cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
La señorita Etcétera de Arqueles Vela: mujer, ciudad, modernidad

Este trabajo analiza La seЦorita EtcОtera de Arqueles Vela como narrativa que se genera a partir de un sistema no-lineal descentralizado. Se llega a la conclusiЧn de que las coordenadas espacio-temporales se disuelven en una narrativa sintОtica, utilizando como ejes la figura femenina, la ciudad y el narrador.
Participation and other ethical considerations in participatory action research in post-earthquake rural Haiti

This article offers reflections on work with rural peasant organizations in Haiti to build capacities to engage in participatory action research (PAR) and sustainable community recovery and develop...
Compressive osseointegration promotes viable bone at the endoprosthetic interface: retrieval study of Compress® implants

The Compress® implant (Biomet, Warsaw, IN) is an innovative device developed to enable massive endoprosthetic fixation through the application of compressive forces at the bone-implant interface. This design provides immediate, stable anchorage and helps to avoid the long-term complication of aseptic loosening secondary to stress shielding and particle-induced osteolysis seen in conventional, stemmed megaprostheses. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the in vivo biological effects of the high compressive forces attained. Twelve consecutive Compress® patients undergoing revision surgery for infection, periprosthetic fracture, or local tumour recurrence were reviewed in order to exclude the possibility of osteonecrosis at the prosthetic interface. Compressive forces ranged from 400–800 lb. Duration of implantation averaged 3.3 years (range 0.4–12.2 years). Two patients with infection demonstrated loosening at the bone-prosthetic interface; otherwise, there was no radiographic evidence of prosthetic failure in any of the patients. No patient demonstrated histological evidence of osteonecrosis. In fact, new woven bone and other findings consistent with viable bone were noted in all of the retrieved specimens.
The Endogenous Mus81-Eme1 Complex Resolves Holliday Junctions by a Nick and Counternick Mechanism.

Functional studies strongly suggest that the Mus81-Eme1 complex resolves Holliday junctions (HJs) in fission yeast, but in vitro it preferentially cleaves flexible three-way branched structures that model replication forks or 3' flaps. Here we report that a nicked HJ is the preferred substrate of endogenous and recombinant Mus81-Eme1. Cleavage occurs specifically on the strand that opposes the nick, resulting in resolution of the structure into linear duplex products. Resolving cuts made by the endogenous Mus81-Eme1 complex on an intact HJ are quasi-simultaneous, indicating that Mus81-Eme1 resolves HJs by a nick and counternick mechanism, with a large rate enhancement of the second cut arising from the flexible nature of the nicked HJ intermediate. Recombinant Mus81-Eme1 is ineffective at making the first cut. We also report that HJs accumulate in a DNA polymerase alpha mutant that lacks Mus81, providing further evidence that the Mus81-Eme1 complex targets HJs in vivo.
Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: A retrospective study over two years of experience:

Objective: The minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy technique has slowly gained acceptance. Previous studies have reported advantages of better cosmetic results and faster postoperative recovery. We report preliminary results from our single assistant technique over the initial two years of inception at an academic training center.Methods: This study consists of a retrospective chart review of 172 cases between May 2005 and September 2007. All cases started as video-assisted thyroidectomy were included. Demographic, pre- and postoperative clinical data, imaging results, and hospital stay were collected.Results: Acceptable data were available for 24 male and 148 female patients who underwent the video-assisted procedure. Five cases were converted to the conventional thyroidectomy. Of the 172 cases, 60 total thyroidectomies and 112 hemithyroidectomies were performed, with 37 cases of malignancy. The average hospitalization was 1.43 days with mean incision length was 3.51 cm, mean surgical time of...
Effect of genotype on in vitro adventitious shoot formation in Pinus radiata and correlations between pairs of phenotypic traits during in vitro shoot development

The influence of genotype at the family and clone levels on adventitious shoot formation in Pinus radiata was examined using the cotyledon tissue culture system. Twenty-nine full-sib and two selfed families were used. Family and clone influenced all in vitro traits assessed and final adventitious shoot formation significantly. Five families selected for the long-internode trait and two selfed families used in the study were of average performance when compared to all families. Correlations using family means or clone-within-family means showed that shoot production could be predicted based on measures of early culture health. Shoot production after 16 weeks was positively related to early embryo (6 days) and early culture (4 weeks) health. Shoot production could be improved by approximately 100% through family selection, but only limited additional improvements were obtained through early embryo selection.
DEFECTIVE NEUTROPHIL (PMN) RESPONSE TO SALMONELLA (SAL) CHEMOTACTIC FACTORS(CF) in SAL GASTROENTERITIS (GE) 709

SAL infections are serious problems and especially dangerous among immuno compromised. We studied the role of PMN chemotaxis in 8 immuno competent infants between day 3 & 5 & 4 of them again after therapy along with same # of controls utilizing Boyden's technique. PMN rich WBC's(1.0×104) from the patients deposited onto a 3u filter and placed in the upper chambers were tested against 1) CF from pt's own SAL, 2) standard E. coli factors (ECF) 3) Endotoxin activated serum (EAS) and 4) Hank's solution (HS) placed in lower chambers in simultaneous expts performed in dulicate. After 3 hours' incubation and staining, migrated cells to lower surface were counted. The ratio of migrated to total was termed as chemotactic Index (C1) in first 3 expts & random migration (RM) in the fourth. Mean(ISD) of the duplicate, taken as final CI/RM are presented(Table). Mean CIs with each CF were lower than control(P <005) and RM's were similar. Post Rx CIs improved significantly. We conclude a) Defect of PMN chemotaxis occurs in SAL infection transiently b) Defect is not specific to SAL CF c) The defect may contribute to SAL invasiveness/virulence and more dangerously so among immuno comprised.
On the time complexity for circumscribing a convex polygon

Abstract A recent article “Circumscribing a Convex Polygon by a Polygon of Fewer Sides with Minimal Area Addition” by Dori and Ben-Bassat, Comput. Vision Graph. Image Process . 24 , 1983, 131–159, raised several interesting questions including the time complexity of their algorithm. In this paper, the time complexity on circumscribing an n -gon by an m -gon, where m n , is analyzed to be O(n 1g n ).
Migratory Timing of Upper Copper River Sockeye Salmon Stocks and Its Implications for the Regulation of the Commercial Fishery

Abstract Migratory timing of 15 sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) stocks in the upper Copper River, Alaska, was determined from a tag and recapture project conducted between 1967 and 1972. Time densities and descriptive statistics were used to estimate mean date of migration upstream, variation about the mean, form, and stability of these measures between years within the geographic reference frame of Wood Canyon. The mean calendar dates of migration through the Copper River commercial fishery district of Prince William Sound also were estimated. River level appeared to have a negative correlation with travel rate and was a source of yearly variation in the mean date of migration. Mean dates of migration varied by stock and were grouped by a Student-Newman-Keuls test into six time spans that significantly differed from one another. Variation in mean migration date increased through time, with earlier migrating stocks demonstrating greater consistency of timing between years than the later migrating stoc...
Living-related Donor Nephrectomy in a Patient With Complete Situs Inversus

In this case, we report the successful transplantation of a kidney from a patient with complete situs inversus (SI) to a recipient with normal lateralization. Radiologic findings as well as intraoperative presentation of the right-sided donor organ and vasculature mirrored that of a normal subject. One-year postoperative follow-up in the recipient was reassuring. As there are few reports of functional or anatomic renal disease in patients with SI, we propose that these patients should remain a viable group for donor nephrectomy, given a normal thorough preoperative work-up.
Oxygen transport from the atmosphere to soil gas beneath a slab-on-grade foundation overlying petroleum-impacted soil.

Modeling and field study results suggest that, in the case of a building overlying an aerobically biodegradable vapor source (i.e., petroleum-impacted soil), the significance of vapor intrusion into the building depends on the source vapor concentration, the relative position of the vapor source and building, and the rate of O2 transport from the atmosphere to the soil gas beneath the building. This work quantified the latter at a house having about a 250 m2 slab-on-grade foundation footprint. It was constructed on 1.5 m of clean fill overlying a petroleum hydrocarbon-impacted soil layer undergoing methanogenesis. Soil gas O2 and CH4 profiles adjacent to and beneath the foundation were measured and then the soil gas beneath the slab was rapidly displaced with N2. The natural replenishment of O2 was monitored for 90 days using in situ O2 sensors, and the responses with time were similar, independent of location. The O2 replenishment rate was about 2500 g-O2/d immediately after the N2 flood and then it decl...
RENAR: A Rule-Based Arabic Named Entity Recognition System

Named entity recognition has served many natural language processing tasks such as information retrieval, machine translation, and question answering systems. Many researchers have addressed the name identification issue in a variety of languages and recently some research efforts have started to focus on named entity recognition for the Arabic language. We present a working Arabic information extraction (IE) system that is used to analyze large volumes of news texts every day to extract the named entity (NE) types person, organization, location, date, and number, as well as quotations (direct reported speech) by and about people. The named entity recognition (NER) system was not developed for Arabic, but instead a multilingual NER system was adapted to also cover Arabic. The Semitic language Arabic substantially differs from the Indo-European and Finno-Ugric languages currently covered. This article thus describes what Arabic language-specific resources had to be developed and what changes needed to be made to the rule set in order to be applicable to the Arabic language. The achieved evaluation results are generally satisfactory, but could be improved for certain entity types.
Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics of Membrane Transport

All membrane processes are nonequilibrium processes. The transport equation describing a particular membrane process must satisfy the principles of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. However, many expressions for the flux through a membrane as functions of the driving forces can be found in the literature without resorting to nonequilibrium thermodynamics. In fact, the choice of fluxes and driving forces for a particular membrane process frequently seems to be arbitrary and accidental; this is attributed to historical developments. Some exceptions are the cases of reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration processes. Katchalsky and coworkers successfully applied the principles of nonequilibrium thermodynamics by Onsager to analyze reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration processes. A generalized treatise of nonequilibrium thermodynamic analysis is given for all different membrane processes including gas permeation, pervaporation, dialysis, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and electrodialysis. Starting from the entropy production term, fluxes and driving forces are ascertained for each membrane process and the linear expressions between fluxes and driving forces are presented with corresponding coefficients. These are identified with the conventional entities whenever possible. As a consequence of this treatment, flux equations are more generalized to contain additional terms with additional driving forces representing the coupling phenomena. 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50:862–870, 2004
Liquid holdup in rotating packed beds: Examination of the film flow assumption

Possibilities of predicting liquid holdup in rotating packed beds are examined using the film flow theory. A hydrodynamic model based on film flow on the particle scale accommodates both laminar and turbulent films in the entry and developed regime. Conductance measurement was used for experimental determination of liquid holdup and estimation of the degree of anisotropy of liquid distribution. Experimental results represent the first data for liquid holdup in the rotating packed bed as a function of operating conditions and liquid properties. They indicate an anisotropic liquid distribution dependent on the operating variables. While the film model can be fitted to the experimental data, such a fit lacks a theoretical basis and the classical theory of film flow on the particle scale cannot explain the liquid flow in rotating packed beds. An empirical expression correlates well the holdup data with the operating parameters.
Ion acceleration near CME-driven interplanetary shocks

We have surveyed properties of the magnetic field power spectral densities and energetic ions and compared them with the shock normal angles of 74 CME-driven IP shocks observed at ACE and Wind during solar cycle 23. We searched for events that exhibited clear signatures of first-order Fermi acceleration at quasi-parallel shocks and shock-drift acceleration at quasi-perpendicular shocks as predicted by the diffusive shock acceleration theory. Our results show that events with clear signatures of either shock-drift or first-order Fermi acceleration at 1 AU are rare, with 64 of the 74 IP shocks (~87%) exhibiting mixed signatures. We classify the remaining ten events as follows. (1) Four quasi-perpendicular shocks with θBn>70° exhibit no enhancements in the magnetic field power spectrum around the proton gyro-frequency and a slight hardening or no change in the ~80–300 keV/nucleon CNO spectral index across the shocks, indicating the absence of upstream wave activity and the re-acceleration of a pre-existing s...
Automated parameter identification and order reduction for discrete time series models

The estimated models are used to predict the transient response of structures subject to arbitrary input. The linear, structural transfer function is expressed in the form of an ARMA discrete time-series model. Overspecification of the system order has proven useful in reducing the bias errors, but the resulting model may be excessively large and will contain noise related modes.
Effective interventions for lifestyle change after myocardial infarction or coronary artery revascularization

Purpose: This science clinical paper reviews medical literature and examines interventions that are currently used to assist patients in achieving lifestyle change after myocardial infarction or coronary artery revascularization. Interventions that focused on both provider- and patient-implemented strategies were included. The effectiveness of these interventions to significantly reduce coronary heart disease risk factors was explored. Data sources: Original longitudinal research studies or reviews indexed in PubMed between 1999 and 2004 were included. Eight studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria and presented successful interventions to increase participants’ adherence to recommended lifestyle changes. Conclusions: Current strategies for achieving recommended risk factor reductions include frequent follow-up, intensive diet changes, individualized and group exercise, coaching, group meetings, education on lifestyle modification and behavior change, and formal cardiac rehabilitation programs. Implications for practice: Nurse Practitioners can help close the gap between evidence-based recommendations and clinical practice by implementing education programs in their practices and in the community. Recommendations include frequent follow-up visits, negotiating personalized treatment plans, and a general emphasis on therapeutic lifestyle change as an essential component of the treatment plan.
Pin groups in physics.

The double covers Pin({ital s},{ital t}) and Pin({ital t},{ital s}) of the orthonormal groups O({ital s},{ital t}) and O({ital t},{ital s}), respectively, are not necessarily isomorphic. They are locally isomorphic but, in general, not globally so. We compute the vacuum expectation values of several quantized fermionic currents on a nonorientable spacetime (Klein bottle{times}{ital openR}{sup 2}) for both groups. They are strikingly different.
A computer analytic method for solving differential equations

In recent years, numeric analysis has been claiming an increasing share of overall mathematical research activity. The reason for this is apparently the need to have answers --- numeric answers --- to problems of modern technology, along with the development of the stored-program digital computer for carrying through the computations of numeric methods. But this emphasis on numbers is also an indication of the attitude of problem solvers: to use the computer, use numeric methods. And yet these methods are not always adequate. It may be more important to know how x depends on other variables than to know that x = 3.
On consistent time-integration methods for radiation hydrodynamics in the equilibrium diffusion limit: low-energy-density regime

Abstract We compare the accuracy of three, mixed explicit–implicit schemes for simulating nonrelativistic, radiative hydrodynamic phenomena in the equilibrium diffusion limit. Only the “low-energy-density” regime is considered, where it is possible to ignore the effects of radiation pressure and energy density in comparison to the fluid pressure and energy density. The governing equations are then those of compressible Eulerian hydrodynamics with a nonlinear, radiative heat-transfer term appearing in the energy equation. All three finite-volume methods in this study utilize an explicit Godunov method with an approximate Riemann solver to integrate the Euler equations, but differ in their iterative treatment of the radiation diffusion term, which is handled in an “operator-split” fashion. In the first method, diffusive effects are computed with a linearized implicit technique that does not converge nonlinearities within a computational time step. In the other two methods, a Jacobian-free Newton–Krylov procedure is used to converge the nonlinearities, and improved accuracy (but not always greater efficiency) is achieved over the more traditional linearized–implicit approach. The two Newton–Krylov methods differ in their order of accuracy in time; one is strictly first-order accurate, while the other attempts to achieve second-order accuracy by making use of a predictor–corrector architecture. Several examples are considered to demonstrate the convergence properties of the three schemes, but attention is limited to spherically symmetric problems such as the one-dimensional point explosion.
Accelerated Transformation and Deactivation of Erythromycin in Superheated Water. 2. Transformation Reactions and Bioassays

The work presented in this second part of a two-part series on the accelerated transformation of erythromycin in superheated water focuses on the chemical nature and resultant antimicrobial implications of the overall reaction observed. Analyses of reactor effluents employing infrared spectroscopy and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry indicated that the initial step in the decomposition pathway is one of dehydration. Subsequent hydrolysis in the presence of an acetate buffer appeared to result in the loss of the sugar cladinose. Chemical transformation under superheated conditions was tied to the loss of antibiotic function by an agar dilution test. The sensitivity of this test was verified by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of erythromycin corresponding to each of two test microorganisms. MIC values for the selected strains of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis were 35 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. To relate the loss of antimicrobial activity to increased reaction temperature and thus to increased extent of parent compound transformation to microbially benign intermediates, bioassays using E. coli as test microorganism were performed on flow reactor effluents resulting from reaction of initial erythromycin concentrations of 75-150 mg/L.
Detection of impervious surface change with multitemporal Landsat images in an urban-rural frontier.

Abstract Mapping and monitoring impervious surface dynamic change in a complex urban–rural frontier with medium or coarse spatial resolution images is a challenge due to the mixed pixel problem and the spectral confusion between impervious surfaces and other non-vegetation land covers. This research selected Lucas do Rio Verde County in Mato Grosso State, Brazil as a case study to improve impervious surface estimation performance by the integrated use of Landsat and QuickBird images and to monitor impervious surface change by analyzing the normalized multitemporal Landsat-derived fractional impervious surfaces. This research demonstrates the importance of two-step calibrations. The first step is to calibrate the Landsat-derived fraction impervious surface values through the established regression model based on the QuickBird-derived impervious surface image in 2008. The second step is to conduct the normalization between the calibrated 2008 impervious surface image with other dates of impervious surface images. This research indicates that the per-pixel based method overestimates the impervious surface area in the urban–rural frontier by 50%–60%. In order to accurately estimate impervious surface area, it is necessary to map the fractional impervious surface image and further calibrate the estimates with high spatial resolution images. Also normalization of the multitemporal fractional impervious surface images is needed to reduce the impacts from different environmental conditions, in order to effectively detect the impervious surface dynamic change in a complex urban–rural frontier. The procedure developed in this paper for mapping and monitoring impervious surface area is especially valuable in urban–rural frontiers where multitemporal Landsat images are difficult to be used for accurately extracting impervious surface features based on traditional per-pixel based classification methods as they cannot effectively handle the mixed pixel problem.
Identification of muscarinic receptor subtypes present in cerebellar granule cells: Prevention of [3H]propylbenzilyl choline mustard binding with specific antagonists

Subtypes of muscarinic receptors (possible m1 to m5) can be identified by their molecular size, specific effector systems and antagonist specificity. In membranes prepared from primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells, [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard [( 3H]PBCM) irreversibly binds to muscarinic receptive proteins, having two major molecular sizes, 92 and 66 kDa. With relatively short periods of incubation (approx. 30 min, 30 degrees C) of [3H]PBCM with atropine, a nonspecific competitive receptor antagonist, the irreversible labeling of these muscarinic proteins by [3H]PBCM could be prevented. Methoctramine, a specific competitive antagonist at muscarinic receptors coupled to inhibition of adenylate cyclase, protected most of the muscarinic receptors having a molecular size of 66 kDa from binding of [3H]PBCM. These 66 kDa receptive proteins are suggested to be muscarinic m2 and m4 subtypes. (-)Quinuclidinyl xanthene-9-carboxylate [(-)QNX], a somewhat specific competitive antagonist at muscarinic receptors coupled to hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol, prevented the binding of [3H]PBCM to 92 kDa muscarinic receptive proteins and some 66 kDa muscarinic receptive proteins. The 92 kDa receptive proteins are suggested to be the muscarinic m3 subtype and the 66 kDa proteins could be either the m2 or m4 receptor subtype. Lastly, pirenzepine, a nonspecific antagonist at muscarinic receptors mediating inhibition of adenylate cyclase and hydrolysis of PI in these cultures, resembled (-)QNX in preventing binding of [3H]PBCM to the 92 kDa receptive proteins and some 66 kDa receptive proteins. The suggested subtypes of muscarinic receptors, specifically bound by pirenzepine should be the m3 (92 kDa) and the m4 (66 kDa) subtypes, since pirenzepine reportedly exhibits a low affinity for the muscarinic m2 subtype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Preliminary Structural Equation Model of Comprehension and Persuasion of Interactive Advertising Brand Web Sites

The main goal of this study was to build a preliminary structural equation model to better understand the relationships between interactivity, comprehension, and persuasion. The limited capacity processing model provided theoretical framework. A two-cell (interactivity: low/high) experimental design was used to examine how the level of interactivity in interactive advertisements influences comprehension and attitudes. The sample consisted of 153 subjects. The structural equation model supported the idea that interactivity is an important and direct factor in both the consumer’s comprehension of interactive advertising and the persuasive outcomes (attitudes and purchase intention). In addition, comprehension had a direct, positive influence on persuasive outcomes. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Prevalence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in patients with various pulmonary diseases or multiorgan dysfunction.

Objective To determine the prevalence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in patients with diseases that may mimic systemic vasculitides, such as severe multiorgan dysfunction (MOD) and parenchymal pulmonary disorders. Methods We conducted a prospective study of patients with MOD admitted to the medical intensive care unit and patients with various lung diseases seen at the outpatient pulmonary clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Patients with a documented diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) served as positive controls. ANCA were determined in serum samples from each patient by a combination of indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for antibodies to proteinase-3 and myeloperoxidase (anti-MPO). Results Ninety-nine patients with MOD, 29 outpatients with various lung disorders, and 18 patients with WG were included in the study. ANCA were detected by IIF alone in 16% (15/96) of patients with nonvasculitic MOD and 17% (5/29) of outpatients with various pulmonary disorders. The majority of the positive IIF specimens from each group displayed an atypical IIF pattern (73% and 80%, respectively). Only 1 specimen from patients with nonvasculitic disorders was positive for anti-MPO. ANCA by both IIF and ELISA were detected in 78% (12/14) of control patients with WG. Conclusion Detection of ANCA by the combination of IIF and antigen-specific assays for proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase in diseases that mimic systemic vasculitides is highly specific for WG, microscopic polyangiitis, and Churg-Strauss syndrome.
The oxidation—reduction potentials of electron carriers in chloroplast Photosystem I fragments

Oxidation-reduction titrations of several electron carriers found in chloroplast Photosystem I fragments have been performed. The midpoint potential of P700 in these fragments and in chloroplasts has been found to be +520 mV by optical absorbance methods or electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The copper-containing protein plastocyanin is present in Photosystem I fragments and has a midpoint potential of +320 mV, significantly less positive than the midpoint potential of cytochrome f in the same fragments, which was measured to be +375 mV. Photo-system I fragments contain two b cytochromes, a low-potential form of cytochrome b559 (Em = +110 mV) and cytochrome b563 (Em = −100 mV).
Management of a dislocated intraocular lens with a suction-based grasping tool

Spontaneous late subluxation of an intraocular lens (IOL) is a rare but serious complication of cataract surgery, often associated with poor zonular support. The management of this complication with a conventional forceps is difficult because the forceps often cannot adequately grasp the optic or haptic to fixate the IOL to the sclera or iris or remove it. The new suction-based grasping tool has a suction cup at the end. The combination of a suction vector and the use of a set of specially designed suction tips allow grasping and stabilization of the subluxated IOL. The properties of the suction-based grasping tool provide better control of the subluxated IOL, simplifying the management of these challenging cases. Financial Disclosure Drs. Olson and Mackenzie have a patent application pending for the disclosed device. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Multicultural Education and the Monocultural Student: A Case Study

(1987). Multicultural Education and the Monocultural Student: A Case Study. Action in Teacher Education: Vol. 9, Open Theme, pp. 33-40.
External Factors Affecting Gifted Girls' Academic and Career Achievements:

Girls constitute half the enrollment in gifted programs in the United States but are underrepresented in high-paying, high-status occupations. The influences of peers, family, and school environment have been identified as the salient external factors affecting gifted girls' career choices. Teachers are in the unique position to observe these influences and to create a positive climate that fosters academic excellence. The authors suggest ways for teachers to educate parents on the family's role in education and career achievement and to create an educational environment that promotes the development of talent.
The impacts of optional time-of-use prices: a case study

We examine customers' time-of-use (TOU) demand for electricity and their choice between standard and TOU rate schedules. We specify an econometric model in which the customer's demand curves determine the customer's choice of rate schedule. We estimate the model on data from Pacific Gas and Electric Company's experiment with optional TOU prices in the residential sector. With the model, we compare the TOU consumption and price elasticities of customers who chose TOU rates with those who chose standard rates. We also estimate the impact of the TOU rates on the utility's revenues and costs. The analysis suggests that all but one of the TOU rates offered under PG and E's experiment decreased PG and E's profits and hence contributed to higher general rate levels. The model can be used, however, to design optional TOU rates that increase profits and lower general rate levels.
Post-CMOS hybrid spin-charge nanofabrics

We propose a hybrid spin-charge fabric with computation in spin domain and communication in charge domain. In nanofabrics based on non-equilibrium physical phenomenon like interference of spin waves, switching times are lower than the thermal relaxation times leading to fast multi-value logic at high fan-in without the exponential performance degradation noticeable in CMOS. While computation is much more efficient than in CMOS, these benefits can be lost due to the communication requirements between spin-wave blocks, when implemented with wave guides. This inspired a new type of hybrid nanofabric with spin wave high fan-in functions connected to an interconnect stack similar to CMOS: our analysis shows a delay reduction of up to 10X (8.64ns) along the critical path for a (511;9) parallel counter implemented in this fabric vs. spin-wave only. Similar benefits are also shown for a CLA adder with ∼4.2ns delay reduction for 1024 bit CLA adder.
Demonstration that acid-ethanol extracts of rat adipose tissue contain an inhibitor of food intake in the mouse☆

The recent identification of the mouse obese (ob) gene, whose product is a ∼16 kd protein secreted from adipose tissue, and the demonstration that the administration of recombinant OB protein inhibits food intake have led us to report a 1979 pilot study demonstrating an extractable activity from rat adipose tissue that inhibited food intake in the normal mouse. Two hundred grams of rat adipose tissue and 40 gm of rat muscle were extracted with acid-ethanol. The aqueous phase was lyophilized, and a filtered solution of the crude powder was injected subcutaneously daily into normal male mice. Administration of the extract from adipose tissue, but not from muscle tissue, resulted in a significant reduction in food intake and slowing of the rate of increase in body weight over the 10-day experimental period. The quantity of extracted fat represented by the daily dose was equivalent to 1.65 gm of fat administered to a 24-gram mouse. In retrospect this acid-ethanol extractable activity was probably the native OB protein in normal rat adipose tissue.
The Social Itinerary of Technical Change: Two Studies on the Diffusion of Innovation

Rapid social and technical change is the hallmark of modern, urban society. The last few years, for example, have seen an upturn in the birth rate; an invasion of small, foreign-made automobiles; the triumph of the hula hoop; the rise and fall of the sack dress; the widespread acceptance of antibiotics and tranquillizers; and so on. Despite all of this, there are surprisingly few studies of the diffusion of innovation in the sense of tracing the movement of: 1) a given new practice; 2) over time; 3) through specific channels of communication; 4) within a social structure. This is all the more remarkable given that one would be hard put even to define various fields of behavioral research without reference to the process of diffusion. Marketing, for example, obviously, has to do with the diffusion of products; anthropology has to do with the transmission and change of culture; sociology is concerned, among other things, with the consequences of technical change, or with the spread of fads and fashions. Yet...
Pacing after shocks stronger than the upper limit of vulnerability: impact on fibrillation induction.

Background—After upper-limit-of-vulnerability (ULV) shocks of the same strength and coupling interval (CI) during the T wave, (1) the epicardial activation pattern (EAP) for the first postshock cycle is indistinguishable between shocks that do (VF) and do not (NoVF) induce ventricular fibrillation (VF) and (2) ≥3 cycles in rapid succession always occur during VF but not during NoVF episodes. To study the role of these rapid cycles, rapid pacing was performed after a shock stronger than the ULV that by itself did not induce rapid cycles and VF. Methods and Results—A 504-electrode sock was sutured to the heart in 6 pigs to map EAPs. The S2 shock strength and S1-S2 CI at the ULV were determined by T-wave scanning with an up/down protocol. Ten shocks 50 to 100 V above the ULV (aULV) were delivered at the same S1-S2 CI to confirm that VF was not induced. Then, the postshock interval after aULV shocks was scanned with an S3 pacing stimulus from the LV apex until the shortest S2-S3 CI that captured was reached. ...
First order transition in the organic superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br

Magnetoresistance for field close to the parallel to the superconducting planes direction has been studied in organic superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br. The results show a first order phase transition between the superconducting state and the normal state at the upper critical field Hc2. The 1st order transition is evidenced by the hysteretic behavior in the magnetoresistance as a function of field or angle between the field and the plane. A possible model is discussed.
Intravaginal saline as a contrast agent for cervical sonography in the obstetric patient

Objective To determine whether intravaginal saline alters visualization of the cervix during endovaginal sonographic examinations. Design A prospective trial with comparison of sonographic measurements of cervical length prior to and after administration of an intravaginal contrast agent. Subjects Patients with an indication for endovaginal ultrasonographic assessment of the cervix were considered as candidates for the study. Methods After assessment of cervical dimensions and contour of the internal cervical os, 10 ml of normal saline was placed intravaginally via a needleless syringe. Pre- and post-contrast sonographic examinations of the cervix were compared. Results Twenty-six patients were enrolled. No differences were observed in the identification of funnelling (37% in each group, p = 1.0) or the quantification of cervical length for the entire cohort (p = 0.95). However, in a subset of patients in whom the external os was not satisfactorily visualized (23%), intravaginal contrast resulted in a mean difference in cervical length pre- and post-saline infusion of 6.4 mm compared to 1.4 mm in patients in whom the external os could be easily identified (p < 0.001). No patient expressed undue discomfort related to the administration of contrast. Conclusion Intravaginal saline assists in visualization of the cervix during endovaginal sonography for selected patients in whom precise identification of the external os is difficult. Copyright © 1999 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Technology and Academic Advising: Student Usage and Preferences

When both time and financial resources are limited, administrators selectively decide upon proper utilization of current technology and determine whether monies should be expended on new, flashy, and attractive technology realizing that it may not contribute to the advising experience. By obtaining feedback from the students whom the academic advising staff serves, administrators can effectively make such decisions. Findings from a student survey on technology preferences and utilization in academic advising for a large department of a public university are presented and discussed.
Purification of tyrosine hydroxylase by high-pressure liquid chromatography.

Abstract Our study of tyrosine hydroxylase (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase, EC 1.14.16.2) from rabbit adrenals has identified two major requirements which are likely to be of general application for the optimal purification and recovery of enzyme activity consequent to high-pressure liquid chromatography: (i) recovery of activity is maximized by pretreatment of the high-pressure liquid chromatography column before each use with protein to saturate high affinity, nonspecific sites exposed by the methanol used for washing, and storage of the column. (ii) Both purification and recovery are critically dependent upon the molarity of the mobile phase buffer. Examination of high-pressure liquid chromatography purified rabbit adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis indicated that tyrosine hydroxylase activity was associated with one of the two protein bands in the gel. Thus, the convenient purification procedure described in this report leads to preparative amounts of tyrosine hydroxylase which is approximately 50% homogeneous.
Epileptic focus localization based on resting state interictal MEG recordings is feasible irrespective of the presence or absence of spikes

Abstract Objective To investigate whether epileptogenic focus localization is possible based on resting state connectivity analysis of magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data. Methods A multivariate autoregressive (MVAR) model was constructed using the sensor space data and was projected to the source space using lead field and inverse matrix. The generalized partial directed coherence was estimated from the MVAR model in the source space. The dipole with the maximum information inflow was hypothesized to be within the epileptogenic focus. Results Applying the focus localization algorithm (FLA) to the interictal MEG recordings from five patients with neocortical epilepsy, who underwent presurgical evaluation for the identification of epileptogenic focus, we were able to correctly localize the focus, on the basis of maximum interictal information inflow in the presence or absence of interictal epileptic spikes in the data, with three out of five patients undergoing resective surgery and being seizure free since. Conclusion Our preliminary results suggest that accurate localization of the epileptogenic focus may be accomplished using noninvasive spontaneous “resting-state” recordings of relatively brief duration and without the need to capture definite interictal and/or ictal abnormalities. Significance Epileptogenic focus localization is possible through connectivity analysis of resting state MEG data irrespective of the presence/absence of spikes.
Pulsed millimeter wave fourier transform microwave spectrometer

An improved pulsed microwave spectrometer for the detection of rotational transitions in gaseous molecules in the frequency range of 130–150 GHz is described. It incorporates a tunable Fabry-Perot cavity and a low noise superneterodyne receiver for the detection of the molecular emission signals. The molecules are excited by π/2 pulses provided by a high efficiency frequency doubler which is pulse modulated at an IF frequency of 1.4 GHz.
Lunelle™ monthly contraceptive injection (medroxyprogesterone acetate and estradiol cypionate injectable suspension): a contraceptive method for women in the US and worldwide

This paper presents data from the first large US clinical trial of Lunelle monthly contraceptive injection which is a combination of 25 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and 5 mg of estradiol cypionate (E2C). The lead article reports that there was no occurrence of unintended pregnancies and no contraceptive discontinuation among more than 700 women using the MPA/E2C in a 60-week clinical trial. Most women experienced regular monthly cycles the same as those women using the nonhormonal method. The second article reports the results of a separate trial that studied return ovulation after three monthly injections of MPA/E2C in surgically sterile women. Serum progesterone determinations found that return of ovulation was documented as early as 63 days after the third (final) intramuscular injection of MPA/E2C. Two articles in this issue assess the pharmacokinetics of MPA/E2C injections. Findings indicate that MPA/E2C represents a contraceptive option that combines the advantages of oral contraceptives with the convenience and effectiveness of monthly administration. Accordingly a US Food and Drug Administration approval should play an important role in helping women achieve effective birth control in the US and worldwide.
Oligomerization of DHHC Protein S-Acyltransferases

The formation of dimers or higher-order oligomers is a property of numerous integral membrane proteins, including ion channels, transporters, and receptors. In this study, we examined whether members of the DHHC-S-acyltransferase family oligomerize in intact cells and in vitro. DHHC-S-acyltransferases are integral membrane proteins that catalyze the addition of palmitate to cysteine residues on proteins at the cytoplasmic face of cell membranes. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) experiments revealed that DHHC2 or DHHC3 (Golgi-specific DHHC zinc finger protein (GODZ)) self-associate when expressed in HEK-293 cells. Homomultimer formation was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. Purified DHHC3 resolved predominately as a monomer and dimer on blue native polyacrylamide gels. In intact cells and in vitro, catalytically inactive DHHC proteins displayed a greater propensity to form dimers. BRET signals were higher for the catalytically inactive DHHC2 or DHHC3 than their wild-type counterparts. DHHC3 BRET in cell membranes was decreased by the addition of its lipid substrate palmitoyl-CoA, a treatment that results in autoacylation of the enzyme. Enzyme activity of a covalently linked DHHC3 dimer was less than that of the monomeric form, suggesting that enzyme activity may be modulated by the oligomerization status of the protein. Background: Oligomerization of DHHC palmitoyltransferases has been suggested. Results: Self-association of DHHC2 and DHHC3 was detected in intact cells and in vitro. Purified enzymes were found predominately as monomers and dimers, with the monomer displaying higher activity than the dimer. Conclusion: DHHC proteins may exist in a monomer-oligomer equilibrium, with the monomers having higher enzyme activity. Significance: Oligomerization may represent a mechanism to regulate DHHC enzyme activity.
CCSM–CAM3 Climate Simulation Sensitivity to Changes in Horizontal Resolution

Abstract The latest version of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM) Community Atmosphere Model version 3 (CAM3) has been released to allow for numerical integration at a variety of horizontal resolutions. One goal of the CAM3 design was to provide comparable large-scale simulation fidelity over a range of horizontal resolutions through modifications to adjustable coefficients in the parameterized treatment of clouds and precipitation. Coefficients are modified to provide similar cloud radiative forcing characteristics for each resolution. Simulations with the CAM3 show robust systematic improvements with higher horizontal resolution for a variety of features, most notably associated with the large-scale dynamical circulation. This paper will focus on simulation differences between the two principal configurations of the CAM3, which differ by a factor of 2 in their horizontal resolution.
Benign odontogenic tumors of the oral cavity

Abstract 1. 1. Odontomas are recognized readily by roentgenographic examination. When these lesions are of the soft variety, the diagnosis can be made only by microscopic examination. 2. 2. Two cases of ameloblastoma of the mandible showing a conservative surgical approach are reported. One case shows complete regeneration of bone more than four years after operation. The other shows roentgenographic evidence of recurrence three and one-half years after operation. The conservative approach is not always the one of choice. There are times when resection is indicated.
Recent advances in the study of prolamin storage protein organization and function

Prolamin storage proteins are the main repository for nitrogen in the endosperm of cereal seeds. These stable proteins accumulate at massive levels due to the high level expression from extensively duplicated genes in endoreduplicated cells. Such abundant accumulation is achieved through efficient packaging in ER localized protein bodies in a process that is not completely understood. Prolamins are also a key determinant of hard kernel texture in the mature seed; an essential characteristic of cereal grains like maize. However, deficiencies of key essential amino acids in prolamins result in relatively poor grain protein quality. The inverse relationship between prolamin accumulation and protein quality has fueled an interest in understanding the role of prolamins and other proteins in endosperm maturation. This article reviews recent technological advances that have enabled dissection of overlapping and non-redundant roles of prolamins, particularly the maize zeins. This has come through molecular characterization of mutants first identified many decades ago, selective down-regulation of specific zein genes or entire zein gene families, and most recently through combining deletion mutagenesis with current methods in genome and transcriptome profiling. Works aimed at understanding prolamin deposition and function as well as creating novel variants with improved nutritional and digestibility characteristics, are reported.
GABA in the paraventricular nucleus tonically suppresses baroreflex function: alterations during pregnancy

It is well established that GABAergic inputs to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) tonically suppress heart rate and the activity of several sympathetic nerves. However, whether ...