cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of N-alkylbenzamides by reversed-phase liquid chromatography : II. Application of the solvophobic theory to the prediction of retention data for the C1C5 N-alkylbenzamides

Abstract The relationship between capacity factor ( k ′) and eluent composition for the C 1 C 5 N-alkylbenzamides was not described adequately by either linear or quadratic equations. Using the chromatographic data determined in acetonitrile—water, the relationship between k ′ and eluent composition was described by the solvophobi theory. Regression coefficients obtained from the solvophobic equation were used to calculated the contact surface area of the solute-bonded ligand complex. The theory was used to calculate k ′ for each compound in a totally aqueous mobile phase. The results indicate that branched alkyl chains elute before their straight-chain analogues and among isomers the elution volume increases with the distance between the branching point and the amide nitrogen.
The bentiromide test for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

The bentiromide test, a test of pancreatic exocrine function, has recently been approved for clinical use by the Food and Drug Administration. The test has been studied in adult patients with chronic pancreatic disease and in children with cystic fibrosis. The 500-mg dose and 6-hour urine collection period appear optimal for separating patients with chronic pancreatic disease from control subjects. Side effects with the 500-mg dose are virtually nonexistent. This simply performed outpatient test of chymotrypsin function appears to be an excellent means of confirming the diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.
Inference for Treatment Regime Models in Personalized Medicine

In medical practice, when more than one treatment option is viable, there is little systematic use of individual patient characteristics to estimate which treatment option is most likely to result in a better outcome for the patient. We introduce a new framework for using statistical models for personalized medicine. Our framework exploits (1) data from a randomized comparative trial, and (2) a regression model for the outcome constructed from domain knowledge and no requirement of correct model specification. We introduce a new "improvement" measure summarizing the extent to which the model's treatment allocations improve future subject outcomes on average compared to a business-as-usual treatment allocation approach. Procedures are provided for estimating this measure as well as asymptotically valid confidence intervals. One may also test a null scenario in which the hypothesized model's treatment allocations are not more useful than the business-as-usual treatment allocation approach. We demonstrate our method's promise on simulated data as well as on data from a randomized experiment testing treatments for depression. An open-source software implementation of our procedures is available within the R package "Personalized Treatment Evaluator" currently available on CRAN as PTE.
Small Victories: Creating Intrinsic Motivation in Task Completion and Debt Repayment

AbstractTasks such as the elimination of all debts when faced with the immediate option to spend can be unpleasant but not conceptually difficult. Dividing these tasks into smaller parts and completing the parts from smallest size to largest size can help people realize quick motivational gains that increase their likelihood of completing the task. The authors more broadly define this idea as “small victories” and discuss, model, and empirically examine two related behavioral theories that might explain it. A laboratory experiment tests this prediction and provides data for model calibration. Consistent with the idea of small victories, when a task is broken down into parts of unequal size, participants perform faster when the parts are arranged in ascending order (i.e., from smallest to largest) rather than descending order (i.e., from largest to smallest). The calibrated model is consistent with the directional predictions of each theory. However, when participants are given choice over orderings, they ...
INDICATORS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION IN PRE‐ AND POST‐MERGER LOUISVILLE

ABSTRACT:Proponents of metropolitan consolidation identify a range of benefits that may be realized through merger, including improved financial health. There is little agreement as to the actual outcomes across localities that have consolidated, even when limiting the scope to the four major urban mergers, including the merger of Louisville, Kentucky with Jefferson County in 2003, which is under consideration here. One likely reason for conflicting results is the limitation of reflexive analysis as a means of assessing financial impact. In the private sector, analysts would use financial ratio analysis to determine whether the new merged entity was financially healthier after merger. Though a political merger differs from a private sector merger, financial ratio analysis can still be used for pre- and post- analysis of merger effects on financial health. Further, when enough time has passed since merger, quasi-experimental designs like interrupted time series can test the hypothesis that merger had no si...
RalBP1 is necessary for metastasis of human cancer cell lines

RalA expression in human prostate cancer is associated with cell migration and is necessary for bone metastasis. However, the downstream effectors of RalA that mediate these functions remain unclear. Here we examined cell migration after small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of Ral effectors Ral binding protein 1 (RalBP1/RLIP), exocyst complex component 2 (Sec5), and phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and found that RalBP1 and RalA depletion inhibited cell migration to a similar extent. Stable lentivirus short hairpin interfering RNA-mediated depletion of RalA and RalBP1 in PC3 human prostate cancer cells inhibited bone metastasis after intracardiac inoculation. Depletion of RalBP1 diminished orthotopic tumor growth of PC3 cells and inhibited spontaneous metastasis from this site. Interestingly, the expression of wild-type or RalA mutants deficient in RalBP1 binding was effective at rescuing the reduced metastatic capacity of RalA-depleted PC3 cells, suggesting that RalA depletion does not reduce this solely by diminished interaction with RalBP1. To determine whether the role of RalBP1 in metastasis is relevant beyond prostate cancer, we studied the requirement of RalBP1 expression in an experimental metastasis model of human bladder cancer, a tumor type with high RalBP1 expression. Depletion of RalBP1 in UMUC3 cells resulted in decreased lung colonization while having a minimal effect on subcutaneous tumor growth. Our studies are the first to suggest that the expression of RalBP1 is necessary for human cancer cell metastasis. Furthermore, we show that the requirement for RalA expression for manifestation of this phenotype is not entirely dependent on a RalA-RalBP1 interaction.
ABCC5, ERCC2, XPA and XRCC1 transcript abundance levels correlate with cisplatin chemoresistance in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Background Although 40–50% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors respond to cisplatin chemotherapy, there currently is no way to prospectively identify potential responders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether transcript abundance (TA) levels of twelve selected DNA repair or multi-drug resistance genes (LIG1, ERCC2, ERCC3, DDIT3, ABCC1, ABCC4, ABCC5, ABCC10, GTF2H2, XPA, XPC and XRCC1) were associated with cisplatin chemoresistance and could therefore contribute to the development of a predictive marker. Standardized RT (StaRT)-PCR, was employed to assess these genes in a set of NSCLC cell lines with a previously published range of sensitivity to cisplatin. Data were obtained in the form of target gene molecules relative to 106 β-actin (ACTB) molecules. To cancel the effect of ACTB variation among the different cell lines individual gene expression values were incorporated into ratios of one gene to another. Each two-gene ratio was compared as a single variable to chemoresistance for each of eight NSCLC cell lines using multiple regression. In an effort to validate these results, six additional lines then were evaluated.
Problems and Use of the Scaling Factors in the Numerical Simulation of Jet Engines

The possibility of the use of scaling factors in the calculations and in the simulation of gas turbine engines have been considered.Application of this technique to the simulation of trend analysis, the evaluation of the component maps shifting during the operational life of the engine and the calculation of matrices of influence have been presented.Moreover, some problems related to the use of scaling factors have been studied and their effects on the engine performance have been presented.Copyright © 1990 by ASME
Role for influenza virus envelope cholesterol in virus entry and infection.

Enveloped viruses are highly dependent on their lipid envelopes for entry into and infection of host cells. Here, we have examined the role of cholesterol in the virus envelope, using methyl-β-cyclodextrin depletion. Pretreatment of virions with methyl-β-cyclodextrin efficiently depleted envelope cholesterol from influenza virus and significantly reduced virus infectivity in a dose-dependent manner. A nonenveloped virus, simian virus 40, was not affected by methyl-β-cyclodextrin treatment. In the case of influenza virus, infectivity could be partially rescued by the addition of exogenous cholesterol. Influenza virus morphology, binding, and internalization were not affected by methyl-β-cyclodextrin depletion, whereas envelope cholesterol depletion markedly affected influenza virus fusion, as measured by a specific reduction in the infectivity of viruses induced to fuse at the cell surface and by fluorescence-dequenching assays. These data suggest that envelope cholesterol is a critical factor in the fusion process of influenza virus.
Pre-Service Teachers' Understandings of Literacy Practices

This paper presents a 2-year study of pre-service teachers’ understandings of and views toward literacy. Data werecollected via pre-service teachers’ 48-hour literacy log, reflections and lesson plans. Findings indicate thatpre-service teachers’ perceptions of literacy were initially bound by traditional views toward literacy, focusing solelyon print based literacy. Throughout the semester via coursework and field experience, pre-service teachers gainednew insights about the literacies of their students. By the end of the semester they had broadened theirunderstandings of and views toward literacy, acknowledging the need to support their students’ academic literacyand they affirmed the need to learn how to engage in instructional practices that support twenty-first century skills inorder to bridge the gap between their students’ life-world and academic literacy. However, upon transition into fieldexperiences they encountered several barriers such as limited accessibility and school policies precluded use of theirnewfound conceptions in their teaching. The significance of the study puts forth an implication for teacher educatorsto support pre-service teachers with opportunities to explore and ground their professional beliefs about literacy andopportunities to engage as reflective practitioners.
BUILDING THE GREEN DREAM: THE SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICE AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

INTRODUCTION On April 1, 2008, the School of International Service project was well underway, but the real beginning of American University's greening started this day when President Neil Kerwin signed the ACUPCC (American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment) before the full membership of the EIPT (Environmental Issues Project Team), later renamed the Sustainability Committee. This day marked the formal beginning of AU's commitment to reduce green house gas emissions, renew and continue recycling programs, and make a concerted effort campus-wide to have an ongoing impact on environmental issues. The ACUPCC carried with it some serious benchmarking goals and reporting and Dr. Kerwin pledged that the commitments would be met before the deadline. A new building for the School of International Service had officially been in the planning, design, redesign, and documentation stage for 5-1/2 years, but it had been the dream of that school's Dean for almost twenty. To say it was the catalyst for ...
The Global Atmospheric Response to Low-Frequency Tropical Forcing: Zonally Averaged Basic States

Abstract The extratropical response to localized, low-frequency tropical forcing is examined using a linearized, non-divergent barotropic model on a sphere. Zonal-mean basic states characterized by solid-body rotation or critical latitudes are considered. An analytical analysis based on WKB and ray tracing methods shows that, in contrast to stationary Rossby waves, westward moving, low-frequency Rossby waves can propagate through the tropical easterlies into the extratropics. It is shown analytically that the difference between the stationary and low-frequency ray paths is proportional to the forcing frequency and inversely proportional to the zonal wavenumber cubed. An expression for the disturbance amplitude is derived that shows the ability of the forced waves to maintain their strength well into middle latitudes depends on their meridional wave scale and northward group velocity, both of which are functions of the slowly varying background flow. A local energetics analysis shows that the combination o...
Mixed chimerism induces donor-specific T-cell tolerance across a highly disparate xenogeneic barrier

Induction of tolerance is likely to be essential for successful xenotransplantation because immune responses across xenogeneic barriers are vigorous. Although mixed hematopoietic chimerism leads to stable donor-specific tolerance in allogeneic and closely related xenogeneic (eg, rat-to-mouse) combinations, the ability of this approach to induce tolerance across a highly disparate xenogeneic barrier has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the immune responses of murine T cells that developed in mice with pre-established porcine hematopoietic chimerism. Our results show for the first time that induction of porcine hematopoietic chimerism can eliminate the development of antiporcine donor responses in a highly disparate xenogeneic species. Porcine hematopoietic chimeras showed donor-specific nonresponsiveness in the mixed lymphocyte reaction, lack of antidonor IgG antibody production, and acceptance of donor skin grafts. Thus, mixed chimerism is capable of inducing tolerance in a highly disparate xenogeneic combination and may have clinical potential to prevent xenograft rejection.
Cochlear implantation in patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS)

Allum JHJ, Greisiger R, Straubhaar S, Carpenter MG (2000) Auditory perception and speech identification in children with cochlear implants tested with the EARS protocol. British Journal of Audiology 34. Gstoettner W, Hamzavi J, Egelierler B, Baumgartner WD (2000) Speech perception performance in prelingually deaf children with cochlear implants. Acta Otolaryngologica 120. Hamzavi J, Baumgartner WD, Egelierler B, Franz P, Schenk B, Gstoettner W (2000) Follow up of cochlear implanted handicapped children. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 56. Park M H (2003) The study of early development of listening ability in implanted infants and children with LiP Profile. Communication Disorders 26(1).
Evaluation of separator performance by number-size distribution data

Abstract For materials with broad size distributions, it is recognized that the small fractions of the large-size particles are few in population counts. However, these particles represent a major fraction in the total solid weight. The small errors in number—size measurements for these large sizes will magnify in orders of magnitude in the volume—size distribution data. It is for this reason that use of number—size distribution data in evaluating classification performances of a separator is preferred. Formulations of the grade efficiency function G(x) based upon the number—size distribution data are derived. It has also been demonstrated that the results are more consistent and reliable.
Conceptual design of a 24-32 MW radially-cooled insert for a /spl ges/45 T hybrid system

The FBNML is designing and will fabricate a radially-cooled insert magnet to generate 70% of the field of a system, Hybrid V, to surpass 45 T in a 32 mm bore. The insert is to have an overall diameter and a maximum active coil length of 610 mm. With a background field of 14 T the system should generate 47 T at 24 MW and nearly 49 T at 32 MW. The peak stress is extremely high, calling for conductors such as Be-Cu (UNS C17510) and 24% Ag-Cu with strengths up to 1100 MPa. The peak heat flux density also is high, nearly 12 W/mm/sup 2/. Because the water is coldest and its velocity highest where the heat flux is highest, however, the peak temperature is only 80/spl deg/C. The water flow is /spl ap/200 l/s at 27 atm. The system is to be very user friendly. Access is completely unobstructed at the top. Insert removal leaves the plumbing and electrical connections intact. The massive and expensive outer coils should be long lived, the inner coil easily replaceable. During an inner coil burnout, a sleeve intercepts arcing from the inner coil to the middle one, reducing burnout severity and fault loads. The insert should be a worthy successor to those of the FBNML's world-record holding systems, Hybrids II and III. >
LOCAL EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS OF SOLUTIONS TO A PDE MODEL FOR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

The analysis of criminal behavior with mathematical tools is a fairly new idea, but one which can be used to obtain insight on the dynamics of crime. In a recent work,34 Short et al. developed an agent-based stochastic model for the dynamics of residential burglaries. This model produces the right qualitative behavior, that is, the existence of spatio-temporal collections of criminal activities or "hotspots", which have been observed in residential burglary data. In this paper, we prove local existence and uniqueness of solutions to the continuum version of this model, a coupled system of partial differential equations, as well as a continuation argument. Furthermore, we compare this PDE model with a generalized version of the Keller–Segel model for chemotaxis as a first step to understanding possible conditions for global existence versus blow-up of the solutions in finite time.
Changes in fatty-acid composition and stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase expression in developing Theobroma cacao L. embryos

The fatty-acid composition and expression of stearoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) desaturase (EC 1.14.99.6) were studied in developing Theobroma cacao L. embryos between 95 and 145 days after pollination (DAP). During this interval, the fraction of lipid contributed by linoleic and palmitic acids decreased, and the fraction contributed by stearic and oleic acids increased. After 115 DAP, stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids accumulated at nearly the same rate, and the fatty-acid composition resembled that of cocoa butter. The ratio of C-18 unsaturated fatty acids to stearic acid decreased between 95 and 115 DAP, then leveled-off. Thus, lipid composition changed from membrane-like to cocoa-butter-like in only 20 d out of the 170 d required for embryos to reach maturity. Levels of stearoyl-ACP desaturase were determined by Western blot analyses using antibodies to avocado stearoyl-ACP desaturase. Western blots revealed a single 38-kDa band — corresponding to the expected size of the stearoyl-ACP-desaturase monomer — in extracts from 95- and 105-DAP embryos. Although the amount of stearoyl-ACP-desaturase protein was 2.3-fold higher at 95 than at 105 DAP when equal amounts of protein were loaded per lane, no difference in the abundance of stearoyl-ACP desaturase was observed when the protein loaded per lane was standardized for equal amounts of DNA.
Antibody-functionalized peptidic membranes for neutralization of allogeneic skin antigen-presenting cells

We report herein application of an in situ material strategy to attenuate allograft T cell responses in a skin transplant mouse model. Functionalized peptidic membranes were used to impede trafficking of donor antigen-presenting cells (dAPCs) from skin allografts in recipient mice. Membranes formed by self-assembling peptides (SAPs) presenting antibodies were found to remain underneath grafted skins for up to 6 days. At the host-graft interface, dAPCs were targeted by using a monoclonal antibody that binds to a class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule (I-A(d)) expressed exclusively by donor cells. Using a novel cell labeling near-infrared nanoemulsion, we found more dAPCs remained in allografts treated with membranes loaded with anti-I-A(d) antibodies than without. In vitro, dAPCs released from skin explants were found adsorbed preferentially on anti-I-A(d) antibody-loaded membranes. Recipient T cells from these mice produced lower concentrations of interferon-gamma cultured ex vivo with donor cells. Taken together, the data indicate that the strategy has the potential to alter the natural course of rejection immune mechanisms in allogeneic transplant models.
Willingness-to-sell conservation easements: A case study

A contingent valuation survey of forest landowners in Southern Vermont and Western Massachusetts suggests that it would cost about $700 per acre to entice about one-half of Massachusetts and 33% of Vermont respondents to permanently conserve their forestland. Policies that promote early development of management plans and cooperation with neighbors are recommended because these activities appear to increase the likelihood that landowners will convey conservation easements. Education and a strong environmental ethic also improve the chances that respondents would sell conservation easements. A prediction-based contingent valuation format designed to reduce incentives for strategic behavior suggests that our results likely represent a lower bound estimate of landowner response to a large-scale conservation easement program.
The carboxy-terminal domain of the DExDH protein YxiN is sufficient to confer specificity for 23S rRNA.

DE x DH proteins are believed to modulate the structures of RNAs and ribonucleoprotein complexes by disrupting RNA helices and RNA-protein interactions. All DE x DH proteins contain a two-domain catalytic core that enables their RNA-dependent ATPase and RNA helicase activities. The catalytic core may be flanked by ancillary domains that are proposed to confer substrate specificity and facilitate the unique functions of individual proteins. The Escherichia coli DE x DH protein DbpA and its Bacillus subtilis ortholog YxiN have similar 75aa carboxy-terminal domains, and both proteins are specifically targeted to 23S rRNA. Here we demonstrate that the carboxy-terminal domain of YxiN is sufficient to confer RNA specificity by characterizing a chimera in which this domain is appended to the core domains of E.coli SrmB, a DE x DH protein with no apparent substrate specificity. Both the RNA-dependent ATPase and RNA helicase activities of the chimera are specifically activated by 23S rRNA and abolished by sequence changes within hairpin 92, a critical recognition element for Y x iN. These data support a model in which the carboxy-terminal domain binds hairpin 92 to target the protein to 23S rRNA.
The modification of smoking behavior: Progress and problems

Abstract A review of recent controlled, experimental research on the modification of cigarette smoking behavior led to conclusions that (a) activity in the field is still vigorous, (b) some progress in terms of treatment effectiveness, research methodology, and target conceptualizations has been made during the past 6 yr, particularly by those adopting a social-learning approach, and (c) certain methodological and conceptual problems remain and must be eliminated if knowledge in the area is to continue to advance.
Reversing targeted oral anticoagulants

Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban are orally active anticoagulants that are approved in many countries. Dabigatran inhibits thrombin, whereas rivaroxaban and apixaban are factor Xa inhibitors. In clinical trials, these novel oral anticoagulants were at least as effective as warfarin for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, but with a lower rate of serious bleeding. However, the lack of true antidotes for these agents has caused concern when patients suffer life-threatening bleeding or trauma or require emergent invasive procedures. True antidotes are under development for all of these agents. In the meantime, activated and nonactivated prothrombin complex concentrates have been used as reversal agents. Factor VIIa may also be effective for reversal of the factor Xa inhibitors. Reversal of novel oral anticoagulants by these hemostatic agents has not been studied in bleeding human patients, so their true efficacy and appropriate dosing are not known.
An empirical study of privacy-violating information flows in JavaScript web applications

The dynamic nature of JavaScript web applications has given rise to the possibility of privacy violating information flows. We present an empirical study of the prevalence of such flows on a large number of popular websites. We have (1) designed an expressive, fine-grained information flow policy language that allows us to specify and detect different kinds of privacy-violating flows in JavaScript code,(2) implemented a new rewriting-based JavaScript information flow engine within the Chrome browser, and (3) used the enhanced browser to conduct a large-scale empirical study over the Alexa global top 50,000 websites of four privacy-violating flows: cookie stealing, location hijacking, history sniffing, and behavior tracking. Our survey shows that several popular sites, including Alexa global top-100 sites, use privacy-violating flows to exfiltrate information about users' browsing behavior. Our findings show that steps must be taken to mitigate the privacy threat from covert flows in browsers.
A characterization theorem for random utility variables

Abstract In this note we investigate the condition that the distribution of the maximum of a set of random variables does not depend on which variable attains the maximum. This problem arises in random utility theory. When the random variables are independent, the property implies that all the marginal distributions must be Double Exponential (with distribution function exp(− e − x ) in standard form). When dependence is allowed the property characrerizes a much broader class consisting of arbitrary functions of arbitrary homogeneous functions of the variables e − xi , a result stated without proof in D. J. Strauss ( Journal of Mathematical Psychology , 1979 , 20 , 35–52). These are the distributions such that the maximum has the same distribution (apart from a location shift) as the marginals, provided the marginals are the same.
An approximation to the distribution of the product of two dependent correlation coefficients

Many methodological studies depend on the product of two dependent correlation coefficients. However, the behavior of the distribution of the product of two dependent correlation coefficients is not well known. The distribution of sets of correlation coefficients has been well studied, but not the distribution of the product of two dependent correlation coefficients. The present study derives an approximation to the distribution of the product of two dependent correlation coefficients with a closed form, resulting in a Pearson Type I distribution. A simulation study is also conducted to assess the accuracy of the approximation.
Surface renewal model of condensation heat transfer in tubes with in-line static mixers

Abstract A surface renewal model has been developed for condensation heat transfer inside a circular tube with in-line static mixers. This model gives rise to the following dimensionless correlating equation: [Nu] = C[pr][Rel][ μ l μ m ][ d L ][ p m p l ] 1 2 [(1−x)H fg + H sp+ C pmΔT ] 1 2 The constant C was determined experimentally.
A simulation model for managing perennial grass pastures. Part II—a simulated systems analysis of grazing management

Abstract A model for managing perennial grass pastures was used to simulate a grazing experiment on common bermudagrass pastures at Booneville, Arkansas. The experiment used sixteen years' weather data from this location. The management variables included number of fields, rotation period, and simulated grazing rate. The grazing season was from 1 June to 22 September each year, and simulated performance data were obtained for successive six-day periods throughout the grazing season. The attributes of performance data included: daily harvest rate, digestible dry matter and cell content nitrogen harvested, potential tissue production, reserve carbohydrates at the end of the year and the ratio of forage on offer to the simulated grazing rate. Analyses of these simulated performance data provided an inference base to support a recommendation concerning the management variables. The recommendation is as follows: a four-field system, a nine-day rotation period and 84 kg/ha/day simulated grazing rate. The results along with other simulated grazing scenarios will be used to plan field experiments at Booneville, Arkansas.
Indoor/outdoor relationship and chemical composition of fine and coarse particles in the southern California deserts

Abstract The work presented in this paper examines the characteristics, chemical composition and relationship between indoor and outdoor particulate matter (PM) in the Coachella Valley, a unique desert area in southern California. Fine (0–2.5 μm) and coarse (2.5–10 μm) PM concentrations were measured concurrently indoors and outdoors in 13 residences during the winter and spring of 2000. Maximum outdoor PM penetration in indoor environments was expected during this period in the California deserts, as the mild climate minimizes the use of heating and/or air conditioning. Filter and impaction substrates were analyzed for mass, selected trace elements and metals, as well as elemental and organic carbon content (for fine PM only). Fine PM concentrations accounted, on average, for 74.3 (±11.0)% of the total PM 10 concentrations indoors, whereas fine PM contributed to 61.3 (±13.1)% of the outdoor PM 10 concentrations. The indoor-to-outdoor mass concentration ratios were 0.66 (±0.27) and 1.03 (±0.29), for coarse and fine PM, respectively. Chemical analysis of the filters revealed well-correlated indoor-to-outdoor concentrations of trace elements and metals in the fine PM mode, while lower correlations were obtained for the coarse PM mode. Elemental carbon concentrations indoors were 0.84 (±0.32) of those measured outdoors, whereas organic carbon concentrations indoors were on the average 77% higher than outdoors, presumably due to the contributions of indoor sources. Coarse PM concentrations based on mass, trace elements and metals showed similar trends, with the average indoor-to-outdoor concentrations varying from about 50% to 70%. Although the outdoor air of the specific study area has been traditionally considered to be rich in coarse particles, the results of this study suggest that indoor PM concentrations are still dominated by the contribution of fine particles.
Thrombolytic efficacy of tissue plasminogen activator-loaded echogenic liposomes in a rabbit thrombus model ☆

article i nfo Introduction: Ultrasound (US)-enhanced thrombolytic treatment protocols currently in clinical trials for stroke applications involve systemic administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA; Alteplase), which carries a risk of adverse bleeding events. The present study aimed to compare the thrombolytic efficacy of a tPA-loaded echogenic liposome (ELIP) formulation with insonification protocols causing rapid fragmenta- tion or acoustically-driven diffusion. Materials and Methods: Thrombi were induced in the abdominal aortas of male New Zealand white rabbits (2-3 kg) using thrombin and a sclerosing agent (sodium ricinoleate) after aortic denudation with a balloon catheter. Thrombolytic and cavitation nucleation agents (200 μg of tPA alone, tPA mixed with 50 μ go f a microbubble contrast agent, or tPA-loaded ELIP) were bolus- injected proximal to the clot through a catheter introduced into the abdominal aorta from the carotid artery. Clots were exposed to transabdominal color Doppler US (6 MHz) for 30 minutes at a low mechanical index (MI=0.2) to induce sustained bubble activity (acoustically-driven diffusion), or for 2 minutes at an MI of 0.4 to cause ELIP fragmentation. Degree of recan- alization was determined by Doppler flow measurements distal to the clots. Results: All treatments showed thrombolysis, but tPA-loaded ELIP was the most efficacious regimen. Both US treatment strategies enhanced thrombolytic activity over control conditions. Conclusions: The thrombolytic efficacy of tPA-loaded ELIP is comparable to other clinically described effective treatment protocols, while offering the advantages of US monitoring and enhanced thrombolysis from a site- specific delivery agent.
Stereoselective synthesis and absolute configuration of epoxyketones in chlamydocin and related cyclic tetrapeptides

Abstract The epoxyketone group in the amino acid, 2S-amino-8-oxo-9,10-epoxydecanoic acid (Aoe) has been synthesized by chiral epoxidation of the corresponding allylic alcohol cyclic tetrapeptide precursor to form chlamydocin and epichlamydocin. These compounds have been used as standards to assign by circular dichroism spectroscopy the Aoe epoxyketone configurations in HC-toxin and WF-3161.
Computer-aided design/drafting on personal computers

In the past few years, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) capabilities have become available on personal computer systems. The popularity of personal computer-based (PC-based) CAD is not only due to low cost but also ease of use; improved accuracy over manual drafting; cleaner, more professional output; and the ease of making changes, all of which aid creative expression. This paper gives a brief overview of typical PC-based CAD hardware and software configurations, how much they cost, the capabilities of such systems, and a discussion of points to consider in selecting a PC-based software package.
First skulls of the Early Eocene primate Shoshonius cooperi and the anthropoid-tarsier dichotomy

THE phylogenetic relationships of living tarsiers and extinct omomyid primates are critical for deciphering the origin and relationships of primate higher taxa, particularly anthropoids1–6. Three competing phylogenetic hypotheses are: (1) tarsiers are most closely related to early Cenozoic Omomyidae5–8, particularly genera such as Necrolemur from the late Eocene of Europe9–11; (2) tarsiers share a more recent common ancestry with anthropoids than they do with any known omomyid2–4,12,13; (3) tarsiers and/or omomyids are most closely related to strepsirhines14. The anatomy of four skulls of the early Eocene omomyid Shoshonius cooperi — the first cranial material recovered for this genus—strongly suggests that Shoshonius shares a more recent common ancestry with Tarsius than do either anthropoids or other Eocene omomyids for which cranial anatomy is known. If the primate suborder Haplor-hini (anthropoids, omomyids, tarsiids) is monophyletic, the phylogenetic position of Shoshonius requires that anthropoids and Tarsius diverged by at least the early Eocene, some 15 million years before the first appearance of anthropoids in the fossil record15–17.
Cluster Validation by Prediction Strength

This article proposes a new quantity for assessing the number of groups or clusters in a dataset. The key idea is to view clustering as a supervised classification problem, in which we must also estimate the “true” class labels. The resulting “prediction strength” measure assesses how many groups can be predicted from the data, and how well. In the process, we develop novel notions of bias and variance for unlabeled data. Prediction strength performs well in simulation studies, and we apply it to clusters of breast cancer samples from a DNA microarray study. Finally, some consistency properties of the method are established.
Using Paradoxical Intention Therapy to Treat Refractory Nonepileptic Events

Nonepileptic events (pseudoseizures, nonepileptic seizures, psychogenic nonepileptic seizures) are a common manifestation of conversion disorder. The treatment of nonepileptic events (NEEs) is complex and the literature on the etiology and treatment of this disorder is quite divergent. One therapy that has shown initial effectiveness in conversion disorder, but has not yet been applied to the treatment of NEEs, is paradoxical intention (PI) therapy. In PI therapy, the most common intervention is symptom prescription (i.e., patients are instructed to deliberately continue or increase symptomatic behavior) combined with a rationale for the use of this therapy. This case report is the first to give a detailed description of PI therapy and to show sustained clinical improvement in a patient with refractory NEEs.
THE HYPOPHYSIS AND HEMOPOIESIS1

THAT HORMONAL CONTROL of the formation of cells of the blood may exist is a logical hypothesis. Certain clinical and experimental evidence (1–22), is suggestive, and some (9, 19) have gone so far as to conclude that the anterior pituitary body furnishes a hemopoietic hormone. Our interest in the possible relationship of the endocrine organs, the hypophysis in particular, to hemopoiesis has led to a series of experiments during the past few years. All these experiments have been carried out with rats and the technical procedures have been those commonly in use. White rats, virtually all males from 50 to 100 days old and weighing from 125 to 200 gm. were used in all the studies. The surgical procedures were carried out under ether anesthesia, and hypophysectomy was performed by the parapharyngeal approach. All animals were fed on the Steenbock ration, to which glucose was added for the hypophysectomised animals.
Point-to-Periodic and Periodic-to-Periodic Connections

In this work we consider computing and continuing connecting orbits in parameter dependent dynamical systems. We give details of algorithms for computing connections between equilibria and periodic orbits, and between periodic orbits. The theoretical foundation for these techniques is given by the seminal work of Beyn in 1994, “On well-posed problems for connecting orbits in dynamical systems”, where a numerical technique is also proposed. Our algorithms consist of splitting the computation of the connection from that of the periodic orbit(s). To set up appropriate boundary conditions, we follow the algorithmic approach used by Demmel, Dieci, and Friedman, for the case of connecting orbits between equilibria, and we construct and exploit the smooth block Schur decomposition of the monodromy matrices associated to the periodic orbits. Numerical examples illustrate the performance of the algorithms.
Structures of Dynamically Unstable Shear Flows and Their Implications for Shallow Internal Gravity Waves

In this study, the response of a dynamically unstable shear flow with a critical level to periodic forcing is presented. An energy argument is proposed to explain the upshear tilt of updrafts associated with disturbances in two-dimensional stably stratified flows. In a dynamically unstable flow, the energy equation requires an upshear tilt of the perturbation streamfunction and vertical velocity whereU z is positive. A stability model is constructed using an iteration method. An upshear tilt of the vertical velocity and the streamfunction fields is evident in a dynamically unstable flow, which is required by energy conversion from the basic shear to the growing perturbation wave energy according to the energy argument. The momentum flux profile indicates that the basic flow is decreased (increased) above (below) the critical level. Thus, the shear instability tends to smooth the shear layer. Following the energy argument, a downshear tilt of the updraft is produced in an unstably stratified flow since the perturbation wave energy is negative. The wave energy budget indicates that the disturbance is caused by a thermal instability modified by a shear flow since the potential energy grows faster than the kinetic energy.
Thickness-shear and flexural vibrations of partially plated, crystal plates

Abstract In this paper, mathematical solutions are exhibited which predict the influence of length and mass, of rectangular electrode platings, on the sharpness of the fundamental thickness-shear resonance and on the number and distribution of anharmonic overtones between the cut-off frequencies of the plated and unplated portions of AT-type quartz plates.
Bosnian Women and Intimate Partner Violence Differences in Experiences and Attitudes for Refugee and Nonrefugee Women

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is increasingly viewed as a global social problem. Research examining this issue, however, generally has been limited to North America, leaving an extensive gap in the literature. This study aims to narrow this gap by examining IPV among Bosnian women. Specifically, an exploratory analysis will be structured around two important and interrelated areas: prevelance of IPV and attitudes related to IPV. Approximately 70 Bosnian women completed paper-and-pencil surveys that measured experiences and attitudes associated with IPV. Bivariate analyses were used to compare the responses of Bosnian nationals residing in Bosnia-Herzegovina (n = 49) against the responses of Bosnian refugees residing in the United States (n = 21). Results and suggestions for future research are presented.
Rapid and inexpensive development of speech action classifiers for natural language call routing systems

Natural language call routing systems are an attractive alternative to interactive voice response systems and directed dialog systems for automating customer service functions. However, the up-front development cost of these systems is an obstacle to their widespread adoption. Much of the cost is associated with the collection and annotation of development data that are used in initial system construction. In this work, we show how the statistical language model and action classifier needed for speech action classification can be developed for a customer's call routing application using no development data. On live data, our approach has comparable performance to a model trained using 100k utterances of in-domain development data. Furthermore, our approach handles the “unknown” class more robustly. These promising experimental results indicate that our method can be used to rapidly and inexpensively deploy call routing systems.
Preschoolers' reasons for accepting peers with and without disabilities

Little is known about preschoolers' reasons for wanting or not wanting to interact with age peers with disabilities. This question was examined in two studies using different methods. In Study 1, preschoolers ranked their preferences and provided reasons for wanting to play with one of three Playmobil figures presented with scripts representing a typically developing child, one with an orthopedic impairment, and one with cognitive impairment. In Study 2, while viewing photographs, preschoolers explained their reasons for playmate preferences for classmates with and without disabilities. Results from Study 1 indicated that preschoolers preferred to play with and made more positive comments about the typical child than the other two. Findings for Study 2 showed that preschoolers made more liking comments about same gender typical children. Females made disliking comments about males with and without disabilities, whom they considered aggressive. Males made disliking comments about males with disabilities whom they perceived as aggressive. Results from these two studies suggest that views of preschool classmates with disabilities may not always be positive; therefore, interventions, such as cooperative activities, may be necessary to enhance the positive effects of inclusion.
Oxygen nonstoichiometry of tantalum-doped calcium titanate

The reversible change of oxygen content observed by gravimetric measurements on tantalum (donor)-doped calcium titanate between P02 = 10−16 and 1 atm is proportional to the dopant concentration. These measurements indicate that the tantalum addition is compensated by additional oxygen uptake in the oxidized state. The results indicate excellent agreement between the calculated amount of oxygen necessary to compensate the donor-dopant (assuming that each added oxygen will neutralize two Ta5+ ions) and the measured reversible oxygen weight change between the oxidized and reduced states of equilibration. A single phase region for tantalum concentrations up to 10 at% is confirmed. The observed gravimetric measurements can be explained by a model involving a shear structure. Die reversible Anderung des Sauerstoffgehalts, die mittels Gravimetriemessungen an Tantal-(Donator)-dotiertem Kalziumtitanat zwischen P02 = 10−16 und l Atm beobachtet wird, ist proportional zur Dotierungskonzentration. Diese Messungen zeigen, das der Tantalzusatz durch zusatzlichen Sauerstoff kompensiert wird, der im Oxidationszustand aufgenommen wird. Die Ergebnisse zeigen ausgezeichnete Ubereinstimmung zwischen dem berechneten Gehalt an Sauerstoff, der zur Kompensation des Donators notwendig ist (unter der Annahme, das jedes zusatzliche Sauerstoffatom zwei Ta6+ -Ionen neutralisiert) und der gemessenen reversiblen Sauerstoffgewichtsanderung zwischen dem Oxidations- und Reduktionsgleichgewichtszustand. Ein Ein-Phasen bereich fur Tantalkonzentrationen bis zu 10 At% wird bestatigt. Die gravimetrischen Messungen lassen sich durch ein Modell erklaren, das eine Scherstruktur einschliest.
The concept of truth in Carnap'sLogical Syntax of Language

Recently, several authors have argued that Rudolf Carnap's repudiation of the concept of truth in The Logical Syntax of Language was founded on considerations of an epistemological nature.1 According to this inter pretation, Carnap believed that, since scientific statements are hypo thetical and cannot be definitively verified, the truth-predicate can never be applied and is therefore useless. So if there is any legitimate role for the concept of truth at all, it is to mark those sentences that are currently accepted by contemporary scientists. Certainly, this line of reasoning was used by Carnap, as well as his friends Otto Neurath and Carl Hempel, in the midst of the Vienna Circle's celebrated controversy over protocol sentences (Carnap 1932c, p. 180; Neurath 1983, p. 53; Hempel 1935a, p. 57). But it would be mistaken to think that this epistemological argument provided Carnap's only, or even his strongest, motivation for repudiating the concept of truth. It would be especially misleading to locate this argument in The Logical Syntax of Language, as Alberto Coffa and others have recently done (Coffa 1976, p. 222 24; 1991, esp. pp. 303-05; Creath 1989; 1991b, pp. 410-11). For then it would appear that Carnap's Syntax-era, repudiation of the concept of truth was founded on epistemological grounds that are extraneous to his philosophy of language, and it would follow that Carnap's subsequent endorsement of the concept of truth, and his ensuing researches in semantics, were conditioned on the liberalization of his empiricism, rather than on fundamental changes in his conception of language.2 In short, Carnap's thirties philosophy of language would appear to have survived the shift from syntax to semantics virtually unscathed, for only a minor epistemological point separated the two in the first place, and even this matter was soon rendered obsolete by other developments in his thought.3 In what follows below it will be argued that this construal of the arguments against truth in the Syntax distorts Carnap's philosophical orientation in the early thirties. For Carnap's repudiation of truth is founded on a central theme in the Syntax-era philosophy, the doctrine of syntacticism the idea that syntactic methods of analysis are wholly