cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Directional antennas for angular diversity in wireless sensor networks

In this paper, multiple directional antennas are implemented on sensor network motes to create angular diversity in wireless sensor networks. Wireless sensor systems deploying directional antennas can establish angular diversity to cope with uncertainties in wireless channels. These systems also have improved bandwidth utilization and energy conservation. From our experiments, the degradations of the link quality under the fading channel are observed, and the proposed angular diversity increases the mean received signal strength, reduces the variance of the received power, and decreases the threshold-level crossing rate. Therefore, with a simple switching network and multiple directional antennas, the infrastructure of the wireless sensor network is enhanced.
Comparative Study of Various Genetic Distance Measures between Populations for the ABO Gene

Quantification of the genetic distance between populations is essential in many genetic research programs. Several formulae have been proposed for the estimation of the genetic distance between populations using gene frequency data. Nei’s D has been the most widely used genetic distance measure in different research programs. But the selection of a suitable measure to estimate genetic distance between real-world human populations is a very difficult task. The present study was undertaken to estimate the genetic distance between Barak Valley Muslims (BVM) and other twenty four nations with the ABO blood group gene frequency data using seven different formulae, as well as to estimate the correlation coefficients between distance measures and to work out the regression equations. Seven genetic distance measures namely Nei’s D, Nei’s Nm, La, Nei’s Da, Dc, Re and Nei’s Ne were calculated between BVM and other 24 nations. Correlation coefficients of Nei’s D with other measures were determined to find out which other genetic distance measures were similar to Nei’s D. Linear regression equations of Nei’s D with other distance measures were determined. Nei’s D showed a highly significant (p=0.01) positive correlation with Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards chord distance Dc (0.90), Reynolds Re (0.90), Nei’s Da (0.74) and Nei’s Ne (0.63) but a negative correlation with Nei’s Nm and La. Since Nei’s D had very high positive correlation with Dc and Re distance measures, any one of these measures could be reliably used in genetic analysis instead of all the three measures for estimating genetic distance between populations.
Evaluation of Preemptive Valdecoxib Therapy on Initial Archwire Placement Discomfort in Adults

Abstract The purpose of this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled prospective clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of preemptive and postoperative administration of valdecoxib in reducing discomfort caused by initial archwire placement in adults. A total of 56 orthodontic patients aged 18–54 years who were to begin treatment were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) placebo, (2) those who received preemptive valdecoxib 40 mg at least 30 minutes before initial archwire placement, or (3) those who received postoperative valdecoxib 40 mg two hours after initial archwire placement. Patients in the active treatment groups also received continuous valdecoxib therapy for an additional 48 hours. Discomfort levels were recorded on a visual analog scale at zero, two, six, 24, and 48 hours after initial archwire placement. At baseline, no significant differences were detected between the three groups. In the preemptive valdecoxib group, there was no significant increase (P > .05) in discomfo...
The Eurozone’s Future: Is There a Difference between “North” and “South”?

After several years of difficulties, Eurozone’s recovery appears to be underway. However, the ongoing recovery tends to exacerbate the North-South differences. Although the policy measures restored the nominal convergence, the key to the Euro preservation, the continuing real divergencies posed a threat to political social stabilities of some countries. The answer is sought in the structural convergence policies. Those are just beginning, but the issues of political and social histories, together with economic inequalities and transfer problems, loom large. Structural convergence may be the “savior” of the common currency but its realization will be as hard and controversial as many steps taken in the past.
Mercury in gypsum produced from flue gas desulfurization

Abstract Wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technologies used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) from combustion gases can be effective in capturing oxidized mercury (Hg). Depending on the FGD process, a large portion of this Hg may be incorporated into the FGD slurry and its solid byproducts including synthetic gypsum, a material commonly used in the manufacturing of wallboard. The potential for atmospheric and groundwater releases of Hg arises during the manufacturing processes, during the preparation and use of the manufactured products, and eventually upon disposal of the wallboard or other products. In this paper, the fate and mobility of Hg in FGD products and process streams were investigated. Experimental approaches, including leaching studies and size separation techniques, were used to investigate products including FGD-outlet slurry and wallboard production line samples. Results of the experiments reported here indicate that, in a number of cases, Hg mobility is limited. Further, the agent responsible for the immobilization appears to be not the finer particles of gypsum itself but an iron-rich phase, such as iron coated clay minerals or iron oxide/hydroxide particles, probably introduced with the limestone used to form the SO 2 -capture reagent.
Achieving masculinity through sexual predation: the case of hogging

Hegemonic masculinity in the contemporary United States involves control, domination, competition, aggression, and the devaluing of women. Hogging, a practice whereby men seek out women they deem unattractive or fat for sexual purposes, has been largely overlooked by scholars. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to explore hogging from a sociology of masculinities perspective. Interviews and content analyses were conducted to learn about why men hog and what they are able to achieve from this behavior. These data indicate that most men who participate in this behavior are concerned with how hogging affects their relationships with their male peers. Men who hog achieve status in their peer groups by gaining sexual access to women they see as ‘easy’. Even men who do not engage in sexual activity gain from the sexual encounters of their peers, by either participating in ‘bets’ or being entertained by the stories their peers tell them about hogging. Hogging, then, is less about the encounters with ...
Myology of the Pharyngoesophageal Segment: Gross Anatomic and Histologic Characteristics†

Although numerous studies have been performed on the function and dysfunction of the pharyngoesophageal segment, few studies have investigated features of the musculature in this area. Thus, the purpose of this study was to systematically examine the structure (gross anatomy and histology) in this area and to relate these findings to the functions of the pharyngoesophageal segment. Twenty-one autopsy and surgery patients underwent careful measurement and observation of 1. the vertical (cephalad-caudad) height of the cricopharyngeus muscle (CP); 2. the presence or absence of Killian's dehiscence; and 3. the separation or blending of the CP with the upper esophageal circular muscles. Of the 21 subjects, muscle specimens were removed from 8 (4 autopsy, 4 surgical) to include a muscle strip from the upper esophageal circular muscles, CP, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor and submitted to a battery of histological and histochemical tests. Gross anatomic measurements of the vertical height of the CP were substantially longer than those reported elsewhere. Killian's dehiscence was shown to be present in fewer than one third of the specimens. Histology of these muscles also showed significant differences from the muscles discussed in other published reports, particularly when fresh and autopsy material were compared. These specialized muscles, therefore, require further detailed study.
TELOC: A simulation model of the effects of lead on corn (Zea maize) growth

Abstract The simulation model TELOC has been developed to estimate the potential reduction in corn grain yield caused by soil lead. The model uses local weather data to estimate plant uptake of lead, photosynthesis of growth. The rate of photosynthesis begins to decline at 175 ppm Pb in the leaves. If the rate of photosynthesis is sufficiently reduced the carbohydrate reserves will be insufficient to meet growth demands and potential grain yield will decline. TELOC was developed to generalize across soils so that a variety of soil—lead combinations may be investigated. In addition to local weather data, a dry weight estimate of soil Pb and the parameters controlling Pb sorption by the soil must be furnished for a simulation. The model was written to be as versatile as possible. With minor changes of the code, the impact of pollutants that reduce the rate of photosynthesis may be investigated.
The Microevolution of V1r Vomeronasal Receptor Genes in Mice

Vomeronasal sensitivity is important for detecting intraspecific pheromonal cues as well as environmental odorants and is involved in mating, social interaction, and other daily activities of many vertebrates. Two large families of seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors, V1rs and V2rs, bind to various ligands to initiate vomeronasal signal transduction. Although the macroevolution of V1r and V2r genes has been well characterized throughout vertebrates, especially mammals, little is known about their microevolutionary patterns, which hampers a clear understanding of the evolutionary forces behind the rapid evolutionary turnover of V1r and V2r genes and the great diversity in receptor repertoire across species. Furthermore, the role of divergent vomeronasal perception in enhancing premating isolation and maintaining species identity has not been evaluated. Here we sequenced 44 V1r genes and 25 presumably neutral noncoding regions in 14 wild-caught mice belonging to Mus musculus and M. domesticus, two closely related species with strong yet incomplete reproductive isolation. We found that nucleotide changes in V1rs are generally under weak purifying selection and that only ∼5% of V1rs may have been subject to positive selection that promotes nonsynonymous substitutions. Consistent with the low functional constraints on V1rs, 18 of the 44 V1rs have null alleles segregating in one or both species. Together, our results demonstrate that, despite occasional actions of positive selection, the evolution of V1rs is in a large part shaped by purifying selection and random drift. These findings have broad implications for understanding the driving forces of rapid gene turnovers that are often observed in the evolution of large gene families.
Optimized linear-phase filter banks for wavelet image coding

In this paper, we address the issue of designing a two- channel linear phase biorthogonal filter bank that maximizes the two most desired properties for the wavelet transform in image coding applications, namely, orthogonality and energy compaction. Proper cost functions are formulated for these two criteria and an efficient signal-adaptive optimization algorithm is proposed. Our algorithm is motivated by a number of interesting properties of the correlation matrix of typical image signals, and uses lifting operations to efficiently represent the degrees of freedom subject to perfect reconstruction conditions. In addition, it offers a successive tradeoff between our two optimization goals. Experimental results on the popular Daubechies 9-7 and 10-18 filter banks reveal that considerable improvements in terms of both orthogonality and energy compaction can be achieved through the proposed optimization technique.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of hyperphenylalaninemia on polyphosphoinositides content of rat brain.

Hyperphnylalaninemia (experimental PKU) induced in developing rats by treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) plus phenylalanine (PHE) causes a significant reduction in the triphosphoinositide (TPI) and diphosphoinositide (DPI) content of brain. Since TPI and DPI play an important role in excitable nervous membranes, the functional abnormality in experimental and perhaps in genetic PKU may be related to the reduction in TPI and DPI content.
Intimate partner violence and child maltreatment: overlapping risk

Studies of intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment (CM) have examined the association between IPV and physical abuse. Children in homes with IPV may also experience other forms of CM. The objective is to determine the prevalence of CM in homes with and without IPV using cross-sectional analysis of survey data of mothers with partners (n1⁄4 1,232). The Conflict Tactics Scale and Parent Child Conflict Tactics Scale were used to determine IPV, physical, psychological, sexual abuse, and neglect. Mothers reporting IPV (either man to woman or woman to man) report 2.57 times the odds of physical abuse compared to those not reporting IPV (95% CI 1.11–5.97). Moms reporting IPV report 2.04 times the odds of neglect. Those reporting IPV report 9.58 times the odds of psychological abuse (95% CI 4.27–21.49). Mothers reporting IPV report 4.90 times the odds of sexual abuse (95% CI 0.43–55.67). IPV is associated with all forms of CM in this sample. Providers of IPV services for women with children should also assess for all forms of child maltreatment. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 7:305–321 (2007)]
Does Motivational Interviewing Stages of Change Increase Treatment Retention among Persons Who Are Alcohol and Other Drug Dependent and HIV Infected

Motivational interviewing (MI) and stages of change are clinical and theoretical techniques receiving considerable attention in the alcohol and other drug treatment arena. An attempt was made to evaluate whether the theoretical perspectives behind MI and the transtheoretical stages of change model would increase treatment retention and completion with persons who are both alcohol and other drug dependent and HIV infected. A post-test design was used to test the potential of MI to increase the number of days in treatment and completion rates. Results showed that utilizing MI and the stages of change model did not increase the number of days in treatment, nor was there an increase in treatment completion. Findings suggest that those with multiple problems requiring an array of change stages to monitor may not benefit from this model.
Spatial effects on the stability of a food-limited moth population

Abstract Having obtained anomalous results in an attempt to continue the simulation study of moth-wasp interaction in Auslander, Oster and Huffaker (J. Franklin Inst. 297 , 345-375), attention was centered on the role of spatial heterogeneity in an environment with the moth (Anagasta kuhniella) alone. Because of the probable presence of chaotic components in the population behavior (random appearing behavior that is actually caused by deterministic influences), a statistically-based parameter sensitivity and parameter identification method was used. By defining a binary performance criterion that measured the ability of a model with a specific set of parameters to maintain a stable population, the importance of spatial heterogeneity was confirmed. In addition, the use of Monte-Carlo type simulation studies, combined with a binary performance criterion, was demonstrated to be effective for parameter identification and/or parameter sensitivity determination of at least some systems with chaotic or nearly chaotic behavior.
Sources of Atmospheric Moisture for the La Plata River Basin

AbstractThe La Plata River basin (LPRB) is the second largest basin of South America and extends over a highly populated and socioeconomically active region. In this study, the spatiotemporal variability of sources of moisture for the LPRB are quantified using an extended version of the Dynamic Recycling Model. Approximately 63% of mean annual precipitation over the LPRB comes from South America, including 23% from local LPRB sources and 20% from the southern Amazon. The remaining 37% comes mostly from the southern Pacific and tropical Atlantic Oceans. The LPRB depends largely on external sources during the dry winter season, when local evaporation reaches a minimum and moisture outflow increases. Variations in the transport of moisture from the Amazon to the LPRB depend more on variations of the atmospheric circulation than on evaporation, at both the monthly and daily time scale. In particular, weak atmospheric flow allows the accumulation of moisture over the Amazon basin, followed by an above-normal r...
Interactions of Pt single atoms with the vitreous silica surface; Adsorption and thermal accommodation

Abstract The interaction of platinum single atoms with a pristine vitreous silica substrate was investigated using a molecular dynamics computer simulation technique. The simulation involved a combination of a modified Born-Mayer-Huggins potential and a simple Lennard-Jones (12-6) potential. The parameters used were those established previously for applicability to this system. The Pt adatoms were deposited on substrates held at various temperatures (300–1500 K) as well as on a substrate with artificially immobilized atoms. This allowed a direct evaluation of the thermal accommodation process and its temperature dependence, as well as the overall effect of substrate relaxations on the behavior of the Pt adatoms. The simulations showed rapid thermal accommodation of the Pt adatoms on the 300 K substrates, whereas this effect was lessened considerably on the heated (1500 K) substrates. The inefficient accommodation of the hotter substrate resulted in penetration of the Pt into the subsurface region of the film. In those runs where the substrate atoms were held immobilized, the behavior of the Pt adatoms was significantly different.
Sensitivity to conversational deviance in right-hemisphere-damaged patients

To participate meaningfully in conversation, speakers must be sensitive to statements which advance and those which block the direction of a discourse. The effect of right-hemisphere damage (RHD) on sensitivity to conversational advancers and blockers was investigated by asking subjects to interpret normal conversations and conversations which were blocked by violations of Gricean maxims: specifically, tangential and redundant statements. Results indicate that RHD patients function normally in canonical, directed conversation. However, they have difficulty interpreting and judging the effect of blocking statements, particularly with regard to tangentiality. The results are discussed in terms of a mental model of directed conversation which incorporates both structural and affective components.
Pathological effects of Urosporidium (Haplosporida) infection in microphallid metacercariae

Extensive pathological changes occur in Megalophallus metacercariae as a result of natural infections by the haplosporidan hyperparasite Urosporidium crescens. Infected and uninfected metaceriae, recovered from blue crabs from Chincoteague Bay, Maryland, were examined and compared histologically in regard to condition of metacercarial cyst wall, tegument, and specialized parenchymal cells. Changes from normal found in heavily infected metacercariae were (1) suppression and replacement of possible secretory and parenchymal cells by the hyperparasite, (2) lack of reticulin stromata, polysaccharides, and acid mucopolysaccharides, (3) reduction in thickness of cyst wall, tegumental, and connective tissue structures, and (4) loss of mobility and resistance to mechanical pressures. Though severe pathological changes occur in heavily infected metacercariae, most infected metacercariae remain viable within the blue crab and thereby serve as a vector for Urosporidium until the death of the blue crab. At the time of the crab's death and disorganization, infected metacercariae rupture and release spores of the hyperparasite.
Conditional Projection: How Own Evaluations Impact Beliefs about Others Whose Choices Are Known

We study how a person’s evaluation of choice options influences her estimates of other people’s evaluations when their choices are known. People rely on the relation between their own evaluations and their final decision to make sense of others, projecting their evaluations of the corresponding options. A person’s liking of the option she chose between two alternatives influences her estimates of others’ liking of the option they chose, regardless of whether it matches her own choice. Likewise, her evaluation of the option she rejected affects her estimate of others’ evaluations of the option they rejected. Across four studies, we provide evidence of conditional projection in political and consumer decisions, using across-people differences in ratings of choice options, within-person changes in ratings, as well as manipulated differences in participants’ ratings. We demonstrate that existing accounts of projection would not directly predict our findings, and rule out other alternative explanations.
Fatal azide-induced cardiomyopathy presenting as acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Sodium azide (NaN 3 ) is a chemical preservative commonly found in bacteriostatic saline solutions. Seven previous fatal ingestions have been reported, all of which involved gram quantities of sodium azide salt. In this report, accidental ingestion of a solution containing 700 mg of azide caused fulminant toxic cardiomyopathy and death due to myocardial failure within 84 hours.
Review of "Microprogramming, by Norman Sondak and Efrem Mallach", Artech House, Dedham, Mass., 1977, ISBN 0-89006-064-9

Many of us will dismiss a book consisting of reprints as being a nice way for someone else to get his name on the cover. After all, each of the papers has appeared once already and we have no need to read through this collection of papers selected by someone else. If left up to us, we would have selected a better set of papers anyway, or possibly chosen one of the existing textbooks, over what the authors have given us.
Separation of complement‐dependent and lymphocytedependent cytotoxic activity in human sera

Two human sera having both complement-dependent and lymphocyte-dependent antibody activities (CDA, LDA) were applied to isoelectrofocusing columns. Maximum LDA activity for both sera was found focused at a higher pH than maximum CDA activity. The studies suggest that LDA molecules may exist without having complement-dependent activity.
Electronegativity: Atomic Charge and Core Ionization Energies

The atomic charges derived from the extended electronegativity function, which includes the influence of bonding, were examined. These atomic charges were found to conform to an intuitive notion of atomic charge at the intermolecular, interatomic, and electronic levels. In addition, a new model for the core ionization energy has been developed. This new model for the core ionization energy explicitly considers the various relaxation processes, and relates the core ionization energy to the electronegativity function and the atomic charges.
Hyperalimentation catheter passing into the spinal canal causing temporary paraplegia

A patient with a hyperalimentation catheter in the spinal canal is presented. This resulted in an extradural fluid mass and partial paraplegia that eventually cleared.
Evaluation of End Stage Heart Failure Patients on Inotropic Therapy in the Defibrillator Era

Purpose Inotropic therapy is currently viewed as deleterious and a last option for Stage D heart failure (HF). Previous studies evaluated patients on intravenous inotropic therapy prior to the AICD era with a high 6-month mortality. We evaluated duration of therapy and mortality in patients with an AICD on chronic inotropic therapy. Methods and Materials We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with NYHA class IV stage D HF who were discharged from the hospital on chronic inotropic therapy from June 2007 until November 2012. Inotropes that were analyzed included both Milrinone and Dobutamine. Patients without an AICD were excluded. Results There were 104 patients (53 palliative, 27 cardiac transplant and 24 left ventricular assist device (LVAD)) included; 82% were male and the average age at inotrope initiation was 64 years. The majority of patients (90%) were started on Milrinone. The mean duration of inotropic therapy was 169 days (range 2 - 1179 days). In each subgroup, the average duration of support was palliative 224 days (range 3 – 1179 days), cardiac transplant 135 days (range 2 – 838 days) and LVAD 74 days (range 14 – 741 days). In the palliative group, there were 30 deaths and 10 were weaned from inotropes. Kaplan Meier curve reveals an initial early mortality and then stabilizes thereafter Figure 1 . The mean survival time was 407 days (SEM 72d) on palliative inotropes; 70% (37/53) of patients survived >60 days and their average duration of support increased to 305 days. No deaths were noted in patients awaiting LVAD or transplant. There were no sudden deaths. Conclusions In patients with Stage D HF, chronic inotropic therapy may be viable option as palliation, bridge to LVAD and cardiac transplantation.
Assessing teacher performance in the classroom: Pattern analysis applied to interaction data

Abstract Numerous factors contribute in affecting classroom instruction, yet it is the teacher that is recognized as having the greatest influence on program success. But how is teacher effectiveness measured? On what standards is a teacher judged? Whatever the specific answers to these questions, one thing is certain: any system of teeacher evaluation requires a detailed description of teacher performance. This paper deals with a technique for examining teacher effectiveness as a function of behaviors exhibited in the classroom. The technique uses pattern analytic procedures applied to interaction data and provides detailed profiles of teacher behavior which are useful in training programs, research, and teacher assessment studies. Following discussion of the technique, selected data from a junior high school science assessment study are presented to illustrate the application of pattern analytic procedures.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Fermi-Acceleration Oscillator Under Different Excitations

In this paper, switchability and bifurcation of motions in a double excited Fermi acceleration oscillator is discussed using the theory of discontinuous dynamical systems. The two oscillators are chosen to have different excitation and parameters. The analytical conditions for motion switching in such a Fermi-oscillator are presented. Bifurcation scenario for periodic and chaotic motions is presented, and the analytical predictions of periodic motions are presented. Finally, different motions in such an oscillator are illustrated.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
One-Sided Nonparametric Comparison of Treatments with a Standard for Unequal Sample Sizes.

Abstract For the one-way ANOVA with equal sample sizes, Chakraborti and Gibbons (1991) developed some nonparametric tests and multiple comparison procedures to test the null hypothesis Ho: ξ1 = ξ2 = … = ξk = ξo, where ξi, is the median of the ith treatment and ξo is specified, against one-sided alternatives. In this article, the methodology is developed to extend this work to the more general case of a one-way ANOVA with unequal sample sizes.
Ultrasonic paramagnetic resonance of Pr3+:CaF2☆

Abstract Ultrasonic-paramagnetic-resonance investigations of the ground-state energy levels of praseodymium ions in CaF 2 are reported. A new resonance, not observed by previous EPR investigations, was observed at 9.0 GHz and 4.2°K and is attributed to Pr 3+ in sites of tetragonal symmetry.
School-Based Methylphenidate Placebo Protocols: Methodological and Practical Issues

Around 1990, psychologists and educators began to notice increasing use of methylphenidate by students. Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder by family physicians and pediatricians was most commonly based on brief behavioral descriptions by parents and, infrequently, by use of rating scales. At that time, the present researchers began to explore the development of a school-based, methodologically sound, and inexpensive method of assessing the efficacy of stimulant medications, which would ensure reasonable compliance by teachers, parents, and students in monitoring the effects of medications and placebos. This article focuses on the methodological issues involved in choosing instruments to monitor behavior, once a comprehensive evaluation has suggested trials on Ritalin. Case examples illustrate problems of teacher compliance in filling out measures, supplying adequate placebos, and obtaining physician cooperation, and with the practical issue of providing adequate data without overwhelming the time and resources of participants. Emerging school-based methodologies are discussed with recommendations for future efforts.
Prognostic Significance of Molecular Genetic Markers in Childhood Brain Tumors

Molecular genetic analysis of several common cancers has yielded information concerning their etiology and prognosis. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies showing consistent loss of specific DNA sequences in tumor tissue have identified genes, known as tumor suppressors, associated with the etiology of neoplasms of the adult colon, breast, lung, and brain. For several of these tumors, identifiable mutations of these genes in association with multiple chromosomal losses have been linked to a poor clinical outcome. Using RFLP and other techniques, we have determined that one or more tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 17p is involved in the etiology of both medulloblastoma and astrocytoma in children. Loss of chromosome 17p sequences is indicative of prognosis negative for these children. Molecular genetic data therefore supplement and in some cases surpass clinical criteria in predicting prognosis for these childhood tumors.
Synthesis and secretion of proteins in vitro by isolated epithelial strips from the proximal and distal vas deferens of the rat

Epithelial strips of rat vas deferens were isolated by a new technique and used to study differences in protein synthesis and secretion between morphologically defined segments of the vas deferens. The isolated strips were viable as judged by linear oxygen uptake over the incubation period and by preservation of structure. Epithelium from the proximal vas deferens incorporated more labelled amino acids into cytosolic (P less than 0.02) and incubation medium (P less than 0.01) proteins than did epithelium from distal vas deferens; this incorporation was inhibited by cycloheximide. Although some of the incubation medium proteins arose by leakage from damaged cells, specific protein secretion was indicated by differences in SDS-PAGE autoradiogram banding patterns and by differences in glycosylation between proteins in the incubation medium and those in the cytosol. Thus, the former contained more label from [14C]galactose incorporation than did cytosolic proteins (proximal: P less than 0.05; distal: P less than 0.005).
Current issues in hotel room rate discounting

Abstract This article discusses how an over supply of rooms, a weaker economy, and more widespread use of powerful computers are forcing hoteliers to increasingly use discounting as a marketing tool. An over supply of rooms and a weaker economy have combined to create a price sensitive buyer's market. The increased availability of powerful computers has accelerated the use of discounting by providing management with the information it needs to use discounting more effectively.
Permeabilities of coagulated cellulose acetate dialysis membranes

The diffusive flux of NaCl and the hydraulic flux of pure water through coagulated cellulose acetate membranes are examined. Coagulated cellulose acetate membranes (without densification by heat treatment or drying) possess higher permeability than what may be expected from the permeabilities of the dry polymer. Their overall hydraulic permeability (ultrafiltration rate of water) is greatly dependent upon the membrane casting conditions and the resulting asymmetry of the membrane. On the other hand, the asymmetry of a membrane does not play as great a role in the diffusive permeability of a solute. With homogeneous membranes, higher diffusive flux is always accompanied by higher hydraulic permeability. With asymmetric membranes, this is not always true. The diffusive permeability of NaCl and the hydraulic permeability of water through coagulated cellulose acetate membranes can be controlled nearly independently. Consequently, high diffusive (NaCl) permeability with low hydraulic water permeability and vice versa can be obtained by varying the casting conditions and also by partially saponifying the denser portion of the membrane.
Best Linear Unbiased Prediction of Order Statistics in Location and Scale Families

Abstract In many life testing, reliability and replacement policy situations, it is desirable to predict the time of future failures from times of the early failures in the same sample. Interval prediction in this setting has been treated by several authors. In this article, the authors give best linear unbiased (blu) point predictors of future failures when the underlying distribution is known up to location and scale. Analogous large sample procedures based on sample quantile theory are provided. The results are illustrated for the exponential and Pareto distributions.
Phenomenology, Metaphor, and Computer Documentation: A Move toward a More Self Conscious Approach in Technical Writing

Traditionally, technical writing has been characterized by impersonal, mechanical, objective prose. However, this attempt to deanthropomorphize reality must ultimately fail because science cannot escape metaphorical language. There is a move in technical writing today toward a personalized, sometimes called “friendly,” writing style which is strikingly evident in many computer textbooks and instructional manuals.
DNA DAMAGE INDUCED VIA 5,6-DIHYDROTHYMID-5-YL IN SINGLE-STRANDED OLIGONUCLEOTIDES

5,6-Dihydrothymid-5-yl (4) is generated via Norrish type I cleavage of isopropyl ketone 7. Ketone 7 was site specifically incorporated into chemically synthesized polythymidylates and an oligonucleotide containing all four native deoxyribonucleotides. No damage is induced in oligonucleotides containing 7 upon photolysis under anaerobic conditions. In the presence of O2, strand breaks and alkaline labile lesions are formed at the original site of 7, and at nucleotides adjacent to the 5‘-phosphate of 7. Kinetic isotope effect experiments reveal that direct strand scission at the thymidine adjacent to the 5‘-phosphate of 4 arises from C1‘ hydrogen atom abstraction. The observed KIE (∼3.9) is attributed to hydrogen atom abstraction from C1‘ by the peroxyl radical 35 derived from 4. Enzymatic end group analysis and measurement of free base release are consistent with a process involving C1‘ hydrogen atom abstraction. Cleavage experiments carried out in the presence of t-BuOH (1.05 M) and NaN3 (10 mM) indicate ...
Nucleotide substitutions and the evolution of duplicate genes.

This paper describes software created to search for and analyze pairs of duplicate genes within a genome. The process is based on a program that uses aligned amino acid sequences to generate a corresponding alignment of the underlying nucleotide sequences and perform a codon by codon comparison of the nucleotides. Observed numbers of nucleotide substitutions can be used to make inferences about the ages of gene duplication e vents and the effects of natural selection acting on duplicate genes.
Left ventricular torsional hysteresis in patients with hypertension: a global parameter for diastolic function

Background Torsion is an important determinant of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function. We hypothesized that the area within the torsion volume loop, called the torsional hysteresis (TH), may be an important parameter of diastolic function (DD). Methods 60 resistant hypertension (HTN) patients, 40 healthy controls were studied using cardiac MRI with tissue tagging. Volumetric and torsional parameters were evaluated.
A postmodernist critique of research interviewing

Since the emergence of qualitative research in education, research interviewing has been naively accepted as a reasonably straightforward method for gathering information. Even Lincoln and Guba's ground‐breaking postpositivist work, Naturalistic Inquiry (1985), largely treated interviewing in this manner. More recently, other postpositivists, such as Mishler (1986), have criticized the traditional approach to interviewing and suggested new ways to conduct and understand the research interview. But these latter postpositivists still retain thoroughly modernist assumptions that they embed in their reconstructions of research interviewing. This paper presents, in contrast, a postmodernist perspective that critiques both positivist and postpositivist characterizations of interviewing. This paper also shows how one aspect of interviewing – the power relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee — might be reconceptualized within a postmodernist perspective. The paper ends with a call for appreciatio...
Color changes of composites on exposure to various energy sources.

Abstract The color stability of composites, on exposure to irradiation (1) by a 150 klux xenon lamp, (2) a standard RS light source and (3) at elevated temperature at 60°C, in air or water and under different experimental conditions was determined for various times. Composites studied included chemically and light cured hybrid and microfilled resins and a material copolymerized by light and chemical aftercure. Color changes of composites intensified on increasing the irradiation time. Exposure to the 2 light sources under similar conditions gave comparable results. Visible light cured materials studied were more color stable than 2 common chemically cured composites. Light shades yielded more visible color changes than dark shades of the same brand. There was a significantly more severe discoloration of composites kept in water at 60°C than for those stored in air. Comparison with results in 2 clinical studies of color changes, using 2 of the chemically cured composites investigated here, indicates that these 2 restoratives, which pass the ANSI/ADA or ISO specification tests, discolor in clinical use after 2–3 years.
Perspectives from a Varied Career

wish that I could say, along with my fellow past presidents of the society, that my so-called career focused on one particular aspect of psychological anthropology. Alas, I have been about as single-minded as a hungry butterfly. I began with a study of values, then followed that with a book on the power of ecological factors to shape values and psychological attributes, as a part of a large four-society study in East Africa directed by Wally Goldschmidt, my mentor and friend. After that, I helped to write a book about how people's "drunken comportment" is more a function of cultural understanding than "cortical disinhibition." This was followed by some work on "social order," the first book being a study of how such a thing could be brought about on a very dangerous urban beach; the second was a more theoretical book about rules, exceptions, and social order. Next came some textbooks about deviant behavior and a number of other articles on the subject. I also published several things on transcultural psychiatry. Time passed and I became interested, as I had been earlier in my life, in African resistance to colonialism. I wrote a trilogy of books, the first about the British invasion of Zululand in 1876, the second about the Mau Mau rebellion in recent times in Kenya, and the third on the resistance of the Asante of Ghana to British rule throughout the 19th century. Some five years ago, I wrote a book called Sick Societies (1992) in which I argued that the concepts of cultural relativism and cultural determinism had outlived their earlier usefulness, insisting that some traditional beliefs and practices were actually maladaptive, and suggested that an "evaluative" anthropology was needed instead of one that regarded all such practices with respect. As part of this line of thought, I next wrote a book (1997) about the inexplicable transformation of Japan's military from the most chivalrous and kind in the world during its wars from 1860 to 1914, to some of the most bestial war criminals of our time during World War II (Western counter-crimes are also considered). Finally, there is a book (1999) about the amazing ability of people, at least 150 years ago during
p53-dependent G1 arrest and p53-independent apoptosis influence the radiobiologic response of glioblastoma

Abstract Purpose: Loss of the p53 tumor suppressor gene has been associated with tumor progression, disease relapse, poor respone to antineoplastic therapy, and poor prognosis in many malignancies. We have investigated the contribution of p53-mediated radiation-induced apoptosis and G 1 arrest to the well described radiation resistance of glioblastoma multiforme (GM) cells. Methods and Materials: Radiation survival in vitro was quantitated using linear quadratic and repair-saturation mathematical models. Isogenic derivatives of glioblastoma cells differing only in their p53 status were generated using a retroviral vector expressing a dominant negative mutant of p53. Radiation-induced apoptosis was assayed by Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase labeling technique, and chromatin morphology. Cells were synchronized in early G 1 phase and mitotic and labeling indices were measured. Results: Radiation-induced apoptosis of GM cells was independent of functional wild-type p53 (wt p53). Decreased susceptibility to radiation-induced apoptosis was associated with lower α values characterizing the shoulder of the clonogenic radiation survival curve. Using isogenic GM cells differing only in their p53 activity, we found that a p53-mediated function, radiation-induced G 1 arerst, could also influence the value of α and clonogenic radiation resistance. Inactivation of wt p53 function by a dominant negative mutant of p53 resulted in a significantly diminished α value with no alteration in cellular susceptibility to radiation-induced apoptosis. The clonal derivative U87-LUX.8 expressing a functional wt p53 had an α (Gy −1 ) value of 0.609, whereas the isogenic clonal derivative U87-175.4 lacking wt p53 function had an α (Gy − ) value of 0.175. Conclusion: We conclude that two distinct cellular responses to radiation, p53-independent apoptosis and p53-dependent G 1 -arrest, influence radiobiological parameters that characterize the radiation response of glioblastoma cells. Further understanding of the molecular basis of GM radiation resistance will lead to improvement in existing therapeutic modalities and to the development of novel treatment approaches.
Outpatient interstitial thermoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND. Hyperthermia enhances the cytocidal effect of ionizing radiation. Several pilot studies demonstrated that the combination of interstitial hyperthermia and interstitial radiotherapy (interstitial thermoradiotherapy) is safe and effective. However, these studies mainly utilized low dose rate brachytherapy, and therefore, required hospitalization. With the availability of median or high dose rate brachytherapy devices, we piloted a study to evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of interstitial thermoradiotherapy performed in an outpatient setting. METHODS. Between 1989 and 1993, 27 patients with a diagnosis of carcinoma of the head and neck region (n = 23), carcinoma of the breast (n = 3), or malignant melanoma (n = 1) received 1 or 2 sessions of interstitial thermoradiotherapy. Median patient age was 66 years (range : 37-83 years). Treatment consisted of 60 minutes of 915 MHz microwave interstitial hyperthermia, followed by iridium-192 seed implants, either by Micro-Selectron HDR (10-12 Gray [Gy] in 8.5-21 minutes) or high activity (5-8 mCi per seed) seeds (10-15 Gy in 2-4 hours). In addition to interstitial temperature measurements, a real-time thermal camera was used to monitor the surface temperature spatial distribution. Power supply and/or position of interstitial microwave applicators was adjusted when appropriate. All but one patient also received external beam irradiation prior to implants. RESULTS. Patients tolerated treatments well although 16 (59%) of them required analgesics during hyperthermia sessions. Skin blisters or ulcerations occurred in only 6 (22%), and all but 2 healed. Complete response occurred in 24 patients (89%), partial in 3 (11%). With a median follow up of 16 months (range : 3-43 months), the 2-year actuarial local control rate was 74%. CONCLUSIONS. The results of this study indicate that outpatient interstitial thermoradiotherapy is convenient, safe, and efficacious for treating human neoplasms.
High-Performance Polyquinolines with Pendent High-Temperature Chromophores for Second-Order Nonlinear Optics

A series of high-temperature and chemically stable chromophores were covalently attached onto the polyquinoline backbones. These NLO side-chain polyquinolines possess high glass transition temperat...
Tuning the Adsorption Interactions of Imidazole Derivatives with Specific Metal Cations

In this work, we report a computational study of the interactions between metal cations and imidazole derivatives in the gas phase. We first performed a systematic assessment of various density functionals and basis sets for predicting the binding energies between metal cations and the imidazoles. We find that the M11L functional in combination with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set provides the best compromise between accuracy and computational cost with our metal···imidazole complexes. We then evaluated the binding of a series of metal cations, including Li+, Na+, K+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Ba2+, Hg2+, and Pb2+, with several substituted imidazole derivatives. We find that electron-donating groups increase the metal-binding energy, whereas electron-withdrawing groups decrease the metal-binding energy. Furthermore, the binding energy trends can be rationalized by the hardness of the metal cations and imidazole derivatives, providing a quick way to estimate the metal···imidazole binding strength. This ins...
Endotherapy for Organized Pancreatic Necrosis: Perspectives After 20 Years

It has been nearly 20 years since the first peroral endoscopic necrosectomy was performed for patients with pancreatitis. We have since increased our understanding of pancreatitis, and the nomenclature has changed to define disease in which necrosis becomes organized (called "walled-off"). Endoscopic approaches to evaluate and treat pancreatitis have progressed from making small transmural tracts for irrigation to making large tracts, which allow the endoscope to move directly into necrotic cavities and perform endoscopic necrosectomy. The purpose of endoscopic debridement is to irrigate and/or remove areas of necrosis. Collaboration between therapeutic endoscopists and interventional radiologists has led to a combined approach to organized pancreatic necrosis. We discuss the history of peroral endoscopic treatment of organized (walled-off) pancreatic necrosis and current endoscopic approaches to therapy.
Management of the Calcified Aorta: An Alternative Method of Occlusion

Clamping an atherosclerotic aorta during a cardiac operation exposes the patient to the risk of embolization of atherosclerotic debris. A method of internal occlusion using a Foley catheter is described that minimizes both trauma to the aorta and the associated risks of embolization.