cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sonographic incidence of polycystic ovaries in a gynecological population

The prevalence of polycystic ovaries in a large population of 1078 women of reproductive age was determined by pelvic ultrasonography. The ovarian ultrasonic appearance of 183 (17%) women met the morphological criteria of polycystic ovaries. Of these women, 147 (80.3%) had irregular cycles (group A) and 36 (19.70%) had normal cycles (group B). The remaining women constituted the control group. Ovarian volume was calculated in all women in whom at least one ovary was visualized. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were measured in 124 women from group A, 25 from group B and 50 controls. Mean ovarian volume was statistically higher in both group A (13.4 ml) and group B (11.8 ml) than in the control group (6.2 ml). Mean LH/FSH ratio and mean testosterone values were statistically higher in group A only (2.1 and 1.1 ng/ml, respectively) compared with the mean values in the control group (0.7 and 0.7 ng/ml, respectively). Obesity and hirsutism were more common in group A than in group B and the controls. Screening the ovaries in women of reproductive age and subsequent assessment of morphology in polycystic ovaries can aid in the diagnosis of this condition in patients who may have a varied clinical presentation. Copyright © 1995 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
The Quest for True Love: Ethnicity in Nancy Savoca's Domestic Film Comedy

In a poem entitled "Mafioso," Sandra Mortola Gilbert simultaneously links herself to and dissociates herself from two prevailing images of her ethnicity in American culture-food and the Mafia: "Frank Costello eating spaghetti in a cell at San Quentin, / Lucky Luciano mixing up a mess of bullets and / calling for parmesan cheese, / Al Capone baking a sawed-off shotgun into a / huge lasagna- / are you my uncles, my / only uncles?" (DB1 348). As she engages in the process of self-invention, the Italian/American woman artist must consider in what ways her self-representation is conditioned by her ethnicity.2 Such a process typically leads authors to question stereotypical images of Italian/American culture. Michele Linfante, for example, entitles her play "Pizza," but transforms the expectations of cheer and conviviality associated with this celebrated Italian food by delving into the protagonist's relationship with her mother. While Italian/American male writers reveal a preoccupation with their cultural tradition, Italian/American women writers maintain an especially problematic relationship with that tradition which defines women exclusively within the bounds of the domestic imagination. As the space of female discourse, the domestic setting in both literature and film often functions as a metaphor for the ambivalent relationship of the Italian/American woman to her ethnicity. Nancy Savoca's first film, True Love (1989), depicts the domestic space as both nurturing and stifling. Within this space, Savoca probes the most elemental constructions of ethnicity and gender in Italian/American culture. The participation of women in the film industry as directors and producers is a relatively new phenomenon. Film direction necessitates the conquest of one of the most male-centered industries, dominated by the values and laws of corporate America.3 The struggle Savoca encountered in making True Love exemplifies the kind of difficulties faced by women trying to enter the film industry. Based on a
Development and testing of an AO-structured illumination microscope

The design of an Adaptive Optics (AO) Structured Illumination (SI) microscope is presented. Two key technologies are combined to provide effective super-resolution at significant depths in tissue. AO is used to measure and compensate for optical aberrations in both the system and the tissue by measuring the optical path differences in the wavefront. Uncorrected, these aberrations significantly reduce imaging resolution, particularly as we view deeper into tissue. SI allows us to reconstruct an image with resolution beyond the Rayleigh limit of the optics by aliasing high spatial frequencies, outside the limit of the optics, to lower frequencies within the system pass band. The aliasing is accomplished by spatially modulating the illumination at a frequency near the cutoff frequency of the system. These aliased frequencies are superimposed on the lower spatial frequencies of the object in our image. Using multiple images and an inverse algorithm, we separate the aliased and normal frequencies, restore them to their original frequency positions, and recreate the original spectrum of the object. This allows us to recreate a super-resolution image of the object. A problem arises with thick aberrating tissue. Tissue aberrations, including sphere, increase with depth into the tissue and reduce the high spatial frequency response of a system. This degrades the ability of SI to reconstruct at superresolution and limits its use to relatively shallow depths. However, adding AO to the system compensates for these aberrations allowing SI to work at maximum efficiency even deep within aberrating tissue.
North Atlantic Hurricanes 1977–99: Surface Hurricane-Force Wind Radii

Abstract The Hurricane Research Division (NOAA/AMOL/HRD) flight-level data archive of 1977–99 North Atlantic hurricanes is used to create radial profiles of earth-relative surface wind speeds. Radii of hurricane-force winds are determined directly from these generated profiles. The distributions of hurricane-force wind radii stratified by minimum central pressure and quadrant, relative to the direction of storm motion, indicate marked variability among storms. However, a model which uses storm parameters to predict the radius of hurricane-force winds in a given quadrant of a hurricane does seem feasible. Roughly three-quarters of the variance in the hurricane- force wind radii of minimal hurricanes and about one-half of the variance in the hurricane-force wind radii of major hurricanes is explained by parameters of the storm, enough to make a predictive model of significant value. In addition, cumulative two-dimensional probability distributions of hurricane-force wind radii may have some utility for hurr...
Spin-Exchange Shift and Narrowing of Magnetic Resonance Lines in Optically Pumped Alkali Vapors

We observe very narrow (\ensuremath{\sim}200 Hz) magnetic resonance lines in alkali vapors with atomic densities much greater than usual and with cell dimensions much smaller than usual. The Zeeman resonance frequency is shifted downward by a large factor, but the spin-exchange broadening vanishes in the high-density limit. This new regime affords important new possibilities for investigating basic interactions in dense alkali vapors, and it also opens the way to miniaturized optically pumped devices.
Flavonoids from Diplacus aurantiacus leaf resin

Structures are proposed for three new flavonoids. In common with other major flavonoids of D. aurantiacus, all three have a C10-monoterpene side chain. Two of the flavonoids are monomethoxylated derivatives of the two most abundant resin flavonoids while the third is distinct in having one less phenolic group.
Effects of Vein Width and Depth on Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Success Rates

Abstract Background: Increasing numbers of operators are learning to use ultrasound to guide peripheral intravenous (i.v.) catheter insertion in patients with difficult access. Unfortunately, failed cutaneous punctures are common. Some veins seen on ultrasound may be better choices than others. Objectives: To estimate the effects of vein width and depth on the probability of success in ultrasound-guided i.v. catheter insertion. Methods: We prospectively collected data from attempts at ultrasound-guided venous catheter insertion between the antecubital fossa and mid-humerus. Each ultrasound machine's ruler function was used to determine depth from the skin to the closest vein edge and that vein's largest diameter. Success was defined as being able to freely withdraw blood or inject saline after the first skin puncture, considering each encounter independently. We calculated relative success rates, confidence intervals, and p values using reference groups selected by histogram analysis. Results: Thirty-five operators recorded 180 encounters; 100 (56%) were successful on the first skin puncture, and 152 (84%) were eventually successful. Success rates were not linearly related to vein width or depth. Success rates were higher for veins with diameter ≥ 0.4 cm vs. those p = 0.005) and for veins of depth 0.3–1.5 cm vs. veins of depth 1.5 cm (58% [96/165] vs. 27% [4/15], relative success 2.2 [95% CI 0.9–5.1], p = 0.04). Conclusion: Success rates are higher in larger veins (≥ 0.4 cm) and veins at moderate depth (0.3–1.5 cm).
THE LAST MILE CHALLENGE: EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF CUSTOMER DENSITY AND DELIVERY WINDOW PATTERNS

The last 10 years have seen an explosion of consumer direct businesses such as grocery, office supply, package and pharmaceutical delivery. Examples of businesses with consumer direct delivery include grocers such as Freshdirect and Ocado (Delaney-Klinger, Boyer, and Frohlich 2003), office supply retailers such as Office Depot, Staples and Office Max (all of which are in the top 10 Internet retailing business ranked by sales (Love and Peters 2006) and package delivery companies such as FedEx, UPS, Airborne and Deutsche Post. To illustrate, FedEx ground delivers over $5 billion in sales per year in business-to-business packages, with FedEx Home Delivery providing ground-based delivery services to residences. While FedEx does not break out the volume of home delivery versus business delivery packages, it does note in recent financial results (March 27, 2007) that growth in the home delivery segment is stronger than overall growth of 9% in ground delivery. The operational challenges underlying consumer direct delivery are daunting. Numerous companies have failed due to operational and logistical problems encountered with delivering orders directly to customers. The fulfillment process for consumer direct orders can be broadly characterized as consisting of three stages (Campbell and Savelsbergh 2005; Delaney-Klinger, Boyer, and Frohlich 2003): (1) order acceptance, (2) order selection and fulfillment and (3) order delivery. Each of these stages is critical to providing excellent customer service at a cost the customer is willing to pay. The focus in this study is on the third stage—order delivery. The delivery of the final product to the customer’s door is logistically challenging due to a number of factors and potentially very expensive (costs for a single delivery of groceries run between $10 and $20 per order according to Boyer, Frohlich, and Hult 2004). There has been substantial research on how to route and schedule vehicles from an algorithmic point of view toward solving a particular problem. What is not clear is the shape of the efficiency curve and the interaction of two key factors affecting routing efficiency: customer density and delivery window length. In other words, what is the relative change in efficiency/cost as customer density increases or delivery windows are lengthened? This is a problem of critical importance to customer direct businesses. The spectacular collapse of Webvan, the online grocer that went bankrupt after reaching a market capitalization of over $5 billion while only producing sales of less than $400 million, was partly tied to its promise of delivery within a pre-specified window of 30 minutes. While this was great from a customer perspective, it proved to be a huge logistical challenge and cost (Boyer, Frohlich, and Hult
An inequality involving the absolute value of an entire function and the counting function of its zeros

Dedicated to Professor A. Pfluger on his seventieth birthday The purpose of this paper is to give a proof of T H E O R E M 1. Let f(z) be an entire function of finite, non-integral order a. If 3' satisfies max ( 89 h ) < 3 ' < [ h i + 1; /3 = w/23', then lim inf log If(ze'a)[ + log [f(ze-~)l ~ 2wX cos (wa -/3A) tzt-.| N(lz[, 1/f) sin ~rA The canonical product gx(z) with negative zeros and N(r, 1/gx)-rX/h has the asymptotic behavior [4, p. 232] ~r cos hO ,~ r log [gA(rei~ I = (1 +o(1)) sin wh
Politics and the muse : studies in the politics of recent American literature

These fourteen original essays on the politics of literature investigate aspects of our understanding of the political muse, with a focus on American writing since World War II. Essays include: American Literature, Politics, and the Last Good War, The Literary Art of the Hollywood Ten, The Plight of the Left-Wing Screenwriter, and Amiri Baraka and the Politics of Popular Culture. "
Microstructures and phase formation in rapidly solidified Sm-Fe alloys

Abstract Sm–Fe-based alloys were produced by melt spinning with various melt spinning parameters and alloying additions. The structural and microstructural evolution varied and strongly depended on processing and alloy composition. The microstructural scale was found to vary from micron to nanometer scale depending on the solidification rate and alloying additions. Additions of Si, Ti, V, Zr and Nb with C were all found to refine the scale, and the degree of refinement was dependent on the atomic size of the alloying agent. The alloying was also found to affect the dynamical aspects of the melt spinning process, although in general the material is characterized by a poor melt stream and pool, which in part contributes to the microstructural variabilities. The alloying additions also suppressed the long-range ordering, leading to formation of the TbCu 7 -type structure. The ordering was recoverable upon heat treatment, although the presence of alloying agents suppressed the recovery process relative to the binary alloy. This was attributed to the presence of Ti (V, Nb, Zr) in solid solution, which limited the diffusion kinetics necessary for ordering. In the binary alloy, the ordering led to the development of antiphase domain structures, with the antiphase boundaries effectively pinning Bloch walls.
Development of a selective medium for isolation of Helicobacter pylori from cattle and beef samples.

Helicobacter pylori has been isolated from the human stomach with media containing only minimal selective agents. However, current research on the transmission and sources of infection requires more selective media due to the higher numbers of contaminants in environmental, oral, and fecal samples. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate detection techniques that are sufficiently selective to isolate H. pylori from potential animal and food sources. Since H. pylori survives in the acidic environment of the stomach, low pH with added urea was studied as a potential selective combination. H. pylori grew fairly well on H. pylori Special Peptone plating medium supplemented with 10 mM urea at pH 4.5, but this pH did not sufficiently inhibit the growth of contaminants. Various antibiotic combinations were then compared, and a combination consisting of 10 mg of vancomycin per liter, 5 mg of amphotericin B per liter, 10 mg of cefsulodin per liter, 62,000 IU of polymyxin B sulfate per liter, 40 mg of trimethoprim per liter, and 20 mg of sulfamethoxazole per liter proved to be highly selective but still allowed robust colonies of H. pylori to grow. This medium was highly selective for recovering H. pylori from cattle and beef samples, and it is possible that it could be used to enhance the recovery of this bacterium from human and environmental samples, which may be contaminated with large numbers of competing microorganisms.
Fast and Accurate Calculations of Structural Parameters for Suspensions

The calculation of effective properties of periodic suspensions is often problematic. Particularly difficult are calculations involving unit cells with many, close to touching, inclusions and high desired accuracy. In this paper we apply the conjugate gradient method and the fast multipole method to simplify calculations of this kind. We show how to dramatically speed up the computation of the effective conductivities and structural parameters for suspensions of disks and spheres. This enables accurate treatment of unit cells with thousands of inclusions. Direct estimates of the effective conductivity are compared with estimates via bounds. Accuracy of twelve digits is obtained for a suspension of disks which has been studied previously, but for which no accurate digit has been determined.
Prolactin-induced activation and binding of stat proteins to the IL-6RE of the alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) promoter: relation to the expression of alpha 2M in the rat ovary.

Cellular signaling events by which prolactin (PRL) might regulate gene expression were analyzed in rat ovarian tissues. Whole cell extracts (WCE) were prepared from ovaries of pregnant rats (Days 4, 7, 9-11, 15, 17, and 21) and of hormonally primed (estradiol and FSH) hypophysectomized (H) immature rats before, or 15 min to 24 h after, acute administration of PRL (10 micrograms, i.v.). The DNA binding activity in the WCE was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using the alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) promoter interleukin (IL)-6 response element (IL-6RE) known to confer PRL and IL-6 inducibility to transgenes in target cells, including cultures of luteinized granulosa cells. Injections of PRL stimulated the appearance of a specific binding activity in ovarian extracts of H rats and in corpora lutea and interstitial extracts of pregnant rats from Days 4-9 of pregnancy. The presence of this protein/DNA complex was transient. The greater amount of binding was observed in luteinized tissue and interstitial tissue compared to follicles; and the binding activity contained specific tyrosine phosphorylated Stat (signal transduction and activators of transcription) factors identified by specific antibodies as acute phase response factor (APRF or Stat 3) and mammary gland factor (MGF, or Stat 5 [a and b]). In contrast to the transient activation and appearance of these factors in response to acute PRL treatment as administered to H rats or to pulsatile PRL release as occurs in early pregnancy, elevated levels of the same activated Stat factors were observed in WCE of CL and interstitial tissue prepared at mid-gestation (Days 10-17) when endogenous release of rat placental lactogen (rPL) is chronically elevated in serum. During this period, administration of additional exogenous PRL did not stimulate further activation (binding) of the Stat factors. During luteal regression (Day 21 of gestation) no binding was observed in the absence of PRL, and the response to PRL was markedly diminished despite the constitutive presence of Stat proteins and the Janus kinase that phosphorylates and activates these factors. Elevated binding of these factors to the IL-6RE of the alpha 2M promoter was associated with the expression of alpha 2M mRNA in luteinized granulosa cells and corpora lutea, indicating that activation of Stat factors is one mechanism by which PRL/rPL transactivates the alpha 2M gene in the tissue.
Compressive sensing for sensor calibration

We consider a calibration problem, where we determine an unknown sensor location using the known track of a calibration target and a known reference sensor location. We cast the calibration problem as a sparse approximation problem where the unknown sensor location is determined over a discrete spatial grid with respect to the reference sensor. To achieve the calibration objective, low dimensional random projections of the sensor data are passed to the reference sensor, which significantly reduces the inter-sensor communication bandwidth. The unknown sensor location is then determined by solving an lscr1-norm minimization problem (linear program). Field data results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Thiazolo[5,4-b]acridines and thiazolo[4,5-b]acridines: probable pharmacophores of antiviral and anti-tumor marine alkaloids

Abstract Structural simplification of pentacyclic and hexacyclic antiviral and anti-tumor acridine alkaloids such as dercitin, cyclodercitin and kuanoniamine led to the identification of the thiazo[5,4-b]acridine or the isomeric thiazolo[4,5-b]acridine nucleus as the putative pharmacophore. Synthetic approaches towards these tetracyclic ring systems and regiochemistry of the thiazole ring in cyclodehydration reactions are discussed.
K X-Ray Spectra from Si and SiO2 after Oxygen Excitation

A beam of 30 MeV oxygen ions was used to excite silicon atoms in both a silicon crystal and in a silicon dioxide crystal. The resulting K X-ray spectra show marked deviation from one another.
DEMOGRAPHIC AND BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRRELS TO EXPERIMENTAL LOGGING IN ARKANSAS

This study investigated responses of populations of southern flying squirrels to a range of experimental even-aged and uneven-aged timber-harvest practices along a gradient of increasing disturbance intensity. The goals were to determine whether measurable demographic parameters of squirrels in experimental forests would change after logging; whether a disturbance threshold existed within the range of harvest practices implemented beyond which squirrels would not nest on a stand; and whether squirrels would show selection in the use of nest boxes in logged and unlogged habitats. Winter nest-box surveys were conducted in the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas, USA, in 21 15-ha stands representing three replicated groups of six silvicultural treatments (pine–hardwood single-tree selection, pine single-tree selection, pine–hardwood shelterwood, pine shelterwood, pine–hardwood seed tree, and pine seed tree), plus an unaltered control during 1993, prior to harvest, and after harvest in 1994–1996. Neither densi...
Routing protocols for sensor networks

Sensor networks are emerging as a new tool for habitat monitoring in nature reserves, monitoring and gathering events in hazardous environments, surveillance of buildings, and surveillance of enemy activities in a battlefield environment. Nodes in a sensor network are severely constrained by energy, storage capacity and computing power. To prolong the lifetime of the sensor nodes, designing efficient routing protocols is critical. Even though sensor networks are primarily designed for monitoring and reporting events, since they are application dependent, a single routing protocol cannot be efficient for sensor networks across all applications. We first analyze the requirements and similarities of MANETs (mobile ad hoc networks) and sensor networks. Then, we describe the existing routing protocols for sensor networks and present a critical analysis of these protocols. Finally, we compare and contrast these protocols. This comparison reveals the important features that need to be taken into consideration while designing and evaluating new routing protocols for sensor networks.
Disconnecting their Applicative Success from the Truth of Scientific Theories

(1) It is often said that the successes we realize in applying the theories of science betoken their truth. But this is a very dubious proposition. (2) For their actual truth is not the best explanation of the successful application of our scientific theories. An incapacity to distinguish the currently efficacious from still superior, but not yet projected, theories affords an even better and more realistic explanation. (3) The successful application of a scientific theory is a highly ambiguous datum. (4) All we can conclude from such a successful application is that there is an adequate explanation of why our theory provided this success — but we cannot conclude that this explanation is provided by the theory itself and lies in the fact that it is true. (5) The gap between success and truth does not, however, give comfort to the anti-realist. The fact that our cognitive grasp of reality is imperfect constitutes no argument against realism.
Left‐handed polyproline II helix formation is (very) locally driven

The left-handed polyproline II helix (PPII) is believed to be the preferred conformation for proline-rich regions of sequence in proteins. Such regions have been postulated to be protein-protein interaction domains. The formation of this structure is studied here using simple Monte Carlo computer simulations employing the hard sphere potential. It is found that polyproline sequences adopt only the PPII structure in the simulations. Non-proline, non-glycine residues inserted as guests into polyproline host peptides are conformationally restricted by the following proline residues and tend to be part of the PPII helix. It is found through insertion of two alanine residues into polyproline that the PPII structure is not propagated through more than one non-proline residue. This finding calls into question the hypothesis that proline-rich regions will preferentially adopt this structure since many such sequences are comprised of less than 50% proline residues. Proteins 33:218–226, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Use of allogeneic NK cells for cancer immunotherapy

Controversy exists as to the role that the immune system plays in cancer therapy. While the immune system has been proposed to scavenge the body to prevent microscopic transformation from forming cancer, it has been difficult to mount its potential of shrinking established tumors. NK cells are components of the innate immune system. They can recognize targets without prior sensitization, making them ideal candidates to manipulate for therapeutic use against cancer. Initially, autologous NK cells were directed against tumors but it was realized that NK cells that recognize self cells are inhibited. More encouraging advances have been made with allogeneic NK cell therapy in clinical trials to overcome this limitation. In this article, we present developments in NK cell adoptive immunotherapy for hematologic and solid tumor malignancies.
The Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of Income and Population Growth in Ohio, 1950–1990

FAN C. C. (1994) The temporal and spatial dynamics of income and population growth in Ohio, 1950-1990, Reg. Studies 28, 241–258. The regional dynamics literature has tended to pay more attention to regional variation of growth than to variation within states, although the latter defines the disaggregated realities that public officials and policy makers are most concerned with. This paper focuses on spatial variation of growth within a state. Using Ohio as a case study, two hypotheses are extracted from the literature. First, the theories of polarization and polarization reversal suggest that in the old industrial core the leading sector role of manufacturing has diminished in old manufacturing poles, and that income growth trends differ substantially between these old poles and new centres of development. Second, the theories of suburbanization and migration reversals suggest that population growth is contingent upon level of urbanization, and that the relationship has changed drastically between the pre...
Babies Need Healthy Moms : An Innovative Postpartum Screening and Education Class for Women Who Had Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

PurposeHealthy Babies Need Healthy Moms (HBNHM) is an innovative education program that combines the recommended 2-hour postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with diabetes prevention education for women who had gestational diabetes mellitus. During the class, the 2-hour OGTT is performed, and in the time between venipunctures, the women participate in group education focused on evidence-based diabetes prevention strategies that promote healthy family nutrition and lifestyle behavior, importance of preconception care for subsequent pregnancies, and the need for follow-up care for women who screen positive for abnormal glucose levels. The purpose of this article is to describe this model to encourage replication in other diabetes programs.ConclusionThe HBNHM program is a low-budget education program that provides postpartum OGTT screening for women who had gestational diabetes mellitus during their pregnancies while simultaneously offering education designed to improve future outcomes. For those wom...
In vivo intestinal metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin in the rat: production and distribution of phase I and II metabolites in the isolated, perfused intestinal loop.

Abstract These studies describe the phase I and II metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) in the isolated, perfused intestinal loop. Following cytochrome P450-dependent oxidative deethylation of 7-EC by intestinal epithelial cells, the product, 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC), undergoes phase II conjugation to form both the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. The capacity for conjugation of 7-HC within the intestinal epithelium exceeds that of phase I oxidative deethylation, as demonstrated by the absence of increased release of unconjugated 7-HC upon saturation of the conjugation pathways. The formation of both glucuronide (53–62%) and sulfate (41–43%) conjugates contributed to a comparable extent to the overall phase II metabolism of 7-HC within the intestine. This is in contrast to the liver, where sulfate conjugation has been shown to be the predominant phase II metabolic pathway. Furthermore, it was found that unconjugated and sulfate conjugated 7-HC were evenly distributed between the lumenal perfusate and blood compartments, whereas the glucuronide conjugates of 7-HC were preferentially transported at a 4:1 ratio toward the blood. These results indicate that the epithelial cells of the small intestine have the capacity to biotransform orally administered xenobiotics, and the ultimate profile of metabolites generated may influence the biodisposition of these compounds.
Demographic Factors Affecting Faculty Salary

This study identifies specific demographic attributes that influence salary at institutions of higher education. Data were obtained for all business faculty at nine public universities. A log-linear model with salary as the regressand serves as the functional form of estimation. Variance inflation factors are employed to reduce any aberrations that are due to the presence of multicollinearity. Additional diagnostic tests to correct for autocorrelation and other distortions are also performed. The results suggest that experience, publication rates, and the tendency to remain at the same institution for extended periods affect salary levels in a significant manner. Possession of a tenninal degree also proved to have a positive and significant impact on salary levels. In addition, rank reported variant results, suggesting the presence of salary compression. An explanation of this phenomenon is offered. A comparison of mean salary levels across academic fields based on an analysis-of-variance design revealed ...
Laser-formed metallic connections employing a lateral link structure

Laser-programmed connections between metal lines on the same level of metallization have been developed as a means to achieve high density linking for customization in programmable gate arrays and for additive redundancy in restructurable integrated circuits. This work reports on the linking of aluminum based metal interconnect using a Q-switched diode pumped solid state laser where perfect yield was achieved. The links were formed by focusing the laser between two adjacent lines of metal, one of which was connected to a lower level of metal through a contact via. The resistance of the connections was approximately 3.0 /spl Omega/, including two vias and a connecting length of lower level metal. >
Pre-empting Disclosure? Firms' Decisions Prior to FIN 48

FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FASB 2006), requires firms to disclose tax reserves and to record changes in tax reserves at adoption of FIN 48 as cumulative effect adjustments in stockholders’ equity. We predict that between the enactment and adoption of FIN 48, relative to historical levels, firms settle disputes more often to potentially decrease visibility to the IRS and release reserves more often to reduce scrutiny and increase earnings (as opposed to retained earnings). We analyze 2005 and 2006 10-Qs and 10-Ks for the 100 largest nonfinancial, nonutility firms followed by analysts. Between enactment and adoption of FIN 48, relative to historical levels, firms report more settlements with tax authorities and release reserves more frequently. In addition, firms with higher IRS deficiencies are more likely to settle disputes. Between enactment and adoption of FIN 48, firms increased earnings by releasing $4.4 billion of tax reserves, nearly equaling the $4.5 billion released at adoption.
Utilization of mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by bacteria isolated from contaminated sediment

The ability of sediment bacteria to utilize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) when present as components of mixtures was investigated. One strain, identified as Mycobacterium flavescens, could utilize fluoranthene in the presence of pyrene, although utilization of pyrene was slower in the presence of fluoranthene than in its absence. The second strain, a Rhodococcus species, could utilize fluoranthene in the presence of anthracene, although the presence of fluoranthene slowed the rate of utilization of anthracene. Cometabolism of fluoranthene in these strains was confirmed by the isolation of metabolites of fluoranthene and by kinetic analysis of the rate of utilization of the growth substrate in the presence of fluoranthene. In both strains, metabolism of fluoranthene occurred on the fused ring of the fluoranthene molecule, producing 9-fluorenone-1-carboxylic acid. In the Rhodococcus sp., a second metabolite, a-(carboxymethylene)fluorene-1-carboxylic acid, was identified, indicating that this strain has the capacity to metabolize fluoranthene via ortho as well as meta cleavage. The presence of PAHs in a mixture produces interactive effects which can either increase or decrease the rate of utilization of individual PAHs, results which need to be taken into account when estimating rates of degradation in contaminated environments.
Depression in the Elderly

Key Clinical PointsDepression in the Elderly Late-life depression (occurring in persons 60 years of age or older) is common and is often associated with coexisting medical illness, cognitive dysfunction, or both. Depressed older adults are at increased risk for suicide. Screening for depression is important, but positive screening results should be followed by a thorough evaluation to assess patient safety and ensure that treatment is warranted. Either pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy may be used as first-line therapy. Currently available antidepressants show efficacy in depressed older populations, but older adults may be at increased risk for medication side effects. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered first-line pharmacotherapy. Standardized psychotherapy techniques are also effective for depression in older adults.
Comparison of the Efficiency of Biological Transmission of Anaplasma marginale (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) by Dermacentor andersoni Stiles (Acari: Ixodidae) with Mechanical Transmission by the Horse Fly, Tabanus fuscicostatus Hine (Diptera: Muscidae)

Mechanical transmission of Anaplasma marginale by horse flies (Tabanidae) is thought to be epidemiologically significant in some areas of the United States. We compared the relative efficiencies of mechanical transmission of Anaplasma marginale by the horse fly, Tabanus fuscicostatus Hine, during acute infection (≈107 to ≈109 infected erythrocytes [IE]/ml blood) with biological transmission by Dermacentor andersoni Stiles in the persistent phase of infection (≈102.5 to ≈106 IE/ml). Transmission of A. marginale was not observed when horse flies were partially fed on an acutely infected donor calf and immediately transferred to susceptible calves to complete their blood meal. Ticks that were acquisition fed on the same donor host after it reached the persistent phase of infection successfully transmitted A. marginale when transferred to the same recipient calves that failed to acquire infection after fly feeding. Failure of fly-borne mechanical transmission at a rickettsemia >240-fold higher than that from which ticks transmitted with 100% efficiency shows that tick-borne biological transmission is at least two orders of magnitude more efficient than mechanical transmission by horse flies.
The Stepping Stone Approach to Teaching Chemical Information Skills

Information literacy is of paramount importance to any successful research program. Information techniques and skills should be infused throughout a student’s undergraduate curriculum rather than being the focus of a single course. To this end, we have created several courses, beginning in the first year, where students review current scientific literature, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and disseminate their findings in both written and oral formats. At the completion of this sequence of courses, students have a greater understanding of all aspects of chemical research from identification of reliable sources through articulation of their findings. Details about the creation and implementation of the Stepping Stone Approach to chemical information literacy are discussed within.
Peripheral Chemoreflex Control of Sympathetic Nerve Activity

The rhythmicity of sympathetic neurons and nerves has been studied extensively since 1930’s (Adrian et al., 1932; Koizumi et al., 1971; Gootman and Cohen, 1974; Trzebski et al., 1975; Preiss et al., 1975; Barman and Gebber, 1976; Bachoo and Polosa, 1987). Parallel activities of phrenic nerve (PN) and cervical preganglionic sympathetic nerve (PSN) led to the belief that central respiratory drive generates both the rhythms and that PSN chemoreflex is dependent on the respiratory neuronal network (Bachoo and Polosa, 1987). Accordingly, PSN activity would not be elicited or augmented by carotid chemoreflex in the absence of PN activity (between PN bursts and during hypocapnic apnea). It is possible that the PSN activity during expiratory phase is due to expiratory neuron activity (Bachoo and Polosa, 1986) and that PSN response during apnea depends on expiratory activity, since expiratory neurons often fire continuously during hypocapnic apnea in the cat (Nesland and Plum, 1965; Batsel, 1967; Cohen, 1968; Sears et al., 1982). The possibility was strengthened by the observation that the PSN rhythmic activity correlated with the expiratory activity in the rat (Czyzyk et al., 1987). Also, other respiration-related brain-stem neurons could mediate the PSN chemoreflex response. Hypoglossal nerve (HGN) activity was reported to be preferentially responsive to hypoxia than PN (Bruce et al., 1982). Accordingly, the possibility that PSN activity is dependent on HGN activity needs to be tested.
Reference-Dependent Reservation Utility and the Comparison Discount

This paper investigates how a risk averse and loss averse agent having reference-dependent reservation utility, affects the cost to the principal when the agent also has reference-dependent preferences. The main finding is that, under these circumstances, if the agent compares his outside alternative to the principal's offer, the principal pays less – a comparison discount – relative to the cost when reservation utility is not reference-dependent.
Tumor Acidity-Induced Sheddable Polyethylenimine-Poly(trimethylene carbonate)/DNA/Polyethylene Glycol-2,3-Dimethylmaleicanhydride Ternary Complex for Efficient and Safe Gene Delivery

Amphiphilic PEI derivatives/DNA complexes are widely used for DNA delivery, but they are unstable in vivo and have cytotoxicity due to the excess cationic charge. PEGylation of cationic complexes can improve sterical stability and biocompatibility. However, PEGylation significantly inhibits cellular uptake and endosomal escape. In this work, sheddable ternary complexes were developed by coating a tumor acidity-sensitive β-carboxylic amide functionalized PEG layer on the binary complexes of amphiphilic cationic polyethylenimine-poly(trimethylene carbonate) nanoparticles/DNA (PEI-PTMC/DNA). Such sheddable ternary complexes markedly reduced their nonspecific interactions with serum protein in the bloodstream and obtained minimal cytotoxicity due to the protection of the PEG shell. At the tumor site, the PEG layer was deshielded by responding to the tumor acidic microenvironment and the positively charged complexes re-exposed that had higher affinity with negatively charged cell membranes. Meanwhile the posit...
Coupling Catalytic Alkene Hydroacylation and α-Arylation: Enantioselective Synthesis of Heterocyclic Ketones with α-Chiral Quaternary Stereocenters

We report a strategy that combines alkene hydroacylation and enantioselective α-(hetero)arylation reactions to form a wide variety of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ketones bearing α-chiral quaternary stereogenic centers. Exo-selective, intramolecular Ni-catalyzed hydroacylations of N-homoallylindole- and N-homoallylpyrrole-2-carboxaldehydes form α-substituted six-membered heterocyclic ketones in up to 95% yield, while N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed hydroacylations of N-allylindole- and N-allylpyrrole-2-carboxaldehydes form α-substituted five-membered heterocyclic ketones in up to 99% yield. The racemic five- and six-membered products of Ni- and NHC-catalyzed hydroacylation reactions are readily transformed into heterocyclic ketones containing an α-chiral quaternary stereogenic center by enantioselective Ni-catalyzed α-arylation and α-heteroarylation reactions. The chiral, nonracemic products formed through a combination of alkene hydroacylation and α-(hetero)arylation reactions are formed in mo...
ACSR system for vibration suppression in coupled helicopter rotor/flexible fuselage model

The paper presents an approach for the active control of structural response (ACSR) and its implemention in a system for vibration reduction in a helicopter fuselage. Vibrations in the fuselage are simulated analytically using a recently derived coupled rotor/flexible fuselage aeroelastic response model. Baseline fuselage vibrations, are sensed as vibratory components of the acceleration at specific fuselage locations. These quantities are used to generate signals to four servo actuators located at the four corners of the ACSR platform. The servo actuators produce controlled vibratory forces, which when combined with the vibratory rotor loads produce vibration levels at various fuselage locations which are much lower than the baseline vibrations. The vibration levels, in the presence of the controller, display very substantial vibration reduction. This vibration suppression system, operates exclusively in the hub fixed nonrotating system, and therefore has no influence on vehicle airworthiness.
Exploiting the Characteristics of Kevlar-Wall Wind Tunnels for Conventional Aerodynamic Measurements

Currently regarded as a purely aeroacoustics tool, the Kevlar-wall test section offers unique characteristics that may be leveraged to build upon conventional wind tunnel measurement methods. This paper first examines two-dimensional wall interference corrections for Kevlarwall test sections in comparison to those for traditional hard-wall test sections. Similarities and differences in the blockage and lift interference behavior of each test section are evaluated, as well as the agreement of corrected aerodynamic coefficients. This paper also addresses the accuracy of the panel method simulations of the Kevlar-wall boundary conditions, making comparisons of the wall pressure and wall deflection distributions between the simulation and measurement. Additionally, this paper explores how wall-mounted pressure taps in the Kevlar walls can be exploited to make measurements of lift.
The effect of congestive heart failure on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization

Background As the management of peripheral arterial disease evolves, determining the factors affecting the outcome of lower extremity interventions is important. The presence of peripheral arterial disease is associated with a twofold increase in the prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF), with reports of increased perioperative complications. This study evaluated CHF as a predictor of acute postoperative complications in patients undergoing lower extremity bypass. Methods The study group consisted of all patients entered in a prospective, multicenter database (American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program) undergoing infrainguinal bypass (IIB) from 2005 to 2010. Patients with a new diagnosis of CHF ≤30 days before surgery were compared with those without such a diagnosis. Patency rates at 30 days, morbidity, and mortality were compared between groups using a multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for covariates. Results There were 18,645 IIB patients, of which 488 (2.6%) had history of CHF. CHF patients were older and had higher rates of comorbidities than those without CHF. In univariate analysis, IIB graft failure was not significantly different for patients with CHF (6.8%) vs those without (5.2%; P = .13). There was no difference in patency for femoral popliteal grafts (no CHF, 96.5%; CHF, 96.3%; P = .89) or for femoral-tibial grafts (no CHF, 91.9%; CHF, 89.3%; P = .20). However, CHF was significantly associated with postsurgery cardiac events ( P = .007), pneumonia, prolonged intubation, reintubation, sepsis, return to the operating room, 30-day mortality, and length of stay >9 days (all P P = .014), an 87% increase in the odds of prolonged intubation (95% CI, 16%-201%; P = .011), a 73% increase in the odds of reintubation (95% CI, 12%-167%; P = .014), a 55% increase in the odds of sepsis or septic shock (95% CI, 11%-118%; P = .011), a 29% increase in the odds of returning to the operating room (95% CI, 4%-61%; P = .022), a 121% increase in the odds of 30-day mortality (95% CI, 56%-214%; P 9 days (95% CI, 64%-148%; P Conclusions Recently diagnosed or exacerbated CHF does not affect acute IIB graft patency. However, CHF may increase the complication rates for perioperative pneumonia, prolonged intubation, reintubation, sepsis, return to the operating room, extended length of stay, and mortality. Therefore, before pursuing lower extremity interventions in patients with a history of CHF, one should incorporate an individualized approach to optimize the success of the revascularization while minimizing medical comorbidities.
Statical-Kinematic Analysis

The objective of this chapter is to modernize and further develop the basic concepts of statical-kinematic analysis, and to refine the classification of generic structural systems. This is done with a view to both a rigorous treatment of the topic and the development of analytical criteria amenable to computerized analysis.