cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of noise and slice profile on strain quantifications of strain encoding (SENC) MRI

SENC is a new technique for imaging tissue deformation, such as the strain of cardiac tissue due to contraction. SENC strain quantifications are limited to one direction, the through-plane direction. However, this is sufficient to image circumferential and longitudinal strain in the long- and short-axis views, respectively. The factors that affect the accuracy of SENC strain mesurements are the slice profile and the signalto-noise ratio (SNR). In this work, these factors are analyzed in order to optimize the SENC method for strain quantifications.
Towards a Molecular Understanding of Drosophila Hearing

The Drosophila auditory system is presented as a powerful new genetic model system for understanding the molecular aspects of development and physiology of hearing organs. The fly's ear resides in the antenna, with Johnston's organ serving as the mechanoreceptor. New approaches using electrophysiology and laser vibrometry have provided useful tools to apply to the study of mutations that disrupt hearing. The fundamental developmental processes that generate the peripheral nervous system are fairly well understood, although specific variations of these processes for chordotonal organs (CHO) and especially for Johnston's organ require more scrutiny. In contrast, even the fundamental physiologic workings of mechanosensitive systems are still poorly understood, but rapid recent progress is beginning to shed light. The identification and analysis of mutations that affect auditory function are summarized here, and prospects for the role of the Drosophila auditory system in understanding both insect and vertebrate hearing are discussed.
Primary total knee arthroplasty after patellectomy.

The results of twenty-two consecutive primary total knee replacements, performed an average of nine years (range, one to twenty-three years) after a patellectomy in twenty-two patients, were reviewed retrospectively. The average duration of follow-up was seven years (range, three to fifteen years). The average age of the patients at the time of the arthroplasty was sixty-seven years (range, thirty-six to eighty-nine years). The average Hospital for Special Surgery knee score was 46 points (range, 22 to 74 points) preoperatively and 76 points (range, 45 to 97 points) postoperatively. Thirteen patients had an excellent or good result and seven had a fair or poor result; in two patients, the operation was considered a failure. Except for one patient who had myasthenia gravis, all patients could climb stairs in a reciprocal manner. Four patients lacked 5 to 20 degrees of active extension compared with passive extension. With respect to the over-all results, there was no significant difference among the four types of prostheses that were used (p = 0.2). The patients who had received an Insall-Burstein posterior stabilized prosthesis had better scores for pain and function than did the patients who had received a total condylar I prosthesis (p = 0.005 and 0.01, respectively). There was a direct correlation between the knee score and the number of years that had elapsed since the patellectomy. The longer the interval between the patellectomy and the total knee replacement, the higher the postoperative knee score (r = 0.78, p < 0.001). While in general the results of a total knee arthroplasty done after a patellectomy are inferior to those reported in the literature for patients who have not had a patellectomy, notable decreases in pain and increases in function can be achieved.
Rooting stem cuttings of Chinese chestnut

Abstract Rooting of Chinese chestnut ( Castanea mollissima Blume.) stem cuttings following treatment with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was investigated. Tip and basal cutting from vigorous epicormic shoots and terminal shoots with 2–3 cm of the previous year's wood were taken from mature regions of trees approximately 40 years of age. Cuttings were dipped for 5 s in an aqueous solution of either 3 or 6 g l −1 IBA. Rooting occurred only in the basal softwood cuttings. Average rooting of 33.5, 5.0 and 1.6% for ‘AU-Leader’, ‘AU-Homestead’ and ‘AU-Cropper’, respectively, was obtained using the 3 g l −1 IBA solution, and 35.0, 6.7 and 3.3%, respectively, using the 6 g l −1 IBA solution.
Morphine challenges in levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) post-addict rats.

Abstract LAAM dependence was established in female Sprague-Dawley rats over a two week period by a series of twice daily oral intubations. LAAM was then withdrawn. These LAAM post-addict rats along with controls were challenged with 10 mg/kg of i.p. morphine at 15 days, one month, three months, and six months post-withdrawal. In control rats morphine challenges produced, as expected, a biphasic response consisting of 60–90 minutes of EEG slow-wave bursts and behavioral depression followed by 60–90 minutes of EEG and behavioral arousal. In LAAM post-addict rats on day 15 of abstinence morphine challenges produced primarily EEG and behavioral arousal for two to three hours with little or no depression. At one and three months of LAAM abstinence morphine challenges still produced more immediate and sustained EEG and behavioral arousal during the initial two hours than in control rats. At six months in LAAM post-addict rats responses to morphine challenges were biphasic and were similar to those seen in control rats. These results are indicative of protracted abstinence in LAAM post-addict rats, and these results are analogous to those previously reported from our laboratory for morphine post-addict rats.
Estimation of the formation rates of polyatomic species of heavy metals in plutonium analyses using a multicollector ICP-MS with a desolvating nebulizer

Analyses of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and environmental samples for the Pu isotopic content are conducted normally at very low concentrations of Pu—usually in the range of parts per trillion and even more often at the parts per quadrillion level. To analyze such low concentrations, the interferents in the analytical solution must be reduced as much as possible. Polyatomic interferents (PIs), formed by heavy elements (HEs) from Hf to Bi, are known to create problems for Pu isotopic analyses, because even the relatively high resolution of a modern multicollector (MC) inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is insufficient to separate Pu isotopes from such PIs in most cases. Desolvating nebulizers (DSNs) (e.g., APEX and AridusII) reduce significantly the formation of PIs compared to the use of wet plasma. The purpose of this work was to investigate the rate of PI formation produced by HMs when a high-resolution (HR) MC-ICP-MS with a DSN was used for Pu isotopic analyses and to estimate the influence of the HEs present in the sample on the results of the analyses. The NU Plasma HR MC and AridusII DSN were used in this investigation. This investigation was done for the interferents for all Pu isotopes normally analyzed by ICP-MS, including 244Pu, with the exception of 238Pu, which most of the time cannot be analyzed using an ICP-MS, because of the overwhelming presence of 238U in the solutions. The PI formation rates were determined and reported. Selected IAEA samples were scanned for the presence of HEs and the influence of HEs on the results of Pu isotopic analyses was evaluated.
Information systems outsourcing life cycle and risks analysis

This paper identifies an information systems outsourcing life cycle through three project related periods: pre-contract phase, contract phase, and post-contract phase. Also, various risk factors that associated with each phase of the information system outsourcing practice have been identified and examined. ISO quality standards and risk management standards are also discussed in this paper. A successful outsourcing project needs to perform suitable risk analysis and quality control process.
Concordant total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in dizygotic twins.

Regarding the duration of therapy, application of amiodarone to the fetus is a short-term treatment, since in the majority of infants SVT can be treated effectively with other drugs after birth. Because there was no data available concerning intravascular injection of amiodarone in the fetus, we initially selected a dose of 10 mg (estimated weight of fetus 1000 pm), then increased the dosage to 20 mg, and finally to 40 mg. Compared with bolus injections, the selected doses were high. Inasmuch as no unwanted effects were observed, the doses were increased to avoid numerous punctures of the umbilical vein. With this regimen no negative effects on sinus rhythm or cardiac performance were observed. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) fetal and maternal drug levels are documented to be different depending on the degree of hydrops fetalis. Based on these experiences direct applications of antiarrhythmic drugs can be necessary in fetuses with severe hydrops caused by tachyarrhythmia when hampered transplacental passage of antiarrhythmic drugs is proved by sampling of fetal blood. (2) Repeated umbilical puncture is safe for direct infusion of drug. (3) Amiodarone is effective without side effects in the fetus; therefore amiodarone could become the drug of choice for direct treatment of the fetus in rare, otherwise drug-refractory cases. However, further experience with dose selection and drug safety is required.
Theory of ultrafast autoionization dynamics of Fano resonances

We study atomic autoionization processes in the time domain. With the emerging attosecond extreme vacuum ultraviolet and soft x-ray pulses, we first address how to characterize the time evolution of the decay of a discrete state into a degenerate continuum. A short pump beam generates a number of resonance states in a series and the nearby background continuum, and the resultant wave packet evolves with time until the full decay of the bound states. Taking the $2\mathit{pns}({}^{1}{P}^{o})$ resonance series embedded in the $2s\ensuremath{\epsilon}p({}^{1}{P}^{o})$ continuum in a beryllium atom as an example, the time evolution of the autoionizing wave packet in the energy domain and in coordinate space is calculated and analyzed, where Fano profiles build up in the photoelectron energy during the process. A proposed pump-probe scheme assumes that the probe beam ionizes the $2s$ inner electron in the wave packet. The lifetimes of the resonances and the photoelectron energy distribution can be obtained from the ionization yield vs. the time delay of the probe.
Combined effects of ethanol and cocaine on FOS-like protein and cocaethylene biosynthesis in the rat.

To study the simultaneous effects of ethanol and cocaine on striatal FOS-like protein, rats were exposed to an (8.7%) ethanol solution for 15 days followed by single or daily cocaine injections (20 mg/kg; IP). Ethanol consumption reduced the induction of the nuclear protein under both temporal regimens of cocaine administration. In contrast, sucrose pair-fed or ad libitum control groups exhibited a robust induction of FOS-like protein throughout the striatum, particularly in dorsal-central quadrants of the caudate putamen. This pattern of combined drug use produced blood ethanol concentrations in the range of 22–370 mg/dl, corresponding with those associated with mild intoxication in humans. Under both cocaine regimens, the presence of ethanol led to the transesterification of cocaine into the active metabolite, cocaethylene (31–121 ng/ml). Plasma levels of this metabolite did not exceed those of cocaine (17–1024 ng/ml), suggesting that under this drug regimen at least, cocaethylene formation is relatively low and perhaps dependent upon specific levels of ethanol and cocaine in hepatic microsomes. In addition, systemic administration of cocaethylene to rats (60 μmol/kg; molar equivalent of 20 mg/kg cocaine) induced widespread FOS-like protein in the caudate putamen. Induction of the transcription factor protein by cocaethylene was similar in magnitude and anatomic distribution to that of cocaine, suggesting that these two drug congeners share common molecular mechanisms of gene expression.
Regulation of the transcription factor AP‐1 in benign and malignant mouse keratinocyte cells

The mouse benign keratinocyte cell line 308 was previously shown to have less AP-1 DNA binding and transactivation ability than its malignant variant 10Gy5. Because elevated AP-1 activity in 10Gy5 appears to be critical for its malignant phenotype, we were interested in examining the molecular mechanisms that regulate activator protein 1 (AP-1) in this system. In both 308 and 10Gy5 cells, c-fos, fra-2, c-jun, jun B, and jun D were capable of binding to an AP-1 DNA binding site as determined by antibody clearance gel mobility shift assays. By western analysis, jun B steady-state nuclear and cytoplasmic protein levels were reduced in 10Gy5 cells as compared with 308 cells and jun B steady-state mRNA levels were similar in the two cell lines. The rate of jun B protein synthesis was decreased in 10Gy5 cells in comparison with 308 cells. Gel mobility shift experiments indicated that AP-1 inhibitory proteins were not present in the cytoplasm of 308 cells. Oxidation-reduction posttranslational modification was not a major mechanism of AP-1 regulation in these cells as shown by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-responsive element (TRE) gel mobility shift assay of nuclear protein treated with a reducing agent and by western analysis for ref-1 protein. Overall phosphorylation of AP-1 proteins in 308 and 10Gy5 cells was examined by 32P orthophosphate labeling and immunoprecipitation. A difference in jun B protein overall phosphorylation was observed in the two cell lines. Our experiments suggest that decreased jun B protein levels may be a mechanism that results in elevated AP-1 activity in malignant 10Gy5 cells. Mol. Carcinog. 18:26–36, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Enhancing Enzyme Stability Against TiO2-UV Induced Inactivation

The use of enzymes in conjunction with inorganic photocatalysts requires stability against photooxidation. In this paper, we describe enhanced stabilization of a model enzyme, chymotrypsin, to photooxidation driven by titanium dioxide exposed to ultraviolet light (TiO2-UV). Stabilization is achieved conjugating the enzyme with an oligomeric adduct of UV-absorbing (2-[3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]ethyl methacrylate) (HBMA) and free radical-absorbing 2-methacryloyloxyethyl-6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylate (Trolox-HEMA). Juxtaposition of the antioxidant Trolox with the UV absorber HBMA within a single chain reduced the rate of deactivation of the former by TiO2-UV. This enables modified enzyme, which is adsorbed on TiO2, to absorb both UV-light and free radicals and locally reduce the rate of photooxidation. Interestingly, Trolox was more readily deactivated by TiO2-UV when it was conjugated separately to chymotrypsin that had been pre-modified with HBMA moieties.
Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 Dust Size and Velocity Distributions

Pre-impact observations of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 (S-L9) obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope are examined, and a model of an active, dust-producing comet is fitted to images of fragments G, H, K, and L. The model assumes steady isotropic dust emission from each fragment's sunlit hemisphere. Best-fit results indicate that the dominant light-scatterers in these fragments' comae were relatively large dust grains of radii 10 micrometers < R < 3 mm. The fragments' dust size distributions were rather flat in comparison to other comets, dN(R) proportional to R(sup -2.3 +/- 0.1), and the dust ejection speeds were approximately 0.5-1.5 m/s. The S-L9 fragments themselves were not detected directly, and upper limits on their radii are 1.0-1.5 km assuming an albedo a = 0.04. However, these fragments' vigorous production of dust, which ranges from 6 to 22 kg/s, places a lower limit of approximately 100 m on their radii at the moment of tidal breakup. Any fragments smaller than this limit, yet experiencing similar mass loss rates, would have dissipated prior to impact. Such bodies would fail to leave an impact scar at Jupiter's atmosphere, as was realized by fragments F, J, P(sub 1), P(sub 2), T, and U.
Hyaluronan Structures Synthesized by Rat Mesangial Cells in Response to Hyperglycemia Induce Monocyte Adhesion

Mesangial expansion, the principal glomerular lesion in diabetic nephropathy, is preceded by a phenotypic activation and transient proliferation of the glomerular mesangial cells and by a prominent glomerular infiltration of monocytes and macrophages. Because this infiltration seems to play a key role in the subsequent mesangial matrix expansion, we tested the response of cultures of rat mesangial cells (RMCs) for monocyte adhesion in response to hyperglycemia. Increasing the medium glucose concentration from 5.6 mm (normal) to 25.6 mm (hyperglycemic) significantly increased hyaluronan in the cell matrix, with a concurrent 3- to 4-fold increase in adhesion of U937 monocytic leukemic cells to cultures of near confluent RMCs. These responses were attributed directly to the high glucose concentration and not to increased extracellular osmolality. The monocytes primarily bind directly to hyaluronan-based structures in vitro. Abnormal deposits of hyaluronan were found in glomeruli of kidney sections from diabetic rats 1 week after streptozotocin treatment, often with closely associated monocytes/macrophages, suggesting that similar structures are relevant in vivo. The monocyte adhesion response to high glucose concentration required growth stimulation of RMCs by serum and activation of protein kinase C, and was inhibited by prior passage of the RMCs in the presence of heparin. These results suggest that the response may be cell growth state and protein kinase C-dependent. When incubated with the viral mimetic, poly I:C, in the presence of normal glucose, heparin-passaged RMCs still increased cell-associated hyaluronan and exhibited hyaluronan-mediated adhesion of monocytes, indicating that the two stimuli, high glucose and viral mimetic, induce the production of the hyaluronan structures that promote monocyte adhesion by distinctly different intracellular signaling mechanisms.
A Novel Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer with Improved Ion Trapping and Detection Capabilities

A novel Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer has been developed for improved biomolecule analysis. A flared metal capillary and an electrodynamic ion funnel were installed in the source region of the instrument for improved ion transmission. The transfer quadrupole is divided into 19 segments, with the capacity for independent control of DC voltage biases for each segment. Restrained ion population transfer (RIPT) is used to transfer ions from the ion accumulation region to the ICR cell. The RIPT ion guide reduces mass discrimination that occurs as a result of time-of-flight effects associated with gated trapping. Increasing the number of applied DC bias voltages from 8 to 18 increases the number of ions that are effectively trapped in the ICR cell. The RIPT ion guide with a novel voltage profile applied during ion transfer provides a 3- to 4-fold increase in the number of ions that are trapped in the ICR cell compared with gated trapping for the same ion accumulation time period. A novel ICR cell was incorporated in the instrument to reduce radial electric field variation for ions with different z-axis oscillation amplitudes. With the ICR cell, called trapping ring electrode cell (TREC), we can tailor the shape of the trapping electric fields to reduce dephasing of coherent cyclotron motion of an excited ion packet. With TREC, nearly an order of magnitude increase in sensitivity is observed. The performance of the instrument with the combination of RIPT, TREC, flared inlet, and ion funnel is presented.
Cytochrome c and dATP-mediated oligomerization of Apaf-1 is a prerequisite for procaspase-9 activation.

To elucidate the mechanism of activation of procaspase-9 by Apaf-1, we produced recombinant full-length Apaf-1 and purified it to complete homogeneity. Here we show using gel filtration that full-length Apaf-1 exists as a monomer that can be transformed to an oligomeric complex made of at least eight subunits after binding to cytochrome c and dATP. Apaf-1 binds to cytochromec in the absence of dATP but does not form the oligomeric complex. However, when dATP is added to the cytochromec-bound Apaf-1 complex, complete oligomerization occurs, suggesting that oligomerization is driven by hydrolysis of dATP. This was supported by the observation that ATP, but not the nonhydrolyzable adenosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate), can induce oligomerization of the Apaf-1-cytochrome c complex. Like the spontaneously oligomerizing Apaf-530, which lacks its WD-40 domain, the oligomeric full-length Apaf-1-cytochrome c complex can bind and process procaspase-9 in the absence of additional dATP or cytochrome c. However, unlike the truncated Apaf-530 complex, the full-length Apaf-1 complex can release the mature caspase-9 after processing. Once released, mature caspase-9 can process procaspase-3, setting into motion the caspase cascade. These observations indicate that cytochrome c and dATP are required for oligomerization of Apaf-1 and suggest that the WD-40 domain plays an important role in oligomerization of full-length Apaf-1 and the release of mature caspase-9 from the Apaf-1 oligomeric complex.
Enclosed Chiral Environments from Self-Assembled Metal−Organic Polyhedra

Enclosed chiral spaces can be achieved using self-assembled metal−organic polyhedra. Such spaces can be useful for the recognition of chiral guests and the promotion of enantioselective reactions. Here, we provide a review of recent progress in the design, synthesis, and characterization of chiral self-assembled metal−organic polyhedra, with a particular focus on symmetry and structure. Chirality may be incorporated into molecular polyhedra prior to or during the self-assembly process. Examples of both approaches are discussed.
Discussion of “Resistance to flow in rough channels”

Powell's paper parallels to some extent the work reported in a recent thesis carried out under the direction of H. L. Langhaar and the writer in the Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the University of Hlinois [Bjelland, 1950]. The purpose of the thesis was to evaluate by experiments on a smooth triangular open channel a dimensionless graph based on the existing graphs for pipe flow, similar to Figure 5. The coordinates for the dimensionless graph, Figure 7, were obtained from the following result of a dimensional analysis of open channel flow at normal depth.
Metabolic Imaging Biomarkers of Postradiotherapy Xerostomia

Purpose Xerostomia is a major complication of head and neck radiotherapy (RT). Available xerostomia measures remain flawed. [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose-labeled positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET-CT) is routinely used for staging and response assessment of head and neck cancer. We investigated quantitative measurement of parotid gland FDG uptake as a potential biomarker for post-RT xerostomia. Methods and Materials Ninety-eight locally advanced head and neck cancer patients receiving definitive RT underwent baseline and post-RT FDG-PET-CT on a prospective imaging trial. A separate validation cohort of 14 patients underwent identical imaging while prospectively enrolled in a second trial collecting sialometry and patient-reported outcomes. Radiation dose and pre- and post-RT standard uptake values (SUVs) for all voxels contained within parotid gland ROI were deformably registered. Results Average whole-gland or voxel-by-voxel models incorporating parotid D Met (defined as the pretreatment parotid SUV weighted by dose) accurately predicted posttreatment changes in parotid FDG uptake ( e.g. , fractional parotid SUV). Fractional loss of parotid FDG uptake closely paralleled early parotid toxicity defined by posttreatment salivary output ( p p Conclusions In this pilot series, loss of parotid FDG uptake was strongly associated with acute clinical post-RT parotid toxicity. D Met may potentially be used to guide function-sparing treatment planning. Prospective validation of FDG-PET-CT as a convenient, quantifiable imaging biomarker of parotid function is warranted and ongoing.
Business Politics and the State in Twentieth-Century Latin America

This is the first systematically comparative and historical analysis of the incorporation of business into politics in Latin America, examining business organizing and political activity over the last century in five of the largest, most developed countries of the region. Why did business end up better organized in Chile, Colombia, and Mexico than in Argentina and Brazil? The explanation for the surprising cross-national variations lays neither in economic characteristics of business nor broader political parameters, but in the cumulative effect of actions of state actors. The book also considers the consequences of these differences in organization and finds that stronger encompassing associations offer government officials opportunities for concerted policy making with business that can enhance policy implementation. The strong hand of the state in organizing business has important implications not only for theories of collective action, but also for our understanding of civil society and its potential to promote democratization.
Ontogeny of NMDA R1 subunit protein expression in five regions of rat brain.

A polyclonal antiserum to a fusion protien corresponding to a region of the NMDA R1 (NR1) subunit (amino acids 656–811) was produced and affinity purified. A quantitative immunoblotting technique was developed using the fusion protein as a standard. By employing this method, ontogenic studies (day 2–42) of the density of NR1 protein were carried out in several regions of rat brain. The results showed that in all five of the brain regions examined [olfactory bulb (Ob), cortex (Cx), hippocampus (Hp), midbrain (Mb) and cerebellum (Cb)], levels of NR1 protein are low at birth and increase with similar patterns having a sharp rise within the first 3 weeks after birth. Levels increased 2.0 to 4.5-fold from postnatal day 2 to postnatal day 42. Although the general patterns of developmental expression are similar, large differences in the absolute amounts of NR1 protein among the five brain regions were observed. The maximal levels (pmol of fusion protein equivalent/mg±S.E.) of NR1 subunit attained during development in the five regions are: Hp 2.0 ± 0.37 > Cx 1.4 ± 0.11 > Ob 1.3 ± 0.2 > Mb 1.0 ± 0.10 > Cb 0.57 ± 0.13. The temporal patterns of expression of NR1 protein are similar to results from studies examining the expression of NR1 mRNA. Furthermore, the absolute numbers obtained from our studies are close to those found using [3H]MK-801 binding suggesting that many of the NR1 subunits expressed in the brain exist in an active form.
STERN-GERLACH EXPERIMENT ON POLARIZED NEUTRONS

A neutron beam was polarized by total reflection from a magnetized iron mirror. The beam was then analyzed by passing it through an inhomogeneous magnetic field. From the deflection pattern obtained, it is inferred that the resultant neutron spin in the polarized beam was parallel to the magnetic field applied to the mirror. Thus the nuclear and magnetic scattering amplitudes for iron are of the same sign when the neutron spin and electronic spin are oppositely directed, and conversely.
Chain configuration at critical miscibility of polymer solution

Abstract The application of a thermodynamic theory of flexible-chain polymer solutions indicated, in a previous work, that even at the theta temperature a polymer coil was significantly expanded over the unperturbed dimension. This was interpreted to mean that the chain segments at the periphery of the coil were more extended than the average. At the critical miscibility point, which is below the theta temperature and which is defined by concentration and temperature for a given molecular weight of polymer, this excess expansion of the coil disappears. This conclusion was reached through a calculation of the coil equilibrium, that is, the “microther-modynamic approach.” In this work a “macrothermodynamic approach” was used, because it enables us to evaluate the coil expansion from the conditions of critical miscibility. The results are in agreement with the previous ones that at the critical miscibility point, there is no excess expansion of the coil. The chain segments at the periphery of the coil are no...
Production Processes and Organizational Policies

The Profit Impact of Marketing Strategy (PIMS) database was used to test the relationship between production process type (small batch, large batch/assembly, and continuous) and eight organizational policy decisions (new products, new plant and equipment, finished goods inventory, raw materials/work‐in‐process inventory, capacity utilization, fixed capital assets, manufacturing costs, gross margin). In addition, the effect of six broad industry types on the proposed relationships was also investigated. Overall industries, raw materials/work‐in‐progress, capacity utilization, manufacturing costs, fixed assets, and gross margin varied with production process type while new products, new plant and equipment, and finished goods inventory did not vary. Within each industry, the findings showed less support for the relationships between production process type and the eight organizational policy decisions. Further analysis showed that most of the industries are dominated by a production process type. Suggests a...
The changing american jewish family in the 80s

Traditionally, the Jewish emphasis on marriage begins at birth. The male child, as he is ritually circumcised, and the female child, as she is named in the synagogue, each receive a blessing that they mature into marriage and good deeds and (for boys) the study of Torah. That blessing is repeated at each official milestone in the child's life, for Judaism views marriage not as a necessary com promise to human frailties but as the most productive state for adult human beings. Informally as well, Jewish culture has reflected an emphasis on marriage which suffuses language, attitudes and behavior. Common Yiddish phrases expressed that preoccupation: If a five-year old boy's ears protruded, his mother shrugged and remarked that "his bride will find him beautiful." If a twelve-year old girl wore a mismatched skirt and blouse, a grandmother advised her to wear more appropriate clothing, for she was "almost a bridal girl." If a fifteen-year old found unsavory friends, parents warned that she would "ruin her own marriage match." Partially as a result of this overwhelming cultural bias,
On the restoration of the microscanned images captured from unmanned airborne vehicles

Unmanned Airborne Vehicles (UAVs) during flight capture a set of images that have slightly different looks of the scene. These images often contain a sufficient overlapped area between them and subpixel shifts of random fractions that allows for constructing a high resolution image within the overlapped area. The high resolution image may have a poor visual quality due to the degradations during acquisition and display processes such as blurring caused by the system optics or aliasing due to sampling. A technique referred to as the microscanning is an effective method for reducing aliasing and increasing spatial resolution. By moving the field of view (FOV) on the detector array with predetermined sub-pixel shifts, both aliasing reduction and resolution improvement are realized with increasing effective spatial sampling periods. In this paper we introduce the idea of the microscanning in UAV captured images. Based on the continuous-discrete-continuous (CDC) model, a Wiener restoration filter is used to restore the visually poor quality image to a super resolution (SR) image.
Enzymatic production of small molecules attracting hermit crabs to simulated gastropod predation sites

Predatory marine gastropods commonly capture and feed upon gastropod prey. This event is of importance to hermit crabs as the result is a shell available for occupation. Previous studies of gastropod predation sites (McLean, 1974, 1975; Rittschof, 1980) have shown that hermit crabs are attracted to the sites via chemicals released from the prey snail flesh. This study was conducted to further characterize the nature of the chemical signal and to investigate possible mechanisms of its production. Simulated gastropod predation sites were initiated and observed on ebb tide in the low intertidal zone in Sarasota Bay, Sarasota, Florida. Flesh from the muscular foot was used to construct three major types of gastropod sites: fresh flesh, flesh which had been frozen-thawed, and fresh flesh plus trypsin. The tissue was placed in dialysis bags to limit the diffusion of all but small molecules. The first hermit crabs came to the trypsin sites 16 ± 3 min post initiation, to freeze-thaw sites 33 ± 11 min, and to flesh sites after about 2 hr. The average number of crabs attending each type of site was 0.3, 11.6, and 12.6 for the flesh, freeze-thaw, and trypsin sites, respectively. The time of initial arrival of hermit crabs to the freeze-thaw and trypsin sites was similar to that observed at natural predation sites. These data provide indirect evidence that hermit crabs are responding to peptides produced by enzymatic degradation of proteins in gastropod flesh, and support the hypothesis that the protease(s) responsible for producing the signal peptides originates from the predatory gastropod. Finally, a tabulation is presented of all gastropod prey species (13 species in 12 genera) and hermit crab attendants (8 species in 4 genera) for which the pheonomenon has been observed.
Strategies to increase HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor use after acute myocardial infarction.

Coronary artery disease with its accompanying complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the major causes of death in the modern world. A variety of both primary and secondary prevention strategies have been developed for the treatment of acute MI. One of the more important of these strategies is the prescription of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have the potential to positively affect the outcome of acute MI in a variety of ways including the reduction of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and stabilisation of the atherosclerotic plaque. Multiple large randomised clinical trials have documented the potential of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors to reduce both shortand long-term mortality after acute MI. This benefit exists regardless of age, gender, clinical presentation, or even baseline lipid levels. However, despite this overwhelming amount of evidence supporting the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in the post-MI setting, multiple studies have documented the presence of a significant ‘treatment gap’. Indeed, often, less than half of acute MI patients who would benefit from HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy actually receive it. The reasons for the low utilisation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in the acute MI patient are many, but may include poor communication, the high cost of treatment, the lack of associated symptoms and confusion regarding appropriate lipid levels to target. One approach that has been tried to address these issues is the development of institutional programmes specifically targeted to increase the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in acute MI patients. These programmes, often managed by nurses or pharmacists, have been piloted in several institutions. They have been effectively implemented in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In most cases they have been implemented without a great increase in expense. They have often increased the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors to >90%. Most importantly, they have documented a significant improvement in the long-term survival of acute MI patients. Based on these preliminary studies, it is recommended that the implementation of these strategies be considered by most healthcare institutions.
VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE KANSAS CITY CARDIOMYOPATHY QUESTIONNAIRE IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE AND PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION

Despite the growing epidemic of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), no valid measure of patients’ health status (symptoms, function and quality of life) exists. We evaluated the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) in HFpEF. Using the Washington University Heart
An integrated approach to solving the master aggregate scheduling problem

Abstract Master scheduling is concerned with synchronizing production activities with product demand, while also coordinating the use of different resources. It will thus be a key schedule in any control system intended for application in an integrated manufacturing environment. This paper combines earlier methodologies, in master scheduling and aggregate planning, to develop a master aggregate schedule (MA-schedule) model, which is better equipped to meet the needs of modern manufacturing facilities. The MA-schedule aggregates capacity, time, and products; models routing and capacity flexibility; considers the availability of material transporters; and has a multi-criteria objective function. The schedule is formulated as a large-scale mixed integer program. Experimental results with some test problems are reported, and the impact of the new features is studied.
Controlled Growth of Parallel Oriented ZnO Nanostructural Arrays on Ga2O3 Nanowires

Novel hierarchical ZnO−Ga2O3 nanostructures were fabricated via a two stage growth process. Nanowires of Ga2O3 were obtained in the first stage by the vapor−liquid−solid mechanism and used as the f...
Business cycle analysis without much theory A look at structural VARs

Abstract This paper examines the usefulness of applying structural vector autoregressions (SVARs) to the study of business cycles. The SVAR approach aims to provide robust inferences, by imposing only weak theoretical restrictions. We illustrate that the robustness of conclusions drawn from SVAR exercises are questionable. We also examine the problem of identification failure in structural VAR models.
A simple rearing chamber for lotic insect larvae

An effective rearing chamber for aquatic insects can be made from inexpensive commercially available products. An angled air line is attached to a round 400 ml Rubbermaid® dish with a snap-on lid to create a circular flow with bubbles. The lid included with the dish can be modified to accept a tube with fine mesh screen at one end for capturing emerging adults. This chamber is a reliable and effective technique for studying larval behavior and obtaining adults for species identification.
Podocytopenia and disease severity in IgA nephropathy.

Podocytopenia and disease severity in IgA nephropathy. Background IgA nephropathy is a common form of progressive glomerular disease, associated with proliferation of mesangial cells and mesangial deposition of IgA. The present study was designed to investigate functional and morphological covariates of disease severity in patients with IgA nephropathy. Methods Glomerular hemodynamics, permselectivity and ultrastructure were studied in 17 adult patients with IgA nephropathy using inulin, para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) and 3 H-Ficoll clearances and morphometric methods. A mathematical model of macromolecule permeation through a heteroporous membrane was used to characterize glomerular permselectivity. Controls consisted of 14 healthy living kidney donors and 12 healthy volunteers. Results The patients were heterogeneous in their disease severity, but as a group had a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and increased urinary protein excretion compared to controls [63 ± 29 SD vs. 104 ± 23 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , P P P = 0.002). Those patients with the most severe glomerular dysfunction had a reduced number of glomerular visceral epithelial cells (podocytes) per glomerulus. The degree of podocytopenia was related to the extent of glomerular sclerosis and of impairment of permselectivity and GFR, with worsening injury below an apparent threshold podocyte number of about 250 cells per glomerulus. There were no corresponding correlations between these indices of injury and the number of mesangial and endothelial cells. Conclusions Our findings show that podocyte loss is a concomitant of increasing disease severity in IgA nephropathy. This suggests that podocyte loss may either cause or contribute to the progressive proteinuria, glomerular sclerosis and filtration failure seen in this disorder.
Noncanonical DNA Motifs as Transactivation Targets by Wild Type and Mutant p53

Sequence-specific binding by the human p53 master regulator is critical to its tumor suppressor activity in response to environmental stresses. p53 binds as a tetramer to two decameric half-sites separated by 0-13 nucleotides (nt), originally defined by the consensus RRRCWWGYYY (n = 0-13) RRRCWWGYYY. To better understand the role of sequence, organization, and level of p53 on transactivation at target response elements (REs) by wild type (WT) and mutant p53, we deconstructed the functional p53 canonical consensus sequence using budding yeast and human cell systems. Contrary to early reports on binding in vitro, small increases in distance between decamer half-sites greatly reduces p53 transactivation, as demonstrated for the natural TIGER RE. This was confirmed with human cell extracts using a newly developed, semi-in vitro microsphere binding assay. These results contrast with the synergistic increase in transactivation from a pair of weak, full-site REs in the MDM2 promoter that are separated by an evolutionary conserved 17 bp spacer. Surprisingly, there can be substantial transactivation at noncanonical (1/2)-(a single decamer) and (3/4)-sites, some of which were originally classified as biologically relevant canonical consensus sequences including PIDD and Apaf-1. p53 family members p63 and p73 yielded similar results. Efficient transactivation from noncanonical elements requires tetrameric p53, and the presence of the carboxy terminal, non-specific DNA binding domain enhanced transactivation from noncanonical sequences. Our findings demonstrate that RE sequence, organization, and level of p53 can strongly impact p53-mediated transactivation, thereby changing the view of what constitutes a functional p53 target. Importantly, inclusion of (1/2)- and (3/4)-site REs greatly expands the p53 master regulatory network.
Can You Answer a Question for Me? Processing Indirect Speech Acts

Abstract Two experiments explored how subjects identify the speech acts of utterances. In particular, they compared models in which the direct speech act is derived first, and two "parallel" models in which direct and indirect meanings are on equal footing. Subjects in Experiment I were given questions that were plausible or implausible in their direct and indirect meanings, and were asked to judge whether each item had a plausible direct meaning. The presence of a plausible indirect meaning slowed decision time, showing that indirect meaning could not be ignored and was derived no later than direct meaning. Subjects in Experiment 2 were given the same four question types within a story and were asked to answer them as if they were the person being asked. Response times were equivalent for sentences that had one plausible meaning (direct or indirect) or both direct and indirect meanings. The results were taken as evidence for a model of speech act processing in which a single plausible interpretation is derived for each sentence, regardless of whether it is direct or indirect.
Major depressive disorder in adolescents: family psychiatric history predicts severe behavioral disinhibition.

Abstract Background Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) becomes increasingly prevalent during adolescence and is associated with substantial psychiatric comorbidity and psychosocial impairment. The marked behavioral heterogeneity evident among adolescents with MDD suggests the possibility of distinct subtypes. This study was designed to determine whether family psychiatric histories differ between groups of MDD adolescents defined by the presence or absence of severe behavioral disinhibition. Methods Adolescents with MDD (n = 71) completed the Buss–Durkee Hostility Inventory—Adapted, Adolescent Aggressive Incidents Interview (AAII), Measure of Aggression, Violence, and Rage in Children, Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-JR., Suicidal Behavior Inventory, and Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale. Parents completed the Family Informant Schedule and Criteria, Children's Affective Liability Scale, AAII, and a partial DISC. Behavioral disinhibition (BD) measures were used to assign adolescents to MDD + BD (n = 41) and MDD − BD (n = 30) groups. Results The MDD + BD group had a higher prevalence of drug use disorders in biological fathers than the MDD − BD group. The MDD + BD group also had higher proportions of paternal second degree relatives with alcohol use disorders, drug use disorders, and psychiatric hospitalizations, and a higher proportion of maternal second degree relatives with antisocial personality disorder. Limitations Limitations include reliance on single informants for family psychiatric histories and the failure to distinguish between child- and adolescent-onset depression. Conclusions Family psychiatric histories differentiated MDD adolescents grouped by the presence or absence of behavioral disinhibition, suggesting possible etiologic mechanisms. Further research on subtypes or comorbid presentations may assist in the development of targeted treatment strategies.
Trace element fractionation during modal and nonmodal dynamic melting and open-system melting: a mathematical treatment

Abstract Dynamic partial melting model has recently drawn considerable attention because this model may explain the fractionation of some strongly incompatible nuclides in the uranium decay series McKenzie 1985 , Beattie 1993 and may account for ultra-depleted melt inclusions in olivine grains from mid-ocean ridge basalts (Sobolev and Shimizu, 1993) and Icelandic picrites (Eggins, 1992) . There are three subsystems for dynamic melting model: the residual melt, the extracted melt, and the residual solid. This paper systematically derives consistent equations for the residual melt, the extracted melt, and the residual solid in the context of both modal and nonmodal dynamic melting models. Previous available equations are also evaluated. The keys for the derivation or evaluation of equations for dynamic melting models are (1) the exact relationship between the melting rate and the melt extraction rate, (2) the exact relationship between the total melting degree and the fraction of extracted melt relative to the initial amount of source before melting, and (3) clear concepts of physical parameters. In addition, the equation for the residual melt during open-system (nonmodal dynamic) melting (Ozawa and Shimizu, 1995) with material influx in the melting region is corrected and an equation for the extracted melt in the context of open-system melting is proposed here. Since melting and melt extraction processes are often coupled with slab-derived material influx in the melting region in the arc environments, these two new equations for the residual melt and the extracted melt during open-system melting are very useful in modeling arc magmatism.
Hyperlipidemia and Diabetes: The Role of Dietary Fats:

The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia is extremely important. Both elevated cholesterol and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in adults with diabetes. All health profes sionals working with diabetic patients must be familiar with the recommendations from the National Cholesterol Education Project and know general dietary guidelines to assist their patients in adopting lower fat eating styles. Dietitians should develop an awareness of the controversial research questions being asked. The role of total fat, cholesterol, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and carbohydrate in the diet will be explored. Implications for practice for dietitians as well as other health professionals will be suggested.