaluation of the articular cartilage of the knee joint with vastly undersampled isotropic projection reconstruction steady-state free precession imaging

Purpose To determine the feasibility of the vastly undersampled isotropic projection reconstruction steady-state free precession (VIPR-SSFP) sequence for evaluating the articular cartilage of the knee joint. Materials and Methods A magnetic resonance (MR) examination of the knee was performed on 33 subjects using a GE 1.5T scanner and a phased-array extremity coil. VIPR-SSFP, proton density-weighted fast spin-echo (PD-FSE), fat-suppressed T2-weighted fast spin-echo (T2-FSE), and three-dimensional fat-suppressed spoiled gradient recall-echo (SPGR) sequences were performed on three asymptomatic volunteers and 10 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Signal-to-noise efficiency, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) measurements were calculated for all sequences and compared with the use of paired t-tests. The VIPR-SSFP sequence was then performed on 20 consecutive patients who were undergoing a routine MR examination of the knee. Results The cartilage signal-to-noise efficiency of the VIPR-SSFP sequence was not significantly different from that of the PD-FSE and SPGR sequences. The cartilage signal-to-noise efficiency of the VIPR-SSFP sequence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the T2-FSE sequence. The VIPR-SSFP sequence produced images with significantly higher (P < 0.05) CNR between cartilage and synovial fluid than the PD-FSE and SPGR sequences, and significantly higher (P < 0.05) CNR between cartilage and subchondral bone than the T2-FSE sequence. The VIPR-SSFP sequence allowed excellent visualization of the articular cartilage of the knee joint in all subjects. All articular cartilage defects identified on the PD-FSE, T2-FSE, and SPGR images were well visualized on the VIPR-SSFP images. Conclusion VIPR-SSFP images had high cartilage signal-to-noise efficiency and high CNR between cartilage and adjacent synovial fluid and subchondral bone; therefore, the sequence is well suited for evaluating the articular cartilage of the knee joint. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Complications in Segmenting Campaign Publics: Women of Color Explain Their Problems, Involvement, and Constraints in Reading Heart Disease Communication

This research on public relations campaigns, heart disease, and meaning making addresses individual-level and community-level decisions that influence women's retention and understanding of health messages. This research is grounded in several theoretical bases of knowledge: culture and communication campaigns, the situational theory of publics, and health communication campaigns directed at women of color. Women of color from across the United States were interviewed to discover how they made meaning of messages disseminated in a national heart disease communication campaign. Despite having seen heart disease messages in the media, the participants did not feel the Heart Truth campaign messages provided them with new information. Many women indicated that they did not plan to change their heart health preventive behaviors based on seeing the messages. Findings suggest that campaign designers should look to a variety of cultural meaning-making factors such as women's feelings of empowerment of knowledge, ...
Transient Association of an Alternative Sigma Factor, ComX, with RNA Polymerase during the Period of Competence for Genetic Transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Natural transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae is regulated by a quorum-sensing system that acts through accumulation and sensing of a peptide pheromone (competence-stimulating peptide [CSP]) to control many competence-specific genes acting in DNA uptake, processing, and integration. The period of competence induced by CSP lasts only 15 min (quarter-height peak width). The recently identified regulator ComX is required for the CSP-dependent expression of many competence-specific genes that share an unusual consensus sequence (TACGAATA) at their promoter regions. To test the hypothesis that this regulator acts as a transient alternative sigma factor, ComX was purified from an Escherichia coli overexpression strain and core RNA polymerase was purified from a comX-deficient S. pneumoniae strain. The reconstituted ComX-polymerase holoenzyme produced transcripts for the competence-specific genes ssbB, cinA, cglA, celA, and dalA and was inhibited by anti-ComX antibody, but not by anti-sigma(70) antibody. Western blotting using antibodies specific for ComX, sigma(70), and poly-His revealed a transient presence of ComX for a period of 15 to 20 min after CSP treatment, while RNA polymerase remained at a constant level and sigma(A) remained between 60 and 125% of its normal level. ComX reached a molar ratio to RNA polymerase of at least 1.5. We conclude that ComX is unstable and acts as a competence-specific sigma factor.
Creep of Mixed-Oxide Fuel Pellets at High Stress

The rate of steady-state compressive creep in (U,Pu)O2-e was investigated in the power-law creep region (at a constant stress of 69 MN/m2 between 1600° and 1500°C) as a function of the oxygen-to-metal (O/M) ratio (1.88 to 1.995). The creep rate over this range is independent of the starting material and decreases with increasing O/M ratio. The apparent activation energy for creep and the preexponential structure factor are sensitive functions of the O/M ratio, with approximately the same dependence on this ratio as these parameters measured at low stresses. These results imply that diffusion of the same defect species controls creep deformation in both the stress-assisted diffusion region (e∞σ) and the dislocation-motion region (e∞σ4.4).
Impact evaluation of school feeding programs in Lao People's Democratic Republic

This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled Impact evaluation of school feeding programs in Lao People's Democratic Republic, conducted between 2006 and 2008 in Lao People's Democratic Republic. The study observed the impact of school feeding programs in three districts of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on the child level. The program does not have an impact on school enrollment. Some of the specifications show that the program leads to earlier school entry. When looking at school feeding as a continuous variable, the impact on enrollment is actually negative. The program has no impact on nutritional status. Funding for the study derived from the World Food Program, World Bank Research Committee.
Disseminated leiomyosarcoma in a child with acquired immune deficiency syndrome

A child with disseminated leiomyosarcoma and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is reported. She was originally believed to have peptic ulcer disease by radiographic and endoscopic evaluation but was found subsequently to have hypergastrinemia, hypochlorhydria, and a smooth muscle tumor. Leiomyosarcoma in children and its evolution in AIDS are discussed.
Uscharin, the most potent molluscicidal compound tested against land snails

Calotropis procera, is a shrub with broad ovate fleshy leaves that grows wild in the Egyptian deserts. The plant was discovered to be highly toxic to the land snailsThepa pisana. The active ingredient responsible for the molluscicidal activity was isolated from its latex by solvent extraction and partitioning and was finally purified by fractional crystallization from 95% aqueous ethanol. The purity of the isolated material was monitored by TLC. Chemical identification was carried out using mass, infrared, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic methods. The active compound was found to be uscharin, and its identity was confirmed by comparing its spectroscopic data with the literature values. The isolated compound was 128 times more toxic than methomyl to the snails tested.
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH ON THE BEHAVIOR OF MEMBERS OF ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHARTER COMMISSIONS

While much attention has been given to local government reform over the years, the focus has been on campaigns to influence voters and the substantive recommendations made by local government commissions. Relatively little research has been conducted on the charter-writing process. In this paper the findings of an exploratory study on the relationship of charter commission members' personal goals to their governmental change preferences are presented. To aid in organizing and analyzing data, a theoretical framework was developed. The framework was useful in explaining and predicting members' general preferences regarding government changes and in analyzing the reasons for their preferences. In addition, variables affecting individual and group dynamics are discussed relative to the impact of these variables on the attainment of a member's personal goals and structural change preferences.
How the mighty have fallen: the naked truth about TQM

This paper focuses on the legacy which the quality gurus have left to managers seeking to embark on, and sustain, a corporate quality initiative. The paper demonstrates that the legacy consists of prescriptions which are not the subject of consensus and which fail to provide the holism demanded by the term “total” in total quality management (TQM). In addition, the paper considers the abstract requirements of an implementational model of TQM and the implementational models which are currently available, by offering a new model that accords with the philosophy underpinning TQM. In the final analysis, by using an empirical example of an attempt to implement TQM in the NHS, the paper further reveals that many of the barriers to implementation can best be removed through adherence to the new model rather than by following the prescriptions of the quality gurus.
Twelve-Month Test-Retest Reliability of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders in Cocaine-Dependent Patients

Abstract This study examined 12-month test-retest reliability of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders (SCID-II) in cocaine-dependent patients. Thirty-one patients completed the SCID-II during the second week of hospitalization for cocaine dependence, and again 12 months later. In both interviews, patients were asked to answer questions about their personality during the several years preceding admission to the hospital. Test-retest reliability, as measured by κ, was relatively poor at .46. However, reliability of negative diagnoses (the absence of a disorder at both time points) was higher than reliability of positive diagnoses (the presence of a disorder at both time points). Reasons for the difficulty in attaining long-term test-retest reliability of axis II diagnoses in cocaine-dependent patients are discussed.
Temperature dependence of structure and mechanical properties of Ti-Si-N coatings

Abstract Characterization of structure and mechanical properties of Ti–Si–N coatings deposited by a high-density plasma assisted vapor deposition technique at ∼250 °C was carried out and compared to Ti–Si–N coatings deposited at ∼700 °C. The nanoscale structure of Ti–Si–N coatings was probed by combining transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The structural characterizations showed that the present Ti–Si–N coatings consists of nanocolumnar B1-TiN grains interdispersed within an amorphous silicon nitride (a-Si:N) matrix, independent of the deposition temperature. Significant Ti atom dissolution within the a-Si:N matrix was observed, and increasing the deposition temperature from ∼250 to ∼700 °C decreases the Ti dissolution limit. The influence of the extent of the TiN/a-Si:N phase separation on the mechanical properties of Ti–Si–N coatings is probed by instrumented nanoindentation. The extent of phase separation was found to significantly influence the mechanical properties, with the hardness of Ti–Si–N coating deposited at ∼700 °C reaching ∼40 GPa. The present results illustrate the sensitivity of mechanical properties of ceramic nanocomposite coatings on the detailed nanoscale structure.
Bi-objective facility expansion and relayout considering monuments

In this paper, the unequal area facility expansion and relayout problem is studied. The facility relayout problem is important since both manufacturing and service entities must modify their layouts over time when their operational characteristics change. A bi-objective approach is proposed to solve the relayout problem for cases of both a fixed facility area and an expanded facility area. Material handling costs and relayout costs are minimized using a tabu search meta-heuristic optimizer. This heuristic randomly alternates the objective function between the two objectives of the problem in each step and, by doing so, eliminates the difficulty of weighting and scaling the two objectives. The approach is flexible in handling various aspects of the problem such as stationary portions of departments (i.e., monuments), addition of new departments, and changes in existing department and facility areas. Computational experiments show that the bi-objective tabu search approach is effective and tractable. The us...
Evaluation in an Era of Accountability Unexpected Opportunities – A Reply to Jill Chouinard

In “The Case for Participatory Evaluation in an Era of Accountability” (this issue), Jill Chouinard highlights seven tensions between the participatory and technocratic approaches to evaluation. Sh...
AC 25kV 50 Hz electrification supply design

The 25 kV AC 50 Hz electrification systems have been developed specifically for railway traction purposes. The main feature that separates this system from the conventional 3 phase and neutral HV distribution network of the public supply authority is that the railway system is a single-phase system with one pole intentionally earthed. Even though railway administration have their own individual electrification schemes the basic design of the systems are the same.
Exploitation of large bovids and seals at Middle and Later Stone Age sites in South Africa

Abstract The faunal remains from the Middle Stone Age (MSA) layers at Klasies River Mouth (KRM) suggest that South African MSA people hunted and gathered less effectively than their Later Stone Age (LSA) successors. The newly enlarged faunal sample from the MSA layers of Die Kelders Cave 1 (DK1) supports the same basic conclusion. In particular, unlike LSA people living in comparable circumstances, the MSA inhabitants of both DK1 and KRM took many fewer buffaloes than eland, even though buffaloes were probably more common near the sites. The reason for the difference may be that MSA people lacked projectile weapons, and were thus forced to rely on relatively docile species like eland. Eland may have been particularly favored because they are very amenable to driving, and the abundance of prime-age adult individuals at both DK1 and KRM may reflect the relative ease with which eland could be driven over nearby cliffs. Also in contrast to LSA people, the MSA occupants of DK1, and especially KRM, took more subadult and adult seals compared with 9–11 month olds. In this respect, MSA people resembled the brown hyenas who accumulated seal bones in a fossil den at Boegoeberg 1 (BOG1). The relative lack of young seal bones at BOG1 probably reflects the hyenas' coastal presence throughout the year, including times when young seal wash-ups are unusual. By extension, the relative rarity of young seals in MSA ( vs. LSA) sites may mean that MSA people failed to focus their coastal visits on the season of peak young seal availability. Together with artefactual and other faunal contrasts between the MSA and LSA, the differences in large bovid and seal exploitation help explain why MSA people did not spread from Africa, even though they were anatomically more modern than their Eurasian contemporaries.
Enhancing children's understanding of research: An exploratory study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of a developmentally appropriate curriculum plan for increasing children's knowledge base about research, focusing on selected components of informed consent. Thirty-six children participated in this exploratory study which consisted of a treatment (i.e., participation in the curriculum plan activities) and a control group. Results suggested that participation in the treatment group increased children's level of enjoyment and their awareness of where they went for the research task. Temperament appeared to emerge as a mediating variable. Correlational analyses indicated that children who enjoyed the research task also seemed more cooperative, asked more questions and had a more accurate idea ofwhat they did andwhy they did the research tasks. No differences were found between the treatment and control groups for level of understanding of the voluntary nature of participation in research and the right to withdraw from a research project.
Modeling parallel state charts for multithreaded multimodal dialogues

In this paper, we present a modeling approach for the management of highly interactive, multithreaded and multimodal dialogues. Our approach enforces the separation of dialogue content and dialogue structure and is based on a statechart language enfolding concepts for hierarchy, concurrency, variable scoping and a detailed runtime history. These concepts facilitate the modeling of interactive dialogues with multiple virtual characters, autonomous and parallel behaviors, flexible interruption policies, context-sensitive interpretation of the user's discourse acts and coherent resumptions of dialogues. An interpreter allows the realtime visualization and modification of the model to allow a rapid prototyping and easy debugging. Our approach has successfully been used in applications and research projects as well as evaluated in field tests with non-expert authors. We present a demonstrator illustrating our concepts in a social game scenario.
Factors Affecting the Location and Shape of Face Seal Leak Sites on Half-Mask Respirators

While there have been a number of studies on the effect of leak site and shape on the magnitude of measured leakage through respirator face seals, there have been very few studies to identify the location and size of these leaks. In a previous study we used a method of identifying the location and shape of respirator leaks on a half-mask respirator by the deposition of a fluorescent tracer during a fit test, and testing for their association with facial dimensions. The purpose of this study was to apply that methodology to conduct multiple fit tests to determine if gender, respirator brand, repeated fit tests, and test exercises affected the location and shape of face seal leak sites. Categorical analysis found that none of these factors had a significant effect on the location and shape of leaks. General linear model analysis found some significant effects of the study factors on leaks, but facial dimensions had a greater effect, and there were significant differences between facial dimensions of subject...
Structure and electronic properties of Pd(III) complexes

Abstract Despite the rich chemistry of palladium in oxidation states of 0, +2, and +4, no Pd III coordination compounds have been reported until the 1980s. Moreover, while Pd complexes are among the most commonly used catalysts in organometallic chemistry, the first organometallic Pd III complexes have only been reported in 2006. Since then, a significant number of Pd III complexes have been isolated, characterized, and proposed as active catalytic intermediates in the functionalization of C H bonds, oxidatively induced C C bond formation reactions, as well as radical insertion and addition reactions. This review provides an overview of the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of mononuclear and dinuclear Pd III complexes. A detailed understanding of the steric and electronic properties of Pd III complexes should provide insight for the development of novel catalysts for multi-electron redox reactions and various organometallic transformations.
The fractionation of nuclei and the integrity of purified nucleoli in HeLa cells

Abstract The retention of structural and functional properties by nucleoli after purification has been investigated in HeLa cells. It is shown that: 1. 1. The partition of 60-S nuclear particles between the nucleolar and nucleoplasmic fractions depends on the salt concentration. 2. 2. The partition of nuclear heterodisperse RNA is also dependent on salt concentration. 3. 3. 15–20 % of the 28-S containing particles detected in the nucleoplasm at high salt concentration are in the form of very heavy clusters of 60-S particles. 4. 4. The nucleoli purified in high salt concentration conserve the capacity to carry on in vitro the initial stages of processing of ribosomal RNA precursors.
High-speed ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography before and after ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration.

Objective To evaluate intraretinal anatomy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using high-speed ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography (hsUHR-OCT) before and 1 month after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Twelve eyes of 12 patients. Methods A broad bandwidth superluminescent diode laser light source and spectral/Fourier domain signal detection were used to create a prototype hsUHR-OCT instrument with 3.5 μm axial image resolution and approximately 25,000 lines/second acquisition speed. Twelve eyes of 12 patients with exudative AMD were imaged with hsUHR-OCT before and 1 month after intravitreal ranibizumab injection. High pixel density and raster-scanned 3-dimensional (3D) OCT data sets were generated. Three-dimensional imaging software was used to calculate subretinal/retinal pigment epithelium fluid volume and volume of the fibrovascular lesion. Main Outcome Measures Qualitative and quantitative analysis of hsUHR-OCT images and 3D data sets. Results All eyes had some degree of normalization of macular contour after intravitreal ranibizumab. The inner/outer photoreceptor segment junction visualized on hsUHR-OCT was discontinuous, overlying the fibrovascular lesion in all 12 of 12 eyes both before and after treatment; 9 of 12 eyes had focal areas of thinning of the outer nuclear layer, which remained after treatment. Volumetric measurements were possible in 8 of 12 eyes with 3D-rendering software. Fibrovascular lesion volume did not change significantly after treatment. Conclusions hsUHR-OCT is capable of unprecedented imaging speed and resolution, making it a valuable instrument in measuring in vivo intraretinal pathology. All 12 eyes had some normalization of macular contour. Fibrovascular lesion volume did not change significantly 1 month after treatment, suggesting that ranibizumab does not cause much initial regression of preexisting neovascular tissue. Photoreceptor abnormalities remained in all patients after treatment of wet AMD, suggesting that although ranibizumab improves overall retinal architecture, some photoreceptor damage may be irreversible. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Kidney transplant ureteroneocystostomy: comparison of full‐thickness vs. Lich–Gregoir techniques

Despite a variety of urinary tract reconstructive techniques, urinary complications are the most frequent technical adverse event following kidney transplantation. We examined outcomes of two ureteroneocystostomy techniques, the full-thickness (FT) technique and the Lich-Gregoir (LG) technique in 634 consecutive kidney-alone transplants (327 FT and 307 LG) between December 2006 and December 2010. Urological complications at one yr post-transplantation occurred in 27 cases (4.3%) including 16 ureteral strictures (2.5%), four ureteral obstructions (0.6%) owing to donor-derived stones or intrinsic hematoma, and seven urine leaks (1.1%). Compared with LG, the FT technique was associated with similar proportions of ureteral complications overall (3.9% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.70), ureteral strictures (3.7% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.08), urinary stones/hematoma (1.0% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.36), and overall urinary leaks (1.6% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.22); however, the FT technique was associated with somewhat fewer urine leaks at the ureterovesical junction (0% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.05). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of length of stay, delayed graft function, urinary tract infection with the first post-transplant year, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and overall graft and patient survival. The FT technique of ureteroneocystostomy is technically simple to perform and has a similar incidence of urinary complications compared with the LG technique.
Disfluency Behavior of Elementary-School Stutterers and Nonstutterers: The Consistency Effect

Each of 184 kindergarten through sixth-grade children, 92 stutterers and 92 matched nonstutterers, performed a speaking task two times consecutively. The kindergarten and first-grade children repea...
Effects of ionization and cascade decay on two-photon two-level interactions.

We extend the semiclassical two-photon two-level model to include upper-level ionization and upper-level decay via an intermediate level. We examine the effects of these relaxation mechanisms on multiwave interactions, finding the generalized one- and two-wave two-photon absorption coefficients and the three-wave coupling coefficient. These mechanisms cause asymmetries to appear in the absorption spectra in addition to those caused by Stark shifts. The Stark-shift term becomes more complicated and fails to vanish even when it does in the simpler model. For recombination rates and ionization decay rates comparable to the coherence decay rate, coherent dips fill in.
Feedback control systems subjected to large signals

IN FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEMS it is often found that a controller which has a dual mode of operation offers definite advantages. Such a controller has one mode of operation for small signals and a second mode for large signals. The first mode can usually be designed with linear studies using a periodic, aperiodic, or statistical test signal, depending on the application. A “large-step” test function is usually satisfactory, regardless of the application, for design of the second mode.