cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Welfare Effects of Targeted Export Subsidies: A General Equilibrium Approach

A three-country model of export subsidies is developed with an exporter, an importer, and a neutral country which can act on either side of the market. When the neutral country is an exporter, the country offering a targeted export subsidy always suffers a welfare loss. However, when the neutral country is an importer, the possibility of a paradoxical result—that the subsidizing country can gain and the subsidized country can lose—is shown to exist, and the conditions under which this result occurs are derived. The model fails to provide justification (on national welfare grounds) for widespread use of targeted export subsidies such as the export enhancement program.
Effect of hypoxic hypoxia and carbon monoxide on food intake, water intake, and body weight in two strains of rats.

Abstract Two different strains of rats were exposed for 24 hours to three levels of hypoxic hypoxia: 16% oxygen, 14% oxygen, and 10% oxygen, and three levels of carbon monoxide: 250 ppm, 500 ppm, and 1000 ppm. Both strains of rats showed decreases in food intake, water intake, and weight gain that were directly related to the degree of hypoxia or carbon monoxide exposure. These results demonstrate the importance of considering nutritional alterations in biochemical studies of prolonged exposure to hypoxia or carbon monoxide.
Exact Two-Dimensional Integration inside Quadrilateral Boundaries

This paper shows how shift, add, scale, and multiply operations on a few small matrices can compute the integral of any 2D polynomial ƒ(x, y) within any specified quadrilateral boundaries, including nonconvex chevrons, bow-ties, and triangles. For applications such as antialiased rendering, compositing, anisotropic texture filtering, and high-contrast imagery, such quad-bounded integrals are usually approximated by sampling or dicing into small fragments, but the method presented here is exact. It may be suitable for hardware implementation, but is practical only for low-degree polynomials (e.g., N,M < 5) due to machine-precision limits and high cost O(N 3 M 3). Sample C++ source code is provided online. Extending the same method to tensors may be useful for higher-dimensional polynomials within a limited class of curved boundaries as well.
Rule-Based Generation of Thermochemical Routes to Biomass Conversion

Biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals involves a multitude of oxygen-containing compounds and thermochemical reaction routes. A detailed elucidation of the process chemistry is, thus, a key ste...
Effect of corticosteroid on porcine leukocytes: Age-related effects of corticosteroid inhibition on porcine lymphocyte responses to mitogens

The effects of prednisolone sodium succinate on the responses of porcine lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were investigated. Sensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to the synthetic glucocorticoid, prednisolone, was related to age of the lymphocyte donor. The greatest sensitivity was found in PBL from animals less than one week old; PBL from animals between 2 to 4 months retained some glucocorticoid sensitive cells; whereas, PBL from animals older than 6 months were exceptionally resistant to steroid. Similar age-associated sensitivities were found for lymphocytes from lymph node, spleen and thymus. Significant differential sensitivities among the various lymphoid organs were found with the thymic lymphocyte possessing the greatest sensitivity to steroid and the PBL lymph node and splenic lymphocytes possessing the highest resistance to the suppressive effects of steroid. The age related differences in sensitivity to steroid did not appear to be caused by differences in the number of steroid receptors because lymphocytes from susceptible and resistant animals had similar numbers of receptors. The results suggest that the age related sensitivity may be associated with a higher percentage of sensitive thymic-derived lymphocyte in the PBL, lymph node and spleen of the younger animals. Results of this study also suggest that the adult pig (6 months) should be classified as a steroid resistant species.
Acculturation, Premigration Traumatic Experiences, and Depression Among Vietnamese Americans

Summary This study investigated the role of acculturation as a potential mediator or moderator for premigration traumatic experiences (PTE) and depression. The mediator effect refers to an effect in which acculturation mediates the negative impact of PTE on depression. On the other hand, the moderator effect signifies an interaction effect in which acculturation buffers the impact of PTE on depression. In other words, the negative impact of PTE on depression is hypothesized to vary according to different levels of acculturation. These two competing hypotheses were tested in a community-based sample of 261 adult Vietnamese Americans aged 25 and over. The sample consisted of 48% males and 64% of the sample were married. The average length of residence in the U.S. was 7 years. Multiple regression analyses did not support the mediator effect of acculturation, but did support its moderator effect as a buffer of PTE. Specifically, PTE had a much stronger effect on depression among those with lower levels of acc...
GENETIC VARIATION OF ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE IN DROSOPHILIA MELANOGASTER.

A GROWING number of biochemical variations are at present being described in many organisms. When variations in proteins can be demonstrated to be under genetic control the interest and importance they hold are, to some degree, based on the background of genetic knowledge in the experimental organism. Drosophila melanogaster has recently provided knowledge of several inherited biochemical variations. The protein variations of Pantelouris and Duke1 and the variations in the esterases2,3, alkaline phosphatase4,5, leucine aminopeptidase6,7 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase8 are among the latest to be discovered.
The breeding season duration hypothesis: acute handling stress and total plasma concentrations of corticosterone and androgens in male and female striped plateau lizards (Sceloporus virgatus)

Acute glucocorticoid elevations can be adaptations to short-term stressors. The breeding season hypothesis predicts reduced glucocorticoid responsiveness to acute stressors in populations or species with short breeding seasons. The striped plateau lizard (Sceloporus virgatus) has a short breeding season in Arizona. We measured plasma corticosterone and total androgen levels (dihydrotestosterone and testosterone) following one of the four stress-handling treatments (0, 10, 60, or 180 min). In both sexes, longer handling stress yielded higher corticosterone; females had higher corticosterone than males at all time points. Androgens did not vary with handling duration, in either sex. Combining treatments, plasma androgens correlated positively with corticosterone (CORT) in females but not in males; plasma CORT and body mass residuals were negatively correlated in both sexes, suggesting lizards in poor body condition and/or not investing heavily in reproduction (follicle mass) have higher acute corticosterone. Total plasma androgens and body mass residuals were positively associated in males, but showed no association in females. The maximal CORT elevation after handling stress in this single-clutching species was of comparable magnitude to responses in related multi-clutching lizard species with longer breeding seasons. Using data from studies of multiple populations of three Sceloporus species, we found no relationship between the relative magnitude of the CORT increase and either latitude or elevation, two variables in the literature correlated with duration of the breeding season, and only weak relationships with geographic elevation and actual (not relative) stress-elevated CORT values in this multi-population comparison.
Damage of supercoiled DNA by an ultrafast laser-driven electron x-ray source

Using magnetic fields to differentiate the effects of electrons and x-rays, it was discovered that single strand breaks in supercoiled DNA were mainly caused by the energetic ultrafast electrons rather than the ultrafast x-ray photons emitted from the same table-top ultrafast x-ray source. At constant pulse energy of the driving laser pulses, shorter laser pulses produced more strand breaks than longer ones. This was attributed to the increased flux of electrons produced with the shorter laser pulses. Other factors contributing to the DNA damage were investigated and discussed.
Oxidized LDL: Diversity, Patterns of Recognition, and Pathophysiology

Oxidative modification of LDL is known to elicit an array of pro-atherogenic responses, but it is generally underappreciated that oxidized LDL (OxLDL) exists in multiple forms, characterized by different degrees of oxidation and different mixtures of bioactive components. The variable effects of OxLDL reported in the literature can be attributed in large part to the heterogeneous nature of the preparations employed. In this review, we first describe the various subclasses and molecular composition of OxLDL, including the variety of minimally modified LDL preparations. We then describe multiple receptors that recognize various species of OxLDL and discuss the mechanisms responsible for the recognition by specific receptors. Furthermore, we discuss the contentious issues such as the nature of OxLDL in vivo and the physiological oxidizing agents, whether oxidation of LDL is a prerequisite for atherogenesis, whether OxLDL is the major source of lipids in foam cells, whether in some cases it actually induces cholesterol depletion, and finally the Janus-like nature of OxLDL in having both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. Lastly, we extend our review to discuss the role of LDL oxidation in diseases other than atherosclerosis, including diabetes mellitus, and several autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus, anti-phospholipid syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Dislocation core structure in the B2 phase of Nb-40%Ti-15%Al

Abstract Dislocation cores in the B2 phase of Nb rich alloys in the Nb-Ti-Al system were simulated using the embedded atom method. The alloy composition examined is Nb-15Al-40Ti. The site occupancies, elastic constants and average relaxed APB energies in these ternary B2 intermetallics were determined previously and compare favorably to the experimental values. We simulated 1/2〈111〉 and 〈100〉 dislocations in various orientations of the dislocation line. The results were compared with the dislocation core structures that are typical of other B2 compounds. Although the values of the APB's that characterize this ternary alloy are relatively low, the 〈100〉 dislocations were not found to split spontaneously during the simulation into two 1/2〈111〉 partials. The structures observed for these dislocations are basically similar to those found in other B2 binary compounds. The main difference is that the core structures in the ternary compound tend to loose the well defined preference for certain crystallographic pines that is typical of binary B2 compounds.
Confronting the learning contract

This paper describes the results of exploratory research into learning contract planning at Empire State College, State University of New York. At Empire State College the learning contract is the academic process for organizing individualized study plans. A paradigm was designed for describing and analyzing conferences between mentors and their students which focused on the functional tasks of contract planning and the decision-making process. The environment that emerged is compatible with a student-centered philosophy. Case materials are included to illustrate elements of the learning contract process.
Convenient Chemical Symbols to Illustrate Electronic Excited States

Abstract The problem of poor comprehension of electronic spectra by chemistry students in upper level undergraduate classes is addressed by consistent application of vector addition to both spin and angular momentum. Using the upgraded box‐and‐arrow diagrams, both atomic and molecular electronic states may be described without the use of advanced mathematics. Simple chemical symbols and formulas are suggested for molecular excited states that complement the existing physical/mathematical notation. Elements of a suitable classroom presentation are presented.
Structural adaptation of an interacting non-native C-terminal helical extension revealed in the crystal structure of NAD+ synthetase from Bacillus anthracis.

The crystal structures of NH3-dependent NAD + synthetase from Bacillus anthracis as the apoenzyme (1.9 A˚ ), in complex with the natural catalytic products AMP and pyrophosphate (2.4 A˚ ) and in complex with the substrate analog adenosine 5 0 -(,-methylene)triphosphate (2.0 A˚ ) have been determined. NAD + synthetase catalyzes the last step in the biosynthesis of the vitally important cofactor NAD + .I n comparison to other NAD + synthetase crystal structures, the C-terminal His-tagged end of the apoenzyme adopts a novel helical conformation, causing significant compensatory changes in the region. The structural accommodations observed in B. anthracis NAD + synthetase are remarkable in the absence of adverse affects on enzyme activity. They also illustrate a rare example of the influence of a non-native C-terminal His-tag extension on the structure of a native protein. In contrast to the apoenzyme, when AMP and pyrophosphate or adenosine 5 0 -(,-methylene)triphosphate are bound, the C-terminus adopts a conformation that allows ATP binding and overall the structure then resembles other NAD + synthetase structures. The structures of NAD + synthetase complexes from B. anthracis are compared with published X-ray crystal structures of the enzyme from B. subtilis, Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori. These comparisons support the novel observation that P1 and P2 loop ordering is not a consequence of crystal contacts but rather a consequence of intrinsic intramolecular interactions within the ordered subunit.
Quality and Stability of Precut Mangos and Carambolas Subjected to High-Pressure Processing

Mangos were sliced, vacuum-sealed, and processed at 300 MPa or 600 MPa for 1 min. Fresh mango flavor declined and off-flavor increased during storage at 3 °C, but color, texture, and other sensory attributes changed very little. After 9 wk, the microbial levels in the control were 2 and 3 log CFU/mL greater than the 300 and 600 MPa treatments, respectively. Pressure treatments also slightly reduced fresh mango flavor and increased off-flavor and sweetness. Carambolas were sliced, vacuum-sealed, and processed at 600 MPa for 2, 4, or 6 min; at 800 MPa for 1, 3, or 5 min; or not treated. Samples were stored at 3 °C for 2 and 4 wk and color was evaluated after air exposure. All the 800 MPa treatments reduced browning compared to the control, but the 600 MPa was less effective. Les mangues et caramboles sont tranchees, emballees sous vide et traitees a haute pression.Les parametres de qualites sont observes lors de l'entreposage: flaveur, couleur, texture, et attributs sensoriels. La qualite microbiologique est egalement suivie. La pressurisation diminue la contamination des mangues, mais fait apparaitre des defauts de flaveur. Pour la carambole, la duree d'entreposage du fruit pressurise peut atteindre 4 semaines .
On the Existence of a Graphic Stage in Free Classification: Another Look:

Two studies were conducted for the primary purpose of determining whether young children construct collections with graphic properties. The stimuli used were geometric figures that differed on two or three dimensions. In the first study, a clear majority of 3-year-olds constructed graphic collections, whereas 5-and 7-year-olds constructed nongraphic collections predominately. Having subjects sort the objects into a small number of boxes had no discernible effect on subjects whose free collections were graphic in form, but this technique did facilitate production of higher-level collections among subjects whose free collections were nongraphic. In the second study, involving only 3-year-olds, graphic collections again predominated, replicating the initial results but with a larger set of stimulus objects. The present results conform closely to those of Inhelder and Piaget, which some previous research had questioned.
Mixture models, robustness and the weighted likelihood methodology

Problems associated with the analysis of data from a mixture of distributions include the presence of outliers in the sample, the fact that a component may not be well represented in the data, and the problem of biases that occur when the model is slightly misspecified. We study the performance of weighted likelihood in this context. The method produces estimates with low bias and mean squared error, and it is useful in that it unearths data substructures in the form of multiple roots. This in turn indicates multiple potential mixture model fits due to the presence of more components than originally specified in the model. To compute the weighted likelihood estimates, we use as starting values the method of moment estimates computed on bootstrap subsamples drawn from the data. We address a number of important practical issues involving bootstrap sample size selection, the role of starting values, and the behavior of the roots. The algorithm used to compute the weighted likelihood estimates is competitive with EM, and it is similar to EM when the components are not well separated. Moreover, we propose a new statistical stopping rule for the termination of the algorithm. An example and a small simulation study illustrate the above points.
Pore‐Water Extraction from Unsaturated Porous Media: Intermediate‐Scale Laboratory Experiments and Simulations

As a remedial approach, vacuum-induced pore-water extraction offers the possibility of contaminant and water removal from the vadose zone, which may be beneficial in reducing the flux of vadose zone contaminants to groundwater. Vadose zone water extraction is being considered at the Hanford Site in Washington State as a means to remove technetium-99 contamination from low permeability sediments with relatively high water contents. A series of intermediate-scale laboratory experiments have been conducted to improve the fundamental understanding and limitations of the technique. Column experiments were designed to investigate the relations between imposed suctions, water saturations, and water production. Flow cell experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of high-permeability layers and near-well compaction on pore-water extraction efficiency. Results show that water extraction from unsaturated systems can be achieved in low permeability sediments, provided that the initial water saturations are relatively high. The presence of a high-permeability layer decreased the yield, and compaction near the well screen had a limited effect on overall performance. In all experiments, large pressure gradients were observed near the extraction screen. Minimum requirements for water extraction include an imposed vacuum-induced suction larger than the initial sediment capillary pressure, in combination with a fully saturated seepage-face boundary.more » A numerical multiphase simulator with a coupled seepage-face boundary conditions was used to simulate the experiments. Reasonable matches were obtained between measured and simulated results for both water extraction and capillary pressures, suggesting that numerical simulations may be used as a design tool for field-scale applications of pore-water extraction.« less
United States Hospital Ships: A Proposal for Their Use in Humanitarian Missions

JUST after the turn of the century, the United States sent a large fleet of battleships around the world to signal its emergence as a global power. Known as the "Great White Fleet," it became a visible symbol of the strength of our military forces. This was gunboat diplomacy at its height, using naval forces to secure a political advantage.1As we move into the 21st century, we should consider using a "white fleet" again, but this time it should consist of the two hospital ships, the United States Naval Ship (USNS)Mercyand the USNSComfort. These two white ships, emblazoned with Red Cross symbols, carry a different message to the rest of the world— that the United States is a nation of caring people, concerned about the international community and willing to help those in need. While the primary mission of the hospital ships is to provide
REMOTE SENSORS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE

(1968). REMOTE SENSORS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 20, No. 6, pp. 371-375.
Prognosis of irradiated carcinoma of cervix uteri and nuclear DNA in cytologic postirradiation dysplasia.

The authors examined 222 cytologic specimens from 60 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, International Stages II and III, who were treated with radiation. When evidence of postirradiation dysplasia (PRD) was found, the nuclear DNA content of the dysplastic cells was measured by two- wavelength Feulgen microspectrophotometry, with 20 morphologically normal intermediate squamous cells used as controls. On the basis of these measurements, occurrences of PRD were classified as diploid, polyploid, or aneuploid. Types of PRD were correlated with 5-year rates of recurrence of disease. The incidence of PRD, especially of the aneuploid type, was significantly higher in women who died within 5 years. Six of seven women with cytologic evidence of the aneuploid type of PRD had recurrent disease within 2 years. The data suggest that microspectrophotometry of cytologic samples might contribute to early detection of recurrent malignant disease, especially in patients who show evidence of aneuploid postirradiation dysplasia. (auth)
An axiomatic characterization of the Watts poverty index

Abstract Although the first distribution-sensitive, decomposable poverty index, the Watts index has long been neglected by the profession even when it was searching for a decomposable index. This neglect is due partly to the lack of an axiomatic characterization for the Watts index. This paper adopts an axiomatic approach and complements the Watts index with such a characterization. Under a set of reasonable axioms, the Watts index is the unique index if a poverty index is perceived as the absolute amount of social welfare loss due to poverty. The Watts index is relatively easy to apply. It also satisfies all basic axioms for a good poverty index.
Absolute Cross Sections of Lithium and Other Alkali Metal Atoms for Ionization by Electrons

The absolute cross section for ionization by electron impact has been measured for lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium by a modulated-crossed-beam technique. The measurement for lithium is described in detail, inasmuch as it has never been previously measured. The cross sections for the other alkali metals are included and compared with prior measurements for reference.
Pricing education in the United States of America: responding to the needs of business

In the affluent 1960s and 1970s, consumers tended to be price insensitive. Business consequently placed a low priority on pricing, and marketing educators in the USA responded by stressing the non‐price elements of the marketing mix. As a result, when consumers became more price sensitive in the 1980s and 1990s, and business became more concerned about pricing, marketing was not involved. Now, however, marketing educators are beginning to respond to the renewed emphasis on price as a key component in consumers’ perceived value. A new study shows an increase from 4 to 13 percent of US marketing education programs now including a course in pricing; another 22 percent are interested in adding one within two years.
Cigarette smoking and pre-eclampsia: their association and effects on clinical outcomes.

Objective : To determine the effects of smoking on pre-eclampsia in an inner-city, predominantly African-American prenatal population. Methods : We performed a retrospective cohort study of all primigravidas who delivered singletons in our institution between 1980 and 1989. The study population consisted of 1862 smokers and 16 508 non-smokers. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to identify relationships between smoking and adverse outcomes. Results : The pre-eclampsia rate was significantly lower among smokers (11.3% vs. 13.0%, OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.99). Smokers with pre-eclampsia had higher rates of infants with low birth weight (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.26-1.65) and very low birth weight (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.55-2.20) and higher rates of placental abruption (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.65-7.28) compared to non-smoking pre-eclamptics. This relationship persisted after correction for age, race, chronic hypertension and pre-eclampsia as confounding variables. Conclusions : Cigarette smoking was as...
Infinite loop spaces with trivial Dyer-Lashof operations

Let p be any prime. It is well known that the modp Dyer-Lashof algebra acts trivially on the mod p homology of an Eilenberg-MacLane space. The main result of this paper is a converse of this fact. Specifically, it is shown that any connected infinite loop space with trivial action of the mod p Dyer-Lashof algebra is (localized at p) homotopy equivalent to a product of Eilenberg-MacLane spaces. It is then shown that this equivalence does not necessarily respect the infinite loop structures involved.
How Nasal Function Influences the Eyes, Ears, Sinuses, and Lungs

The nose is an integral part of the upper airway and the first contact of the body with inspired air. It is located in close proximity to several related airway structures that include the ears, paranasal sinuses, and eyes. It is also closely linked to the lower airway. Multiple lines of evidence support a close interaction and influence of the nose on these contiguous and distant organs via neural reflexes and systemic inflammatory processes. These interactions are reviewed in light of existing evidence.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Contributions to Seated Balance in the Sagittal and Coronal Planes: Implications for Trunk Control After Spinal Cord Injury

The contributions of intrinsic (passive) and extrinsic (active) properties of the human trunk, in terms of the simultaneous actions about the hip and spinal joints, to the control of sagittal and coronal seated balance were examined. Able-bodied (ABD) and spinal-cord-injured (SCI) volunteers sat on a moving platform which underwent small amplitude perturbations in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions while changes to trunk orientation were measured. A linear parametric model that related platform movement to trunk angle was fit to the experimental data by identifying model parameters in the time domain. The results showed that spinal cord injury leads to a systematic reduction in the extrinsic characteristics, while most of the intrinsic characteristics were rarely affected. In both SCI and ABD individuals, passive characteristics alone were not enough to maintain seated balance. Passive stiffness in the ML direction was almost 3 times that in the AP direction, making more extrinsic mechanisms necessary for balance in the latter direction. Proportional and derivative terms of the extrinsic model made the largest contribution to the overall output from the active system, implying that a simple proportional plus derivative (PD) controller structure will suffice for restoring seated balance after spinal cord injury.
Aromatic rigid chain copolymers. I. Synthesis, structure, and solubility of phenyl‐substituted para‐linked aromatic random copolyamides

Preparation et caracterisation de monomeres biphenylene-2,5 bifonctionnels et copolymerisation avec l'acide terephtalique et la p-phenylenediamine. Analyse des proprietes des copolyamides obtenus: solubilite, viscosite, comportement lyotropique. Relation entre la structure moleculaire des copolyamides et le point de fusion et la solubilite
Multiple environmental drivers structure plant traits at the community level in a pyrogenic ecosystem

Summary Trait-based approaches offer a way to predict changes in community structure along environmental gradients using measurable properties of individuals. Promoted as being generalizable across systems, trait-based approaches benefit from information about the environmental drivers of trait variation, how they interact and how they change with scale. However, for most diverse, natural communities, it is largely unknown whether the relationships between leaf-level traits and interacting environmental drivers (e.g. fire, water availability) are influenced by the scale of trait aggregation. We show that landscape-level differences in community composition in a diverse, fire-dependent pine savanna are explained by a small subset of species groups that are strongly correlated with soil moisture and elevation, but are insensitive to the time since the last fire. We used a trait-based approach to show that significant variation in the community-weighted mean (CWM) of specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC), two traits known to drive community structure and function, was explained by a small set of factors including the time since the last fire, soil moisture, precipitation and Shannon diversity. We show that statistical inference about the environmental drivers of community traits is radically altered when using CWMs computed with landscape-level rather than plot-level means, even over modest spatial scales. Synthesis: Environmental drivers of community composition across the landscape differed from those explaining trait composition. CWM traits were strongly influenced by interactions between drivers. Fire, in particular, strongly mediated the effect of other environmental variables on LDMC, showing that strong environmental gradients cannot be considered independently when assessing their effects on functional traits. The importance of environmental variables such as fire was lost when using landscape-level trait means, highlighting the importance of local trait variation. This suggests caution when using traits from distant populations to make inferences about local processes, especially across strong gradients.
The Personality of Amalarius

The first fleeting glimpse we have of the shadowy figure of Amalarius is one of him as a youth in the city of Tours at the monastic school of Saint Martin under the careful tuition of Alcuin, the most learned teacher in the Carolingian realm. The last we hear of him, many years later, is a bitter remark that by his words and books he had infected and corrupted almost all the churches within and beyond France and that his writings should have been destroyed after his death. Both the date and the place of the beginning and the end of his life are unknown, and even his full name is uncertain—some have called him Amalarius Fortunatas; others, Symphosius Amalarius. Yet this man, whom J.-K. Huysmans called “the most ancient of the liturgists,” played a vital role in the busy years of the first half of the ninth century.
Temozolomide and intravenous irinotecan for treatment of advanced Ewing sarcoma

Background Preclinical models show sequence-dependent synergy with the combination of temozolomide and irinotecan, and a Phase I trial has demonstrated the combination to be tolerable and active in children with relapsed solid tumors. Because responses were seen in patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) on that trial, additional patients were treated with this combination following study completion. Procedure We reviewed data from all ES patients treated with temozolomide and irinotecan at four institutions, including seven patients treated on the above Phase I trial. Results Sixteen patients received a total of 95 courses, with a median of five courses per patient. All patients had either progressive disease (PD) during initial therapy (n = 5) or relapse within 2 years of diagnosis (n = 11). Twelve patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis, including 5 with bone and/or marrow metastases. Patients received oral temozolomide 100 mg/m2/day on days 1–5 plus intravenous irinotecan 10–20 mg/m2/day on days 1–5 and 8–12, with courses repeated every 21–28 days. We observed 1 complete, 3 partial, and 3 minor responses in 14 evaluable patients, with a median duration of response of 30 weeks. Planned 21-day courses were tolerable and no more toxic than 28-day courses. Myelosuppression was minimal despite heavy pretreatment. Grade 3–4 diarrhea occurred in 11% of courses and was related to higher irinotecan doses. Over 600 irinotecan doses were administered uneventfully at home. Conclusions Temozolomide and protracted intravenous irinotecan given in 21-day courses was tolerable and active in patients with advanced ES. Home administration of irinotecan with temozolomide was safe and is reasonable palliative therapy. A formal Phase II study using a uniform dose and schedule is warranted to better define activity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:132–139. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fundamentals of fluxless soldering technology

Fluxless (flux-free) soldering technology deals with investigating and developing techniques and methods that can eliminate the use of fluxes in the soldering process. The fluxless feature in soldering processes has become increasing more important and received more attention from industries because there are more and more devices and products that cannot take fluxes in the soldering process. Examples are MEMS devices, sensor devices, biomedical devices, and photonic devices. In addition, in flip-chip soldering processes with very small gap between chips and substrates, flux residues are hard to clean out or are embedded in the underfills. The residues may reduce the reliability of the resulting flip-chip devices. There are two basic fluxless approaches that have been reported. The first is to use chemicals or RF plasma to convert or to remove the oxide layer that already exists. The existence of oxide layer is the reason why the flux is needed in nearly all soldering operations. The second approach is to remove the root cause, which is solder oxidation. This is accomplished by producing the solder materials in a non-oxidizing environment, followed immediately by capping the solder with a barrier layer that would prevent oxygen from penetrating into the solder layer. In this paper, we first present the root cause of needing fluxes in the soldering process. The fluxless processes dealing with oxides are summarized. The four fundamental steps of the oxidation prevention approach are reported. A fluxless process based on Sn-rich Sn-Au alloys is described as an example to illustrate the fluxless fundamentals. Results show that strong and nearly void-free joints can indeed be produced using this new technology.
Integrated Placement and Skew Optimization for Rotary Clocking

The clock distribution network is a key component on any synchronous VLSI design. As technology moves into the nanometer era, innovative clocking techniques are required to solve the power dissipation and variability issues. Rotary clocking is a novel technique which employs unterminated rings formed by differential transmission lines to save power and reduce skew variability. Despite its appealing advantages, rotary clocking requires latch locations to match pre-designed clock skew on rotary clock rings. This requirement is a difficult chicken-and-egg problem which prevents its wide application. In this work, we proposed an integrated placement and skew scheduling methodology to break this hurdle, making rotary clocking compatible with practical design flows. A network flow based latch assignment algorithm and a cost-driven skew optimization algorithm are developed. Experiments show that our method can generate chip placements which satisfy the unique requirements of rotary clocks, without sacrificing design quality. By enabling concurrent clock network and placement design, our method can also be applied in other clocking methodologies as well
Efficacy and clinical safety of ramelteon: An evidence-based review

Ramelteon is a novel hypnotic compound that is FDA-approved for the treatment of sleep-onset difficulty. It is a melatonin 1/2 receptor agonist with rapid absorption, extensive first-pass metabolism and an elimination half-life of just over 1h. Clinical efficacy data indicate moderate efficacy in reduction of sleep latency in adults of all ages with chronic insomnia, with estimated effect sizes roughly comparable to other standard hypnotic agents. Objective studies show minimal increases in total sleep time and no significant impact on wake after sleep-onset or sleep-stage distribution. Subjective reports demonstrate comparable, if slightly smaller, improvements. The recommended dosage is 8mg but studies suggest a flat response across dosage ranges from 4 to 32mg. Safety data indicate no evidence of clinically significant next-day performance effects and a reasonably low side effect profile. Animal studies, and a single human study suggest low abuse potential. Single-blind run-out from clinical trials have demonstrated no evidence of rebound insomnia.
A review of methotrexate-associated hepatotoxicity

Methotrexate is effective not only in treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis but also various other disorders. The use of methotrexate has been somewhat limited by concerns regarding its adverse effects, including its potential for hepatotoxicity. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of methotrexate-associated hepatotoxicity, including risk factors, pathogenesis and recommendations for monitoring it by US, UK and European guidelines, as well as providing a brief overview of its mechanism of action and of high-dose methotrexate.
Clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of routine preoperative computed tomography scanning in patients with colon cancer.

Abstract Background The aims of this study were to assess the clinical utility of the practice of routine preoperative CT scanning and to determine its cost-effectiveness in colon cancer patients. Methods A 6-year database of colon cancer patients treated at a veterans affairs medical was reviewed to determine the influence of preoperative CT scanning on clinical management. Cost analysis involved comparison of the institutional cost of CT scanning with the cost savings provided by avoiding nontherapeutic operations. Results CT scans were obtained in 130 consecutive patients. CT scans provided information that was used in treatment planning in 43 (33%) patients and definitively altered the mode of treatment in 21 (16%) patients. The practice saved the institution $24,018 over 6 years. Conclusion Routine preoperative CT scanning definitively alters treatment in a small number of cases and is cost-effective.
The ability of a variety of polymerases to synthesize past site-specific cis-syn, trans-syn-II, (6-4), and Dewar photoproducts of thymidylyl- (3→5')- thymidine

The role of photoproduct structure, 3′ → 5′ exonuclease activity, and processivity on polynucleotide synthesis past photoproducts of thymidylyl-(3′ → 5′)-thymidine was investigated. Both Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase and 3′ → 5′ exonuclease-deficient (exo−) Vent polymerase were blocked by all photoproducts, whereas Taq polymerase could slowly bypass the cis-syn dimer. T7 RNA polymerase was able to bypass all the photoproducts in the order cis-syn> Dewar > (6-4) > trans-syn-II. Klenow fragment could not bypass any of the photoproducts, but an exo−mutant could bypass the cis-syn dimer to a greater extent than the others. Likewise T7 DNA polymerase, composed of the T7 gene 5 protein and Escherichia coli thioredoxin, was blocked by all the photoproducts, but the exo− mutant Sequenase 2.0 was able to bypass them all in the order cis-syn > Dewar > trans-syn-II > (6-4). No bypass occurred with an exo− gene 5 protein in the absence of the thioredoxin processivity factor. Bypass of the cis-syn andtrans-syn-II products by Sequenase 2.0 was essentially non-mutagenic, whereas about 20% dTMP was inserted opposite the 5′-T of the Dewar photoproduct. A mechanism involving a transient abasic site is proposed to account for the preferential incorporation of dAMP opposite the 3′-T of the photoproducts.
Using the Integrative Model to Explain How Exposure to Sexual Media Content Influences Adolescent Sexual Behavior

Published research demonstrates an association between exposure to media sexual content and a variety of sex-related outcomes for adolescents. What is not known is the mechanism through which sexual content produces this “media effect” on adolescent beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. Using the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction, this article uses data from a longitudinal study of adolescents ages 16 to 18 (N = 460) to determine how exposure to sexual media content influences sexual behavior. Path analysis and structural equation modeling demonstrated that intention to engage in sexual intercourse is determined by a combination of attitudes, normative pressure, and self-efficacy but that exposure to sexual media content only affects normative pressure beliefs. By applying the Integrative Model, we are able to identify which beliefs are influenced by exposure to media sex and improve the ability of health educators, researchers, and others to design effective messages for health communication campaig...
Total Synthesis of Peloruside A through Kinetic Lactonization and Relay Ring-Closing Metathesis Cyclization Reactions†

A convergent total synthesis of peloruside A (1) is described. The key strategic features are a diastereoselective lactonization to generate a C5-C9 valerolactone from the C2-symmetric ketone 4, which comprises C1–C9 of 1, and a relay ring closing metathesis (RRCM) reaction to produce a dehydrovalerolactone 20, which embodies C13–C19. A new isomer of 1, the valerolactone iso-peloruside A (iso-1), was identified.
A Class of Complex ICA Algorithms Based on the Kurtosis Cost Function

In this paper, we introduce a novel way of performing real-valued optimization in the complex domain. This framework enables a direct complex optimization technique when the cost function satisfies the Brandwood's independent analyticity condition. In particular, this technique has been used to derive three algorithms, namely, kurtosis maximization using gradient update (KM-G), kurtosis maximization using fixed-point update (KM-F), and kurtosis maximization using Newton update (KM-N), to perform the complex independent component analysis (ICA) based on the maximization of the complex kurtosis cost function. The derivation and related analysis of the three algorithms are performed in the complex domain without using any complex-real mapping for differentiation and optimization. A general complex Newton rule is also derived for developing the KM-N algorithm. The real conjugate gradient algorithm is extended to the complex domain similar to the derivation of complex Newton rule. The simulation results indicate that the fixed-point version (KM-F) and gradient version (KM-G) are superior to other similar algorithms when the sources include both circular and noncircular distributions and the dimension is relatively high.
Reproductive costs of heat shock protein in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Senescence may evolve when genes have antagonistic effects between early reproduction and later age-specific mortality. Although widely consistent with data of quantitative genetics, this model has yet to be validated with the identification of a specific locus presenting such trade-offs. The molecular chaperone hsp70 may be a candidate for such a gene. Heat induced expression of the Hsp70 protein in adults decreases rates of age-specific mortality during normal aging, while maternally experienced heat shock depresses the production of mature progeny. Here we show that maternal heat shock reduces the proportion of egg hatch but not the viability of successfully hatched offspring. To assess whether heat induced maternal expression of hsp70 causes reduced egg hatch, we measured the proportion of eggs that hatch from females engineered to overexpress hsp70 transgenes. We used the same transgenic strains that extend longevity upon hsp70 expression and found that Hsp70 is sufficient to suppress egg ha...
Learning to See: Perceiving as a Trans-disciplinary Habit of Mind

The first cognitive tool of perception is critical to all disciplines, spanning the arts and the sciences, language and politics, psychology and music, and more. We see it as a two-layered process, requiring both observing and imaging.
Adaptive Disturbance Tracking Control for Large Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines with Disturbance Estimator in Region II Operation

A new control problem called Disturbance Tracking Control (DTC), which arises in active control of variable speed horizontal axis wind turbines for electric power generation, was developed previously. Feedback control of a linear plant, which is persistently disturbed, must cause the plant output to track a linear function of the disturbance. This control theory is related to Tip Speed Ratio Tracking for wind turbines operating in Region II. The DTC approach was developed for fixed gain controllers where the parameters of the turbine are very well known. An adaptive version of the DTC Theory for turbines with poorly known parameters was developed previously. However, the adaptive DTC needs measurement of actual wind speed. In this paper we augmented a wind speed estimator and apply the theory to create an adaptive tip speed ratio tracking controller for a horizontal axis wind turbine generator based upon a model of the NREL Controls Advanced Research Turbine (CART).
Epidemiological Analysis on Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Schools in Futian District of Shenzhen in 2010

[Objective]To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of infectious disease outbreaks in schools in Futian district of Shenzhen in 2010,provide a scientific basis for effective prevention and control of outbreaks in schools.[Methods]The epidemic data of 46 infectious disease outbreaks in schools in Futian district in 2010 were collected,and were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method.[Results]In 2010,46 infectious disease outbreaks in schools were reported in Futian district,there were 375 patients, and the attack rate was 10. 38% . The main diseases were influenza,acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis and hand-foot-mouth disease. The outbreaks occurred mainly in primary schools.[Conclusion]The prevention and control of infectious disease should be strengthened in schools and nurseries. The system of early detection and early report should be implemented. It is necessary to carry out the classification prevention measures to control outbreaks.
Valence Bond Methods: The physics of ionic structures

The existence of many ionic structures in MCVB wave functions has often been criticized by some workers as being unphysical. This has been the case particularly when a covalent bond between like atoms is being represented. Nevertheless, we have seen in Chapter 2 that ionic structures contribute to electron delocalization in the H 2 molecule and would be expected to do likewise in all cases. Later in this chapter we will see that they can also be interpreted as contributions from ionic states of the constituent atoms. When the bond is between unlike atoms, it is to be expected that ionic structures in the wave function will also contribute to various electric moments, the dipole moment being the simplest. The amounts of these ionic structures in the wave functions will be determined by a sort of “balancing act” in the variation principle between the “diagonal” effects of the ionic state energies and the “off-diagonal” effect of the delocalization. In this chapter we will also focus on the dipole moment of molecules. With these, some of the most interesting phenomena are the molecules for which the electric moment is in the “wrong” direction insofar as the atomic electronegativities are concerned. CO is probably the most famous of these cases, but other molecules have even more striking disagreements. One of the larger is the simple diatomic BF. We will take up the question of the dipole moments of molecules like BF in Chapter 12.