cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient state isoelectric focusing: effects of zone load and carrier ampholyte concentration on the kinetics of defocusing and refocusing in sucrose density gradients.

Abstract The kinetics of focusing, defocusing, and refocusing of l -histidyl- l -tyrosine in a sucrose density gradient have been studied utilizing a special apparatus for repetitive scanning of the isoelectric focusing column, employing uv absorption optics and a digital data acquisition system. Starting from a uniform or triangular concentration profile, the band is “focused” and a nearly linear pH gradient is formed during initial focusing. The electrical field is then abolished and free diffusion occurs. The electrical field is then reapplied (“refocusing”) and the band is allowed to sharpen, presumably reapproaching a steady state. The band width was measured quantitatively as the second moment about the mean (square of the standard deviation, σ2). In theory, measurements of σ2 versus time permit the estimation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (D) and the isoelectric focusing parameter (pE). If the electrical field strength E and the pH gradient, d( pH ) dx , were also measured, then one could calculate the slope of the pH mobility curve of the protein dM d( pH ) evaluated at the isoelectric point. D can be measured during the defocusing stage, and pE, D pE , or D can be measured during focusing or refocusing. Several limitations and difficulties in the verification of this theory have been encountered: First, the apparent diffusion coefficient depends on zone load in approximately a linear fashion. Accordingly, it is necessary to measure D at several zone loads, and then extrapolate to zero load by linear regression techniques. Second, the ampholyte concentration has a marked effect on both D and pE. Here we have no a priori reason to extrapolate to zero ampholyte concentration. Also, at present we have no satisfactory method for measurement of E. These preliminary studies should be helpful in indicating further directions for experimental refinement and for generalization of theory.
Variance and bias reduction techniques for the harmonic gradient estimator

Abstract Gradient estimation techniques are useful for the optimization and sensitivity analysis of discrete-event simulation. Techniques to improve the quality of such estimators are needed to make efficient use of simulation data. This paper discusses variance and bias reduction techniques for the steady state simulation response harmonic gradient estimator. The variance reduction techniques incorporate two control variates. The first control variate is obtained from a noise simulation run output process (i.e., the input parameters are kept fixed during the run). The second control variate is obtained from a signal simulation run output process (i.e., the input parameters are varied in sinusoidal patterns during the run). Two bias reduction techniques are proposed. The first approach involves fitting a quadratic regression model to the harmonic coefficient estimates at frequencies in a neighborhood of zero. The second approach involves sinusoidally varying the simulation input parameters in batches. Procedures incorporating these techniques, requiring a fixed number of simulation runs independent of the number of input parameters, are discussed. Computational results on simulation models of a M/M/1 queueing system and a ( S, s ) inventory system are included to illustrate the effectiveness and the limitations of these procedures.
Origin of the multiple components of human alpha1-antitrypsin.

Multiple components of human α1-antitrypsin were separated by preparative starch gel electrophoresis, and the sialic acid contents of these components were determined. The acidic components contained more sialic acid per molecule than the basic components. The molecular sizes of these components were identical, excluding the possibility of polymerization of the inhibitor in the formation of the multiple components. Consequently, the multiple components of the inhibitor are primarily due to differences in the sialic acid content of each component. Three major components contain eight, seven, and six sialic acid residues per molecule, respectively.
Fast and efficient molecular electrocatalysts for H2 production: Using hydrogenase enzymes as guides

Hydrogen generation using solar energy will require the development of efficient electrocatalysts for proton reduction. This article discusses the important role that proton movement plays in hydrogenase enzymes and potential devices for solar generation. Studies of hydrogenase enzymes provide many important design principles for the development of simpler molecular catalysts. These principles are illustrated with examples from the literature and from the authors’ laboratories. In particular, pendant bases incorporated in the second coordination sphere of catalytic molecules play a number of important roles that are crucial to efficient catalysis. These roles include acting as relays to move protons between the metal center and solution, promoting intra- and intermolecular proton transfer reactions, coupling proton and electron transfer reactions, assisting heterolytic cleavage of hydrogen, and stabilizing critical reaction intermediates. The importance of controlling proton movement on the molecular scale underscores the importance of a similar degree of control in devices designed for the solar production of hydrogen or any fuel generation process involving multiple electrons and protons.
From Chimneys to Cross-Functional Teams: Developing and Validating a Diagnostic Model

This article develops a framework for studying cross-functional teams in organizations that focuses on three domains: organizational context, internal process, and outcome measures. The framework was developed from qualitative data from over 200 individual and group interviews, written descriptions, and team observations. We then operationally defined this model through a set of questionnaire items and validated it through quantitative analysis of data from 565 members of cross-functional teams. The resulting framework provides a base for the future study of cross-functional teams.
A study of axial compressor blade optimization for operation in the low Reynolds number regime

Original and previously published experimental data is presented in this study of axial compressor blade optimization for use in the subcritical Reynolds number region. Three methods of increasing cascade performance at these low Rc are presented, discussed, and compared: (1) use of sharp-leading-edge profiles, (2) trip wires or roughness elements, and (3) high free-stream turbulence. The original data was collected in the VKI C-1 cascade wind tunnel; during these tests blade chord Reynolds number was varied from 250,000 down to about 17,000. Each technique demonstrated an increase in low Reynolds number (based on chord) performance for certain profiles, with the sharp-leading-edge profile as the potential optimum. Axial compressors or pumps that must operate for a significant amount of their design life under low Reynolds number conditions might benefit substantially from these methods.
An examination of the Tsyganenko (T89a) field model using a database of two‐satellite magnetic conjunctions

We use a database of magnetic conjunctions between Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and geosynchronous satellites to (1) evaluate the mapping of the Tsyganenko T89a magnetic field model between the ionosphere and geosynchronous orbit and (2) test the ability of different magnetospheric parameters to identify the T89a stretching level (parameterized by Kp=0{endash}5) which comes closest to reproducing the observed conjunctions. The database, covering a range of magnetospheric activity, local times, and season, was compiled using 4 months of plasma electron data from two geosynchronous satellites and three low-altitude DMSP satellites. The conjunctions were determined using an automated spectral comparison and selection technique which identified intervals of close spectral matching between the distributions observed at the two satellites. Comparison of the observed conjunctions with the closest T89a mappings show that the observed range of field line stretch at geosynchronous orbit (in the dawn and dusk local time sectors) is generally greater than that allowed by T89a. In nearly half the cases, the observed mappings are less stretched than the least-stretched (Kp=0) version of T89a. We found that none of the magnetospheric parameters we evaluated (Kp,AE,Dst, the Auroral Boundary Index (ABI), or the inclination of the magnetic field at geosynchronous orbit) couldmore » provide a unique pointer to the most appropriate T89a stretching level for every conjunction. However, both the tilt of the field at geosynchronous orbit and the ABI show a strong correlation with the observed degree of field stretch and indices based on these parameters are thus promising candidates for incorporation into future models.{copyright} 1997 American Geophysical Union« less
Agreement of job‐exposure matrix (JEM) assessed exposure and self‐reported exposure among adult leukemia patients and controls in Shanghai

Background Estimating a person's history of occupational exposure in case-control studies is difficult. Methods Percent agreement between selected self-reported occupational exposures and job-exposure matrix (JEM) exposure assessment for all participants and various subgroups of a population-based case-control interview study of 486 leukemia subjects and 502 healthy controls in Shanghai was evaluated. Results With JEM as the “gold standard,” the sensitivities for self-reported exposures ranged from 0.75 to 0.98. However, that for pesticide exposure was 0.44 in subjects >51 years old. Self-reported exposures specificities ranged from 0.87 to 0.99. Agreement between self-reported exposures and JEM assessment was good (kappa coefficients [κ]: 0.48–0.84). Variations in agreement for benzene exposure between males and females as well as between the direct interview and surrogate interview subgroups were observed. Conclusions The levels of agreement between self-report and JEM in this study suggest that self-reported exposures are a suitable method for assessing occupational exposures in this population. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:281–288, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Student Interviews for Radiology Residency: What Influences How Students Rank Programs?

All radiology programs wish to attract the highest quality candidates to their radiology residencies. Departments expend considerable resources on Electronic Residency Application Service application reviews and student interviews. An important component of the interview day is to display program, faculty, and resident strengths to students. Through a series of surveys administered to students interviewing at the authors' program as well as 50 other programs nationwide, the authors identified factors that may significantly affect how students rank programs at the time of the match. Although many of these factors are unchangeable, such as geography, others can be modified. Key factors identified included the friendliness and approachability of residents and faculty members, teaching, research opportunities, the strength of the interventional radiology department, and call schedules. As a result of reviewing how students perceive radiology programs, the interview day at the authors' institution has been significantly restructured, and current residents now play a larger role in the candidate evaluation process.
Comparison of load flow solution methods

Abstract The objective of this paper was to determine the performance of three load flow solution methods, under a variety of starting conditions. The study examined the minimum mismatch, second-order and fast decoupled methods applied to two network configurations. The results show that to a high degree of accuracy the methods converge to the same solution from flat-start conditions. Their performances differ markedly from one another for other starting conditions. This is related to a rapid transition from one solution state to another which was correctly recognized by the minimum mismatch method but not by the others.
The formation constants and solvent extraction of lanthanide complexes of 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-7,7-di-methyl-4,6-octanedione

Abstract A solution of 0.10 M 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-7,7-dimethyl-4,6-octanedione in carbon tetrachloride was used to study the extraction of praseodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium and terbium by a back-extraction technique. The pKa and the distribution of the reagent between the organic phase and the aqueous phase, 0.10 M (C2H5)4NClO4, were determined. This β-diketone extracted all the lanthanides studied essentially 100% in the pH range of 5.5–8.5. The distribution data can be explained by the presence of M(fod)3 (fod = reagent anion) in the organic phase, and M3+, M(fod)2+, M(fod)3 and M(fod)3OH− in the aqueous phase. The overall stability constants for the aqueous species were determined. The distribution coefficients for the neutral chelates, the KD,MR3·β30 values, the overall extraction constants, and the separation factors were also obtained.
Automation of an emissions testing facility

Abstract The Environmental Protection Agency constructed a laboratory to study the emissions of volatile organic compounds from common building materials. An automated design was chosen to provide convenient operation and data handling. Enhanced data quality was another benefit of automation.
Dose-response functions in aquatic toxicity testing and the Weibull model

Abstract A linear transformation of the Weibull model for dose-response functions is developed. The transformation is analogous to the probit and logit transformations. Typical dose-response curves in aquatic toxicity testing using macroorganisms and algae are analyzed by the Weibull and probit models, and it is shown that the Weibull model generally provides at least as good a fit to experimental data as the probit model. The expansion of the Weibull model to reflect the survival fraction or yield of organisms under multiple toxicant limiting conditions leads to particularly useful expressions for simple similar joint action (concentration addition with parallel response curves for the individual toxicants) and independent joint action (response multiplication). Explicit water quality criteria are derived based on both formulations. The multiple toxicity models, expanded to include concentration addition with non-parallel response curves for the individual toxicants, are applied to algal assay data for Selenastrum capricornutum exposed to manganese, copper, and lead. The fact that the yield based on response multiplication for the manganese-lead pair is lower than that calculated from concentration addition suggests that water quality criteria based on concentration addition may not always provide safe limits.
Decision rules used by male and female business students in making ethical value judgments: Another look

This study was conducted to corroborate findings that females invoke a decision rule that is significantly different from that of their male counterparts when making ethical value judgements. In addition, the study examines whether the same decision rule is used by men and women for all types of ethical situations. The results show that males and females use different decision rules when making ethical evaluations, although there are types of situations where there are no significant differences in decision rules used by men and women. The results do not suggest that any one particular decision rule is used by the majority of either males or females in different types of ethical judgements. There is a greater diversity in decision rules used by females than by males.
Plasticity of insect reproduction: testing models of flexible and fixed development in response to different growth rates

We tested alternative developmental hypotheses describing when during an insect oviposition cycle reproductive tactics are determined. Newly eclosed adult females of the grasshopper Romalea guttata were raised on eight different feeding treatments consisting of a low food diet, a high food diet, and changes from high to low food, or low to high food, at different times during the first oviposition cycle. When initial food availability was high, a decline in food availability >7 days after adult eclosion produced no significant increase in time to oviposition compared to constant high food. In contrast, when initial food availability was low, an increase in food availability as late as day 14 produced a significant decrease in time to oviposition compared to constant low food. Thus, time to oviposition is determined by feeding rate early in the oviposition cycle, but the time of this determination is later when food availability is lower. Masses of individual eggs were unaffected by these treatments. When initial food availability was high, a decrease in food availability on day 21 produced no significant change in numbers of eggs in a clutch compared to constant high food. In contrast, when initial food availability was low, an increase in food availability after day 7 produced no significant change in number of eggs in a clutch compared to constant low food. Changes in egg production resulted from oocyte resorption, which appeared to become unresponsive to food availability between day 14 and day 21. Our results refute the hypothesis that reproductive tactics are continuously flexible. Development toward oviposition seems to be structured so that reproductive tactics become independent of feeding late during the first oviposition cycle. Reproductive tactics become unresponsive to food at different times for groups initially receiving low or high food, suggesting that a particular developmental state, rather than some absolute time, marks the shift to development that is unresponsive to␣food. Plasticity in reproductive tactics appears to be␣controlled by hormones in a manner similar to the hormonal control of plasticity of metamorphosis in other insects.
2D cache architecture for motion compensation in a 4K Ultra-HD AVC and HEVC video codec system

Motion Compensation in AVC or HEVC Video codec requires reference pixels stored in the external SDRAM and interpolates it to form the Predictor Image. This is a significant chunk (70-80%) of the total SDRAM bandwidth and hence drives the bandwidth requirements. There is lot of overlap between the reference data required for every partition. This paper describes 2D or a block based caching scheme which exploits the commonality of reference pixel fetches across various partitions and thereby reducing the SDRAM bandwidth and power. Prior techniques heavily rely on using a video CPU to achieve this and still can do this only partially. This technique helps in reducing the LPDDR2 SDRAM power for a 4k Ultra-HD decoder by up to 70 mW and bandwidth by 800 MB/s (50% reduction) and increasing the typical 1080p30 HDMI playback time by 2 hours.
The Problem of Land Banking: A French Solution

Land-banking efforts in the United States of America have been hampered by several obstacles, the most important of which involve the structural and operational characteristics of a land-banking agency. These are the difficulty of operating at a regional scale, the problem of linking land banking to the planning process, and the scarcity of financial resources. An unusual type of French land-banking agency, the public real-estate corporation, may provide the answers as to how these obstacles can be overcome. This paper provides an analysis of the structure, policies, financing, and operations of one such agency, the Lower Seine Valley Public Real Estate Corporation or EPBS (Etablissement Public Foncier de la Basse Seine).
Beyond the Markers of Certainty: Thoughts on Claude Lefort and Leo Strauss

Abstract This article considers the thought of Claude Lefort as a response to Leo Strauss. It compares their views on the task of political philosophy as such, and on its specific relation to modernity, religion, and democracy. For Strauss, the revival of political philosophy under modern conditions requires a return to its ancient roots. While Lefort agrees that such a restoration is necessary, he argues that this requires a departure from ancient thought: political philosophy must recognize modern democracy as a new kind of regime, independent of theologico-political norms.
Diagonalization of multicomponent wave equations with a Born-Oppenheimer example

A general method to decouple multicomponent linear wave equations is presented. First, the Weyl calculus is used to transform operator relations into relations between [ital c]-number valued matrices. Then it is shown that the symbol representing the wave operator can be diagonalized systematically up to arbitrary order in an appropriate expansion parameter. After transforming the symbols back to operators, the original problem is reduced to solving a set of linear uncoupled [ital scalar] wave equations. The procedure is exemplified for a particle with a Born-Oppenheimer-type Hamiltonian valid through second order in [h bar]. The resulting effective scalar Hamiltonians are seen to contain an additional velocity-dependent potential. This contribution has not been reported in recent studies investigating the adiabatic motion of a neutral particle moving in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. Finally, the relation of the general method to standard quantum-mechanical perturbation theory is discussed.
The immunopathology of Alzheimer's disease and some related disorders

Current evidence clearly indicates that elements of the immune system are involved in the pathogenesis of the principal lesions characterizing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Findings are in accord with features associated with both the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms involved in a predominantly local inflammatory response within the parenchyma. Many of the features are unique to AD, presumably related to the unusual properties of beta amyloid protein. Remarkably, the brain holds the capacity to produce almost all the immune system mediators which largely seem to be generated by glia comprising both astrocytes and microglia. While a variety of humoral mediators including classical acute phase proteins (and serpins) are increased and released, the complement seems most intrinsically involved. The cellular response is elaborated by microglia which seem the main immunocompetent cells partaking in the response. These appear to function as pluripotent macrophages expressing both classes of MHC antigens. Further characterization of this interesting response to cerebral amyloidosis will be challenging.
Pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis of Louisiana lignite

Abstract Pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis kinetics of five samples of Louisiana lignite have been studied in an atmospheric pressure TG system as a function of heating rate and atmosphere. Final pyrolysis temperature was always 800 °C. The total volatile yield (dry basis) was 33.5–43.8wt%. For all lignites the volatile yield in hydrogen was greater than that obtained in nitrogen at similar conditions. However, variation in heating rate produced an opposite result in the two atmospheres with volatile yield increasing with heating rate in nitrogen but decreasing in hydrogen. Results have been analysed using the distributed activation energy pyrolysis model and parameters compared to similar studies using North Dakota and Montana lignites.
Hepatocyte CYP2E1 Overexpression and Steatohepatitis Lead to Impaired Hepatic Insulin Signaling

Insulin resistance and increased cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression are both associated with and mechanistically implicated in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Although currently viewed as distinct factors, insulin resistance and CYP2E1 expression may be interrelated through the ability of CYP2E1-induced oxidant stress to impair hepatic insulin signaling. To test this possibility, the effects of in vitro and in vivo CYP2E1 overexpression on hepatocyte insulin signaling were examined. CYP2E1 overexpression in a hepatocyte cell line decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-2 in response to insulin. CYP2E1 overexpression was also associated with increased inhibitory serine 307 and 636/639 IRS-1 phosphorylation. In parallel, the effects of insulin on Akt activation, glycogen synthase kinase 3, and FoxO1a phosphorylation, and glucose secretion were all significantly decreased in CYP2E1 overexpressing cells. This inhibition of insulin signaling by CYP2E1 overexpression was partially c-Jun N-terminal kinase dependent. In the methionine- and choline-deficient diet mouse model of steatohepatitis with CYP2E1 overexpression, insulin-induced IRS-1, IRS-2, and Akt phosphorylation were similarly decreased. These findings indicate that increased hepatocyte CYP2E1 expression and the presence of steatohepatitis result in the down-regulation of insulin signaling, potentially contributing to the insulin resistance associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Area as a devil's staircase in twist maps

Abstract In area-preserving maps, the area under an invariant set as a function of frequency is a devil's staircase. We show that this staircase is the derivative of the average action of the invariant set with respect to frequency. This implies that resonances fill the phase space completely when there are no invariant curves.
Monolithically Integrated Multi-Stage All-Optical 10Gbps Push-Pull Wavelength Converter

This paper reports on the novel design and operation of a monolithically integrated multi-stage push-pull wavelength converter. Results show 4 dB improvement in extinction ratio and error-free performance for 10Gbps push-pull operation.
Policing disorderly campus protests and convivial gatherings: The interaction of threat, social organization, and first amendment guarantees

Expectations about police responses to disorderly campus gatherings are explored here using details about nearly 400 disorderly convivial gatherings and confrontational protests that occurred during recent decades. Past work suggests that protests may represent threats to authorities, but protests also are privileged by the First Amendment, yielding conflicting expectations about the forcefulness of police responses. In contrast, convivial gatherings, even those that breach the public order, may be less threatening to authorities, while at the same time more difficult to police because of their comparative lack of social organization. Analyzing details of the gatherings, we find that while police frequently attempt to disperse disturbances of both kinds, they use force in only a small minority of them. However, police are substantially more likely to use force when protest participants also use force than when convivial participants do, suggesting that the relationship between threat and police response is heavily contingent upon the nature of the event as well as the behavior of participants. The findings highlight the interplay between the internal dynamics of gatherings and the way they are perceived by authorities.
Fibrinogen: structure, function, and surface interactions.

Fibrinogen plays a central role in the mechanism of coagulation and thrombosis and is partially involved in the development of postintervention restenosis. Because of therapeutic implications, it is convenient for the vascular interventionalist to revisit its structure, function, and relationships within the vascular environment. This review focuses on the molecular structure, mechanisms of polymerization and lysis, and fibrinogen interaction with the platelet α 116 β 3 integrin. It also addresses the less understood interaction of fibrinogen with artificial surfaces. Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa blockers, targeted to interfere with fibrinogen-platelet interactions, widely used in clinical practice, are discussed, and trials of new drugs are also summarized.
Estimating underreported N2 disease in rectal cancer patients with low lymph node counts

Background The variability in the number of lymph nodes examined needs to be taken into account for adequate staging. The definition of nodal staging was refined by quantifying the likelihood of N2 disease when the patient had fewer than four positive LN. Methods In a retrospective study a total of 548 patients with node positive rectal cancer and curative surgery between 1990 and 2006 were identified. The misclassification of pN staging was estimated with a Bayesian computation. The prognostic value of the calculated probability, lymph node ratio (LNR), and nodal stage was assessed with Cox proportional hazard regression. Results A probability of understaging of 40% or more indicated worse prognosis of cancer-specific survival (CSS) with hazard ratio 2.6 (95%CI: 1.8–3.9, P < 0.001). The concordance index of a multivariate model with probability of N2 disease as a prognostic factor for survival was 0.68 for all patients and 0.75 for patients with less than 10 lymph nodes examined. Conclusion Utilizing estimated probabilities of N2 disease improves our ability to predict survival, in particular in patients with low LN count. These probabilities allow for a simple rule in patient counseling and clinical decision making. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:248–253. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Managing Opportunities and Challenges of Co-Authorship

Research with the largest impact on practice and science is often conducted by teams with diverse substantive, clinical, and methodological expertise. Team and interdisciplinary research has created authorship groups with varied expertise and expectations. Co-authorship among team members presents many opportunities and challenges. Intentional planning, clear expectations, sensitivity to differing disciplinary perspectives, attention to power differentials, effective communication, timelines, attention to published guidelines, and documentation of progress will contribute to successful co-authorship. Both novice and seasoned authors will find the strategies identified by the Western Journal of Nursing Research Editorial Board useful for building positive co-authorship experiences.
Structural and Semantic Constraints on the Resolution of Pronouns and Reflexives.

We present four experiments on the interpretation of pronouns and reflexives in picture noun phrases with and without possessors (e.g. Andrew's picture of him/himself, the picture of him/himself). The experiments (two off-line studies and two visual-world eye-tracking experiments) investigate how syntactic and semantic factors guide the interpretation of pronouns and reflexives and how different kinds of information are integrated during real-time reference resolution. The results show that the interpretation of pronouns and reflexives in picture NP constructions is sensitive not only to purely structural information, as is commonly assumed in syntactically-oriented theories of anaphor resolution, but also to semantic information (see Kuno, S. (1987). Functional syntax: Anaphora, discourse and empathy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; Tenny, C. (2003). Short distance pronouns in representational noun phrases and a grammar of sentience. Ms.). Moreover, the results show that pronouns and reflexives differ in the degree of sensitivity they exhibit to different kinds of information. This finding indicates that the form-specific multiple-constraints approach (see Brown-Schmidt, S., Byron, D. K., & Tanenhaus, M. K. (2005). Beyond salience: Interpretation of personal and demonstrative pronouns. Journal of Memory and Language, 53, 292-313; Kaiser, E. (2003). The quest for a referent: A crosslinguistic look at reference resolution. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Kaiser, E. (2005). When salience is not enough: Pronouns, demonstratives and the quest for an antecedent. In: Laury, R. (Ed.), Minimal reference in Finnic: The use and interpretation of pronouns and zero in Finnish and Estonian discourse (pp. 135-162). Helsinki, Finland: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura; Kaiser, E., & Trueswell, J. (2008). Interpreting pronouns and demonstratives in Finnish: Evidence for a form-specific approach to reference resolution. Language and Cognitive Processes, 23(5), 709-748), which states that referential forms can exhibit asymmetrical sensitivities to the different constraints guiding reference resolution, also applies in the within-sentence domain.
Thoughts on International Students

This award is indeed an honor. Let me first express my appreciation to colleagues in my home department who nominated me and put together the packet, to those who wrote letters of support, and to the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Awards Committee for selecting me. It was a pleasant surprise. I would also like to thank four individuals who opened doors at critical junctures in my career. As academic advisors, Lyle Fettig (undergraduate) and Ben Senauer (graduate) went beyond the call of duty to offer friendship as well as expert advice. As academic employers, Olan Forker (Cornell) and Joe Yeager (Auburn) provided opportunity, but also unstinting support. To all: Thank you. For their seminar, award winners are given the choice of describing their professional activities or selecting some other topic. I have elected to discuss international students. The topic is important because international students account for a significant share of graduate enrollment in many of the agricultural and applied economics programs across the country. In my home department, for example, 22 of the 31 Ph.D. students and eight of the 18 Master’s students currently enrolled in the program are from outside the United States. I know from serving as graduate program officer that not all faculty members are happy with this situation. Thus, partly in response to their concerns, I will attempt to address whether the benefits of international students outweigh the costs. In the interest of full disclosure, I married an international student. My analysis, therefore, might not be without prejudice.
An ultrasonic approach to localization of fiducial markers for interactive, image-guided neurosurgery. I. Principles

Fiducial markers are reference points used in the registration of image space(s) with physical (patient) space. As applied to interactive, image-guided surgery, the registration of image space with physical space allows the current location of a surgical tool to be indicated on a computer display of patient-specific preoperative images. This intrasurgical guidance information is particularly valuable in surgery within the brain, where visual feedback is limited. The accuracy of the mapping between physical and image space depends upon the accuracy with which the fiducial markers were located in each coordinate system. To effect accurate space registration for interactive, image-guided neurosurgery, the use of permanent fiducial markers implanted into the surface of the skull is proposed in this paper. These small cylindrical markers are composed of materials that make them visible in the image sets. The challenge lies in locating the subcutaneous markers in physical space. This paper presents an ultrasonic technique for transcutaneously detecting the location of these markers. The technique incorporates an algorithm based on detection of characteristic properties of the reflected A-mode ultrasonic waveform. The results demonstrate that ultrasound is an appropriate technique for accurate transcutaneous marker localization. The companion paper to this article describes an automatic, enhanced implementation of the marker-localization theory described in this article.
Studies on wheat plants using C14 compounds. V. Germination studies with labelled wheat seeds.

Radioactive wheat seeds, obtained by injecting acetate-C14 into the stems of the parent plants, were germinated in the absence of light and nutrient and the fate of the carbon-14 was observed. Carb...
Exactly-once semantics in a replicated messaging system

A wide-area distributed message delivery system can use replication to improve performance and availability. However, without safeguards, replicated messages may be delivered to a mobile device more than once, making the device's user repeat actions (e.g. making unnecessary phone calls, firing weapons repeatedly). Alternatively, they may not be delivered at all, making the user miss important messages. In this paper, we address the problem of exactly-once delivery to mobile clients when messages are replicated globally. We define exactly-once semantics and propose algorithms to guarantee it. We also propose and define a relaxed version of exactly-once semantics which is appropriate for limited-capability mobile devices. We study the relative performance of our algorithms compared to the weaker at-least-once semantics, and find that the performance overhead of exactly-once can be minimized in most cases by careful design of the system.
Primary graft dysfunction does not lead to increased cardiac allograft vasculopathy in surviving patients

Objective Early injury is associated with the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in heart transplantation. We examined whether adult heart transplant recipients surviving primary graft dysfunction were more susceptible to the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy than their nonprimary graft dysfunction counterparts. Methods A total of 857 patients who underwent heart transplantation between January 1994 and December 2008 at our institution were reviewed. Primary graft dysfunction was defined as the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, open chest, or intra-aortic balloon pump placement within 72 hours of transplantation. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy was defined as ≥50% coronary artery stenosis in any vessel. Allograft survival was defined by patient death or need for retransplantation. Results Completed follow-up was available for 32 patients in the primary graft dysfunction group and 701 patients in the nonprimary graft dysfunction group. Mean recipient ages (56 years vs 55 years, respectively; P = .50) and ischemic times (220 minutes vs 208 minutes, respectively; P = .35) were similar. Donor age was significantly higher in the primary graft dysfunction group (38 years vs 32 years, P = .02). Five-year survivals for the primary graft dysfunction and nonprimary graft dysfunction groups were 46.9% versus 78.9% ( P P = .18). Within a 30-day postoperative period, there were more deaths in the primary graft dysfunction group (28.1% vs 2.3%, P P = .002). Of the patients surviving past 30 days, only 2 (8.7%) of the primary graft dysfunction patients developed cardiac allograft vasculopathy versus 144 (21.0%) in the nonprimary graft dysfunction group ( P Conclusions Primary graft dysfunction was associated with lower 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year allograft survival rates. Surviving patients, however, did not show increased tendency toward cardiac allograft vasculopathy development.
A Birman exact sequence for Aut(Fn)

Abstract The Birman exact sequence describes the effect on the mapping class group of a surface with boundary of gluing discs to the boundary components. We construct an analogous exact sequence for the automorphism group of a free group. For the mapping class group, the kernel of the Birman exact sequence is a surface braid group. We prove that in the context of the automorphism group of a free group, the natural kernel is finitely generated. However, it is not finitely presentable; indeed, we prove that its second rational homology group has infinite rank by constructing an explicit infinite collection of linearly independent abelian cycles. We also determine the abelianization of our kernel and build a simple infinite presentation for it. The keys to many of our proofs are several new generalizations of the Johnson homomorphisms.
Pain management in patients with chronic kidney disease

Pain has been reported to be a common problem in the general population and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Although similar data for pre-ESRD patients are lacking, we recently reported that the prevalence of pain is also very high (>70%) among pre-ESRD patients at a Los Angeles County tertiary referral centre. The high prevalence of pain in the CKD population is particularly concerning because pain has been shown to be associated with poor quality of life. Of greater concern, poor quality of life, at least in dialysis patients, has been shown to be associated with poor survival. We herein discuss the pathophysiology of common pain conditions, review a commonly accepted approach to the management of pain in the general population, and discuss analgesic-induced renal complications and therapeutic issues specific for patients with reduced renal function.
ACTH-producing pituitary adenoma in an infant with cysts of the kidneys and lungs

The light microscopical, electron microscopical and immunohistological features of a rare ACTH-producing chromophobe adenoma of the pituitary gland in an 11-month-old infant are presented. An unusual histological feature was the presence of numerous follicles. These follicles may develop secondary to necrosis of individual tumour cells. There is only one previous report in the literature of a pituitary adenoma occurring in infancy and that tumour also produced ACTH and showed a follicular histological pattern. It is of interest that our patient also had a combination of medullary cysts of the kidneys and congenital peripheral cysts of the lungs. The association of cysts in lungs with cysts in kidneys also has been reported only once previously. We conclude that the occurrence of cysts in kidneys and lungs and a pituitary tumour in infancy represents a bizarre coincidence although an unknown common embryonic insult to these organs cannot be ruled out.
The Labor Market Returns to For-Profit Higher Education: Evidence for Transfer Students

Objective: This study examines the labor market gains for students who enrolled at for-profit colleges after beginning their postsecondary education in community college. Method: We use student-lev...
Combinatorial algorithms enabling computational science: tales from the front

Combinatorial algorithms have long played a crucial enabling role in scientific and engineering computations. The importance of discrete algorithms continues to grow with the demands of new applications and advanced architectures. This paper surveys some recent developments in this rapidly changing and highly interdisciplinary field.
Effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acid ethyl esters on coccidiosis in chickens

The ethyl esters of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were added to a broiler starter diet singly or in combination [as bulk purified ethyl ester concentrate from menhaden oil (n3FAC)] in quantities similar to those found in a diet supplemented with 5% menhaden oil (MO). Diets were fed to chickens from 1 d of age through 3 wk of age. At 2 wk of age, the chickens were infected with Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina, or Eimeria maxima. At 6 d postinfection (PI), the effects of the diets were assessed on weight gains, plasma carotenoids, gross lesion scores, and histological parasite scores in gut cross sections, or oocyst output. Significant ameliorating effects of diet on lesion scores and parasite scores were only seen in E. tenella infections and were only produced by the n3FAC and MO supplements. These two supplements, which contained higher molar concentrations of double bonds than the other supplements, also significantly reduced plasma carotenoids in uninfected chickens, indicating that they promoted a state of oxidative stress. These results are consistent with previous reports on the interaction of coccidiosis with dietary n-3 fatty acids and strengthen the hypotheses that dietary-induced oxidative stress is an effective deterrent against cecal coccidiosis in chickens.
Activities of Newer Fluoroquinolones against Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae

The incidence of ciprofloxacin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae is low but steadily increasing, which raises concerns regarding the clinical impact of potential cross-resistance with newer fluoroquinolones. To investigate this problem, we utilized an in vitro pharmacodynamic model and compared the activities of gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin to that of ciprofloxacin against two laboratory-derived, ciprofloxacin-resistant derivatives of S. pneumoniae (strains R919 and R921). Ciprofloxacin resistance in these strains involved the activity of a multidrug efflux pump and possibly, for R919, a mutation resulting in an amino acid substitution in GyrA. Gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin achieved 99.9% killing of both R919 and R921 in < or =28 h. With respect to levofloxacin, significant regrowth of both mutants was observed at 48 h (P < 0.05). For gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin, regrowth was minimal at 48 h, with each maintaining 99.9% killing against both mutants. No killing of either R919 or R921 was observed with exposure to ciprofloxacin. During model experiments, resistance to gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trovafloxacin did not develop but the MICs of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin increased 1 to 2 dilutions for both R919 and R921. Although specific area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC(0--24))/MIC and maximum concentration of drug in serum (C(max))/MIC ratios have not been defined for the fluoroquinolones with respect to gram-positive organisms, our study revealed that significant regrowth and/or resistance was associated with AUC(0-24)/MIC ratios of < or =31.7 and C(max)/MIC ratios of < or =3.1. It is evident that the newer fluoroquinolones tested possess improved activity against S. pneumoniae, including strains for which ciprofloxacin MICs were elevated.
Drought stress and tropical forest woody seedlings: effect on community structure and composition

Summary 1 We hypothesized that severe drought affects the structure of tropical forests by favouring seedlings of some species or groups at the expense of others. To test this hypothesis, we irrigated naturally occurring woody seedlings during an El Nino-related drought in seasonal moist tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. We predicted that irrigated plots would retain greater species richness than control plots, and that the benefits of irrigation would increase with the abundance of: trees relative to lianas, wet-forest seedlings relative to dry-forest seedlings, and rare species relative to common species. We also hypothesized that the strength of this filter would increase with increased moisture limitation, predicting that the benefits of irrigation would increase with seedling density and light availability, and decrease with mean seedling age. 2 Irrigation did reduce species losses, but not by limiting the loss of drought-sensitive species as predicted. Instead, mortality in irrigated plots was density dependent, whereas species losses in control plots were well predicted by random thinning, suggesting that density dependence weakened as abiotic stress increased. 3 Irrigation increased seedling growth, but did not affect seedling mortality. Contrary to our predictions, irrigation increased growth in plots dominated by dry-forest species relative to those dominated by wet-forest species, suggesting that dry-forest seedlings either occur in moisture-limited microsites or are more able to utilize dry-season precipitation. The strength of the filter did increase with potential moisture limitation, as irrigation increased seedling growth more in higher light environments. 4 Annual precipitation has declined over much of the humid tropics during the 20th century. Our results suggest that this trend may reduce tropical forest diversity by weakening density-dependent mechanisms that maintain diversity. In addition, plots dominated by dry-forest species experienced higher growth in response to irrigation and also far lower dry-season mortality relative to plots dominated by wet-forest species. While we cannot disentangle the effects of microsite from species composition, these results suggest that dry-forest species may benefit from any increase in dry season length or severity. 5 Research conducted during ‘normal’ conditions may overlook the impact of severe events and thus fail to identify critical mechanisms structuring ecological communities.