cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
History of cystometry

Looking back on the changes in the conceptualization of micturition and the development of cystometry, it is reasonable to arrive at several conclusions. Considering their poor technical equipment, Budge's and Goltz's neurophysiologic observations in the 19th century were impressive. The pontine center for micturition, found by Budge, was later confirmed, by Barrington, to have a facilitating and coordinating function. Goltz's demonstration that micturition could be partially accomplished by a spinal reflex was unfortunately given too little attention by clinicians practicing cystometry in the beginning of this century. Dubois' careful pioneering investigations of bladder pressure, and Mosso and Pellacani's studies in bladder motility were outstanding. From Born's and Genouville's contributions, continuously recordable filling cystometry was developed as early as the end of the last century. However, due to a fixation on "bladder tone" and the concept of "crossed innervation" by succeeding investigators, development of cystometry was at a standstill for almost forty years before gradually attaining its modern interpretation. Compared to our century, it is striking how carefully all investigators from the 19th century cited each other and knew about each other's work. This was possible, in spite of poor communication, because of the small number of investigators involved in studies of bladder function. Although cystometry today is quite informative in many cases, two main points, the presence of detrusor contraction reflex and the patient's capacity to suppress its occurrence, are still highly dependent on the technique used and the subject's cooperation. The more complicated urodynamic investigations flourishing during the last fifteen years have been met with the same uncertainty as the preceding ones since they are partially or completely dependent on patient compliance. Frequently, findings in the laboratory do not relate to the clinical situation. Hopefully, future development of monitoring of bladder-urethral function and the use of neurophysiologic electrodiagnostic methods will reduce these difficulties. The authors believe that modern cystometry began in the 1950s, and that discussion of this period and up to the present is more appropriately the subject of a review on modern methodologies. Further, it is difficult to place modern technology and investigators in historical perspective when events are evolving.
Estimation employing a priori information within mass appraisal and hedonic pricing models

Both statistical appraisal and hedonic pricing models decompose houses into a set of individual characteristics. Regression estimates yield the contribution of each characteristic to total value. Unfortunately, straightforward application of OLS may produce untenable results such as implausible coefficient magnitudes or incorrect signs. Often the suspected cause is multicollinearity. This article examines the effect on estimation efficiency of differing levels of multicollinearity, R2, and a priori information in the form of sub-market cost data, by comparing inequality restricted least squares (IRLS) with OLS in a series of Monte Carlo experiments. The IRLS procedure investigated here hybridizes the statistical market approach implemented by OLS, and the more traditional cost approach. The experiments show dramatic gains in estimation efficiency from exploiting a priori information through IRLS.
Calorimetry of frog sciatic nerve

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry has been used to study thermal properties of the frog sciatic nerve. Heating scans of whole peripheral nervous system nerves show three endotherms: A (48°C), B (54°C) and C (62°C), which disappear in second heating scans. Homogenized myelin prepared from the sciatic nerves does not display any of these endotherms. Evidence is presented that the B endotherm represents the irreversible thermal denaturation of collagen (the collagen shrink point). Comparison with earlier X-ray diffraction work implicates this transition in the formation of the anomalous swollen state.
Effect of Cycloamyloses on Apparent Dissociation Constants of Carboxylic Acids and Phenols: Equilibrium Analytical Selectivity Induced by Complex Formation

Abstract Apparent dissociation constants of organic acids were determined by potentiometric titration in the presence of cyclo‐hexaamylose or cycloheptaamylose. The quantity ΔpKa′ = pKa′ (cycloamylose) ‐ pKa (water) was positive or zero for all carboxylic acids studied and negative or zero for all phenols. The term ΔpKa′ can be related to the cycloamylose concentration, K 11a , and K 11b , where K 11a , and K 11b , are 1:1 stability constants for complexes of the acid and the anion, respectively. From the dependence of ΔpKa′ on cycloamylose concentration, estimates of K 11a and K 11b can be obtained. If ΔpKa′ ≠ 0, then K 11 ≠ K 11b ; for carboxylic acids, K 11 ⩾ K 11b ; for phenols, K 11b ⩾ K 11a . Because of variable pKa′ shifts, it is possible to carry out differentiating titrations of some acid mixtures in cycloamylose solutions, whereas the same acids cannot be differentiated in water. If an acid is weakened by cycloamylose, its conjugate base is strengthened, and some carboxylate salts can be readily titrated in the presence of a cycloamylose.
Meningitis outbreak shines light on compounding pharmacies.

Compounding pharmacies are back in a big way, reports Allen F Shaughnessy , but deaths from a meningitis outbreak have raised questions about the practice and the laws that control it
The glass transition temperature of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) by differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract Previously a wide range of values have been reported for the glass transition temperature, Tg, of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), PVP, and it was suggested that lower values are due to variable uptakes of water caused by the hygroscopic nature of the polymer. Now it has been found that there are large variations in Tg, even in carefully dried specimens of PVP. Other factors found to influence Tg are residual monomer and the molecular weight of PVP. Polymers prepared by bulk polymerization, either by γ-irradiation or by heating with 2-azobisisobutyronitrile, have much lower values of Tg than dried ones prepared containing 30% water. The difference is mainly due to depression of Tg by residual monomer which, in the absence of water during polymerization, fails to react completely because of conversion to a glassy state. An unexplained observation is that even when all residual monomer has been removed, polymers prepared by bulk polymerization still have a lower Tg than would be expected from their molecular weight.
A cross-sectional study of intima-media thickness, ethnicity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk in 2268 study participants.

OBJECTIVE To describe the association between intima-media thickness (IMT) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to examine if the addition of IMT to a traditional MetS definition adds value to the assessment of predicted cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in a large multiethnic population. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, carotid IMT was measured in 2268 men and women as part of a wellness physical examination between August 1, 2000, and October 1, 2001. The wellness examination included a fasting lipid panel, physical examination, and medical history. Mean IMT was described by sex, ethnicity, and the MetS. Predicted risk for CVD was determined with IMT as a component of the diagnostic criteria for MetS. RESULTS Intima-media thickness increased with each additional component of the MetS, increasing from 0.516 mm for 0 components to 0.688 mm for 4 or more components ( P CONCLUSION The addition of IMT to the traditional criteria for the diagnosis of the MetS may help identify individuals who otherwise would not have been identified to be at high risk of CVD.
MeV ion confinement in the TFTR tokamak

In this paper the confinement of the MeV ions that are created by D–D reactions in the TFTR tokamak [in Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research 1988 (IAEA, Vienna, 1989), Vol. 1, p. 27] is described. The ions that escape from the plasma are measured by a new type of detector located just outside the plasma edge. Most measurements made with this detector are consistent with the first‐orbit loss of these ions. Exceptions are correlated with strong magnetohydrodynamic activity, and a preliminary explanation is presented.
Micromachined silicon grids for direct TEM and Raman characterization of CVD grown carbon nanotubes

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro-Raman spectroscopy are key techniques in the structural characterization of carbon nanotubes. For device applications, carbon nanotubes are typically grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on silicon substrates. However, TEM requires very thin samples, which are electron transparent. Therefore, for TEM analysis, CVD grown nanotubes are typically deposited on commercial TEM grids by post-processing. This procedure has two problems: It can damage the nanotubes, and it does not work reliably if the nanotube density is too low. The ability to do TEM directly on as-grown nanotubes lying on the silicon substrate would solve these two problems. In this talk, for this purpose, we fabricate micromachined TEM grids from silicon substrates. Subsequently, we grow nanotubes on these micromachined TEM grids by CVD, and characterize the nanotubes by TEM, micro-Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We show that these substrates provide a low cost, mass producible, efficient, and reliable platform for direct TEM, Raman, AFM, and SEM analysis of as-grown nanotubes or other nanomaterials on the same substrate, eliminating the need for any post-processing after CVD growth.
Scientific and Regulatory Perspectives on Metabolizing Enzyme−Transporter Interplay and Its Role in Drug Interactions: Challenges in Predicting Drug Interactions†

Both metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters play important roles in modulating drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. Acting alone or in concert with each other they can aff...
Repair-control of enterprise systems using RFID sensory data

Abstract This paper presents an architecture for implementing real-time enterprise planning, scheduling and control processes based on information provided by radio frequency identification (RFID) sensing systems. It introduces a new paradigm, called repair, for modeling enterprise processes that is based on the idea of incremental performance improvements and disruption minimization. The proposed model is expressed using differential equations with discontinuous right-hand sides. The repair framework is suitable for implementing enterprise feedback control systems that can easily be interfaced with an existing enterprise resource planning infrastructure. RFID sensing systems have the potential to provide the real-time data needed to implement enterprise feedback functionality.
Vibrational spectra and conformation of poly(vinylidene chloride)

Abstract Infrared and Raman spectra of poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) single crystals are presented. Additionally, we report infrared spectra of a quenched, largely amorphous, sample of PVDC. Our results question the interpretation of previous vibrational studies of PVDC which conclude that the crystalline polymer chain is in the TGTG′ conformation. Strong Raman lines at 688 and 161 cm−1 together with weaker lines at 3000, 345, and 143 cm−1 which are either absent or, at least, extremely weak in the infrared spectrum of the crystalline polymer suggest that a planar 21 helical conformation is more consistant with the vibrational data.
Particle Detachment from Rough Surfaces in Turbulent Flows

Two flow structure-based models for particle resuspension from rough surfaces in turbulent streams are developed. It is assumed that the real area of contact is determined by elastic deformation of asperities and the effect of topographic properties of surfaces are included. The JKR adhesion model is used to analyze the behaviour of individual asperities. The theories of rolling and sliding detachment are used and the flow-induced resuspension is studied. The effects of the near-wall coherent eddies, and turbulence urst/inrush motion are included in the model development. The critical shear velocities needed to detach different sized particles from rough surfaces under various conditions are evaluated and discussed. The model predictions are compared with the available experimental data and good agreement is obtained.
Hybrid plasmon photonic crystal resonance grating for integrated spectrometer biosensor

Using nanofabricated hybrid metal–dielectric nanohole array photonic crystal gratings, a hybrid plasmonic optical resonance spectrometer biosensor is demonstrated. The new spectrometer sensor technique measures plasmonic optical resonance from the first-order diffraction rather than via the traditional method of measuring optical resonance from transmission. The resonance spectra measured with the new spectrometer technique are compared with the spectra measured using a commercial optical spectrometer. It is shown that the new optical resonance spectrometer can be used to measure plasmonic optical resonance that otherwise cannot be measured with a regular optical spectrometer.
A Fast Mode-Control Switch for Iterative Differential Analyzers

Operation of fast analog-hybrid computers at kilocycle iteration rates requires wideband amplifiers, low computing impedances, and electronic track-hold and integrator mode-control switching within tens of nanoseconds. This paper describes the design and circuit analysis of a new switched-amplifer mode-control circuit designed for the University of Arizona's ASTRAC II iterative differential analyzer. The bandwidth of the circuit in track is down 3 dB at 2.5 Mc, which accounts for a phase shift of 0.005 radian (≪ 0.3 deg) at 10 Kc. The circuits switch into COMPUTE (HOLD) in less than 80 ns; two or more integrators switch within 20 ns of each other. Voltage drift in the TRACK or RESET mode is within ±50 ?V/°C between ?20 to +60°C.
Surface Free Energy Relationships used to Evaluate Microbial Transport

A microbial transport study of \IEscherichia coli\N, \IPseudomonas fluorescens\N, and \IPseudomonas aeruginosa\N through model media of silica gel and alluvial loam from the Central Oklahoma Aquifer demonstrated that the retardation factor and deposition coefficient are related to the free energy of surface interactions between the bacteria and the media at different distances, which are determined by the radius and the surface thermodynamics of the microorganisms and the surface thermodynamics of the media. A combined model that incorporates the deep-bed filtration model into a simple convection-dispersion model was used in evaluating the microbial transport. The deposition coefficient, which describes irreversible adsorption, was a function of the free energy of the surface interactions at the closest approach (1.57 A) where Lewis acid-base interactions dominated. However, the retardation factor, which describes reversible adsorption of bacterial transport, was a function of the free energy of the surface interactions at the last inflection point where van der Waals interactions dominated (∼10 μmin this study).
Smooth Lyapunov Functions for Hybrid Systems—Part I: Existence Is Equivalent to Robustness

Hybrid systems are dynamical systems where the state is allowed to either evolve continuously (flow) on certain subsets of the state space or evolve discontinuously (jump) from other subsets of the state space. For a broad class of such systems, characterized by mild regularity conditions on the data, we establish the equivalence between the robustness of stability with respect to two measures and a characterization of such stability in terms of a smooth Lyapunov function. This result unifies and generalizes previous results for differential and difference inclusions with outer semicontinuous and locally bounded right-hand sides. Furthermore, we give a description of forward completeness of a hybrid system in terms of a smooth Lyapunov-like function.
Insurance Arrangements Among Married Couples: Analysis of Benefit Substitution and Compensating Differentials

Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey indicate that for couples in which both spouses are employed, 36% of privately insured couples are characterized by an arrangement in which the husband and wife are enrolled in separate plans. This paper empirically investigates several aspects of spouses’ decisions to enroll in separate insurance plans. Results indicate that each spouse’s probability of being offered employer-provided insurance is related to the probability that his or her partner is also offered employer-provided insurance. Furthermore, married couples appear to pay for various insurance arrangements through lower wage earnings.
Effect of temperature on the activity of ribonuclease from Tetrahymena pyriformis

Intracellular ribonuclease from the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis GL was purified 10-fold. After preheating for 20 minutes at 100°C of the ribonuclease preparation 80% of its activity was lost. Preheating under the same conditions, however, in the presence of RNA, did not affect the enzyme activity. Between 0°C and 41°C the apparent activation energy was 15,600 cal per deg. per mole.
Structural Durability Design Optimization and Its Reliability Assessment

Mechanical fatigue subject to external and inertia transient loads in the service life of mechanical systems often leads a structural failure due to accumulated damage. Structural durability analysis that predicts the fatigue life of mechanical components subject to dynamic stresses and strains is a compute intensive multidisciplinary simulation process, since it requires an integration of several computer-aided engineering tools and large amount of data communication and computation. Uncertainties in geometric dimensions due to manufacturing tolerances cause the indeterministic nature of fatigue life of the mechanical component. Due to the fact that uncertainty propagation to structural fatigue under transient dynamic loading is not only numerically complicate but also extremely expensive, it is a challenging task to develop structural durability-based design optimization process and reliability analysis to ascertain whether the optimal design is reliable. The objective of this paper is development of an integrated CAD-based computer-aided engineering process to effectively carry out the design optimization for a structural durability, yielding a durable and cost-effectively manufacturable product. In addition, a reliability analysis is executed to assess the reliability for the deterministic optimal design.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
On growth and the limits of organizational responsiveness

That we are assembled at this conference on Limits to Growth ‘75 is evidence that we are “between two ages”, in Hesse’s phrase: between the old myth or world view that equated improvements in the human condition with unlimited growth and the new view, far less coherent, still to be worked out, that sees both good and necessity in a world view that puts human kind back into nature, into an ecological mode of relationship with the material universe, with other humans, and with self. In what follows I shall be contrasting the old and the new views for their implications for the limits of responsive behavior by organizations. It should be recognized, however, that the transition to a new steady-state or flow-through world is already underway in some organizations and among their constituents and consumers. Enough is happening so that my rather bald contrasts need qualifications in particular situations. But the conventional view still prevails: the dialectic between the old and new views is only now taking on depth and sophistications and the outcome is unforseeable. To a very important degree it will depend on how responsive organizations can learn to be: i.e., how open they will be to the dialectic and how much they can learn from it. This paper will examine factors which affect the limits of effective behavior within organizations; how these may be related to commitment to unconstrained growth, and how a different belief system emphasizing a steady state philosophy might contribute to more effective organizational behavior.’ 1 shall limit aspects of this complex matter examined herein to those central to my values and to the perspective of a social psychologist. My values lead me to the following observations which I have argued at length elsewhere [ 11.
Collision Detection for Moving Polyhedra

We consider the collision-detection problem for a three-dimensional solid object moving among polyhedral obstacles. The configuration space for this problem is six-dimensional, and the traditional representation of the space uses three translational parameters and three angles (typically Euler angles). The constraints between the object and obstacles then involve trigonometric functions. We show that a quaternion representation of rotation yields constraints which are purely algebraic in a seven-dimensional space. By simple manipulation, the constraints may be projected down into a six-dimensional space with no increase in complexity. The algebraic form of the constraints greatly simplifies computation of collision points, and allows us to derive an efficient exact intersection test for an object which is translating and rotating among obstacles.
Flaccidity of geometric index for nonsingular vector fields

We consider nonsingular vector fields V on compact connected C ~ orientable manifolds M" without boundary. It is of interest to find criteria for detecting the occurrence of closed orbits of V. If we were to look instead at diffeomorphisms f:M---~M the analogous question would be to find the periodic points of f. We may at least count the periodic points algebraically via the Lefschetz fixed point formula, if {x [ fk(x) = x} = Fix (fk) is finite:
Core/mantle-like interactions in an electric field

Abstract Reactions between metal and silicate phases, such as those that may occur at the core/mantle boundary, are charge transfer reactions—involving oxidation and reduction of chemical species. Therefore, the chemical potential driving force can be recast as an electric potential difference. Conversely, the application of an electric field across a metal/silicate interface is capable of driving chemical reactions. To explore the electrochemical behavior of a core/mantle-like boundary, the behavior of a liquid sulfide/silicate boundary in the presence of an externally applied electric potential difference was examined experimentally. The physical and chemical responses of this electrified interface include: (1) reaction zones containing new oxide phases at the ∼1 V level, (2) unusual partitioning of highly siderophile elements at ∼100 mV, (3) electrowetting at 10–100 mV, and (4) valence changes, indicating oxygen fugacity perturbations, at a level of ∼1–10 μV. An equivalent circuit diagram representing the experimental results is introduced, and extended to processes at the Earth's core/mantle boundary.
Fine structure of the hemocytes of Periplaneta americana (Orthoptera: Blattidae) with particular reference to marginal bundles.

The fine structure of Periplaneta americana hemocytes revealed the first instance of cytoplasmic microtubule marginal bundles in an invertebrate system. Marginal bundle arrangements were consistent with the discoid shape of the hemocytes and were similar to previously described microtubule orientations in vertebrate platelets. In addition, 4 types of membrane-bound cytoplasmic inclusions were described including a unique inclusion containing cylinders (9–80 per inclusion) measuring ∼ 800 A in diameter and 0.8–1.5 μ in length.
Gender sexuality health and human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In October 2006, after more than a century of guaranteeing the right to therapeutic abortion in the case of obstetric emergencies, the Nicaraguan National Assembly outlawed all forms of abortion. T...
Smad signaling in skeletal development and regeneration.

Abstract Smad proteins are intracellular molecules that mediate the canonical signaling cascade of TGFβ superfamily growth factors. The TGFβ superfamily comprises two groups of growth factors, BMPs and TGFβs. Both groups can be further divided into several sub-groups based on sequence homologies and functional similarities. Ligands of the TGFβ superfamily bind to cell surface receptors to activate Smad proteins in the cytoplasm; then the activated Smad proteins translocate into the nucleus to activate or repress specific target gene transcription. Both groups of growth factors play important roles in skeletal development and regeneration. However, whether these effects reflect signaling through canonical Smad pathways, or other non-canonical signaling pathways in vivo remains a mystery. Moreover, the mechanisms utilized by Smad proteins to initiate nuclear events and their interactions with cytoplasmic proteins are still under intensive investigation. This review will discuss the most recent progress understanding Smad signaling in the context of skeletal development and regeneration.
Spectroscopic data processing. NMRI software and its applications in chemistry and biophysics

Abstract The NMRI software system (previously known as ORACLE ) is a large modular FORTRAN 77 program for reduction of spectroscopic data from Fourier transform NMR experiments, although the program is applicable to other types of spectroscopy. NMRI features include: (1) implementation of powerful algorithms for optimization of data content; (2) routines for high accuracy quantitation of spectral features, including quantitative separation of over-lapping lines; (3) versatile output routines including color graphics and multi-format hard copy; (4) extensive user prompting and automation control. NMRI is being used in a variety of chemical and biological applications. Examples include quantitation of metabolic NMR spectra, analysis of 13 C NMR of double stranded DNA, and quantitative analysis of mixtures of organic compounds.
Women and knowledge in political science: Texts, histories, and epistemologies

This article examines the gendered nature of the assumptions and traditions of political science. The discussion covers the assumptions about women's roles present at the founding of political science in the late nineteenth century, the coverage of women and gender in the earliest textbooks in the discipline, and the gender assumption of contemporary analyses of political science. The theoretical concern of this article is to determine which epistemologies underpin the introductory and self-reflexive literature and to assess the awareness of the authors of these works concerning the linkages between gender and epistemologies.
Immediate, Arthus, and delayed-type skin reactions in rhesus monkeys infected with Schistosoma mansoni or mycobacteria

Abstract Gross and histologic observations of immediate, Arthus, and delayed-type skin reactivities in rhesus monkeys infected with Schistosoma mansoni or mycobacteria are described. Edema without erythema occurred in the eyelid and on the chest of animals with immediate-type hypersensitivity. Eosinophils characterized the cell infiltrations. Arthus reactivity resulted in blanching of the skin test sites and in a polymorphonuclear neutrophilic infiltration. Erythema was stimulated by intrapalpebral testing of animals with delayed hypersensitivity, but in these animals the chest site or back again showed a blanched area of induration; a large mononuclear, epithelioid cell type of infiltration was characteristic of this reactivity.
Promoting Multicultural Understanding and Positive Self-Concept through a Distance Learning Community: Cultural Connections

We explored the effectiveness of distance learning and multimedia technologies in facilitating an expanded learning community among two teachers and their students in geographically separated schools. The teachers collaboratively developed curricular activities and identity-forming multicultural activities for their K-12 students to conduct over the distance. Predominantly Hispanic students in a school on the Texas border with Mexico communicated regularly over a school year with diverse students in a partner school hundreds of miles to the north. They participated in collaborative activities and shared multimedia files via interactive videoconference. Using qualitative research methods, we discovered that the participating teachers developed empowering multicultural relationships while their students developed multicultural understanding and positive self-concept. Examples of empowerment and positive self-concept included raised levels of academic aspirations and heightened poise during public speaking.
Mixed Strategy Nash Equilibria in Signaling Games

Signaling games are characterized by asymmetric information where the more informed player has a choice about what information to provide to its opponent. In this paper, decision trees are used to derive Nash equilibrium strategies for signaling games. We address the situation where neither player has any pure strategies at Nash equilibrium, i.e. a purely mixed strategy equilibrium. Additionally, we demonstrate that this approach can be used to determine whether certain strategies are part of a Nash equilibrium containing dominated strategies. Analyzing signaling games using a decision-theoretic approach allows the analyst to avoid testing individual strategies for equilibrium conditions and ensures a perfect Bayesian solution.
Hydroboration. XXIX. The Hydroboration of Allylic Chlorides a Study of Directive Effects and the Elimination Reaction

A series of representative allylic chlorides was hydroborated with borane-tetrahydrofuran and disiamylborane. Hydroboration of allylic chlorides containing a symmetric double bond placed the boron exclusively at the β-position. Dissymmetric double bonds having more β-substitution than γ-substitution react to place the boron predominantly on the γ-carbon with borane-tetrahydrofuran and almost exclusively on the γ-carbon with disiamylborane. In the hydroboration of crotyl chloride with diborane, the rate of elimination of the β-chloroorganoborane slows markedly after 80% elimination. The 20% of slow elimination reflects the amount of dihydroboration which occurs before elimination. The dialkylborane thus formed probably dimerizes and the dimer undergoes elimination at a reduced rate. The slow elimination is subject to Lewis acid catalysis.
An investigation of preparedness and importance of mis competencies: research in progress

MIS programs are facing significant challenges: employment opportunities for graduates are greatly expanding, the number of enrolled students is dropping, and graduates face rapid changes in technologies and business environments. This paper describes results from a pilot survey that provides a glimpse into perceived differences between what MIS graduates learned in their degree program and the requirements of their jobs. Preliminary results indicate that a healthy mix of non-technical and technical skills is what is required by the job market. If MIS programs focus on providing a healthy balance of these skills, then MIS graduates will be well-prepared.
Effects of protease inhibitors on c‐myc expression in normal and transformed C3H 10T1/2 cell lines

In the present study, the effect of protease inhibitors on c-myc expression in normal and transformed C3H 10T1/2 cells was examined. Steady-state c-myc RNA levels were reduced in normal proliferating C3H 10T1/2 cells grown in medium containing antipain, leupeptin, and Bowman Birk inhibitor (BBI). These protease inhibitors have been shown previously to suppress transformation yields in carcinogen-exposed cells. A lesser reduction in c-myc RNA levels was observed when cells were grown in the presence of protease inhibitors that do not suppress carcinogenesis and when transformed C3H 10T1/2 cell populations were grown in the presence of the anticarcinogenic protease inhibitors. Studies to determine the effects of antipain on the stability of the c-myc message and on c-myc transcription rates were also performed. The half-life of the c-myc message increased from 10 to 40 min when cells were grown in antipain; cycloheximide further stabilized the c-myc message. Interestingly, nuclear run-off experiments showed that antipain had no effect on c-myc transcription rates. These data suggest that proteases may be involved in the regulation of c-myc RNA expression in normal C3H 10T1/2 cells, possibly by a posttranscriptional mechanism.
The Effectiveness of Community Service Sentences Compared to Traditional Fines for Low-Level Offenders

Relatively little research in the United States has examined the effectiveness of community service (CS) sentences among adult offenders, despite use of this alternative sanction for nearly 40 years. What little research exists, primarily from Europe, suggests that CS may not yield significant reductions in recidivism when compared to incarceration; however, much of this research suffers from important methodological limitations. This study employs a more rigorous evaluation design and a more appropriate comparison sample of offenders sentenced to pay traditional monetary fines. Results reveal that those who participate in CS sentences are less likely to experience post-program recidivism, controlling for several initial group differences. Limitations of the design and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Association between neighborhood safety and overweight status among urban adolescents

Background Neighborhood safety may be an important social environmental determinant of overweight. We examined the relationship between perceived neighborhood safety and overweight status, and assessed the validity of reported neighborhood safety among a representative community sample of urban adolescents (who were racially and ethnically diverse).
Avoiding patellar complications in total knee replacement

Patellofemoral complications are common after total knee replacement (TKR). Leaving the patellar unsurfaced after TKR may lead to complications such as anterior knee pain, and re-operation to surface it. Complications after patellar resurfacing include patellar fracture, aseptic loosening, patellar instability, polyethylene wear, patellar clunk and osteonecrosis. Historically, patellar complications account for one of the larger proportions of causes of failure in TKR, however, with contemporary implant designs, complication rates have decreased. Most remaining failures relate to patellofemoral tracking. Understanding the causes of patellofemoral maltracking is essential to prevent these complications as well as manage them when they occur. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B(11 Suppl A):84–6.
Relationships between mitochondrial content and bioenergetics with obesity, body composition and fat distribution in healthy older adults

Mitochondrial function declines with age; however, the relationship between adiposity and mitochondrial function among older adults is unclear. This study examined relationships between skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and electron transport chain complex 2 driven respiration with whole body and thigh composition, body fat distribution, and insulin sensitivity in older adults. 25 healthy, sedentary, weight-stable men (N = 13) and women (N = 12) >65 years of age, with a BMI range of 18-35 kg/m2, participated in this study. Vastus lateralis biopsies were analyzed for citrate synthase (CS) activity and succinate mediated respiration of isolated mitochondria. Whole body and thigh composition were measured by DXA and CT. HOMA-IR was calculated using fasting glucose and insulin as an estimate of insulin sensitivity. Similar to reports in middle-aged adults, skeletal muscle CS activity was negatively correlated with BMI (R = −0.43) in our cohort of older adults. Higher total and thigh adiposity were correlated with lower CS activity independent of BMI (R = −0.50 and −0.71 respectively). Maximal complex 2 driven mitochondrial respiration was negatively correlated with lower body adiposity in males (R = −0.66). In this cohort of non-diabetic older adults, both HOMA-IR and insulin were positively correlated with CS activity when controlling for BMI (R = 0.57 and 0.66 respectively). Adiposity and body composition are correlated with skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and electron transport chain function in healthy, sedentary, community dwelling, older adults. Specific relationships of mitochondrial bioenergetics with gender and insulin sensitivity are also apparent. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01049698
Epigenetics as a source of variation in comparative animal physiology - or - Lamarck is lookin' pretty good these days

Considerable variation is inherent both within and between comparative physiological data sets. Known sources for such variation include diet, gender, time of day and season of experiment, among many other factors, but a meta-analysis of physiological studies shows that surprisingly few studies report controlling for these factors. In fact, less than 3% of comparative physiological papers mention epigenetics. However, our understanding of epigenetic influences on physiological processes is growing rapidly, and it is highly likely that epigenetic phenomena are an additional ‘hidden’ source of variation, particularly in wild-caught specimens. Recent studies have shown epigenetic inheritance of commonly studied traits such as metabolic rate (water fleas Daphnia magna; emu, Dromaius novaellandiae), hypoxic tolerance, cardiac performance (zebrafish, Danio rerio), as well as numerous morphological effects. The ecological and evolutionary significance of such epigenetic inheritance is discussed in a comparative physiological context. Finally, against this context of epigenetic inheritance of phenotype, this essay also provides a number of caveats and warnings regarding the interpretation of transgenerational phenotype modification as a true epigenetic phenomenon. Parental effects, sperm storage, multiple paternity and direct gamete exposure can all be confounding factors. Epigenetic inheritance may best be studied in animal models that can be maintained in the laboratory over multiple generations, to yield parental stock that themselves are free of epigenetic effects from the historical experiences of their parents.
Driving energy: the enactment and ambitiousness of state renewable energy policy

U.S. states have led the federal government in instituting policies aimed at promoting renewable energy. Nearly all research on renewable portfolio standards (RPSs) has treated RPS adoption as a binary choice. Given the substantial variation in the renewable energy goals established by RPSs, we propose a new measure of RPS ambition that accounts for the amount of additional renewable energy production needed to reach the RPS goal and the number of years allotted to reach the standard. By measuring RPS policy with more precision, our analysis demonstrates that many factors found to affect whether a state will adopt an RPS do not exert a similar effect on the policy’s ambitiousness. Most notably, our analysis demonstrates that Democratic control of the state legislature is the most consequential factor in determining the ambitiousness of state RPS policies.
Performance of a New, Rapid Assay for Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis infection is highly prevalent, may have serious health consequence, and is readily treatable. However, screening has been limited by currently available tests, which tend to be insensitive, expensive, or require a delay before results are reported. The XenoStrip-Tv (Xenotope Diagnostics, Inc., San Antonio, Tex.) was evaluated on vaginal swab specimens from 936 women attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in Seattle, Wash. (n = 497), and Birmingham, Ala. (n = 439). T. vaginalis prevalence by culture (InPouch; Biomed) was 8.7% in Seattle and 21.0% in Birmingham. Compared to culture, the XenoStrip assay in Seattle was 76.7% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 61.4 to 88.2) sensitive and 99.8% (95% CI = 98.8 to 99.9) specific, and in Birmingham it was 79.4% (95% CI = 69.6 to 87.1) sensitive and 97.1% (95% CI = 94.8 to 98.6) specific. The positive predictive values were 97.1% in Seattle and 87.9% in Birmingham; the negative predictive values were 97.8 and 94.7%, respectively. Rapid test performance did not vary by vaginal symptoms or by the presence of other vaginal or cervical syndromes or infections. The sensitivity did vary by day of culture-positive result, with a 71% decline in XenoStrip sensitivity for every additional day delay until T. vaginalis was first detected in cultures (odds ratio = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.49). The rapid assay was more sensitive than wet preparation microscopy (78.5% versus 72.4% [P = 0.04]) but was less specific (98.6% versus 100% [P = 0.001]). The XenoStrip rapid assay is well suited for use in settings with a moderately high prevalence of T. vaginalis infection, particularly when microscopy is not practical.
SuperLU_DIST: A scalable distributed-memory sparse direct solver for unsymmetric linear systems

We present the main algorithmic features in the software package SuperLU_DIST, a distributed-memory sparse direct solver for large sets of linear equations. We give in detail our parallelization strategies, with a focus on scalability issues, and demonstrate the software's parallel performance and scalability on current machines. The solver is based on sparse Gaussian elimination, with an innovative static pivoting strategy proposed earlier by the authors. The main advantage of static pivoting over classical partial pivoting is that it permits a priori determination of data structures and communication patterns, which lets us exploit techniques used in parallel sparse Cholesky algorithms to better parallelize both LU decomposition and triangular solution on large-scale distributed machines.
Kernel machine learning: a systems perspective

The article presents a systems perspective on kernel machine learning, including a discussion of margin and generalization, support vector machines and kernels. Cost functions and dual formulation are covered including classification, regression and probability estimation. The article concludes by analysing sparsity, incremental learning and learning machines.
Idiosyncratic Risk, Governance and Equity Performance

We use a sample of democratic firms (with 5 or less anti-takeover provisions) from the Investor Responsibility Research Center (IRRC) database and use idiosyncratic volatility as a proxy for information from the market of corporate control as in Ferreira and Laux (2007) to link the equity performance, market of corporate control and corporate governance. We find that firms which are the least vulnerable to takeover threat (the least idiosyncratic risk) outperform the others. We also find that market information of takeover vulnerability is negatively related to future merger and acquisition shocks. All these effects are mitigated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002.
Estimating energy requirements : regression based prediction equations or multiples of resting metabolic rate

Energy requirements have traditionally been determined based on multiples of resting metabolic rate (RMR), known as Physical Activity Levels (PAL). With more data from doubly labelled water studies alternative approaches for estimating energy requirements have been suggested. Statistical analysis reveals that body weight explains more of the variance in total energy expenditure (TEE) than does RMR. The explanation for this phenomenon is that body weight contributes to the variance of both RMR and the other major determinant of TEE, i.e. physical activity related energy expenditure. Thus, in effect, the regression-based approach provides a more physiological appropriate model for TEE. Its major departure from tradition, difference from current adult proposals, and time taken for acceptance are the disadvantages of the regression-based approach.
Invited review: Improving feed efficiency in dairy production: challenges and possibilities*

Despite substantial advances in milk production efficiency of dairy cattle over the last 50 years, rising feed costs remain a significant threat to producer profitability. There also is a greater emphasis being placed on reducing the negative impacts of dairy production on the environment; thus means to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nutrient losses to the environment associated with cattle production are being sought. Improving feed efficiency among dairy cattle herds offers an opportunity to address both of these issues for the dairy industry. However, the best means to assess feed efficiency and make genetic progress in efficiency-related traits among lactating cows without negatively impacting other economically important traits is not entirely obvious. In this review, multiple measurements of feed efficiency for lactating cows are described, as well as the heritability of the traits and their genetic and phenotypic correlations with other production traits. The measure of feed efficiency, residual feed intake is discussed in detail in terms of the benefits for its selection, how it could be assessed in large commercial populations, as well as biological mechanisms contributing to its variation among cows, as it has become a commonly used method to estimate efficiency in the recent scientific literature.
Modeling and simulation of the power transformer faults and related protective relay behavior

The modeling of power transformer faults and its application to performance evaluation of a commercial digital power transformer relay are the objectives of this study. A new method to build an EMTP/ATP power transformer model is proposed in this paper. Detailed modeling of the transformer relay is also discussed. The transient waveforms generated by ATP under different operating conditions are utilized to evaluate the performance of the transformer relay. The computer simulation results presented in this paper are consistent with the laboratory test results obtained using an analog power system model.
Effects of multiple scattering on time- and depth-resolved signals in airborne lidar systems

A semianalytic Monte Carlo radiative transfer model (SALMON) is employed to probe the effects of multiple-scattering events on the time- and depth-resolved lidar signals from homogeneous aqueous media. The effective total attenuation coefficients in the single-scattering approximation are determined as functions of dimensionless parameters characterizing the lidar system and the medium. Results show that single-scattering events dominate when these parameters are close to their lower bounds and that when their values exceed unity multiple-scattering events dominate.
Place attachment and environmental change in coastal Louisiana

This article examines how residents of communities frame environmental change. Specifically, how do respondents from Louisiana's coastal communities understand coastal wetland loss? For this article, the authors rely on 47 in-depth interviews from communities in two coastal parishes (counties). Respondents convey the meanings they give to land loss through constructing a narrative of place. The authors use a phenomenological approach that focuses on how stories are told and the subjective interpretations of societal members. Residents' narratives of place reveal a strong degree of place attachment where ideas of fragility and uniqueness are employed to frame the place in which they live. The authors suggest that the slow onset disaster of coastal land loss forces a constant and heightened awareness of place attachment. The data for this study are collected during 2002 and 2003, and although restoration processes are well underway, for the most part, residents felt shut out. Their alienation increases thei...