cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Application of Sustainable Growth: A Multi-Dimensional Framework for Evaluating the Long Run Performance of Bank Mergers

: We study the mergers of US publicly traded bank holding companies during 1987–2000 and find that the acquiring firm's sustainable growth rate is an important determinant of the cross-sectional variation in the merged entity's long-term operating and stock performance. The most economically significant determinants of the merged bank's abnormal stock return performance are the acquiring bank's estimated sustainable growth rate prior to the acquisition, as well as post-acquisition changes in this growth rate, and the bank's dividend payout ratio. Our findings are robust even after controlling for several potentially confounding factors.
The scheme of automatic adjustment of accuracy of the inflatable solar collector

The presented paper consists of the main principles of one possible scheme for automatic adjustment of the inflatable solar collector, in order to keep the shape of the main parabolic reflector and the position of the auxiliary parabolic mirror. The proposed scheme is based on measurements of the position of certain points and distances between certain points. For these measurements the optical scheme proposed in this paper is selected from various alternatives due to the high accuracy required.
Probability-enhanced sufficient dimension reduction for binary classification.

Summary In high-dimensional data analysis, it is of primary interest to reduce the data dimensionality without loss of information. Sufficient dimension reduction (SDR) arises in this context, and many successful SDR methods have been developed since the introduction of sliced inverse regression (SIR) [Li (1991) Journal of the American Statistical Association 86, 316–327]. Despite their fast progress, though, most existing methods target on regression problems with a continuous response. For binary classification problems, SIR suffers the limitation of estimating at most one direction since only two slices are available. In this article, we develop a new and flexible probability-enhanced SDR method for binary classification problems by using the weighted support vector machine (WSVM). The key idea is to slice the data based on conditional class probabilities of observations rather than their binary responses. We first show that the central subspace based on the conditional class probability is the same as that based on the binary response. This important result justifies the proposed slicing scheme from a theoretical perspective and assures no information loss. In practice, the true conditional class probability is generally not available, and the problem of probability estimation can be challenging for data with large-dimensional inputs. We observe that, in order to implement the new slicing scheme, one does not need exact probability values and the only required information is the relative order of probability values. Motivated by this fact, our new SDR procedure bypasses the probability estimation step and employs the WSVM to directly estimate the order of probability values, based on which the slicing is performed. The performance of the proposed probability-enhanced SDR scheme is evaluated by both simulated and real data examples.
Atrial Flutter Mimicking Acute Myocardial Infarction

A 37-year old male came to the emergency room complaining of atypical chest pain of a few hours duration. Initial ECG displayed atrial flutter with 3:1 atrioventricular (AV) conduction with mostly pronounced inferior-wall but also diffuse ST-T changes suspect of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) ( Figure, panel A ) with already established inferior Q waves. However, due to non-convincing clinical history, further investigation was undertaken, which showed a normal bedside echocardiogram, while determination of cardiac enzymes confirmed normal values which remained normal at subsequent measurements... (excerpt)
The First HeI*\lambda 10830 BALQSO

We report the discovery of the first HeI*\lambda 10830 broad absorption line quasar FBQS J1151+3822. Using new infrared and optical spectra, as well as the SDSS spectrum, we extracted the apparent optical depth profiles as a function of velocity of the 3889A and 10830A HeI* absorption lines. Since these lines have the same lower levels, inhomogeneous absorption models could be used to extract the average true HeI* column density; the log of that number was 14.9. The total hydrogen column density was obtained using Cloudy models. A range of ionization parameters and densities were allowed, with the lower limit on the ionization parameter of log U=-1.4 determined by the requirement that there be sufficient HeI*, and the upper limit on the density of log n=8 determined by the lack of Balmer absorption. Simulated UV spectra showed that the ionization parameter could be further constrained in principle using a combination of low and high ionization lines (such as MgII and PV), but the only density-sensitive line predicted to be observable and not significantly blended was CIII\lambda 1176. We estimated the outflow rate and kinetic energy, finding them to be consistent but on the high side compared with analysis of other objects. Assuming that radiative line driving is the responsible acceleration mechanism, a force multipler model was constructed. A dynamical argument using the model results strongly constrained the density to be log n >= ~7. Consequently, the log hydrogen column density is constrained to be between 21.7 and 22.9, the mass outflow rate to be between 11 and 56 solar masses per year, the ratio of the mass outflow rate to the accretion rate to be between 1.2 and 5.8, and the kinetic energy to be between 1 and 5 x 10^44 erg/s. We discuss the advantages of using HeI* to detect high-column-density BALQSOs and and measure their properties. (Abridged)
In vitro evaluation of cefepime and other broad-spectrum β-lactams for isolates in Malaysia and Singapore medical centers

Abstract The degree of activity of several β-lactam antimicrobial agents was assessed in Malaysia (four medical centers) and Singapore (two medical centers) tested against 570 clinical isolates. The organisms were tested locally by the Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) method, validated by concurrent use of quality assurance strains (94.1% accurate performance overall). Ten groups of bacteria were tested against cefepime, cefpirome, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, piperacillin/tazobactam, oxacillin, and imipenem. Among the tested Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., the occurrence of extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing phenotypes was 5.6–7.0% and 36.7–38.0%, respectively. These strains remained most susceptible (97.5–100.0%) to cefepime and imipenem. Ceftazidime-resistant Enterobacter spp. (21.4% resistant), Citrobacter spp. (15.0%), indole-positive Proteus spp. (6.0%), and Serratia spp. (9.7%) were not resistant to cefepime, and only one strain was resistant to imipenem. Imipenem was generally most potent against nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli such as Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . All tested β-lactams were active against the oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci, except ceftazidime (MIC 90 , 12 μg/mL; 63.2–84.8% susceptibility rates). Overall spectrums of activity (rank by % resistance) favored imipenem (3.5%) > cefepime (7.7%) > cefpirome (8.9%) > piperacillin/tazobactam (13.2%) > ceftriaxone (14.7%) > ceftazidime (16.9%). No significant differences in resistance patterns were noted between monitored nations, and these results indicate emerging, elevated rates of resistance versus the studied broad-spectrum β-lactams in Malaysia and Singapore. Results provide benchmark data for future studies using quantitative methods to determine antimicrobial resistance in these geographic areas.
Materialism, Transformation Expectations, and Spending: Implications for Credit Use

Abstract Materialism has often been blamed for consumers' overspending and excessive debt levels, but there is little understanding of how materialism influences these practices. This research introduces the concept of transformation expectations as an important explanatory variable for the relationship between materialism and credit overuse. Qualitative research is conducted to refine the construct of transformation expectations, followed by research to develop a measure of this construct. In survey research, transformation expectations fully mediate the relationship between materialism and credit overuse. Evidence supports the idea that materialism leads simultaneously to a more favorable attitude toward debt and a stronger belief that life transformations will occur as a result of acquisition, and these two forces work together to increase credit overuse.
Ionospheric effects on aviation applications in South America

With increasing worldwide interests in using GNSS satellite augmentation systems for aviation applications, it is important to define and understand the challenges posed by the ionosphere in areas where these applications are most vulnerable. These regions, of course, are the low-latitude regions where problematic features including strong latitudinal gradients and post-sunset plasma depletions and scintillation are a common occurrence, particularly at high levels of solar activity. Depletions occur quite frequently in the nighttime ionospheric F-region and they often stretch for hundreds of kilometers in the north-south direction. Depletions are a significant limiting factor for satellite-based navigation systems as radio signals propagating through these depletions suffer large range delays and may result in poor positioning accuracies. Scintillation is associated with depletion activity and it affects the performance of GNSS navigation and communication systems by inducing losses of lock and cycles slips. These effects limit the performance and availability of GNSS satellites for positioning and for precise safety-of-life applications such as GNSS based satellite augmentation systems used for aviation. This paper will describe Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) and Ground-Based Augmentation Systems (GBAS) and illustrate how the ionosphere affects their performance. This will include how often, and where and when, availability and accuracy of SBAS and GBAS systems can be challenged due to plasma bubbles and/or large electric fields that induce bigger gradients into the equatorial anomaly regions. Finally, our work will estimate the potential improvements in aviation system performance at low latitudes with the arrival of new GNSS system and signals in the next decade.
Dietary protein level and experimental aortic atherosclerosis

Abstract White Carneau pigeons were fed diets containing three levels of protein (compensated for by changes in the dextrin level); all other dietary constituents, including cholesterol, were at the same level, and these diets were fed for nine months, when the birds were killed and necropsied. Group A, which was fed the lowest level of dietary protein (10%), which is considerably less than that in Pigeon Chow Checkers, showed a high mortality rate (50%) and the survivors showed a significant loss in body weight. The birds in the other two groups, B and C (20 and 40% protein respectively) showed no significant changes in body weight during the experiment. When the mean serum uric acid values for the last four blood sampling periods, at two months intervals, in the last seven months of the experiment were compared with the values for A, only Group C showed a significant increase. There was no significant difference in serum total cholesterol concentrations, when compared in the same way. There were no significant changes in either the aorta atherosclerosis indices or the mean aorta cholesterol concentrations, determined after necropsy. If one compares the serum total cholesterol concentration for the groups of pigeons, of the blood samples drawn the day before they were killed, there were significant increases observed for Groups B and C. This work does not support the suggestion previously made that the dietary protein and cholesterol interact in determining the concentration of aorta cholesterol and the atherosclerosis index in this breed of pigeon.
Predicting disposition following brief residence at a shelter for battered women

Despite the recent proliferation of community shelters designed specifically to serve battered women, remarkably few evaluation studies have been conducted to determine the subsequent disposition of women following brief residence at these agencies. In particular, whether or not a woman returns to live with her assailant has far-reaching implications for the type of counseling services she requires as a shelter resident. From data available at admission, the current study employs discriminant function analysis for maximizing prediction of a battered woman's living arrangements 6 weeks following discharge. Results of the analysis improve the prediction of living arrangements from a 52°7o rate of accuracy using base rates alone to an 80% rate of accuracy using discriminant function coefficients. Implications for the development of more effective service delivery and for future research are discussed. It has been only recently that domestic violence and wife-abuse in particular have been recognized as a social problem of epidemic proportions. In the United States in any one year, approximately 1.8 million wives are beaten by their husbands. Nearly 30°70 of all couples report experiencing a violent incident at least once in the course of their marriage; estimates of actual incidence of physical abuse in marriages run closer to 50 to 60°70 (Straus, 1977-78). By 1978, some 100 shelters had been established as a refuge for battered women, and their number has grown steadily since (McShane, 1979).
Abstract 4974: Myc-mediated suppression of the AU-binding protein Tristetraprolin controlsVegfexpression

The c-Myc oncoprotein is a transcription factor that drives cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis during tumor development. Myc binds to target genes harboring preferred E-boxes to induce their expression, but this response only explains a fraction of the biological responses controlled by Myc. In human Burkitt lymphoma and the B cells and lymphomas of Eµ-Myc transgenic mice, a mouse model of Burkitt lymphoma (BL), Myc induces the expression of Vegf mRNA. Surprisingly, we found that Myc does not bind to the E-boxes found within the Vegf promoter, but rather induces this cytokine by stabilizing its Vegf transcripts. One mechanism that controls the stabilization of Vegf mRNA is the binding of AU-binding proteins (AUBPs) to AU-rich elements (AREs) found in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of Vegf mRNA. AREs are present in the 3′ UTRs of approximately 10% of all human genes, including those encoding most of the angiogenic cytokines. Strikingly, expression profiling revealed that Myc regulates ∼30% of ARE-containing genes in human BL and in Eμ-Myc lymphomas. Interestingly, the expression of several AUBPs is altered in premalignant Eμ-Myc B cells, and Myc directly suppresses the expression of the RNA-destabilizing factor Tristetraprolin (TTP). These findings therefore suggest that Myc regulates Vegf expression indirectly, by down-regulating TTP. To directly test the importance of Myc-mediated repression of TTP, we developed Eμ-TTP transgenic mice, to enforce the expression of TTP in the B cells of Eμ-Myc mice. We predict uncoupling Myc9s ability to repress TTP will delay tumor development by impairing Vegf expression and thus blocking the angiogenic response. These data provide a novel mechanism whereby Myc indirectly regulates hundreds of ARE-containing genes through the regulation of AUBPs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4974.
Triangle's Learning Programmes for Hearing‐impaired Infants and their Mothers

TRIANGLE, a private and non‐profit organization in Japan, consists of three sections; hearing‐impaired adults, parents who have hearing‐impaired infants and professonals working in related fields. TRIANGLE'S intervention programmes for both hearing‐impaired and deaf infants and their mothers are based on an auditory‐oral method and a natural‐mother method. They have 29 years of experience in supporting hearing impaired children's acquistion of oral‐visual communication. TRIANGLE offers one day a week classes for deaf infants and their mothers with programmes of everyday learning at home. It encourages the child's integration into the community and into school. Counseling and audiological assessment are also provided for both deaf infants and children. Parents support programmes and the publication of books and brochures are served to nation‐wide members. This paper gives details of TRIANGLE'S ideas and educational activities.
Ein für Massenspektrometrie und Gaschromatographie geeignetes Argininderivat

Arginine has been converted into a suitable pyrimidine derivative to permit its qualitative analysis in the presence of other amino acids by means of mass spectrometric and gas-chromatographic techniques.
VLSI on-chip interconnection performance simulations and measurements

We examine electrical performance issues associated with advanced VLSI semiconductor on-chip interconnections or “interconnects.” Performance can be affected by wiring geometry, materials, and processing details, as well as by processor-level needs. Simulations and measurements are used to study details of interconnect and insulator electrical properties, pulse propagation, and CPU cycle-time estimation, with particular attention to potential advantages of advanced materials and processes for wiring of high-performance CMOS microprocessors. Detailed performance improvements are presented for migration to copper wiring, low-e dielectrics, and scaled-up interconnects on the final levels for long-line signal propagation.
Vesicular Quantal Size Measured by Amperometry at Chromaffin, Mast, Pheochromocytoma, and Pancreatic β-Cells

Amperometric detection of exocytosis at single chromaffin cells has shown that the distribution of spike areas, or quantal size, is dependent on the volume and catecholamine concentration of individual secretory vesicles. The present work offers an alternate, simplified model to analyze the current spikes due to single exocytotic events. When the cube root of these spike areas is plotted as a histogram, a Gaussian distribution is obtained for chromaffin cells and also mast, pheochromocytoma, and pancreatic beta-cells. It was found that the relative SD of these distributions is similar to that for the vesicular radii, which also have a Gaussian distribution in all four cell types. In addition, this model was used to evaluate conditions where the quantal size of individual events was altered. When chromaffin cells were maintained in culture for < 6 days, spikes of approximately double the quantal size were obtained on repeated exposure to 60 mM K+. The results suggest a heterogeneous distribution of catecholamine-containing vesicles at later days in culture is responsible for this alteration.
Fast-switching dual-frequency liquid crystal optical retarder for beam steering applications

We demonstrate a fast optical modulator capable of switching large amount of optical retardation (a few microns) in less than 1 ms. The result is achieved by employing a dual frequency nematic in cells with high pre-tile alignment and by providing a special addressing scheme that features amplitude and frequency modulated voltage. We explore the effect of time delay and dielectric heating in process of the optical retardation switching.
Pickleworm: Oviposition on an Artificial Surface Treated with Cucurbit Extract

Ethanol extract of squash leaves, applied to pieces of fiberglass building insulation, provided as good an oviposition site for Diaphania nitidalis (Stoll) as fresh squash leaves, although moths preferred squash leaves if presented with both. Squash extract was much more attractive to ovipositing moths than extracts of cucumber, watermelon, or tomato. Implications of these results on pickleworm rearing and plant resistance studies are discussed.
Chondrosarcoma of the spine: An unusual radiographic presentation

Chondrosarcoma is a primary malignant tumor arising rarely in the axial skeleton. It usually presents as a destructive lesion with diffuse mottled calcification. We report three patients with chondrosarcoma of the spine. Each patient was evaluated by conventional radiographic technique, computed tomography, and myelography. All of them show radiographically a purely destructive process of the body and in one case the body and lamina. This pattern remains to be documented in the radiologic literature.
From trace evidence to bioinformatics: Putting bryophytes into molecular biology education

Students benefit most from their science education when they participate fully in the process of science in the context of real-world problems. We describe a student-directed open-inquiry lab experience that has no predetermined outcomes and requires students to engage in all components of scientific inquiry from posing a question through evaluating and reporting results. Over 5 weeks, students learn how bryophytes are used in forensics and become proficient in important molecular biology lab skills including DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, and genotyping. For this portion of the experience, there is no specialized equipment necessary outside of gel electrophoresis supplies and a thermocycler. In an optional extension of the experience, students sequence a plastid intron and use introductory bioinformatics skills to identify species related to their forensics case. Students who participated in the lab experience performed well on content-based assessment, and student attitudes toward the experience were positive and indicative of engaged learning. The lab experience is easily modified for higher or lower level courses and can be used in secondary education.
Isocrates and Plato: Relativism vs. Idealism

This paper is a comparative analysis of the philosophical and rhetorical positions of Isocrates and Plato. Isocrates and his rhetoric have often been referred to, in the pejorative sense, as relativistic. Following the Sophistic tradition of his era, Isocrates does reject the possibility of discovering absolute principles of behavior upon which to conduct human affairs. However, his rhetoric is not opportunistic nor exploitative. Plato's commendation of Isocrates in the Phaedrus suggests that he saw some merit in the program established by Isocrates. Since Plato is a major source of criticism against Sophism and, by extension, Isocrates, a comparison between Isocrates’ relativism and Plato's idealism provides an illuminating insight into the merits of each.
Proteomic analysis of SEG-1 human Barrett's-associated esophageal adenocarcinoma cells treated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin.

Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) is an immune stimulant derived from a circulating glycoprotein of the marine mollusk Megathura crenulata. We previously reported that KLH inhibited the growth of human Barrett’s-associated esophageal adenocarcinoma in vitro via apoptotic and nonapoptotic mechanisms. We hypothesize that KLH reduces the growth of Barrett’s cancer cells by altering protein expression profiles. A cell line (SEG-1) derived from Barrett’s-associated adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus was selected. Cells were administered KLH (500 µg/ml) or vehicle. After 24 hours, cytosolic fractions were separated through two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Statistical analysis was performed with Evolution Pro software to identify spots that were differentially expressed between the KLH and control groups. Proteins displaying a twofold or greater change in expression levels were selected for identification. In a total of 420 spots, 31 were differentially expressed between the KLH and control groups. In all, 12 were upregulated and 19 were downregulated. Of the 31, 17 were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Proteomic evaluation shows downregulation of proteins associated with metabolic processes (glycolysis, protein synthesis). KLH also induced proteins indicative of oxidative stress (heat shock 70 family and UDP-glucose 6-dydrogenase). Our results indicate that growth arrest by KLH is accompanied by a cellular stress response and attenuation of metabolic processes. The use of KLH as adjuvant or topical therapy for Barrett’s adenocarcinoma provides a promising development in the treatment of this disease.
A case of intractable sneezing: 'a pleasure sent from God?'.

Abstract Sneezing or sternutation is usually the physiologic response to nasal irritation. The reflex follows a very complicated pathway requiring coordinated communication between the trigeminal and nervus terminalis afferent impulses as well as from glottic and inspiratory muscles in the efferent limb. When the reflex pathway is unbalanced, sneezing can increase in frequency and severity to the extent that some patients become disabled. We present the clinical examination, differential diagnosis, and treatment modalities for the case of an adolescent male who experienced debilitating intractable sneezing for more than one year. As for many of the patients described with this elusive diagnosis, our patient appears to have a functional etiology.
One step high yield affinity purification of shiga-like toxin II variants and quantitation using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays

Abstract We have previously purified both shiga-like toxin (SLT) I and II using the toxins' affinity to P1 glycoprotein (P1gp) from hydatid cyst material (HCM). Binding of these toxins is based on their affinity for terminal Galα1 → 4Gal disaccharide residues present in HCM. Although the binding specificity of SLT-II variants (v) differs from that of STL-II they are reported to recognize Gb3 and should bind to P1 gp. Therefore we examined the usefulness of HCM to purify SLT-IIv of porcine (p) and human (h) origin. Toxins were purified from fermenter culture supernatants of Escherichia coli HB101(pDLW5) (SLT-IIvp), and E. coli DH5α(pJES210) (SLT-IIvh) utilizing HCM. SLT-IIvh and SLT-IIvp consisted of A and B subunits, as determined by SDS-PAGE. We obtained 0.16 mg SLT-IIvp and 0.12 mg SLT-IIvh/I of culture (yields >65%). Various capture systems to detect shiga toxin, SLT-II, SLT-IIvp and SLT-IIvh by ELISA were examined. All toxins bound to HCM, and all except SLT-IIvp bound to the monoclonal antibody 4D1. Only SLT-IIvp bound to the glycolipid Gb4, and only shiga toxin bound significantly to Gb3. Similarities in the level of Gb4 expression in HeLa 229 (ATCC) and Vero cells may explain the lack of differential cytoxicity between SLT-IIvp and SLT-IIvh on these cell lines.
Shifting drivers and static baselines in environmental governance: challenges for improving and proving water quality outcomes

Understanding the conditions that enable or constrain success in environmental governance is crucial for developing effective interventions and adapting approaches. Efforts to achieve and assess success in environmental quality improvement are often impeded by changes in conditions that drive outcomes but lie outside the scope of intervention and monitoring. We document how long-term changes in land use, agriculture, and climate act as non-stationary, shifting drivers of change that combine to render water quality management interventions less effective and increasingly difficult to assess. Focusing on the Yahara River watershed of south-central Wisconsin, USA, we ask how baselines influence program modeling, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as adaptation in governance approach. Through historical trend, GIS, and policy and qualitative data analyses, we find that changes in long-term land use and precipitation pattern dynamics exert tremendous pressure on water quality outcomes but are not captured in snapshot baseline assessments used in management planning or evaluation. Specifically, agricultural sector change related to the intensification of milk and manure production is increasingly challenging to address through best management practices, and flashier precipitation associated with climate change makes it difficult to achieve goals and establish a causal connection between management interventions and outcomes. Analysis of shifting drivers demonstrates challenges facing environmental governance in the context of climatic and social–ecological change. We suggest that goal setting, program design, and evaluation incorporate new modes of analysis that address slowly changing and external determinants of success.
Radical Prostatectomy: Is the Perineal Approach More Difficult to Learn?

ABSTRACTPurpose: We assessed the relative difficulty with which radical perineal and retropubic prostatectomy operations are learned.Materials and Methods: The first 10 radical perineal and retropubic prostatectomies performed by 6 graduating urology residents were reviewed for patient and tumor characteristics, duration of surgery and hospitalization, and complication rates.Results: A total of 120 patients was reviewed. Mean hospital stay was 2.5 days less after radical perineal prostatectomy, and estimated blood loss, number of transfusions and complication rates were also less for this procedure. All parameters used to estimate the outcome of the procedure indicated that radical perineal prostatectomy was learned more quickly than radical retropubic prostatectomy.Conclusions: In a residency training program radical perineal prostatectomy was learned at least as easily as retropubic prostatectomy. Due to expanding indications for this procedure, these findings should encourage urological surgeons to dev...
GRAPE: a balloon-borne gamma-ray polarimeter

The Gamma-RAy Polarimeter Experiment (GRAPE) is a concept for an astronomical hard X-ray Compton polarimeter operating in the 50 - 500 keV energy band. The instrument has been optimized for wide-field polarization measurements of transient outbursts from energetic astrophysical objects such as gamma-ray bursts and solar flares. The GRAPE instrument is composed of identical modules, each of which consists of an array of scintillator elements read out by a multi-anode photomultiplier tube (MAPMT). Incident photons Compton scatter in plastic scintillator elements and are subsequently absorbed in inorganic scintillator elements; a net polarization signal is revealed by a characteristic asymmetry in the azimuthal scattering angles. We have constructed a prototype GRAPE module that has been calibrated at a polarized hard X-ray beam and flown on an engineering balloon test flight. A full-scale scientific balloon payload, consisting of up to 36 modules, is currently under development. The first flight, a one-day flight scheduled for 2011, will verify the expected scientific performance with a pointed observation of the Crab Nebula. We will then propose long-duration balloon flights to observe gamma-ray bursts and solar flares.
MMPI, personality dysfunction and the dexamethasone suppression test in major depression

Abstract In this study we examined the relationship of psychopathology and personality dysfunction to neuroendrocrine functioning. MMPI profiles were examined for 30 psychiatric inpatients with major depression who were suppressors (60%) and nonsuppressors (40%) on the dexamethasone suppression test. There were no differences between suppressors and nonsuppressors on any of the MMPI scales or on DSM-III Axis-II diagnosis. When subdivided according to T-score elevations above 70 on MMPI scales 4 and 6, or 4 and 9, 30% of the sample, however, met criteria for personality dysfunction. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of suppressors (50%) evidenced personality dysfunction than did the nonsuppressors (8%). This suggests that certain MMPI scales are able to identify a subgroup of depressed patients with personality disturbances who also have a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysfunction.
8‐(3‐Isothiocyanatostyryl)caffeine is a selective, irreversible inhibitor of striatal A2‐Adenosine receptors

8-(3-Isothiocyanatostyryl)caffeine (ISC) was synthesized and shown to inhibit selectively the binding of [(3)H]CGS 21680 (an A(2a)-selective agonist) at adenosine receptors in striatal membranes. The K(i) value at A(2a)-receptors was found to be 110 nM (rat), with selectivity ratios for A(2a) versus A(1)-receptors in rat, guinea pig, bovine, and rabbit striatum of >100-fold. Preincubation of membranes with ISC caused a dose-dependent, irreversible antagonism of the binding of [(3)H]CGS 21680, with an IC(50) value of 3 μM. The irreversibility is likely due to the presence of the chemically reactive isothiocyanate group, since the binding of the corresponding analogue in which the isothiocyanate was replaced with a chloro group was completely reversible. The potency of ISC to irreversibly inhibit the binding of [(3)H]CGS 21680 in several species varied in the order rat ≈ guinea pig > bovine ≈ rabbit. In all four species, binding of the A(1)-selective agonist [(3)H]R-N(6)-phenylisopropyladenosine was not diminished by pre-treatment with 2 μM ISC. The kinetics of irreversible inhibition of rat A(2a)-receptors by 2 μM ISC gave a t(1/2) of approximately 3 min. Following partial inactivation, the remaining rat A(2a)-binding sites retained the same K(d) value as in control membranes for saturation by [(3)H]CGS 21680. Thus, ISC appears to be a selective affinity label for A(2a)- versus A(1)-receptors in the brain.
Indirect observation of spin polarization in triplet fluorenylidene at room temperature

Abstract The spin polarization of triplet fluorenylidene has been observed indirectly at room temperature via CIDEP spectroscopy. The observed absorptive polarization is in agreement with direct observations of the spin polarization of diphenylmethylene at low temperature.
Pyroelectric properties of the alanine and arsenic-doped triglycine sulfate single crystals

Arsenic‐doped triglycine sulfate single crystals show an enhancement in pyroelectric coefficients and the pyroelectric figures of merit p/K and p/√K by a factor of 2.2 over those of pure triglycine sulfate single crystals at the most desirable operating temperature of the pyroelectric sensors, ≂25 °C. The crystals are inexpensive to produce and show useful pyroelectric properties.
Attributable Effects in Case2‐Studies

In an effort to determine whether a particular treatment causes a particular outcome event, data are obtained from a database system that records events when they occur, and for such events, the system records exposure to the treatment. That is, the system records information about cases. The system provides no information about events that might have occurred but did not, that is, about units which are not cases. Roughly speaking, we know the number of successes for two proportions, treated and control, but not the numbers of trials or units for these proportions; indeed, the concept of a "trial" may be somewhat vague. With no further information, the situation is quite hopeless. However, an interesting strategy that is sometimes used entails identifying two types of cases whose origin is entirely different so that it is known the cases of the second type were definitely not affected by the treatment under study. This strategy--the case-case or case2-study--seems to have been reinvented independently many times, and has recently been offered as a general strategy for infectious disease epidemiology by McCarthy and Giesecke (1999, International Journal of Epidemiology 28, 764-768). Can this strategy permit estimation of the number of cases caused by the treatment? Using attributable effects in a new way, a method of exact inference is proposed, along with a large sample approximation. Two examples are discussed: one concerning the effects of daytime running lights (DRLs) on the risk of multivehicle accidents; the other concerning the origin of a Salmonella infection. A counterexample with superficially similar appearance is also discussed concerning suicide rates following the publication of Final Exit; here, the treatment may alter the outcome, or it may alter the type, and the attributable effect cannot be estimated.
Shared early autoantibody recognition events in the development of anti-Sm B/B' in human lupus.

Many aspects of the immune maturation are uncharted. For ordinary human autoimmune systems there are no complete descriptions of the progression from an initial antigenic epitope to a maximally complex immune response. In this study we have exploited a large serial collection of human sera to investigate the development of the anti-Sm autoimmune response in systemic lupus ertythematosus (SLE). The results suggest a similar, if not virtually identical, stepwise progression in the early humoral immune maturation of anti-Sm. The amino acid sequence PPPGMRPP comprises the first epitope in the anti-Sm B/B'response and its close relative, PPPGMRGP, the second. Epitopes are subsequently enlarged by the incorporation of neighbouring amino acids. The third and fourth epitopes are also recognised by an antibody in a nearly identical sequence in different lupus patients. A column absorption with PPPGMRPP demonstrates that the epitope spreading among the first four early epitopes appears to occur by the sequential generation of cross-reactive antibodies. Unexpectedly, epitope spreading in this system occurs in a predictable fashion by involving essentially the same sequence of antigenic structures from person to person. In addition, these data support the lupus anti-Sm antibodies originating against a single antigenic structure and, hence, strongly support a unifying mechanism in the generation of these autoantibodies.
Almost periodic solutions of linear partial differential equations

Abstract Let L be an arbitrary linear partial differential operator and let f be an almost periodic function for t in R m . In this paper we present sufficient conditions that a bounded solution u of Lu = f be almost periodic. Our work generalizes the theorem of Sibuya [5] for Poisson's equation and the theorems of Favard [3] and Bochner [1] for ordinary differential equations.
A qualitative physics based on confluences

Abstract A qualitative physics predicts and explains the behavior of mechanisms in qualitative terms. The goals for the qualitative physics are (1) to be far simpler than the classical physics and yet retain all the important distinctions (e.g., state, oscillation, gain, momentum) without invoking the mathematics of continuously varying quantities and differential equations, (2) to produce causal accounts of physical mechanisms that are easy to understand, and (3) to provide the foundations for commonsense models for the next generation of expert systems. This paper presents a fairly encompassing account of qualitative physics. First, we discuss the general subject of naive physics and some of its methodological considerations. Second, we present a framework for modeling the generic behavior of individual components of a device based on the notions of qualitative differential equations (confluences) and qualitative state. This requires developing a qualitative version of the calculus. The modeling primitives induce two kinds of behavior, intrastate and interstate, which are governed by different laws. Third, we present algorithms for determining the behavior of a composite device from the generic behavior of its components. Fourth, we examine a theory of explanation for these predictions based on logical proof. Fifth, we introduce causality as an ontological commitment for explaining how devices behave.
BlogCentral: the role of internal blogs at work

This paper describes a preliminary investigation into an internal corporate blogging community called BlogCentral. We conducted semi-structured interviews with fourteen active bloggers to investigate the role of blogging and its effects on work processes. Our findings suggest that BlogCentral facilitates access to tacit knowledge and resources vetted by experts, and, most importantly, contributes to the emergence of collaboration across a broad range of communities within the enterprise.
Additional evidence for the genomic imprinting model of sex determination in the haplodiploid wasp Nasonia vitripennis : isolation of biparental diploid males after X-ray mutagenesis

The primary sex-determining signal in the haplodiploid wasp Nasonia vitripennis is not known. In haplodiploid reproduction, unfertilized eggs typically develop into uniparental haploid males and fertilized eggs into biparental diploid females. Although this reproductive strategy is common to all Hymenoptera, sex-determination is not strictly specified by the number of genome copies inherited. Furthermore, primary sex-determining signals differ among haplodiploid species. In the honeybee, for example, the primary signal is the genotype at a single, polymorphic locus: diploid animals that are homozygous develop into males while heterozygotes develop into females. Sex determination in Nasonia cannot be explained by this mechanism. Various lines of evidence show that the inheritance of a paternal genome is required for female sexual development and suggest a genomic imprinting mechanism involving an imprinted gene, expressed only from a paternal copy, that triggers female sexual development. In this model, haploid or diploid uniparental embryos develop into males due to a maternal imprint that silences this locus. The genomic imprinting model predicts that a loss-of-function mutation in the paternal copy of the imprinted gene would result in male sexual development in a biparental diploid embryo. In support of this model, we have identified rare biparental diploid males in the F1 progeny of X-ray mutagenized haploid males. Although uniparental diploid male progeny of virgin triploid females have been previously described, this is the first report of biparental diploid males in Nasonia. Our work provides a new, independent line of evidence for the genomic imprinting model of Nasonia sex determination.
Fixation of Non-Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty Femoral Components in a Simulated Proximal Bone Defect Model

An accelerated sequential proximal femoral bone loss model was used to measure the initial stability of three noncemented femoral stem designs: fully porous-coated, proximally porous-coated, and dual-tapered, diaphyseal press-fit (N=18). Only dual-tapered, diaphyseal press-fit stems remained stable with as much as 105 mm of bone loss, with average cyclic micromotion remaining below 25 μm in ML and below 10 μm in AP planes. In contrast, with proximally coated and fully coated stem designs with circular or oval cross-sections, 60mm of bone loss, resulting in lower than 10 cm of diaphyseal bone contact length, led to gross instability, increasing average cyclic micromotions to greater than 100 μm prior to failure. Therefore, the results provide support for using a dual-tapered stem in revision cases with proximal bone loss.
Introduction: The Center for Men's Leadership and Service at Saint John's University:

The Center for Men's Leadership and Service, the first men's center on a liberal arts college campus, was inspired by the connection Saint John's University has with men's studies scholars associated with the American Men's Studies Association (AMSA). The center's mission is to create a safe and respectful place for women and men to explore the masculine condition and to foster research, programs, and publications in the field of men's studies. This issue of The Journal of Men's Studies provides an opportunity to share some of the work done in the center by its many contributors and to highlight the emerging phenomenon of men's centers on college campuses.
Crystal Structure of Benzene II at 25 Kilobars

Crystals of a high-pressure form of benzene (benzene 11) were grown in the diamond-anvil pressure cell at elevated temperature and pressure from the transition of solid I to solid II. X-ray precession data were obtained from a single-crystal in the high-pressure cell. At 21°C and about 25 kilobars, benzene II crystallizes in the monoclinic system with a = 5.417 ± 0.005 angstroms (S.D.), b = 5.376 ± 0.019 angstroms, c = 7.532 ± 0.007 angstroms, β = 110.00° ± 0.08°, space group P21/ c, Pc= 1.26 grams per cubic centimeter. The crystal structure was solved by generating all possible molecular packing configurations and calculating structure factors, reliability factors, and packing energies for each configuration. This procedure produced a unique solution for the molecular packing of benzene II.
The Accuracy of Intuitive Judgment Strategies: Covariation Assessment and Bayesian Inference

Abstract Most of people′s apparent strategies for covariation assessment and Bayesian inference can lead to errors. However, it is unclear how often and to what degree the strategies are inaccurate in natural contexts. Through Monte Carlo simulation, the respective normative and intuitive strategies for the two tasks were compared over many different situations. The results indicate that (a) under some general conditions, all the intuitive strategies perform much better than chance and many perform surprisingly well, and (b) some simple environmental variables have large effects on most of the intuitive strategies′ accuracy, not just in terms of the number of errors, but also in terms of the kinds of errors (e.g., incorrectly accepting versus incorrectly rejecting a hypothesis). Furthermore, common to many of the intuitive strategies is a disregard for the strength of the alternative hypothesis. Thus, a key to better performance in both tasks lies in considering alternative hypotheses, although this does not necessarily imply using a normative strategy (i.e., calculating the φ coefficient or using Bayes′ theorem). Some intuitive strategies take into account the alternative hypothesis and are accurate across environments. Because they are presumably simpler than normative strategies and are already part of people′s repertoire, using these intuitive strategies may be the most efficient means of ensuring highly accurate judgment in these tasks.
Contrasting the neurologic complications of cardiac transplantation in adults and children.

The objective of this study was to evaluate neurologic complications associated with cardiac transplantation and compare the neurologic complications seen in adults and children. As advances in immunology have led to longer survival times for cardiac transplant recipients (1- and 5-year survival rates have improved to 86% and 65%, respectively), a number of neurologic complications have emerged. We performed a 14-year retrospective review of all adults and children (<18 years old) who had orthotopic cardiac transplantation at either Indiana University Hospital or James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children. The rates of neurologic complications involving the central and peripheral nervous systems in adults and children were assessed for differences using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test where appropriate. A total of 191 orthotopic cardiac transplants were performed from 1986 to 2000, with follow-up available for 184, including 107 adults and 77 children. Thirty-two of 107 (30%) adults experienced a total of 47 complications, with peripheral neuropathies being the most frequent complication. Eighteen of 77 (23%) children experienced a total of 22 complications, with seizures being the most frequent complication. Other complications occurring in both groups were cerebrovascular, infectious, encephalopathies, neoplasms, and "other." Neurologic complications in children and adults after orthotopic cardiac transplantation are similar in both incidence and type. However, peripheral neuropathies tend to occur more frequently in adults than in children (P = .04), and the types of complications in the immediate post-transplant period seem to differ.