cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting information technology transfer and innovation diffusion in health care

The transfer of electronic mail as a new technology was examined in over 60 academic health centers in the USA by surveying 1,335 individuals. Innovation attributes are important predictors for both the spread of usage (internal diffusion) and depth of usage (infusion) of electronic mail. In addition, organizational and boundary-spanning attributes are significant predictors for diffusion. Ease of use, visibility, communication, champions and generation of marketing intelligence were significant individual variables.
Medición de la pobreza y de la desigualdad en la América Latina. El emperador no tiene ropa

Esta breve nota comenzara con una revision de la evidencia empirica realtiva a la pobreza y la desigualdad en la America Latina durante la decada de los ochenta. Sin embargo, en contraste con la mayor parte de los estudios el objetivo de esta no se limita a evaluar la pobreza y la desigualdad en la America Latina durante la pasada decada...
The Federal Income Tax and the Poor: Where Do We Go From Here

In American society being poor and being among the "disadvantaged" mean essentially the same thing. Being poor places one in a position in which his various rights are more likely to be impaired than if he is not poor, simply because, in protecting his rights against infringement, one typically incurs substantial costs. This paper is concerned, therefore, with the position of those who may be classified as "poor" or "near-poor," and whether the federal individual income tax is or may be used as an appropriate and effective instrument for alleviating or even eliminating poverty. Clearly the elimination of poverty will not, in itself, ensure equal access to justice for all. It will, however, bring us closer to realization of that goal. While some will always, by reason of their greater affluence, be more advantaged than others, we must set limits on the degree of economic disadvantage that we are willing to tolerate. This Article will first review some of the facts of poverty and then consider the case for redistributing income in favor of the poor. It will examine the role of the federal individual income tax in its present form in relieving poverty, and, finally, present and evaluate what appear to be the more promising ways of using the machinery of the income tax to combat the basic disadvantage suffered by people in this country-being poor.
CORONARY HEART DISEASE MORTALITY AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN FRAMINGHAM

The relationship between ethanol consumption and coronary heart disease was examined in the original Framingham Heart Study cohort (1948) with a 24-year follow-up from exam 2 (2,106 males and 2,639 females). Ethanol consumption shows a strong U-shaped relationship with coronary heart disease mortality for male nonsmokers and heavy smokers both in the raw age-adjusted data and in the Cox regression analyses, where ethanol consumption is modeled quadratically. No ethanol effects were found for female nonsmokers. The age-adjusted data suggest a U-shape curve for female smokers, although this was not confirmed by the Cox analysis. Separate analyses relating alcohol consumption to mortality from all causes showed similar effects except that the reduction in mortality for males was much less. For male coronary heart disease mortality, ethanol consumption was subdivided into beer, wine, and spirits consumption. These beverages were also modeled quadratically in the Cox analyses, and all showed strong U-shaped curves for both nonsmokers and heavy smokers. In nonsmokers, beer and wine show greater reductions in coronary heart disease mortality than spirits.
Perchlorate-selective electrodes with urushi as the membrane matrix

Abstract Perchlorate-selective electrodes prepared from a new matrix, Urushi, and tri-n-octylmethylammonium perchlorate or the Corning perchlorate liquid ion-exchanger are described. The electrodes have linear response ranges and selectivity similar to those of commercial perchlorate-selective electrodes. The membranes are hard, lustrous and smooth; their useful lifetimes exceed 1000 h.
Mathematical models of individual buyer behavior.

Several grand models of buyer choice behavior exist, differing in their relative emphasis on economic, social, and psychological factors. Some of the partial or incompatible theorizing can be cleared up through efforts to develop and compare mathematical formulations of the different assertions about buyer behavior. This paper deals with the problem of explaining how the purchasers of consumer staples make brand choices through time. The author contrasts seven models of increasing complexity, the last one involving all the previous considerations of brand loyalty, stochastic factors, the influence of the last brand purchased, learning, competitive brand features, competitive brand promotion, and word-of-mouth influence. He concludes that model complexity is necessary both to provide a norm for exposing the omissions of simpler models and as a requirement for the eventual development of useful and realistic market simulators.
A solution of the diffusion equation for double oxidation in dry oxygen including lazy exchange between network and interstitial oxygen

An analytical solution to the diffusion equation describing the evolution of an 18O tracer profile in a double-oxidation experiment has been developed and applied to the analysis of double-oxidatio...
COMPATIBILITY OF ELASTOMERIC IMPRESSION MATERIALS FOR USE AS SOFT TISSUE CASTS

The communication of soft tissue contours from the clinical situation to the laboratory technician through the laboratory phases of the dental implant restoration is enhanced with the use of soft tissue casts. Modern elastomeric impression materials can function well as both the master impression and soft tissue cast materials. The purpose of this study was to test the compatibility of a variety of elastomeric impression materials and commercially available soft tissue cast materials with various matrix impression materials. Chemical interaction between the materials may result in adhesion or inhibition of the set of the soft tissue cast material. The results of this study indicated that consideration must be given to material compatibility if predictably successful results are to be achieved in soft tissue cast fabrication.
Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to G-protein α-subunit subclasses identify a transductional requirement for the modulation of normal feeding dependent on GαOA subunit

Abstract A variety of G-protein-coupled receptors are proposed to participate in the modulation of ingestive behavior and in the mode of action of antiobesity drugs. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of G-protein α-subunit subclasses (molecular transducers of multiple chemical signals) in the control of ingestive behavior. We report here that the chronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) microinfusion for 72 h (via osmotic minipumps) with antisense phosphothio-oligodeoxynucleotides corresponding to G-protein α-subunit O common (to OA and OB ) and OA subclasses decrease the nighttime food intake without affecting water intake in rats. Computerized analyses of the microstructure of feeding indicate that the Gα OA antisense depresses feeding by reducing meal frequency, while meal size and meal duration increased slightly, but not significantly. The effects of Gα O common and Gα OA antisense on feeding are specific since the chronic i.c.v. microinfusion of sense to Gα O common or Gα OA , antisense to the related subclass Gα OB , and antisense to other G-protein α-subunits (Gα S , Gα Q , Gα 11 and Gα i common ) had no effect on food or water intake. The observed effects by Gα O common and Gα OA antisense imply a direct action in the central nervous system since the chronic subcutaneous microinfusion of Gα O common and Gα OA antisense in doses equivalent or two-fold higher relative to those administered centrally had no effect on food intake. The chronic microinfusion of Gα O common antisense drastically decreased the levels of Gα O protein detected in immunoblots of hypothalamic ventromedial nuclei. The results suggest that the G-protein α-subunit subclass Gα OA is critical for the integrative modulation of normal feeding behavior, and that changes in its activity may be associated with modifications of feeding. These studies also show a novel approach to study the molecular basis of specific behaviors by manipulating elements of the transductional systems.
Gender and identity in exile: A European émigré in social work

This article explores social work in the United States as a refuge for women exiles from Nazi-occupied Europe using the case study of German-born Gisela Konopka. I argue that while many other women exiles were forced back into traditional gender roles, women in social work had a greater chance of maintaining their identities as intellectuals and as emancipated and politically active women dedicated to social reform, albeit with significant modifications. Affiliations on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and career success in her later years led Konopka to reflect on a career that, to some degree, had benefited from her transnational challenges and opportunities.
Managerial perspectives on trade and consumer promotions

Understanding the perceptions of managers and the behavioral rules they employ in allocating marketing resources is important in applied research. Using survey data obtained from brand managers, this paper explores the factors managers consider important in allocating trade and consumer promotions. Importance scores on several dimensions are factor analyzed to extract the underlying factors. Indices are computed using these raw scores. The extent of mediation by several brand and category variables on managerial perceptions are then examined by correlating managers' indices and the structural variables. The impact of the structural variables and the importance scores are related to promotion to sales ratios in a regression model. While the structural variables have strong and predictable impact, the importance scores are somewhat weak in their explanatory power. These results are used to shed some light on the budgeting process of allocating marketing dollars among advertising trade and consumer promotions.
Non-linear mixture models for cross-sectional financial log returns

High-frequency financial log returns are known to exhibit sharp departures from the usual normality assumption. This article carries out an in-depth evaluation of the effectiveness of multidimensional non-linear mixed models that arise from considering a scale mixture-based approach to modeling non-normal log returns over a cross-sectional period of time. Simulation-based first-order and second-order comparison measures that compare the non-linear mixed model with the linear model show strong preference in favour of the non-linear mixed models. The methodology is illustrated through a thorough analysis of quarterly intra-day log returns from CISCO, DELL, COKE, and S&P500 for the years 1998–2000.
URINARY CONCENTRATION OF B 2 MICROGLOBULIN IN A PEDIATRIC POPULATION

Urinary B2 microglobulin (B2m) has been used to assess renal tubular dysfunction. Previously reported data established the normal range of B2m to be 4-370 ug/liter in the urine of subjects 15 to 63 years of age, but no data are currently available for the pediatric age group. Using a cammercially available kit (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) urinary concentrations of B2m were measured in 95 subjects ranging in age from 1 day to 20 years in randamly collected early morning samples. For neonatal subjects age 1 day to 1 week the mean B2m concentration was 138 ug/lit ± 22 ug/lit (Mean ± SE) N=55. In succeeding age groups values were: 1 to 2 months 88 ± 17.2 N=10, 8 to 10 months 29 ± 7.4 N=6, 1 to 5 years 30 ± 30.0 N=6, 6 to 10 years 47 ± 13.5 N=7, 11 to 15 years 47 ± 13.7 N=6, 16 to 20 years 63 ± 30.1 N=5. In addition, urinary B2m concentration was measured in nine patients with vesicoureteric reflux. B2m levels were not significantly different from values obtained from age-matched controls. This study suggests that high levels of B2m are found in the urine during the first week of life and decrease to adult levels by one year of age. In addition, B2m concentrations cannot be used as an index of renal impairment caused by vesicoureteric reflux.
Phenotype and function of human milk monocytes as antigen presenting cells.

Abstract Ninety percent of mononuclear cells separated from 3 to 10 days human milk by centrifugation of Ficoll-Hypaque stain for the monocyte antigen, OKM 1. Of the cells 23% have surface Ia antigens and only 3% are positive for the T-cell antigen, OKT 3. In the presence of antigen, milk monocytes can support the proliferation of autologous antigen-specific T-cell blasts as well as blood mononuclear cells. Plastic-adherent milk mononuclear cells were more active than nonadherent cells and their presentation of antigen was inhibited by anti-Ia antibodies. These results indicate that milk monocytes have the phenotype and function of antigen presenting cells and they are consistent with the view that milk cells may contribute to the immunological development of the newborn.
Innovations in financing that drive cost parity for long-term electricity sustainability: An assessment of Italy, Europe's fastest growing solar photovoltaic market

Abstract Subsidy programs, such as feed-in tariffs, designed to make renewable technologies cost competitive with fossil fuels in electricity generation, have been effective in a number of nations. However, these subsidies can become very costly and they raise questions whether there are fair conditions for competition for different energy sources. As a result even effective programs face an uncertain future, changes in political support following the financial crises in Europe and the United States have demonstrated. In the case of solar photovoltaic energy, cost declines resulting from market-expansion schemes and the overall reductions in the price of photovoltaic cells have been significant particularly over the past decade. Yet, they have still left solar power up to 50% more expensive than conventional options. As an alternative in this paper we describe a financing tool based on a pollution abatement methodology. In developing this levelized cost of electricity framework we build a methodology to examine, and then utilize, the social costs and impacts of energy generation technologies. We find that as a means to bridge the cost gap between current conventional energy process and retail solar energy, a program based on a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loan program would, in the short-term, be an effective tool to accelerate grid parity between solar and conventional energy generation and in the long-term provides a theoretically and financially sound alternative to subsidy-based incentives.
Three dimensional characterization of regional lung deformation

The deformation of the lung during inspiration and expiration involves regional variations in volume change and orientational preferences. Studies have reported techniques for measuring the displacement field in the lung based on imaging or image registration. However, means of interpreting all the information in the displacement field in a physiologically relevant manner is lacking. We propose three indices of lung deformation that are determinable from the displacement field: the Jacobian--a measure of volume change, the anisotropic deformation index--a measure of the magnitude of directional preference in volume change and a slab-rod index--a measure of the nature of directional preference in volume change. To demonstrate the utility of these indices, they were determined for six human subjects using deformable image registration on static CT images, registered from FRC to TLC. Volume change was elevated in the inferior-dorsal region as should be expected for breathing in the supine position. The anisotropic deformation index was elevated in the inferior region owing to proximity to the diaphragm and in the lobar fissures owing to sliding. Vessel regions in the lung had a significantly rod-like deformation compared to the whole lung. Compared to upper lobes, lower lobes exhibited significantly greater volume change (19.4% and 21.3% greater in the right and left lungs on average; p<0.005) and anisotropy in deformation (26.3% and 21.8% greater in the right and left lungs on average; p<0.05) with remarkable consistency across subjects. The developed deformation indices lend themselves to exhaustive and physiologically intuitive interpretations of the displacement fields in the lung determined through image-registration techniques or finite element simulations.
System Integration and Hierarchical Power Management Strategy for a Solid-State Transformer Interfaced Microgrid System

This paper investigates, and for the first time presents, the system integration of a novel solid-state transformer (SST) interfaced microgrid system. Accordingly, a hierarchical power management strategy is proposed for this system to enable islanding mode operation, SST enabled operation, and the seamless transfer between two modes. The proposed power management strategy includes three control levels: primary control for the local controller; secondary control for the dc microgrid bus voltage recovery; and tertiary control to manage the battery state of charge. The proposed system architecture and control strategies are detailed in this paper and a lab test bed is constructed to verify the system performance. Finally, several typical case studies are carried out. The experimental results verify the proposed system and distributed power management strategy.
Nitrogenous waste products of the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans

Abstract The main excretory product of Glossina morsitans is uric acid, which makes up more than 60 per cent of the dry wt. of faeces. Arginine, histidine, and haematin are also present in substantial amounts in faecal material; the quantity of each recovered during a hunger cycle is approximately equal to the quantity ingested at the time of feeding. Less nitrogenous waste is eliminated during the first than during subsequent hunger cycles; this difference appears to be a reflection of the use of nitrogenous materials for the synthesis of muscle proteins during the first hunger cycle. The rate of excretion of uric acid is proportional to the size of the blood meal.
Whole linted cottonseed as a forage substitute: fiber effectiveness and digestion kinetics.

Abstract Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 6 × 6 Latin square design to 1) evaluate the potential interaction in effectiveness of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from whole cottonseed (WCS) when it was substituted for forage NDF (FNDF) and fed with ground (G) or steam-flaked (SF) corn and 2) to determine whether the kinetic properties of NDF digestion further clarify the effectiveness of WCS. The six dietary treatments were: forage control with G corn (21% FNDF), 5% WCS with G or SF corn (18% FNDF), 10% WCS with G or SF corn (15% FNDF), and 15% WCS with G corn (12% FNDF). Based on chewing activity, the NDF from WCS was estimated to be 84% (SE = 36%) as effective as alfalfa silage NDF. Decreasing passage and digestion rates of potentially digestible NDF with increasing WCS increased the evacuated pool size of ruminal DM, apparently explaining the similar ruminal mat consistency among treatments. Measures of effectiveness of WCS treatments did not interact with corn source. Fluid dilution rate was estimated based on a two-compartment model describing Co dilution, but no treatment differences were detected. There was a strong linear bias for estimates of ruminal NDF digestibility based on a single compartment model using the digestion rate of potentially digestible NDF and the passage rate of either indigestible NDF or digestible NDF when compared with NDF digestibility calculated using duodenal flows. Although further verification is needed, these digestion and passage kinetics help explain why WCS are effective at stimulating chewing during eating and rumination.
Plasma ablation of hard tissue by the free-electron laser

The Vanderbilt Free Electron Laser operating at wavelengths from 2.8 to 5.0 micrometers was focused and used to ablate samples of human temporal bone from cadavers, swatches of leather, and Plexiglas. The ablation efficiency, energy density necessary for ablation, and thermal damage to the surrounding tissue was investigated in all three samples. Comparisons are made between the different wavelength and the light interaction with tissue. At the highest intensities, a plasma is formed at the air tissue interface. The ablation process at these intensities is strongly influenced by the plasma, and the rate of ablation appears to become nearly independent of the laser wavelength. At lower intensities, the laser light interacts with the tissue in a more traditional fashion.
Migration of swash zone, step and microtopographic features during tidal cycles on an estuarine beach, Delaware Bay, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Abstract A time-series analysis of changes in surface elevation on the foreshore of an estuarine beach was conducted to compare movement of topographic features in the swash and breaker zones with results derived from study of ocean beaches. Wave heights on the upper foreshore during the field study averaged 0.15 m, with an average period of 2.4 s. The average height of the beach step was 21 mm. Smaller elevation changes, up to 12 mm in height, occurred at 10–15 min periods. There were more small elevation changes, greater longshore variations in these changes, and greater variation in the form of the beach step during the rising tide than during the falling tide. The variation in the small elevation changes and the beach step are attributed to greater short-term fluctuations in beach saturation during rising tides, causing greater variability in the velocity of swash and backwash.
Essential N-Terminal Insertion Motif Anchors the ESCRT-III Filament during MVB Vesicle Formation

The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRTs) have emerged as key cellular machinery that drive topologically unique membrane deformation and scission. Understanding how the ESCRT-III polymer interacts with membrane, promoting and/or stabilizing membrane deformation, is an important step in elucidating this sculpting mechanism. Using a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches, both in vivo and in vitro, we identify two essential modules required for ESCRT-III-membrane association: an electrostatic cluster and an N-terminal insertion motif. Mutating either module in yeast causes cargo sorting defects in the MVB pathway. We show that the essential N-terminal insertion motif provides a stable anchor for the ESCRT-III polymer. By replacing this N-terminal motif with well-characterized membrane insertion modules, we demonstrate that the N terminus of Snf7 has been tuned to maintain the topological constraints associated with ESCRT-III-filament-mediated membrane invagination and vesicle formation. Our results provide insights into the spatially unique, ESCRT-III-mediated membrane remodeling.
Conjugate residual methods for almost symmetric linear systems

This paper concerns the use of conjugate residual methods for the solution of nonsymmetric linear systems arising in applications to differential equations. We focus on an application derived from a seismic inverse problem. The linear system is a small perturbation to a symmetric positive-definite system, the nonsymmetries arising from discretization errors in the solution of certain boundary-value problems. We state and prove a new error bound for a class of generalized conjugate residual methods; we show that, in some cases, the perturbed symmetric problem can be solved with an error bound similar to the one for the conjugate residual method applied to the symmetric problem. We also discuss several applications for special distributions of eigenvalues.
Urinary porphyrin profiles as a biomarker of mercury exposure: Studies on dentists with occupational exposure to mercury vapor

Porphyrins are formed as intermediates in the biosynthesis of heme. In humans and other mammals, porphyrins with eight, seven, six, five, and four carboxyl groups are excreted in the urine in a well-established pattern. Mercury selectively alters porphyrin metabolism in kidney proximal tubule cells, leading to an altered urinary porphyrin excretion pattern. Previous studies in rats have shown that changes in the urinary porphyrin profile during exposure to mercury as methylmercury hydroxide are uniquely characterized by highly elevated (20- to 30-fold) levels of four- and five-carboxyl porphyrins and by the excretion of an atypical porphyrin ("precoproporphyrin"), which elutes on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) approximately midway between penta- and coproporphyrins. Changes in the urinary porphyrin profile are highly correlated with the dose and duration of mercury exposure and persist for up to 20 wk following cessation of mercury treatment. In the present studies, the utility of urinary porphyrin profile changes as a biomarker of mercury exposure in human subjects was evaluated. Urinary porphyrin concentrations were measured in dentists participating in the Health Screening Programs conducted during the 1991 and 1992 annual meetings of the American Dental Association and compared with urinary mercury levels measured in the same subjects. Among dentists with no detectable urinary mercury, mean concentrations of urinary porphyrins were within the established normal ranges for male human subjects. In contrast, among dentists with urinary mercury in excess of 20 micrograms/L, mean urinary concentrations of four- and five-carboxyl porphyrins as well as of precoproporphyrin were elevated three to four times those of unexposed subjects. Significant differences in urinary porphyrin concentrations remained when porphyrin concentrations in spot urine samples were adjusted for creatinine levels. These findings suggest that urinary porphyrin profiles may serve as a useful biomarker of mercury exposure in clinical or epidemiologic studies of mercury-related human health risks.
Massive Renal and Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage in a Case of Acquired Renal Cystic Disease With Atypical Epithelial Cell Proliferation

We present a case of acquired renal cystic disease in a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus who was dialysis dependent for 5 years. Renal hemorrhage and neoplastic transformation of the cyst epithelium are the two major complications of acquired renal cystic disease, and were present in this patient. The full clinical significance of the acquired renal cystic lesion is still unclear, although the possibility of renal tumors and massive renal and retroperitoneal hemorrhage should be considered in the longterm dialysis population.
A phylogenetic analysis of loasaceae subfamily loasoideae based on plastid DNA sequences

Questions of tribal and generic circumscriptions and relationships in Loasaceae subfamily Loasoideae are addressed in phylogenetic analyses that apply four plastid regions in parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses. As circumscribed in the influential monograph of Urban and Gilg, Loaseae are paraphyletic to the sister clades Klaprothieae (Klaprothia, Plakothira, and Xylopodia) and Kissenieae (Kissenia). This problem centers on the paraphyly of Huidobria: Huidobria chilensis is sister to \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \lan...
A long-range hierarchical clustering model for constructing perfect quasicrystalline formations

Since their discovery, the unique structural signature of quasicrystals has posed a perplexing puzzle. Whereas significant progress has been made in determining their physical properties, a deeper understanding of the structure of quasicrystals remains an open question. Although available structural models provide important insights into understanding the quasiperiodic structural order, there is still significant information lacking concerning the determination of the long-range order of quasicrystals. A global multi-level hierarchical framework is presented that is able to describe the long-range translational and orientational order of the global empire pertaining to perfect Penrose tiling (PPT) models. In this order, the global empire is constructed of infinite levels of hierarchical clusters. Any cluster level, in this hierarchy, is composed of four smaller building clusters; two highly symmetrical clusters and their two fragments. Cluster configurations and the geometric arrangements of the multi-lev...
The Computation of Real Fractional Order Bessel Functions of the Second Kind

A new method is presented for the computation of sequences of real, fractional-order Bessel functions of the second kind. For x not too small the method involves evaluation of near-minimax approximations to Y/sub nu/(x) for fixed x and small variable ..nu.., followed by analytic continuation in x and then by recursion in ..nu... Direct expansions of Y/sub nu/(x) are used for x small and 0 < or = to nu < or = to 1. Finally, implementations of the method for the FUNPACK package are discussed.
Aerodynamic Characteristics of Fighter Configurations During Spin Entries and Developed Spins

The NASA Langley Research Center is currently conducting a stall/spin research program to define fighter aerodynamics applicable during spin entries and developed spins and to develop analytical methods to use such measured aerodynamics for theoretically calculating these spin motions. Some static, forced-oscillation, and continuous rotation aerodynamic data have been measured for several current fighter models over a large poststall angle-of-attack range. This paper discusses these aerodynamic data and illustrates both the extremely nonlinear dependence of such data on several variables and the correlation that exists between the three types of measured aerodynamics. The current analytical methods for using these areodynamics to calculate spin entry and developed spin motions are discussed and correlated with experimentally obtained spins.
On estimating gravity anomalies— A comparison of least squares collocation with conventional least squares techniques

The least squares collocation algorithm for estimating gravity anomalies from geodetic data is shown to be an application of the well known regression equations which provide the mean and covariance of a random vector (gravity anomalies) given a realization of a correlated random vector (geodetic data). It is also shown that the collocation solution for gravity anomalies is equivalent to the conventional least-squares-Stokes' function solution when the conventional solution utilizes properly weighted zero a priori estimates. The mathematical and physical assumptions underlying the least squares collocation estimator are described.
Effect of pharmacist intervention on glycemic control in diabetes.

Abstract Aim To conduct a meta-analysis evaluating the effect of pharmacist intervention on glycemic control. Methods A systematic search of Medline and CENTRAL was conducted from the earliest possible date through June 2010. Trials were included if they were randomized controlled trials in a diabetic population, evaluated any form of pharmacist intervention and reported data on hemoglobin A1C (A1C). A random-effects model was used to calculate weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals. Results Fourteen trials (n = 2073) evaluating the effect of pharmacist intervention on glycemic control were identified. Pharmacist intervention significantly lowered A1C (n = 14 trials, WMD −0.76%, 95%CI −1.06 to −0.47) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) (n = 4 trials, WMD −29.32 mg/dL, 95%CI −39.54 to −19.10). A moderate to high degree of statistical heterogeneity was observed in these analyses (I2 ≥ 44.1% for both). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate statistically and clinically significant associations between pharmacist intervention and improvement in glycemic control.
Participation of the Photosensitizer Alpha-terthienyl in thePeroxidase-catalyzed Oxidation of Indole-3-acetic acid†

Abstract The plant photosensitizer alpha-terthienyl (αT) is toxic toward a variety of organisms, and normally requires exposure to ultraviolet-A radiation for activation and singlet molecular oxygen formation. However, some toxicity has also been reported to occur in the dark. One hypothesis that has been proposed to account for this light-independent toxicity is that the sensitizer becomes activated by energy transfer from the excited-state products of enzymatic reactions. We have investigated this hypothesis using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), which generates indole-3-aldehyde in an excited triplet state. Light is emitted during the IAA/HRP reaction at acidic pH, is increased by inclusion of αT and is not observed with heat-denatured HRP. The rates of both the oxidation of IAA and the subsidence of light emission are more rapid in the IAA/αT/HRP system than with IAA and HRP alone, indicating that the presence of αT accelerates the reaction. Bleaching...
Applications of a “Whole Community” Framework for Enhancing Community or Campus Resilience☆

Abstract The Community and Regional Resilience Institute (CARRI) has developed a unique approach to community resilience based on a “Whole Community” concept. It treats communities as a collection of systems, each with its own resilience. CARRI has applied its approach to two kinds of communities: civil communities, and institutions of higher education (IHEs). For both civil communities and IHEs, CARRI carried out a pilot program. For each participant, their leadership directed an assessment of the resilience of the component systems to the types of changes most relevant to that community. Each assessment provided suggestions for filling any gaps identified as part of the assessment. The pilot for the seven IHEs followed that for the seven civil communities and was able to take advantage of lessons learned from the first. These two pilot programs led to the following conclusions: • CARRI's systems-based approach is both understandable and usable by both types of communities. In practice, it seemed to provide a natural way to look at a community. • In general, IHEs were able to make better use of the approach than civil communities. This is due, in part, to the improvements made in the IHE pilot program based on the civil communities’ results. However, it also reflects the more hierarchical nature of IHEs, the tighter coupling of systems within an IHE and greater discretion in the use of resources in an IHE. • College campuses can be crucial catalysts for enhancing the resilience of civil communities. • Leadership is a key, perhaps the key, element in the success of a community resilience initiative.
Identification of optimal reference genes for RT-qPCR in the rat hypothalamus and intestine for the study of obesity

Obesity has a complicated metabolic pathology, and defining the underlying mechanisms of obesity requires integrative studies with molecular end points. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is a powerful tool that has been widely utilized. However, the importance of using carefully validated reference genes in RT-qPCR seems to have been overlooked in obesity-related research. The objective of this study was to select a set of reference genes with stable expressions to be used for RT-qPCR normalization in rats under fasted vs re-fed and chow vs high-fat diet (HFD) conditions. Male long-Evans rats were treated under four conditions: chow/fasted, chow/re-fed, HFD/fasted and HFD/re-fed. Expression stabilities of 13 candidate reference genes were evaluated in the rat hypothalamus, duodenum, jejunum and ileum using the ReFinder software program. The optimal number of reference genes needed for RT-qPCR analyses was determined using geNorm. Using geNorm analysis, we found that it was sufficient to use the two most stably expressed genes as references in RT-qPCR analyses for each tissue under specific experimental conditions. B2M and RPLP0 in the hypothalamus, RPS18 and HMBS in the duodenum, RPLP2 and RPLP0 in the jejunum and RPS18 and YWHAZ in the ileum were the most suitable pairs for a normalization study when the four aforementioned experimental conditions were considered. Our study demonstrates that gene expression levels of reference genes commonly used in obesity-related studies, such as ACTB or RPS18, are altered by changes in acute or chronic energy status. These findings underline the importance of using reference genes that are stable in expression across experimental conditions when studying the rat hypothalamus and intestine, because these tissues have an integral role in the regulation of energy homeostasis. It is our hope that this study will raise awareness among obesity researchers on the essential need for reference gene validation in gene expression studies.
On the relationship between zero criteria for two-variable polynomials and asymptotic stability of delay differential equations

Asymptotic stability of delay differential equations of the retarded type is studied in terms of zero criteria for polynomials in two independent complex variables. The major new result of this note is that asymptotic stability independent of delay can be expressed in terms of a (finitely) implementable algebraic criterion involving a two-variable polynomial.
Combining Motivational Interviewing With Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments for Substance Abuse: Lessons From the COMBINE Research Project

Abstract Motivational Interviewing began as a treatment for substance misuse and has strong empirical support as an intervention for these disorders. It is very common for MI to be combined with other types of treatment when it is used for substance abuse, and this article focuses on one example of this: the COMBINE Research Project. We examine the Combined Behavioral Intervention (CBI), which integrated MI and cognitive-behavioral strategies as well as several other approaches. The intervention is described and conceptual issues regarding the integration of MI with other treatments is explored.
Sequential estimation of a restricted mean parameter of an exponential family

The estimation of restricted parameters by fixed sample size rules has been considered by Hammersley [1]. A sequential solution to the problem of estimating the mean of a normal distribution when it is some unknown integer and a general method for solving problems of this sort were studied by Robbins in [4]. Based on the work of Robbins, a sequential procedure for estimating the parameter of a Poisson distribution when it is known to be an integer was given in [3]. The results obtained herein represent a generalization of the work dealing with the normal and Poisson cases. A class of sequential procedures is proposed and bounds on the error probabilities are obtained. The expected sample sizes are investigated and a weak form of optimality is demonstrated under certain conditions.
Mandibular first molar with three distal canals

A mandibular molar requiring root canal therapy was found with five canals, a mesial root, and two distal roots. The distobuccal root had two separate canals, and the distolingual root had but one. The bizarre aspects of this case are somewhat lessened because of the presence of the second distal root. Practitioners should not become excessively alarmed by the increasing reports of bizarre pulpal anatomy. However, knowledge of their existence may occasionally enable them to treat a case successfully that otherwise might have ended in failure.
Thoracoscopic staging and surgical therapy for esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer continues to be a major health problem with an associated poor prognosis. New technology is being applied to the staging of this cancer. The new staging system requires assessment of depth of wall penetration and lymph node status prior to resection. To determine penetration and node status with a high degree of accuracy generally requires some combination of chemotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging, endoesophageal ultrasound, and/or surgical staging. Several variables need to be considered in planning the surgical approach to the patient with esophageal cancer: the intent of the surgeon to either cure or palliate, the anatomic location of the tumor, and the method of reconstruction. Surgery is optimal for localized esophageal cancer. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation has increased survival in specific subgroups. Phase 2 trials have shown the safety and efficacy of chemoradiation. Randomized multi-institutional trials are needed to verify the encouraging results of recent phase 2 trials.
Emotional Response Deficits in Schizophrenia: Insights From Affective Science

Our understanding of the emotional features of schizophrenia has benefited greatly from the adoption of methods and theory from the field of affective science. This article covers basic concepts and methods from affective science on the psychological and neural mechanisms contributing to emotions and reviews the ways in which this research has advanced our understanding of emotional response deficits in schizophrenia. We review naturalistic studies and elicitation studies that evoke emotion responses among participants, including emotion expression, experience, and autonomic physiology. We also consider how these emotion response measures correspond to schizophrenia symptoms, and we focus particular attention on the issue of sex differences in emotional responding and how this may influence our understanding emotional functioning among individuals with schizophrenia.
Magnetic bubble computer systems

The purpose of this paper is to extend the work presented earlier on the methods for performing logic on magnetic bubble chips, and to illustrate these techniques by presenting the outline of a design for a general-purpose digital computer.
Reproductive toxicity associated with acrylamide treatment in male and female rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of acrylamide (ACR) on male and female reproductive function. Male rats received ACR in drinking water (50, 100, or 200 ppm) for up to 10 wk. Copulatory behavior, semen, and (for controls and 100 ppm only) fertility and fetal outcomes were evaluated. Females received ACR (25, 50, 100 ppm) for 2 wk prior to initiation of breeding and then throughout gestation and lactation. Hindlimb splaying was apparent in the 200‐ppm males by wk 4; less severe splaying appeared in the 100‐ppm group at wk 8. Disruptions in copulatory behavior preceded the appearance of this ataxia. These disruptions in mating performance interfered with ejaculatory processes and subsequent transport of sperm, since semen was found in the uterus of only 1 of the 15 females mated with the 100‐ppm males at wk 9. Moreover, only 33% of the females mated (wk 10) to the 100‐ppm males were pregnant. Postimplantation loss was also significantly increased in this group. Hindlimb splaying appe...
Chalcogenide glasses and structures for quantum sensing

Chalcogenide glasses are formed by combining chalcogen elements with IV-V elements. Among the family of glasses, As 2 S 3 , and As 2 Se 3 are important infrared (IR) transparent materials for a variety of applications such as IR sensors, waveguides, and photonic crystals. With the promise of accessibility to any wavelengths between 3.5 and 16 μm using tunable quantum cascade lasers (QCL) and chalcogenides with IR properties that can be compositionally adjusted, ultra-sensitive, solid-state, photonic-based chemical sensing in mid-wave IR region is now possible. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been developing quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), chalcogenides, and all other components for an integrated approach to chemical sensing. Significant progress has been made in glass formation and fabrication of different structures at PNNL. Three different glass-forming systems, As-S, As-S-Se, and As-S-Ag have been examined for this application. Purification of constituents from contaminants and thermal history are two major issues in obtaining defect-free glasses. We have shown how the optical properties can be systematically modified by changing the chemistry in As-S-Se system. Different fabrication techniques need to be employed for different geometries and structures. We have successfully fabricated periodic arrays and straight waveguides using laser-writing and characterized the structures. Wet-chemical lithography has been extended to chalcogenides and challenges identified. We have also demonstrated holographic recording or diffraction gratings in chalcogenides.
Dynamic aspects of voltage/power characteristics (multimachine power systems)

The authors investigate the dynamic aspects of operation on a typical voltage/power curve. They discuss multiple stable equilibrium points in the context of small signal stability. A single machine example supplying different types of voltage-dependent loads is examined. A multimachine power system is also studied. Examples include a discussion on multiple stable operating points and the effects of different load characteristics. >
Ferromagnetic Contamination in the Lungs and Other Organs of the Human Body

Contaminating particles which are ferromagnetic have been found in the human body. Their distribution was measured by applying an external magnetic field to the torso for a short time, and then, in a shielded room, mapping the steady magnetic field around the torso due to the magnetized particles. Maps of subjects show various distributions, including particles in the stomach from food cans and in the lungs from are welding. The fields from these two sources are strong enough to be detected with a flux-gate magnetometer, without the need for a shielded room. This simplicity of detection of larger amounts of ferromagnetic contamination suggests that this method may be used in two applications: in detecting the presence of large amounts of asbestos (ferromagnetic and harmful) in the lungs of asbestos workers, and in tests of the condition of the lung where FE3O4 dust (ferromagnetic and harmless) would be used as an inhaled tracer material.
Effects of Gonadotrophic Hormones on the Concentration of Ascorbic Acid of the Rat Ovary

The ascorbic acid concentration of the ovary was measured using the method of Schaffert and Kingsley (1955). It was found that there were no significant differences in the ascorbic acid concentration of immature ovaries from 3 line-bred strains of rats. These strains do differ in body weights and weights of ovaries. The ascorbic acid concentration of the mature ovary was found to vary with the estrous cycle. It is highest in diestrus and lowest at estrus. Hormones were given intravenously to 30-day rats which had not been pretreated with hormones and whose left ovary had been removed. The right ovary was removed 1 hr later and the concentration of ascorbic acid compared with that of the left ovary. FSH and LH were found to decrease the concentration of ascorbic acid, while LTH growth hormone and denatured FSH did not do so. FSH did not decrease the ascorbic acid concentration in similarly treated hypophysectomized rats. Hormones were given subcutaneously to 30-day rats whose left ovary had been removed. T...
Projections and regularity of abstract processes

In this note we shall prove the existence of optional and predictable projections of stochastic processes X taking values in a Banach space E. Furthermore, if the range of X is contained in a compact set and if X is cadlag (respectively caglad), then the optional (respectively predictable) projection possesses the same property. Finally, we shall prove that every E-valued martingale has a cadlag modification