cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tailored for Panama: Offshore Banking at the Crossroads of the Americas

With the steady integration of a deregulated world of hypermobile capital, offshore banking has become an increasingly significant part of the geography of international finance. Many interpretatio...
Mechanistic insights into the Pd(BINAP)-catalyzed amination of aryl bromides: kinetic studies under synthetically relevant conditions.

Kinetic studies using reaction calorimetry were carried out under synthetically relevant conditions to study the mechanism of the amination of bromobenzene with primary and secondary amines using Pd2(dba)3/BINAP mixtures as well as preformed (dba)Pd(BINAP), (p-tolyl)(Br)Pd(BINAP), and Pd(BINAP)2 complexes. The presence of a significant induction period in the reaction was attributed to the slow activation of the catalytic precursor, resulting in an increase in the concentration of active species within the catalytic cycle. The induction period can mask the true kinetics of the reaction, which exhibits positive order dependences on aryl bromide and amine and zero-order dependence on base. It is also determined that the bis-ligand complex Pd(BINAP)2 does not play a role directly on the catalytic cycle. In addition to the conventionally accepted pathway involving oxidative addition of the aryl halide to (BINAP)Pd as the first step, a pathway initiated by addition of the amine to the catalyst is proposed and ...
M&A in the mideast

We all know that the Middle East is a political hotspot. But what has been happening there with mergers and acquisitions (M&As)? This article reports on recent M&A activity and gives breakdowns by nationality, industry, home countries, and more. The authors also compare M&A activities in four key countries: Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of disseminative route on the liver‐ and lung‐colonizing efficiencies of B16 melanoma and colon‐26 carcinoma in mice

Tumor-colony formation in the liver and lungs of mice was assessed, after delivery of equal numbers of B16 melanoma or colon-26 carcinoma cells via the portal vein or the hepatic artery, and via the pulmonary artery or the bronchial artery. Significantly greater lung involvement occurred after delivery of both cell types via the bronchial artery than via the pulmonary artery. In the case of colon-26 cells, liver colonization via the hepatic artery was more efficient than via the portal vein. In the case of B16 cells, no route-dependent differences in liver colonization were detected. Our results indicate that during hematogenous metastasis, the vascular route taken by some cancer cells to the same target organ may considerably modify the efficiency with which they form metastases.
The activity of flavone acetic acid (NSC 347512) on human colon cancer cells in vitro.

Flavone acetic acid (FAA) was incubated for 1 to 48 hr with 3 established human colon cancer cell lines endowed with distinct degrees of phenotypic properties. All 3 lines responded to FAA in almost identical fashion; when incubated with the drug for only 1 hr, an initial decrease in survival was observed for concentrations of 250 μg/ml but no further increments in cytotoxicity were elicited when the concentration of FAA was augmented. Increasing the length of treatment yielded relatively modest increments (about 1 log) in cell killing only after an interval of 48 hr and only at the highest concentration (1000 μg/ml). Because of these relatively poor cytotoxic effects and because the therapeutic range of FAA is so narrow, we conclude that this agent will not be a valuable contribution to the antitumor arsenal, at least for colon cancer.
Size control in dynamic organelles

The mechanisms that control organelle size are unknown. Flagellar length regulation is the most accessible of all organelle-size-control problems, and experiments on flagellar assembly have provided important clues to how flagellar length is controlled, as a balance of assembly and disassembly. I propose that the inherent length dependence of intraflagellar transport might be what allows the flagellum to reach a defined length. This model of the flagellum might represent a general scheme for organelle size control that could apply to any organelle whose maintenance involves continuous assembly balanced by disassembly.
Theory of polar phonon assisted tunneling

Abstract A comparison of theoretical and experimental pre-exponential tunneling factors is made for direct and phonon assisted tunneling in InSb. We find a theoretical ratio of 0.003 for the phonon to direct current ratio whereas the observed ratio is about 0.10. This discrepancy cannot be accounted for by a lack of knowledge of the band structure, scattering mechanisms or junction widths in InSb, but reflects the inadequacy of the current theory of tunneling. Similar discrepancies in the pre-exponential factors of Ge are also discussed.
Comparison of three different detectors applied to synthetic aperture radar data

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has investigated the relative performance of three different target detection paradigms applied to foliage penetration (FOPEN) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The three detectors - a quadratic polynomial discriminator (QPD), Bayesian neural network (BNN) and a support vector machine (SVM) - utilize a common collection of statistics (feature values) calculated from the fully polarimetric FOPEN data. We describe the parametric variations required as part of the algorithm optimizations, and we present the relative performance of the detectors in terms of probability of false alarm (Pfa) and probability of detection (Pd).
The Effect of Refrigerated and Frozen Storage on Populations of Mesophilic and Coliform Bacteria on Fresh Broiler Chicken Carcasses

Experiments were conducted to determine whether lots of broiler chicken carcasses analyzed at Day 0 or subjected to various refrigeration or freezing temperatures could be microbiologically differentiated using impedance microbiological methods. Sixty ready-to-cook broiler chicken carcasses were collected from a processing facility and used in each of three replicate trials. For each trial, 10 carcasses each were: sampled immediately (Day 0 control), sampled after holding at 3 C for 13 d (Refrigerated control), sampled after holding at 0 C for 12 d and tempering at 3 C for 24 h (Refrigerated 0), sampled after holding at -3.9 C for 12 d and tempering at 3 C for 24 h (Frozen -3.9), sampled after holding at -7.8 C for 12 d and tempering at 3 C for 24 h (Frozen -7.8), and sampled after holding at -27.0 C for 12 d and tempering at 3 C for 24 h (Frozen -27). Carcasses were sampled using a whole carcass rinse procedure. Mesophilic impedance detection times (MDT) and coliform impedance detection times (CDT) at 42 C were conducted in duplicate on each carcass rinse. Lots of carcasses held at 0 C or below had significantly fewer mesophiles than those held at 3 C. The MDT would be suitable for distinguishing carcasses held at 0 C or below from those held at 3 C. Using CDT, lots of carcasses frozen at -7.8 or -27.0 C could be distinguished from lots analyzed at Day 0 or held at 0 or 3 C. Using CDT, lots of carcasses frozen at -3.9 could not be separated from those held at 3 C, but could be distinguished from those held at 0 C. Monitoring coliforms using impedance would be useful for identifying lots of carcasses subjected to temperatures of -7.8 C or below but would not be suitable for determining freezing temperature.
Closed Form Nonlinear Analysis of the Peninsula Blister Test

Previous work by Liechti and Shirani [1] has shown that, among the family of blister tests, the peninsula blister test is the best because of low plastic deformation. This work further examines the peninsula blister test, derives new solutions, and accounts for residual stresses. An approximate nonlinear analysis of the peninsula blister based on the minimum potential energy method was developed for extracting the toughness of thin films bonded to stiff substrates. This analysis, which is easily applied to specimens with finite dimensions, was validated against an exact analytical solution for plane strain and a three-dimensional finite element analysis. Experiments with a film adhesive, Hysol EA 9696®, were conducted. Bulge tests were used to obtain the elastic properties of and the residual stresses in the film. The fracture experiments were used to check the solutions and determine the toughness of the bond between the adhesive and aluminum. In both experiments, in addition to the usual measurements of...
Hemoglobin-Induced Cytotoxicity in Rat Cerebral Cortical Neurons: Caspase Activation and Oxidative Stress

Background and Purpose — Apoptotic-like pathways may contribute to brain cell death after intracerebral hemorrhage. In this study, we used a simplified in vitro model of hemoglobin neurotoxicity to map the caspase cascades involved and to document the role of oxidative stress. Methods — Primary neuronal cultures were obtained from rat cerebral cortex and exposed to hemoglobin to induce cell death. Cytotoxicity was assessed via measurements of mitochondrial viability (MTT assay) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH assay). Activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 was measured by Western blot and enzyme activity assays. Various caspase inhibitors (zVADfmk, zDEVDfmk, zIETDfmk, and zLEHDfmk) were tested for neuroprotective efficacy. The role of oxidative stress was assessed with the use of U83836E as a potent scavenger of free radicals. Results — Exposure of primary cortical neurons to hemoglobin induced a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity. Western blots showed upregulation of cleaved caspase-3. Enzyme assays showed an increase in caspase-9–like and caspase-3–like activity. However, caspase inhibition did not result in neuroprotection. In contrast, the free radical scavenger U83836E significantly reduced hemoglobin-induced neuronal death. Combination treatment with both U83836E and the broad spectrum caspase inhibitor zVADfmk did not yield additional protection. Conclusions — Upstream and downstream caspases were upregulated after hemoglobin-induced neurotoxicity in vitro, but only an antioxidant approach with a potent free radical scavenger significantly improved neuronal survival. These data suggest that in addition to the activation of caspase cascades, parallel pathways of oxidative stress may predominate in this model of hemoglobin neurotoxicity.
Step and Pulse Transient Studies of Ir-Observable Adsorbates During NO and CO Reaction on Rh/SiO2

The dynamics and reactivity of infrared-observable adsorbates for the reaction of NO with CO over a 44% Rh/SiO2 catalyst have been studied by in situ infrared spectroscopy combined with steady-state isotopic and pulse NO-CO transient techniques. Steady-state isotopic transient results reveal that (i) a rapid exchange between the gaseous CO and adsorbed CO occurs on the Rh surface; (ii) Rh+(12CO)(13CO) is an intermediate for the exchange between Rh+(12CO)2 and gaseous 13CO; (iii) the adsorbed NCO species is not directly involved in the formation of CO2; (iv) the residence time of the intermediate for CO2 formation decreases with an increase in temperature from 473 to 573 K. At 573 K, rapid NO dissociation led to the high availability of surface oxygen, which results in CO2 response leading the CO response during steady-state isotopic transient studies. Pulse NO-CO transients further confirm that the NCO species is not a reaction intermediate in the formation of CO2. Pulse NO-CO studies show that Rh-NO−, Rh-NCO, and CO2 are formed prior to gem-dicarbonyl; CO2 can be produced without involving the gem-dicarbonyl as an intermediate. Steady-state isotopic transient and pulse studies were excellent complementary techniques that provided an insight into the reactivity and dynamics of adsorbates under reaction condition.
Modification of membrane fluidity in melanin-containing cells by low-level microwave radiation.

The treatment of a B16 melanoma cell line with 2.45-GHz pulsed microwaves (10 mW/cm2, 10-μs pulses at 100 pps, 1-h exposure; SAR, 0.2 W/kg) resulted in changes of membrane ordering as measured by EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) reporter techniques. The changes reflected a shift from a more fluid-like phase to a more solid (ordered) state of the cell membrane. Exposure of artificially prepared liposomes that were reconstituted with melanin produced similar results. In contrast, neither B16 melanoma cells treated with 5-Bromo-2-Deoxyuridine (3 μg/day × 7 days) to render them amelanotic, nor liposomes prepared without melanin, exhibited the microwave-facilitated increase of ordering. Inhibition of the ordering was achieved by the use of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which strongly implicates oxygen radicals as a cause of the membrane changes. The data indicate that a significant, specific alteration of cell-membrane ordering followed microwave exposure. This alteration was unique to melanotic membranes and was due, at least in part, to the generation of oxygen radicals. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Magnus force and Chern-Simons vortices.

By employing Manton's method, we show that Chern-Simons vortices in the presence of a background density experience the Magnus force.
A potassium channel blocker induces a long-lasting enhancement of corticostriatal responses

Disruptions in synaptic plasticity in the dorsal striatum may contribute to the pathophysiology underlying Parkinson's disease. Here we report a novel, chemically-induced form of plasticity induced by application of the potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA) in the dorsolateral striatum of the adult rat. Transient application of TEA persistently increased synaptically-evoked extracellularly-recorded corticostriatal responses in an activity-, concentration- and time-dependent manner. Pharmacological experiments suggest that this plasticity is dependent on L-type calcium channel and protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Striatal dopamine depletion induced by nigrostriatal dopamine lesions with 6-hydroxydopamine significantly reduced, but did not abolish, TEA-mediated enhancement of the corticostriatal response. Intracellular recordings demonstrate that this TEA-mediated plasticity is associated with an increase in EPSP size and slope, as well as input resistance. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a novel form of L-type calcium channel-dependent plasticity in the adult dorsal striatum that is induced in the absence of dopaminergic input.
Varieties generated by 2-testable monoids

The smallest monoid containing a 2-testable semigroup is defined to be a 2-testable monoid. The well-known Brandt monoid B21 of order six is an example of a 2-testable monoid. The finite basis problem for 2-testable monoids was recently addressed and solved. The present article continues with the investigation by describing all monoid varieties generated by 2-testable monoids. It is shown that there are 28 such varieties, all of which are finitely generated and precisely 19 of which are finitely based. As a comparison, the sub-variety lattice of the monoid variety generated by the monoid B21 is examined. This lattice has infinite width, satisfies neither the ascending chain condition nor the descending chain condition, and contains non-finitely generated varieties.
A factor endowment approach to international market selection

Previous research on international market selection (IMS) typically is a-theoretical in nature and primarily focuses on a few, mostly developed countries. Here, we address both issues by (1) using factor endowment theory to predict IMS choices for the direct selling industry and (2) for a sample that includes 51 developed and developing countries representing 91% of total global GDP. Results indicate that the direct selling industry thrives in international markets with greater income inequality, greater female income inequality, less financial freedom, and access to the Internet. Implications of our study are discussed.
Two Mutations of Synaptic Transmission in Drosophila

Evoked transmitter release is abnormal at the larval neuromuscular junctions of two Drosophila mutants. Following a single nerve impulse, the increased calcium conductance at the nerve terminal, which lasts for 1 ms in normal larvae, lasts for at least 60 ms in one mutant and several seconds in the other. Both mutations appear to affect the same gene on the X-chromosome. Normal larvae treated with 4-aminopyridine, a potassium channel blocking agent, mimic the abnormal synaptic transmission of one mutant. Normal larvae treated with tetraethylammonium, another potassium channel blocking agent, mimic the abnormal synaptic transmission of the other mutant. From these and other experiments, we suggest that the abnormal neuromuscular transmission in these mutants may be caused by defective potassium channels in the nerve terminal membrane.
Characteristics of an “Ill-Defined” Diagnosis for Stroke Opportunities for Improvement

Background and Purpose— Rapid and accurate evaluation of stroke subtypes is crucial for optimal treatment and outcomes. This study assessed factors associated with the likelihood of an “ill-defined” diagnosis for stroke hospitalizations. Methods— We examined all hospital claims for stroke among Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years in 2000. Stroke subtypes included hemorrhagic (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 430 to 432), ischemic (433 to 434), ill-defined (436 to 437), and late effects of cerebrovascular disease (438). Results— Among 445 452 hospital claims for stroke, 65.3% were ischemic, 20.9% were ill defined, 11.9% were hemorrhagic, and 1.9% were late effects of cerebrovascular disease. After controlling for age, women (odds ratio [OR],1.30; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.32), blacks (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.33), and Hispanics (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.34) were more likely to receive a discharge diagnosis of ill defined compared with men and whites, res...
A paradox of medicalization: Physicians, families and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Although medicalization of dementing disorders encompasses broad societal developments, such trends influence and are influenced by the context of everyday expectations and behaviors. This study provides evidence based on data from physicians in the medical community and family caregivers in the lay community that the medicalization process of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders remains incomplete. The findings suggest that physicians and families currently resolve the paradox between physician capability and family expectations by accepting the definition of Alzheimer's disease as a unique, highly variable, currently incurable illness.
Mesial prefrontal cortical lesions and timidity in rats. I. Reactivity to aversive stimuli

Two experiments were conducted to assess the degree to which mesial prefrontal cortical (MFC) lesions in male rats alter the behavioral manifestations of fear (timidity). The first experiment gauged the reactivity to the threat of electroshock. MFC lesions did not alter the incidence of freezing in a box associated with shock. MFC and sham-lesioned subjects made few errors when they were required to run from an open field into a small compartment to avoid shock, but displayed the classical MFC deficit when forced to run in the opposite direction. MFC lesions also increased the latency to enter an open field when the field was novel or aversive, but not when it was familiar. In a second experiment, it was found that the classical MFC hoarding deficit occurred when rats had to traverse an illuminated but not a dark runway to reach food pellets. Similarly, burrowing was normal when subjects had to burrow to escape from an open field, but not when they had to enter an open field to burrow. It is concluded that damage restricted to MFC enhances timidity, and that this effect accounts for several behavioral alterations that contribute to the MFC lesion syndrome.
MicroCT quantification of in vitro bone resorption of neonatal murine calvaria exposed to IL-1 or PTH.

Abstract This study investigated how effectively a laboratory microCT (X-ray micro-computed tomography) system can quantify bone resorption in an in vitro calvarial model and how well this measure correlates with a conventional assay for calcium release (fluorometric titration). In vitro bone resorption in neonatal murine calvaria was quantified for 0.3 or 1.0 nM interleukin-1 (IL-1) or for 1.0 or 10.0 nM parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment. Compared to control calvaria, a significantly greater fraction F of the calvarial “shell” (computed from the volumetric microCT data) was resorbed in treated calvaria of 5- to 7-day-old pups from the same litter. Excellent correlation (R2=0.8234) was observed between F and calcium release, and, unlike the calcium assay, the 3-D maps revealed where bone was resorbed. Mineral was preferentially lost near the sutures, and areas away from the suture were left relatively intact. MicroCT of calvaria before and after 96 h culture demonstrated that this X-irradiation neither increased control resorption nor prevented responses in the treated calvaria. Observations on calvaria from intact mice aged 1, 3, 5, 8, and 11 days showed uniformly distributed mineral (not a pronounced patchwork of “high” and “low” mineral regions) and increasing levels of mineral with age; this suggested that the spatial patterns of resorption were not related to inhomogeneities in the starting mineral distribution.
Urey ratio and the structure and evolution of Earth's mantle

[1] The Urey ratio describes the contribution of internal heat production to planetary-scale energy balance, and knowing this thermal budget for Earth is essential to understand its long-term evolution. Internal heat production is provided by the decay of radiogenic elements, whose budget is constrained by geochemical models of Earth. Understanding the thermal budget thus requires contributions from both geophysics and geochemistry. The purpose of this review is to elucidate various geochemical and geophysical arguments and to delineate the most likely thermal budget of Earth. While the bulk Earth Urey ratio is probably ∼0.35, the convective Urey ratio is estimated to be ∼0.2. That is, only ∼20% of convective heat flux seems to originate from radiogenic elements at present, so the rest should be supported by secular cooling. A likely scenario for Earth's thermal history indicates that the peculiarity of today's significant imbalance between heat production and heat loss may result from the initiation of plate tectonics in the early Earth.
Cellular and molecular neuropathology of the parahippocampal region in schizophrenia.

: The entorhinal cortex, subiculum, and hippocampus have been regions of great interest in both clinical and neuropathological investigations of schizophrenia. Postmortem studies have identified numerous abnormalities, although many remain controversial or unconfirmed. Among the cellular and molecular neuropathological findings are (1) abnormal cytoarchitecture of the entorhinal cortex characterized by poorly formed layer II neuron clusters and laminar disorganization; (2) normal neuron density but smaller neuron size in the superficial lamina of the entorhinal cortex and subiculum; (3) abnormal expression of the microtubule-associated protein MAP2 in the entorhinal cortex and subiculum; (4) aberrant glutamatergic and catecholaminergic innervation of the entorhinal cortex; (5) abnormal mRNA expression of various transcription factors, ion channels, and neurosecretory pathway-related proteins in entorhinal stellate neurons; and (6) an absence of any neurodegeneration. Altogether, these findings suggest that aberrant neurodevelopmental processes play a key role in the pathobiology of schizophrenia and provide a neuroanatomic basis for understanding many of the clinical and neuropsychological abnormalities in the disorder.
Parents' Supportive Reactions to Sexual Orientation Disclosure Associated With Better Health: Results From a Population-Based Survey of LGB Adults in Massachusetts

This study investigated associations between coming out to parents, experiences of parental support, and self-reported health behaviors and conditions among a population-based sample of LGB individuals using data collected via the 2002 Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS; N = 177). We explored the following two hypotheses: 1) Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals who had never disclosed their sexual orientation to a parent would report higher levels of risk behaviors and poorer health conditions than those who had come out; and 2) among LGB respondents who had come out to their parents, the individuals whose parents had reacted unsupportively would report higher levels of risk behaviors and poorer health conditions than those who had come out to parents who were supportive. Approximately two thirds of gay and bisexual (GB) males and lesbian and bisexual (LB) females reported receiving adequate social and emotional support from the parent to whom they first disclosed their sexual orientation. Among LB females, no disclosure of sexual orientation to a parent was associated with significantly elevated levels of past-month illicit drug use (AOR 12.16, 95% CI 2.87-51.54), fair or poor self-reported health status (AOR 5.71, 95% CI 1.45-22.51), and >15 days of depression in the past month (AOR 5.95, 95% CI 1.78-19.90), controlling for potential confounders. However, nondisclosure to a parent by GB males was not associated with greater odds of any of the health indicators assessed. Among GB males, those with unsupportive parents were significantly more likely to report current binge drinking (AOR 6.94, 95% CI 1.70-28.35) and >15 days depression in the past month (AOR 6.08, 95% CI 1.15-32.15), and among LB females, those with unsupportive parents were significantly more likely to report lifetime illicit drug use (AOR 11.43, 95% CI 2.50-52.30), and >15 days depression in the past month (AOR 5.51, 95% CI 1.36-22.36). We conclude that coming out may be associated with better health for LB women, and that parents who react nonsupportively when their children disclose LGB sexual orientation may contribute to children's increased odds of depression and hazardous substance use.
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and the Risk of Death in Middle-aged and Older Adults

Background Red cell distribution width (RDW), a component of an electronic complete blood count, is a measure of heterogeneity in the size of circulating erythrocytes. In patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease (CVD), RDW is associated with mortality. However, it has not been demonstrated that RDW is a predictor of mortality independent of nutritional deficiencies or in the general population.
Influence of Surface Morphology on the Wettability of Microstructured ZnO-Based Surfaces

The effect of sample microstructure on water dynamic wetting behavior was examined for superhydrophobic ZnO films. Surface morphology ranging from needle arrays to overlapping platelets was controlled through judicious choice of hydrothermal reaction conditions. Structure modification with alkyl and perfluoroalkyl chains yielded films characterized by advancing contact angles that ranged from 159° to 171°. Contact angle hysteresis was less than 2° with needles (tip diameter 169° and hysteresis <7°.
Effects of data imbalance on estimation of heritability

Effects of data imbalance on bias, sampling variance and mean square error of heritability estimated with variance components were examined using a random two-way nested classification. Four designs, ranging from zero imbalance (balanced data) to “low”, “medium” and “high” imbalance, were considered for each of four combinations of heritability (h2=0.2 and 0.4) and sample size (N=120 and 600). Observations were simulated for each design by drawing independent pseudo-random deviates from normal distributions with zero means, and variances determined by heritability. There were 100 replicates of each simulation; the same design matrix was used in all replications. Variance components were estimated by analysis of variance (Henderson's Method 1) and by maximum likelihood (ML). For the design and model used in this study, bias in heritability based on Method 1 and ML estimates of variance components was negligible. Effect of imbalance on variance of heritability was smaller for ML than for Method 1 estimation, and was smaller for heritability based on estimates of sire-plus-dam variance components than for heritability based on estimates of sire or dam variance components. Mean square error for heritability based on estimates of sire-plus-dam variance components appears to be less sensitive to data imbalance than heritability based on estimates of sire or dam variance components, especially when using Method 1 estimation. Estimation of heritability from sire-plus-dam components was insensitive to differences in data imbalance, especially for the larger sample size.
The importance of a picture archiving and communications system (PACS) manager for large-scale PACS installations

Installing a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is a massive undertaking for any radiology department. Facilities making a successful transition to digital systems are finding that a PACS manager helps guide the way and offers a heightened return on the investment. The PACS manager fills a pivotal role in a multiyear, phased PACS installation. PACS managers navigate a facility through the complex sea of issues surrounding a PACS installation by coordinating the efforts of the vendor, radiology staff, hospital administration, and the information technology group. They are involved in the process from the purchase decision through the design and implementation phases. They can help administrators justify a PACS, purchase and shape the request for proposal (RFP) process before a vendor is even chosen. Once a supplier has been selected, the PACS manager works closely with the vendor and facility staff to determine the best equipment configuration for his or her facility, and makes certain that all deadlines are met during the planning and installation phase. The PACS manager also ensures that the infrastructure and backbone of the facility are ready for installation of the equipment. PACS managers also help the radiology staff gain acceptance of the technology by serving as teachers, troubleshooters, and the primary point-of-contact for all PACS issues. This session will demonstrate the value of a PACS manager, as well as point out ways to determine the manager’s responsibilities. By the end of the session, participants will be able to describe the role of a PACS manager as it relates to departmental operation and in partnership with equipment vendors, justify a full-time position for a PACS manager, and identify the qualifications of candidates for the position of PACS manager.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR READERS OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY LITERATURE

AbstractImportant information for developing an internal standard for high-performance liquid chromatography has been presented in a tabular form. If acetonitrile is substituted for methanol, the column lives are longer and costly repairs of the chromatograph are not needed that often. Approximately 1% of acetonitrile can be substituted for 2% of methanol.
Investigation on a Mn-Ti High Strength Steel

By controlled rolling and cooling process, a Mn-Ti high strength steel with yield strength on the order of 700MPa had been developed successfully. The microstructure consists of fine lath shaped bainite and ferrite. The strengthening factors of this steel are attributed to the tiny interlocked distribution of bainite lath and titanium carbide precipitation. When the amount of bainite is more than 70%, the yield strength of steel is higher than 700MPa, and good mechanical performances are obtained. As a result of presence of finely dispersed bainite slabs the plasticity of steel is improved, with the steel’s elongation being about 19%. Many tiny TiC precipitates are observed under transmission electron micrograph, and these particles result in precipitation strengthening.
Safety verification for linear systems

An embedded software controller is safe if the composition of the controller and the plant does not reach any unsafe state starting from legal initial states (in an unbounded time horizon). Linear systems -- specified using linear ordinary differential or difference equations -- form an important class of models for such control systems. We present a new decidability result for safety verification of linear systems. Our decidability result assumes that the set of initial states and the set of unsafe states satisfy some conditions. When the set of initial and unsafe states do not satisfy these conditions, they can be overapproximated by sets that do satisfy the conditions. We thus get a counterexample guided abstraction refinement (CEGAR) procedure for the unconstrained safety verification of linear systems. Our new procedure performs abstraction-refinement on the initial and unsafe region, and not on the system itself. We present the new procedure and describe experimental results that demonstrate its effectiveness.
An Exported Peptide Functions Intracellularly to Contribute to Cell Density Signaling in B. subtilis

Competence development and sporulation in B. subtilis are partly controlled by peptides that accumulate in culture medium as cells grow to high density. We constructed two genes that encode mature forms of two different signaling molecules, the PhrA peptide that stimulates sporulation, and CSF, the competence- and sporulation-stimulating factor. Both pentapeptides are normally produced by secretion and processing of precursor molecules. The mature pentapeptides were functional when expressed inside the cell, indicating that they normally need to be imported to function. Furthermore, at physiological concentrations (10 nM), CSF was transported into the cell by the oligopeptide permease encoded by spo0K (opp). CSF was shown to have at least three different targets corresponding to its three activities: stimulating competence gene expression at low concentrations, and inhibiting competence gene expression and stimulating sporulation at high concentrations.
Time course for the effects of cocaine on fixed-ratio water-reinforced responding in rats

Four male rats performed during 35-min sessions under a schedule that arranged water delivery (0.04 ml) after every fortieth response. Cocaine (1.0–16.0 mg per rat, i.p.) was administered 15 min, 30 min, 60 min or 120 min prior to a session. When given 15 min prior to a session, cocaine (1.0–8.0 mg) in all rats produced dose-related decreases in responding. The largest dose, when given 15 min pre-session to two rats, almost completely suppressed responding. Lengthening the time between drug injection and test session attenuated the rate-decreasing effects of cocaine (1.0–8.0 mg), but did not affect the almost complete suppression of performance seen with the largest dose. Small doses (1.0–4.0 mg) had no effect on the pause in responding that occurred after water delivery. The 8.0-mg dose lengthened the pause by approximately 9000% and 650% when given 15 and 30 min prior to a session, respectively, but by less than 50% when given 60 or 120 min pre-session. Cocaine effects depend on the dose as well as the time of its administration prior to testing.
R -matrix formalism for local cells of arbitrary geometry

The $R$ matrix of Wigner and Eisenbud has been widely used in nuclear scattering theory and in the theory of electron scattering by atoms and molecules. To consider problems in solid-state or surface physics, where atoms are in complex environments, this theory must be put into a form that is valid for volumes enclosed by surfaces of arbitrary shape. A variational principle for an $?$ operator in general geometry is derived. This operator relates function values to normal derivatives on a surface $\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ of a closed volume $\ensuremath{\Omega}$ inside which the function satisfies Schr\"odinger's equation. Using a spherically averaged potential function, the $?$ operator for a Wigner-Seitz atomic cell can be computed from solutions of the local radial Schr\"odinger equation. Formulas that eliminate a common interface between adjacent cells are derived. With these methods, calculations carried out in modular subcells can be extended to larger structures. For regular solids, it is shown that periodic boundary conditions applied to functions and normal derivatives at the surface of a translational unit cell lead to a secular determinant expressed in terms of the $?$ operator for the unit cell, whose zeros determine energy-band structure.
A Life Devoted to Crime

This autobiography traces my professional and, to a lesser extent, personal life through my career as a forensic and correctional psychologist. As an only child living in the country and later attending boarding schools from the fifth grade through high school, I learned to be self-reliant and independent. These traits led me to join an archaeological expedition to Oaxaca when I was 18, which fostered my interest in anthropology and then psychology at Amherst. I survived the clinical training program at the University of California at Berkeley and while still in graduate school obtained a staff position at the Alameda County Probation Department Guidance Clinic where I began my interrelated research paths on clinical assessment and the dynamics of aggression, paths I continued as an assistant professor at the University of Texas (1964–1967) and as an associate to full professor at the Florida State University (1967–2003). My major research contributions have been the (a) delineation of the overcontrolled ...
Bond wireless multichip packaging technology for high-speed circuits

A multichip packaging technology has been developed for use in the advanced hybrid integration of semiconductor chips made of different materials. The resulting multichip module (MCM) is similar to a monolithic circuit in that all the interconnects are made by photolithography and thin-film metallization. Any semiconductor chip can be integrated in this scheme without special chip metallization patterns or the incorporation of special features on the chips. In this technique, chips with backside contacts, such as laser diodes and photodetectors, can be packaged, offering greater flexibility and speed than other hybrid or multichip packaging technologies. Several different optoelectronic receivers which combine various GaAs, Si, and GaInAs chips have been successfully integrated and operated at frequencies ranging from 100 MHz to above 1 GHz. >
Describing function analysis of an anti-backlash controller

We develop an anti-backlash controller for servo applications. This controller uses constant feedforward and feedback gains which can be chosen to set the level of control authority. We demonstrate this controller by means of two standard problems, namely, a pure backlash plant as well as a mechanical oscillator with position input through a deadzone. Using time domain analysis, we show that for both of these plants the compensator gains can be chosen to reduce the effects of backlash. Next, using a describing function analysis for the linearized frequency response, we show that the controller suppresses the effects of the nonlinearity in reducing phase delay and achieving unity gain in the servo response. While the describing function technique is classical, the analysis of the anti-backlash controller is nonstandard.
Comment: Kolnai’s Disgust

In The Meaning of Disgust (2011), Colin McGinn employs elements of the phenomenological theory of disgust advanced by Aurel Kolnai in 1929. Kolnai’s treatment of what he calls “material” disgust an...
Mass mortality in Pacific oysters is associated with a specific gene expression signature

Mass mortality events occur in natural and cultured communities of bivalve molluscs. The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is a dominant species in many intertidal locations as well as an important aquacultured bivalve species, and for the last 50 years, adult oysters have suffered frequent and extreme mass mortality events during summer months. To investigate the molecular changes that precede these mortality events, we employed a novel nonlethal sampling approach to collect haemolymph samples from individual oysters during the period that preceded a mortality event. Microarray-based gene expression screening of the collected haemolymph was used to identify a mortality gene expression signature that distinguished oysters that survived the mortality event from those individuals that died during the event. The signature was cross-validated by comparing two separate episodes of mortality. Here, we report that near-mortality oysters can be distinguished from longer-lived oysters by the elevated expression of genes associated with cell death, lysosomal proteolysis, and cellular assembly and organization. These results show the potential utility of nonlethal sampling approaches for investigating the environmental causes of mortality in natural populations in the field, and for predicting when such events could occur and which individuals will be affected.
Trends in occupational lead exposure since the 1978 OSHA lead standard.

Background The purpose of the study was to evaluate trends in occupational lead exposures throughout U.S. industry after the establishment of the general industry lead standard in 1978 and the construction industry standard in 1993. Methods Lead exposure measurements collected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under their compliance and consultation programs were analyzed. Time trends in the distributions of exposure levels were evaluated graphically. Trends in the proportion of exposures above the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) were analyzed using logistic regression models. Results The distribution of lead exposure levels declined over the study time period for general industry, but not for construction. The median exposure levels for general industry facilities decreased five- to tenfold. Logistic regression models reveal statistically significant declines in the odds of a lead exposure exceeding the PEL. Conclusions This study provides evidence for relatively large decreases in lead exposure levels in general industry facilities over time. The study does not provide similar evidence for the construction industry. Given the limited number of years of data available since the implementation of the revised construction standard for lead, re-analysis of lead exposure levels within this industry would be worthwhile when more data become available. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:558–572, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effectiveness of a Universal, Interdependent Group Contingency Program on Children's Academic Achievement: A Countywide Evaluation

The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is a universal prevention program designed to increase academic engagement and to decrease disruptive behavior in elementary school-age children. Teachers and other school personnel use interdependent group contingencies to improve students’ behavior in the classroom. Previous research indicates the GBG is efficacious in reducing behavior problems; however, little research has examined its effects on academic achievement in real-world settings. In this study, the authors evaluated the PAX GBG, a commercially available version of the GBG, as it is typically administered in elementary schools. The authors examined standardized reading and mathematics scores across one academic year for 949 students enrolled in the GBG or comparison classrooms. Results showed significant but small effects of the GBG on reading and mathematics. Results were greatest for boys, children with lower achievement scores at baseline, and students from more economically disadvantaged school districts. Sch...
A monograph on histomorphologic evaluation of lymphoid organs.

Shortly after the 2005 publication of the “Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP) Position Paper on Best Practice Guidelines for the Routine Pathology Evaluation of the Immune System” (Haley et al., 2005), the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Satellite Symposium that preceded the 2005 annual STP meeting provided an interactive forum on this topic. Using specific examples of normal and abnormal lymphoid tissue histology, both during and after the NTP Satellite Symposium, it became apparent that a set of specific examples to illustrate the STP position paper would be useful to the toxicologic pathology scientific community. The present Monograph on the Histomorphologic Evaluation of Lymphoid Organs represents that endeavor. In the process of assembling the photomicrographs to support the STP Best Practices position paper, we realized that an illustrated review of normal structure, function, and histology of lymphoid organs as well as representative examples of common spontaneous and treatment-related lesions would provide useful background reference material. This monograph consists of peer-reviewed papers covering normal structure, function, pathology, and enhanced histopathology for lymph nodes, thymus, bone marrow, spleen, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. In addition there is a paper on the immunohistochemistry of lymphoid organs. Papers dealing with enhanced histopathology are grouped separately in this monograph. Hopefully, topics covered will serve to bring focus to some relevant issues such as the distinction between thymic atrophy and physiological involution and assessment of direct immunomodulatory effects versus effects secondary to stress. We have not covered methods related to collection, processing, sectioning, and staining of lymphoid tissues or recommended a uniform grading scheme for severity of tissue alterations. The monograph emphasis is on rodent lesions with occasional addition of canine and nonhuman primate examples and is intended to be a guide and atlas for the general practicing toxicologic pathologist. All images are from hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides unless otherwise noted in the legend. The majority of images are produced in grayscale to maintain reasonable publication costs. All images are available in color on a CD-ROM inserted into this Monograph issue of Toxicologic Pathology. The images on the CD are of suitable resolution for teaching purposes. The occasional redundancy between papers and between the text and legends, plus some duplication of photomicrographs is a deliberate attempt to have individual papers as well as the enclosed CD of images be sufficiently comprehensive to stand-alone as a definitive resource. There was also
Innovative information visualization of electronic health record data: a systematic review

Objective This study investigates the use of visualization techniques reported between 1996 and 2013 and evaluates innovative approaches to information visualization of electronic health record (EHR) data for knowledge discovery. Methods An electronic literature search was conducted May–July 2013 using MEDLINE and Web of Knowledge, supplemented by citation searching, gray literature searching, and reference list reviews. General search terms were used to assure a comprehensive document search. Results Beginning with 891 articles, the number of articles was reduced by eliminating 191 duplicates. A matrix was developed for categorizing all abstracts and to assist with determining those to be excluded for review. Eighteen articles were included in the final analysis. Discussion Several visualization techniques have been extensively researched. The most mature system is LifeLines and its applications as LifeLines2, EventFlow, and LifeFlow. Initially, research focused on records from a single patient and visualization of the complex data related to one patient. Since 2010, the techniques under investigation are for use with large numbers of patient records and events. Most are linear and allow interaction through scaling and zooming to resize. Color, density, and filter techniques are commonly used for visualization. Conclusions With the burgeoning increase in the amount of electronic healthcare data, the potential for knowledge discovery is significant if data are managed in innovative and effective ways. We identify challenges discovered by previous EHR visualization research, which will help researchers who seek to design and improve visualization techniques.