cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seguimiento del Corechi (Tolypeutes matacus) por Medio de Carreteles de Hilo en el Chaco boliviano

Abstract The three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes matacus is a key prey species for indigenous subsistence hunters in the Bolivian Chaco, and is categorized as Vulnerable by the 2009 Bolivia Red Book. This study is part of a larger program to promote sustainable use of the species. In order to describe fine scale movements, burrow / nest use, and feeding behavior, 33 three-banded armadillos were tracked using a spool-and-thread mechanism attached to their carapace. Seventeen animals were followed for a single 350 m spool of thread, because the spool often emptied of thread before the night's activity was complete, and the animal could not be located though its 350 m track could be mapped. One female and four males were followed for five continuous days, and the other individuals for 2–4 days. The maximum distance tracked by thread was 1,650 m over five days. On average for every 350 m track, individuals visited five burrows, six digging/scratching sites, 0.5 termite nests, and summed 19 feeding bouts. Single...
Radiation exposure during radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular connections.

BACKGROUNDCatheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular (AV) connections has been demonstrated to be effective in more than 85% of patients. One of the risks of this procedure is radiation exposure during the fluoroscopic imaging necessary to guide catheter manipulation. The objective of the present study was to measure the radiation received by patients and physicians during radiofrequency catheter ablation and to estimate the resultant somatic and genetic risks.METHODS AND RESULTSRadiation exposure to patients and physicians was measured during attempts at radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory AV connections in 31 consecutive patients. Radiation exposure was measured using thermoluminescent sensors placed on the patient and on the physician. Somatic and genetic risks were estimated based on the radiation levels recorded using these sensors. The durations of fluoroscopy and of the catheter ablation procedure were recorded for each patient. Catheter ablation was successful in 28 of 31 patients (...
Reconstitution of intramembrane proteolysis in vitro reveals that pure rhomboid is sufficient for catalysis and specificity.

Intramembrane proteolysis is a new paradigm in biology that controls signaling events throughout evolution. Hydrolysis of peptide bonds is thought to occur within the normally hydrophobic membrane environment, but insights into this unusual activity have been lacking because of difficulty in recapitulating activity in vitro. We have reconstituted intramembrane proteolysis with a pure recombinant substrate and rhomboid proteins in both detergent micelles and artificial membrane environments. Rhomboid proteins from diverse organisms including two model bacteria, a pathogen, an extremophile, and an animal were robustly active in pure form, proving that rhomboids are a new class of enzymes and do not require cofactors to catalyze intramembrane proteolysis. Rhomboid proteins directly recognized their substrates in vitro by the top of the substrate transmembrane domain, displaying specificity apparently reciprocal to that of γ-secretase, the only other activity known to cleave type-I transmembrane domains. Rhomboid proteases represent a different evolutionary path to a serine protease mechanism and exhibited an inhibitor profile unlike other serine proteases. Intriguingly, activity was dramatically modulated by different membrane phospholipid environments, suggesting a mechanism for regulating these proteases. This analysis promises to help reveal the biochemical mechanisms and biological roles of this most widely conserved membrane protein family.
A Comparison of Pulsing Characteristics of the Oregon State University TRIGA Reactor with FLIP and LEU Fuel

The Oregon State TRIGA Reactor (OSTR) was converted from highly enriched uranium (HEU) Fuel Life Improvement Program (FLIP) fuel to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel in October 2008. This effort was driven by the U.S. Department of Energy's Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor program. The new LEU fuel is 30/20 U-Zr 1,6 H (30% uranium in the fuel matrix, 19.75 wt% enriched) in contrast to the FLIP fuel having U-Zr l . 6 H (8.5% uranium in the fuel matrix, 70 wt% enriched). This new fuel composition provides the best match in performance of the available mixture ratios when compared to the previous FLIP fuel. To support conversion, a complete assessment and reevaluation of the OSTR Safety Analysis Report was performed. This evaluation included steady-state thermal-hydraulic and neutronics characterizations of the HEU and LEU cores as well as a transient behavior (pulse) analysis of both core types. This paper presents a summary of the methods used and results produced during the pulse analysis identifying power, temperature, and reactivity during pulsed operation for the FLIP and new LEU fuel. This analysis was performed using RELAP5-3D version 2.4.2 and point reactor kinetics simulation software ; these two methods are found to agree very well. We discuss the differences between the two fuels and the impact of pulse behavior on the safety limits for the converted reactor.
Differential effects of hyperthermia on human leukocyte production of interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma.

Hyperthermia is being used clinically in the treatment of neoplasms. However, there are insufficient data regarding effects of hyperthermia on leukocyte functions potentially important in antitumor immunity. In order to provide such data, human mononuclear leukocytes were exposed to moderate (40.7"C) and marked (42.7"C) hyperthermia for 2 hr. Leukocyte viability, measured by dye exclusion, was not altered by such exposures. Exposure of the cells to moderate hyperthermia did not alter leukocyte production of interferon-a in response to influenza virus or interferon-y in response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin. Exposure of the cells to marked hyperthermia significantly depressed production of interferon-a. In contrast, production of in- terferon-y was not altered by exposure of the leukocytes to marked hyperthermia. Many studies support a role for interferons (a as well as y) in antitumor immunity. The current and other data suggest that marked hyperthermia in cancer therapy should be applied locally whenever possible, rather than to the whole body, in order to limit adverse effects on immunity. The data suggest further that interferon-y may be a heat shock (stress) protein for human leukocytes. o 1986 Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Exploring the “Development” in Professional Development School Research

Abstract The professional development school (PDS) is a model of choice for many teacher preparation programs. This approach integrates the functions of teacher preparation, professional development, inquiry and research, and student achievement to bring about whole-school improvement and the simultaneous renewal of the teaching profession. Ideally, inquiry and research serve as a catalyst for developing the PDS organization. However, a review of abstracts of purported PDS research (1988–2006) showed that most of the publications used nonresearch methods and focused primarily on descriptions of programs. In this article, we discuss issues surrounding the PDS that may account for the lack of development of a solid body of research about the phenomenon. We also propose a framework for research on PDSs that is aligned with the Standards for Professional Development Schools (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, 2001) and with appropriate research methodologies recommended by the American E...
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PLASTICITY OF THE EXTENDED LONGEVITY PHENOTYPES OF DROSOPHILA

A number of laboratories have constructed independently derived long-lived strains of Drosophila, each of which have similar but not identical patterns of variability in their adult longevity. Given the observed plasticity of longevity within each of these strains, it would be useful to review the operational and environmental factors that give rise to this phenotypic plasticity and ascertain whether they are common or strain specific. Our review of the more extensively analyzed strains suggests that the allelic composition of the initial genomes and the selection/transgene strategy employed yield extended longevity strains with superficially similar phenotypes but which are probably each the result of different proximal genetic mechanisms. This then offers a plausible explanation for the differential effects of various environmental factors on each strain's particular pattern of phenotypic plasticity. It also illustrates that the species has the potential to employ any one of a number of different proximal mechanisms, each of which give rise to a similar longevity phenotype.
Rapid Energy Dissipation in a Yo-Yo-Type Wire Boom Deployment System

A wire boom deployment system has been developed that uses a mechanism that is similar to the classic yo-yo despin mechanism. The goal has been to develop a way to rapidly deploy wire booms from a spinning soundingrocket experiment. The main challenge in using a yo-yo-type mechanism is to dissipate the excess kinetic energy so that the wire booms do not rewrap themselves about the spacecraft after deploying. A ring has been added to the basic yo-yo mechanism. It rotates with respect to the main spacecraft about the nominal spin axis, and the wire boomsdeploy from it. Thering/spacecraftjoint isdamped, and relativemotion betweenthering and thespacecraft dissipates the excess energy. This system is analyzed and simulated in two and three dimensions. The results show that a well-tuned system can deploy 2.5 m wire booms in under 20 s and that it can tolerate the expected levels of asymmetry and parametric uncertainty.
Ice formation and freezing damage in the foot muscle of the intertidal snail Melampus bidentatus

Abstract Freeze injury to the foot muscle of the intertidal pulmonate gastropod, Melampus bidentatus was examined by light microscopy using a technique which allowed fixation of the tissues at subzero temperatures. Exposure of snails to −5 or −10 °C (above the lower lethal temperature) resulted in no apparent damage to the foot muscle. Exposure of the snails to −13 °C (the lower lethal temperature), however, resulted in sloughing of the epithelium and possible loss of membrane material. Ice was present in the extracellular spaces of foot muscle which was fixed at −10 and −13 °C but not in tissues exposed to −5 °C. The percentage of the area occupied by the cells in muscle tissues decreased significantly when ice was present and increased to control levels upon warming in all cases except for the tissue exposed to −13 °C.
Estimating cloud water deposition to subalpine spruce-fir forests—II. Model testing

A modified version of a previously published steady-state model for computing cloud water deposition to a subalpine balsam fir (Abies balsamea) forest was tested using water throughfall data collected in a red spruce (Picea rubens) forest on Whitetop Mountain, Virginia. Detailed wind data were collected in two distinctly different spruce stands to define airflow conditions within the forest canopy. Other meteorological and canopy structure data were also collected for use as inputs to the deposition model. Model simulations of cloud deposition during 11 cloud events in the two forest stands revealed that the model performed best when site-specific wind speed profiles and droplet size spectra were used along with an experimental droplet collection efficiency scheme that treats the densest portions of trees as bulk collectors (as opposed to modelling collection efficiency for individual tree components). An analysis of residuals indicated that model errors were most strongly correlated with cloud liquid water content (W), a model input. It is speculated that the correlation with W was due to a combination measurement bias when clouds were thin or intermittent and a model computational bias when the potential (defined by the model) for the vertical turbulent flux of cloud water was high. Overall, computed values (using the optimally-configured model) of net cloud water flux tended to exceed measured throughfall rates by 20–30%, and the model explained 38–68% of the variance in throughfall rate. A comparison between the mechanistic model and a simpler empirical model indicated that the mechanistic model performed no better than its empirical counterpart.
The influence of interfacial structure on the mechanical properties of liquid-phase-sintered aluminum-ceramic composites

Abstract The effect of interfacial structure on the mechanical properties of aluminum-ceramic composite materials fabricated by liquid phase sintering was studied. The composites were based on two matrix alloys (powder metallurgy alloys 201 and 601) reinforced with either Al2O3 or SiC particulate. Characterization of the interfacial regions demonstrated that the SiC-matrix interfaces were faceted whereas the Al2O3-matrix interfaces had an incomplete layer of a silicon-rich amorphous phase. Preferential attack of the particles during sintering is believed to cause the crystallographic facets to form on SiC. Locally high silicon concentrations near Al2O3 particles led to the formation of a glassy phase from the reduction of Al2O3. The difference in interfacial structure resulted in a higher particle-matrix bond strength and therefore improved composite mechanical properties in the SiC-reinforced materials compared with the Al2O3-reinforced materials.
Hormonal influences on seizure kindling: the effects of post-stimulation ACTH or cortisone injections.

Abstract Repeated application of brain stimulation can lead to a progressively augmenting electrical and behavioral response — a phenomenon termed seizure kindling. In this experiment, stimulation was delivered once per day, and was followed by peripheral (intraperitoneal) administration of ACTH or cortisone. An intermediate or a high dose of either hormone (0.3 IU or 3.0 IU of ACTH/animal, 10 mg or 25 mg cortisone/animal) delayed the completion of kindling if administered shortly after each kindling stimulation. Lower doses (0.03 IU of ACTH or 2 mg of cortisone) had no significant effects. The high dose of ACTH or cortisone was no longer effective if administration was delayed more than 4 h after stimulation. Peripherally administered ACTH and cortisone can influence processes initiated by the brain stimulation which presumably underlie the augmentation of response to successive stimulations. This time-limited action is analogous to the effects of these hormones on memory consolidation.
Regeneration of the completely excised gastrocnemius muscle in the frog and rat from minced muscle fragments

In 85 frogs and 29 rats, the entire gastrocnemius muscle was removed. After removal of as much connective tissue as possible, about two-thirds of the remaining muscle was finely minced with a scissors. These minced fragments were orthotopically re-implanted, and the overlying skin was sutured. As the implanted muscle fragments degenerate, new muscle fibers appears in the regenerate. The proportion of connective tissue to muscle is usually greater than normal especially in the frog. Grossly, normal relationships are established with the cut ends of the Achilles and proximal tendons, as well as with the blood vessels and nerves. The total diameter of the regenerated muscle is almost always less than half of that seen in normal muscles. Regeneration of muscle is much more extensive in the rat than in the frog, and it occurs almost twice as rapidly. The histology of the regenerative process is described for both the frog and the rat.
Advantages of focused helical computed tomographic scanning with rectal contrast only vs triple contrast in the diagnosis of clinically uncertain acute appendicitis: a prospective randomized study.

Hypothesis Focused helical computed tomographic (CT) scanning with rectal contrast only is a superior diagnostic modality compared with the traditional triple-contrast CT scan for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Design Prospective randomized analysis of both CT scan modalities. Interventions Only patients with uncertain diagnosis of acute appendicitis were entered in the study. The patients were then randomized to undergo the traditional triple-contrast CT scan or the new focused CT scan with rectal contrast only. Surgical management included operation or observation for 23 hours. Results Ninety-one patients participated in the study, including 52 in the triple-contrast group and 39 in the rectal-contrast group. The demographics of the triple-contrast vs the rectal-contrast groups were similar. The triple-contrast group had a sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 86%, positive predictive value of 90%, and negative predictive value of 93%. The rectal-contrast group had a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 100%. There were 4 false-positive findings and 1 false-negative finding in the triple-contrast group compared with none in the rectal-contrast group. In the triple-contrast group, there were 13 perforated appendixes compared with 1 in the rectal-contrast group. The cost of a triple-contrast scan was $620 compared with $305 for a focused rectal-contrast scan. The negative appendectomy rate for the study was 8.0% (4 of 48 patients in the triple-contrast group vs 3 of 39 in the rectal-contrast group). Conclusions The demographics, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were comparable in both groups. The focused rectal-contrast procedure was better tolerated by patients and demonstrated decreased morbidity, delay to diagnosis, perforation rate, and negative appendectomy rate with no missed diagnosis and decreased cost. Therefore, we believe that focused helical CT scanning with rectal contrast only is a superior diagnostic modality compared with the traditional triple-contrast CT scan for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
Partial or total calcanectomy as an alternative to below-the-knee amputation for limb salvage: a systematic review.

Background: Below-the-knee amputations are regarded as definitive treatment for calcaneal osteomyelitis. They may be less than desirable in patients with a viable midfoot and forefoot. Partial and total calcanectomies have been reported as an alternative for limb salvage. However, the durability of the residual limb is questionable. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken to identify material relating to the potential for limb salvage with partial or total calcanectomy in ambulatory patients with calcaneal osteomyelitis. Studies eligible for inclusion consecutively enrolled ambulatory patients older than 18 years who underwent partial or total calcanectomy without adjunctive free tissue transfer for the treatment of calcaneal osteomyelitis and had a mean follow-up of 12 months or longer. Results: Sixteen studies involving 100 patients (76 partial and 28 total calcanectomies) met all of the inclusion criteria. Weighted mean follow-up was 33 months. Minor complications with subsequent healing occurred i...
Degree of agreement in naming objects and concepts for information retrieval

The research described in this article extends work done on human behavior in naming concepts and objects by adapting a methodology developed at Bell Labs and applying it to a library indexing language, the Library of Congress subject headings. The study investigated the representation of users' knowledge (names of objects and concepts), database representation for similar objects and concepts, and degree of agreement among users and between users and information system. Three user groups gave names to 40 stimuli. Names generated were compared with each other and with LC subject headings. Degree of agreement was calculated using similarity measures. The analyses identified patterns of agreement and variability in naming. There was little agreement across people in the names they used to describe texts or illustrations. There was little agreement in the names people use and the names recommended for use by LC, implying that retrieval systems should do more to accommodate common naming behavior. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILY-FRIENDLINESS AND ITS EFFECT ON FAMILY RELATIONS: EVIDENCE FROM UTAH

This article explores the effect of neighborhood family-friendliness on three measures of family relations: marital burnout, marital satisfaction, and parent-child relations. Regression analyses of survey data from northern Utah provide some support that neighborhood family-friendliness, measured here as neighborhood cohesion and neighborhood assessment, positively affects family functioning. For men, neighborhood cohesion was negatively associated with marital burnout and positively associated with marital satisfaction. For both men and women, neighborhood assessment was positively associated with marital satisfaction. These relationships were stronger for men than for women.
Enterprise Development under an Economic Detour? Black-Owned Advertising Agencies, 1940-2000:

This article uses the economic detour theory of enterprise development to assess the origins and development of black-owned advertising agencies in the United States since the World War II era. In light of this concept, key socioeconomic phenomena—racial segregation, desegregation, and multiculturalism—are addressed in terms of their impact on opportunities for and practices among black advertising entrepreneurs. Historical evidence is largely consistent with key principles of the economic detour model. In sum, it appears that a contemporary form of racial separation persists in the advertising business, which serves to constrain entrepreneurial efforts among black and other ethnic minority entrepreneurs in the industry.
I (Don't) Hate School: Revisiting Oppositional Culture Theory of Blacks' Resistance to Schooling

This study provides an extensive test of Ogbu's oppositional culture theory that accounts for student maturation over time. Using data from the Maryland Adolescence Development In Context Study (MADICS), I test the proposition that blacks resist school more than whites, and that this difference grows with age. Analyses were conducted across 24 outcomes and revealed two major findings with implications for the study of race and school achievement. First, five major tenets of the theory were not supported, which challenges the existence of a pervasive oppositional culture among black Americans. Second, maturation after grade 7 had minimal impact on white-black differences on the outcomes. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for sociological theory and educational policy.
Does Neotraditional Development Build Community

Neotraditionaldevelopment has captured the attention of planners, architects, and developers. The various kinds of development under this label claim to replace the traditional auto-dependent subur...
An Integrated Planning and Adaptive Resource Management Architecture for Distributed Real-Time Embedded Systems

Real-time and embedded systems have traditionally been designed for closed environments where operating conditions, input workloads, and resource availability are known a priori and are subject to little or no change at runtime. There is an increasing demand, however, for autonomous capabilities in open distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) systems that execute in environments where input workload and resource availability cannot be accurately characterized a priori. These systems can benefit from autonomic computing capabilities, such as self-(re)configuration and self-optimization, that enable autonomous adaptation under varying-even unpredictable-operational conditions. A challenging problem faced by researchers and developers in enabling autonomic computing capabilities to open DRE systems involves devising adaptive planning and resource management strategies that can meet mission objectives and end-to-end quality of service (QoS) requirements of applications. To address this challenge, this paper presents the integrated planning, allocation, and control (IPAC) framework, which provides decision-theoretic planning, dynamic resource allocation, and runtime system control to provide coordinated system adaptation and enable the autonomous operation of open DRE systems. This paper presents two contributions to research on autonomic computing for open DRE systems. First, we describe the design of IPAC and show how IPAC resolves the challenges associated with the autonomous operation of a representative open DRE system case study. Second, we empirically evaluate the planning and adaptive resource management capabilities of IPAC in the context of our case study. Our experimental results demonstrate that IPAC enables the autonomous operation of open DRE systems by performing adaptive planning and management of system resources.
Developing Quality Complex Database Systems: Practices, Techniques and Technologies

An insight into the effective use of database technology through models, case studies and reports. An emphasis is placed on organizational and management issues detailing lessons learned and best practices.
A 2.5GHz 5.4mW 1-to-2048 digital clock multiplier using a scrambling TDC

A scrambling TDC is proposed to mitigate dithering jitter accumulation in clock multipliers with low reference frequencies. Fabricated in a 90nm CMOS process, the prototype operates with a 1.25MHz reference clock and generates 160MHz and 2.56GHz output clocks with a long-term absolute jitter of 2.7psrms and 6.28psrms, respectively.
Sources of correlation degradation

Various sources of degradation of the peak intensity and SNR of an output optical correlation are considered both theoretically and experimentally. Several methods for limiting the effect of these sources of degradation are also advanced, and experimental and theoretical data are presented.
The Role of Haptic Feedback in Laparoscopic Simulation Training

Introduction Laparoscopic virtual reality simulators are becoming a ubiquitous tool in resident training and assessment. These devices provide the operator with various levels of realism, including haptic (or force) feedback. However, this feature adds significantly to the cost of the devices, and limited data exist assessing the value of haptics in skill acquisition and development. Utilizing the Laparoscopy VR (Immersion Medical, Gaithersburg, MD), we hypothesized that the incorporation of force feedback in the simulated operative environment would allow superior trainee performance compared with performance of the same basic skills tasks in a non-haptic model. Methods Ten medical students with minimal laparoscopic experience and similar baseline skill levels as proven by performance of two fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) tasks (peg transfer and cutting drills) voluntarily participated in the study. Each performed two tasks, analogous to the FLS drills, on the Laparoscopy VR at 3 levels of difficulty, based on the established settings of the manufacturer. After achieving familiarity with the device and tasks, the students completed the drills both with and without force feedback. Data on completion time, instrument path length, right and left hand errors, and grasping tension were analyzed. The scores in the haptic-enhanced simulation environment were compared with the scores in the non-haptic model and analyzed utilizing Student's t -test. Results The peg transfer drill showed no difference in performance between the haptic and non-haptic simulations for all metrics at all three levels of difficulty. For the more complex cutting exercise, the time to complete the tasks was significantly shorter when force feedback was provided, at all levels of difficulty (158 ± 56 versus 187 ± 51 s, 176 ± 49 versus 222 ± 68 s, and 275 ± 76 versus 422 ± 220 s, at levels 1, 2, and 3, respectively, P Conclusions In the more advanced tasks, haptics allowed superior precision, resulting in faster completion of tasks and a trend toward fewer technical errors. In the more basic tasks, haptic-enhanced simulation did not demonstrate an appreciable performance improvement among our trainees. These data suggest that the additional expense of haptic-enhanced laparoscopic simulators may be justified for advanced skill development in surgical trainees as simulator technology continues to improve.
Racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes complications in the northeastern United States: the role of socioeconomic status.

The role of socioeconomic status (SES) in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes remains unclear. We investigated disparities in self-reported diabetes complications, and the role of macro (e.g., income, education) and micro (e.g., ‘owning a home’ or ‘having a checking account’) SES indicators in explaining these differences. The sample included individuals with a diagnosis of diabetes (N=795) who were on average 55 years old, and 55.6% non-Hispanic White, 25.0% African American, and 19.4% Hispanic. Approximately 8% reported nephropathy, 35% reported retinopathy, and 16% reported cardiovascular disease. There were significant disparities in the rates of complications among non-Hispanic White, African American and Hispanic participants, with Hispanics having the highest rates of nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease. Macro SES indicators (e.g., income) mediated racial differences (i.e., non-Hispanic Whites vs. African Americans) in self-reported retinopathy, a combination of macro and more micro SES indicators (e.g., education, income, and ‘owning a home’ or ‘having a checking account’) mediated racial/ethnic differences (i.e., non-Hispanic Whites vs. Hispanics) in self-reported cardiovascular disease, and only micro SES indicators (e.g., ‘owning a home’ or ‘having a checking account’) mediated differences between lower income SES racial/ethnic minority groups (i.e., African Americans vs. Hispanics) in self-reported retinopathy and cardiovascular disease. Findings underscore that indicators of SES must be sensitive to the outcome of interest and the racial/ethnic groups being compared.
Assessing Validity and Test-Retest Reliability for “Pick K of N” Data

A mixed binomial error model is proposed which permits the evaluation of validity and test-retest reliability when individuals are asked to pick K of N objects. The approach explicitly incorporates the effect of guessing as well as the respondent's true discrimination ability, and recognizes that that ability will vary across respondents. So, given the choices made by a set of individuals, we are interested in estimating the distribution of true ability over the population. To evaluate the criterion-related validity each person's K choices of N objects are compared to an objective standard---the K “correct” choices. For the primary model considered here these data can be summarized by the distribution, over individuals, of the number of “matches” or agreements between a person's choices and the objective criterion. A similar procedure is used for evaluating test-retest reliability. The distribution for the number of matches is again used; but here the matches will refer to agreement between the individual's K choices on this occasion, and the K choices made by that individual on a previous occasion. The use of these reliability and validity results to address specific marketing questions, such as the segmentability of a market or the effect of advertising on perception and attitudes, is also discussed.
Oncogenic H-Ras, FK228, and exogenous H2O2 cooperatively activated the ERK pathway in selective induction of human urinary bladder cancer J82 cell death.

More than 35% of human urinary bladder cancers involve oncogenic H-Ras activation. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of the ERK pathway in mediating apoptotic signals induced by oncogenic H-Ras, FK228 treatment, and exogenous H2O2 treatment to increase Nox-1 elevation, leading to production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) for inducing apoptosis in human bladder cancer J82 cells. Our study revealed that FK228 combined with exogenous H2O2 cooperatively induced activation of Mek1/2 and Erk1/2 to increase Nox-1 elevation, intracellular ROS production, caspase activation, and cell death. Expression of oncogenic H-Ras significantly increased these FK228- and exogenous H2O2-induced effects. Oncogenic H-Ras-increased cell susceptibility to FK228 could be alternately achieved by additional treatment with exogenous H2O2. Hence, combined use of FK228 with ROS-generating agents may apply to therapeutic strategies to preferentially kill malignant cells with or without oncogenic H-Ras activation. ©2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Design and implementation of a luminometer: measuring bioluminescence

The luminometer performs bioluminescence assays by recording the light produced by a biochemical reaction. The nature of the reactions, the optical configuration of the instrument, and the sensor system are discussed. The choice of a photomultiplier tube (PMT) as a detector and the design of the PMT electronics are also discussed. Some measurement results from a breadboard system are presented. >
Using Critical-Thinking Skills to Substantiate or Challenge Controversial Claims Endorsing a Myriad of Weight-Loss Products

This exercise engages students in critically evaluating weight-loss products and programs. Specific objectives are to investigate, analyze, and substantiate claims made by the weight-loss industry and interpret how these claims may be fraudulent, misleading, or perhaps even truthful.
Implementing "Educating Pharmacy Students and Pharmacists to Improve Quality" (EPIC) as a requirement at the Wegmans School of Pharmacy

Abstract Objectives To assess learning outcomes of “Educating Pharmacists to Improve Quality” (EPIQ), an “off-the-shelf” curriculum funded by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance. Methods EPIQ was delivered to P3 students ( n = 63) and P2 students ( n = 73) in 2009-2010. The Healthcare Quality Book was added in 2010. Descriptive statistics characterized changes in student self-reported outcomes on the EPIQ standardized survey. Results Students reported better skills and knowledge after EPIQ yet rated as only “fair” to “good” their ability or motivation to pursue quality improvement. Use of The Healthcare Quality Book was associated with a significant improvement in students' ratings of the expected usefulness of EPIQ training in pharmacy practice. Conclusions Tools and applications are our new focus, beginning with the migration of exercises to experiential courses. Future assessments will include demographic data and separate evaluations of the course, materials, and instructor. Survey items will be grouped by knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
Autonomic Neural Control of the Cerebral Vasculature. Acute Hypotension

Background and Purpose— The effect of antihypertensive drugs on autonomic neural control of the cerebral circulation remains unclear. This study was designed to compare middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity responses to acute hypotension with and without α1-adrenoreceptor blockade (Prazosin) in young, healthy humans. Methods— Acute hypotension was induced nonpharmacologically in 6 healthy subjects (mean±SE; 28±2 years) by releasing bilateral thigh cuffs after 9 minutes of suprasystolic resting ischemia before and after an oral dose of Prazosin (1 mg/20 kg body weight). Results— Prazosin had no effect on thigh cuff release-induced reductions in mean arterial pressure and middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity. However, Prazosin attenuated the amount of peripheral vasoconstriction through the arterial baroreflex as evidenced by a slower return of mean arterial pressure to baseline (P=0.03). Immediately after cuff release, cerebral vascular conductance index increased through cerebral autoregulation...
Information theoretic modeling of intelligent robotic systems, Part II: The coordination and execution levels

Intelligent Robotic Systems, when modeled based on the constraints imposed by the Theory of Intelligent Controls, follow a three interactive level hierarchical structure, organization, coordination and execution. An Information Theoretic approach has been used to model mathematically the functions of the coordination and execution levels of such systems and describe quantitatively the flow of knowledge (information) within the two levels. This is accomplished by deriving a Generalized Partition Law of Information Rates which takes into account the possible trade-offs between the noise, internal control procedures, feed-back mechanism from execution to coordination and memory exchange within both levels.
Large-Scale Three-Dimensional Geomechanical Modeling of Reservoirs: Examples from California and the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico

Cost-effective improvements in the technology needed to develop and manage reservoirs in challenging environments require an increase in our understanding of geomechanical behavior. The local stresses relevant to reservoir-scale processes are strongly affected by stratigraphic and structural features at that scale, and the relationship between hydrocarbon production and the mechanical behavior of the reservoir and/or overburden can be complicated and difficult to discern from field data directly. Numerical simulation provides a means to achieve critical insight into the behavior of complex geosystems and advance understanding of both the subsurface environment before drilling as well as the relationship between fluid flow and geomechanical behavior during production. This paper reviews our recent work aimed at utilizing large-scale geomechanical simulation as a reservoir management tool. We first describe the constitutive models developed specifically for two important classes of geomaterials that are implemented in the quasi-static largedeformation finite element code JAS3D that we use in our work. We then describe several field cases where we apply nonlinear finite element modeling to key problems in reservoir mechanics. The first field cases involve historical geomechanical simulations of primary and secondary recovery at the Belridge Diatomite and Lost Hills fields located in California's San Joaquin Valley. In this work, we apply nonlinear finite element modeling to investigate the causes of well casing damage experienced by the field operators and to identify mitigation strategies. Next, we describe an application that addresses potential well integrity issues associated with sub-salt and near-salt deepwater Gulf of Mexico reservoirs. In this work, we analyze hole closure behavior and quantify loading on casings for wells that penetrate thick salt formations to ensure that wells are designed to withstand salt loading over a service lifetime of 20-30 years. The field studies illustrate the difficult issues encountered in practical applications of large-scale three-dimensional nonlinear finite element geomechanical modeling and suggest areas where research advances could be beneficial. These areas include: development of solids models and finite element meshes from disparate geologic and/or numerical data, development of realistic constitutive models, robust and efficient implementation of these material models in finite element codes to achieve reasonable solution times, experimental rock mechanics data and the natural heterogeneity of geosystems, implementation of far-field (tectonic) stresses and stress initialization, and integration of geomechanical modeling results with other analysis tools.
Accounting for Biological Assets and the Cost of Debt

ABSTRACT Firms engaged in agriculture generate revenue from biological assets that manifest in the cultivation of bearer fruits and nuts, the tilling of crops, and the production of livestock and forestry. We investigate whether firms' cost of debt is associated with the measurement method they use to account for their biological assets. We find that the cost of debt is higher for firms using the fair value method of accounting for their biological assets relative to firms using historical cost. However, the positive association between the cost of debt and fair value is driven by firms that transform bearer plants, i.e., living plants that ultimately bear produce for more than one year. We also document that fair value combined with auditor attested IFRS use results in a lower cost of debt for firms transforming other types of biological assets. Our cross-country study focuses on a class of assets previously unexplored, and contributes to the literature that examines the consequences of fair value accoun...
Spinal motion palpation: a comparison of studies that assessed intersegmental end feel vs excursion.

Abstract Objective Spinal motion palpation (MP) is a procedure used to detect intersegmental hypomobility/hypermobility. Different means of assessing intersegmental mobility are described, assessing either excursion of the segments (quantity of movement) or end feel (quality of motion when stressed against the paraphysiological space). The objective of this review was to classify and compare studies based on method of MP used, considering that some studies may have used both methods. Methods Four databases were searched: MEDLINE-PubMed, Manual Alternative and Natural Therapy System, Index to Chiropractic Literature, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases for the years 1965 through January 2007. Retrieved citations were independently screened for inclusion by 2 of the authors consistent with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included studies were appraised for quality, and data were extracted and recorded in tables. Results The search strategy generated 415 citations, and 29 were harvested from reference lists. After removing articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 44 were considered relevant and appraised for quality. Fifteen studies focused on MP excursion, 24 focused on end feel, and 5 used both. Eight studies reported high levels of reproducibility ( κ = ≥0.4), although 4 were not of acceptable quality, and 2 were only marginally acceptable. When only high-quality studies were considered, 3 of 24 end-feel studies reported good reliability compared with 1 of 15 excursion studies. There was no statistical support for a difference between the 2 groupings. Conclusions A difference in reported reliability was observed when the method of MP varied, although it was not statistically significant. There was no support in the literature for the advantage of one MP method over the other.
Is laparoscopic colectomy applicable to patients with body mass index >30? A case-matched comparative study with open colectomy.

The benefits of early postoperative recovery, reduced postoperative pain, pulmonary dysfunction, and hospitalization after laparoscopic colectomy may improve outcome over open colectomy in obese patients. This case-matched study compares outcomes after open and laparoscopic colectomy. A total of 94 laparoscopic colectomy patients with a body mass index >30 (Jan 1999–June 2003) were identified from a prospective database and matched to open colectomy cases for age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, procedure, indication, and date of surgery. Operating time, length of stay, conversion, intraoperative and postoperative complications, reoperation, 30-day readmission rate, and costs were compared. Data are presented as means ± standard deviations, and appropriate statistical tests were used. The two groups were matched for age (P = 0.06), gender (P = 1), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P = 0.2), body mass index (P = 0.4), indication for surgery (P = 1), and procedure (P = 1). By using intention-to-treat–type analysis, there was no difference in median operating time (100 vs. 110 (mean, 123 vs. 112) minutes; P = 0.1), complications (21 vs. 24 percent; P = 0.74), readmission (17 vs. 10.6 percent; P = 0.3), reoperation rates (6.4 vs. 4.3 percent; P = 0.75), or direct costs (median, $3,368 vs. $3,552; mean, $4,003 vs. $4,037; P = 0.14) between laparoscopic colectomy or open colectomy; however, the median length of stay (3 vs. 5.5 (mean, 3.8 vs. 5.8) days; P = 0.0001) was significantly shorter after laparoscopic colectomy. Twenty-eight patients required conversion for adhesions (n = 11), bleeding (n = 3), obesity-hindering vision or dissection (n = 9), large phlegmon or tumor (n = 4), and ureteric injury (n = 1). The mean operating time for conversions was 142 minutes and length of stay was 6.4 days. Compared with laparoscopically completed cases, the median length of stay (5 vs. 2 (mean, 6.4 vs. 2.8) days; P = 0.0001) and median operating times (150 vs. 95 (mean, 142 vs. 115) minutes; P = 0.02) were significantly higher in the converted group, but there was no difference in the complication (P = 0.8), readmission (P = 1), or reoperation (P = 0.7) rates. Compared with open colectomy, the operating time (P = 0.02) was significantly higher in the converted group but there were no significant differences in the length of stay (P = 0.18), complication (P = 1), readmission (P = 0.35), or reoperative (P = 1) rates. Laparoscopic colectomy can be performed safely in obese patients, with shorter postoperative recovery than that with open colectomy. Although obesity is associated with a high conversion rate, outcome in these converted cases is comparable to the matched open cases.
The Preparation and Criteria of Purity of the Amino Acids

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines the methods for the preparation, purification, and determination of purity of the commonly occurring amino acids because of its possible usefulness to investigators, who may require pure amino acids for experimental purposes. Consideration is given in the chapter only to the DL-, L-, and D-forms of the 21 amino acids that are shown to be constituents of proteins. Isolation procedures employed for the preparation of L-amino acids vary with the amino acid and the starting material. The DL-forms of all of the amino acids are prepared by racemization. The optically active amino acid is heated with a strong base, strong acid or an alkaline solution of acetic anhydride or ketene. Isolation procedures employed for the preparation of L-amino acids vary with the amino acid and the starting material. Some amino acids are readily separated from hydrolyzates of certain proteins by crystallization at their isoelectric points. The ones most commonly isolated in this manner are glutamic acid and leucine from cereal grains, leucine and tyrosine from blood proteins, and cystine from hair and other keratins. Arginine, histidine, and lysine are often removed by precipitation and their silver salts of phosphotungstates by electrodialysis, ion exchange, or by selective adsorption.
'Dull, Unimaginative, and Extremely Limited' Becomes Modern Public Economics

This paper identifies three major shifts that happened in public finance that explain the radical changes in theory and practice witnessed between the start of the Great Depression and the end of the Second World War. These included (1) the replacement of philosophical considerations of ‘justice in taxation’ with formal mathematical modeling; (2) the expansion of tax policy beyond merely raising revenue to address other policy goals; (3) the incorporation of expenditures into public finance theory. What happened in public finance was an important piece of the bigger story of post-war economics; the economic and sociological forces that shaped the subdiscipline of public finance make it a good case study for the larger changes throughout the field.