cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stochastic Frontier Analysis: Incorporating Exogenous Influences on Efficiency

INTRODUCTION The analysis of productive efficiency has, or at least should have, two components. The first is the estimation of a stochastic production (or cost or profit or other) frontier that serves as a benchmark against which to estimate the technical (or cost or profit or other) efficiency of producers. Thus the objective of the first component is to estimate the efficiency with which producers allocate their inputs and their output(s), under some maintained hypothesis concerning behavioral objectives. This first component is by now reasonably well developed, and has been the subject of our investigation in Chapters 3–6. The second component is equally important, although much less frequently explored. It concerns the incorporation of exogenous variables, which are neither inputs to the production process nor outputs of it, but which nonetheless exert an influence on producer performance. The objective of the second component is to associate variation in producer performance with variation in the exogenous variables characterizing the environment in which production occurs. Examples include the degree of competitive pressure, input and output quality indicators, network characteristics, ownership form, various managerial characteristics, and the like. We have been deliberately vague about the specific role of the exogenous variables in explaining producer “performance.” They may influence the structure of the technology by which conventional inputs are converted to output(s), or they may influence the efficiency with which inputs are converted to output(s).
The Impact of Deregulation on the Retail Banking Industry: Can the Small Bank Compete?

Degregulation of the retail banking industry has given rise to questions concerning the relative importance of various marketing mix variables in the acquisition of market share. Additionally, the role of the smaller retail bank in a deregulated and openly competitive environment is questioned. A conclusion of this research is that the smaller banking institutions may have reason for concern in this new environment.
Regulation of sporulation in yeast.

Publisher Summary Sporulation in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms is one of the simplest developmental processes accessible to experimentation. Morphological and physiological changes take place n both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Studies on sporulation in simple eukaryotic microorganisms provide an attractive system for comparison with bacteria. Among these, there has been an increasing interest in sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sporulation in yeast leads, on the one hand, to the production of semidormant spores, but on the other hand introduces the process of meiosis. The chapter describes the life cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In its stable form, this yeast is diploid in the vegetative phase. The morphological changes during sporulation are discussed in the chapter. With the light microscope, one can detect only the most generalized changes in nuclear organization during meiosis. At present, the studies with yeast are in a more preliminary stage, but have already suggested a related series of stages based on the morphological changes in the nucleus.
How the Genome Is Organized in the Glomeromycota

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (phylum Glomeromycota) are one of the most important yet least understood groups of soil microorganisms. This chapter discusses recent findings concerning the genome structure in Glomeromycota in the context of the evolutionary theory predictions. The extent of the intraindividual polymorphism of the PLS1 and rRNA genes combined with the uncommonly large genome size estimates available at the time led Pawlowska and Taylor to speculate that genomes of Glomeromycota may be polyploid. A solution to the dilemma of how multiple gene copies are distributed among the nuclei of Glomeromycota is expected to emerge from the complete genome sequence of Glomus intraradices, which is anticipated to be available in 2007. This genome sequence and future projects to sequence genomes of other AM fungi are also likely to shed light on the source of the huge diversity of genome sizes in various species of Glomeromycota that was uncovered recently. To better understand the patterns of the rDNA variation in Glomeromycota, the chapter first explores general mechanisms behind the process of concerted evolution and possible causes of deviations from the molecular pattern of concerted evolution. The conflicting inferences about the genetic makeup and genome structure of Glomeromycota are clearly a reflection of the scarcity of experimental data. Some of the outstanding questions will be resolved by the examination of genome sequence data of representative AM fungi when these become available in the near future.
Use of Yohkoh SXT in Measuring the Net Current and CME Productivity of Active Regions

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the application of Yohkoh /Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) in measuring the net current and coronal mass ejection (CME) productivity of active regions. In the study described in the chapter, Yohkoh /SXT images were used for two purposes: (1) to check for the cusped coronal arcades of long-duration eruptive flares, a proxy for CMEs, and (2) to assist in determining an active-region's net electric current, a measure of the region's global non-potentiality. The net electric current is calculated from Ampere's law, integrating the transverse magnetic field around a contour encompassing either the leading or the trailing polarity of the active region. The X-ray images show coronal structures that reveal the sense of shear, thus indicating the proper resolution of the ambiguity.
Evaluating community pharmacists’ HIV testing knowledge: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract Objectives To assess community pharmacists' knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antiretroviral therapy, and new in-home oral fluid HIV test. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire administered to pharmacists, student pharmacists, and technicians before an education program at the New Mexico Pharmacists Association 2013 Mid-Winter Meeting in Albuquerque, NM. The main outcome measure was community pharmacists' correct response rate of 75% or more. Results Overall survey response rate of attendees was 89% (173/194 attendees). Among them 87 participants were community pharmacists; 87% of community pharmacists responded correctly when asked how HIV antiretroviral medications work and 84.3% correctly identified known sources of HIV infection. The 75% predefined adequate knowledge threshold was not met on any HIV screening or in-home HIV test knowledge items. Only 65.1% of community pharmacists correctly identified the minimum number of antiretroviral drugs that should be included in an ideal HIV treatment regimen. The only variable that positively influenced pharmacists' knowledge was age. An inverse relationship between pharmacist age and HIV knowledge was observed among study participants. Conclusion Community pharmacists from urban and rural areas in New Mexico possessed adequate basic HIV knowledge, but did not demonstrate adequate HIV screening or in-home HIV test knowledge. Future educational interventions aimed at improving pharmacist knowledge in this area are warranted.
Development of phonon-mediated cryogenic particle detectors with electron and nuclear recoil discrimination

Observations have shown that galaxies, including our own, are surrounded by halos of "dark matter". One possibility is that this may be an undiscovered form of matter, weakly interacting massive particls (WIMPs). This thesis describes the development of silicon based cryogenic particle detectors designed to directly detect interactions with these WIMPs. These detectors are part of a new class of detectors which are able to reject background events by simultaneously measuring energy deposited into phonons versus electron hole pairs. By using the phonon sensors with the ionization sensors to compare the partitioning of energy between phonons and ionizations we can discriminate betweeen electron recoil events (background radiation) and nuclear recoil events (dark matter events). These detectors with built-in background rejection are a major advance in background rejection over previous searches. Much of this thesis will describe work in scaling the detectors from 1 4 g prototype devices to a fully functional prototype 100 g dark matter detector. In particular, many sensors were fabricated and tested to understand the behavior of our phonon sensors, Quasipartice trapping assisted Electrothermal feedback Transition edge sensors (QETs). The QET sensors utilize aluminum quasiparticle traps attached to tungsten superconducting transition edge sensors patterned on a silicon substrate. The tungsten lines are voltage biased and self-regulate in the transition region. Phonons from particle interations within the silicon propogate to the surface where they are absorbed by the aluminum generating quasiparticles in the aluminum. The quasiparticles diuse into the tungsten and couple energy into the tungsten electron system. Consequently, the tungsten increases in resistance and causes a current pulse which is measured with a high bandwidth SQUID system. With this advanced sensor technology, we were able to demonstrate detectors with xy position sensitivity with electron and nuclear recoil discrimination. Furthermore, early results from running the 100g detector in the Stanford Underground Facility (SUF) indicate that competitive dark matter results are achievable with the current detector design. Much of the design and testing of the experimental apparatus and instrumentation is described as well.
Phosphorylation of the α Subunit of Rat Brain Sodium Channels by cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase at a New Site Containing Ser686 and Ser687

Abstract The alpha subunit of the rat brain sodium channel is phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in vitro and in situ at multiple sites which yield seven tryptic phosphopeptides. Phosphopeptides 1-4 and 7 are derived from phosphorylation sites between residues 554 and 623 in a single large CNBr fragment from the cytoplasmic segment connecting homologous domains I and II of the alpha subunit (Rossie, S., Gordon, D., and Catterall, W. A. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 17530-17535). In the present work, antibodies were prepared against a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 676-692 (AbSP15), which contain one additional potential phosphorylation site at Ser686-Ser687 in a different predicted CNBr fragment of this same intracellular segment. AbSP15 recognizes native and denatured sodium channels specifically and immunoprecipitates phosphorylated CNBr fragments of low molecular mass that contain a new site phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Comparison of tryptic phosphopeptides derived from intact alpha subunits with those derived from the phosphorylated CNBr fragments isolated by immunoprecipitation with AbSP15 indicates that the two previously unidentified phosphopeptides 5 and 6 derived from the intact alpha subunit arise from phosphorylation of the site containing Ser686-Ser687. These results identify a new cAMP-dependent phosphorylation site and show that the major cAMP-dependent phosphorylation sites of the rat brain sodium channel, which are phosphorylated both in vitro and in intact neurons, are all located in a cluster between residues 554 and 687 in the intracellular segment between domains I and II.
Overweight and obese adult humans have a defective cellular immune response to pandemic H1N1 Influenza a virus

Objective Obese adults have a greater risk of morbidity and mortality from infection with pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus (pH1N1). The objective of the present study was to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which obesity and overweight impact the cellular immune response to pH1N1. Design and Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy weight, overweight, and obese individuals were stimulated ex vivo with live pH1N1 and then markers of activation and function were measured using flow cytometry and cytokine secretion was measured using cytometric bead array assays. Results CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from overweight and obese individuals expressed lower levels of CD69, CD28, CD40 ligand, and interleukin-12 receptor, as well as, produced lower levels of interferon-γ and granzyme B, compared with healthy weight individuals, suggesting deficiencies in activation and function are indicated. Dendritic cells from the three groups expressed similar levels of major histocompatibility complex-II, CD40, CD80, and CD86, as well as, produced similar levels of interleukin-12. Conclusions The defects in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells may contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality from pH1N1 in obese individuals. These data also provide evidence that both overweight and obesity cause impairments in immune function.
Subjective economic welfare

As conventionally measured, current household income relative to a poverty line can only partially explain how Russian adults perceive their economic welfare. Other factors include past incomes, individual incomes, household consumption, current unemployment, risk of unemployment, health status, education, and relative income in the area of residence. Paradoxically, when economists analyze a policy's impact on welfare they typically assume that people are the best judges of their own welfare, yet resist directly asking them if they are better off. Early ideas of utility were explicitly subjective, but modern economists generally ignore people's expressed views about their own welfare. Even using a broad set of conventional socioeconomic data may not reflect well people's subjective perceptions of their poverty. Ravallion and Lokshin examine the determinants of subjective economic welfare in Russia, including its relationship to conventional objective indicators. For data on subjective perceptions, they use survey responses in which respondents rate their level of welfare from poor to rich on a nine-point ladder. As an objective indicator of economic welfare, they use the most common poverty indicator in Russia today, in which household incomes are deflated by household-specific poverty lines. They find that Russian adults with higher family income per equivalent adult are less likely to place themselves on the lowest rungs of the subjective ladder and more likely to put themselves on the upper rungs. But current household income does not explain well self-reported assessments of whether someone is poor or rich. Expanding the set of variables to include incomes at different dates, expenditures, educational attainment, health status, employment, and average income in the area of residence doubles explanatory power. Healthier and better educated adults with jobs perceive themselves to be better off, controlling for income. The unemployed view their welfare as lower, even with full income replacement. Individual income matters independent of per capita household income. Relative income also matters. Living in a richer area lowers perceived economic welfare, controlling for income and other factors. This paper-a product of Poverty and Human Resources, Development Research Group-is part of a larger effort in the group to better understand the relationship between objective and subjective economic welfare. The study was funded by the Bank's Research Support Budget under the research project Policies for Poor Areas (RPO 681-39).
The impact of El Niño events on populations of mesopelagic hydromedusae

For over 10 years, the midwater ecology group at MBARl has compiled video and accompanying physical data with the ROV Ventana operating in mesopelagic depths of Monterey Bay, CA in order to elucidate patterns in midwater ecology. Two El Nino events have occurred during this time period, in 1991–92 and in 1997–98. The oceanographic metric of spiciness combines temperature and salinity data into one sensitive measurement. Although temperature and salinity measurements alone revealed no clear patterns, clear signals of spiciness were observed that corresponded to water mass intrusions into the deep waters of the bay during the two EI Nino events. During these events, some seldom-seen species were observed in high numbers in the midwater, while historically common species became rare. During non-El Nino years, the leptomedusa Mitrocoma cellularia (A. Agassiz, 1865) was common in the surface waters (0–50 m) of Monterey Bay, but it was not abundant at depth, while the trachymedusa Colobonema sericeum Vanhoffen, 1902 was found in relatively high numbers at mesopelagic depths. During the last two El Nino events, M. cellularia was observed in higher numbers at mesopelagic depths, whereas C. sericeum was scarce. M. cellularia was found in a wider range of temperatures, salinities, and dissolved oxygen values than was C. sericeum. Transport and tolerance hypotheses are proposed to explain differences in the presence and numerical density of the medusae.
Are Metabolites from the Brown Tide Alga, Aureococcus Anophagefferens, Deleterious to Mussel Feeding Behavior?

The brown tide bloom, which occurred in coastal embayments of Long Island (NY), Rhode Island, and New Jersey, during the summers of 1985 and 1986 (Carpenter and Cosper, 1986; Olsen, 1986; Sieburth et al., 1986), caused starvation and recruitment failure of bivalve populations (Bricelj and Siddall, 1986; Cosper et al., 1987; Tracey, 1988). Several mechanisms for these deleterious effects were postulated including harmful effects due to released metabolites from the brown tide alga, Aureococcus anophagefferens Hargraves et Sieburth (Cosper et al., 1987; Sieburth et al., 1988; Tracey et al., 1988).
Deep blue: interactive game-based learning for deep-sea environments

In 1977, a team of scientists and engineers headed by Dr. Robert Ballard made a stunning discovery on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean that forever changed mankind's understanding of life on our planet. They found deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites in which life exists even in the cold, dark depths of the sea. The discovery of these hydrothermal vents and the process of chemosynthesis to produce organic matter forever changed the theory that photosynthesis is the only process that results in the creation of life.
Intrastriatal implantation of fibroblasts genetically engineered to produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor prevents degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Although various treatments are successfully used to alleviate the symptoms of PD, none of them prevents or halts the neurodegenerative process of the disease. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family of proteins, supports the survival and the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. BDNF also prevents the death of dopaminergic neurons in vitro, which suggests that it may be of possible use in the development of neuroprotective therapies for PD. To determine whether BDNF is neuroprotective for SNpc dopaminergic neurons in the adult brain, we used a rat model of PD in which degeneration of 60-70% of these neurons was induced by an intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). We report here that intrastriatal grafts of fibroblasts genetically engineered to produce BDNF partially prevent the loss of nerve terminals and completely prevent the loss of cell bodies of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway that is induced by the intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA. In contrast, the implantation of control fibroblasts that did not produce BDNF failed to protect nerve terminals and cell bodies against 6-OHDA-induced damage. Our observation that grafts of BDNF-producing fibroblasts protect against 6-OHDA-induced degeneration of SNpc dopaminergic neurons in the adult rat brain opens new perspectives for treatments aimed at the prevention of neurodegeneration in PD, using gene therapy and neurotrophic factors such as BDNF.
Radiation reduction in diagnostic obstetrical radiography: the application of electronic photographic techniques.

Abstract The routine use of an electronic photographic technique as a method for further reduction of radiation in obstetrical radiography is presented. Significant reduction in the calculated doses to the maternal ovaries and fetal gonads can be obtained in addition to the reduction in dose rate afforded by the use of high-speed screens, improved filtration, and improved developing techniques, with careful positioning of the patient.
Silicon photonic interconnection networks in high performance datacom systems

We propose highly scalable, low footprint optical network elements based on silicon photonic microring resonators with nanosecond switching times.
FIGalpha, a germ cell-specific transcription factor required for ovarian follicle formation

Primordial follicles are formed perinatally in mammalian ovaries and at birth represent the lifetime complement of germ cells. With cyclic periodicity, cohorts enter into a growth phase that culminates in ovulation of mature eggs, but little is known about the regulatory cascades that govern these events. FIGalpha, a transcription factor implicated in postnatal oocyte-specific gene expression, is detected as early as embryonic day 13. Mouse lines lacking FIGalpha were established by targeted mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells. Although embryonic gonadogenesis appeared normal, primordial follicles were not formed at birth, and massive depletion of oocytes resulted in shrunken ovaries and female sterility. Fig(a) (the gene for FIGalpha null males have normal fertility. The additional observation that null females do not express Zp1, Zp2 or Zp3 indicates that FIGalpha plays a key regulatory role in the expression of multiple oocyte-specific genes, including those that initiate folliculogenesis and those that encode the zona pellucida required for fertilization and early embryonic survival. The persistence of FIGalpha in adult females suggests that it may regulate additional pathways that are essential for normal ovarian development.
Exergames for subsyndromal depression in older adults: a pilot study of a novel intervention.

Objectives Subsyndromal depression (SSD) is several times more common than major depression in older adults and is associated with significant negative health outcomes. Physical activity can improve depression, but adherence is often poor. The authors assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term efficacy and safety of a novel intervention using exergames (entertaining video games that combine game play with exercise) for SSD in older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults (N = 19, aged 63–94 years) with SSD participated in a 12-week pilot study (with follow-up at 20–24 weeks) of Nintendo's Wii sports, with three 35-minute sessions a week. Results Eight-six percent of enrolled participants completed the 12-week intervention. There was a significant improvement in depressive symptoms, mental health-related quality of life (QoL), and cognitive performance but not physical health-related QoL. There were no major adverse events, and improvement in depression was maintained at follow-up. Conclusions The findings provide preliminary indication of the benefits of exergames in seniors with SSD. Randomized controlled trials of exergames for late-life SSD are warranted.
Efficient Wage Bargaining as a Repeated Game

This paper builds a bridge between the two existing approaches for wage and employment determination in a unionized market: the monopoly union model and the efficient bargaining model. Both fail to capture the dynamic aspects of wage bargaining. When the repeated nature of the wage bargaining process is considered, the equilibria are neither as inefficient as the monopoly union model predicts nor as fully efficient. Rather, the two models can be regarded as particular cases with certain discount rates. We apply our model to issues such as the endgame interpretation of the U. S. steel industry, wage concessions, and featherbedding.
Parallel angioplasty dilatation catheter and guide wire : A new technique for the dilatation of calcified coronary arteries

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of heavily calcified rigid coronary arteries has decreased success and increased complication rates. Three cases are presented describing a new technique for the dilatation of severely calcified coronary arteries that were not dilatable by conventional angioplasty methods. This technique involves the use of a balloon dilatation catheter system parallel to a guide wire. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Geochemistry of Perched Water in an Abandoned Underground Mine, Butte, Montana

The Lexington tunnel is the last accessible underground mine working in the Butte, Montana mining district. Used as recently as 1993, the tunnel and adjacent workings have been abandoned for over 10 years. Although the Lexington tunnel is over 200 m above the regional water table, perched water is present over much of its extent. Mine water near the portal is moderately acidic (pH 4 to 5), with extremely high concentrations of metals, including Cu (up to 1000 mg/L) and Zn (up to 1400 mg/L). In the middle reaches of the tunnel, the quality of the water is much better, with near-neutral pH, high bicarbonate alkalinity, and lower concentrations of heavy metals. The low acidity and metal content is attributed to a lack of pyrite and other sulfides in this portion of the mine, as well as the presence of carbonate minerals, such as rhodochrosite (MnCO3), in exposed veins. Sulfide minerals are more widespread further back in the tunnel, and are now oxidizing rapidly, leading to pockets of severe acid drainage (pH< 3, dissolved Zn up to 5000 mg/L). Geochemical modeling suggests that the near-neutral waters—the most voluminous type encountered in the Lexington tunnel—are close to equilibrium saturation with rhodochrosite and hydrous Zn-carbonate (ZnCO3•H2O). The Eh of these waters is most likely controlled by redox reactions involving dissolved Mn2+ and secondary, Zn-rich, hydrous Mn-oxides. In contrast, the Eh of the acidic waters appears to be controlled by reactions involving Fe2+ and Fe3+. Most of the acidic waters are saturated with K-jarosite, which forms delicate, straw-like dripstones at several localities. Decaying mine timbers could be an important renewable source of organic carbon for heterotrophic microorganisms, such as iron- and sulfate-reducing bacteria, especially deeper in the mine workings where the ground is saturated with anoxic ground water.
PTEN status mediates 2ME2 anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical glioblastoma models: role of HIF1α suppression.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common brain cancer and is highly lethal in both adults and children. 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is a microtubule inhibitor that potently inhibits HIF1α, GBM angiogenesis and tumor growth in preclinical models. In patients, 2ME2 exhibits low toxicity and promising but inconsistent efficacy. Given its preclinical potency and its tolerability in patients, we sought to determine whether 2ME2 therapy could be enhanced by addressing resistance via combination therapy, and with biomarkers to identify responsive glioma subgroups. We demonstrate that the PTEN–PI3K axis regulates HIF1α in glioma models. We utilized isogenic-pairs of glioma cell lines, deficient in PTEN or stably reconstituted with PTEN, to determine the role of PTEN in 2ME2 sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Chou–Talalay synergy studies reveal significant synergy when a pan-PI3K inhibitor is combined with 2ME2. This synergistic activity was correlated with a synergistic suppression of HIF1α accumulation under hypoxic conditions in glioma models. In vivo, 2ME2 markedly inhibited tumor-induced angiogenesis and significantly reduced tumor growth only in a PTEN reconstituted GBM models in both subcutaneous and orthotopic intracranial mouse models. Collectively, these results: (1) suggest that PTEN status predicts sensitivity to 2ME2 and (2) justify exploration of 2ME2 combined with pan-PI3K inhibitors for the treatment of this intractable brain cancer.
Clinical Orientation and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Chemical Dependency Practitioners in Ohio

Abstract A mail survey was used to assess the clinical orientation and sociodemographic characteristics of chemical dependency practitioners (N= 406) in Ohio. Discriminant analysis identified a number of characteristics that distinguished among five types of practitioners (i.e. clinician, clinical supervisor, program administrator, case manager, and education/outreach/prevention specialist). The most important discriminating variables were (1) annual salary, (2) confidence in DSM-IV knowledge, (3) years of experience in the field, (4) race/ethnicity status, (5) education, and (6) computer access at work. Characteristics that did not distinguish among the practitioner groups included (1) clinical orientation, (2) recovery status, (3) age, (4) gender, and a number of other variables. Implications of these findings are discussed in light of the complexity of and changes taking place in the chemical dependency practitioner workforce today.
Social Motivation in the Classroom: implications for students’ achievement

Abstract Attributional rules that govern students’ self‐presentation tactics in school situations are presented. Recent research is reviewed that shows how children learn to strategically manipulate their teachers’ and classmates’ social responses toward themselves by varying their public accounts of achievement failures and successes. The implications of changing social dynamics on students’ achievement motivation and school behavior are discussed.
Accountability, democracy, and globalization: a study of broadcast journalism in India

This paper shows that globalization of the Indian broadcast landscape, despite market pressures, has allowed Indian journalists to seek accountability from the government, and has given audiences a broadcast voice. While increasing pro-market focus of news content diminishes emphasis on public service and democratic debates, in many instances, broadcast journalists give voice to the voiceless and seek accountability from the police and political actors. By analyzing news content and journalism practices of several English and Hindi 24-hour news channels, this paper addresses the question as to what extent television journalism's watchdog function continues to strengthen the democratic system and increase democratic participation in India.
Contemporary stent designs: Technical considerations, complications, role of intravascular ultrasound, and anticoagulation therapy

A number of studies have shown the benefits of stent placement over balloon angioplasty for the treatment of focal, native coronary artery, and saphenous vein graft disease. Although the number of stent designs available for clinical use has increased dramatically, the late clinical benefit of stenting over balloon angioplasty has yet to be shown in diffuse disease, complex bifurcation stenoses, or smaller (2.5-mm) vessels, each of which may require unique stent designs and adjunct therapies not currently available or extensively studied. The purposes of this review are to discuss the various stent designs currently available for clinical use, outline the known complications associated with these stents, assess the contribution of intravascular ultrasound, and describe current antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy used after stent use.
Increased Healthcare Resource Utilization for Acute Respiratory Illness among Latino Infants

Objective To examine healthcare resource utilization for acute respiratory illness in Latino infants compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Study design We studied 674 term-born, previously healthy infants brought in for an unscheduled healthcare visit for an acute respiratory illness. The predictor variable was infant race/ethnicity, and the primary outcome was healthcare resource utilization, adjusted for age and disease severity. Results The cohort was 14% Latino, 52% white, 22% African American, and 12% other race/ethnicity. More than one-third (37%) of the mothers of Latino infants were Spanish-speaking. The bronchiolitis severity score was higher (indicating more severe disease) in white infants (median, 6.0; IQR, 3.0-9.0 on a scale of 0-12) compared with Latino (median, 3.0; IQR, 1.0-6.0) and African American (median, 3.5; IQR, 1.0-6.0) infants ( P P = .96). Latino infants were the most likely to receive antibiotics (58%, compared with 47% of whites and 34% of African Americans; P = .005) and to have body fluid cultures drawn. Latino infants also were more likely than African American infants to undergo chest radiography and respiratory virus rapid antigen testing ( P ≤ .01). Latino infants from Spanish-speaking families had a higher rate of respiratory syncytial virus testing compared with those from English-speaking families (76% vs 51%; P = .016). Conclusion Providers caring for Latino infants with acute respiratory illness ordered more antibiotics and diagnostic testing for this group, particularly compared with African Americans, even though the 2 groups had similar disease severity and socioeconomic disparities. Language barrier may be a possible explanation for these differences.
BEHAVIOR OF IRRADIATED BOLL WEEVILS. II. REPRODUCTION AND MORTALITY IN CAGES WITH UNTREATED BOLL WEEVILS.

Mortality, egg production, and egg hatch were determined for female Anthonomus grandis Boheman which had been treated with 6388 or 12,775 rad of gamma irradiation and confined in various ratios with treated and/or untreated male and female weevils of the same age and strain. Both treatments sterilized the weevils, but egg hatch was reduced only when the ratio of treated (T) to normal (N) male weevils exceeded 10T:1N. When the treated group consisted of males only or males and females and the ratios were 20T:1N or 100T:1N, hatch was reduced. However, groups of treated females only had no effect on hatch at any ratio of treated to normal weevils. In a 35-day test, 4 weekly releases of irradiated weevils to maintain a cage population ratio of 100T:1N caused a reduction in hatch ranging between 70 and 90%.
The effect of benthic invertebrates on the clearance of mercury from sediments

Abstract Tubificid worms caused a significant loss of radiolabeled inorganic mercury and methyl-mercury from contaminated sediments over a 3-week period. The fractional clearance rate of mercury from the sediments was linearly related to worm density. The most significant loss was from the first 1 cm of sediment. The presence of worms changed the appearance, and caused some redistribution, of fine sediment. Loss of mercury could be contained by a sand overlay but the upward movement of mercury into the sand overlays when worms were present suggested that their effectiveness in preventing such movement would be limited over longer periods of time. While a number of considerations prevent the direct application of the clearance coefficient to natural systems, it was possible to demonstrate, on the basis of certain simplifying assumptions, that the benthic macrofauna could be entirely responsible for the clearance of mercury from the bed sediments of flowing water systems.
Support for random alignment of mitotic chromatids in associating nucleolus organizers

Peripheral blood cultures of five healthy chromosomally normal adults were used to study the lateral orientation of mitotic chromatids in satellite associations. Chromosomes were prepared after bromodeoxyuridine substitution for two S phases and the fluorescence-plus-Giemsa (FPG) technique. Conventionally stained preparations were used to assess the polymorphisms of the acrocentrics in each individual. Satellite association pairs in which the acrocentrics were involved in a close, relatively straight end-to-end configuration were analyzed in cells with differentially stained sister chromatids. The number of concordant (light-light) and discordant (light-dark) chromatid alignments in associations varied from individual to individual. Chi square analysis revealed that four of the five subjects and the combined cell population from all subjects showed no deviation from the expected frequency of random alignment. The one subject with preferential nonrandom alignment had the widest range of polymorphisms and very long stalks involved in the majority of the associations, compared with the rest. We have obtained no evidence that as a general rule satellite associations are nonrandom with preferential orientation of dark-to-dark and light-to-light chromatids, although this may be the case in some individuals with very active NORs.
The crystal and molecular structure of diaquobis(2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylpropanoato)copper(II)

Abstract The crystal and molecular structure of diaquobis(2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylpropanoato) copper(II) has been determined by three-dimensional X-ray analysis. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a = 5.688 ± .006 A, b = 20.79 ±.03 A, c = 10.569 ± .016 A, β = 94.55 ±.06°, and Z = 4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares procedures to a final discrepancy factor R = .090 for 860 observed reflections (10>2σ(I0)). The geometry around the copper is distorted octahedral, with the two waters occupying the axial positions. Both ligands coordinate bidently, forming chelate rings incorporating the 2-hydroxy oxygen. The other hydroxy oxygens are not bound to the copper. There appears to be extensive hydrogen bonding in both the a and c directions with long contacts in the b direction.
Teledermatology in the diagnosis of melanoma.

SummaryWe conducted a retrospective chart review of US Veterans in the Pacific Northwest area to compute melanoma incidence and Breslow depth at diagnosis. We compared Veterans with access to teledermatology (TD) and those without (non-TD). We identified pathology-confirmed primary melanomas in Veterans who had had at least one encounter at a VA facility during a 3-year study period. The age-adjusted melanoma incidence for all, TD and non-TD Veterans was 36, 15 and 57 per 100,000, respectively. The mean Breslow depth was significantly greater in the TD group (P = 0.03). Although a higher proportion of thin (Breslow depth ≤1 mm) TD melanomas were mitotically active, this difference was not significant. We also found that 180 (40%) of the non-TD (face-to-face) diagnosed melanomas were from Veterans living in areas where TD was available. This suggests that the higher melanoma incidence in the non-TD group was mainly due to under-utilization of TD services. The study demonstrated that the TD service was not ...
Prealighting Search Behavior and Host Plant Selection by Ovipositing Euphydryas editha Butterflies

The relative contributions of nonrandom movement and alighting to prealighting host discrimination by ovipositing Euphydryas editha butterflies were examined. A montane California population of butterflies was studied at two sites in adjacent habitats. In each study site, only one host plant species was used by the butterflies; in one site the host was the annual Collinsia torreyi, in the other it was the perennial Pedicularis semibarbata. In the Pedicularis study site, butterflies discrimi- nated in favor of the host both by searching in areas where it was dense and by alighting preferentially on host plants. In the Collinsia study site, no evidence of a significant prealighting discrimination towards hosts was obtained. The reasons for this difference are discussed; it is suggested that the suitability of Collinsia as a host has increased recently, but that the butterflies have not yet evolved behavioral mechanisms of prealighting search that would enable them to locate these plants efficiently.
1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol: Identification of the Proposed Active Form of Vitamin D3 in the Intestine

The major polar metabolite of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) present in chick intestinal mucosa has been chemically characterized by mass spectrometric analysis to have a molecular formula of C27H4403 and a structure of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. This compound, which is produced in the kidney from 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, has been previously shown to be from 4 to 13 times as active as cholecalciferol in stimulating intestinal calcium transport. 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol (previously designated metabolite 4B in this (laboratory) probably represents the biologically active form of cholecalciferol in the intestine.
A new fault-tolerant multitransputer configuration for avionics two-lane systems

Abstract This paper discusses a new transputer-based fault-tolerant configuration for avionics two-lane systems for gas-turbine engines. The transputer is ideally suited to build a fault-tolerant multi-processing network since it has many parallel processing features. The new configuration, which consists of eight transputers, is called the dual monitor dual lane (DMDL) system. Its performance is tested in detail by simulation and the focus is on fault tolerance. It has higher reliability than the overlapping triad (OLT) two-lane system discussed in the literature. It is also seen that the response time of the system for reconfiguring in the presence of faults is good.
Myocardial Uptake of 99mTc-Tetrofosmin, Sestamibi, and 201Tl in a Model of Acute Coronary Reperfusion

Background To investigate whether tetrofosmin uptake is affected by myocardial viability as has been noted for 201Tl and sestamibi, we analyzed the initial and delayed distribution patterns of tetrofosmin in a rat coronary artery occlusion-reperfusion model. Methods and Results Animals were intubated and ventilated, and their arterial pressures were monitored. A left thoracotomy was performed. After 1-hour occlusion and 1-hour reperfusion of a major branch of the circumflex artery, 201Tl and either tetrofosmin or sestamibi were injected intravenously. Radiolabeled microspheres were used to document the area at risk and reperfusion. Five minutes or 1 hour after administration of the diffusible tracers, the animals were killed. Tracer distribution was determined by use of segmental tissue analysis, and tissue viability was determined by use of histochemical staining. Both the initial and delayed retention of tetrofosmin were sensitive to myocardial viability, as shown by significantly lower uptake (30±14%) ...
Hybridization as a Metric for the Reaction Coordinate of Chemical Reactions

The reaction coordinate is usually chosen to be a simple function of the bonds that are broken or formed in a chemical reaction. Although such an approach is adequate for the analysis of isolated reaction processes, it does not provide a general metric that allows ready comparison between different chemical reactions. In this paper, we introduce hybridization as a unifying metric for the degree of structural progress in organic reaction processes and illustrate the usefulness of such an analysis by reference to the Hammond postulate and electrocyclic reactions.
Adapting the behavior of a job-shop scheduling system

Abstract Factory scheduling consists in assigning resources (e.g. machines) and start and end times to operations. Our work is concerned with the problems of schedule generation and schedule revision when unanticipated events occur on the factory floor. SONIA is a knowledge-based scheduling system provided with a blackboard architecture for coordinating the activation of various scheduling and analyzing knowledge sources. In this paper, we focus on the various behaviors these knowledge sources can have and we gather a collection of conclusions regarding the use of various backtracking strategies and the control of constraint propagation.
Diet and salinity effects on larval growth and development of the sand dollar Mellita isometra

Summary Larval growth and development of Mellita isometra were investigated by assigning larvae to several single- and mixed-algal diets, three levels of salinity and salinity-diet combinations in the laboratory. Larvae-fed Isochrysis galbana were significantly smaller, developed significantly smaller rudiments and had significantly lower protein content than larvae in all other treatments. Larvae fed Chaetoceros muelleri or the mixed-algal diet of I. galbana and D. tertiolecta developed significantly faster, had significantly bigger rudiments and significantly higher protein content. Eight-arm larvae fed the mixed-algal diet consisting of two small algae, Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros muelleri, were significantly wider than those fed mixed-algal diets consisting of a small and a large algal cell (I. galbana and Dunaliella tertiolecta or C. muelleri and D. tertiolecta). No differences were observed in rudiment size and protein content of advanced 8-arm larvae fed these three mixed-algal diets. Larvae...
Line transect estimators for schooling populations

Abstract Line transect estimators are derived for the number of schools and number of individuals in a schooling population where the probability of sighting a school is a non-decreasing function of school size. The sighting curve for all schools is a weighted sum of individual sighting curves. One method of analysis pools data across school size classes to estimate the number of schools in the population, and multiplies by a weighted estimator of average school size to estimate the total number of individuals. A second method post-stratifies data by school size classes. The coefficient of variation of the estimated number of schools from the pooling method is always less than that for the method of post-stratification, but this result does not apply to the estimated number of individuals. Formulae are given for determining the transect length to achieve a specified level of precision. The methods are applied to minke whale data, using the generalized exponential model for sighting probability. The application illustrates the increased sighting probability of larger schools. The estimates of the number of schools are similar for the two methods, but the precision of the method of pooling is higher. The two methods produce different estimates of the number of individuals because of variability in mean school size.
Modeling point source plumes at high altitudes using a modified Gaussian model

Abstract Emissions from elevated point sources travel at high altitudes and contribute to regional air pollution. Emission data are required to evaluate how urban and industrial plumes traveling at high altitudes impact background plumes. Two EPA dispersion models, SCREEN and Industrial Source Complex (ISC) were considered to evaluate the importance of individual point source plumes at high altitude. Running ISC in Excel, rather than FORTRAN, facilitated data manipulation. Using the modified ISC model, plumes (mostly for unstable cases) were examined from four power plants, located in eastern Texas. Air quality data collected by the Baylor aircraft from the Baylor Sampling Project were used for calibration and validation. Emissions of SO 2 were considered since SO 2 acts as a non-reactant species in the atmosphere when evaluated over flight times used by the aircraft. User defined meteorological parameters were used instead of the more common annual or probabilistic meteorological data. Results demonstrated that on a typical day, using the most occurring stability class, average wind speed and average mixing height, the modified ISC accurately predicted the peak concentrations about 80% of the time. The modified ISC also correctly projected plume width within 70% of the actual spread, at least 60% of the time. However, the model was not very useful for matching concentrations at plume extremes.
Conversion of arachidonic acid to lipoxygenase products by human fetal tissues

[14C]Arachidonic acid was converted to several lipoxygenase products by homogenates of human fetal tissues as determined by thin-layer chromatography. The net conversions of [14C]arachidonic acid to radiolabeled lipoxygenase products were high (≥5%) in the case of fetal liver and brain, and low (≤2%) in the case of fetal adrenal, heart, and kidney.