cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation for Computer Usage in Social Work: Student Consumer Variables

Abstract This paper describes results of a survey of 133 students in a large MSW program regarding the training and experiences students have had with computers in their practica and elsewhere. Also described are students' attitudes about and interests in computer applications for human service activities. The study also explores the value of these findings in guiding decisions about curriculum planning, practica development, computer resource expenditures and management, and faculty and agency involvement in this emerging area.
Molecular gas and star formation beyond the optical disk of the galaxy

We report the detection of a number of molecular clouds beyound the optical disk of the Galaxy. The two most distant of these objects were found to have kinetic temperatures similar to star-forming molecular clouds in the Solar neighborhood. Hα emission was detected from the most distant cloud (RGC=28 kpc) and a B 0.5 I star identified as the most likely source of ionization. The photometric distance to the star corroborates the location of the molecular and ionized gas beyond the optical disk.
The Church and The Family: An Ethical Task

There has been a kind of “turn to the family” on the part of the Christian churches in the past decade, manifesting a concern for what is judged to be the western family in “crisis.” Unfortunately, the voices of religion have had little more effect than the voices of psychology or sociology in either healing or empowering the family, and they have had perhaps less success in interpreting the difficulties which beset the contemporary family as an institution. This failure may represent simply the intractability of the problems which individuals and families face. It may also, however, represent an almost tragic perception on the part of many persons that the Christian tradition regarding family life is today too oppressive to yield a prophetic, a healing or a freeing word.
Diet (n-3) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Content and Parity Interact to Alter Maternal Rat Brain Phospholipid Fatty Acid Composition

Low tissue levels of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, 22:6(n-3)], are implicated in postpartum depression. The effects of 1-4 sequential reproductive cycles on maternal brain phospholipid fatty acid composition were determined in female rats fed diets containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), containing ALA and pre-formed DHA (ALA+DHA), or lacking ALA (low-ALA). Virgin females, fed the diets for commensurate durations served as a control for reproduction. Whole-brain total phospholipid composition was determined at weaning by TLC/GC. A single reproductive cycle on the low-ALA diet decreased brain DHA content by 18% compared to ALA primiparas (P < 0.05), accompanied by incorporation of docosapentaenoic acid ((n-6) DPA, 22:5(n-6)) to 280% of ALA primiparas (P < 0.05). DHA was not further decreased after subsequent cycles; however, there was an additional increase in (n-6) DPA after the second cycle (P < 0.05). Brain DHA of virgin females fed the low-ALA diet for 27 wk decreased 15% (P < 0.05), but was accompanied by a more modest increase in (n-6) DPA than in parous low-ALA dams (P < 0.05). Virgin females and parous dams fed the diet containing ALA+DHA exhibited only minor changes in brain fatty acid composition. These observations demonstrate that brain DHA content of adult animals is vulnerable to depletion under dietary conditions that supply inadequate (n-3) PUFAs, that this effect is augmented by the physiological demands of pregnancy and lactation, and that maternal diet and parity interact to affect maternal brain PUFA status.
p53-based strategy to reduce hematological toxicity of chemotherapy: A proof of principle study.

p53 activation is a primary mechanism underlying pathological responses to DNA damaging agents such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our recent animal studies showed that low dose arsenic (LDA)-induced transient p53 inhibition selectively protected normal tissues from chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Study objectives were to: 1) define the lowest safe dose of arsenic trioxide that transiently blocks p53 activation in patients and 2) assess the potential of LDA to decrease hematological toxicity from chemotherapy. Patients scheduled to receive minimum 4 cycles of myelosuppressive chemotherapy were eligible. For objective 1, dose escalation of LDA started at 0.005 mg/kg/day for 3 days. This dose satisfied objective 1 and was administered before chemotherapy cycles 2, 4, and 6 for objective 2. p53 level in peripheral lymphocytes was measured on day 1 of each cycle by ELISA assay. Chemotherapy cycles 1, 3, and 5 served as the baseline for the subsequent cycles of 2, 4, and 6 respectively. If p53 level for the subsequent cycle was lower (or higher) than the baseline cycle, p53 was defined as "suppressed" (or "activated") for the pair of cycles. Repeated measures linear models of CBC in terms of day, cycle, p53 activity and interaction terms were used. Twenty-six patients treated with 3 week cycle regimens form the base of analyses. The mean white blood cell, hemoglobin and absolute neutrophil counts were significantly higher in the "suppressed" relative to the "activated" group. These data support the proof of principle that suppression of p53 could lead to protection of bone marrow in patients receiving chemotherapy. This trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01428128.
Operators that are points of spectral continuity, II

This paper continues an earlier study of those bounded operators on a Hilbert space at which the spectrum is continuous, where the spectrum is considered as a function whose domain is the set of all bounded operators furnished with the norm topology and whose range is the collection of compact subsets of the complex plane furnished with the Hausdorff metric. In this paper the points of continuity of the essential spectrum, the approximate point spectrum, and certain related subsets of the spectrum are characterized.
Nucleotide distribution in the DNA of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Fragments of various lengths derived from the DNA of Escherichia coli were fractionated with respect to the buoyant density of their mercury complexes. Fragments 10 5 nucleotide pairs long proved to be uniform in density and composition (51% guanine plus cytosine) except for a small fraction ranging down to 49%. Fragments 1900 nucleotide pairs long varied between 39 and 56% guanine plus cytosine, with a standard deviation of ±3.8 per cent. The distribution was little affected by variation in length of fragments between 1200 and 2300 nucleotide pairs. At all lengths examined, fragments rich in adenine and thymine were more numerous than fragments rich in guanine and cytosine. Molecular segments of the extreme composition 39% guanine plus cytosine were found in lengths up to 30,000 nucleotide pairs. They comprised 3.3% of the DNA when resolved as fragments 1200 nucleotide pairs long.
Measurement of CA-125 in trophoblastic disease.

Abstract Objectives. Physicians treating hydatidiform mole are still seeking means of identifying those patients who will require chemotherapy. The standard accepted method is to follow human chorionic gonadotropin levels but CA-125 measurement has been suggested as a supplement that may be clinically useful. This study was undertaken to validate or refute the one previous study that addresses this issue. CA-125 was measured at the time of hydatidiform mole evacuation to determine (1) whether it would predict the need for chemotherapy and (2) whether it correlated with human chorionic gonadotropin and tumor load in following patients with hydatidiform mole and metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease. Patients and methods. CA-125 was measured in serial weekly samples selected from diagnostic groups of patients with trophoblastic disease. Sixteen patients had hydatidiform mole with spontaneous resolution, fourteen had nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic tumor, and four had low-risk metastatic disease. Six patients had high-risk metastatic disease. Ten patients had partial hydatidiform mole and one of these required chemotherapy. One patient had primary ovarian choriocarcinoma and three had placental site tumor. Results. The mean preevacuation CA-125 among the 15 patients with complete hydatidiform mole was 40.9 U/ml: 52.5 U/ml for 5 patients who required chemotherapy and 36.2 U/ml for 10 patients who did not require chemotherapy. There was no statistical difference between these values. There was no correlation of CA-125 with hCG. Frequently CA-125 became negative when hCG was still elevated. Among six patients with high-risk disease, CA-125 was elevated in four but in all six patients hCG remained elevated when CA-125 became negative. In nine patients with partial hydatidiform mole CA-125 was elevated prior to mole evacuation and then became negative. The patient with a tetraploid conceptus who required chemotherapy had negative CA-125. With placental site tumor CA-125 was negative, but it was elevated with ovarian choriocarcinoma. Conclusion. CA-125 levels do not provide reliable information in the management of patients with gestational trophoblastic disease.
High‐throughput logP measurement using parallel liquid chromatography/ultraviolet/mass spectrometry and sample‐pooling

A novel approach to high-throughput logP measurement based on liquid chromatography/ultraviolet/mass spectrometry (LC/UV/MS) is proposed. The logP value is determined by correlation with the logk value, where k is the capacity factor k = (tr−t0)/t0, with the logP value using a defined set of standards. Since the analyte retention time (tr) is determined from the appropriate extracted ion chromatogram (EIC), there are no interferences from impurities and this allows the pooling of multiple compounds into one injection. To ensure the accuracy and instrument robustness in a routine high-throughput environment, a simple and MS-friendly mobile phase consisting of 20 mM ammonium carbonate (pH 8.0) for basic compounds or 20 mM ammonium formate (pH 1.0) for acidic compounds, both in combination with methanol at a ratio of 45:55, is used. This approach has been successfully used on single as well as parallel multi-channel LC/UV/MS systems to screen small to large sets of lead compounds and their analogs. A high-throughput capability to analyze over 1000 compounds per day has been achieved. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Emerging Ranaviral Infectious Diseases and Amphibian Decline

Infectious diseases caused by ranaviruses (RV, family Iridoviridae) not only affect wild amphibian populations but also agriculture and international animal trade. Although, the prevalence of RV infections and die offs has markedly increased over the last decade, it is still unclear whether these viruses are direct causal agents of extinction or rather are the resulting (secondary) consequences of weakened health of amphibian populations leading to increased susceptibility to viral pathogens. In either case, it is important to understand the critical role of host immune defense in controlling RV infections, pathogenicity, and transmission; this is the focus of this review.
Scheduling predictive maintenance in flow-shop

Availability of production equipments is one major issue for manufacturers. Predictive maintenance is an answer to prevent equipment from risk of breakdowns while minimizing the maintenance costs. Nevertheless, conflicts could occur between maintenance and production if a maintenance operation is programmed when equipment is used for production. The case studied here is a flow-shop typology where machines could be maintained once during the planning horizon. Machines are able to switch between two production modes. A nominal one and a degraded one where machine run slowly but increase its remaining useful life. We propose a mixed integer programming model for this problem with the makespan and maintenance delays objective. It allows to find the best schedule of production operation. It also produces, for each machine, the control mode and if necessary the preventive maintenance plan.
Chinese Conversion to Evangelical Christianity: The Importance of Social and Cultural Contexts

Why do immigrants abandon their traditional religion and convert to Protestant Christianity? Existing sociological theories of conversion are mostly based on studies of individuals who convert into cults. Factors of individual personality and interpersonal bonds in small networks, or assimilation motives, cannot adequately explain the growing phenomenon of conversion to evangelical Protestantism among new immigrant groups from Asia and Latin America. Based on interviews and ethnographic observations in Chinese churches in the Greater Washington, D.C., area, I argue that social and cultural changes in China in the process of coerced modernization are the most important factor for Chinese conversion to Christianity ; identity reconstruction of immigrant Chinese in a pluralist modem society also contributes to Chinese conversion to evangelical Christianity ; institutional factors are of secondary importance. This study also has important theoretical implications, to the ongoing debates concerning the reasons for and sources of growth among conservative Christian churches in the US.
Student Reflection on Quality Teaching and How to Assess It in Higher Education

This article is an extension on my literature review of student evaluation of teaching that appeared in the last issue, 9(3), of the Journal of Culinary Science and Technology. The method used in this study was one that afforded students a format by which to provide in depth commentary on their experience as students and, as compared to the more narrow limited versions presented in the last issue, to get a more robust insight into great teaching and now to assess it. The results of the assessment were eye opening on how students assess teaching in general, and that of the instructor who happened to be me.
Foundation for Jointly Determining Passage Time and Detection Zone Length with Stop Bar Presence Detection

The interrelationship between two traffic signal parameters—passage time and detection zone length—is explored. It is shown that both parameters must be selected jointly if an intersection is to function efficiently. Simulation data are used to show the effect of stochastic variation in headways and unoccupancy times as a queue moves through the intersection at the beginning of the green and that, because the data are stochastic, this problem is one of risk management. The data show that shorter passage times should be used as detection zone lengths increase. The data also show that commonly used values of passage time unnecessarily and inefficiently increase the length of the phase.
Self-Awareness, Self-Evaluation, and Creativity

The present research examined when self-evaluation influences creativity. Based on objective self-awareness theory, the authors predicted that feeling able to improve would buffer against the detrimental effects of self-evaluation on creativity. Two experiments manipulated self-evaluation (varying self-awareness, Study 1; providing objective performance standards, Study 2) and perceived ability to improve potential failure on the creativity task. Self-evaluation reduced creativity (generating remote associates, finding unusual uses for a knife) in both experiments, but only when people did not expect to improve. When people felt able to improve, self-evaluation did not affect creativity. Connections between self-motives, creativity, and defensiveness are discussed.
Monitoring surface reactions optically in a self-assembled monolayer with a photochromic core

Photochromic aldehyde-substituted spiropyran molecules were incorporated in a self-assembled monolayer structure and the rate of imine formation was determined by the shift in absorbance for the photomerocyanine upon UV irradiation.
The art of translation: Schultze Jena's Popol Vuh

Leonhard Schultze Jena. Popol Vuh: Das Heilige Buch der Quiche‐Indianer von Guatemala. Stuttgart and Berlin: Verlag von W. Kohlhammer, 1944. 314 pp. Leonhard Schultze Jena. Indiana I: Leben, Glaube und Sprache der Quiche von Guatemala. Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1933. 394 pp.
Fear survey schedule-III: oblique and orthogonal factorial structures in an American college population

Abstract The 78-item Fear Survey Schedule-III (Wolpe and Lang, 1964) was administered to 474 men and 545 women, ages 17–27, from the University of Wyoming and the scores were evaluated in orthogonal and oblique factor analyses using stringent criteria. Four main factors, similar in both genders, were identified, relating to fear of interpersonal events, animals and insects, medical and surgical procedures and bodily insults, and environmental concerns (agoraphobia-like). A majority of both men (59%) and women (78%) reported one or more extremely intense fears (rated “very much”), ranging in number from 1 to 40. This has not been reported in previous literature, yet is shown to have relevance for psychological research. The mean score on the majority of fear items was higher for women than men. Needs for additional items that are more male-oriented in the FSS-III and a greater theoretical grounding in FSS-III research are discussed.
Similarity of stability characteristics of planar and coaxial crossed‐field diodes

Simulations of cylindrical crossed‐field diodes for anode/cathode radius ratios of 2 and 5 indicate that the limiting current curve in the region B<BH in coaxial diodes follows the planar theory and simulations very closely. Coaxial diodes also follow planar theory predicting transition to turbulence in the region B≳BH. Larger radius ratio (10, 20) diodes show somewhat larger limits. These results show little variation with respect to operating voltage or cathode radius. A possible explanation for this behavior is also examined.
The California Coalinga Chrysotile Miners and Millers - Further Evidence for a Lack of Attributable Disease

The health risks to humans from exposure to ‘‘pure’’ short-fibre chrysotile, the most common form of asbestos, have been the subject of considerable debate. Identification of three cohorts of miners and millers exposed to amphibole-free short-fibre chrysotile has enabled this issue to be addressed. The findings detailed in this report strongly suggest that none of the exposed workers, or others exposed para-occupationally or environmentally to the same form of asbestos, display any asbestos-related disease.
Sex Attractant Pheromone of the House Fly: Isolation, Identification and Synthesis

A sex pheromone isolated from the cuticle and feces of the female house fly attracts the male fly; it has been identified as (Z)-9-tricosene. Chemical and biological comparisons of the natural and synthesized compounds show that they are identical.
TESLA superconducting RF cavity development

Abstract The TESLA collaboration has made steady progress since its first official meeting at Cornell in 1990. The infrastructure necessary to assemble and test superconducting rf cavities has been installed at the TESLA Test Facility (TTF) at DESY. 5-cell, 1.3 GHz cavities have been fabricated and have reached accelerating fields of 25 MV/m. Full sized 9-cell copper cavities of TESLA geometry have been measured to verify the higher order modes present and to evaluate HOM coupling designs. The design of the TESLA 9-cell cavity has been finalized and industry has started delivery. Two prototype 9-cell niobium cavities in their first tests have reached accelerating fields of 10 MV/m and 15 MV/m in a vertical dewar after high peak power (HPP) conditioning. The first 12 m TESLA cryomodule that will house 8 9-cell cavities is scheduled to be delivered in Spring 1995. A design report for the TTF is in progress. The TTF test linac is scheduled to be commissioned in 1996/1997.
Multicast Communication on Network Computers

Channel-oriented packet casting is a predominant feature of Micros, an operating system designed to explore control and communication techniques for network computers containing thousands of hosts.
Beaufort-Chukchi ice margin data from Seasat: Ice motion

The motion of sea ice in the summer and fall marginal zone of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas is observed by tracking ice features in sequential Seasat synthetic aperture radar images. Four examples of ice motion fields are shown and discussed with translation observation density finer than one observation per 5 km for the most part. In this region the components of proportional relative motion are shown to commonly have values in the range 0.1 to 0.25/day throughout the marginal zone, which itself has a scale of the order of 100 km.
Comparison of the Nutrient Composition of Research Diets Using Computer and Laboratory Nutrient Analysis

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To compare the laboratory nutrient analysis of two defined research diets with the nutrient composition calculated by two computerized databases. Accuracy of diet composition is essential in clinical feeding trials. Extensive laboratory analysis is often too expensive, so dietitians depend on nutrient database programs to calculate research diets to meet study goals. The purpose of this research was to compare the nutrient values obtained by lab analysis of high fat and low fat lipid research diet composites (each with four menus) to the nutrient analysis obtained from two computerized nutrient database programs. The nutrients compared were Kilocalories, protein, carbohydrate, fat and dietary fiber. The first nutrient database program was used to calculate the menus to achieve the predetermined study goals for each diet, then the menus were analyzed by a second program for comparison. When analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance, no difference was found for calories, protein or fat between the lab and databases analyses. For total carbohydrate, a significant difference (p Lab analysis averages, as a percent of the study nutrient goals were:CarbohydrateLow fat 98.1%High fat 94.8%ProteinLow fat 105.0%High fat 100.5%FatLow fat 103.4%High fat 105.0%KilocaloriesLow fat 100.3%High fat 99.7% The two nutrient databases were equally able to provide accurate nutrient composition of well-defined research diets and except for small difference in corbohydrate, were not different than lab analysis.
Effects of temperature during bud burst on pear thrips damage to sugar maple

Sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) seedlings were exposed to either cool (11.9 °C) or warm (18.2 °C) temperatures in the presence or absence of adult pear thrips (Taeniothripsinconsequens Uzel) during bud burst and early spring growth. Time required for spring stem elongation was shorter at the warm temperature than at the cool temperature. Thrips feeding reduced height, leaf area, and seedling dry weight at both temperatures, and reductions were greater at the cool temperature than at the warm temperature. The results indicate that cool temperatures that slow bud burst promote pear thrips damage to sugar maple leaves.
QuEChERS extraction of benzodiazepines in biological matrices.

Abstract Two common analytical chemical problems often encountered when using chromatographic techniques in drug analysis are matrix interferences and ion suppression. Common sample preparation often involves the dilution of the sample prior to injection onto an instrument, especially for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analyses. This practice frequently does not minimize or eliminate conditions that may cause ion-suppression and therefore, suffer more from reduced method robustness. In order to achieve higher quality results and minimize possible interferences, various sample preparation techniques may be considered. Through the use of QuEChERS (“catchers”), a novel sample preparation technique used for high aqueous content samples, benzodiazepines can be extracted from biological fluids, such as blood and urine. This approach has shown increased recoveries of target compounds when using quantification by both external and internal standard. This increase in the recoveries has been attributed to a matrix enhancement and was determined through the use of the method of standard addition. While improving the overall analytical method for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, it is not clear if this approach represents an overall benefit for laboratories that have both GC–MS and high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) capability. Demonstrating evidence of variable ionization (enhancement, ion source inertness, etc.), the method of quantification should be focused on in future studies.
Kinematic synthesis and analysis of the rack and pinion mechanism for planar path generation and function generation for six precision conditions

Abstract The rack and pinion mechanism is synthesized for generating both three prescribed path points with input coordination and three positions of function generation. This mechanism has a number of advantages over the four bar linkage. First, since the rack is always tangent to the pinion, the transmission angle is always the same (optimum) value of 90° minus the pressure angle of the pinion. Second, with both translation and rotation of the rack occuring, multiple outputs are available. Other advantages include the generation of monotonic functions for a wide variety of motion and nonmononotomic functions for the full range of motion as well as nonlinear amplified motions. In this work, the mechanism is made to satisfy a number of practical design requirements such as a completely rotatable input crank and others. The method of solution developed in this work utilizes the complex number method of mechanism synthesis and the solution is programmed on a VAX 11 785 computer and is being made available to interested readers.
702–4 The Fontan Procedure for Pulmonary Atresia and Intact Ventricular Septum (PA and IVS): Operative and Late Results

From 1973 through January 1, 1994, 860 Fontan procedures had been performed at the Mayo Clinic with 39 (4.5%) having been done on patients with PA and IVS. Age at surgery ranged from 1–10/12 to 21 years (median = 6). Thirty-eight of the 39 patients had had a total of 71 prior palliative cardiovascular procedures. Tricuspid valve (TV) and right ventricular (RV) size ranged from “minuscule” to a maximum of 55% of expected. Only four patients had significant right ventricular to coronary artery fistulae and only one of these was “right ventricular coronary dependent”. There were three operative deaths (7.7%) and have been two sudden unexpected late deaths (2- 1/2 , and 8 years post Fontan). One patient had a successful cardiac transplant seven years post Fontan. Present ages of survivors ranged from 3 to 29 years (median = 11.5 years) with a median post Fontan follow-up of 5.3 years. At recent follow-up, 33 of 34 survivors were in good or excellent condition and one was fair. Conclusion We feel patients with PA and IVS are not candidates for a conventional two ventricle repair unless the TV and RV are at least 70% of expected size. In patients with dimensions between 50% and 70%, a two ventricle repair combined with a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis may be feasible. In patients with TV and RV size less than 50% of expected, the Fontan procedure provides “definitive palliation” and early and late results of this approach are encouraging.
Observations on the ultrastructure of ameloblasts with special reference to the Golgi complex and related components

The Golgi complex of fully differentiated ameloblasts takes part in the formation of secretion granules containing an electron-opaque substance presumed to be organic matrix of enamel. Observations of numerous multivesicular bodies and coated vesicles in the Golgi complex suggest that it is the site of intracellular digestive processes as well as the site of packaging of secretory products. Coated vesicles arise from elements of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum present within the central region of the Golgi complex. High concentrations of coated vesicles and secretion granules occur within the secretory pole (Tomes' process) of the ameloblast. The cell body is limited by a proximal and distal terminal bar apparatus composed of a terminal web of cytoplasmic filaments and a zonula adhaerens. Mitochondria and glycogen pools are closely packed into the infranuclear cytoplasm whereas the supranuclear cytoplasm contains an extensive system of granular endoplasmic reticulum and the large Golgi complex. Axially oriented microtubules and tonofibrils are found throughout the cytoplasm.
Nonproportionality and Scintillation Responses of LSO:Ce From 4.3 to 300 K

The low temperature scintillation properties of LSO:Ce from 4.3 to 300 K were systematically studied and temperature-dependent light yield nonproportionality was measured for the first time. Increasing temperature from 4.3 to 300 K led to increased decay times and light output, an improvement in both the total energy resolution and light yield nonproportionality, and a red shift in the emission. Mechanisms were proposed to explain the complex trends observed in these scintillation properties.
Preemption of space can lead to intransitive coexistence of competitors

Intransitive competition has the potential to be a powerful contributor to species coexistence, but there are few proposed biological mechanisms that could create intransitivities in natural communities. Using a three-species model of competition for space, we demonstrate a mechanism for coexistence that combines a colonization-competition tradeoff between two species with the ability of a third species to preempt space from the other competitors. The combination of differential abilities to colonize, preempt, and overtake space creates a community where no single species can exclude both of its competitors. The dynamics of this kind of community are analogous to rock-paper-scissors competition, and the three-species community can persist even though not all pairs of species can coexist in isolation. In distinction to prior results, this is a mechanism of intransitivity that does not require nonhierarchical local interference competition. We present parameter estimates from a subtidal marine community illustrating how documented competitive traits can lead to preemption-based intransitivities in natural communities, and we describe methods for an empirical test of the occurrence of this mechanism.
Computing moments of free additive convolution of measures

This short note explains how to use ready-to-use components of symbolic software to convert between the free cumulants and the moments of measures without sophisticated programming. This allows quick access to low order moments of free convolutions of measures, which can be used to test whether a given probability measure is a free convolution of other measures.
Hepatic artery-portal vein fistula formation after percutaneous liver biopsy in a living liver donor

Percutaneous liver biopsy is a relatively safe method of assessing liver histology in living subjects. The current report depicts a case of arterioportal fistula in a living liver donor who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy as part of the routine transplant workup at our institution. The experience questions the utility of routine percutaneous liver biopsies as part of the living liver donor screening.
Profile of Plasma Angiogenic Factors Before and After Hepatectomy for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Background Circulating angiogenic factors in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases may promote tumor growth and contribute to liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Nicotinic agonists competitively antagonize serotonin at mouse 5-HT3 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract The 5-HT3 receptor (5-HT3R) is part of a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels which includes nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). cRNA derived from the long isoform cloned mouse 5-HT3R was used to drive expression of 5-HT3Rs in Xenopus oocytes. 5-HT-induced currents were monitored using two-electrode voltage-clamp. Eight nicotinic agonists, including ACh and nicotine, but not α-anatoxin, were found to antagonize 5-HT-induced currents. With the exception of 3-(2,4)-dimethoxybenzylidene-anabaseine (DMXB-anabaseine; GTS-21) this antagonism appeared to be competitive since it could be overcome by increasing concentrations of 5-HT. Potency of 5-HT3 antagonism was comparable to reported values for nAChR α7 activation. These results confirm the notion of families of receptors and further indicate that strong similarities can exist in some critical binding domains.
Spectroelectrochemical Investigations of Cation-Insertion Reactions at Sol−Gel-Derived Nanostructured, Mesoporous Thin Films of Manganese Oxide†

Sol−gel-derived manganese oxide can readily be prepared as highly porous, nanostructured materials, including ambigel or aerogel monoliths and thin films supported on conductive, transparent glass. The electrochromic properties of manganese oxide, a mixed electron−cation conductor, provide an independent measure of the electronic state of the manganese in the oxide during the electrochemically driven cation-insertion process. Sol−gel-derived thin films of birnessite-type manganese oxide, NaδMnO2·xH2O, which is a layered polymorph of MnO2, were characterized by spectroelectrochemistry. During nonaqueous electroinsertion reactions of Li+, Mg2+, and tetrabutylammonium cation, the spectral and electrochemical signatures are temporally distinguished and electrochemical site specificity can also be discerned. The rate of coloration of the oxide (recovery of the Mn(IV) state) is approximately 4-fold more rapid than the rate of decoloration as Mn(III) centers are electrogenerated and electrolyte-derived cations a...
Transverse group actions on bundles

Abstract An action of a Lie group G on a bundle π :E→M is said to be transverse if it is projectable and if the orbits of G on E are diffeomorphic under π to the orbits of G on M . Transverse group actions on bundles are completely classified in terms of the pullback bundle construction for G -invariant maps. This classification result is used to give a full characterization of the G invariant sections of E for projectable group actions.
The Effect of Building Shadows on the Vertical Temperature Structure of the Lower Atmosphere in Downtown Denver

Abstract Denver's Continuous Air Monitoring Program (CAMP) site, typically recording the highest carbon monoxide levels in the metropolitan area; lies within a large region of downtown Denver shadowed by tall buildings. Two studies conducted during the winters of 1987/88 and 1988/89 indicated several possible scenarios leading to the high-pollution episodes often reported at CAMP. Sodar records and stability calculations at CAMP indicate that building shadows may be a contributing factor. The building shadowing was simulated by a computer model and its effects were examined from 2 days of detailed vertical temperature profiles taken in the vicinity of CAMP. The vertical temperature structure was mapped both spatially and temporally as it pertains to the shadowed and unshadowed regions. Results show that shadowing at CAMP is quickly followed by the formation of a shadow surface-based inversion and a local rise in carbon monoxide concentrations. Strength of the inversion depends on the meteorology and surfa...
The Transportation Problem with Mixed Constraints

A generalization of the standard transportation model in which the origin and destination constraints consist not only of equality but also inequality constraints is considered. It is shown that the model is equivalent to a standard transportation problem having only one additional origin and destination.
Crop simulation models can be used as dryland cropping systems research tools

Dryland cropping systems research in the semiarid Great Plains region requires a substantial investment in land, labor, and other resources. The objective of this analysis was to illustrate that crop simulation models canassist scientists in making more efficient use of these resources by providing insight on potential plant responses to alterations in cropping systems before conducting field research. Models included in DSSAT 3.5 were used to simulate two cropping systems studies that evaluated the inclusion of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] into a traditional wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow system in western Kansas and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.] into continuous grain sorghum in north-central Kansas. CERES-Wheat overestimated wheat yields by 16% although no consistent reason was identified for these errors. The model also simulated complete plant stand losses from winter injury in 5 yr when no stand losses were observed. CERES-Sorghum underestimated grain sorghum yields by approximately 27% across both studies. Overestimating the impact of water stress on plant growth appeared to be common at the western site, and a lack of response to N when grown in rotation with soybean appeared to be the primary sources of error at the northern site. Using uniform genetic coefficients to span a 19-yr study also contributed to errors in simulating sorghum yields. CROPGRO simulated soybean within 20% and closely mimicked annual responses of soybean yields to weather patterns. If researchers used these results to evaluate the objectives of both studies before conducting fieldwork, despite the errors, the overall trends would have been similar to those measured in the field. These results would have also enabled researchers to focus their research efforts, thus more efficiently using their resources.
The effects of smoking-related sensory cues on psychological stress.

Previous studies have shown that the sensory cues of cigarette smoking are important for smoking satisfaction and craving reduction. Sensory cues in the absence of pharmacological doses of nicotine have been found to be moderately satisfying and to reduce craving. The current study was conducted to determine if administration of the sensory cues of cigarette smoking with minimal nicotine would also provide relief from mild anxiety associated with anticipation of a difficult anagram test. This test has previously been shown to be sensitive to the anxiety relieving effects of cigarette smoking. Compared to the placebo control condition, the sensory condition caused a significant alleviation of the stress as measured by components of the Spielberger scale for anxiety. The addition of cigarette smoke containing 0.5 mg of nicotine to the sensory cues caused a slight though nonsignificant enhancement of the stress alleviation. These results demonstrate that sensory cues of smoking can provide similar effects as nicotine containing cigarettes with regard to stress alleviation. Previous studies had shown that sensory cues are important for the consumptive aspects of smoking (i.e., smoking satisfaction and craving reduction). The current study shows that sensory cues are important for other effects of smoking as well.
Sequence-specific, single-primer amplification and detection of PCR products for identification of hepatitis viruses

A simple system to detect polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification products was developed. This detection method has the sensitivity and the specificity of nested primer PCR amplification or Southern blot hybridization of PCR product. Digoxigenin-labeled PCR products were hybridized with a biotinylated probe in liquid phase and captured on to microtiter wells coated with antidigoxigenin followed by detection with streptavidin-peroxidase. The sensitivity of this assay for the detection of hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus is equal to that of existing nucleic acid detection systems.
Ring-analysis flow measurements of sunspot outflows

We present a local helioseismological analysis of the convective flows around sunspots. The flow deductions were obtained from MDI Dopplergrams using ring-analysis techniques to measure Doppler shifts induced in solar acoustic oscillations. A novel multi-scale 3-D inversion procedure was used to self-consistently combine all ring-analysis data taken from a mosaic of analysis tiles spanning the solar disk. The inversion is multi-scale because in addition to folding together information from tiles located at different positions on the solar surface, it is capable of incorporating tiles of different sizes, thus, enabling fine control of the horizontal resolution and the probing depth. The inversion is based on sensitivity kernels computed with the Born approximation. Our inversion results indicate that outflow observed at the surface surrounding sunspots persists to unexpectedly deep depths (~ 7 Mm). These outflows appear to have two components, being comprised of a superficial moat flow and a deeper outflow whose strength peaks around 5 Mm.
Cyclic Pyrrole−Imidazole Polyamides Targeted to the Androgen Response Element

Hairpin pyrrole−imidazole (Py-Im) polyamides are a class of cell-permeable DNA-binding small molecules that can disrupt transcription factor−DNA binding and regulate endogenous gene expression. The covalent linkage of antiparallel Py-Im ring pairs with an γ-amino acid turn unit affords the classical hairpin Py-Im polyamide structure. Closing the hairpin with a second turn unit yields a cyclic polyamide, a lesser-studied architecture mainly attributable to synthetic inaccessibility. We have applied our methodology for solution-phase polyamide synthesis to cyclic polyamides with an improved high-yield cyclization step. Cyclic 8-ring Py-Im polyamides 1−3 target the DNA sequence 5′-WGWWCW-3′, which corresponds to the androgen response element (ARE) bound by the androgen receptor transcription factor to modulate gene expression. We find that cyclic Py-Im polyamides 1−3 bind DNA with exceptionally high affinities and regulate the expression of AR target genes in cell culture studies, from which we infer that th...
Improved tolerability and quality of life with maintained efficacy using twice-daily low-dose interferon-α-2b : Results of a randomized phase II trial of low-dose versus intermediate-dose interferon-α-2b in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND. In vivo data have shown a more potent antiangiogenic effect and a higher antitumor activity of low-dose interferon (IFN) given twice daily. In a randomized Phase II trial, the authors tested the hypothesis that twice-daily low-dose IFN is more effective than daily intermediate-dose IFN in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (MRCC). METHODS. A total of 118 patients (59 per arm) were randomly assigned to receive IFN at a dose of 0.5 million units (MU) given subcutaneously twice daily (IFN1) or IFN at a dose of 5 MU given subcutaneously daily (IFN5). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included response rate (RR), overall survival (OS), toxicity, and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS. There were no significant differences in either PFS or OS between IFN1 and IFN5 (median of 3.7 months and median of 3.4 months PFS, respectively; median of 25.5 months and median of 17.5 months OS, respectively). The RRs were identical in the 2 arms (6.7%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.8–16.5%). Two patients, 1 in each arm, remained in complete remission at the time of last follow-up, at 45+ and 38+ months from treatment. Thirty-two patients receiving IFN5 and 19 patients receiving IFN1 experienced Grade 3 or higher adverse events (graded using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria [version 2.0]) (P = .025). Eighteen patients receiving IFN5 and 4 patients receiving IFN1 had dose reductions (P = .002). There was a significant deterioration in QOL and an increase in depression associated with IFN5 but no change was noted with IFN1. CONCLUSIONS. Compared with IFN5, IFN1 is neither more nor less effective but is less toxic, with a better reported QOL. These results may have implications for the design of combination regimens incorporating IFN with targeted agents. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
iRENEX: a clinically informed decision support system for the interpretation of 99mTc-MAG3 scans to detect renal obstruction

Purpose Decision support systems for imaging analysis and interpretation are rapidly being developed and will have an increasing impact on the practice of medicine. RENEX is a renal expert system to assist physicians evaluate suspected obstruction in patients undergoing mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) renography. RENEX uses quantitative parameters extracted from the dynamic renal scan data using QuantEM™II and heuristic rules in the form of a knowledge base gleaned from experts to determine if a kidney is obstructed; however, RENEX does not have access to and could not consider the clinical information available to diagnosticians interpreting these studies. We designed and implemented a methodology to incorporate clinical information into RENEX, implemented motion detection and evaluated this new comprehensive system (iRENEX) in a pilot group of 51 renal patients.
DETERMINATION OF NUCLIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN SOLUTIONS CONTAINING LOW LEVELS OF RADIOACTIVITY BY LEAST-SQUARES RESOLUTION OF THE GAMMA-RAY SPECTRA.

Abstract One of the most difficult and expensive analyses associated with radioactive-waste disposal is the determination of the amount of each of four to ten radioactive nuclides when present only at the very low radioactivity levels of 10 2 to 10 5 pCi/l. Gamma-ray spectrum resolution, previously developed to determine higher specific activities, based on data analysis by high speed computer was tested and found to provide a rapid, semi-automatic, reasonably accurate method for these analyses at a cost of 5 to 25 times less than that for conventional methods. The savings increase with the number of samples. Tests, with two multichannel spectrometers and data analyses by the method of least squares, using a high speed computer, were made with solutions of 60 Co, 85 Sr, 141 Ce and 144 Ce added as tracers to water containing 90 Sr, 95 ZrNb, 106 Ru, 134 Cs and 137 Cs. The lowest concentration of radioactivity was about one-tenth of the lowest value previously determined by this technique; that is, down to 10 cpm. Evaporation by factors up to 20 was also evaluated for improving accuracies of analyses. For comparison, the solutions were also analyzed by standard radiochemical methods. Agreement between the two methods was excellent for 60 Co and 85 Sr for concentrations down to about 500 pCi/l (scatter of ±5 to ±20%). Agreement between the two methods was good for 137 Cs at activities down to 3000 to 4000 pCi/l; comparative values from the two methods differed by factors of 5 to 10 for 144 Ce except at activities above 1600 pCi/l. More dilute solutions were successfully analyzed only if they were first concentrated by evaporation. The method is not recommended for determination of 106 Ru at activities below 1000–2000 pCi/l, unless this nuclide constitutes a major fraction of the total activity and 85 Sr is a minor component. Several contributions to the mathematical techniques of gamma-ray spectrum resolution are reported. These include: data showing that gain shifts up to 5% and threshold shifts of two channels, can be accurately handled by a computer program; resolution of the errors of concentration estimates into contributions by background and the various radioactive species present; and use of chi-square to test the overall reliability of the multichannel spectrometer.
Does Global Health Funding Respond to Recipients’ Needs? Comparing Public and Private Donors’ Allocations in 2005–2007

Summary Adding to official development assistance (ODA), private foundations have emerged as important donors to the global health agenda. Amid this increasing funder diversity and growing global health budgets, responsiveness to recipients’ needs is a central concern. Merging datasets on ODA flows in 2005–07, over 2,800 foundation grants, disease burden, and perceived priorities in 27 low- and middle-income countries, this study offers the first comprehensive national-level analysis of global health aid responsiveness. The analysis shows that national patterns of disease burden explain neither public nor private aid flows during this period. While ODA committed during these years was weakly yet significantly correlated with health priorities, private grants’ responsiveness was even weaker and did not achieve ODA significance levels either.