cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-quality, deterministic parallel placement for FPGAs on commodity hardware

In this paper, we describe the application of two parallelization strategies to the Quartus II FPGA placer. The first uses a pipelining approach and achieves speedups of 1.3x on two processing cores. The second uses a parallel moves approach and achieves speedups of 2.2x on four cores. Unlike all previous parallel moves algorithms, ours is deterministic and always gives the same answer as the serial version of the algorithm, without any significant reduction in performance.We also describe a process to quantify multi-core performance effects, such as memory subsystem limitations and explicit synchronization overhead, and fully describe these effects on a CAD tool for the first time. Memory limitations alone are found to cost up to 35% of total runtime. Unlike previous algorithms, our algorithms have negligible explicit synchronization overhead. These results are relevant to both CAD designers and to any developers seeking to parallelize existing software.
Common Neural Mechanisms for the Evaluation of Facial Trustworthiness and Emotional Expressions as Revealed by Behavioral Adaptation

People rapidly and automatically evaluate faces along many social dimensions. Here, we focus on judgments of trustworthiness, which approximate basic valence evaluation of faces, and test whether these judgments are an overgeneralization of the perception of emotional expressions. We used a behavioral adaptation paradigm to investigate whether the previously noted perceptual similarities between trustworthiness and emotional expressions of anger and happiness extend to their underlying neural representations. We found that adapting to angry or happy facial expressions causes trustworthiness evaluations of subsequently rated neutral faces to increase or decrease, respectively. Further, we found no such modulation of trustworthiness evaluations after participants were adapted to fearful expressions, suggesting that this effect is specific to angry and happy expressions. We conclude that, in line with the overgeneralization hypothesis, a common neural system is engaged during the evaluation of facial trustworthiness and expressions of anger and happiness.
Resonance Raman Study of Folded Acoustic Modes in StrainedInSb/In1‐xAlxSb Superlattices

The folded acoustic modes in a series of InSb/In1-xAlxSb (0.2<x<0.5) strained-layer superlattices were investigated using resonance Raman spectroscopy. Folded modes up to fourth order in the folding index were observed. Analysis of the wavenumbers and intensities of these modes allowed estimates of the superlattice periods and layer thicknesses, and also the ratioP2/P1 of the photoelastic coefficients for the InSb (P1) and alloy (P2) layers at 647.1 nm. TheP2/P1 ratio remarkably changes sign forx≈0.1 under near-resonance excitation owing to the variation in the alloyE1 optical gap withx.
I-POU: a POU-domain protein that inhibits neuron-specific gene activation.

A novel, structurally distinct POU-domain protein has been identified that inhibits activation by another positive POU-domain regulator of neuron-specific transcription units. Two Drosophila POU-domain proteins, I-POU and Cfl-a, are coexpressed in overlapping subsets of neurons during development. Because I-POU lacks two basic residues in the N terminus of its homeodomain, it cannot bind DNA, but it does form a stable heterodimeric complex with Cfl-a, preventing Cfl-a from binding to DNA recognition elements and from transactivating the dopa-decarboxylase gene. The inhibition by I-POU provides a potential strategy by which the activation of genes in development is controlled by a homeodomain-containing protein that does not bind DNA.
Measures of patient radiation exposure during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography: Beyond fluoroscopy time

AIM: To determine whether fluoroscope time is a good predictor of patient radiation exposure during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study of consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a tertiary care setting. Data related to radiation exposure were collected. The following measures were obtained: Fluoroscopy time (FT), dose area product (DAP) and dose at reference point (DOSERP). Coefficients of determination were calculated to analyze the correlation between FT, DAP and DOSRP. Agreement between FT and DAP/DOSRP was assessed using Bland Altman plots. RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-three data sets were obtained. Fluoroscopy time average was 7.3 min. Fluoroscopy related radiation accounted for 86% of the total DAP while acquisition films related radiation accounted for 14% of the DAP. For any given FT there are wide ranges of DAP and DOSERP and the variability in both increases as fluoroscopy time increases. The coefficient of determination (R2) on the non transformed data for DAP and DOSERP versus FT were respectively 0.416 and 0.554. While fluoroscopy use was the largest contributor to patient radiation exposure during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP), there is a wide variability in DAP and DOSERP that is not accounted for by FT. DAP and DOSERP increase in variability as FT increases. This translates into poor accuracy of FT in predicting DAP and DOSERP at higher radiation doses. CONCLUSION: DAP and DOSERP in addition to FT should be adopted as new ERCP quality measures to estimate patient radiation exposure.
Community Readiness Assessment: The Scoring Process Revisited

The Community Readiness Model is an innovative and widely embraced approach to determining a community's stage of readiness to address a particular community issue and match that stage with an appropriate intervention. The current study used this approach in five communities experiencing cancer health disparities. In each community, leaders were interviewed and their qualitative data scored to determine the community's stage of readiness. Two methods of triangulation, investigator and interdisciplinary, were used to increase the scoring process's rigor. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the consensus portion of the scoring process, these meetings were content analyzed. The results have important implications for scoring team composition, provide insight into consensus reaching strategies, and offer recommendations for addressing potential challenges.
Use of intermediate partitioning to calculate intrinsic isotope effects for the reaction catalyzed by malic enzyme.

For those enzymes that proceed via a stepwise reaction mechanism with a discrete chemical intermediate and where deuterium and /sup 13/C isotope effects are on separate steps, a new method has been developed to solve for the intrinsic deuterium and /sup 13/C kinetic isotope effects that relies on directly observing the partitioning of the intermediate between the forward and reverse directions. This observed partitioning ratio, along with the values of the primary deuterium, tritium, and /sup 13/C kinetic isotope effects on V/K for the substrate with the label being followed, allows an exact solution for the intrinsic deuterium and /sup 13/C isotope effects, the forward commitment for the deuterium-sensitive step, and the partition ratio for the intermediate in the reaction. This method allows portions of the reaction coordinate diagram to be defined precisely and the relative energy levels of certain activation barriers to be assigned exactly. With chicken liver triphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPN) malic enzyme activated by Mg/sup 2 +/, the partitioning of oxalacetate to pyruvate vs. malate in the presence of TPNH, 0.47, plus previously determined isotope effects gives an intrinsic deuterium isotope effect of 5.7 on hydride transfer and a /sup 13/C isotope effect of 1.044 on decarboxylation. Reversemore » hydride transfer is 10 times faster than decarboxylation, and the forward commitment for hydride transfer is 3.3. The /sup 13/C isotope effect is not significantly different with reduced acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide phosphate replacing TPNH (although the pyruvate/malate partitioning ratio for oxalactate is now 9.9), but replacement of Mg/sup 2 +/ by Mn/sup 2 +/ raises the value to 1.065 (partition ratio 0.99).« less
A Dynamically Regulated 14–3–3, Slob, and Slowpoke Potassium Channel Complex in Drosophila Presynaptic Nerve Terminals

transfected cells confirm that 14‐3‐3 interacts with The amino acid sequence of this Drosophila Slowpoke dSlo via Slob. All three proteins are colocalized presyn- (dSlo) channel reveals that it is considerably longer than aptically at Drosophila neuromuscular junctions. Two other voltage-dependent potassium channels, with an serine residues in Slob are required for 14‐3‐3 binding, extended carboxy-terminal domain that constitutes about and the binding is dynamically regulated in Drosophila two-thirds of the channel protein. The function of this by calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) large domain is not clear, although evidence from mamphosphorylation. 14‐3‐3 coexpression dramatically al- malian Slowpoke homologs suggests that it may particiters dSlo channel properties when wild-type Slob is pate in calcium binding (Wei et al., 1994; Schreiber and present but not when a double serine mutant Slob that Salkoff, 1997). Interestingly, the Drosophila and mamis incapable of binding 14‐3‐3 is present. The results malian Slowpokes have a large number of alternative provide evidence for a dSlo/Slob/14‐3‐3 regulatory splice variants within this region of the protein (Adelman protein complex.
The Limits of History-Taking in Geriatric Depression

The authors assessed the limits of reliable history-taking in depressed elderly patients (N = 20) with some cognitive impairment. Each subject and an informant was interviewed with structured instruments by two trained raters. An expert panel formed consensus judgments after reviewing information reported by the patients, the informants, and each of the clinical raters. Intraclass correlation between the two raters was 0.99 for the duration of depressive episodes and 0.88 for age at onset. The raters agreed on the duration of major depressive episodes in 85% of cases and on age at onset in 80% of cases. The duration of previous depressive episodes and age at depression onset cannot always be determined reliably even when informants and structured interviews are used. Greater difficulties may be encountered in patients with minor depression or chronic intermittent depression and early-onset depression. Clinicians should obtain history from as many reliable sources as possible and critically evaluate this information while considering the entire clinical picture. The aggregate kappa statistic can provide a clinically meaningful way of assessing interrater reliability of psychopathological constructs for which several definitions are used.
A synthesis algorithm for a class of 4NF

In order to ensure a better logical data base design that captures the semantics of the enterprise application, two basic approaches, decomposition and synthesis, are employed. The synthesis approach provides a schema that envelops all the given dependencies, though currently applicable to only functional dependencies and only for 3NF. However, the decomposition approach may produce data base schema in BCNF without satisfying the dependency preserving property [BEE79]. Ling et al. [LIN81] have discussed the existence of an objectionable form of attribute redundancy denoted superfluous attributes in schemas formed by decomposition and synthesis algorithms. A new synthesis algorithm, denoted Algorithm 2 [ANG83], eliminates such superfluous attributes from synthesized data base schema.In this paper, definitions for separable entities based only upon the dependency set under consideration are given. Algorithm 2 [ANG83] is shown to produce a data base schema which is in BCNF if the dependency set consists only of functional dependencies and the entities are separable. Further, a synthesis algorithm to normalize a relational schema involving only multivalued dependencies into a 4NF data base schema is proposed. The inclusion of multivalued dependencies in the synthesis algorithm permits wider units of information representation in the modeling of enterprise application. This algorithm will produce a 4NF schema if the dependency set consists only of multivalued dependencies which are not also functional dependencies and the entities are separable.
Prevention information: patient perceptions regarding general and race-based instruction.

Abstract Introduction The benefits of a healthy lifestyle are well-known. However, translating such information into behavior change is challenging. We explored patient perception in regard to how frequently this information is being disseminated, whether it may alter patient behavior, and whether information tailored to race versus general information is desirable. Methods Consecutive patients were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire directly prior to an outpatient cardiologist visit from 2006-2007. Six Likert scale questions were asked regarding physician education, its impact on behavior change, and the potential of race-based information to cause additional behavior change. Results Two hundred and six patients were queried, and 150 subjects completed the questionnaire. Mean age was 59 (+/−16) years, and 36% of the patients were men. Overall, 85% of patients reported being educated about lifestyle change. A large majority (greater than two-thirds) of the responders agreed or strongly agreed that education helps them make lifestyle changes, and that race-based information would be superior to general, non-race-based information in motivating lifestyle change. The responses were significantly higher than a hypothetical neutral score ( p Conclusions As a team, physicians are doing a good job disseminating preventive information. Patients report that this information does or will translate into behavior change. Information tailored to race appears to provide a superior impetus for the adoption of behavior change. Ongoing tailored education regarding a healthy lifestyle is warranted. Whether this information will lead to actual behavior change or to changes in clinical events requires further study.
Protein sorting in yeast: Mutants defective in vacuole biogenesis mislocalize vacuolar proteins into the late secretory pathway

We have devised a genetic selection for mutant yeast cells that fail to properly deliver the vacuolar glycoprotein CPY to the lysosome-like vacuole. This has allowed us to identify mutations in eight VPL complementation groups that result in aberrant secretion of up to approximately 90% of the immunoreactive CPY. Other soluble vacuolar proteins are also affected by each vpl mutation, demonstrating that a sorting system for multiple vacuolar proteins exists in yeast. Mislocalized CPY apparently traverses late stages of the secretory pathway, since a vesicle-accumulating sec1 mutation prevents secretion of this protein. Despite the presence of abnormal membrane-enclosed organelles in some of the vpl mutants, maturation and secretion of invertase are not substantially perturbed. Thus vpl mutations define a new class of genes that encode products required for sorting of newly synthesized vacuolar proteins from secretory proteins during their transit through the yeast secretory pathway.
Blue sucker stock characteristics in the upper Yazoo River basin, Mississippi, USA

Blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus (L.) in the upper Yazoo River basin, Mississippi, USA was studied using overnight hoop net sets (n = 4093) during 1988 and 1990–1998 to determine the influence of channel dredging. There were 264 blue suckers captured, ranging from 3 to 11 years of age. Length ranged from 265 to 700 mm and weight from 120 to 4700 g. Concurrent studies with smaller mesh hoop nets failed to capture any juvenile blue suckers. Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE: fish net−1) declined throughout the study in the Yalobusha River, a river subjected to channel dredging during 1988 and 1994. With the exception of limited hydraulic dredging in the Tallahatchie River, there was no dredging in the other Yazoo River tributaries, nor were there declines in blue sucker catch rates in these rivers. Throughout the upper Yazoo River basin, blue sucker stocks were dominated by adult fish, and there was little evidence of reproduction or recruitment. Conservation of the blue sucker in the upper Yazoo River basin should include actions that ensure the functional integrity of this floodplain river ecosystem and elimination of channel dredging throughout the basin.
Faculty and medical student attitudes about preclinical classroom attendance.

Background: Technological advances have diminished reliance on classroom attendance for mastering preclinical medical school course content, but nonattendance may have unintended consequence on the learning environment. Perceptions among educators and students regarding the value of attendance and implications of nonattendance have not been systematically studied. Purposes: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in medical student and faculty attitudes regarding preclinical classroom attendance and the impact of nonattendance on educators and the learning environment. Methods: Using Internet-based surveys, we assessed attitudes about preclinical classroom attendance among medical students and teaching faculty at Washington University School of Medicine. Our primary hypothesis was that students would be less likely than faculty to place societal value on attendance and relate it to professionalism. Results: A total of 382 (79%) of 484 eligible students and 248 (64%) of 387 eligible facult...
Digestion of ruminal masticate dried by three different methods

Masticate was collected by ruminal evacuation of four steers grazing intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium Host) pasture during dormant and active plant growth periods. Masticate was either lyophilized, or oven dried (60 °C) after the material was spread either 1 cm deep on two (1935 cm2) trays or spread 3 cm deep on a pan (1290 cm2). In vitro organic matter (OM) disappearance differed (P 0.10) by the drying method; however, the extent of OM and NDF digested was altered (P < 0.05) by the drying method. Current data suggest that detrimental effects may be minimized by proper handling during oven drying. Lower temperatures, as well as increasing the surface area of samples allowing for rapid drying may minimize the effect of heat damage on the digestibility of the forage.
Identification of soybean microRNAs and their targets

The microRNAs (miRNAs) are a newly identified class of small non-protein-coding regulatory RNA. Using comparative genomics, we identified 69 miRNAs belonging to 33 families in the domesticated soybean (Glycine max) as well as five miRNAs in the soybean wild species Glycine soja and Glycine clandestine. TaqMan® MicroRNA Assay analyses demonstrated that these miRNAs were differentially expressed in soybean tissues, with certain classes expressed preferentially in both a spatiotemporal and a tissue-specific manner. Detailed sequence analyses revealed that soybean pre-miRNAs vary in length from 44 to 259 nt with an average of 106 ± 45 nt, harbor mature miRNAs that differ in their physical location within the pre-miRNAs, and encode more than a single mature miRNA. Comparative sequence analyses of soybean miRNA sequences showed that uracil is the dominant base in the first position at the 5′ end of the mature miRNAs while cytosine is dominant at the 19th position, which is indicative that these two bases may have an important functional role in miRNA biogenesis and/or miRNA-mediated gene regulation. Soybeans were unique among plants in the frequency of occurrence of miRNA clusters. For the first time, antisense miRNAs were identified in plants. The five antisense miRNAs and their sense partners from soybean belonged to three miRNA families (miR-157, miR-162 and miR-396). Antisense miRNAs were also identified in soybean wild species. Mature antisense miRNA products appeared to have 1–3 nucleotide changes compared to their sense partners, which suggests that both strands of a miRNA gene can produce functional mature miRNAs and that antisense transcripts may differ functionally from their sense partners. Based on previously established in silico methods, we predicted 152 miRNA-targeted mRNAs, which included a large percentage of mRNAs that encode transcription factors that regulate plant growth and development as well as a lesser percentage of mRNAs that encode environmental signal transduction proteins and central metabolic processes.
Organization building in a Yale union

This article studies organization building from a social constructionist perspective. It adopts a meaning-centered and endogenic approach to study the formation and establishment of a union of clerical workers at Yale University. Based on a review of existing literature on organizational creation, this article views social constructionism as a fruitful alternative theoretical framework for the study of organization building. Qualitative research methods, combining extensive document analysis with semistructured interviews, are used in a case study of union formation. The key elements of successful organization building appear to be defining meaningful realities, transforming contexts, and benefiting from the historical backwardness of organization members. Implications for organization theory are discussed.
Growth, immune function, and disease and stress resistance of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed graded levels of bovine lactoferrin

Abstract Juvenile Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) were fed nutritionally complete, practical basal diets supplemented with bovine lactoferrin (Lf) at 0, 200, 400, 800, or 1600 mg/kg diet to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. After the feeding trial, the effect of dietary Lf on growth performance, immune function, and resistance to Streptococcus iniae challenge and low-water stress was determined. Dietary Lf did not affect growth performance (weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio, or survival) or haematological parameters (haemoglobin, white and red blood cell counts, or haematocrit) ( P > 0.05). Crowding stress produced significant increases in plasma cortisol, glucose, lactate, and osmolality from baseline values ( P ≤ 0.001), but dietary Lf did not affect plasma glucose, osmolality, or cortisol concentrations ( P > 0.05). The level of Lf in diet had a significant impact on survival following S. iniae challenge with fish fed the 800 mg/kg Lf diet having significantly higher survival than control fish ( P ≤ 0.05). There was not a corresponding increase in activity of non-specific or specific immune parameters (plasma lysozyme and spontaneous haemolytic complement activities or agglutination antibody titer against S. iniae ) with addition of Lf to diets ( P > 0.05), but plasma iron decreased and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) increased significantly with increasing concentration of Lf in diet ( P ≤ 0.05). The ability of Lf to sequester iron, an essential nutrient required for the growth of bacteria, is regarded as one of its key antibacterial properties. The increased survival with increasing dietary concentration of Lf seemed to correspond with a decrease in plasma iron concentration and not enhancement of non-specific or specific immune functions.
CRUCIAL PROCEDURAL FACTORS IN DESENSITIZATION THERAPY.

Abstract Many students and practitioners familiar with the available literature on desensitization therapy have nevertheless expressed considerable confusion concerning specific procedural factors in the application of this technique. In general terms, systematic desensitization is the presentation of carefully graded subjectively distressing stimuli to the imagination of a “relaxed” or “hypnotized” patient. In order to ensure that this procedure leads to positive counterconditioning rather than an augmentation of neurotic anxiety, the clinician must take cognizance of several variables. The present paper provides “handling instructions” in this regard.
A Decomposition Strategy Applied to the Optimal Synthesis/Design and Operation of an Advanced Fighter Aircraft System: A Comparison With and Without Airframe Degrees of Freedom

A decomposition methodology based on the concept of “thermoeconomic isolation” applied to the synthesis/design and operational optimization of an advanced tactical fighter aircraft is the focus of this research. Conceptual, time, and physical decomposition were used to solve the system-level as well as unit-level optimization problems. The total system was decomposed into five sub-systems as follows: propulsion sub-system (PS), environmental control sub-system (ECS), fuel loop sub-system (FLS), vapor compression and PAO loops sub-system (VC/PAOS), and airframe sub-system (AFS) of which the AFS is a non-energy based sub-system. A number of different configurations for each sub-system were considered. The most promising set of candidate configurations, based on both an energy integration analysis and aerodynamic performance, were developed and detailed thermodynamic, geometric, physical, and aerodynamic models at both design and off-design were formulated and implemented. A decomposition strategy called Iterative Local-Global Optimization (ILGO) developed by Munoz and von Spakovsky (2000b,c) was then applied to the synthesis/design and operational optimization of the advanced tactical fighter aircraft. This decomposition strategy is the first to successfully closely approach the theoretical condition of “thermoeconomic isolation” when applied to highly complex, highly dynamic non-liner systems. This contrasts with past attempts to approach this condition, all of which were applied to very simple systems under very special and restricted conditions such as those requiring linearity in the models and strictly local decision variables. This is a significant advance in decomposition and has now been successfully applied to a number of highly complex and dynamic transportation and stationary systems. This paper presents the detailed results from one such application, which additionally considers a non-energy based sub-system (AFS).© 2003 ASME
Sequential modulation of growth factors: a novel strategy for adoptive immunotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia.

Abstract Evidence from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation indicates a possible immune response against leukemia-associated antigens in patients with either acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, autologous immune responses are less evident. We have developed a method using sequential modulation of growth factors (SMGF) to generate specific anti-AML T-cells from primary cultures of mononuclear cells (MNCs) from patients with AML. This culture method induces greater degrees of antigen presentation by inducing dendritic cell (DC) differentiation of AML in the presence of autologous lymphocytes, which are then expanded by interleukin (IL)-2 and costimulatory molecule ligation. MNCs consisting of 92.3% +/- 5.1% AML blasts and 3.4% +/- 3.2% CD3+ T-cells were obtained from AML patients (n = 12) and cultured in AIM-V medium with IL-4 and recombinant granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor. Recombinant IL-2 was added on day 8. On day 21, culture conditions were changed to anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies and IL-2. By day 42, 354 +/- 182-fold CD3+ T-cell expansion had occurred. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte assays demonstrated that these T-cells caused significant lysis of autologous leukemia cells and AML cell lines, but not of cells of other lineages, in an HLA class I-dependent manner. Specific Vbeta subgroups (Vbeta3, -7, and -12a), possibly representing T-cell clones specific to AML-specific antigens, were expanded in the cultures of cells from 3 AML patients. SMGF can be used to induce and expand autologous T-cells with HLA class I-dependent antileukemia potential from the peripheral blood of AML patients. Adoptive transfer of these expanded T-cells to patients is a possible therapeutic approach for further study. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2002;8(10):557-68.
The medical legacy of Benjamin Rush

(2004). The Medical Legacy of Benjamin Rush. Journal of Investigative Surgery: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 61-63.
Smart Self-Assembling MagnetS for ENdoscopy (SAMSEN) for transoral endoscopic creation of immediate gastrojejunostomy (with video)

Background Gastrojejunostomy is important for palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction and surgical obesity procedures. A less-invasive endoscopic technique for gastrojejunostomy creation is conceptually attractive. Our group has developed a compression anastomosis technology based on endoscopically delivered self-assembling magnets for endoscopy (SAMSEN) to create an instant, large-caliber gastrojejunostomy. Objective To develop and evaluate an endoscopic means of gastrojejunostomy creation by using SAMSEN. Setting Developmental laboratory and animal facility. Design Animal study and human cadaveric study. Subjects Yorkshire pigs (7 cadaver, 5 acute); human (1 cadaver). Interventions A transoral procedure for SAMSEN delivery was developed in porcine and human cadaver models. Subsequently, gastrojejunostomy creation by using SAMSEN was performed in 5 acute pigs. The endoscope was advanced into the peritoneal cavity through the gastrotomy, and a segment of the small bowel was grasped and pulled closer to the stomach. An enterotomy was created, and a custom overtube was advanced into the small bowel for deployment of the first magnetic assembly. Next, a reciprocal magnetic assembly was deployed in the stomach. The 2 magnetic systems were mated under fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance. Contrast studies assessed for gastrojejunostomy leak. Immediate necropsies were performed. Main Outcome Measurements Technical feasibility and complications. Results Gastrojejunostomy creation by using SAMSEN was successful in all 5 animals. Deep enteroscopy was performed through the stoma without difficulty. No leaks were identified on contrast evaluation. At necropsy, the magnets were properly deployed and robustly coupled together, resistant to vigorous tissue manipulation. Limitations Acute animal study. Conclusions Endoscopic creation of immediate gastrojejunostomy by using SAMSEN is technically feasible.
Fetal rat septal cells adhere to and extend processes on basement membrane, laminin, and a synthetic peptide from the laminin A chain sequence.

Responses of rat embryonic septal cells to reconstituted basement membrane, laminin, and laminin A chain-derived synthetic peptides were studied in culture. Dissociated fetal E16/17 septal cells were grown for three days on differently coated plastic substrata. Reconstituted basement membrane (Ma-trigel), laminin, and a 19-amino acid synthetic peptide CSRARKQAASIKVAVSADR-NH2 (PA22-2) from the laminin A chain sequence mediated cell-substratum adhesion and promoted neurite outgrowth. In contrast, cells did not attach to or form processes on uncoated plastic or on plastic substrata coated with synthetic, laminin-derived control peptides. Polyethylenimine (PEI) supported the adhesion and survival of fetal septal cells; however, when lami-nin was added to the medium during cell plating or 18 hr afterward, a dose-dependent increase was observed in neurite outgrowth of cells attached to this substratum. Cells grown for 6 days on PEI in the presence of laminin showed a determined increase in the number of cholinergic neurons as marked by acetylcholinesterase staining. These data suggest that the subpopulation of cholinergic septal neurons present in the septal cells studied here were also responding to laminin. The results of this in vitro study suggest potential uses for basement membrane, laminin, or synthetic peptides, sucha as PA22-2, in fetal septal grafts to enhance regeneration in the damaged septo-hippocampal system.
Policy to implementation: evidence-based practice in community mental health--study protocol.

Background: Evidence-based treatments (EBTs) are not widely available in community mental health settings. In response to the call for implementation of evidence-based treatments in the United States, states and counties have mandated behavioral health reform through policies and other initiatives. Evaluations of the impact of these policies on implementation are rare. A systems transformation about to occur in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers an important opportunity to prospectively study implementation in response to a policy mandate. Methods/design: Using a prospective sequential mixed-methods design, with observations at multiple points in time, we will investigate the responses of staff from 30 community mental health clinics to a policy from the Department of Behavioral Health encouraging and incentivizing providers to implement evidence-based treatments to treat youth with mental health problems. Study participants will be 30 executive directors, 30 clinical directors, and 240 therapists. Data will be collected prior to the policy implementation, and then at two and four years following policy implementation. Quantitative data will include measures of intervention implementation and potential moderators of implementation (i.e., organizational- and leader-level variables) and will be collected from executive directors, clinical directors, and therapists. Measures include self-reported therapist fidelity to evidencebased treatment techniques as measured by the Therapist Procedures Checklist-Revised, organizational variables as measured by the Organizational Social Context Measurement System and the Implementation Climate Assessment, leader variables as measured by the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, attitudes towards EBTs as measured by the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale, and knowledge of EBTs as measured by the Knowledge of EvidenceBased Services Questionnaire. Qualitative data will include semi-structured interviews with a subset of the sample to assess the implementation experience of high-, average-, and low-performing agencies. Mixed methods will be integrated through comparing and contrasting results from the two methods for each of the primary hypotheses in this study. Discussion: Findings from the proposed research will inform both future policy mandates around implementation and the support required for the success of these policies, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of treatment provided to youth in the public sector.
Estimating county-level demand for educational attainment

Abstract A procedure is developed based on “step-down” methods familiar from input-output studies to estimate county-level demands for educational attainment. Data requirements include state-level sector by occupation and educational attainment by occupation, as well as county-level employment by sector numbers. An empirical example is presented using three Kentucky counties—one that is manufacturing-dependent, another that is agriculture-dependent, and a third that is services-dependent. In the manufacturing-dependent county, a larger than expected number of operatives had less than a high school education. In the agriculture-dependent county, and elsewhere, agriculture appears to be an “employer of last resort” for those with minimal formal education. In the service-dependent county, a relatively high proportion of the employees had high school or college education. Potential applications of the technique include dynamic shift-share analyses, rural labor market studies, and long-range regional economic development planning.
A RISC architecture for symbolic computation

The G-machine is a language-directed processor architecture designed to support graph reduction as a model of computation. It can carry out lazy evaluation of functional language programs and can evaluate programs in which logical variables are used. To support these language features, the abstract machine requires tagged memory and executes some rather complex instructions, such as to evaluate a function application.This paper explores an implementation of the G-machine as a high performance RISC architecture. Complex instructions can be represented by RISC code without experiencing a large expansion of code volume. The instruction pipeline is discussed in some detail. The processor is intended to be integrated into a standard, 32-bit memory architecture. Tagged memory is supported by aggregating data with tags in a cache.
Microwave and conventional curing of thick-section thermoset composite laminates: Experiment and simulation

In conventional processing, thermal gradients cause differential curing of thick laminates and undesirable outside-in solidification. To reduce thermal gradients, thick laminates are processed at lower cure temperatures and heated with slow heating rates, resulting in excessive cure times. Microwaves can transmit energy volumetrically and instantaneously through direct interaction of materials with applied electromagnetic fields, The more efficient energy transfer of microwaves can alleviate the problems associated with differential curing, and the preferred inside-out solidification can be obtained. In this work, both microwave curing and thermal curing of 24.5 mm (1 inch) thick-section glass/epoxy laminates are investigated through the development of a numerical process simulation and conducting experiments in processing thick laminates in a conventional autoclave and a microwave furnace. Outside-in curing of the autoclave-processed laminate resulted in visible matrix cracks, while cracks were not visible in the microwave-processed laminate. Both numerical and experimental results show that volumetric heating due to microwaves promotes an inside-out cure and can dramatically reduce the overall processing time.
Industry innovation: where and why - a comment

Abstract I would like to preface my remarks by saying that I enjoyed reading this paper, which deals with a subject I knew too little about, but on which I now feel reasonably informed. The author has succeeded in writing down a model which to some degree captures the essence of three of the leading explanations of variation in research and development (R&D) activity across firms and industries. While the paper has some theoretical appeal, it falls short of its goal to distinguish these hypotheses empirically. As a result, the empirical aspects of the paper are the focus of my comments. I begin with an introductory review of the goals of the paper, the methods applied to achieve those goals, and its conclusions. This is followed by some remarks regarding the model's ability to capture the hypotheses posited in the literature on R&D. I then discuss the empirical content of the model: specifically the mapping from model parameters to predictions for observable variables. On this basis I proceed to a criticism of the author's empirical work: what it tells us, what it cannot tell us, and what it ought to tell us about R&D.
Glutamic acid: Selective depletion by viral induced granule cell loss in hamster cerebellum

Abstract Cerebellar hypoplasia in the hamster induced by rat virus strain PRE 308 was used as a model system in which greater than 95% of the cerebellar granule cell population can be selectively depleted at an early stage of development. Electron microscopic examination of infected hamster cerebella indicated a significant reduction of parallel fiber synapses and granule cell dendrites in glomeruli. All other cell types occurred in approximately normal numbers and formed proper synaptic connections. To attempt to identify the transmitter of the cerebellar granule cell, we examined the uptakes of amino acids and amines into synaptosomes in the cerebella of hamsters with granuloprival cerebellar hypoplasia and their littermate controls. The high affinity uptakes of glutamic and aspartic acids were reduced by 70% in infected animals. No significant reductions occurred in the uptakes of a variety of other amino acids, putative neurotransmitters and their precursors. Endogenous glutamic acid was decreased by 43%, although endogenous protein concentration was not altered. Analysis of the free cerebellar amino acid content of infected animals revealed a selective decrease in glutamic acid and no decrease in other amino acids, in particular aspartic acid. Partial granule cell depletions were also produced and the extent of granule cell loss correlated with the decrease in endogenous glutamic acid and high affinity glutamic acid uptake. Granule cells are excitatory in function; the neurophysiologic action of glutamic acid is also excitatory. Our findings suggest that glutamic acid is the natural neurotransmitter of the cerebellar granule cell.
On information theoretic interference games with more than two users

We consider a model for information theoretic games on interference channels introduced in previous work. The players in these games are the users, who autonomously select their encoding and decoding strategy with the objective of maximizing their own rate. In previous work, a Nash equilibrium region for this game was defined and completely characterized for two-user linear deterministic interference channels. In particular for such channels it was shown that there always exists an efficient Nash equilibrium. In this paper, we consider extending this to models with more than two users. We show that some of the analysis extends to networks with more than two users, however, significant differences also emerge. For example, it may no longer be the case that there are always efficient equilibria.
ELECTION RELATED BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES: TELEVISED NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN MESSAGES

The research reported in this paper is an examination of the self-reported systemic effects of negative campaign advertising. Subjects in a series of field experiments conducted in 1986, 1988, and 1990 were exposed to televised negative campaign advertising within several nights prior to an election. The stimulus ads were taken from those aired as part of actual election campaigns. Using aposttest only control group design the authors examined for differences between groups in terms of voter turnout, controlling for the voter interest in politics and whether the campaign was for the presidency or Senate. Support was found for the notion that negative campaign ads depressed voter turnout under some conditions. The authors also found that negative advertising may stimulate voter activity under some conditions.
Acromegaly and Cancer

Excerpt Acromegaly is an uncommon disease characterized clinically by enlargement of the acral parts, coarse facial features, and visceromegaly. In most patients the disorder arises from a tumor (a...
Augmentation strategies in patients with refractory depression.

In the evaluation of treatment-resistant or treatment-refractory depression (TRD), true resistance to antidepressant therapy must be distinguished from inadequate dose, duration, or compliance with past antidepressant therapy. Reassessment of the diagnosis may reveal psychiatric comorbidity, the presence of depressive subtypes, or the possibility of a medical etiology. Management of TRD should consider patient-specific factors; drug therapy may be directed by depressive subtype or the presence of psychiatric comorbidity. Increasing the dose or duration of current antidepressant therapy is appropriate for patients who have received inadequate therapy in the past. Augmentation of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy with thyroid hormone (T3) or lithium has been shown to be effective in open and controlled trials. Efficacy of other strategies such as higher-dose antidepressant treatment, venlafaxine therapy, combined antidepressant therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or augmentation with pindolol or buspirone has been less well established, but emerging data from open studies and case reports are encouraging. Depression and Anxiety 4:169–181, 1996/1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The impact of risk sharing on efficient decision

A group of risk-averse members must choose among monetary risks and payoff-sharing rules. Departure from the status quo requires unanimous consent. Such groups drill for oil, bail out nations, and make hostile takeover bids. Assume agreement on probabilities. As is well known, if all members have identically shaped HARA utility functions, efficient group act-choices follow another such function independently of payoff sharing. We show that all other groups inevitably have complex efficient behavior, accepting gambles among individually unacceptable lotteries in almost every status quo position. We also develop proper risk aversion for groups, and treat disagreement on probabilities.
Morphological differences in short side chain and long side chain perfluorosulfonic acid proton exchange membranes at low and high water contents

Short side chain (SSC) perfluorosulfonic acid membranes such as Hyflon Ion® have shown improved proton conductivity and the ability to outperform the benchmark long side chain (LSC) material, Nafion®. Using atomic force microscopy phase imaging over a wide range of relative humidity, we compare the morphology of Nafion to Hyflon and find evidence for the improved performance in the latter. While the surface of Nafion undergoes significant structural rearrangement and forms large worm-like features at high water contents, Hyflon undergoes little, if any, transition. We also provide evidence of improved water retention in Hyflon at low water contents, explaining the improved conductivity under these conditions. Liquid phase imaging in water and methanol solutions was used to probe the extremes of swelling in both membranes and conductive AFM was used to characterize electrochemical activity at the membrane surface.
A phase II trial of interferon alpha-2A, 5-fluorouracil, and cisplatin in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Background. The combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin has moderate antitumor activity in the treatment of metastatic epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus. The authors have recently shown activity for the combination of 5-FU and interferon-alpha 2a (IFN-alpha) in both esophageal epidermoid and adenocarcinoma. A Phase II trial, therefore, was undertaken to evaluate the antitumor activity of the three-drug combination of IFN-alpha, 5-FU, and cisplatin in unresectable or metastatic esophageal carcinoma. Methods. Twenty-seven patients with locally advanced or metastatic carcinoma of the esophagus were treated. No prior chemotherapy was allowed. Twelve patients had epidermoid carcinoma (44%) and 15 patients had adenocarcinoma (56%). Patients received IFN-alpha at a dose of 3 X 10 6 units/day given daily by subcutaneous injection on days 1 to 28, 5-FU at a dose of 750 mg/m 2 /day for 5 days by continuous intravenous infusion on days 1 to 5, and cisplatin at a dose of 100 mg/m 2 on day 1. Treatment was recycled every 28 days, and after the first three cycles, cisplatin was administered only on alternate cycles. Twenty-seven patients completed a median of 4 cycles (range, 1-13 cycles), and 26 patients were evaluable for response. Results. Major responses were observed in 13 patients (50%, 95% confidence intervals, 31-69%), including two complete responses (8%). The response proportion in epidermoid carcinoma (8 of 11 patients, 73%) was higher than the response proportion in adenocarcinoma (5 of 15 patients, 33%). The median duration of response was 29 weeks (range, 11-74 weeks), similar in epidermoid carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Toxicity was moderately severe but manageable with dose attenuations. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was observed in 41% of patients and grade 3/4 nonhematologic toxicity was observed in 26% of patients. IFN-alpha was reduced to either a 3-or 5-day a week schedule because of fatigue and/or myelosuppression in 12 patients (44%). There were two treatment-related deaths (7%). Conclusions. In this Phase II trial, the combination of IFN-alpha, 5-FU, and cisplatin had substantial antitumor activity in esophageal carcinoma with apparently greater antitumor activity in epidermoid carcinoma than adenocarcinoma. A larger confirmatory trial comparing this treatment to conventional 5-FU and cisplatin is warranted for epidermoid carcinoma. In future chemotherapy trials, the response assessment for epidermoid and adenocarcinoma should continue to be stratified. Cancer 1995 ;75 :2197-202.