cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Finite Element Study of Stable Crack-Growth in Superelastic Shape Memory Alloys

A finite-element analysis of stable crack growth in superelastic Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) is carried out for plane strain, mode I loading. The small-scale transformation assumption is employed in the calculations using displacement boundary conditions on a circular region that encloses the stress-induced phase transformation zone. The constitutive law adopts the classical rate-independent small-strain flow theory for the evolution equation of the transformation strains. The crack is assumed to propagate quasi-statically with the energy release rate maintained at a critical value; the analysis is accomplished by means of the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT). Resistance curves, obtained for a range of thermomechanical parameters, show enhanced fracture toughness.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Tissue cholesterol preservation: Solubility of cholesterol digitonide in ethanol

The solubility of purified cholesterol digitonide in absolute and aqueous ethanols was investigated. The results indicate that preservation of cholesterol (or other 3-B-hydroxysterols) in tissues prepared for electron and light microscopy by digitonin-containing fixatives may not be quantitative when ethanol and, in particular, absolute ethanol, is used for dehydration.
HMX decomposition model to characterize thermal damage

Abstract Thermal decomposition of the crystalline explosive, octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), is modeled using percolation theory in order to characterize thermal damage. Percolation theory has been used historically to describe fluid flow through a network of permeable and impermeable sites. To describe thermal decomposition, the permeable and impermeable sites are related to broken or unbroken bonds. For HMX, N2O groups are treated as sites connected by oxygen and methyl bridges. Bridges connect the N2O sites by CN bonds and by intermolecular attractions between N and O. The gas-phase reaction of N2O with CH2O is also included in the mechanism. Predictions are compared to time-to-explosion data. The state of the condensed material at ignition is characterized by finite HMX-fragments of various molecular weights.
Low temperature behavior of two-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets

Recent neutron-scattering data for the spin-correlation length in ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$ can be fitted quantitatively with an analysis of the quantum mechanical nonlinear \ensuremath{\sigma} model in two space dimensions. The coupling constant must be chosen in the range where an isolated ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ layer has antiferromagnetic order at T=0. The parameters are consistent with the spin-wave theory for the nearest-neighbor spin-(1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice.
Determinants of Cesarean Delivery in the US: A Lifecourse Approach

This study takes a lifecourse approach to understanding the factors contributing to delivery methods in the US by identifying preconception and pregnancy-related determinants of medically indicated and non-medically indicated cesarean section (C-section) deliveries. Data are from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort, a nationally representative, population-based survey of women delivering a live baby in 2001 (n = 9,350). Three delivery methods were examined: (1) vaginal delivery (reference); (2) medically indicated C-section; and (3) non-medically indicated C-sections. Using multinomial logistic regression, we examined the role of sociodemographics, health, healthcare, stressful life events, pregnancy complications, and history of C-section on the odds of medically indicated and non-medically indicated C-sections, compared to vaginal delivery. 74.2 % of women had a vaginal delivery, 11.6 % had a non-medically indicated C-section, and 14.2 % had a medically indicated C-section. Multivariable analyses revealed that prior C-section was the strongest predictor of both medically indicated and non-medically indicated C-sections. However, we found salient differences between the risk factors for indicated and non-indicated C-sections. Surgical deliveries continue to occur at a high rate in the US despite evidence that they increase the risk for morbidity and mortality among women and their children. Reducing the number of non-medically indicated C-sections is warranted to lower the short- and long-term risks for deleterious health outcomes for women and their babies across the lifecourse. Healthcare providers should address the risk factors for medically indicated C-sections to optimize low-risk delivery methods and improve the survival, health, and well-being of children and their mothers.
Macrocyst formation in Dictyostelium discoideum: Mating or selfing?

It is known from previous work that macrocysts are formed when the two strains of Dictyostelium discoideum (NC4 and V12) are mixed. By culturing NC4 and V12 amoebae together in various ratios and at several densities, and in experiments using vitally stained cells, we have shown that the number of macrocysts formed is directly related to the number of V 12 (but not NC4) cells present and that macrocysts may occur without sexual fusion.
Hypoplasia of the Inflow Portion of the Right Ventricle: An Angiocardiographic Sign of Tricuspid Atresia

Atresia of the tricuspid valve is constantly associated with a large interatrial communication and an underdeveloped right ventricle. The ventricle adjacent to the right atrium is usually represented by a solid mass of myocardium without a lumen and, therefore, remain unopacified on an angiocardiogram. The resulting triangular lucency between the contrast-filled right atrium and left ventricle is the angiocardiographic hallmark of tricuspid atresia.
Identification of allelic heterogeneity at type-2 diabetes loci and impact on prediction.

Although over 60 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified by meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for type-2 diabetes (T2D) among individuals of European descent, much of the genetic variation remains unexplained. There are likely many more SNPs that contribute to variation in T2D risk, some of which may lie in the regions surrounding established SNPs - a phenomenon often referred to as allelic heterogeneity. Here, we use the summary statistics from the DIAGRAM consortium meta-analysis of T2D genome-wide association studies along with linkage disequilibrium patterns inferred from a large reference sample to identify novel SNPs associated with T2D surrounding each of the previously established risk loci. We then examine the extent to which the use of these additional SNPs improves prediction of T2D risk in an independent validation dataset. Our results suggest that multiple SNPs at each of 3 loci contribute to T2D susceptibility (TCF7L2, CDKN2A/B, and KCNQ1; p<5×10−8). Using a less stringent threshold (p<5×10−4), we identify 34 additional loci with multiple associated SNPs. The addition of these SNPs slightly improves T2D prediction compared to the use of only the respective lead SNPs, when assessed using an independent validation cohort. Our findings suggest that some currently established T2D risk loci likely harbor multiple polymorphisms which contribute independently and collectively to T2D risk. This opens a promising avenue for improving prediction of T2D, and for a better understanding of the genetic architecture of T2D.
Casualties of war: the infection control assessment of civilians transferred from conflict zones to specialist units overseas for treatment

The casualties of global conflict attract media attention and sympathy in public, governmental, and non-governmental circles. Hospitals in developed countries offering specialist reconstructive or tertiary services are not infrequently asked to accept civilian patients from overseas conflict for complex surgical procedures or rehabilitation. Concern about the infection prevention and control risks posed by these patients, and the lack of a good evidence base on which to base measured precautions, means that the precautionary principle of accepting zero risk is usually followed. The aim of this article is to highlight infection control considerations that may be required when treating casualties from overseas conflict, based partly on our own experience. Currently there is a lack of published evidence and national consensus on how to manage these patients. The precautionary principle requires that there is an ongoing search for evidence and knowledge that can be used to move towards more traditional risk management. We propose that only by gathering the experiences of the many individual hospitals that have each cared for small numbers of such patients can such evidence and knowledge be assimilated.
Canonical quantization and the Wess-Zumino action

Abstract We consider the problem of defining canonical variables in the case where the lagrangian is not globally defined in configuration space. We first consider the nonabelian sigma model with the Wess-Zumino action in 1+1 dimensions and later generalize to more complicated models. We find that quantization is possible only if the coefficient of the Wess-Zumino action is quantized and, using the formalism developed, we extract some interesting information regarding the states of the theories considered. The procedure followed illustrates how a fibre bundle structure arises naturally in these models.
Coronary heart disease in situs inversus totalis

Abstract In patients with dextrocardia as a part of situs inversus totalis, coronary heart disease may occur with similar frequency and manifestations as in the general population. Diagnostic problems arise from the altered cardiovisceral relation; when these are recognized, coronary heart disease can be defined by the usual criteria. The use of electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic tracings with right-left reversal of all leads in patients with dextrocardia allows the recognition of abnormalities on the basis of standard criteria. Seven cases are reported, 1 followed up clinically and 6 studied at autopsy.
A specific stain for sulfhydryl groups in proteins after separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract A new method is described for specifically staining protein sulfhydryl groups after the proteins have been separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in slab gels. The stain will detect as little as 0.25 μg of lysozyme and 1 μg of most other proteins; the range of sensitivity for a specific protein depending on its sulfhydryl content. Proteins with no cysteine residues (type I collagen) and glycoproteins do not cause spurious staining.
Forecasting relative impacts of land use on anadromous fish habitat to guide conservation planning.

Land use change can adversely affect water quality and freshwater ecosystems, yet our ability to predict how systems will respond to different land uses, particularly rural-residential development, is limited by data availability and our understanding of biophysical thresholds. In this study, we use spatially explicit parcel-level data to examine the influence of land use (including urban, rural-residential, and vineyard) on salmon spawning substrate quality in tributaries of the Russian River in California. We develop a land use change model to forecast the probability of losses in high-quality spawning habitat and recommend priority areas for incentive-based land conservation efforts. Ordinal logistic regression results indicate that all three land use types were negatively associated with spawning substrate quality, with urban development having the largest marginal impact. For two reasons, however, forecasted rural- residential and vineyard development have much larger influences on decreasing spawning substrate quality relative to urban development. First, the land use change model estimates 10 times greater land use conversion to both rural-residential and vineyard compared to urban. Second, forecasted urban development is concentrated in the most developed watersheds, which already have poor spawning substrate quality, such that the marginal response to future urban development is less significant. To meet the goals of protecting salmonid spawning habitat and optimizing investments in salmon recovery, we suggest investing in watersheds where future rural-residential development and vineyards threaten high-quality fish habitat, rather than the most developed watersheds, where land values are higher.
en busca de tinteriLLos. intermediarios en eL mundo indígena ecuatoriano durante eL sigLo xx

RESUMEN Este articulo aborda el papel de los abogados semiprofesionales, conocidos como tinterillos, en las comunidades indigenas de la sierra ecuatoriana, a partir de mediados del siglo XIX, quienes adquirieron una presencia aparentemente ubicua en las comunidades rurales del Ecuador. Muchas veces los tinterillos fueron parte de las elites locales con algo de educacion. Inspiraban respeto entre los indigenas (quienes, en su mayoria, eran analfabetos) debido a su habilidad a manejar documentos escritos. Estos intermediarios comunmente explotaron su posicion privilegiada para su propio beneficio economico, social y politico. Sin embargo, los indigenas llegaron a depender del apoyo de los tinterillos para denunciar ante el gobierno los abusos de los terratenientes. En ocasiones, en lugar de sentirse impotentes o victimas, los indigenas aprendieron a negociar sus relaciones con esos intermediarios para su beneficio. El estudio de los tinterillos permite examinar las relaciones de poder que se negociaron entre diferentes culturas y a traves de profundas divisiones de clase. PaLabras cLave: Ecuador, siglos XIX y XX, comunidades indigenas, in ter mediarios, abogados, tinterillos, terratenientes, conflictos agrarios, representacion legal, juicios.
Bacterial expression and characterization of the CREB bZip module: circular dichroism and 2D 1H-NMR studies.

In this paper we describe the expression and purification from bacteria of the recombinant basic leucine zipper (bZip) domain of the cAMP response element binding protein, CREB327. The bZip peptide, CREB259-327, purified to near homogeneity, maintains the sequence-specific CRE site recognition demonstrated by in vitro competition assays. Alkylation of the three cysteine residues of CREB259-327 was employed to prevent aggregation of the peptide due to cysteine oxidation. The Kd of the purified native and modified CREB259-327 for the CRE site was determined by gel retardation assays to be on the order of 10(-7) M. We employed CD spectroscopy to study the folding properties of the native and modified CREB259-327. The CD analyses of the native/modified CREB259-327 peptide demonstrated a 20% increase in the alpha-helical content upon binding to the cAMP response-element. Only a 5% increase in the alpha-helical content of CREB259-327 is observed upon binding to the AP-1 site. This observation contrasts with CREB from the GCN4 protein (Weiss, M.A., et al., 1990, Nature 347, 575-578). In addition, the two-dimensional (2D) 1H-NMR studies of the bZip CREB peptide further support the distinct features of the CREB protein, in comparison to GCN4. Analysis by CD and 2D NMR of the dimerization domain of CREB suggests that the distinct DNA binding characteristics of CREB reside in the basic portion of the bZip module.
Neonatal cytomegalovirus infections due to blood

Infants with very low birthweights (less than 1250g) are immunocompromised and have immature hematopoietic systems. They require frequent blood transfusions and have an increased susceptibility to infection. These very low birthweight infants who lack passively acquired antibody against CMV, acquire transfusion-associated CMV infections with a frequency of approximately 30%. These infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The source of these postnatally acquired CMV infections are seropositive blood donors. These infections can be prevented by appropriate donor selection and/or blood processing. Recent but limited data suggests that all infants (regardless of birthweight or the presence of antibody against CMV) should receive CMV seronegative blood products if they are likely to receive multiple transfusions from multiple donors.
Avian and Mammalian Hepadnaviruses Have Distinct Transcription Factor Requirements for Viral Replication

Hepadnavirus replication occurs in hepatocytes in vivo and in hepatoma cell lines in cell culture. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication can occur in nonhepatoma cells when pregenomic RNA synthesis from viral DNA is activated by the expression of the nuclear hormone receptors hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4) and the retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) plus peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) heterodimer. Nuclear hormone receptor-dependent HBV replication is inhibited by hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 (HNF3). In contrast, HNF3 and HNF4 support duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) replication in nonhepatoma cells, whereas the RXRα-PPARα heterodimer inhibits HNF4-dependent DHBV replication. HNF3 and HNF4 synergistically activate DHBV pregenomic RNA synthesis and viral replication. The conditions that support HBV or DHBV replication in nonhepatoma cells are not able to support woodchuck hepatitis virus replication. These observations indicate that avian and mammalian hepadnaviruses have distinct transcription factor requirements for viral replication.
Effect of the 80-Hour Work Week on Resident Case Coverage: Corrected Article

Background On July 1, 2003, residency training programs were required to institute restricted duty hours as mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. A major concern, voiced by both surgical residents and faculty, was an expectation that this would result in a decrease in operative experience. We hypothesized that implementing restricted duty hours would decrease case coverage by resident trainees. Study Design A retrospective study was performed of operative and endoscopic cases scheduled for a single general surgery practice for a year before and after July 1, 2003. Data collected included operation performed, number of attending surgeons present, whether a resident was present, and level of resident. Results From July 2002 to June 2003, there were 1,278 cases scheduled; 890 records were available. From July 2004 to June 2005, there were 1,182 cases scheduled; 960 records were available. Before institution of the restricted duty hours, 24.6% of junior-level (PGY1 and 2) cases, 21.7% of intermediate-level (PGY3) cases, and 6.2% of senior-level (PGY4 and 5) cases were not covered by residents. After restricted duty hours were implemented, 27.3% of junior-level cases, 15.9% of intermediate-level cases, and 8.1% of senior-level cases were not covered by residents. Overall 20.8% (185 of 890) and 20.4% (196 of 960) of cases were not covered by residents before and after instituting restricted duty hours, respectively. No difference in case coverage was statistically significant in each category or overall. Conclusions Restricted duty hours have not affected resident case coverage.
The influence of learner strategies on oral presentations: A comparison between group and individual performance

Abstract Cooperative learning has frequently been used in language classrooms, from in-class task-based group work to group presentations. Research suggests that cooperative learning provides mutual support, as well as successful and effective learning outcomes of tasks. The present research addressed a number of problems discovered in group oral presentations in an EAP context where cooperative learning is the core of the course. As learning is strongly related to strategies or approaches adopted to facilitate one’s comprehension and production of the target language, the purposes of the present study were to investigate the use and influence of learner strategies in cooperative and individual learning, and the benefits of cooperative learning in improving students’ English speaking ability. Fifty-two, third-year French major college students taking the Professional English Course at a college in Taiwan participated in the study. All participants were required to give oral presentations on the topics taught in class. Research methods included questionnaires, interviews, and oral assessments. The findings showed that, first, certain learner strategies had positive impacts on the students’ language performance in the two types of presentation and second, that group oral presentation had the greatest influence on improving students’ speaking ability, while other forms of cooperative learning activities enhanced their motivation for learning.
Smart Growth Policy Choice: A Resource Dependency and Local Governance Explanation

Smart growth is a planning and land use policy objective that generally focuses on where development should occur and how best to protect natural resources. What explains the adoption of smart growth policy by local government? This study focuses on a cooperative intergovernmental program that seeks to enhance local government abilities to work toward achieving state goals on sustainability. Extant research suggests that local interest group preferences shape policy decisions. However, much of the evidence on the influence of local interest groups on smart growth policy is presented within the coercive intergovernmental context. This article argues that resource dependency influences local decisions in pursuing a smart growth agenda when state incentives are provided. The findings suggest that fiscal capacity and the characteristics of local governing institutions are significant predictors in the decision to take part in an intergovernmental program. Business and neighborhood interest groups have a significant effect on policy adoption, as do local characteristics depending on the smart growth functional area.
A purine-rich intronic element enhances alternative splicing of thyroid hormone receptor mRNA

The mammalian thyroid hormone receptor gene c-erbAalpha gives rise to two mRNAs that code for distinct isoforms, TRalpha1 and TRalpha2, with antagonistic functions. Alternative processing of these mRNAs involves the mutually exclusive use of a TRalpha1-specific polyadenylation site or TRalpha2-specific 5' splice site. A previous investigation of TRalpha minigene expression defined a critical role for the TRalpha2 5' splice site in directing alternative processing. Mutational analysis reported here shows that purine residues within a highly conserved intronic element, SEa2, enhance splicing of TRalpha2 in vitro as well as in vivo. Although SEalpha2 is located within the intron of TRalpha2 mRNA, it activates splicing of a heterologous dsx pre-mRNA when located in the downstream exon. Competition with wild-type and mutant RNAs indicates that SEalpha2 functions by binding trans-acting factors in HeLa nuclear extract. Protein-RNA crosslinking identifies several proteins, including SF2/ASF and hnRNP H, that bind specifically to SEalpha2. SEalpha2 also includes an element resembling a 5' splice site consensus sequence that is critical for splicing enhancer activity. Mutations within this pseudo-5' splice site sequence have a dramatic effect on splicing and protein binding. Thus SEa2 and its associated factors are required for splicing of TRalpha2 pre-mRNA.
hSIR2SIRT1 Functions as an NAD-Dependent p53 Deacetylase

DNA damage-induced acetylation of p53 protein leads to its activation and either growth arrest or apoptosis. We show here that the protein product of the gene hSIR2(SIRT1), the human homolog of the S. cerevisiae Sir2 protein known to be involved in cell aging and in the response to DNA damage, binds and deacetylates the p53 protein with a specificity for its C-terminal Lys382 residue, modification of which has been implicated in the activation of p53 as a transcription factor. Expression of wild-type hSir2 in human cells reduces the transcriptional activity of p53. In contrast, expression of a catalytically inactive hSir2 protein potentiates p53-dependent apoptosis and radiosensitivity. We propose that hSir2 is involved in the regulation of p53 function via deacetylation.
Exact relations for effective tensors of polycrystals. II. Applications to elasticity and piezoelectricity

An important necessary condition for an exact relation for effective moduli of polycrystals to hold is stability of that relation under lamination. This requirement is so restrictive that it is possible (if not always feasible) to find all such relations explicitly. In order to do this one needs to combine the results developed in Part I of this paper and the representation theory of the rotation groups SO(2) and SO(3). More precisely, one needs to know all rotationally invariant subspaces of the space of material moduli. This paper presents an algorithm for finding all such subspaces. We illustrate the workings of the algorithm on the examples of 3‐dimensional elasticity, where we get all the exact relations, and the examples of 2‐dimensional and 3‐dimensional piezoelectricity, where we get some (possibly all) of them.
Iteration in the disk and the ball: a survey of the role of hyperbolic geometry

We review how the hyperbolic geometry of the unit disk in the complex plane and of the unit ball in several complex dimensions comes into play in the theory of iteration of analytic maps.
Mass-transport complexes and associated processes in the offshore area of Trinidad and Venezuela

Mass-transport complexes (MTCs) form a significant component of the stratigraphic record in ancient and modern deep-water basins worldwide. One such basin, the deep-marine margin of eastern offshore Trinidad, situated along the obliquely converging boundary of the Caribbean and South American plates and proximal to the mouth of the Orinoco River, is characterized by catastrophic shelf-margin processes, intrusive and extrusive mobile shales, active tectonics, and possible migration and sequestration of hydrocarbons. Major structural elements found in the deep-water slope regions include large transpressional fault zones (i.e., Darien Ridge, Central Range, Los Bajos), along which mobile shales extrude to form sea-floor ridges; fault-cored anticlinal structures overlain by extrusive sea-floor mud volcanoes; shallow-rooted sediment bypass grabens near the shelf break; and normal and counterregional faults. A total of 10,708 km2 (4134-mi2) of merged three-dimensional (3-D) seismic surveys enable sub-sea-floor interpretation of several erosional surfaces that form the boundaries of enormous mass-transport complexes. The data show numerous episodes of MTC developments, which are characterized by chaotic, mounded seismic facies and fanlike geometry. Their extent (up to 2017 km2 [778 mi2]) and thickness (up to 250 m [820 ft]) is strongly influenced by sea-floor topography. Mass-transport flows show runout distances from the source area of 60–140 km (37–86 mi). Depositional architecture identified with these units includes (1) large-magnitude lateral erosional edges, (2) linear basal scours, and (3) side-wall failures. Mud volcanoes act as barriers to cross-slope mass sediment movements and form zones of shadowing on their downslope side that protect those regions from erosion. The subsequent erosional shadow remnants (ESRs) comprise preserved regions of older levee-channel complex sediments and are considered for the first time in this study as potential stratigraphic traps in deep-water deposits. Active tectonism in the region, high sedimentation rates associated with the Orinoco delta system, and abundant potential unstable hydrate suggest the viable presence of several higher frequency mechanisms at work for MTC generation than sea level fluctuations alone.
The Impact of Targeted Molecular Therapies on the Level of Renal Cell Carcinoma Vena Caval Tumor Thrombus

Abstract Background Targeted molecular therapies (TMTs) previously have demonstrated oncologic activity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by reducing the size of primary tumors and metastases. Objective To assess the cytoreductive effect of TMTs on inferior vena cava tumor thrombi. Design, setting, and participants A multi-institutional database of patients treated with TMTs for RCC was reviewed. The subset with in situ level II or higher caval thrombi (above renal vein) was assessed for radiographic response in thrombus size and level. Pre- and posttreatment characteristics of this population were assessed for predictors of response in height, diameter, and level of the tumor thrombi. Measurements The main outcome measured was a change in the clinical level of tumor thrombus following TMT. We also measured radiographic responses in thrombus size and location before and after TMT. Results and limitations Twenty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Before TMT, thrombus level was II in 18 patients (72%), III in 5 patients (20%), and IV in 2 patients (8%). The first-line therapy was sunitinib in 12 cases; alternative TMTs were administered in 13. The median duration of therapy was two cycles (range: one to six cycles). Following TMT, 7 patients (28%) had a measurable increase in thrombus height, 7 (28%) had no change, and 11 (44%) had a decrease. One patient (4%) had an increase in thrombus-level classification, 21 (84%) had stable thrombi, and in 3 (12%) the thrombus level decreased. There was only one case (4%) where the surgical approach was potentially affected by tumor thrombus regression (level IV to III). No statistically significant predictors of tumor thrombus response to TMTs were found. Limitations include the descriptive and retrospective study design. Because TMTs were initiated according to physician and/or patient preferences, and not all patients were treated in anticipation of surgery, no conclusions could be drawn regarding selection and duration of therapy. Thus it may not be appropriate to extrapolate our experience to all patients with locally advanced RCC. Although this is the largest reported experience with in situ caval tumor thrombi treated with TMT, this series lacks sufficient statistical power to assess the usefulness of TMTs adequately in tumor thrombus cytoreduction. Conclusions TMT had a minimal clinical effect on RCC tumor thrombi. Only patients treated with sunitinib had clinical thrombus regression; however, the clinical magnitude and relevance of this effect is not clear and should be investigated prospectively.
Customer retention: A usage segmentation and customer value approach

This paper discusses how companies should develop a customer retention focus and initiatives to maximise long-term customer value. Specifically, it examines the importance of customer retention; conceptualises an integrated customer value/retention model; and explains how usage segmentation can assist in relationship-building, retention strategy and profit planning. A brief case history of Fast Industries, a specialty plastics manufacturer, illustrates these ideas in practice. Implications for marketers and customer value managers are offered and research directions for scholars working in retention marketing are identified.
CMOS Transceivers at 60 GHz and Beyond1

The integration of millimeter-wave transceivers in CMOS technology can benefit from sophisticated signal processing and calibration techniques already is use at lower frequencies. This paper describes a CMOS heterodyne receiver with on-chip LO and frequency divider that achieves a noise figure of 6.9-8.3 dB while consuming 80 mW. A frequency divider is also presented that operates from 64 to 70 GHz in 0.13-mum CMOS technology with a power dissipation of 6 mW.
MORTALITY SENSITIVITY IN LIFE-STAGE SIMULATION ANALYSIS: A CASE STUDY OF SOUTHERN SEA OTTERS

Currently, there are no generally recognized approaches for linking detailed mortality and pathology data to population-level analyses of extinction risk. We used a combination of analytical and simulation-based analyses to examine 20 years of age- and sex-specific mortality data for southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris), and we applied results to project the efficacy of alternative conservation strategies. Population recovery of the southern sea otter has been slow (rate of population increase l5 1.05) compared to other recovering populations ( l5 1.17-1.20), and the population declined ( l5 0.975) between 1995 and 1999. Age-based Leslie matrices were developed to explore explanations for the slow recovery and recent decline in the southern sea other population. An elasticity analysis was performed to predict effects of proportional changes in stage-specific reproductive or survival rates on the rate of population increase. A life-stage simulation analysis (LSA) was developed to evaluate the impact of changing age- and cause-specific mortality rates on l. The information used to develop these models was derived from death assemblage, pathology, and live population census data to examine the sensitivity of sea otter population growth to different sources of mortality (e.g., disease and starvation, direct human take (fisheries, gun shot, boat strike, oil pollution), mating trauma and intraspecific aggression, shark bites, and unknown). We used resampling simulations to generate random combi- nations of vital rates for a large number of matrix replicates and drew on these to estimate potential effects of mortality sources on population growth (l). Our analyses suggest man- agement actions that are likely and unlikely to promote recovery of the southern sea otter and more broadly indicate a methodology to better utilize cause-of-death data in conser- vation decision-making.
Toward formalizing service integration glue code

Application integrations employ interacting software components and services. Components - distributed, black-box, processing elements - may have distinct communication styles. Services can be used to augment the interaction of components to deliver on a common task. Unfortunately, there exist scenarios where components and services do not interact congenially. At issue is the service design that, even with standards in place, may ignore important aspects of component communication expectations. Thus, a complete integration is not achieved without implementing ad hoc glue code external to the design strategy. Introducing glue code, without design traceability, limits control, dynamism, and upgrades to components and services. We specify templates for framing glue code as integration completion functions (ICFs). Uniform designs are given using multiple modeling techniques to foster compilation of an ICF repository, where their instantiation can be plug-ins to application integrations.
A truncated DNA-damage-signaling response is activated after DSB formation in the G1 phase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the DNA damage response (DDR) is activated by the spatio-temporal colocalization of Mec1-Ddc2 kinase and the 9-1-1 clamp. In the absence of direct means to monitor Mec1 kinase activation in vivo, activation of the checkpoint kinase Rad53 has been taken as a proxy for DDR activation. Here, we identify serine 378 of the Rad55 recombination protein as a direct target site of Mec1. Rad55-S378 phosphorylation leads to an electrophoretic mobility shift of the protein and acts as a sentinel for Mec1 activation in vivo. A single double-stranded break (DSB) in G1-arrested cells causes phosphorylation of Rad55-S378, indicating activation of Mec1 kinase. However, Rad53 kinase is not detectably activated under these conditions. This response required Mec1-Ddc2 and loading of the 9-1-1 clamp by Rad24-RFC, but not Rad9 or Mrc1. In addition to Rad55–S378, two additional direct Mec1 kinase targets are phosphorylated, the middle subunit of the ssDNA-binding protein RPA, RPA2 and histone H2A (H2AX). These data suggest the existence of a truncated signaling pathway in response to a single DSB in G1-arrested cells that activates Mec1 without eliciting a full DDR involving the entire signaling pathway including the effector kinases.
Kidney injury molecule–1 is a phosphatidylserine receptor that confers a phagocytic phenotype on epithelial cells

Following injury, the clearance of apoptotic and necrotic cells is necessary for mitigation and resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. In addition to macrophages, which are traditionally assigned to this task, neighboring epithelial cells in the affected tissue are postulated to contribute to this process. Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1 or TIM-1) is an immunoglobulin superfamily cell-surface protein not expressed by cells of the myeloid lineage but highly upregulated on the surface of injured kidney epithelial cells. Here we demonstrate that injured kidney epithelial cells assumed attributes of endogenous phagocytes. Confocal images confirm internalization of apoptotic bodies within KIM-1-expressing epithelial cells after injury in rat kidney tubules in vivo. KIM-1 was directly responsible for phagocytosis in cultured primary rat tubule epithelial cells and also porcine and canine epithelial cell lines. KIM-1 was able to specifically recognize apoptotic cell surface-specific epitopes phosphatidylserine, and oxidized lipoproteins, expressed by apoptotic tubular epithelial cells. Thus, KIM-1 is the first nonmyeloid phosphatidylserine receptor identified to our knowledge that transforms epithelial cells into semiprofessional phagocytes.
Editorial: Journal of Pediatric Psychology Statement of Purpose: Section on Single-Subject Studies

Objective The purpose of this editorial is to introduce a new special section on single-subject designs that is designed to encourage the submission of papers to the Journal of Pediatric Psychology that utilizes single-subject methodology to investigate the efficacy of treatments for improving the health, mental health, and quality of life for children and adolescents. Methods and Results We review the case for using single subject designs in pediatric psychology research and provide examples from the literature of the three most commonly used designs: the reversal or withdrawal, multiple baseline, and changing criterion. We also describe limitations of single subject designs. Conclusions We hope this new special section will re-ignite enthusiasm among clinicians and researchers for using single subject designs to advance our field, provide pilot data for larger trials, and/or further document the efficacy of psychological and medical interventions with various populations.
Understanding the outcomes of supportive communication: A dual-process approach

Numerous factors affect the outcomes of supportive interactions, including aspects of the supportive message, the helper, the interaction context, and the recipient. This article proposes that the direct and interactive effects of these factors can be explained through a dual-process theory of supportive communication outcomes, which provides a comprehensive, integrative treatment of when and why collections of variables in supportive interactions generate the effects they do. The article reviews some of factors that influence the outcomes of supportive interactions, explicates the dual-process theory of supportive communication outcomes, illustrates the theory by describing recent studies designed to test it, and discusses aspects of the theory that need attention and directions for future research.
America in the Hand, Homeland in the Heart: Transnational and Translocal Immigrant Experiences in the American West

Centering immigration in western history, the author analyzes immigrant oral histories and provides an alternative conceptual model of immigrant experiences following a critical review of transnationalism, that of trans-localism. It posits, over time, that most immigrants have retained limited ties with their homelands, which nevertheless shaped their adaptation and cumulative contributions.
Static versus Dynamic Presentation of Procedural Instruction: Investigating the Efficacy of Video-based Delivery

In this study, a comparison of static (illustration and text annotation) and dynamic (video with audio annotation) delivery of procedural instructions on a highly spatial task is made. Two groups completed three origami paper-folding tasks, after which they answered a preferences questionnaire and then were asked to re-do the first origami task from memory. The results indicated a general advantage for the dynamic modality in both time for task completion and accuracy. However, complexity of the third origami task and video resolution mitigated the effectiveness of the dynamic modality. No significant difference was seen in instructional modality preference or in memory retention for the task.
Combined Influence of Temperature and Moisture on Red Flour Beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Reproduction on Whole Grain Wheat

Reproduction of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), was lower on whole grain than has been reported on milled grain in earlier studies. Generally, fecundity increased with increasing temperature (20-32°C) and moisture (10-16%). However, interaction of adult survival and fecundity caused net reproduction to peak at 27°C and 16% moisture. This resulted from greater adult survival with increasing moisture, but decreasing survival with increasing temperature.
Chemoprevention of pulmonary carcinogenesis by myo-inositol.

This abstract summarizes material presented at the First International Symposium on Disease Prevention by IP6 and other Rice Components held in Kyoto, Japan in June, I 998. The presentation deals primarily with studies of chemoprevention of pulmonary carcinogenesis by myo-inositol. This compound is largely formed by the dephosphorylation of inositol hexaphosphate (IP 6 , phytate) within the gastrointestinal tract in humans and animals, myo-Inositol is one of a relatively few compounds that has an inhibitory effect on carcinogenesis of the lung in experimental animals when administered during the post-initiation period. It prevents pulmonary adenoma formation in A/J mice when fed in the diet subsequent to administrations of benzo[a]pyrene or the tobacco specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) to the mice. A second compound, dexamethasone, also prevents pulmonary neoplasia under the same conditions. Experiments in which both myo-inositol and dexamethasone were administered together in the diet showed an additive inhibitory effect. The significance and utility of the chemopreventive properties of these agents remains to be determined.
Hormonal regulation of the seminiferous tubule function.

Until the second half of the third decade of the twentieth century, questions concerning the controlling mechanisms in the development of the testes and in the maintenance of their function were frequently asked, but poorly understood. Numerous clinical and pathological observations led to a vague idea that these mechanisms may be located within the structure of the brain.
The Early Life of William Spencer Vickrey

In 1857, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada was the gateway to opportunistic miners from the world over who sought to provision themselves and make their way up to the steep canyons of the Fraser Valley, north and east of the lumber town Vancouver, just across the Juan de Fuca Strait. William Spencer Vickrey was the child of one of the most colorful and successful families in the history of Victoria.
EVOLUTION OF THE MONOAMINE HYPOTHESES OF DEPRESSION

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the evolution of monoamine hypotheses of depression and reviews the affective disorders to put them into perspective within the context of recent advances in our understanding of the molecular events in the cascade of amine receptor-mediated signal transduction and its modification by antidepressant treatments. The chapter presents a few pharmacological discoveries that provided the scientific basis for the clinically relevant catecholamine and serotonin hypotheses of affective disorders. Though many interactions among different receptor systems and within subtypes of receptors have been described, the interactions between serotonergic, β-noradreneric, and glucocorticoid receptor systems are of particular interest with regard to the monoamine hypotheses of depression.
Myths and Small Groups: Development, Managed Care, and the Year 2000

In this article, the author defines myth and shows that disguised myths of archaic and primitive peoples can be found in the modern world. He discusses the myths that guide the development of small groups. He sketches out mythic aspects of the encounter between group therapy and managed care. Finally, he suggests the mythic significance of the year 2000 for the future of group development and of group therapy.
Science, Scientists, and Local Weather: Understanding Mass Perceptions of Global Warming*

Objective To explore the effects of long-term climate trends and short-term weather fluctuations, evaluations of scientists and science, political predispositions, religious affiliation, the information environment, and demographic attributes on individuals’ views about whether global warming exists and, if so, whether it is a result of natural cycles or human activity. Methods We use data from the 2009 Pew General Public Science Survey, along with data on long- and short-term patterns of temperature and precipitation in individuals’ home communities. Results We find that long-term trends in summer temperatures influence perceptions of global warming. Individuals who reside in communities with long-term warming of summer temperatures that are coupled with long-term cooling of spring temperatures are significantly more likely to perceive that global warming exists and is due to human activity. We also find that Americans' attitudes toward scientists and science, political dispositions, evangelical religious affiliation, education, and some demographic attributes all have discernible effects on their perceptions of anthropogenic (man-made) global warming. Conclusion Individuals’ attitudes toward global warming are influenced by long-term temperature trends in their home communities, as well as a variety of attitudinal and demographic attributes.
The Procedure of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Biopsy of Thyroid and Cervical Lymph Nodes: Technical Steps, Pitfalls, and Pearls

This chapter focuses on the hands-on techniques of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (USGFNA) of the thyroid and cervical lymph nodes. A preliminary discussion on US selection of nodules for USGFNA, patient preparation, informed consent, and the biopsy-planning ultrasound set the stage for the procedure. The technical sections review local anesthesia for USFNA, biopsy techniques, and choices of ultrasound orientation. Difficult biopsy situations and complications are discussed. Slide preparation and on-site adequacy assessment are reviewed. Techniques of USGFNA of cervical lymph nodes are discussed.
Results of surgical septal myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the Tufts experience.

Background: For over 50 years, surgical septal myectomy has been the preferred treatment for drug-refractory heart failure symptoms in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Over this time in the United States, the majority of myectomy operations have been performed in a small number of select referral centers. Methods: We have taken the opportunity to report results from the relatively new Tufts HCM Center and surgical program, incorporated 13 years ago, during which 507 myectomies (52±14 years of age; 56% male) were performed by one cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Hassan Rastegar. Results: Resting left ventricular (LV) outflow gradients were reduced from 56±42 mmHg preoperatively to 1.2±6.8 mmHg on most recent echocardiogram 2.0±2.5 years after surgery, and 94% of patients showed clinical improvement to NYHA functional class I or II. The first 200 myectomies were performed without mortality or major complications. Among all patients, 30-day mortality rate was 0.8%. Over follow-up of 3.2±2.8 years, 11 patients died (four due to HCM causes) with long-term survival after myectomy of 94% at 5 years (95% CI: 89–96%) and 91% at 10 years (95% CI: 84–95%), which did not differ from the age- and gender-matched general U.S. population (log-rank P=0.9). Conclusions: This experience demonstrates that, with the appropriate support, new HCM surgical programs can provide patients successful relief of outflow obstruction, extended longevity and restored of quality of life.