cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Component Sourcing Strategies of Multinationals: An Empirical Study of European and Japanese Multinationals

This is a study of component sourcing decisions of European and Japanese manufacturers for supplying their manufacturing operations in their home countries for export to the U.S. as well as their operations in the United States. Specifically, employing data from seventy-one multinational manufacturers of European and Japanese origin operating in the U.S., the study investigated the determinants of international sourcing decisions. The authors found support for the hypothesis that international sourcing could be explained using international plant location theory. The significance of this finding is that it offers a new theoretical framework to spur much needed research on the topic of international sourcing.
An evaluation of simple methods for the estimation of a common odds ratio in clusters with variable size

Abstract In this paper, the results from a simulation study for the estimation of a common odds ratio in multiple 2 × 2 tables when the data are correlated within clusters are presented. The size of clusters in each stratum is modelled by the negative binomial distribution truncated below 1 with mean cluster size, μ = 4, 5, and 6, and imbalance parameter, κ = 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0. The correlation of the data is modelled by the beta-binomial distribution. A simulation study is conducted to compare the performances of the Mantel-Haenszel estimator ( ψ MH ), the modified Donner-Hauck estimator ( ψ MDH ) and the Rao-Scott estimator ( ψ RS N , ψ RS P ) in terms of their biases, absolute biases, mean squared errors, and 95% coverage proportions. The modified Donner-Hauck estimator ψ MDH performs better than the other estimators in terms of the bias, absolute bias, and MSE when ψ ⩾ 3 in the unbalanced design. In general, there are negligible differences in the bias, absolute bias, and MSE among the estimators when ψ = 1 or κ = 1.0. The estimator ψ MDH has generally coverage proportions closer to the nominal level than the other estimators for ϱ ⩾ 0.3 in the unbalanced design. When κ = 0.8, ψ RS P and ψ MDH generally have coverage proportions closer to the nominal level than ψ MH and ψ RS N in the wide band. However, the differences in coverage proportions were minimal in balanced design ( κ = 1.0) among the estimators. Based on the results from the simulation study, I recommend using ψ MDH since it generally performs better than the other estimators for all factors considered (bias, absolute bias, MSE, and coverage proportions).
Achondroplasia‐hypochondroplasia complex and abnormal pulmonary anatomy

Achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia are two of the most common forms of skeletal dysplasia. They are both caused by activating mutations in FGFR3 and are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Our patient was born to parents with presumed achondroplasia, and found on prenatal testing to have p.G380R and p.N540K FGFR3 mutations. In addition to having typical problems associated with both achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia, our patient had several atypical findings including: abnormal lobulation of the lungs with respiratory insufficiency, C1 stenosis, and hypoglycemia following a Nissen fundoplication. After his reflux and aspiration were treated, the persistence of the tachypnea and increased respiratory effort indicated this was not the primary source of the respiratory distress. Our subsequent hypothesis was that primary restrictive lung disease was the cause of his respiratory distress. A closer examination of his chest circumference did not support this conclusion either. Following his death, an autopsy found the right lung had 2 lobes while the left lung had 3 lobes. A literature review demonstrates that other children with achondroplasia-hypochondroplasia complex have been described with abnormal pulmonary function and infants with thanatophoric dysplasia have similar abnormal pulmonary anatomy. We hypothesize that there may be a primary pulmonary phenotype associated with FGFR3-opathies, unrelated to chest size which leads to the consistent finding of increased respiratory signs and symptoms in these children. Further observation of respiratory status, combined with the macroscopic and microscopic analysis of pulmonary branching anatomy and alveolar structure in this patient population will be important to explore this hypothesis.
GENERALIZATION AND TRANSFER BETWEEN COMPREHENSION AND PRODUCTION: A COMPARISON OF RETARDED AND NONRETARDED PERSONS

The study compared the acquisition, generalization, transfer, and maintenance of language comprehension and production responses by persons at two IQ levels: mentally retarded (N = 10) and nonretarded (N = 10). The two levels of the IQ Level factor were combined factorially with two levels of a Training Condition factor: Comprehension-Production and Production Only. Participants in the former groups were trained sequentially to (a) comprehend coin labels by pointing, and then (b) produce verbally the correct coin label. Participants in the Production Only groups were trained on the latter response only. A three-factor mixed design with one repeated measure plus a multiple baseline across coin responses was employed. Results indicated that both mentally retarded and nonretarded subjects attained a high level of acquisition and maintained their performance on 1- and 4-week follow-up tests. No difference occurred between mentally retarded and nonretarded participants in magnitude of acquisition, but the mentally retarded groups took approximately three times as many trials to complete training. Data also suggested, contrary to past research, that generalization from comprehension to production was bidirectional, with no difference in magnitude between mentally retarded and nonretarded subjects. Transfer from comprehension to production occurred in both nonretarded and retarded subjects; comprehension training facilitated a savings of trials in production training. These results show that language differences between retarded and nonretarded persons are quantitative rather than qualitative as some past research may have suggested.
Health status versus quality of life in older patients: does the distinction matter?

Abstract PURPOSE: Although health-related quality of life in older people is generally assessed by measuring specific domains of health status, such as activities of daily living or pain, the association between health-status measures and patients' perceptions of their quality of life is not clear. Indeed, it is controversial whether these health-status measures should be considered measures of quality of life at all. Our objective was to determine the association between health-status measures and older patients' perceptions of their global quality of life. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 493 cognitively intact patients 80 years of age and older, interviewed 2 months after a hospitalization. We measured patients' self-assessed global quality of life and four domains of health status: physical capacity, limitations in performing activities of daily living, psychological distress, and pain. RESULTS: Each of the four scales was significantly correlated with patients' global perceptions of their quality of life ( P c statistic=0.72) and psychological distress scales ( c statistic=0.70). However, for a substantial minority of patients, scores on the health-status scales did not accurately reflect their global quality of life. For example, global quality of life was described as fair or poor by 15% of patients with the highest (best tertile) physical capacity scores, 25% of patients who were independent in all activities of daily living, 21% of patients with the least psychological distress (best tertile), and by 30% with no pain symptoms. Similarly, global quality of life was described as good or better by 43% of patients with the worst physical capacity (worst tertile), 49% of patients who were dependent in at least two activities of daily living, 47% of patients with the most psychological distress (worst tertile), and 51% of patients with severe pain. CONCLUSION: On average, health status is a reasonable indicator of global quality of life for groups of older patients with recent illness. However, disagreement between patients' reported health status and their perceptions of their global quality of life was common. Therefore, assumptions about the overall quality of life of individual patients should not be based on measures of their health status alone.
Reflection from a Periodic Dielectric Surface

The angular distribution of reflected radiation has been investigated using a model which considers both direct surface reflection and volume scattering of the refracted radiation with eventual emergence through the surface. The significant results are: (a) the off-specular peaks are composed almost entirely of locally specular radiation, (b) the magnitude of the off-specular peaks depends almost entirely on the index-of-refraction ratio, and (c) the angular position of the off-specular peak, relative to the specular angle, depends upon the radius of curvature of the surface near its peaks.
Nerve growth factor stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous Crk-II and augments its association with p130Cas in PC-12 cells.

Abstract The cellular homologs of the v-Crk oncogene product consist primarily of Src homology region 2 (SH2)1 and 3 (SH3) domains. v-Crk overexpression causes cell transformation and elevation of tyrosine phosphorylation in fibroblasts and accelerates differentiation of PC-12 cells in response to nerve growth factor (NGF). To further explore the role of Crk in NGF-induced PC-12 cell differentiation, we found that both NGF and epidermal growth factor stimulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous Crk II. Moreover, hormone stimulation enhanced the specific association of Crk proteins with the tyrosine-phosphorylated p130, the major phosphotyrosine-containing protein in cells transformed with v-Crk. This interaction is mediated by the SH2 domain of Crk and can be inhibited with a phosphopeptide containing the Crk-SH2 binding motif. Furthermore, the Crk-SH2 domain binds tyrosine-phosphorylated paxillin, a cytoskeletal protein, following treatment of PC-12 cells with NGF or epidermal growth factor. These data suggest that Crk functions in a number of signaling processes in PC-12 cells.
Maintenance Treatment of Bipolar Disorder with Ziprasidone in Adjunctive Use with Lithium or Valproate

Ziprasidone is a second generation (“atypical”) antipsychotic drug that has been used alone and as an adjunct to standard mood stabilizers to reduce recurrence rates in bipolar disorder. Approval of ziprasidone as an adjunct to lithium or valproate in 2009 was based on an industry sponsored study of 584 outpatients with a current or recent manic episode; 240 of these subjects were randomized to adjunctive ziprasidone or placebo and 138 completed a six month trial. Patients enrolled in maintenance studies did not have refractory mood disorders, comorbid conditions or risk of dangerousness. Maintenance ziprasidone augmentation is an option for patients who do not respond to a single mood stabilizer rapidly, and possibly for those with residual psychotic symptoms, but there are insufficient data to prefer this approach to combinations of mood stabilizers or augmentation with other agents. Ziprasidone is generally well tolerated, with less sedation and weight gain than many other antipsychotic drugs; it should be taken with food. Primary interactions of concern are with other serotonergic medications, MAO inhibitors, and other medications that prolong the QT interval.
Anterior cruciate ligament: its normal response and replacement

This article reviews our research studies on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The human ACL was found to be a primary restraint to anterior tibial displacement at both 90 degrees and 30 degrees of flexion. Geometric measurements of the ligament showed it to have a complex macrostructure, consisting of bundles of different lengths, curvatures, and orientations. Similar material properties were measured for subunits from the human anterior and posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. However, the linear modulus, maximum stress, and strain energy density to maximum stress of the ACL were significantly less than similar properties for patellar tendons. These tissue subunits exhibited nonuniform axial strain during tensile loading, which was partially attributed to differences in bundle crimp period and crimp angle. The structural mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, and energies and elongations to maximum force and failure) of nine commonly used human ACL substitutes were also compared. Only the bone-patellar tendon-bone unit had maximum force and stiffness greater than that of the ACL. The patellar tendon, when used as an ACL replacement in the dog and primate, exhibited significant loss in structural mechanical and material properties early after implantation. These properties showed only a gradual improvement up to 1 year after surgery. Maintaining a vascular supply to these grafts or using intermittent passive motion immediately after surgery produced no significant improvement in graft properties in the primate model.
Reaction of alkylhydrazines. II. vic‐disubstituted pyridines and pyridopyridazines

A series of 2,3-disubstituted pyridines and pyrido[2,3-d]pyridazines have been synthesized. The molecular structure of the compounds have been elucidated by using chromatography; ir, nmr, and mass spectrometry; and chemical methods, in particular metal complexation. The new compounds offer interesting chemistry and are envisaged to function as potential chemotherapeutic and pharmacodynamic agents.
Actions of immobilizing drugs on synaptic transmission.

Abstract Because some immobilizing agents reportedly have a central action, we investigated the effects of gallamine (Flaxedil) and decamethonium (Syncurine) on synaptic transmission. In spinal cats, ventilated with oxygen, we stimulated a lumbar dorsal root and recorded the compound reflex action potential in the ipsilateral ventral root. Gallamine, 6.25 mg/kg, had no discernible effect on the ventral root reflex. Gallamine, 12.5 mg/kg, affected neither the height of the monosynaptic spike nor the latency to its onset; but the polysynaptic response (area under the multiphasic portion of the potential curve) was increased in the first 5 min, then returned to baseline. These changes were associated with moderate hypertension. Decamethonium, 0.5 mg/kg, profoundly depressed the monosynaptic and polysynaptic ventral root responses, and increased the latency to onset of the reflex. These changes were associated with a marked hypotension. Gallamine given in customary paralyzing doses (1–2 mg/kg) has virtually no effect on synaptic transmission in the spinal cord, whereas decamethonium depresses transmission.
Jews in the Pre-Constitutional Years: The Shiraz Incident of 1905

During the Constitutional years (1906–11) the legal status of the Jews and some other religious minorities improved, even if only to a limited extent. Can one assume that this change in the legal status of the Jews reflected changes in the public's actual treatment toward the Jews in reality during the days leading up to the Constitutional Revolution in 1906? To an extent, the answer is in the affirmative. The present article argues, however, that the real life situation of the Jews in the years leading up to the Constitutional Revolution was still often one of abuse and occasional persecution. To prove this contention, section I of the article presents some such cases. Section II establishes some of the reasons for the attacks on the Jews—not only religious, but also economic and socio-political ones, as well as briefly suggesting certain recurring paradigms surrounding it. Section III looks at one case study from November 1905 in the city of Shiraz. Finally, this preliminary research ends with some conc...
Student identification of ethical issues in a primary care setting

SUMMARY Ethical issues in the clinical arena have received significant attention during the past few decades. Limited focus has been directed toward ethical issues in the primary care office setting. A study was conducted to determine the ethical perspectives through critical review discussions between medical students and their preceptors during the PCP programme. Major ethical themes and percent of occurrence emerging from an analysis of the summaries of their discussions included decision-making (40%), professional standards (16%), locus of care (12%), community responsibility (10%), and confidentiality (10%). This study adds to the evidence that while the ethical issues prevalent in the primary care setting are less dramatic than those in a hospital, they are sufficiently frequent to warrant inclusion in the curriculum, enabling students to become more sensitive to their existence.
Knowledge of reproductive physiology and modern contraceptives in rural Peru.

This report is based on fieldwork conducted in a Peruvian community in 1986 which investigated Quechua-speaking Indians knowledge of the female reproductive organs perceptions of the way contraceptives work in the body folk beliefs about conception and menstruation and opinions about modern contraceptives. The findings reveal that men have a more accurate knowledge of the female reproductive organs than the women do. However the women are more knowledgeable about the action of modern contraceptives in the body. Most respondents perceive modern contraceptive methods as the best methods available but the majority reported using the calendar rhythm method. This preference for rhythm is based on its economic advantage and on its adaptability to folk beliefs about physiology. The mens dominant role in reproductive behavior is related to cultural norms that emphasize traditional gender roles and that prohibit communication about sexual matters between men and women. Educational material based on the respondents knowledge of reproduction and taking into account their folk beliefs might help to decrease the fear of contraceptive side effects and increase understanding of the function of contraceptives. (authors)
Identification of a discrete promoter region of the human GnRH gene that is sufficient for directing neuron-specific expression: a role for POU homeodomain transcription factors.

The human GnRH (hGnRH) gene is expressed, and the GnRH decapeptide produced, primarily in the GnRH neurons of the diencephalon. The molecular elements important for the cell-specific expression and regulation of the hGnRH gene are not well established at this time; therefore, we have used a transgenic mouse model to isolate cis-regulatory elements important for directing gene expression to GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus. Gene constructs consisting of various promoter deletion fragments of the hGnRH gene fused to the luciferase (LUC) reporter gene have been used to create transgenic mouse lines. Cell-specific expression, with the criterion being luciferase expression directed to GnRH neurons of the hypothalamus, was observed when 992 bp, but not 795 bp, of the hGnRH gene promoter were used. Tissue-specific expression was also observed when a deletion construct containing the region from 992 to 763 was fused to a minimal 48-bp promoter fragment fused to LUC. These data indicate that the region between 992 and 795 contains elements both essential and sufficient for targeting gene expression to GnRH neurons. This promoter region was found to contain two DNA-binding sites for the POU class of transcription factors, each of which specifically interacted with the POU homeodomain proteins Brn-2 and Oct-1. Functional studies demonstrated that Brn-2 increased promoter activity of the human and mouse GnRH genes. (Molecular Endocrinology 16: 435–449, 2002)
Consolidation of atomized NiAl powders by plasma activated sintering process

There are several attributes that make NiAl intermetallics attractive for high temperature structural applications. First, NiAl combines higher temperature capabilities than superalloys, at a density 33% lower than superalloys. Second, among high temperature, high strength intermetallic compounds, NiAl has the special advantage of inherent oxidation resistance. For consolidation purposes, there are different avenues to decrease the high temperature exposure: to trade off high temperatures or long heating times by high applied pressure or to accelerate the densification process by plasma generation. The former approach is applied in some non-conventional consolidation techniques such as Ceracon process in which short-time high pressure application may compensate for high temperatures or long times. Additionally, the quasi-isostatic pressure application in the Ceracon process imparts shearing components of the applied stress that break down the surface oxides, thus permitting efficient particle bonding during subsequent consolidation. Another avenue that is being explored as a short time densification technique -- Plasma Activated Sintering (PAS) -- comprises an initial plasma generation step to prepare particle surfaces for further densification. PAS has been recently explored as a consolidation method for low diffusivity materials.
Divergent Thinking and Creative Performance in Gifted and Nongifted Children

Because intellectual measures often have idiosyncratic psychometric properties in exceptional populations, the relationship between divergent thinking test scores and creative performance was evalu...
Peptides of Presenilin-1 Bind the Amyloid Precursor Protein Ectodomain and Offer a Novel and Specific Therapeutic Approach to Reduce ß-Amyloid in Alzheimer’s Disease

β-Amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in the brain is widely accepted to be critical to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Current efforts at reducing toxic Aβ40 or 42 have largely focused on modulating γ-secretase activity to produce shorter, less toxic Aβ, while attempting to spare other secretase functions. In this paper we provide data that offer the potential for a new approach for the treatment of AD. The method is based on our previous findings that the production of Aβ from the interaction between the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Presenilin (PS), as part of the γ-secretase complex, in cell culture is largely inhibited if the entire water-soluble NH2-terminal domain of PS is first added to the culture. Here we demonstrate that two small, non-overlapping water-soluble peptides from the PS-1 NH2-terminal domain can substantially and specifically inhibit the production of total Aβ as well as Aβ40 and 42 in vitro and in vivo in the brains of APP transgenic mice. These results suggest that the inhibitory activity of the entire amino terminal domain of PS-1 on Aβ production is largely focused in a few smaller sequences within that domain. Using biolayer interferometry and confocal microscopy we provide evidence that peptides effective in reducing Aβ give a strong, specific and biologically relevant binding with the purified ectodomain of APP 695. Finally, we demonstrate that the reduction of Aβ by the peptides does not affect the catalytic activities of β- or γ-secretase, or the level of APP. P4 and P8 are the first reported protein site-specific small peptides to reduce Aβ production in model systems of AD. These peptides and their derivatives offer new potential drug candidates for the treatment of AD.
TAM receptor signaling and autoimmune disease

The TAM receptor tyrosine kinases Tyro3, Axl, and Mer and their ligands Gas6 and Protein S are essential for the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and membranes in the adult immune, nervous, and reproductive systems. Genetic studies indicate that this receptor-ligand system is central to apoptotic cell engulfment that is triggered by the 'eat-me' signal phosphatidylserine (PtdSer). At the same time, TAM signaling is normally activated by Toll-like receptor (TLR) and type I interferon signaling, as part of the innate inflammatory response in dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, where it inhibits this response. Deficiencies in TAM signaling result in human retinal dystrophies and may contribute to lupus and other human autoimmune diseases.
Structural and Dynamic Basis of Phospholamban and Sarcolipin Inhibition of Ca2+-ATPase†

Phospholamban (PLN) and sarcolipin (SLN) are two single-pass membrane proteins that regulate Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), an ATP-driven pump that translocates calcium ions into the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, initiating muscle relaxation. Both proteins bind SERCA through intramembrane interactions, impeding calcium translocation. While phosphorylation of PLN at Ser-16 and/or Thr-17 reestablishes calcium flux, the regulatory mechanism of SLN remains elusive. SERCA has been crystallized in several different states along the enzymatic reaction coordinates, providing remarkable mechanistic information; however, the lack of high-resolution crystals in the presence of PLN and SLN limits the current understanding of the regulatory mechanism. This brief review offers a survey of our hybrid structural approach using solution and solid-state NMR methodologies to understand SERCA regulation from the point of view of PLN and SLN. These results have improved our understanding of the calcium translocation process and are the basis for designing new therapeutic approaches to ameliorate muscle malfunctions.
Drought risk modelling for thermoelectric power plants siting using an excess over threshold approach

Water availability is among the most important elements of thermoelectric power plant site selection and evaluation criteria. With increased variability and changes in hydrologic statistical stationarity, one concern is the increased occurrence of extreme drought events that may be attributable to climatic changes. As hydrological systems are altered, operators of thermoelectric power plants need to ensure a reliable supply of water for cooling and generation requirements. The effects of climate change are expected to influence hydrological systems at multiple scales, possibly leading to reduced efficiency of thermoelectric power plants. In this paper, we model drought characteristics from a thermoelectric systems operational and regulation perspective. A systematic approach to characterise a stream environment in relation to extreme drought occurrence, duration and deficit-volume is proposed and demonstrated. This approach can potentially enhance early stage decisions in identifying candidate sites for a thermoelectric power plant application and allow investigation and assessment of varying degrees of drought risk during more advanced stages of the siting process.
Toxicity and antitumor activity of 5-fluorouracil in combination with leucovorin. Role of dose schedule and route of administration of leucovorin.

Clinically, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (leucovorin, folinic acid, LV) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been used at various doses, schedules, and routes of administration with therapeutic benefit to patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma and breast carcinoma. Clinical experiences have been primarily with LV doses of 25, 200, and 500 mg/m2 administered by either short-term intravenous infusion, daily continuous infusion, or orally. In patients with lung carcinoma, oral administration of dl-LV at 125 mg/m2 hourly for 4 hours (total dose of 500 mg/m2) gave the following peak plasma folate concentrations: dl-LV, 4.6 + 1.9 μM; 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, 4.3 + 2.1 μM; and no detectable l-LV in most cases. The d-LV/5-methyltetrahydrofolate ratios, however, were lower for the oral route than for the same dl-LV dose administered by 2-hour intravenous infusion in the same patient. To determine if there is a relationship between the dose, schedule, or route of administration and the therapeutic efficacy of LV combined with 5-FU, studies were carried out in rats with transplantable colon carcinoma. 5-Formyltetrahydrofolate was administered at various doses by either 2-hour infusion, 2-day continuous intravenous infusion, or by divided hourly oral doses for 4 hours. In all cases, the total doses of dl-LV administered were 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Data obtained to date indicate: (1) plasma folate concentrations by intra-venous administration were dose dependent, but lower and saturable concentrations of folates were observed by oral administration; and (2) while the concentrations of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate achieved by the 2-hour infusion schedule were relatively constant and independent of the dose of dl-LV administered, conversion of dl-LV to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate with the 2-day infusion of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was dose dependent. In humans, however, conversion was independent of the route of administration of dl-LV (19% for the 2-hour infusion and 23% for the 5-day infusion of 500 mg/m2 dose). Preliminary results for antitumor activity of 5-FU in combination with dl-LV, administered by either 2-hour intravenous infusion (400 mg/kg/day for 5 days) or orally (100 mg/kg/hour for 4 hours), yielded similar inhibition of in vivo tumor growth, each being greater than what was achieved with 5-FU alone. In addition, the duration of suppression of tumor growth was significantly longer with the combination of 5-FU intravenously with dl-LV orally and by 5-day continuous intravenous infusion than with the combination of 5-FU and dl-LV in the 2-hour schedule. This article will address the conditions required for optimal modulation of the therapeutic selectivity of 5-FU by LV.
Bluetongue virus: (1) in pregnant white-tailed deer (2) a plaque reduction neutralization test.

Six white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were infected with bluetongue virus (BT8, vaccinal strain) approximately one-third of the way through their gestation period. One deer died of bluetongue 21 days after inoculation. Of the five surviving the infection, one had two mummified fetuses, and the others no fetuses upon euthanasia two weeks after term. Fetuses were present in two control deer and in the one which died of bluetongue. A plaque reduction neutralization test for bluetongue virus was developed and described for the first time and its sensitivity illustrated by high post inoculation titers which ranged from 1:3200 to greater than 1:16000.
Zeros of symmetric, quasi-definite, orthogonal polynomials

Abstract It is well-known that all zeros of real polynomials, orthogonal with respect to a positive-definite moment functional, are real. In the first section of this paper, we show that the zeros of certain symmetric, quasi-definite, orthogonal polynomials are real or purely imaginary. In the second section, we apply our finding to Mellin transforms of Laguerre polynomials, generalizing a result of Bump and Ng [1].
New Approach to Test Anxiety

Abstract Examinations profoundly affect students' psychological and emotional well-being. Not surprisingly, in today's test-centered climate test anxiety has become a widespread problem. A new, multi-dimensional treatment approach to test anxiety reduction is presented with both the mental health clinician and educator in mind. Suited to high school, university, graduate and older students returning to school, it is based on a tripartite design comprising individual and group psychotherapy and “directed treatment.” Various theories and etiological explanations for test anxiety are also explored.
Full-field bulge test for planar anisotropic tissues: part II--a thin shell method for determining material parameters and comparison of two distributed fiber modeling approaches.

Abstract A thin shell method is presented to analyze the results of the bulge test presented in Part I of this paper. The method accounts for the effects of bending, which can be significant for thick tissues inflated from a planar state. We fit two commonly used hyperelastic distributed fiber constitutive models to the stretch–stress resultant data for human skin tissue calculated in Part I from the measured inflation pressure and deformed geometry of the tissue. To validate the method, the resulting parameters were implemented in a specimen-specific finite-element analysis. The method was capable of reproducing the experimentally measured pressure–stretch response of the tissue for a fully integrated distributed fiber model, but not for the pre-integrated distributed fiber models. The parameters obtained for the pre-integrated models significantly underestimated the anisotropic properties of the tissue. The thin shell method presented in this work has been applied to human skin tissues but is sufficiently general to be applied to analyze the inflation response of other planar tissues.
Exact Statistical Tests for Heterogeneity of Frequencies Based on Extreme Values.

Sophisticated statistical analyses of incidence frequencies are often required for various epidemiologic and biomedical applications. Among the most commonly applied methods is the Pearson's χ2 test, which is structured to detect non specific anomalous patterns of frequencies and is useful for testing the significance for incidence heterogeneity. However, the Pearson's χ2 test is not efficient for assessing the significance of frequency in a particular cell (or class) to be attributed to chance alone. We recently developed statistical tests for detecting temporal anomalies of disease cases based on maximum and minimum frequencies; these tests are actually designed to test of significance for a particular high or low frequency. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate merits of these tests in epidemiologic and biomedical studies. We show that our proposed methods are more sensitive and powerful for testing extreme cell counts than is the Pearson's χ2 test. This feature could provide important and valu...
A Stackelberg game approach to distributed spectrum management

In this paper, we consider a cognitive radio system with one primary (licensed) user and multiple secondary (unlicensed) users. Considering the interference temperature constraints, the secondary users compete for the available spectrum so as to satisfy their need for communication. Borrowing the concept of price from market theory, we develop a decentralized Stackelberg game formulation for power allocation. In this scheme, primary user (leader) announces prices for the available tones such that a system utility is maximized. Using the announced prices, secondary users (followers) compete for the available bandwidth to maximize their own utilities. We show that this Stackelberg game is polynomial time solvable under certain channel conditions. The proposed method is decomposable across the tones and is more power efficient than the Iterative Water-Filling Algorithm.
Confidence in the Implementation Process of a New Information System

The perceived likelihood that a new system will be able to support the transaction processing and decision‐making needs of an organization can enhance the confidence in an information system. The objective of this paper is to examine antecedent constructs (training, communication, top management support, and change management) that can enhance or diminish a user's confidence in a new information system for a large financial services organization, as it is phased in over time. Using structural equation modeling techniques, the relationships of these antecedents to confidence are analyzed. The structural model fits the data well and the model explains approximately 80 percent of the variance of confidence. In general, these antecedents affect confidence in the new system. We further find that change management, during the implementation process, partially mediates the effect of the other three antecedents and that this mediating effect changes significantly between groups of implementers.
Verbal complexity and preferences in poetry

Five predictions about poem preferences were derived from the Dember-Earl theory of optimum complexity motivation. Poem complexity was measured by the cloze procedure, a word-guessing technique which is sensitive to pattern redundancy. All five of the hypotheses received complete or partial confirmation in the experiment. The data indicate that readers seek intermediate levels of verbal complexity, each person according to his own level of individual complexity. It was further found that when poem choices were made in respect to future debate or discussion with a friend, achievement anxiety became involved in the choices, and the poems chosen tended to be rather simple or quite complex.
Alkylating and platinum-based agents.

Alkylating agents and platinum coordination complexes represent a major part of the therapeutic armamentarium used against almost all tumors. The alkylating agents played an important role in the development of cancer chemotherapy. The nitrogen mustard mechlorethamine evolved from sulfur mustard gas used in World War 1, and was the first nonhormonal agent to show significant antitumor activity in humans. The alkylating agents act through the covalent binding of alkyl groups to cellular macromolecules. DNA is considered the critical target; perhaps the best evidence for this is the enhanced sensitivity of DNA-repair-defkient cell mutants to this class of agents. Cis-platin is not defined as an alkylating agent because it lacks the alkyl group. However, it reacts with DNA in a manner analogous to alkylating agents, and in all other respects its mechanism of action is the same.
Customs, coupling, and the family in a changing culture.

Rapid change in social customs with respect to sexual relations and family structure has accentuated the problem of differential diagnosis. This paper considers the difficulties in distinguishing those forms of behavior that represent healthy exploration in the service of coping with social change from those that represent individual pathology masked by social change. Case examples illustrative of this contemporary clinical dilemma are offered.
Deconvolution of auger electron spectra for lineshape analysis and quantitation using a fast fourier transform algorithm

Abstract A Fast Fourier Transform algorithm for the deconvolution of electron energy loss processes and instrumental broadening functions from Auger lineshapes is presented. This method uses a scaled electron backscatter spectrum at the energy of the Auger transition to approximate the spectral features in the data due to energy-loss processes and instrumental broadening effects (the sample-instrument response function, SIRF). Auger spectra, following deconvolution of the SIRF, show little variation to changes in the scaling of the low energy loss features of this backscatter spectrum, and little sensitivity to the choice of the truncation point of the SIRF in the frequency domain during apodization. Auger transitions for a series of sulfur oxyanions standards are comparable to transitions expected from independent molecular orbital calculations. The areas of the deconvolved oxygen ( KLL ) and sulfur ( LMM ) spectra were used to calculate oxygen-to-sulfur atomic ratios which were then corrected using standard theories for electron escape depth, electron impact ionization cross section and backscattering coefficient. These relative atomic ratios agree with the stoichiometry obtained from the molecular formulas of the standard compounds.
The satellite DNA's of some higher plants.

Abstract 1. 1. Methods have been developed for the isolation of chloroplast and nuclear fractions from a number of higher plants and the extraction of their DNA's. Nicotiana tabacum has been shown to contain two satellite DNA's with buoyant densities of 1.706 and 1.710 g/cm 3 . The former is the chloroplast DNA and is the DNA which was previously shown to be labelled faster than the nuclear DNA in young seedlings. It is found in the seeds where it makes up about 2 % of the total DNA. 2. 2. The other plants, Tagetes patula, Antirrhinum majus, Dianthus caryophilus, Ranunculus repens and Equisetum all contain at least one satellite DNA, probably associated with the chloroplast. There is a very great similarity in nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial DNA base compositions among the higher plants, especially within the dicotyledons. In every case, the GC contents of the satellite DNA's are higher than those of the nuclear DNA's.
Mechanisms regulating suckling-mediated anovulation in the cow

Abstract This review summarizes our current understanding of mechanisms through which the suckling calf attenuates gonadotropin secretion and extends the postpartum anovulatory interval of cattle. Recent research has clearly demonstrated the importance of the maternal-offspring bond in mediating these effects, including roles for maternal vision, olfaction, and calf identity. However, little is known about the hormonal and neural control of maternal behavior in cattle. Goals to further define the physiological regulation of this behavior and its relationship to hypothalamic GnRH secretion have recently been facilitated by techniques for monitoring GnRH release in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the third ventricle. Glucose availability, the insulin-like peptides, and uterine prostaglandin F 2α have also been shown to play pivotal roles in the transition out of the anovulatory state. Continuing advances in these areas of fundamental biology should lay the groundwork for the development of novel management strategies of the future.
A high count rate multi-wire proportional counter

Abstract The construction of a high count rate multi-wire gas-flow proportional counter is detailed. The counter has a high count rate limit of up to 1 000 000 counts/s in the 14.4 keV energy region. It is constructed with fine co-parallel anode wires and uses argon methane counting gas. It is especially useful for Mossbauer experiments where the sample is thin and the Mossbauer effect size is small.
Using Standardized Clients in the Classroom: An Evaluation of a Training Module to Teach Active Listening Skills to Social Work Students

This article describes the implementation of a module that utilizes drama students to teach social work students how to use active listening skills in an interview environment. The module was implemented during a semester‐long micro skills practice course taught to 13 undergraduate social work seniors in a western liberal arts university. Four drama students attending the same university served as clients. Clients evaluated the social work students' active listening skills at the end of the interview, and social work students completed self evaluations and evaluations on the module. Results indicated that the module was effective in helping students to learn interviewing skills and identify strengths and weakness regarding use of skills. Implications for social work education are discussed.
Refractory giant cell arteritis with spinal cord infarction

We report an elderly patient with aggressive steroid-refractory giant cell arteritis manifesting as myelopathy and bilateral visual loss while on treatment. Pathologically, spinal cord infarction was observed and was due to extensive necrotizing granulomatous arteritis of spinal arteries. Spinal cord damage in giant cell arteritis is rare. One prior autopsy report of spinal cord infarction in giant cell arteritis did not identify vasculitic changes in the spinal arteries.
TH‐C‐BRA‐02: Image Registration on GPU

Medical image registration is a process of aligning two or more sets of images for combining complementary anatomical and functional information. It plays important roles for many radiation therapy applications including tumor delineation target localization for daily treatmentadaptive radiation therapy 4D treatment planning etc. However one of the limiting factors for their ways to routine clinical use is their lengthy execution time. It is especially true for intensity‐base deformable image registration (DIR) algorithms. To overcome such problem many researchers have resorted to commodity PC graphics processing units (GPU) which are powerful parallel computation platforms and yet cheap and readily available off the shelves. In the past GPUs had fixed pipeline architectures optimized for rendering graphics primitives such as lines and polygons but modern GPUs are flexible enough for programmers to run general purpose algorithms through special shader or C/C++ like programming languages. Many commonly accepted rigid and non‐rigid registration algorithms have successfully been adapted to GPU architectures. In this session we will review GPU‐based algorithms of 3D/2D registrations that exploit GPU for generating digitally reconstructed radiographs diffusion‐based ones such as Demons and optical flow algorithms mono‐/multi‐modal elastic registration algorithms as well as implementations of mutual information based image registration techniques. Learning Objectives: 1. To understand basic components of image registration algorithms. 2. To learn the methods of mapping the algorithms to GPU; similarity metrics and transformations.
Common Visual Representation for Websites and Smartphones

As websites are getting international in content and readership, a need for a language neural and intuitive representation of common messages are needed for websites. We survey existing common communication standards and propose a common visual representation protocol based on sign language. Common phrase types and formation syntax for visual representation are presented. The proposed representation protocol is equally useful for smartphones. Smartphones are known to be characterized with users of international background, small screen, and mobile constraints. Our proposed common visual representation should be a good fit for these known challenges facing smartphones.
Mechanism of Gonadotropin Action in Amphibia: Involvement of Mitochondria

Luteinizing hormone (a pituitary gonadotropic hormone) stimulates Δ5-3β- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the microsomal fraction of frog testes when incubated together with the mitochondria; incubation together with the nuclei instead of the mitochondria does not result in increased, Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. The increase is not, induced by adenosine triphosphate, it appears to be hormone-specific, and it is sensitive to puromycin and actinomycin D. These data suggest that the mitochondrial DNA may be involved in mediating the action of luteinizing hormone in amphibian steroidogenesis.
High serum levels interfere with the normal differentiated state of avian tendon cells by altering translational regulation

Abstract In low serum (0.2%) medium, ascorbate stimulates primary avian tendon cells to increase procollagen synthesis from 12 to 50% of total protein synthesis. This is reversibly blocked by an increase of serum levels from 0.2 to 3%. Ascorbate in low serum medium has been shown previously to stimulate the procollagen pathway by sequentially increasing by sixfold the secretion rate constant, then translation rates, and finally mRNA levels. We now show that addition of ascorbate to cultures containing 3% serum induces a sixfold increase in the secretion rate constant but translation rates and mRNA levels remain unchanged. In fully induced cells, an increase in serum levels causes a down-regulation of procollagen synthesis. In this case, the translational products of the induced cell are rapidly altered (
Existence of Arrow–Radner Equilibrium with Endogenously Complete Markets under Incomplete Information☆

Abstract A stochastic pure exchange economy with incomplete information is studied where one risky asset and a locally riskless bond are traded. The underlying risks are described by a k -dimensional Brownian motion with k ⩾2. The Brownian motion is not directly observable. Agents observe only asset prices and dividends. Existence of an Arrow–Radner equilibrium is established. In such an equilibrium, asset prices result such that every informationally feasible consumption plan can be financed by trading in the risky asset and the bond. In this sense, the resulting asset market is complete. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: G12, G14, D51.