cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allostasis model facilitates understanding race differences in the diurnal cortisol rhythm.

The concept of allostasis suggests that greater cumulative stress burden can influence stress-responsive physiology. Dysregulation of allostatic mediators, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is thought to precede many other signs of age-related pathology as the persistent burden of stressors accumulates over the individual's lifespan. We predicted that even in young adulthood, HPA regulation would differ between Blacks and Whites reflecting, in part, higher rates of stressor exposure and greater potential for stressors to “get under the skin”. We examined whether stressor exposure, including experiences with racism and discrimination, explained race differences in waking cortisol and the diurnal rhythm. We also examined whether HPA functioning was associated with mental health outcomes previously linked to cortisol. Salivary cortisol was assayed in 275 young adults (127 Blacks, 148 Whites, 19 to 22 years old), four times a day across 3 days. Hierarchical linear models revealed flatter slopes for Blacks, reflecting significantly lower waking and higher bedtime cortisol levels compared to Whites. Associations of HPA functioning with stressors were typically more robust for Whites such that more stress exposure created an HPA profile that resembled that of Black young adults. For Blacks, greater stressor exposure did not further impact HPA functioning, or, when significant, was often associated with higher cortisol levels. Across both races, flatter slopes generally indicated greater HPA dysregulation and were associated with poor mental health outcomes. These differential effects were more robust for Whites. These findings support an allostatic model in which social contextual factors influence normal biorhythms, even as early as young adulthood.
On minimal exposed faces

In this paper we consider the problem of the non-empty intersection of exposed faces in a Banach space. We find a sufficient condition to assure that the non-empty intersection of exposed faces is an exposed face. This condition involves the concept of inner point. Finally, we also prove that every minimal face of the unit ball must be an extreme point and show that this is not the case at all for minimal exposed faces since we prove that every Banach space with dimension greater than or equal to 2 can be equivalently renormed to have a non-singleton, minimal exposed face.
Work Incentives and Salary Distributions in Major League Soccer

Economists have argued that the size of superstar contracts in professional team sports may not only anger veterans on the team, but also adversely affect overall team performance (see, for examples, Wiseman, F., and Chatterjee, S. (2003). Team Payroll and Team Performance in Major League Baseball: 1985–2002. Economics Bulletin, 1(2), 1–10 and Sommers, P. (1998). Work incentives and Salary Distributions in the National Hockey League. Atlantic Economic Journal, 26(1), 119). Where team performance requires considerable cooperation among players, pay tends to be compressed relative to individual marginal products. In contrast, where team performance relies heavily on individual stars, pay among players may be more widely dispersed. (A standard reference on optimal pay structure is E. Lazear, Personnel Economics, 1995.) In professional soccer, cooperation and teamwork are essential. But, is pay relatively more dispersed among players on the more successful teams? This note examines the relationship between payroll and performance in Major League Soccer in 2011 and 2012. Beginning in 2007, Major League Soccer (MLS) adopted the “Designated Player Rule.” The rule initially allowed each MLS team to sign one player, with only $400,000 of the player’s salary (however large) counted against the team’s salary cap. The rule was dubbed the “Beckham Rule,” after Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star David Beckham, who was the first player signed under this rule. Beckham’s base salary in 2007 was $5.5 million (at a time when the team salary cap was $2.1 million). In 2010, each MLS team was allowed two designated players; teams could even sign a third designated player, if they paid a $250,000 luxury tax. The rule has thus enabled well-heeled MLS teams to sign lucrative deals with international stars, while dramatically changing how some team payrolls are distributed among team members. To determine whether or not greater income disparity among players resulting from the “Beckham Rule” has had any effect on overall team performance, Gini coefficients Atl Econ J (2014) 42:471–472 DOI 10.1007/s11293-014-9432-4
Organoimido and organodi-imido vanadium complexes

Abstract Reactions of the p-tolylimido vanadium(V) complex [V(NTol)Cl3], 1, with sodium dithiocarbamate salts Na[S2CNR2] yield an homologous series of organoimido vanadium(V) dithiocarbamate systems [TolNV(S2CNR2)xCl(3−x)] [x = 1:REt (2a), Me (3b); x = 3: REt (4a), Me (4b)]; the electronic and 51V NMR spectra of these complexes are described. Zn reduction of complexes 3 affords impure products whose ESR spectra are consistent with the presence of the V(IV) systems [V(NTol) (S2CNR2)2], 5. Reaction of VOCl3 with 0.5 equiv. of p-OCNC6H4-NCO yields the p-phenylenediimido complex [Cl3VNC6H4NVCl3], 6. Dissolution of 6 in THF produces an adduct [(THF)3Cl3VNC6H4NVCl3(THF)3], 7, whose THF ligands are weakly bound. VOCl3 reacts with an equimolar amount of p-OCNC6H4NCO to produce the mononuclear complex p-[Cl3VNC6H4NCO], 8. The reaction of 8 with OWCl4 in refluxing toluene affords an insoluble product analyzing as the expected heterobinuclear system [Cl3VNC6H4NWCl4], 9, but treatment of this product with THF yields a mixture shown by 1H NMR to contain both 7 and its ditungsten analogue [(THF)Cl4WNC6H4NWCl4(THF)], indicating that an unusual intermetallic exchange of imido ligands has occurred. The chloride ligands of 6 can be substituted by [S2CNEt2] or [OtBu] anions to afford [(Et2NCS2)3VNC6H4NV(S2CNEt2)3], 11, and [( t BuO ) 3 V  NC 6 H 4 N  V(O t Bu ) 3 ] ,, 12, respectively.
Possible Strengthening of the Interpretative Rules of Quantum Mechanics

The usual interpretative rules of quantum mechanics are presented and are shown to be too weak. The reason is that they do not include the intuitive requirement of randomness of the outcome sequence obtained from an infinite repetition of measuring an observable on a state. A strengthening of the rules is proposed which includes, in essence, a precise definition of randomness. The resultant rule is seen to be intuitively more satisfying than the usual rules and to include the expectation value rule and to include essentially all of the spectrum rule of the usual rules. It also suggests that the relationship between the foundations of mathematics and quantum mechanics may be quite deep and complex.
Prenatal diagnosis of triploidy

Two cases of late midtrimester triploid gestation are presented. This unusual condition might be suspected in cases of first and second trimester bleeding when the uterus appears to be unusually large as estimated by the menstrual history. Early presence of gestational hypertension also points suggestively toward a triploid fetus. Ultrasound examination of the placenta typically shows multiple sonolucent areas. Confirmation of diagnosis is made by karyotyping cells obtained from amniotic fluid. The condition is incompatible with life and termination of pregnancy is indicated. It is considered prudent to follow HCG levels for evidence of persistent trophoblastic tissue.
Growth stimulation of the mixed microbial flora of human dental plaques by haemin.

Abstract The anaerobic growth of a significant proportion of the microbial population comprising unstandardized plaques was stimulated by haemin addition to the initial isolation plates and to subcultures of the isolates. For “total” plaque viable counts, the optimal level to use in a nutrient broth-based medium supplemented with yeast extract was determined to be 1.5 μg haemin/ml. The haemin-affected members of the total population include cocci, rods and filaments, and they exhibit subculture haemin concentration effects which are optimal at or close to the haemin levels used in the initial isolation medium.
Decoding Youth and Neo-Liberalism: Pupils, Precarity, and Punishment

To have a fuller grasp of the contemporary penalization of poverty, along with neoliberalism's regulative properties, a sociology of youth must be brought more to the fore. Although there are theoretical, ideological, and substantive disagreements about how to understand neoliberalism, the common themes that cut across varying approaches (e.g., market dominance, atrophy of the welfare state, reorganization of state capacities, personal responsibility, and self-governance) have important implications for young people, who are often the key subjects of neoliberal projects and provide a unique vantage point for understanding this contested phenomenon. The author suggests that by examining youth as well as the institutional and contextual circumstances that they inhabit, scholars can glean more about neoliberalism and poverty management as it relates to three key areas: schools, the criminal justice system, and militarization. This youth studies perspective has the potential to complement and complicate folk ...
Narrative, Pain, and Suffering

Vol. 34 D Carr, J Loeser, D Morris, eds. IASP Press, Seattle, Washington, 2005, 364 pages, $89.00, ISBN 0-931092-57-4 Listen up! Laboratories and rays do not tell the story. All physicians should have this book for the insights and guidance it provides. Good doctors and healers and popular alternative medicine practitioners, of whatever variety, have one characteristic in common—they really listen. This volume explains why and how medical students and practitioners, particularly in the field of pain medicine, should improve their ability to elicit the true story from each patient and improve their own clinical performance. Interest in the stories of patients has always been important, perhaps more so in the fields of medicine with a less secure evidence base and fewer diagnostic laboratory studies. However, interest in narrative has had a renaissance in pain medicine. This is evidenced by increasing attendance in formal and informal discussions at pain meetings. A formal workshop in Bellagio, Italy, was convened in October 2003 to explore the issues of narrative, pain, and suffering. This volume is the result of this conference. Three of the wisest men in pain medicine and the humanities have edited this volume, to make it comprehensive, readable, educational, challenging, and enjoyable. Daniel Carr is an anesthesiologist with a long history of intellectual and practical contributions to the scientific basis and practice of pain medicine. These range from publications on fundamental biochemistry to evidence-based pain practice guidelines. His perspectives and opinions are widely sought and highly regarded, and he has had an enduring impact on the development of pain medicine in medical schools, graduate schools, and in the community. John Loeser is a neurosurgeon at the University of Washington. He was trained in and continues to advance the multidisciplinary model of pain medicine put into practice at that institution by John Bonica all those years ago. He has not just moved with the times; he has been and still …
Effects of electron energy in nanometer-scale lithography

The effects of electron beam energy, pattern size, and resist thickness on the production of features in electron beam lithography has been investigated. The minimum electron beam energy required to produce features in films of palladium acetate ranging in thickness from 0.09 to 1.9 micrometers has been determined using beam energies ranging from 1 to 30 keV. For each of the film thicknesses, the minimum electron beam energy required to produce features was found to be closely related to the range of the electron relative to the film thickness. The pattern used to obtain these measurements consisted of a group of various sized squares. The dose required to correctly expose the squares so that the actual width was equal to the nominal width varied as the nominal width was changed within the pattern. This change in dose as the nominal width was varied, the dose factor, was used as a measure of the proximity effect. For a given pattern size, the dose factor was found to go through a maximum as the beam energy was raised above the minimum required energy. The width variance, the change in actual width of the squares as the dose was changed, was also found to go through a maximum as the beam energy was raised. As the size of the pattern was varied, the beam energies which resulted in the maximum of the dose factor and the width variance were found to be dependent on the range of the electrons relative to the size of the pattern.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mechanisms of action of nitric oxide in the brain stem: role of oxidative stress

The exact mechanisms by which NO mediates its neuromodulatory effects within the central control of cardiovascular functions are still unclear. Both excitatory and inhibitory actions of NO in different regions of the brainstem have been reported, and that it could be caused by direct actions of NO on neurones and/or by NO-mediated changes in local cerebral blood flow. Microinjection studies suggest that direct modulation of neuronal activity by NO through cyclic 3'-5' guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent mechanisms predominates. In contrast, endogenous NO produces. only minor changes in local cerebral blood flow, and potentiation of NO-dependent vasodilation with an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase V (PDE5i) has no significant effect on sympathetic activity. Activation of the NO-system in the lower brain stem modulates various central and reflex-activated neuronal pathways. To a large extent, this appears to be mediated by NO-induced GABA- and glutamate-release within the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). In addition, NO has been shown to reduce local generation of angiotensin II (AII) in all areas. Recent studies suggest that the NO-mediated modulation of autonomic function is severely impaired in cardiovascular diseases. Possibly in conjunction with AII, which triggers and promotes superoxide radical generation, chronic oxidative stress (COS) could act as a key mediator of this process. Evidence supporting this hypothesis comes from studies on pigs that were chronically treated with organic nitrates to pharmacologically induce COS. In these animals, microinjection of superoxide dismutase into the rostral VLM (RVLM) diminished sympathetic activity by up to 70%, whereas peroxynitrite, a key mediator of NO-related oxidative stress, had excitotoxic effects. Antagonism of neuronal COS may therefore represent a novel approach to counteract neurohumoral activation in diseases such hypertension, obesity and heart failure.
3-D graphics animation program for the Apple II

A graphics design program for creating point-light displays of transforming 3-D objects is presented. This program was written for an Apple II microcomputer interfaced to a Texas Instruments TMS 9918A video display processor. In contrast to other 3-D design programs, it uses individual point-lights undergoing circular trajectories as a design primitive. An editor enables the user to enter and edit specific motion parameters for defining the parallel projection of as many as 16 point-lights on the screen. These parameters are then used to calculate and store in an animation list the screen positions of each point-light for each frame. Number of frames to be displayed and display rate are user defined.
Synthesis of novel guanidine incorporated aminoglycosides, guanidinopyranmycins

A library of new guanidinoglycosides, guanidinopyranmycins were synthesized along with the studies of their preliminary assay against HIV-1.
Anesthetics alter the physical and functional properties of the Ca-ATPase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

We have studied the effects of the local anesthetic lidocaine, and the general anesthetic halothane, on the function and oligomeric state of the CA-ATPase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Oligomeric changes were detected by time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy (TPA). Lidocaine inhibited and aggregated the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR. Micromolar calcium or 0.5 M lithium chloride protected against lidocaine-induced inhibition, indicating that electrostatic interactions are essential to lidocaine inhibition of the Ca-ATPase. The phospholamban (PLB) antibody 2D12, which mimics PLB phosphorylation, had no effect on lidocaine inhibition of the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR. Inhibition and aggregation of the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR occurred at lower concentrations of lidocaine than necessary to inhibit and aggregate the Ca-ATPase in skeletal SR, suggesting that the cardiac isoform of the enzyme has a higher affinity for lidocaine. Halothane inhibited and aggregated the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR. Both inhibition and aggregation of the Ca-ATPase by halothane were much greater in the presence of PLB antibody or when PLB was phosphorylated, indicating a protective effect of PLB on halothane-induced inhibition and aggregation. The effects of halothane on cardiac SR are opposite from the effects of halothane observed in skeletal SR, where halothane activates and dissociates the Ca-ATPase. These results underscore the crucial role of protein-protein interactions on Ca-ATPase regulation and anesthetic perturbation of cardiac SR.
Some symmetry considerations for the fibrinogen-fibrin assembly system.

The formation of fibrin gels involves many operations which are fundamental to other assembly schemes, including limited proteolysis, spontaneous associations, and covalent stabilization. Despite a quarter century of intensive effort by a large number of laboratories, the orientation of the fundamental units in the gel is not known, nor, for that matter, is the arrangement of the subunit chains within the parent fibrinogen molecule. In this article some symmetry considerations are discussed in light of the geometry of the starting molecules and conditions necessitated by the covalent stitching which occurs after gel formation. Only a dimeric molecule in which the twofold symmetry axis coincides with a minor axis of an elongated fibrinogen molecule satisfies all the conditions.
Getting down to the Fundamentals of Hydrogen Bonding: Anharmonic Vibrational Frequencies of (HF)2 and (H2O)2 from Ab Initio Electronic Structure Computations.

This work presents a systematic investigation into the basis set convergence of harmonic vibrational frequencies of (H2O)2 and (HF)2 computed with second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) and the coupled-cluster singles and doubles method with perturbative connected triples, CCSD(T), while employing correlation-consistent basis sets as large as aug-cc-pV6Z. The harmonic vibrational frequencies presented here are expected to lie within a few cm(-1) of the complete basis set (CBS) limit. For these important hydrogen-bonding prototype systems, a basis set of at least quadruple-ζ quality augmented with diffuse functions is required to obtain harmonic vibrational frequencies within 10 cm(-1) of the CBS limit. In addition, second-order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2) anharmonic corrections yield CCSD(T) vibrational frequencies in excellent agreement with experimental spectra, differing by no more than a few cm(-1) for the intramonomer fundamental vibrations. D0 values predicted by CCSD(T) VPT2 computations with a quadruple-ζ basis set reproduce the experimental values of (HF)2 and (H2O)2 to within 2 and 21 cm(-1), respectively.
Sustaining Computer's Impact and Adapting to Change

Computer's 2015-2016 Editor in Chief, Sumi Helal, describes plans to sustain Computer's momentum, audience engagement, and ability to adapt to changes.
Recursive soft morphological filters

We present properties of recursive soft morphological filters that use previously filtered outputs as their inputs, cascade combinations of these filters, and the idempotent recursive soft morphological filters. The development allows problems in the implementation of cascaded recursive soft morphological filters to be reduced to the equivalent problems of a single recursive standard morphological filter. >
Modeling student programming with multimodal learning analytics (abstract only)

Understanding how students solve computational problems is central to computer science education research. This goal is facilitated by recent advances in the availability and analysis of detailed multimodal data collected during student learning. Drawing on research into student problem-solving processes and findings on human posture and gesture, this poster utilizes a multimodal learning analytics framework that links automatically identified posture and gesture features with student problem-solving and dialogue events during one-on-one human tutoring of introductory computer science. The findings provide new insight into how bodily movements occur during computer science tutoring, and lay the foundation for programming feedback tools and deep analyses of student learning processes.
Value of immunohistochemical detection of DNA mismatch repair proteins in predicting germline mutation in hereditary colorectal neoplasms.

Abstract:The utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a screening method for the identification of persons with mutations in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) remains to be defined. In this study, we analyzed the value of IHC versus that of micr
Simultaneous Planar Velocity Measurements and OH Imaging in a Transverse Jet Flame

We present simultaneous planar velocity and OH fluorescence measurements at the base of a lifted, nonpremixed, transverse methane jet flame of Reynolds number 6300 and jet-to-crossflow velocity ratio 11.5. Velocity measurements are obtained using particle image velocimetry (PIV), while nonresonant OH fluorescence is imaged via excitation of the A←X (1,0) band near 283 nm. It is shown that at the flame base, the regions in the PIV images where particle density drops due to heat release closely overlap the regions where OH appears. Other preliminary results show that the base of the flame sheet typically resides just above a region where velocity magnitude is locally low, about three times the laminar flame speed, and that the fluid accelerates suddenly through the flame base. Experimental issues such as PIV accuracy and OH imaging in the presence of PIV particles are discussed.
D-Glucose-Induced Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Apoptotic Effects on Human Breast Adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) Cells.

Introduction: Glucose is a simple sugar that plays an important role in energy production in biological systems. However, it has been linked to many long-term health problems including the risk of heart disease and stroke, erectile dysfunction in men and pregnancy complications in women, and damage to the kidneys, nerves, eye and vision. Also, the underlying mechanisms of diabetic complications are poorly understood. Methods: In the present study, D-glucose-induced cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects were studied using MCF-7 cells as an in vitro test model. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Genotoxic damage was tested by the means of alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry assessment (Annexin-V/PI assay). Results: The results of MTT assay indicated that D-glucose significantly reduces the viability of MCF-7 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Similar trend was obtained with the trypan blue exclusion test. Data obtained from the Comet assay indicated that D-glucose causes DNA damage in MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The flow cytometry assessment (Annexin V FITC/PI) showed a strong dose-response relationship between D-glucose exposure and annexin V positive MCF-7 cells undergoing early apoptosis. Conclusion: Taking together, these data provide clear evidence that D-glucose induces cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects on MCF-7 cells. This finding represents the basis for further studies addressing the pathophysiological mechanisms of action of glucose overdose.
Thermal barrier coatings: Burner rig hot corrosion test results

A Mach 0.3 burner rig test program was conducted to examine the sensitivity of thermal barrier coatings to Na- and V-contaminated combustion gases simulating potential utility gas turbine environments. Coating life of the standard ZrO2-12Y2O3/Ni-16.2Cr-5.6Al-0.6Y (composition in wt %) NASA thermal barrier coating system which was developed for aircraft gas turbines was significantly reduced in such environments. Two thermal barrier coating systems, Ca2SiO4/Ni-16.2Cr-5.6Al-0.6Y and ZrO2-8Y2O3/Ni-16.4Cr-5.1Al-0.15Y and a less insulative cermet coating system, 50 vol % MgO-50 vol % Ni-19.6Cr-17.1Al-0.97Y/Ni-16.2Cr-5.6Al-0.6Y, were identified as having much improved corrosion resistance compared to the standard coating.
Ethical Concerns of Information Policy and Organization in National Security

Information organization is influenced by ideology; whether it is a personal belief system, organizational practice, or national ideology. The role of classification is dichotomous. In library and information science the goal is to be explicit while its role in national security is much more opaque. This article attempts to disambiguate this distinction in order to better understand the ethical implications of the classification process through examples from three cases related specifically to national security: (1) a dictionary for use by the East German Ministry for State Security, (2) the rules and regulations for the House Committee on un-American Activities, and (3) current requests by the government “to report suspicious activity.”
Physiological Changes in Caged Layers during a Forced Molt.3. Plasma Thyroxine, Plasma Triiodothyronine, Adrenal Cholesterol, and Total Adrenal Steroids,,,

Abstract The effects of forced molting on plasma levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and adrenal cholesterol and total adrenal steroid content were studied. Commercially available strains of Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) hens, reared and maintained under commercial conditions, were used in the three trials. The hens were moved to environmentally modified facilities prior to the forced molt which was accomplished by reducing daylength and by withdrawing feed and water. Egg production ceased within one week of initiation of this procedure. The hens were sampled either daily or on alternate days for up to 22 days beginning at the time of feed removal. Plasma T4 initially decreased upon removal of feed, but increased above control levels by the sixth day of feed withdrawal. Plasma T3 levels remained relatively constant throughout the feed withdrawal period. Resumption of feeding with a fortified ground corn ration resulted in a decrease in T4 and concomitant increase in T3. Changes in adrenal cholesterol and total adrenal steroids were not consistent. However, there was a trend toward increased total adrenal steroids during feed withdrawal, and an increase in adrenal cholesterol upon the resumption of feeding.
Walsh functions from the perspective of useful unitary transformations for data processing

This tutorial paper is designed to direct the interested reader to pertinent references from which the relationship of Walsh functions to signal processing can be obtained. In addition brief arguments are presented for comparison of the Walsh transform and other unitary transformations for various analyses, a brief list of application areas is included for the sake of completeness.
Ranitidine bismuth citrate, tetracycline, clarithromycin twice-a-day triple therapy for clarithromycin susceptible Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Although many combination therapies have been proposed, there is still interest in identifying simple, inexpensive, effective protocols that have high rates of success. Aim: To investigate the role of the new soluble form of bismuth, ranitidine bismuth citrate, in twice-a-day therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: Patients with histologically and culture proven H. pylori infection received ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg, tetracycline HCl 500 mg, and clarithromycin 500 mg, each b.d. for 14 days, followed by 300 mg ranitidine once a day for 4 additional weeks. Outcome was assessed 4 or more weeks after the end of antimicrobial therapy by repeat endoscopy with histology and culture (49 patients) or urea breath testing (14 patients). Results: Sixty-three patients completed the therapy, 59 men and four women (average age 56.7 years; range 31–75 years). All patients had clarithromycin-susceptible strains prior to therapy. H. pylori infection was cured in 94% (95% CI: 85–98%). There was a therapy failure in one patient who took the medicine for only 1 day and stopped because of side-effects. Three of the isolates from treatment failures were available post-failure; two were clarithromycin-resistant and one was susceptible. Side-effects were severe in two patients (3%) and moderate in three (primarily diarrhoea). Conclusions: Twice-a-day ranitidine bismuth citrate, tetracycline, clarithromycin triple therapy was well tolerated and effective for the treatment of H. pylori infection in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori.
Hyperbolic discounting and the standard model: Eliciting discount functions

Abstract Experiments on static intertemporal choice find evidence of particularly extreme impatience toward immediate rewards. While this is often taken as support for hyperbolic discounting, it could also arise because the most likely participants in experiments may be those with the most immediate need for money. We conduct a calibration exercise and find that the extreme impatience observed in experiments can be accommodated by a standard exponential discounting model with no discounting and expectation of a ‘small’ increase in the base consumption level. The calibration uses existing estimates of curvature of utility.
Medical school admission and generalist physicians: a study of the class of 1985.

PURPOSE To examine the medical school applications of physicians who are now established in their careers to see whether any of the applicants' data might have had predictive value for the admission process of a medical school wishing to increase its production of generalist physicians. METHOD Three members of the Committee on Admissions of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine followed the same procedure they use when reviewing current medical school applicants in reading the applications of 148 graduates of the class of 1985. The readers recorded data from all parts of the American Medical College Application Service form--face sheet, personal statement, and the record of course work--and used alumni records and published physician locators to determine these class members' whereabouts and the specialties (and subspecialties) they were practicing 13 or 14 years after applying to medical school. RESULTS Thirty-four percent of the class had elected generalist medical careers (the practice of family medicine, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics). A high service index (reflective of a demonstrated orientation toward community service prior to medical school matriculation) predicted strongly the choice of a generalist medical career. Conversely, the absence of any clear evidence of a service orientation predicted still more strongly a non-generalist career. Less strong predictors of a generalist practice included the selection of a generous number of non-science-content courses as an undergraduate, lower socioeconomic family origin, and a record of leadership in one or more extracurricular activities during college. CONCLUSION If an admission committee informs itself of "what finally happens" to those it admits, its decisions can contribute to achieving whatever policy its medical school adopts with respect to the mix of physicians it wishes to produce.
Heat-Mirror Spectral Profile Optimization for TSC Hybrid Solar Conversion

The efficiencies for total solar cogeneration (TSC) can be optimized by tailoring the transparent heat-mirror (HM) beam splitter spectral profile shape. The entire output is cogenerated by photovoltaic/photothermal conversions into three energy forms: electricity (PV) 18V d.c./module, high-temperature heat (HT) 400°C, and low-temperature heat (LT) 70°C. The emphasis is to maximize the high-quality energy sum PV + HT, while maintaining PV at a high level. A generalized 5-parameter double Fermi model for the HM spectral profile is investigated allowing for a wide parametric range and profile asymmetry. The projected optimized TSC conversion efficiencies are: PV = 14.3%, HT = 43.5%, and LT = 42.2% with a high-quality energy sum of PV + HT = 57.8%. The approach to this optimum HM spectral profile by experimental HM films such as ITO are discussed.
Critical dynamics of the kinetic Ising model on the fractal Koch curves.

The critical slowing down of the kinetic Glauber-Ising model on different fractal geometries with quasilinear lattices is studied. The classes of fractals which are examined are the nonbranching Koch curves and the branching Koch curves. The relaxation of two different perturbations from equilibrium is examined. The dynamic critical exponent is calculated for these lattices using an exact renormalization-group transformation. The value z=1/\ensuremath{\nu}+${D}_{f}$ is found for both fractals.
Toward a general defense against kernel queue hooking attacks

Kernel queue hooking (KQH) attacks achieve stealthy malicious function execution by embedding malicious hooks in dynamic kernel schedulable queues (K-Queues). Because they keep kernel code and persistent hooks intact, they can evade detection of state-of-the-art kernel integrity monitors. Moreover, they have been used by advanced malware such as the Rustock spam bot to achieve malicious goals. In this paper, we present a systematic defense against such novel attacks. We propose the Precise Lookahead Checking of function Pointers approach that checks the legitimacy of pending K-Queue callback requests by proactively checking function pointers that may be invoked by the callback function. To facilitate the derivation of specifications for any K-Queue, we build a unified static analysis framework and a toolset that can derive from kernel source code properties of legitimate K-Queue requests and turn them into source code for the runtime checker. We implement proof-of-concept runtime checkers for four K-Queues in Linux and perform a comprehensive experimental evaluation of these checkers, which shows that our defense is effective against KQH attacks.
Evolution of ontogenetic dietary shifts and associated gut features in prickleback fishes (Teleostei: Stichaeidae).

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that an ontogenetic dietary shift from carnivory to herbivory or omnivory, and concomitant changes in the gut facilitating digestion of algae, are synapomorphies of the tribes Xiphisterini and Esselenichthyini in the family Stichaeidae (pricklebacks). Previous investigations have revealed that two xiphisterine pricklebacks—Xiphister mucosus and Xiphister atropurpureus—become herbivorous or omnivorous, respectively, as their bodies grow larger, and that their guts show related changes in length and function. In this study we found that, with increase in size, the basal member of the Xiphisterini, Phytichthys chirus, showed an increased proportion of algae in its diet, increased activity of α-amylase and decreased activity of aminopeptidase, all of which support the synapomorphy hypothesis. Cebidichthys violaceus, a herbivore in the Esselenichthyini, shows similar ontogenetic changes in diet and digestive tract length and physiology, but these features were not observed in two derived carnivores, Dictyosoma burgeri and Dictyosoma rubrimaculatum, within the clade. These results suggest that herbivory is isolated to C. violaceus within the Esselenichthyini. Allometric relationships of gut length as a function of body size generally follow diet within the Xiphisterini and Esselenichthyini, with herbivores having the longest guts, which become disproportionately longer than body size as the fishes grow, omnivores intermediate gut lengths, and carnivores the shortest. A carnivore from an adjacent clade, Anoplarchus purpurescens, had the shortest gut, which did not change in length relative to body length as the fish grew. Overall, our results clarify the patterns of dietary evolution within the Stichaeidae and lay the foundation for more detailed studies of dietary and digestive specialization in fishes in the family.
Place, Space, and Agency: Moving Beyond the Homogenous "Ghetto"

In Urban Outcasts, Loic Waquant has advanced our understanding of contemporary poverty through an international comparative analysis of Chicago and Paris that pays close attention to the role of the state in producing marginality. Yet, Wacquant's analysis falls short at more fully explaining recent changes in the United States or pointing us in the direction of political change because of limitations related to his theorizing of "the ghetto," the welfare state, and advanced marginality. Specifically, I argue that Wacquant essentializes place and space through his conceptualization of "the ghetto"; relies too heavily on the South Side of Chicago as representative of U.S. cities; ignores contemporary conditions such as the increasing diversification of poverty; minimizes the agency of poor people; and lacks attention to the role of the local state and the gendered nature of the state. As such there is no discussion of the actual or potential emancipatory politics that may come from diverse (both within and ...
An accurate procedure for multielement neutron activation analysis of trace elements in biological materials

A procedure for radiochemical neutron activation analysis of biological materials for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ga, Hf, Mg, Mn, Na, Sb, Sc, Se, Zn, and the rare-earth elements (REE) has been developed. Maximum control over accuracy has been emphasized. Samples are digested under reflux in the presence of carrier for every element determined, and a chemical yield is measured for every element assayed. The procedure has been tested by replicate analysis of National Bureau of Standards bovine liver sample (SRM-1577). Values agree to within their uncertainties with those given by NBS for the 9 elements of this group that they have analyzed. Accuracies at the 90% confidence level for elements in the liver sample are estimated as better than ±10% for Cu, Na, and Zn, between ±10 and ±25% for As, Co, Hg, La, Mn, and Se, and between ±25 and ±50% for Cd, Sb, Sc, and Sm.
A stereophotogrammetric method for determining in situ contact areas in diarthrodial joints, and a comparison with other methods

Determination of contact areas in diarthrodiaf joints is necessary for understanding the state of stress within the articufar cartilage layers and the supporting bony structures. The present study describes the use of a stereophotogrammetry (SPG) system (Huiskes et al., J. Eiomechanics 18, 559-570 (1985) and Ateshian et al., J. Biomechanics 24, 761-776 (1991)) for determining contact areas in diarthrodiaf joints, using a surface proximity concept similar to the one used by Scherrer et al. (ASME J. biomech. Engng 101, 271-278 (1979)). This method consists ofevaluating the proximity of the articufar surfaces to determinejoint contact areas using precise geometric models of the joint surfaces obtained from the SPG system, and precise kinematic data, also obtained from SPG. In this study, the SPG method for determining contact areas is compared to other commonly used methods such as dye staining, silicone rubber casting and Fuji film contact measurement techniques which have been often used and reported by other investigators. The bovine gfenohumeraf joint and the bovine lateral tibiofemoraf articulation (without the meniscus) were used to represent congruent and incongruent joints, respectively. While all the methods yielded consistent contact patterns for the incongruent tibiofemoraf articulations, the results for the congruent bovine gfenohumeraf joints showed that the SPG and Fuji film methods were in better agreement than those obtained from the dye staining and silicone rubber casting methods. The advantages of the new SPG method are that it can be used for intact joints, and used repeatedly and quickly thus making contact-area movement analyses possible (Sosfowsky et al., J. orthop. Rex 10, 524-534 (1992)). The results of this comparison study show that the SPG technique is a reliable and versatile method for determining contact areas in diarthrodiaf joints
Stump-socket pressure in lower extremity prostheses.

Abstract The pressures existent at the interface between stump and socket were obtained for two subjects equipped with above the knee prostheses. The effects of leg alignment changes and the passage of time are detailed in terms of local dynamic pressures experienced while walking. Local instantaneous pressures vary from 0 to 50 psi as a function of location, subject and gait phase. Highest pressures are obtained at the socket brim. Alignment changes produce but small pressure changes. Maximum donning pressures equal those in walking: standing pressures are less than half of peak walking pressures.
Analysis of amino acid isotopomers using FT-ICR MS.

Fluxes through known metabolic pathways and the presence of novel metabolic reactions are often determined by feeding isotopically labeled substrate to an organism and then determining the isotopomer distribution in amino acids in proteins. However, commonly used techniques to measure the isotopomer distributions require derivatization prior to analysis (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)) or large sample sizes (nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy). Here, we demonstrate the use of Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry with direct infusion via electrospray ionization to rapidly measure the amino acid isotopomer distribution in a biomass hydrolysate of the soil bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough. By applying high front-end resolution for the precursor ion selection followed by sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation, it was possible to determine exactly and unambiguously the specific locations of the labeled atoms in the amino ...
School to Work Opportunities Act Policy--An Effort at Backward Mapping

This study examined the intent of federal policy and the actual implementation within local school districts. Specifically, the focus is on the Federal School to Work Opportunities Act of 1994 and its implementation in 47 school districts in upstate New York as part of a consortium during the 1995-96 school year. The purpose of the study was to determine 1) the extent to which an agreement to participate in a consortium arrangement designed to facilitate the implementation of a specific Federal or state policy resulted in the active implementation efforts by individual consortium members, and 2) how a high school setting where School to Work activities were perceived by local stakeholders as having great specific and important effects differed from a high school setting where School to Work activities were perceived by local stakeholders as having some or no effect. A bottom-up backward mapping policy analysis model was used for the purposes of this study. Local level data was used to create performance, environment, technology implementation, and School to Work implementation profiles of local high schools. Regression and correlation analyses were used to determine the relationship between stakeholder perceptions and local high school characteristics. Results of the study were reported and interpreted with the aim of furthering research and knowledge of policy analysis and the use of local level data to determine the success of policy implementation. This study found that variation between federal intent and local adaptation is explained by characteristics of the high school and perceptions of stakeholders. School to Work policy implementation, perceived by the high school administrator as a stakeholder, varied significantly by high school student performance, environment in which the high school operates, and level of technology implementation in the high school. Results indicated that the backward mapping policy analysis model is effective in determining the actual levels of policy implementation. Backward mapping results in a definitive explanation of the role of the local actor and the use of discretion in decision making. The final analysis as a result of backward mapping goes beyond the measurement of policy objectives being met and explains the meaning of local level participation.
Occurrence and filterability of protoplast-like elements in aged bacterial cultures.

CELLULAR or subcellular units of certain bacteria that have been deprived of a rigid cell wall have been regarded in the recent literature as protoplasts. The conversion of rods into spherical protoplasts was observed mostly in media containing penicillin and magnesium ions plus sucrose as stabilizers1, although Jeynes2 has reported their natural occurrence.
Pheochromocytoma Presenting as Fulminant Cardiogenic Shock following Maltiple Organ Failure

obtained as regards low output state and pulmonary congestion requiring IABP and PCPS support. However, hemodynamic collapse had not been ameliorated over following two weeks. TTE at day 3 showed the left ventricle with apical ballooning and severe contractile dysfunction at the apex. Subsequent TTE at day17 showed progressively thickened left ventricular wall with narrowing of left ventricular chamber and severely depressed systolic dysfunction. At day 32, the patient deceased because of prolonged low output state. An autopsy revealed extensive invasion of the pericardium and epicardial part of the myocardium by primary malignant mesothelioma (sarcoid type) proven by immune-histochemial staining. We encountered an unusual course of heart failure; first presented as takotsubolike cardiomyopathy then as ventricular containment possibly due to activated malignant mesothelioma.
Identification of immune cells interacting with Vibrio spp. and its in vitro post-phagocytic killing mechanism of haemocytes in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards.

Immune cells were identified and their interaction towards Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. anguillarum was studied in vitro in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus. Haemocytes were divided into agranulocytes, semi-dense granulocytes and dense granulocytes according to their morphology. Agranulocytes (100%) and 0.3‐0.7% of granulocytes were actively involved in coagulation. Granulocytes were involved in in vitro phagocytosis and encapsulation of foreign materials. Phagocytosis was enhanced by prior opsonization of bacteria with cell-free shrimp haemolymph. Semi-dense granulocytes were phagocytic towards V. alginolyticus with and without opsonization at the rate of 91.1% and 83.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). Granulocyte death observed after 2 h with opsonized haemolymph was 26.1%. About 64.5% of dense granulocytes and 23.2% of semi-dense granulocytes were actively involved in encapsulation, forming capsules. A spectrophotometric nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay was used to demonstrate the production of superoxide anions (O2 ) ) by shrimp haemocytes. All the Vibrio spp. were able to induce superoxide anions (O2 ) ) during phagocytosis. Live Vibrio sp. induced O2 ) production in haemocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Significant activity was detected with a 40:1 bacteria to haemocyte ratio (P < 0.05). NBT reduction assay for measuring the post-phagocytic killing mechanism in shrimp haemocytes might be a valuable tool for monitoring shrimp health and immunological studies.