cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An economic analysis of trial of labor after cesarean delivery.

AbstractObjective: Given that cesarean delivery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States and an important contributor to obstetric care costs, this analysis sought to examine maternal hospital costs associated with trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) versus repeat cesarean delivery (RCD).Methods: A national sample was used to identify women with singleton pregnancy who underwent either TOLAC or RCD from 2006 to 2012. Women with diagnoses that could confound cost via extended hospital length of stay prior to delivery were excluded. Other medical and obstetric covariates that could influence cost were included in an adjusted model.Results: A total of 485 247 women were identified, including 365 596 (75.3%) cesarean deliveries without labor, 41 988 (8.6%) successful and 77 663 (16.0%) unsuccessful TOLAC deliveries. The inflation-adjusted median costs in this cohort were $5512 for cesarean without labor, $4175 for successful TOLAC, $5166 for all TOLAC attempts,...
Dirhenium complexes that contain the ligand 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene (dppE). Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of Re2Cl4(μ-dppE)2

Abstract The dirhenium(II) compound Re2Cl4(μ-dppE)2 (1), where dppE=(Ph2P)2CCH2, which contains an electron-rich triple bond, has been prepared by the reaction of (n-Bu4N)2Re2Cl8 with CH3CO2Na and dppE in refluxing ethanol. Its reactivity towards CO alone, and CO in combination with XylNC and 2,5-Me2C6H3CN has been explored. The complexes Re2Cl4(μ-dppE)2(CO)2 (2) and [Re2Cl3(μ-dppE)2(CO)2(L)]O3SCF3, where L=CO (3), XylNC (4) or 2,5-Me2C6H3CN (5) have been isolated and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray crystallography. The complex trans-Re2(μ-O2CCH3)2Cl2(μ-dppE)2 (6) has been obtained by the reaction of Re2(μ-O2CCH3)4Cl2 with dppE. Crystal structure determinations on 1, 2, 4 and 6 reveal that the ReRe distances are 2.2448(5), 2.5748(5), 2.5767(5) and 2.2861(6) A, which are in accordance with ReRe bond orders of 3, 2, 2 and 3, respectively.
Chemotherapy-Associated Hepatotoxicity: Do We Need to Be Concerned?

Curative resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer is associated with improved overall survival rates, making complete resection the goal of therapy for many patients. The addition of newer, more active chemotherapeutic regimens has prolonged patient survival in those with advanced disease and increased the number of patients eligible for surgical therapy. However, concerns regarding chemotherapy-associated liver injury may have a negative impact on the ability to offer potentially curative therapy and may increase morbidity in some patients. Specific forms of liver injury have been associated with various chemotherapeutic regimens, including steatosis and steatohepatitis with prolonged fluorouracil and irinotecan therapy, and sinusoidal injury with oxaliplatin-based regimens. While the histologic association appears likely, the contribution of chemotherapy-associated hepatotoxicity to postoperative morbidity remains ill defined.
Incentive compatible control using iterative decomposition algorithms

The Dantzig-Wolfe Decomposition Algorithm (DWDA) is viewed as a resource allocation procedure for a multidivisional firm. An evaluation procedure is proposed that provides incentives in equilibrium for the divisional managers to follow the rules of the DWDA even though they are able to "cheat" in a manner that could not be detected. The evaluation procedure is based on a measure that is not simply an index of the division's "profit" contribution, but one incorporating the division's true opportunity cost to the firm. The evaluation procedure for the DWDA is a specific example of a general procedure for the incentive compatible control of large divisionalized organizations using iterative decomposition algorithms.
Design of high-performance integrated dimmable LED driver for high-brightness solid-state lighting applications

This paper presents a high-voltage buck-type dimmable LED driver for high-brightness solid-state lighting applications. A synchronous hysteretic current control (SHCC) scheme is developed to regulate the LED current with high accuracy under different input voltages and various numbers of output LEDs. With a low-power high-speed dynamic level shifter, the proposed HV gate driver achieves short propagation delays and enables high-frequency operation of the high-voltage SHCC LED driver with an on-chip high-side power pFET. Both peak and valley current sensors are also proposed for high-speed LED current monitoring. Without any power diode and sensing resistor in the power stage, the power efficiency of the proposed LED driver can be enhanced significantly. Implemented in a 0.35-µm HV-CMOS process, the proposed driver can take a high input voltage up to 50 V and deliver an average LED current of 1 A for 12 series-connected output LEDs with a maximum output power of about 46 W. When the input voltage changes from 15 to 50 V and the number of series-connected LEDs varies from 1 to 12, the proposed driver achieves peak power efficiency of 98.8 % and the average LED current error of <1.2 %. The proposed LED driver supports high operation frequency of up to 2.2 MHz and high PWM dimming frequency of 20 kHz with a wide duty ratio from 10 to 100 %. The proposed SHCC LED driver achieves significant improvements in power efficiency and current accuracy over state-of-the-art counterparts.
Urban planning and a Europe transformed: The landscape politics of scale in Valencia

Abstract This paper explores how urban planning in a European, regional capital—Valencia—is shaped by economic globalization and political restructuring. Employing the vocabulary and concepts of the emerging literature on scale, this paper examines how planning efforts—like Valencia’s massive new redevelopment project, the City of the Arts and Sciences—are driven by the wider “re-scaling” or “re-territorialization” of the European political economy. This is a case study that moves beyond abstract theorizations about scale to the complex details of planning strategy in a regional context. More, it argues that an analytical shift from abstract theory to the empirical detail of a European city reveals two basic points. First, the re-scaling of Europe is more contested locally than this literature would suggest, negotiated politically as planners attempt to “re-scale” urban spaces. Second, the planned re-scaling of the city is about more than just space, but is also about the cultural landscape . Planned efforts to transform cities like Valencia in the image of global capitalism or European integration must navigate these complex, cultural politics. Theories of European re-scaling must account for the cultural politics in which planning is embedded, since planners must surely do so.
The genetics of phenotypic plasticity. XI. Joint evolution of plasticity and dispersal rate

In a spatially heterogeneous environment, the rate at which individuals move among habitats affects whether selection favors phenotypic plasticity or genetic differentiation, with high dispersal rates favoring trait plasticity. Until now, in theoretical explorations of plasticity evolution, dispersal rate has been treated as a fixed, albeit probabilistic, characteristic of a population, raising the question of what happens when the propensity to disperse and trait plasticity are allowed to evolve jointly. We examined the effects of their joint evolution on selection for plasticity using an individual-based computer simulation model. In the model, the environment consisted of a linear gradient of 50 demes with dispersal occurring either before or after selection. Individuals consisted of loci whose phenotypic expression either are affected by the environment (plastic) or are not affected (nonplastic), plus a locus determining the propensity to disperse. When dispersal rate and trait plasticity evolve jointly, the system tends to dichotomous outcomes of either high trait plasticity and high dispersal, or low trait plasticity and low dispersal. The outcome strongly depended on starting conditions, with high trait plasticity and dispersal favored when the system started at high values for either trait plasticity or dispersal rate (or both). Adding a cost of plasticity tended to drive the system to genetic differentiation, although this effect also depended on initial conditions. Genetic linkage between trait plasticity loci and dispersal loci further enhanced this strong dichotomy in evolutionary outcomes. All of these effects depended on organismal life history pattern, and in particular whether selection occurred before or after dispersal. These results can explain why adaptive trait plasticity is less common than might be expected.
Production of fast deuterons and tritons in high-energy nuclear interactions

The production of fast deuterons and tritons by three primary beams of 6.2 GeV/c protons, 16.2 GeV/c pions and 28 GeV/c protons has been investigated in nuclear emulsion. The experimental results, for the production of deuterons and tritons in the momentum range of 1 to 5 GeV/c are presented and the possible mechanisms for their production are discussed.
Introduction: Strategic human resource management research in the 21st century

Abstract People are the primary source of competitive advantage. At the end of the day we bet on people, not strategies. Larry Bossidy, CEO, AlliedSignal.
Photon statistics of a free-electron laser

A fully quantized theory of the free-electron laser in the small-signal regime is presented which allows for a calculation of the photon statistics. For an initial vacuum, we find photon antibunching if the electron momentum is below resonance. We conjecture that, in general, the free-electron laser preserves coherent states only in the absence of gain.
Antibodies that recognize phosphodiester-linked α-N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate residues

Abstract An affinity chromatography procedure was developed for isolating antibodies that recognized phosphodiester-linked α- N -acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate (α-GlcNAc-1-P) residues. The affinity resin consisted of uridine-5′-diphospho-α-N-acetylglucosamine (UDPGlcNAc) conjugated to Sepharose. Antiserum prepared against Proteinase 1 from the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum was used as a source of the anti-α-GlcNAc-1-P antibodies. Immunoblot assays showed that the affinity-isolated antibodies recognized phosphoglycosylated subunits of Proteinase 1, and that UDPG1cNAc blocked this interaction.
Safe production model for small mines

Presented a “safe production model” that can be adopted by small mine operators to achieve their production targets safely and efficiently. The model consists of eight elements ranging from management commitment and leadership to safety account-ability and communication. The model is developed considering the mine operators’ resource limitations and the workers’ training needs. The study concludes with a summary of a sample survey that is conducted to validate the model and estimate a parameter for each mine and determine its position in the safe production scale.
Modulation of IL-12 p35 and p40 promoter activity by smokeless tobacco extract is associated with an effect upon activation of NF-κB but not IRF transcription factors

Abstract Interleukin (IL)-12 (p70), composed of p35 and p40 subunits, stimulates cellular immunity and inflammation. Stimulation of IL-12 production by smokeless tobacco extract (STE) could increase the chances of oral inflammatory disease. However, p40 forms homodimers and is part of IL-23 heterodimers. Expression of p35 and p40 in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-γ requires activation of nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) transcription factors. To determine the impact of STE on expression of p35 and p40, the activities of p35 and p40 promoter reporter plasmids in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with STE alone or in the presence of IFN-γ and LPS were assessed. In addition, nuclear localizations of NF-κB p50, p65 and IRF-1, -2 and -8 in RAW264.7 cells treated with STE were evaluated. The results show that STE alone stimulates p40 and p35 promoter activity and enhances IFN-γ-induced p40 and p35 promoter activity. In contrast, STE had no effect on LPS-induced p35 and p40 promoter activity and diminished IFN-γ/LPS-induced p35 promoter activity. STE had little effect upon nuclear localization of IRFs, but it stimulated nuclear localization of both NF-κB p50 and p65. STE also stimulated IFN-γ-induced activation of NF-κB p50 but reduced nuclear localization of IFN-γ- and IFN-γ/LPS-induced NF-κB p65. SN50, an inhibitor of NF-κB nuclear localization, significantly lowered STE-induced p35 and p40 promoter activity. These results suggest that STE stimulation of bioactive IL-12 production is correlated with its impact upon both p35 and p40 and can be attributed in part through an effect upon NF-κB p50 nuclear localization.
A systematic histological analysis of palm fruits VII. The Cyrtostachydinae (Arecaceae)

Abstract Essig, F. B. & L. Litten (Institute for Systematic Botany, Department of Biology, SCA 110, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620-5200, U.S.A.; essig@chuma1.cas.usf.edu). A systematic histological analysis of palm fruits VII. The Cyrtostachydinae (Arecaceae). Brittonia 56: 375– 379. 2004.—Fruit specimens representing five taxa of the genus Cyrtostachys were examined histologically in order to characterize the pericarp anatomy of the monogeneric subtribe Cyrtostachydinae (tribe Areceae, subfamily Arecoideae), as part of an ongoing survey of the family. The pericarp in this genus can be characterized by a combination of papillate epidermis, heavy layer of tanniniferous/ pigmented cells below the epidermis, a system of vascular bundles with thick fibrous sheaths with purely fibrous bundles frequently above and below, absence of brachysclereids, and a very thin sclerified locular epidermis. On the basis of pericarp structure alone, the genus might be most closely related to...
Evaluating a Country For Offshore Outsourcing: Software Development Providers in the Ukraine

Abstract IS outsourcing is increasingly viewed as a cost-effective and fast way to get access to highly skilled, scarce resources located abroad. Locations such as India and Ireland are recognized as established offshore outsourcing locations. When evaluating other countries as potential outsourcing locations, Western managers need to consider a wide range of factors. This article uses a published framework to evaluate the software industry within the Ukraine.
Genetic and biochemical analysis of the functional domains of yeast tRNA ligase.

Abstract Yeast tRNA ligase (Trl1) converts cleaved tRNA half-molecules into spliced tRNAs containing a 2′-PO4, 3′-5′ phosphodiester at the splice junction. Trl1 performs three reactions: (i) the 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate of the proximal fragment is hydrolyzed to a 3′-OH, 2′-PO4 by a cyclic phosphodiesterase (CPD); (ii) the 5′-OH of the distal fragment is phosphorylated by an NTP-dependent polynucleotide kinase; and (iii) the 3′-OH, 2′-PO4, and 5′-PO4 ends are sealed by an ATP-dependent RNA ligase. Trl1 consists of an N-terminal adenylyltransferase domain that resembles T4 RNA ligase 1, a central domain that resembles T4 polynucleotide kinase, and a C-terminal CPD domain that resembles the 2H phosphotransferase enzyme superfamily. Here we show that all three domains are essential in vivo, although they need not be linked in the same polypeptide. We identify five amino acids in the adenylyltransferase domain (Lys114, Glu266, Gly267, Lys284, and Lys286) that are essential for Trl1 activity and are located within motifs I (114KANG117), IV (266EGFVI270), and V (282FFKIK286) that comprise the active sites of DNA ligases, RNA capping enzymes, and T4 RNA ligases 1 and 2. Mutations K404A and T405A in the P-loop (401GXGKT405) of the central kinase-like domain had no effect on Trl1 function in vivo. The K404A and T405A mutations eliminated ATP-dependent kinase activity but preserved GTP-dependent kinase activity. A double alanine mutant in the P-loop was lethal in vivo and abolished GTP-dependent kinase activity. These results suggest that GTP is the physiological substrate and that the Trl1 kinase has a single NTP binding site of which the P-loop is a component. Two other mutations in the central domain were lethal in vivo and either abolished (D425A) or severely reduced (R511A) GTP-dependent RNA kinase activity in vitro. Mutations of the signature histidines of the CPD domain were either lethal (H777A) or conferred a ts growth phenotype (H673A).
Sexing adult Northern Shrikes using DNA, morphometrics, and plumage

Northern Shrikes {Lanius excubitor) are predatory songbirds found primarily in taiga regions throughout their Holarctic breeding range. The species is poorly known, especially in North America, and is generally thought to be sexually monomorphic. From 2004 to 2007, we captured 50 adults in northern Wisconsin during the nonbreeding season (December-March) and determined sex using DNA extracted from feather samples. Males had significantly longer wings, longer tails, and less black in the outer rectrix than females, but body mass did not differ between the sexes. A discriminant function equation using tail length and extent of black on the outer rectrix correctly assigned the sex of 97.4% of captured adults. Plumage dimorphism was also evident, with males having paler gray heads and backs without brown tones, whiter underparts with lighter barring, and a more distinct and horizontal border at the base of the sixth primary feather. The ability to accurately determine sex will provide opportunities to examine possible inter- and intrasexual differences in the behavior and ecology of adult Northern Shrikes. RESUMEN. El uso del ADN, morfometr?a y plumaje para sexar adultos de Lanius excubitor La especie Lanius excubitor es un depredador (Passeriformes) encontrado principalmente en las regiones del taiga a trav?s de su distribuci?n reproductiva en el Hol?rtico. Esta especie es poco conocida, especialmente en Norteam?rica, y es generalmente considerada sexualmente monom?rfico. Desde 2004-2007 capturamos a 50 adultos en el norte de Wisconsin durante la ?poca no-reproductiva (Dic-Mar) y determinamos el sexo usando ADN extra?do de muestras de las plumas. Los machos tuvieron alas significativamente mas largas, colas mas largas y menos negro en el retrice exterior que las hembras, pero no hubo una diferencia en el peso entre los sexos. Una ecuaci?n de funci?n discriminativa usando el largo de cola y la cantidad de negro en el retrice exterior pudo asignar correctamente el sexo de 97.4% de los adultos capturados. Un dimorfismo en el plumaje tambi?n era evidente, en la cual los machos tuvieron cabezas de color gris m?s p?lidas y espaldas sin tonos pardos, con m?s blanco por debajo y barras m?s leves por debajo. Los machos tambi?n tuvieron un borde a la base de la sexta primaria m?s distinta y horizontal. Nuestra habilidad de determinar precisamente el sexo proveer? oportunidades para examinar las posibles diferencias inter- y intrasexuales en el comportamiento y ecolog?a de Lanius excubitor.
Online Sources of Herbal Product Information

Herbal products are commonly used to treat clinical conditions and are often purchased online without the supervision of a healthcare provider. The use of herbals remains controversial because of widespread exaggerated claims of clinical efficacy and safety. We conducted an online search of 13 common herbals (including black cohosh, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, green tea, kava, saw palmetto, and St John's wort) and reviewed the top 50 Web sites for each using a Google search. We analyzed clinical claims, warnings, and other safety information. A total of 1179 Web sites were examined. Less than 8% of retail sites provided information regarding potential adverse effects, drug interactions, and other safety information; only 10.5% recommended consultation with a healthcare professional. Less than 3% cited scientific literature to accompany their claims. Key safety information is still lacking from many online sources of herbal information. Certain nonretail site types may be more reliable, but physicians and other healthcare professionals should be aware of the variable quality of these sites to help patients make more informed decisions.
Synthesis of the hydroazulene portion of guanacastepene A using a [2.3]sigmatropic sulfoxide rearrangement: observations on silyl enol ether electrophilic chemistry for the introduction of the C-13 hydroxyl group

The intermediate 6 can be converted into enone 13 using a [2.3]sigmatropic sulfoxide rearrangement as the key transformation. The C-13 hydroxylation of 13 was studied, and found to give 14 (epimeric to guanacastepene A). Examination of silyl enol ethers of 13 demonstrated the ready isomerization of the kinetic silyl enol ether into the more stable thermodynamic silyl enol ether under mild electrophilic reaction conditions.
Conductometric titration of acid montmorillonite suspensions

It was shown from the model for the clay particle given by the diffuse double layer theory that the neutralization branch of the conductometric neutralization curve of an acid clay suspension with a monovalent base would be linear, but with a divalent base it would be a curve with an increasing negative slope. This was experimentally confirmed for H-montmorillonite. Consideration of this fact and of the presence of aluminum in the acid clays shows that the cation exchange capacity of clay determined by conductometric titration would be the same for a divalent as for a monovalent base.
A remark on Markovian germ fields

The Markov property and the strong Markov property with respect to germ fields are discussed.
PARITY DOUBLETS IN QUARK PHYSICS

There are numerous examples of very nearly degenerate states of opposite parity in molecular physics. The ammonia maser is based on one such doublet.Theory shows that these parity doublets can occur if the nuclear shape in the molecule is reflection asymmetric because the time scales of the shape and the electronic cloud are well separated. Parity doublets occur in nuclear physics as well for odd A{approximately}219{endash}229. We discuss the theoretical foundation of these doublets and on that basis suggest that parity doublets should occur in particle physics too.In particular they should occur among baryons composed of cbu and cbd quarks. {copyright} {ital 1996} {ital The American Physical Society}
Cost-Effectiveness of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

In the context of the dramatic growth of health care, the costs associated with cardiovascular imaging have come under increasing scrutiny. Increasingly, the clinical use of cardiovascular imaging requires justification with respect to both its clinical value and cost-effectiveness. Indeed, the use of cardiovascular imaging has been questioned due to a lack of evidence that its inclusion in a testing strategy will result in enhanced patient benefit. To this end, we review the basic principles and methods of cost-effectiveness analyses as applied to cardiovascular imaging. Further, we review cost-effectiveness studies of cardiac MR imaging to determine the depth of available evidence supporting this modality.
Approaches to the study of urban ecosystems: The case of Central Arizona—Phoenix

CAP LTER focuses on an arid-land ecosystem profoundly influenced, even defined, by the presence and activities of humans and is one of only two LTER sites that specifically studies the ecology of an urban system. In this large-scale project, biological, physical, and social scientists are working together to study the structure and function of the urban ecosystem, to assess the effects of urban development on surrounding agricultural and desert lands, and to study the relationship and feedbacks between human decisions and ecological processes. Our interdisciplinary investigations into the relationship between land-use decisions and ecological consequences in the rapidly growing urban environment of Phoenix are of broad relevance for the study of social ecological systems and cites in particular. Refinements in our conceptual model of social ecological systems focuses our attention on recognizing the scales and periodicities of ecological and human phenomena, understanding the means and impacts of human control of variability in space and time, and finally an evaluation of the resilience of various aspects of socio-ecological systems especially their vulnerabilities and their potential for adaptive learning.
Conformational disorder enhances electron transfer through alkyl monolayers: ferrocene on conductive diamond.

We have investigated the electron-transfer kinetics of ferrocene groups covalently tethered to surfaces of conductive diamond electrodes. Electrochemical measurements show that the rates are only weakly dependent on chain length but are strongly dependent on the surface coverage; these observations are contrary to what is commonly observed for self-assembled monolayers on gold, pointing to important mechanistic differences in electron transfer processes on covalently bonded materials. Molecular dynamics simulations show that dependence on chain length and molecular density can be readily explained in terms of dynamic crowding effects. At low coverage, conformational flexibility of surface-tethered alkyl chains allows the redox-active ferrocene group to dynamically approach the diamond surface, leading to facile electron transfer for all surface molecules. As the coverage is increased, steric crowding causes the average ferrocene-to-surface distance to increase, decreasing the electron transfer rate. Even ...
Evolution in damage control for exsanguinating penetrating abdominal injury.

Objective: Damage control (DC) has proven valuable in exsanguinated patients. The purpose of this study was to quantify and qualify the impact of current damage control principles applied in a penetrating abdominal injury (PAI) population. Methods: Over a 3-year period (June 1997-May 2000), of 271 laparotomies for PAI, 24 patients underwent DC (8.9%). Demographics, injury grade, resuscitative and operative parameters, acid-base status, coagulation profiles, fluid/transfusion requirements, definitive repairs, abdominal closure, complications, and outcomes were reviewed. Data were compared with our DC experience a decade earlier. Fisher exact test was used for comparisons. Results: Overall survival improved for equivalent Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, TRISS, admission systolic blood pressure, operating room systolic blood pressure, and Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index score. Solids (1.2 vs. 1.3), hollow organ (1.5 vs. 1.7), and major vascular injuries (0.5 vs. 0.8) per patient remain unchanged. Currently, there was less hypothermia with equivalent operating room times. In intensive care unit survivors, acid-base status was similar but coagulopathy and hypothermia were less severe. Definitive colon management has shifted from ostomies to anastomoses. Eventual fascial closure occurred in 14 of 19 (74%) compared with 12 of 14 (86%) in the historical group. There were three gastrointestinal fistulae (one pancreatic), one anastomotic leak, and three intra-abdominal abscesses. Conclusion: Continued application of DC principles has led to improved survival with PAI. Better control of temperature, experience with the open abdomen, and intensive care unit care may be causative.
Capsid protein heterogeneity in turnip mosaic virus.

Abstract The effect of capsid protein heterogeneity on various virus properties in purified turnip mosaic virus was investigated. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) revealed three distinct capsid protein species, designated as fast form (MW 27,000), intermediate form (MW 29,000), slow form (MW 36,000). Virus with capsid protein in the fast or intermediate form sedimented about 12.3 S slower and had a buoyant density in CsCl about 0.01 g/cm 3 greater than slow-form capsid containing virus. Immunodiffusion tests in the presence of SDS revealed that slow-form capsid protein was serologically distinct from fast or intermediate capsid forms. Little effect was detected in ultraviolet-absorption spectra with virus containing either of the three capsid forms. Since capsid protein heterogeneity is a common occurrence in purified viruses of the potato Y group, the importance of defining the condition of the capsid protein in virus characterization studies is discussed.
Gene expression profile of leiomyoma and myometrium and the effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue therapy.

To determine the profile of differentially expressed genes in leiomyoma and matched unaffected myometrium and to identify the genes whose expression are altered after gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) therapy. Using total RNA isolated from untreated and GnRHa-treated leiomyoma and myometrium subjected to Clontech Atlas 1.2 K cancer microarray containing 1176 known genes, we found transcripts for many cytokines, growth factors and their receptors, adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix, proteases, signaling intermediates, and transcription factors in both tissues. Based on the overall normalization and reproducibility of the results, 328 differentially expressed and regulated genes with at least threefold change in their expression in untreated and GnRHa-treated tissues were chosen for further analysis. The expression value of the 328 genes subjected to significance analysis of microarray showed a total of 100 genes with relative significant change in expression. Of these genes, the expression of 18 was up-regulated and 82 down-regulated in untreated leiomyoma compared with myometrium. In GnRHa-treated tissues, the expression of 34 genes showed a significant decrease in leiomyoma, whereas 27 genes increased and 15 decreased in myometrium compared with their respective untreated tissues. There was no difference in the expressive profile of these genes when comparing leiomyoma and myometrium from the GnRHa-treated group. Hierarchical duster analysis revealed that these differentially expressed or regulated genes, classified based on their biologic functions, are involved in regulation of cell growth/cycle, signal transduction, transcription factors, and cell and tissue structure. Microarray analysis allowed us to identify the profile expression of several specific genes in leiomyoma and myometrium whose expression appears to be differentially regulated after GnRHa therapy.
The effect of growth regimen, heat shock and intracellular starch storage on the mating efficiency of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The mating efficiency of the non-photosynthetic mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii used in this study is low when gametogenesis is carried out using standard procedures. Alternative procedures were developed to increase mating efficiency of these strains. Gametogenesis of mutant strains is most efficient when vegetative cells are grown on TMAC-N plates for 48–72 h and then in TMAC-1 liquid overnight. One mutant which does not form gametes efficiently under this regimen can be induced to form gametes by exposure to heat-shock at 42·5 or 45°C. The mating efficiencies of starch-storing and starch-negative non-photosynthetic mutant strains were compared. The results show that the ability to store starch intracellularly does not dramatically influence the mating efficiency of the nonphotosynthetic mutant strains.
3 × 3 matrices with a flat portion on the boundary of the numerical range

The set of unitarily irreducible complex 3 × 3 matrices whose numerical range has a flat portion is explicitly described. It is proved that the set is connected, and real analytic properties of the set are studied. Connectedness of the sets of unitarily irreducible 3 × 3 matrices having two other possible shapes of their numerical ranges is proved as well.
(E)-2-Methyl-3-(2-methyl-2-nitrovinyl)-1H-indole and (E)-3-(2-methyl-2-nitrovinyl)-2-phenyl-1H-indole.

In the title compounds, C12H12N2O2, (I), and C17H14N2O2, (II), respectively, the indole rings are planar and the vinyl groups lie out of the indole planes, making dihedral angles of 33.48 (5) and 41.31 (8)°, respectively. In (II), the dihedral angle between the phenyl and indole ring planes is 32.06 (6)°. In both mol­ecules, the double bond connecting the methyl­nitro­vinyl group and the indole nucleus adopts an E configuration. Notwithstanding the differences in space group [C2/c for (I) and P212121 for (II)], the mode of packing of compounds (I) and (II) is determined by similar inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions, forming chains that run parallel to [101] in (I) and [001] in (II).
Extradimensional transfer in the discriminative learning of goldfish

In Experiment I, one group of goldfish (TD) was trained to discriminate blue and green while a second group (PD) was exposed to the same colors in a “pseudodiscrimination,” after which both groups were reinforced for response to a tone. The TD group subsequently showed a sharper auditory discrimination gradient than the PD group and performed better in a differentially reinforced tone discrimination. The former PD animals then were given true discrimination training and the former TD animals pseudodiscrimination training with the colors, after which the first group showed better tone discrimination than the second. These results are analogous to those found in pigeons and rats. In Experiment II, goldfish which were trained in an easy color discrimination and shifted to a more difficult tone discrimination performed better than a control group trained from the outset with the tones. This result suggests that the dimensional specificity of the processes responsible for “transfer along a continuum” cannot safely be assumed in the absence of appropriate controls.
Raman spectra and vibrational assignments of aluminum borohydride and some isotopic derivatives

Abstract Raman spectra of the compounds A1(B 11 H 4 ) 3 , A1(B 10 H 4 ) 3 , Al(B 11 D 4 ) 3 and A1(B 10 D 4 ) 3 have been obtained for the pure liquids,and the frequencies assigned with the help of polarization measurements and the infrared frequencies in the literature. Although the evidence cannot be considered entirely conclusive, the assignment appears to confirm the prismatic bridge structure.
Excessive weight gains in female rats with transections of the stria terminalis

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated hyperphagia and excessive weight gains in female rats with small lesions in the most posterodorsal aspects of the medial amygdala. In the present study, similar results were observed in female rats with bilateral transections of the stria terminalis just as it exits the amygdala to begin its dorsal ascent (mean weight gain of 35.9 g/20 days compared to 0.1 g/20 days for operated control animals). Cellular damage caused by the retractable wire knife was limited to the caudal globus pallidus. The results of previous studies that failed to observe weight gains after stria terminalis transections were attributed to the use of male animals. The present results, along with the pattern of anterograde degeneration that is observed after obesity-inducing amygdaloid lesions, suggest a medial amygdala–stria terminalis–medial hypothalamic pathway in the regulation of food intake and body weight, but other possibilities are considered.
Hemoglobin disorders: a look to the future.

In this issue of Blood , Locatelli et al compare the results of histocompatible family donor bone marrow and cord blood transplants (BMT and CBT) for severe β thalassemia (SBT) and sickle cell disease (SCD) as experienced by the Eurocord and European Blood and Marrow Transplantation group and
Clinical value of sensitivity determinations in treating urinary tract infections

The results of bacterial susceptibility testing in 2,413 urine specimens obtained from patients with urinary tract infections indicated that in a high percentage clinical response could be predicted without the need for antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Simply identifying the infecting organism will provide the clinician with enough information to treat most urinary tract infections intelligently. The relative effectiveness of antimicrobial agents to enable the proper selection of therapy in patients with urinary tract infections is discussed.
Further observations on the fine structure of Leydig cells in the testes of male pseudohermaphrodite rats.

Electron microscopic study of the cryptorchid testes of male pseudohermaphrodite (tfm) rats revealed the ultrastructural immaturity of Leydig cells in that the cytoplasm was characterized by the presence of abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, an accumulation of lipid droplets, prominent Golgi apparatus, and numerous mitochondria (often cup-shaped) with tubular cristae. The intramitochondrial lipid droplets were the most interesting features in mitochondria. Some mitochondria contained small spherical lipid droplets which were either in clusters in one area or scattered throughout the matrix. Other mitochondria exhibited lipid aggregates of irregular contour and size, and some contained a single large spherical droplet. These cytological findings indicate that the increased gonadotropin stimulation in tfm rats was unable to induce structural and functional maturation of Leydig cells. It is suggested that abnormally numerous intramitochondrial lipid droplets were associated with the diminished activity of the enzymatic system for cleavage of the sidechain of cholesterol.
Bowen virtual theater

A web-based virtual theater was created to provide students learning introductory theatrical concepts with a more engaging means of exploring the possibilities of set design, lighting, prop placement, and actor blocking. Web delivery without plug-ins allows a very large number of students to access the site with minimal support requirements. The system can be used as an experimentation lab, a design tool, and an in-class instructional system for illustrating concepts.
Comparison of Effects of Angiotensin and Norepinephrine on Pulmonary Circulation, Systemic Arteries and Veins, and Systemic Vascular Capacity in the Dog

In dog experiments, angiotensin II and norepinephrine were compared in regard to some components of the generalized pressor response each of these agents produces. It was found that angiotensin II has no direct effect on pulmonary blood vessels, in contrast to the pulmonary vasoconstrictor effect of norepinephrine. Angiotensin II appeared to have no effects on veins or the systemic vascular capacity, while norepinephrine was a potent venoconstrictor with, therefore, a marked ability to reduce the systemic vascular capacity.
Synthesis of a Diindacycle by Transmetalation of 1,8-Bis(trimethylstannyl)naphthalene with InCl3

The reaction of 1,8-bis(trimethylstannyl)naphthalene with InCl3 yields, after treatment with pyridine, the tetrakis(pyridine) adduct of bis(μ-1,8-naphthalenediyl)bis(chloroindium(III)) (1) in a 65% yield.
Role of Ca2+ and cross-bridges in skeletal muscle thin filament activation probed with Ca2+ sensitizers.

Thin filament regulation of contraction is thought to involve the binding of two activating ligands: Ca2+ and strongly bound cross-bridges. The specific cross-bridge states required to promote thin filament activation have not been identified. This study examines the relationship between cross-bridge cycling and thin filament activation by comparing the results of kinetic experiments using the Ca2+ sensitizers caffeine and bepridil. In single skinned rat soleus fibers, 30 mM caffeine produced a leftward shift in the tension-pCa relation from 6.03 +/- 0.03 to 6.51 +/- 0.03 pCa units and lowered the maximum tension to 0.60 +/- 0.01 of the control tension. In addition, the rate of tension redevelopment (ktr) was decreased from 3.51 +/- 0.12 s-1 to 2.70 +/- 0.19 s-1, and Vmax decreased from 1.24 +/- 0.07 to 0.64 +/- 0.02 M.L./s. Bepridil produced a similar shift in the tension-pCa curves but had no effect on the kinetics. Thus bepridil increases the Ca2+ sensitivity through direct effects on TnC, whereas caffeine has significant effects on the cross-bridge interaction. Interestingly, caffeine also produced a significant increase in stiffness under relaxing conditions (pCa 9.0), indicating that caffeine induces some strongly bound cross-bridges, even in the absence of Ca2+. The results are interpreted in terms of a model integrating cross-bridge cycling with a three-state thin-filament activation model. Significantly, strongly bound, non-tension-producing cross-bridges were essential to modeling of complete activation of the thin filament.
Utilization of Multiple Waste Streams for Acid Gas Sequestration and Multi‐Pollutant Control

A novel CO2 sequestration concept is reported that combines SO2 removal and CO2 capture and sequestration, using a bauxite-processing residue which is a waste product and with waste brine water from oil/gas production. The bauxite residue/brine mixture of 46/54 v/v exhibited a CO2 sequestration capacity of > 0.078 mol L–1 when exposed to pure CO2 at 20 °C and 2.73 MPa. At a higher temperature of 140 °C, a bauxite residue/brine mixture of 80/20 v/v indicated a CO2 sequestration capacity of > 0.094 mol L–1 when exposed to pure CO2 at 3.85 MPa. Under the same reaction conditions, an identical ratio of reaction mixture exposed to simulated flue gas at a similar initial pressure was capable of sequestering 0.16 mol of CO2 and > 99.9 % of the applied SO2. Calcite formation was verified as a product of bauxite/brine mixture carbonation. The caustic bauxite residues (pH 12.5–13.5) and acidic wastewater brine (pH 3–5) are also effectively neutralized after participating as reactive reagents in the conceptual process.
PICK-UP ION DISTRIBUTIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON ENERGETIC NEUTRAL ATOM SPECTRAL CURVATURE

This paper focuses on the analysis and significance of the spectral curvature of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) detected by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer. The flux versus energy spectrum is analytically expressed in terms of the source proton distributions, namely: (1) the solar wind kappa distribution of protons and (2) the coexisting filled spherical shell distribution of pick-up ions (PUIs). The influence of PUIs on the spectral index and curvature is modeled and investigated in detail. It is analytically shown that (1) the PUI speed upper limit is restricted by the Earthward PUI velocity vector, (2) the PUI distribution causes a positive spectral curvature, and (3) the exact expressions of the spectral index and curvature can be used to extract information about the governing parameters of the parent proton distributions. The sky maps of the spectral curvature reveal a possible band-like configuration of positive spectral curvature that is missing in the original flux sky maps. This band can be roughly separated into the north/south polar regions and two ecliptic meridional “columns” located around the ecliptic longitudes ∼5 ◦ and ∼150 ◦ . The geometric locus between the two cones with noseward axis, and apertures ∼60 ◦ and ∼120 ◦ , configures the band-like region of (1) the positive curvature and (2) the maximum values of PUI distribution. Indeed, the observed curvature band is highly correlated with PUI distributions, and is possibly caused by the influence of PUIs on bending the spectrum from linear (log‐log scale) to concave upward, thus increasing its spectral curvature.
Price competition in noncooperative joint ventures

Abstract Firms that participate in a cotenancy joint venture are able to utilize capacity that is left unused by other firms. This paper considers a cotenancy involving two or more firms. In equilibrium, the firms quote prices that are socially optimal given the level of aggregate capacity. When there is open entry, the resulting (common) equilibrium price converges to the Ramsey optimal price. A cotenancy may be of use as an alternative to direct regulation of a natural monopoly or as an antitrust remedy, as it combines the benefits of single plant production with competition at the marketing stage.
Sex, Fear, and Greed: A Social Dilemma Analysis of Gender and Cooperation

Results from previous studies have led many researchers to conclude that sex has no effect on cooperation in social dilemmas. This article reconciles strong theoretical expectations of sex differences in cooperation with the dearth of empirical evidence for such differences. I show that several theories of sex- or gender-related behavior suggest we should expect males and females to respond more strongly to greed and fear, respectively, in social dilemmas. I argue that previous research has failed to find differences because researchers have consistently used the Prisoner's Dilemma game (or its public goods variants) to investigate whether sex affects cooperation. Because Prisoner's Dilemma contains both fear and greed, the theories outlined in this article predict no sex differences in cooperation in Prisoner's Dilemma. A series of hypotheses about the conditions under which sex affects cooperation are proposed and tested against the results of two new studies. Results from both studies support two of the three hypotheses. I conclude by discussing some implications of the findings for collective action and inequality and by suggesting directions for future research.
Rapid VLIW processor customization for signal processing applications using combinational hardware functions

This paper presents an architecture that combines VLIW (very long instruction word) processing with the capability to introduce application-specific customized instructions and highly parallel combinational hardware functions for the acceleration of signal processing applications. To support this architecture, a compilation and design automation flow is described for algorithms written in C. The key contributions of this paper are as follows: (1) a 4-way VLIW processor implemented in an FPGA, (2) large speedups through hardware functions, (3) a hardware/software interface with zero overhead, (4) a design methodology for implementing signal processing applications on this architecture, (5) tractable design automation techniques for extracting and synthesizing hardware functions. Several design tradeoffs for the architecture were examined including the number of VLIW functional units and register file size. The architecture was implemented on an Altera Stratix II FPGA. The Stratix II device was selected because it offers a large number of high-speed DSP (digital signal processing) blocks that execute multiply-accumulate operations. Using the MediaBench benchmark suite, we tested our methodology and architecture to accelerate software. Our combined VLIW processor with hardware functions was compared to that of software executing on a RISC processor, specifically the soft core embedded NIOS II processor. For software kernels converted into hardware functions, we show a hardware performance multiplier of up to 230 times that of software with an average 63 times faster. For the entire application in which only a portion of the software is converted to hardware, the performance improvement is as much as 30X times faster than the nonaccelerated application, with a 12X improvement on average.
The Proper Place of Organizational Scholarship: A Comment on Hinings and Greenwood

?2002 by Johnson Graduate School, Cornell University. 0001 -8392/02/4703-422/$3.00. Appearing as it does at the end of 2002, the Hinings and Greenwood ASO forum is very timely. This has been a tumultuous, scandalous year for business organizations, especially in North America. Some firms' financial statements have been found to be deliberately misleading. Some accounting and financial services firms have been aiding and abetting this duplicitous process. The credibility of some Wall Street stock analysts has been called into question. Several corporate executives have found devious ways to hide debt, inflate profits, and enrich themselves at their companies' and shareholders' expense.