cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advertising and bidding for television rights

Abstract We show that competition among commercial television networks for star programming inputs depends on the nature of the network competition for advertising dollars. An important result is that the network acquiring the star content earns lower profit than its rivals.
Antagonism by the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59 022 of muscarinic receptor-mediated cyclic GMP formation and binding of [3HN-methylscopolamine

R59 022 possessed potent antimuscarinic properties in inhibiting muscarinic agonist-mediated [ 3 H] cyclic GMP response and antagonist binding in mouse neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells
Defending the Rights of Gulag Prisoners: The Story of the Political Red Cross, 1918–38

In 1918, when Russian prisons became crowded with thousands of citizens convicted for political crimes, some lawyers and members of the old revolutionary intelligentsia felt the duty to intervene. They founded a non-oppositional relief organization called the Political Red Cross, which legally operated in the Soviet Union until 1938. This article analyzes the rationales for the creation of the Political Red Cross and its continued existence throughout the 1920s and 1930s. I articulate its philosophical platform and analyze the process of interceding on behalf of prisoners, emphasizing in particular the Political Red Cross's aspiration to cooperate constructively with state agencies. I also reconstruct the dialogues between the Political Red Cross's activists, the state officers, and the prisoners, arguing that this organization became the official intermediary selected by both sides to conduct negotiations between them. Ultimately, this article explores the paradoxical ambiguity of a relief organization operating within the Soviet system of imprisonment and control over legality in the Gulag.
Economic effects of a conflict-prone world order

The economic effects of international conflict and war have been the subject of much debate. Critics of militarism frequently cite the costs of wars and armaments; Reston (1988), for instance, notes that the United States and the Soviet Union together spend over $1.5 billion a day on military defense. In addition, wars have taken millions of lives, while the potential of war can militarize societies and produce feelings of regimentation and nationalism that many find repugnant.' In contrast to these issues, I wish to examine how the possibility of international conflict affects the incentives of politicians to implement growthimproving domestic economic policies. A country's success in international conflict is usually closely related to its economic power - a large revenue base and strong economy create economic power and enable high levels of military spending. The existence of a conflict-prone world order may thus strengthen the incentive for growth-promoting economic policies to the extent that public officials value international victories. Although conflict itself is a negative sum game, the results induced by the potential for conflict may yield benefits for the public. This essay is thus an exercise in the tradition of Bernard Mandeville (1962) [1734], who emphasized the theme of "private vices, public benefits." 2. Incentive effects and conflict For politicians under democratic regimes, international victories may increase the probability of reelection or strengthen a politician's mandate. Capturing rents from other countries usually boosts a politician's standing in the public opinion polls. Conversely, losing international conflicts usually damages a
Effect of Viscosity Ratio on the Electric-Field-Driven Enhancement of Heat/Mass Transfer to a Spherical Drop

The effect of viscosity ratio on the electric-field-driven enhancement of heat/mass transfer to a spherical liquid drop of one dielectric fluid from another immiscible dielectric fluid is computationally investigated in this paper. The flow field is considered to be in the Stokes regime and the energy (species) conservation equations in the continuous phase are solved numerically using a fully implicit finite volume method. Results for flow outside the drop, transient temperature distributions, Nusselt number variations, and heat/mass transfer enhancement are presented for Peclet numbers varying from 10 to 500, dimensionless electric field frequency from 50 to 1000, and the ratio of viscosity of the continuous to the dispersed phase varying from 0.1 to 50. Steady and non-uniform unsteady electric fields are considered. The computational simulations show that when viscosity of the drop is lower than the viscosity of the surrounding fluid, a steady uniform electric field is more effective in enhancement of heat/mass transport compared to a non-uniform time periodic electric field. Conversely, when the continuous phase is less viscous than the drop, the non-uniform time periodic electric field provides improved heat/mass transport than the steady uniform electric field.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Aminophylline loading in asthmatic patients: a protocol trial.

We tested an aminophylline loading-dose protocol in which asthmatic patients presenting to an emergency department were given a half (3 mg/kg) IV loading dose based on total body weight (TBW) if they had taken a short-acting, or sustained-release theophylline preparation within 12 or 24 hours, respectively, prior to arrival; otherwise, a full (6 mg/kg) loading dose was administered. Of the 28 patients given a full loading dose, 20 (71.4%) achieved a postload therapeutic level (10 to 20 μ g/mL), and none developed a toxic level (> 20 μ g/mL). Although 34 (60.7%) of 56 patients given a half loading dose attained a postload therapeutic level, 13 patients (23.2%) entered the toxic range. We were able to predict that loading doses of 7.6 mg/kg and 3.8 mg/kg based on ideal body weight (IBW) would have yielded very similar results. The mean change in theophylline level per mg/kg TBW of administered aminophylline was 2.01 μ g/mL. When calculated on the basis of IBW, the mean change in theophylline level was 1.58 μ g/mL. Evaluation of the change in theophylline level resulting from aminophylline loading doses based on either TBW or IBW revealed that each dosing method produced changes in blood level with similar variability that were not independent of obesity, indicating that neither dosing method is superior to the other. Thus, patients who report not having taken a theophylline preparation within the above time limits can be given a full aminophylline loading dose of either 6 mg/kg based on TBW or 7.6 mg/kg based on IBW. Other patients, however, require a preload blood level determination to optimize therapy and avoid toxic levels. For these patients, a loading dose can be determined from the expectation that each 1 mg/kg TBW or IBW of administered aminophylline will raise the theophylline level by about 2.0 or 1.6 μ g/mL, respectively, with the initial goal of therapy being a blood level of about 10 to 12 μ g/mL. Because of the positive correlation between change in theophylline level and obesity when dosing is based on TBW, it is recommended that in patients more than 50% over their IBW aminophylline loading be based on IBW to avoid possibly overdosing these patients. To reduce the incidence of minor toxic effects, which appear to be related to the rate of change in theophylline level, it is recommended that the aminophylline loading-dose infusion be given slowly over 45 to 60 minutes. Aminophylline loading doses do not have to be adjusted for age in adults.
Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites: Polyether and Polyimide Systems

A new type of clay-polyether nanocomposite has been prepared by the self-polymerization of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A in the galleries of acidic alkylammonium ion exchanged forms of montmorillonite. The acid catalyzed intragallery polymerization process leads to the spontaneous exfoliation to the 10A-thick clay layers. Intra- and extragallery polymerization processes are distinguishable by DSC. Clay-polyimide hybrid composites have also been prepared by the intercalation of polyamic acid in montmorillonites and subsequent thermal conversion to polyimide. In contrast to the completely exfoliated clay-polyether system, the polyimide system contain regularly intercalated clay aggregates in the polymer matrix. Although regular face-face clay layer aggregation is extensive, the clay-polyimide hybrid composite films exhibit greatly improved CO2 barrier properties.
The role of resource interactions and seedling regeneration in maintaining a positive feedback in hemlock stands

Summary 1 When a species influences conditions at a site to promote recruitment of conspecifics, the community may remain dominated by that species until the next major disturbance. We examined the occurrence of possible mechanisms for such a positive feedback in one community where it may be important: forests dominated by eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). 2 Intact soil divots were collected from a hemlock stand in central Massachusetts, USA, and placed in shade-houses at either 1.5% or 60% full sun. Soil was amended with nitrogen (5 g m−2 year−1), lime (1 kg m−2 year−1; to increase soil pH) or left untreated. Emergence, survival and growth of seedlings arising from the soil seed bank were subsequently monitored. 3 Light availability had a very large influence on seedling regeneration dynamics. Birch (Betula spp.) seedlings were most sensitive of all species to light availability, with low light reducing emergence by 43% and substantially decreasing seedling growth (by 99%) and survival (by 94%). In contrast, light treatments had smaller effects on performance of other species [hemlock and white pine (Pinus strobus)]. Birch survival was also increased by nitrogen addition, but only in low light. Liming had only marginal effects on seedling performance. 4 Differential seedling responses to resource availability led to dominance of final seedling communities by hemlock in low light, unamended soils (i.e., under conditions naturally found in hemlock stands), but by birch in high light, as well as in low light, nitrogen-amended soils. 5 Positive feedbacks in hemlock stands are mediated both by availability of light and nitrogen, and by species’ life-history strategies.
Surface form of the southern Laurentide Ice Sheet and its implications to ice-sheet dynamics

Reconstructions of the ice-surface morphology of several lobes of the southern Laurentide Ice Sheet reinforce previous arguments that this sector of the ice sheet was thin and low sloping. Driving stresses, estimated from the geometry of the reconstructed ice surfaces, are 0.7-4.3 kPa for the 14 ka Des Moines Lobe, 0.9-1.2 kPa for the 14 ka James Lobe, 0.9-1.7 kPa for the 18-20 ka Lake Michigan Lobe, 1.8-2.9 kPa for the 15-18 ka Chippewa Sublobe, and 17-22 kPa for the 15-18 ka Green Bay Lobe. Previous estimates of rates of ice-margin advance (450-2,000 m/yr) indicate moderate-to-fast ice velocities for the ice lobes. Reconstructed driving stresses and velocity estimates of the Des Moines, James, and Lake Michigan Lobes are analogous to the distal ends ("ice Plains") of low-sloping (0.4 X 10 -3 ) but fast moving (500 m/yr) West Antarctic ice streams, whose dynamics have been attributed to sliding and/or subglacial sediment deformation by pervasive shear. These reconstructions support recent models of the Laurentide Ice Sheet which include movement by sliding or by subglacial sediment deformation along its southern, western, and northwestern sectors; evidence for either mechanism should be represented in the sedimentologic and geomorphic records. Thin ice in these regions indicates that the Laurentide Ice Sheet contained less ice volume and represented less of an orographic obstacle to atmospheric circulation than has been considered in models of the ice sheet on a rigid bed with steep profiles.
Disordered thinking and cerebral dysfunction: Laterality effects, language, and intellectual functions

Abstract This report examines two types of thought disorder, bizarre-idiosyncratic thinking and concreteness, in relation to cerebral impairment and psychotropic medication status. Results do not support lateralzed dysfunction as a contributing factor for either form of thought disorder. Relationships between specific areas of neuropsychological deficit and thought disorder indicate that intellectual and arithmetic functions are more closely associated with bizarre-idiosyncratic thinking. Further, there were no specific neuropsychological impairments related to concrete thinking, nor was medication status related to either type of thought disorder. Problemsolving or reasoning affects logical orderly cognitive processes more reliably than it affects abstract thinking. Differences between these findings and other research are discussed from the standpoint of how both types of thought disorder are conceptualized and assessed, and how this may influence clinical indications for the use of psychoactive medications.
Use of Diluted Tomato Petiole Sap for Potassium Measurement with the Cardy Electrode Meter

Abstract Tomato petiole sap from potassium (K) rate experiments conducted on prairie loam and river coarse sand soils from 1998 to 2002 was used to measure K concentration via the battery‐operated portable Cardy flat membrane electrode meter and inductive coupled plasma (ICP) laboratory instrumentation. In 1998, for undiluted sap levels less than 3000 mg kg−1 the linear Cardy–ICP correlation was r=0.94, but when K was more than 3000 mg kg−1, r was only 0.53. Diluting the sap with water (1∶1) improved the linear range to 6000 mg K L−1 (r=0.87, n=190). Petiole sap K, measured by either Cardy or ICP, was highly correlated to whole‐leaf K concentration all years, r=0.8 to 0.91. Even through the slope of the regression lines were similar for the years, the intercepts were significantly different (P<0.01). The Cardy electrode can be reliably used for tomato petiole K determination provided the sap is diluted and the usual handling precautions are taken to prevent petiole moisture loss and maintain stability in ...
Evidence for "Massive Transfer" in Heavy-Ion Reactions on Rare-Earth Targets

Particle-..gamma.. coincidence experiments have been performed to study heavy-ion--induced reactions at 6--9 MeV/nucleon which lead to fast ..cap alpha.. particles. Experimental evidence is presented that the ..cap alpha.. particles are emitted in a new class of reaction called ''massive transfer'' which involves fusion of the remaining projectile mass. Such reactions are shown to occur with large cross section. High-spin states in the residual nuclei are populated, but side-feeding ..gamma..-ray intensities are distinctly different from those observed in (HI, chin..gamma..) reactions (HI is heavy ion).
Cesarean delivery and postpartum mortality among primiparas in Washington State, 1987–1996

Abstract Objective: To examine the association between delivery method and mortality within 6 months of delivery among primiparas. Methods: We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort analysis using statewide, maternally linked birth certificate, hospital discharge, and death certificate data. The present cohort was all primiparas who gave birth to live-born infants in civilian hospitals in Washington State from January 1, 1987 through December 31, 1996 (n = 265,471). Odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for overall mortality, pregnancy-related mortality, and pregnancy-unrelated mortality associated with delivery method. Results: Thirty-two women (12.1 per 100,000 singleton live births) died within 6 months of delivery of their first child. Eleven of 32 deaths were pregnancy related (4.1 per 100,000 singleton live births, 95% CI 1.6, 6.5), and 21 of the 32 deaths were not pregnancy related (7.9 per 100,000 singleton live births, 95% CI 4.5, 11.3). The pregnancy-related mortality rate was higher among women delivered by cesarean (10.3/100,000) than among women delivered vaginally (2.4/100,000). In logistic regression analyses, women who had cesarean delivery were not at significantly higher risk of death overall after adjustment for maternal age (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.3, 3.6), pregnancy-related death after adjustment for maternal age and severe preeclampsia (OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.6, 7.9), or pregnancy-unrelated death after adjustment for maternal age and marital status (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.3, 2.7), relative to women who had vaginal delivery. Conclusion: Cesarean delivery might be a marker for serious preexisting morbidities associated with increased mortality risk rather than a risk factor for death in and of itself. Data from additional sources such as medical records and autopsy reports are necessary to disentangle preexisting mortality risk from risk associated solely with delivery method.
Microfluidic thermal component for integrated microfluidic systems

We report the development of a packaged thermal component with integrated sensor for use in integrated microfluidic systems that need to accurately and conveniently control fluid temperature in one or more microfluidic reservoirs. The small surface mounted component can be assembled on a circuit board and encapsulated in biocompatible polymer for use as part of a “lab-on-a-chip” system. Such systems can be readily utilized in miniaturized lab applications that require precision heating, such as cell lysing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sterilization.
Collaborative information seeking: art and science of achieving 1+1>2 in IR

Traditional IR techniques, systems, and methods that assume an individual searcher are often shown to be inadequate for addressing search problems that are multi-faceted and/or too complex or difficult for individuals. The next big leap in information seeking/retrieval could happen by considering social and collaborative aspects of search. In this half-day tutorial, this concept, along with some of the foundational works and latest developments in the field of collaborative information seeking (CIS) will be presented. Specifically, the course will introduce the student to theories, methodologies, and tools that focus on information retrieval/seeking in collaboration. The student will have an opportunity to learn about the social aspect of IR with a focus on collaborative search or CIS situations, systems, and evaluation techniques. The three hours will be divided as: (1) introduction to group-based IR models, approaches, and systems; (2) back-end of CIS systems with system-focused mediation and front-end with user-focused mediation; and (3) evaluation of CIS systems/approaches, prediction and recommendations with collaborative aspects of IR, and future directions. The attendees will be given a course-pack that will include a reference list, an annotated bibliography of seminal works in the field, and depictions of relevant models/frameworks.
Use of XPS to Identify the Oxidation State of Mn in Solid Surfaces of Filtration Media Oxide Samples from Drinking Water Treatment Plants

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to identify Mn(II), Mn(III), and Mn(IV) in the surfaces of pure oxide standards and filtration media samples from drinking water treatment plants through the determination of the magnitude of the Mn 3s multiplet splitting and the position and shape of the Mn 3p photo-line. The Mn 3p region has been widely studied by applied physicists and surface scientists, but its application to identify the oxidation state of Mn in heterogeneous oxide samples has been limited. This study shows that the use of both the Mn 3s multiplet splitting and the position and shape of the Mn 3p photo-line provides a feasible means of determining the oxidation state of manganese in complex heterogeneous, environmentally important samples. Surface analysis of filtration media samples from several drinking water treatment plants was conducted. While Mn(IV) was predominant in most samples, a mixture of Mn(III) and Mn(IV) was also identified in some of the filtration media samples studied...
The effect of central nervous system depressants on discrete trial approach-avoidance behavior.

A new discrete trial approach-avoidance procedure is described along with the effect of varying several of its behavioral parameters. Meprobamate and pentobarbital, but not chlorpromazine or reserpine, were found to be effective in increasing the number of approach-avoidance responses an animal made during an experimental session. This result can be explained either on the basis of a decrease in shock motivated avoidance behavior, or as a result of the drug interfering with the learned inhibition of approach responses in the presence of an approach-avoidance stimulus. Considering the effects of meprobamate in this and other behavioral procedures, the second possibility seems more likely. Meprobamate, in the behavioral procedure described here, acts primarily to decrease the inhibition of responses.
Amplitude distribution of composite terrain radar clutter and the &#954;-Distribution

A novel class of probability distributions resulting from a compound Poisson process is found to correlate well with amplitude distributions of radar clutter returns spatially sampled from composite terrain. This class of distributions, derived from assumptions of random scattering phase and Poisson spatial distribution of elementary scattering sources, is specified by several physical and statistical parameters in its complete generality. These parameters are: 1) the number of scatterer types; 2) the average radar scattering cross section and the cross-sectional distribution of each different scatterer type; 3) the occurrence probability or the average scatterer size and spatial density; 4) the radar resolution area; and 5) the average background radiation as well as the radar internal noise power. Excellent fits of the theoretical clutter distributions to the measurement data are obtained by assuming a Rayleigh amplitude distribution for the elementary scatterer return for high grazing angle cases and a more general K -distribution for low grazing angle cases.
Choice of optimization models for predicting spinal forces in a three-dimensional analysis of heavy work

Biomechanical models for predicting spinal compression forces are often used to assess industrial jobs with respect to the potential for low-back injury. However, there are a variety of optimization-based model formulations available for estimating internal forces from joint reaction moments in three-dimensional analyses. The question addressed in this study was, how much does the choice of model formulation affect spinal compression force estimates when analysing industrial tasks? Forty-one work postures in an aluminium reduction facility were selected for analysis. The postures were entered from videotape, and a static three-dimensional biomechanical model was used to compute the L2/L3 moments about the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes. The shear and compression forces acting on the spine were computed from the L2/L3 moments using four optimization model formulations (minimize the sum of squared muscle stresses, sum of cubed muscle stresses, spinal compression, and a combination of maximum muscl...
Fractionation of some polyethenoxy lauryl ethers

Molecular distillation was applied to the fractionation of lauryl ether-ethylene oxide condensates. It was shown that the distribution, in general, follows Poisson’s Law as applied to polyethylene glycols by Flory. Detergency studies on the individnal fractions indicate optimum soil removal at approximately seven ethenoxy units and optimum whiteness retention at about four ethenoxy units.
A Minimum-Cost Analysts Assignment Model for Asset Evaluation of Insolvent Saving and Loan Institutions

Audit staff planning has been a challenging problem for accounting, auditing and real estate firms. This paper presents a mathematical model and a solution methodology for determining the minimum-cost analysts assignment, when analysts should travel from geographically dispersed locations to evaluate assets of an insolvent Saving and Loan institution. Computational experiments with the solution algorithm on 27 randomly generated projects show (a) that the solution methodology efficiently generates an optimal solution, and (b) provides the decision maker with alternative next best plans through ex post sensitivity analysis. Although specific, variations of the model and algorithm presented here can be applied to a variety of audit staff assignment problems in accounting and real estate firms.
Extreme value distribution for normalized sums from stationary Gaussian sequences

Abstract Let {Xi, i⩾0} be a sequence of independent identically distributed random variables with finite absolute third moment. Then Darling and Erdos have shown that for -∞ μ n = max 0⩽k⩽n k - 1 2 ∑ k i=0 x i and X n = (2 ln ln n) 1 2 . The result is extended to dependent sequences but assuming that {Xi} is a standard stationary Gaussian sequence with covariance function {ri}. When {Xi} is moderately dependent (e.g. when v(∑ n i=1 X i ) ∾ n a , 0 we get where Ha is a constant. In the strongly dependent case (e.g. when v(∑ n i=1 X i ) ∾ n 2 r(n)) we get for-∞
Alexia and left homonymous hemianopia in a non‐right‐hander

A non-right-handed patient developed alexia without agraphia from a right occipital lobe infarction. An intracarotid amobarbital test showed left hemispheric dominance for speech. The cause of alexia in this patient could not be explained simply by the accepted disconnection hypothesis, which proposes that speech, handedness, and reading functions reside in the same hemisphere. The findings in this patient suggest that his speech function is located on the left, whereas his functions for reading and writing are located in the right hemisphere.
Evidence for the rearrangement of P-chloro-phosphirenium ions to P-vinyl-phosphenium ions

Abstract The formation of 1 -diisopropylamino-2,3-diphenyl- 1-(2-chloro- 1,2-diphenylvinyl)phosphirenium ion (2), is postulated to proceed via the rearrangement of a P-chloro-phosphirenium ion to a P-vinyl-phosphenium ion.
Increase in Antiviral Activity of Polynucleotides by Thermal Activation

LIMITED preincubation (5 min to 2 h) at 37° C was found to increase the activity of several synthetic polynucleotides in producing cellular resistance to virus infection in vitro by several orders of magnitude, and to a lesser extent, induction of interferon in vitro and in vivo. The thermal activating effect was observed for both alternating copolymers and homopolymer pairs of either RNA or DNA types, but was most marked with the alternating polyribonucleotides such as poly A·poly U and poly I·poly C. Our findings might help to explain the variable biological activity of polynucleotides according to the way they are processed before testing.
Reduced hysteresis loss in superconducting bearings

Abstract Spin-down results are reported for a permanent magnet (PM) ring levitated in vacuum over an array of high-temperature superconductors (HTSs). A method was developed that uses a small amount of soft-ferromagnetic shims to reduce the azimuthal inhomogeneity of the PM. The spin-down results show that this method reduces low-velocity hysteresis losses but does not change velocity-dependent losses. These results are consistent with the interpretation that velocity-dependent losses are primarily due to eddy currents induced in the PM by inhomogeneity of the field produced by the magnetized HTS array and that the velocity-independent losses are a result of hysteresis in the HTSs; this, in turn, is due to inhomogeneity of the PM magnetic field. The low-speed results suggest that surface pinning, as opposed to bulk pinning, may be the dominant mechanism in hysteresis losses for PMs with low inhomogeneity. Residual gases in the vacuum chamber are shown to contribute negligibly to rotational losses. We measured a low-speed coefficient of friction of 6 × 10 −8 .
Calibration of Jackup Leg Foundation Model Using Full-Scale Structural Measurements

The fitness of jackup rigs to operate in varying water depths and weather conditions is determined by "site-specific" structural assessments. These assessments are conducted by a wide range of companies like oil companies, rig owners, rig designers, classification societies, warranty companies and regulators. The results can differ significantly, depending on the assumptions and modelling details used in the structural analysis.Key aspects of the analysis include the leg foundation model, the calculating of wave load and dynamic amplification effects. This paper describes how structural measurements during a storm on an operating jackup rig were used to calibrate a leg foundation model. The measurements show that for significant leg penetration in soft clay, the foundation affords considerably more structural resistance than is assumed in the typical 'pinned spudcan' model. See also the previous two Abstracts.
Intravesical Colonic Pseudotumor

A 67-year-old male was diagnosed with stage Ta grade 1 to 2 bladder cancer 10 years previously. Following an initial resection he had recurrence at 1 and 4 years postoperatively. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin was administered at each recurrence. At 5 years a small lesion was managed with YAG laser ablation. Eight and 9 years after initial diagnosis additional Ta grade 1 to 2 lesions were resected, and each was managed with bacillus Calmette-Guerin. At 10 years following initial diagnosis the patient had recurrent Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli urinary tract infections, and complained of generalized malaise. Computerized tomography (CT) suggested diverticular disease without evidence of fistula. Cystoscopy revealed well healed scars, a freely refluxing left ureter and erythema in the posterior bladder. Urine cytology was negative. The patient was started on antibiotic prophylaxis and the symptoms improved. Seven months later he reported increased difficulty voiding and hematuria. A 2.5 cm tumor with a fine papillary surface was resected from the posterior bladder wall (fig. 1). Pathological review showed normal colonic epithelium (fig. 2). On postoperative day 1 the patient reported hematochezia. CT demonstrated no evidence of fistula, but again revealed thickening of the sigmoid wall. Cystography showed no extravasation. The patient had no further episodes of hematochezia. On postoperative day 10 he presented with an enterococcal urinary tract infection. He then underwent resection of the sigmoid colon and fistulous tract to the bladder, and omental interposition. Postoperative course was unremarkable with the exception of a superficial wound infection requiring packing. At 15 months postoperatively the patient was asymptomatic and had had no further infections.
The effect of context variability on source memory.

High-context-variability (HCV) items are experienced in many more preexperimental semantic contexts than are low-context-variability (LCV) items. LCV confers an advantage to recognition memory (Steyvers & Malmberg, 2003). In the present study, we tested whether or not that advantage could be caused by enhanced source memory. Both context variability and word frequency were manipulated, and both factors generally affected source monitoring. Accuracy was better for LCV items than for HC V items and better for low- than for high-word-frequency items. We also considered whether context variability exerts its influence at encoding or at retrieval. We concluded that better recognition memory for LCV items was due, in part, to better retrieval of contextual details that specify how an item was originally studied.
Purification and Characterization of a Novel Physiological Substrate for Calcineurin in Mammalian Cells

Abstract Although the calcium/calmodulin-regulated protein phosphatase calcineurin has been shown to play a role in a number of intracellular processes, relatively few of the downstream phosphoproteins that are dephosphorylated by this enzyme in cells have been described. Calcineurin was previously shown to play a role in amylase secretion by rat pancreatic acinar cells and to specifically dephosphorylate a 24-kDa cytosolic protein. The present study describes the purification and characterization of this novel phosphoprotein, termed CRHSP-24 (calcium-regulatedheat-stable protein with a molecular mass of 24 kDa). Microgram quantities of CRHSP-24 were purified from a large-scale rat pancreas preparation in a procedure involving heat and acid precipitation, anion-exchange chromatography, preparative electrophoresis, electroelution, and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Internal amino acid sequence was obtained from two peptides following trypsin digestion and high pressure liquid chromatography. Both sequences matched with 100% identity nucleotide sequences of expressed sequence tags from human placenta and rat PC-12 cells. Two CRHSP-24 transcripts of 0.7 and 2.9 kilobases were detected in multiple rat tissues by Northern analysis, whereas a single 24-kDa protein was observed by Western blotting. The CRHSP-24 protein is 147 amino acids in length, is composed of nearly 14% proline, and is phosphorylated entirely on serine residues. Western analysis and 32P metabolic labeling of acini revealed CRHSP-24 to be maximally phosphorylated in control cells and to undergo a rapid sustained dephosphorylation on at least 3 serine residues in response to calcium-mobilizing stimuli. Dephosphorylation of CRHSP-24 was completely inhibited by pretreatment of acini with cyclosporin A or FK506. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of FK506 were blocked by excess rapamycin. The ubiquitous expression of CRHSP-24 in rat tissues suggests that this novel calcineurin substrate plays a common role in calcium-mediated signal transduction.
Is the mitral valve passive flap theory overstated? An active valve is hypothesized

Abstract The concept that the mitral valve of the heart is a passive flap that opens and closes like a barn door has been emphasized for decades by medical and biology professors to their students. But experimental findings, which are outlined in this report, support the theory of an active valve. We hypothesize that the two leaflets of the mitral valve are actively contractile; that physical forces generated in the valve itself may stabilize and add precision to the sum of forces that regulate valve movement. This precision could be of critical significance both in the moments preceding, and during, valve opening and closing. Evidence supporting our active valve hypothesis includes the profuse innervation of motor and sensory nerves that are present in the mitral valves of all animals studied. In addition, multiple contractile cell types have been found in the mitral valve, including cardiac muscle cells, smooth muscle cells, and cardiac valvular interstitial cells. In vitro work in our laboratories using the rat mitral valve shows that not only are the valves capable of contraction and relaxation, but that the contractions and relaxations are nerve-mediated. We theorize that the rich innervation and contractile cells in the mitral valve work together to modulate fine-tuning of valve movements and tone, thereby ensuring the integrity of the valve seal. Other investigators have reported that the mitral valve demonstrates contractile activity and that denervation localized to the mitral valve affects valve competence. The evidence for an active mitral valve presented by these and other experimental studies warrant a reexamination of the validity of the passive valve concept. An accurate and full understanding of the precise movements of the valve leaflets and the mechanisms that regulate these movements is likely to provide the information needed to understand and develop treatments for many different cardiac valve problems, including mitral valve diseases such as prolapse and myxomatous degeneration. In view of the available experimental evidence, the concept that the mitral valve functions only as a passive structure is challenged by numerous anomalies. A reinterpretation of the concept of valve function that incorporates active as well as passive roles for the valve leaflets and other components of the valve apparatus would have significant implications both for the directions taken in research involving the cardiac valves and for the approaches to treatment.
Synthesis and thermolytic behavior of mixed-valence homo- and heterometallic group 14 alkoxides

The mixed-valence molecule Sn{sup II}Sn{sup IV} (OPr){sub 6} is conveniently synthesized and is shown to exchange bridging and terminal alkoxides in solution in its Sn({micro}-OPr){sub 3}Sn(OPr){sub 3} structure. Pb{sub 3}SnO(POr){sub 8} is synthesized and shown to undergo an intramolecular fluxional process in solution. Both molecules are sufficiently volatile for CVD study, and comparison of CVD behaviors of these and of M(OPr){sub 2} (M = Sn, Pb), Sn(POr){sub 4}, SnZr(OPr){sub 6}, and Pb{sub 3}-ZrO(OPr){sub 8} shows the reducing capacity of the isopropoxide moiety dominates the thermolytic behavior of all these species, giving metallic Sn or Pb in all cases. Only Zr, when it is present, forms ZrO{sub 2}. The oxide in Pb{sub 3}SnO(POr){sub 8}yields PbO (and 2 Pb{sup 0} and 1 Sn{sup 0}), in contrast to the relative electropositivity of Sn and Pb, a fact attributed to kinetic control of CVD behavior.
Adherence of self-assembled monolayers on gold and their effects for high-performance anisotropic conductive adhesives

To improve the electrical property of the anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA) joints, self-assembled monolayer (SAM) compounds are introduced into the interface between the metal filler and the substrate bond pad. The formation of the SAM on gold and the thermal stability were investigated by measuring the contact angles of SAM compounds with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic tail groups such as octadecanethiol (ODT), mercpatoacetic acid (MAA), and 1,4-benzenedithiol (dithiol) on the Au surface. Epoxy resins with two different curing temperatures were used as polymer matrices of the ACA formulations. The SAM-treated ACA joints showed much lower resistance at the same applied current than nontreated joints, and the effect on the low curing temperature epoxy matrices was more significant.
Evidence of Epstein-Barr Virus Association with Gastric Cancer and Non-Atrophic Gastritis

Different lines of evidence support an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and gastric cancer (GC). The main understood risk factor to develop GC is infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which triggers a local inflammatory response critical for progression from gastritis to GC. The role of EBV in early inflammatory gastric lesions has been poorly studied. A recent study proposed a cutoff value of 2000 EBV particles to identify patients with increased chances of infection of the gastric epithelium, which may favor the inflammatory process. To better understand the role of EBV in cancer progression, we analyzed 75 samples of GC, 147 control samples of non-tumor gastric tissue derived from GC patients and 75 biopsies from patients with non-atrophic gastritis (NAG). A first-round PCR was used for EBV detection in tumor and non-tumor controls and a more sensitive nested PCR for gastritis samples; both PCRs had lower detection limits above the proposed cutoff value. With this strategy 10.67% of GC, 1.3% of non-tumor controls and 8% of gastritis samples were found positive. An EBER1 in situ hybridization showed EBV infection of epithelial cells in GC and in a third of NAG samples, while in the other NAGs infection was restricted to the mononuclear cell infiltrate. EBV-positive GCs were enriched in lace and cribriform patterns, while these rare patterns were not observed in EBV negative samples. Our results support a role for EBV in GC and early precursor lesions, either as directly oncogenic infecting epithelial cells or indirectly as an inflammatory trigger.
Communication About Sexuality With Mothers and Stepmothers From the Perspective of Young Adult Daughters

Children can benefit when they are able to talk about sexuality with their parents. Studies indicate that adolescents prefer to discuss sexuality primarily with their same-sex peers and siblings. In families, teens prefer confiding in their mothers, then their fathers, and finally their stepparents of either gender. In an exploratory qualitative study, using a family systems and communication boundary perspective, 19 young women who self-identified as having a positive relationship with their mothers and nonresidential stepmothers were interviewed in depth. One area of strength identified was that the participants had open communication with their mothers. Although the volume of communication between mothers and daughters was greater than between stepmothers and stepdaughters, the content differed. Ten of the young women could confide in their stepmothers about their sexual experiences, whereas none of young women confided about sexuality with the mothers, with the exception of sexual health issues. This ...
Developing and Validating a Measure of Web Personalization Strategy

An important theoretical undertaking in personalization research is to identify the structure of the multidimensional construct of personalization and to operationalize them in measurable terms. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate measurement scales for personalization by identifying four distinctive personalization archetypes and hypothesizing their respective relationships with different cognitive and affective outcomes. This effort was successful in several respects. New scales for measuring personalization strategies were developed based on the definitions of personalization archetypes (architectural, instrumental, social and commercial), which were in turn derived from an extensive review of multidisciplinary studies. A lab experiment with 229 student subjects was conducted to explore the structure of the personalization construct and to validate the instrument using four Web site stimuli representing four types of personalization strategies. The new measures were found to have strong psychometric properties and exhibit significant linkages with respective cognitive and affective outcomes as theoretically postulated.
The Work behind Weight-Loss Surgery: A Qualitative Analysis of Food Intake after the First Two Years Post-Op

Purpose. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and has nearly doubled worldwide since 1980. Bariatric surgery is on the rise, but little focus has been placed on the psychosocial impacts of surgery. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery at least two years before to gain an understanding of the successes and challenges they have faced since surgery. Methods. This study used a phenomenological approach, to investigate the meaning and essence of bariatric patients with food after surgery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on a sample of nine participants who had undergone surgery at least two years prior. Findings. Two main themes regarding food intake emerged from the data: (a) food after the first year post-surgery and (b) bariatric surgery is not a magic pill. Upon further analysis, food after the first year post-surgery had four subthemes emerge: diet adherence after the first year post-surgery, food intolerances, amount of food, and tendencies toward coping with food do not magically disappear. Conclusion. Findings revealed that post-operative diet and exercise adherence becomes increasingly difficult as weight loss slows. Many participants find that only after the first year after surgery the work really begins.
Control of Light-Emitting Polymer Devices Using Polymer/Polymer Interfaces

We present the use of polymer/polymer interfaces to control light-emitting polymer devices. Bilayer devices utilizing poly(9-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) as a hole transporting/electron blocking polymer together with a pyridine containing electron transporting layer show dramatically improved efficiency and brightness as compared to single layer devices. This is attributed to charge confinement and exciplex emission at the PVK/emitting polymer interface. The introduction of emeraldine base (EB) form of polyaniline (PAN) on both side of the emitting layer enables the device to work under both forward and reverse bias, as well as in AC modes. Interfaces play an important role in the operation of these devices. Furthermore, when the EB is replaced by sulfonated polyaniline (SPAN) on the cathode side and the emitting layer is properly modified to balance electron and hole transport, the device generates different colors of light, red under forward bias and green under reverse bias.
Mechanism of Pdia3-dependent 1α,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 signaling in musculoskeletal cells.

Abstract 1α,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] acts on cells through traditional steroid hormone receptor-mediated gene transcription and by initiating rapid membrane-associated signaling pathways. Two receptors have been implicated in rapid signaling by 1,25(OH)2D3, the classical nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the more recently identified protein disulfide isomerase, family A, member 3 (Pdia3). Our lab along with other groups has established various tools to investigate the role of these two receptors, including gene knock-out, conditional knock-out, silencing, and over-expression in various model systems (growth plate chondrocytes, osteoblastic cells, chick intestinal epithelial cells, mouse embryoid bodies, extracellular matrix vesicles and isolated cell membranes). The data demonstrate the requirement for Pdia3 in 1,25(OH)2D3 induced phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and protein kinase C (PKC) activation and downstream responses. Pdia3+/− heterozygote mice also exhibit both cartilage and bone defects. VDR is present on the plasma membrane and one VDR−/− mouse strain lacks transcaltachia, although 1,25(OH)2D3 induced PKC activation and transcaltachia are not affected in another VDR−/− mouse strain. In the context of osteoblast differentiation, both receptors are expressed during osteogenic commitment of embryoid bodies and silencing of each causes a more mature osteoblast phenotype in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts. Pdia3 exists in caveolae, where it interacts with PLA2 activating protein (PLAA) and caveolin-1 to initiate rapid signaling via PLA2, phospholipase C (PLC), PKC, and ultimately the ERK1/2 family of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK). Using the growth plate chondrocyte and matrix vesicle models, we have demonstrated that Pdia3-dependent signaling in response to 1,25(OH)2D3 regulates growth plate physiology.
MOD: an organic detector for the future robotic exploration of Mars

Abstract Searching for extinct or extant life on Mars is part of the future NASA surveyor class missions. Looking for key organic compounds that are essential for biochemistry as we know it or indicative of extraterrestrial organic influx is the primary goal of the Mars Organic Detector (MOD). MOD is able to detect amino acids, amines and PAHs with at least 100 times higher sensitivity than the Viking GCMS experiment. MOD is not capable of identifying specific organic molecules but can assess the organic inventory of amines and PAHs on the planet. MOD can also quantify adsorbed and chemisorbed water and evolved carbon dioxide in a stepped heating cycle to determine specific carbon-bearing minerals. All that comes with no sample preparation and no wet chemistry. The organics can be isolated from the carrier matrix by heating the sample and recovering the volatile organics on a cold finger. This sublimation technique can be used for extracting amino acids, amines and PAHs under Mars ambient conditions. The detection of amino acids, amines and PAHs is based on a fluorescence detection scheme. The MOD concept has functioned as a laboratory breadboard since 1998. A number of natural samples including shells, clays, bones, λ -DNA and E.-coli bacteria have been used and organic molecules have been extracted successfully in each case. The first prototype of MOD is operational as of early fall of 1999. MOD has been selected for the definition phase of the NASA-MSR 2003 mission.