cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ropivacaine 0.1% versus 0.2% for continuous lumbar plexus nerve block infusions following total hip arthroplasty: a randomized, double blinded study.

Objective Continuous lumbar plexus blocks provide excellent analgesia for total hip arthroplasty (THA), but their utility has been questioned as they may increase motor weakness. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two different concentrations of ropivacaine on both postoperative analgesia and motor function. Methods Thirty patients were examined in this prospective, single center, double-blinded, parallel group, comparative, randomized controlled trial in patients undergoing primary THA. Lumbar plexus catheters were inserted preoperatively. After surgery, patients were randomly assigned to receive an infusion of ropivacaine at a concentration of either 0.1% (group 0.1%) or 0.2% (group 0.2%) at a standardized volume of 7 mL per hour for 24 hours. Patients were also given free access to patient-controlled analgesia hydromorphone for 24 hours, supplemental intravenous (IV) opiates, and boluses of their assigned local anesthetic concentration via the lumbar plexus catheter. The primary endpoint was total hydromorphone consumption in 24 hours. Secondary endpoints included pain scores, sensory and motor function, and patient satisfaction. Results There was no significant difference in hydromorphone consumption in the first 24 hours postoperatively (mean [95% confidence interval]) between group 0.1% (8.02 mg [6.02–10.02]) and group 0.2% (8.21 mg [5.75–10.69], P = 0.90). The volume of local anesthetic received, pain scores, sensory and motor function, and patient satisfaction did not vary between groups. Conclusions Following primary THA, lumbar plexus perineural infusion of 0.1% ropivacaine provided similar benefits for postoperative analgesia and functional recovery as 0.2% ropivacaine.
Time reversal for source localization in urban environments considering the effects of Doppler shift

Time reversal can be used as a secure communication means between two terminals without knowing their locations. In this case, the time reversed signal will focus at the targeted terminal automatically. This same mechanism can also be used in the determination of the source location of a transmitted signal, especially in complex urban environments. The complex structure of streets, buildings, and other elements of an urban area are difficult to model and prove especially difficult for source detection. For this purpose, time reversal is a viable method which is well suited for the rich multipath domain provided by a complex urban setting. Time reversal has been employed in numerical methods, such as FDTD, for source localization. These methods are accurate and convenient for time reversal as they operate in the time domain. However, these methods are not well suited for simulation of the physically and electrically large sizes of urban areas. Ray tracing is a suitable method which can provide fast and accurate performance in modelling such environments.
Superconductivity in transition metal chalcogenides

Abstract The upper critical field anisotropy H C2‖ H C2⊥ has been studied in 2H-TaS2 intercalated with methylamine and pyridine, and comparison to theoretical models predicting dimensional crossover has been made. The temperature dependence of HC2‖ shows upward curvature over a substantial range of temperature below Tc, and good theoretical fits are obtained using parameters well within the limits required for dimensional crossover. Critical fields well above 213 kG are obtained and exceed the Pauli limit by more than a factor of two. A dramatic drop in the coherence length perpendicular to the layers confirms the characteristics expected for Josephson coupled layers.
Pet Peeves and Happiness: How Do Happy People Complain?

The present study was designed to investigate the relationships among mindfulness, happiness, and the expression of pet peeves. Previous research has established a positive correlation between happiness and mindfulness, but, to date, no research has examined how each of these variables is related to complaining in the form of pet peeves. Four hundred ten male and female college students listed the pet peeves they had with a current or former relationship partner. They also completed measures of happiness, positive and negative affect, depression, mindfulness, relationship satisfaction, and satisfaction with life. Pet peeves were negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction, well-being, and mindfulness. Consistent with hypotheses, support was found for the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between happiness and pet peeves.
REGULATION OF TYROSINE AMINOTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN TWO LIVER-DERIVED PERMANENT CELL LINES

The regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity has been examined in two liver-derived heteroploid cell lines. One (hepatoma tissue culture cells [HTC]) was derived from a hepatoma, the other (rat liver culture cells [RLC]) was derived from normal liver. The two cell lines show the following striking similarities in the control of this specific protein: (a) The kinetics of TAT induction by dexamethasone phosphate (DxP) are similar in randomly growing cells of both lines; (b) During mitosis and early G1 phase of the cell cycle TAT activity cannot be induced by DxP in either cell line; (c) 2–3 h into G1, when both lines become sensitive to inducer, basal enzyme activity declines to a new steady-state level; (d) Preinduced cells collected in mitosis show approximately twice the level of TAT activity as fully induced, randomly growing cultures and this activity is maintained in early G1 with or without the inducer; and (e) Inhibition of RNA synthesis by 5 µg/ml of actinomycin D in preinduced, synchronized cells allows TAT activity to remain at constitutive levels throughout G1, even in the absence of inducer. These results are presented in support of a previously described model which states that glucocorticoid hormones exert posttranscriptional control of the synthesis of specific proteins in mammalian cells.
Hypercoagulable states and antithrombotic strategies in recurrent vascular access site thrombosis

Vascular access site thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity in patients receiving hemodialysis. The role of hypercoagulable states in recurrent vascular access site thrombosis remains poorly understood. Data are limited regarding systemic anticoagulation to improve access graft patency, because of concern about hemorrhagic complications. We determined the prevalence of hypercoagulable states and clinical outcome (thrombotic and hemorrhagic) after initiation of antithrombotic therapy in a series of patients with recurrent vascular access site thrombosis. We evaluated 31 patients who had sustained 119 thrombotic events that resulted in vascular access graft failure during the year before evaluation. Sixty-eight percent of patients tested had elevated concentrations of antibody to anticardiolipin or topical bovine thrombin, and 18% of patients tested had heparin-induced antibodies. More than 90% of patients had elevated factor VIII concentration, 62% had elevated fibrinogen concentrations, and 42% had elevated C-reactive protein concentrations. Twenty-nine patients were given antithrombotic therapy: 13 with warfarin sodium, 12 with unfractionated heparin (UFH), and 11 with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Seven patients received more than one antithrombotic agent, sequentially. Nineteen patients have had no thrombotic events since beginning antithrombotic therapy (10 with warfarin, 3 with UFH, 6 with LMWH). Mean follow-up was 8.6 months (median, 7 months). Eight patients sustained 10 bleeding complications (5 with warfarin, 3 with UFH, and 2 with LMWH). In conclusion, hypercoagulable states are common in patients with recurrent vascular access site thrombosis. Antithrombotic therapy may increase vascular access graft patency, but is associated with significant risk for hemorrhage. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role and safety of antithrombotic agents in improving vascular access graft patency.
Solid state aggregation of lithium and thallium(I) bis(alkylamido)phenylboranes

Abstract The conversion of N,N′-dilithiobis(alkylamido)phenylboranes [RN–BPh–NR]Li2 (R = tBu (1), iPr (2)) to the equivalent dithallium(I) bisamides proceeds readily through the reaction with two molar equivalents of thallous chloride. The thallium amides [RN–BPh–NR]Tl2 (R = tBu (3), iPr (4)) have been prepared and characterized by 1H and 11B{1H} NMR. Single crystal X-ray structures of 2–4 reveal the formation of aggregates in the solid state.
Effects of expanded mosquito range.

The aggressive spread of Aedes albopictus as it has leapfrogged across geographic boundaries was well documented by M. Enserink in his News Focus story, “A mosquito goes global” (16 May, p. [864][1]). The impact of Ae. albopictus on vector-borne disease transmission dynamics remains unresolved;
Design, modeling and fabrication of a CMOS compatible p-n junction avalanche photodiode

CMOS compatible avalanche photodiode is designed, modeled and fabricated. Calculated mean gain, avalanche breakdown voltage, excess-noise factor, as well as the measured dark-current and spectral response are reported.
Antacid Therapy and Drug Kinetics

Antacids are commonly used drugs which are considered inert and free of pharmacological effect by many patients and physicians. When administered with other drugs, antacids can alter absorption or excretion of these agents, at times reducing their plasma level and effect and in other cases causing toxicity. Although many antacid-drug interaction studies have been performed in animals or in vitro and others show only minor effects in man, several clinically important interactions and their mechanisms have been verified in man. Antacids which reduce drug dissolution or bind drugs in the gastrointestinal tract have been shown to inhibit absorption and reduce efficacy of tetracyclines, digoxin, phenytoin and certain psychotherapeutic agents. Aluminium hydroxide gel delays gastric emptying, delaying isoniazid absorption and lowering blood levels. By elevating urine pH, antacids cause accelerated excretion of acidic drugs like salicylate and per contra may cause retention of basic drugs like quinidine or amphetamine. While the efficacy of many drugs may not be affected by antacids, the absorption or excretion of other drugs which have not yet been studied are undoubtedly altered by antacid administration. It is therefore advisable, where possible, to administer other drugs at least a half to 1 hour before antacid ingestion to ensure consistent absorption and effect. Long-term antacid ingestion should be avoided when other drugs are taken, unless antacid use is clinically indicated and is of proven benefit.
Experimental and theoretical investigations of the optogalvanic effect in a Hg-Ar discharge

The optogalvanic effect induced in a Hg-Ar discharge by light at 546.1 nm is studied experimentally and theoretically. The plasma and its response to a disturbance in the atomic-level populations are described entirely in terms of electron collision cross sections and other fundamental parameters. In a detailed description of the laser interaction with the atomic system, it was necessary to take into account velocity-changing collisions (VCC). These collisions (VCC) strongly modify the interaction between the Doppler-broadened system and the optical field. In some Doppler-free optogalvanic spectra the dramatic influence of VCC on the velocity distribution of atomic-level population is evident. Measurements of the magnitude of the optogalvanic signal confirm most of the theoretical results. Some anomalous features of the impedance change due to a weak beam were observed when a strong counterpropagating beam was introduced.
Current nanoscience and nanoengineering at the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering

The Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the University of Kentucky is a multidisciplinary group of faculty, students, and staff, with a shared vision and cutting-edge research facilities to study and develop materials and devices at the nanoscale. Current research projects at CeNSE span a number of diverse nanoscience thrusts in bio-engineering and medicine (nanosensors and nanoelectrodes, nanoparticle-based drug delivery), electronics (nanolithography, molecular electronics, nanotube FETs), nanotemplates for electronics and gas sensors (functionalization of carbon nanotubes, aligned carbon nanotube structures for gate-keeping, e-beam lithography with nanoscale precision), and nano-optoelectronics (nanoscale photonics for laser communications, quantum confinement in photovoltaic devices, and nanostructured displays). This paper provides glimpses of this research and future directions.
Abrupt Changes in Forage-Concentrate Ratios of Complete Feeds Fed Ad Libitum to Dairy Cows

Abstract Effects of abrupt changes in energy of complete feeds offered individually ad libitum to 68 lactating cows plus the effect of drying off on intake of diets in late lactation and early dry period were studied. Diets were 95:5, 80:20, 60:40, and 40:60 ratios of forage to concentrate dry matter. On day 84 postpartum, 17 of the cows on 60% forage were switched to 40, and 17 of those on 40 were switched to 60. Remaining cows on both diets continued without change. Abrupt increase in concentrate caused increased consumption of dry matter and energy, yield of milk and solids-corrected milk, percentage milk protein, and ruminal concentrations of propionate and total acids, and decreased percentages of milk fat, total solids, ruminal pH, decreased concentration of butyrate, and acetate: propionate ratio. Increased forage had opposite effects. On day 210 postpartum, cows were changed factorially from 60 and 40 to 95 and 80. Increased forage reduced consumption of dry matter and energy and milk production. Ruminal changes suggested a slight disruption in fermentation due to abrupt changes of diet, but adaptation occurred within 15 days. Drying cows off at 305 days caused reduced intake of dry matter and energy, but cows fed 95 and 80 overconsumed calculated net energy requirements by 18.5 and 30.3%.
Role of silver addition in the synthesis of high critical current density MgB2 bulk superconductors

Ag-doped MgB2 bulk superconductors have been prepared using a standard solid state processing. The addition of Ag to MgB2 powders during the sintering process has been found to result in an important advantage, namely, the prevention/reduction of loss of Mg, a problem most commonly observed in the sintering of MgB2 bulk samples at elevated temperature and ambient pressures. The Ag-doped MgB2 sample has a distinct superconducting transition temperature around 39 K, while the undoped MgB2 undergoes only a very feeble transition to a diamagnetic superconducting state at around 39 K. The normal conducting silver regions in the MgB2 matrix act as pinning centres resulting in the realization of high critical currents in the presence of magnetic fields.
A simple approach to deriving an electron energy distribution from an incoherent Thomson scattering spectrum

Abstract A clear picture is given to illustrate how the electron energy distribution in a plasma can be directly related to an incoherent Thomson scattering spectrum when the electron density distribution is spherically symmetric in velocity space. Based on this relationship, a simple approach is outlined to derive the electron energy distribution unambiguously. The method involves plotting the differences in Thomson scattering intensities between adjacent wavelength channels as a function of the square of the wavelength shift. Thomson scattering spectra obtained from microwave-induced helium plasmas sustained at atmospheric pressure at forward powers of 100 and 350 W are used to derive electron energy distributions through this procedure. Significant deviations from a Maxwellian distribution were found under both conditions over the entire wavelength span covered in the experiment, corresponding to an electron energy range of 0.1–6.6 eV. Compared with a Maxwellian energy distribution, the portion of the electrons with energies between 2 and 6 eV appear to be shifted toward both lower and higher energy values in these plasmas. The ratios of the Thomson scattering intensity at the wavelength channel farthest from the center to the corresponding Maxwellian value indicate that the total number of electrons with energies larger than 6.6 eV is at least 1.8 and 3.1 times higher than that predicted by local thermodynamic equilibrium for plasmas at 100 and 350 W, respectively. In contrast to a Maxwellian distribution, electrons in the microwave-induced plasmas are not most concentrated at the center of velocity space, but reach a maximum in a spherical layer at a distance of approximately 4×107 cm s−1 from the space center. In addition, for both plasma power levels, the bulk of the electron velocity distribution function is slightly compressed and the maximum value is shifted toward lower velocity values compared with a Maxwellian distribution.
Performance Of The Spectropolarimeter For The Space Telescope Faint Object Spectrograph

The design and preliminary test results for the spectropolarimeter for the Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) for the Space Telescope are presented. The mechanical design and optical specifications of the spectropolarimeter are described noting that a Wollaston prism with an internal wedge angle of 20 deg is fixed behind each of two rotatable waveplate retarders of different retardations. Either waveplate/prism combination can be positioned at either of the two FOS entrance ports. Magnesium fluoride is chosen as the birefringent crystal for the polarizing elements to allow linear and circular polarization measurements down to Lyman-alpha at 1216 A. Mechanical stability and repeatability were determined by operational testing to give polarization-position angles of + or - 0.5 deg, corresponding to degree-of-polarization measurements of + or - 0.1 percent. Faint-object accuracy, dependent on photoelectron statistics and hence on observation time, is calculated to be one percent in each 100-A-wide spectral band for a 20-min observation of an AO star with V = 15th magnitude.
Early Life Programming and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

For more than a century, clinical investigators have focused on early life as a source of adult psychopathology. Early theories about psychic conflict and toxic parenting have been replaced by more recent formulations of complex interactions of genes and environment. Although the hypothesized mechanisms have evolved, a central notion remains: early life is a period of unique sensitivity during which experience confers enduring effects. The mechanisms for these effects remain almost as much a mystery today as they were a century ago. Recent studies suggest that maternal diet can program offspring growth and metabolic pathways, altering lifelong susceptibility to diabetes and obesity. If maternal psychosocial experience has similar programming effects on the developing offspring, one might expect a comparable contribution to neurodevelopmental disorders, including affective disorders, schizophrenia, autism, and eating disorders. Due to their early onset, prevalence, and chronicity, some of these disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia, are among the highest causes of disability worldwide according to the World Health Organization 2002 report. Consideration of the early life programming and transcriptional regulation in adult exposures supports a critical need to understand epigenetic mechanisms as a critical determinant in disease predisposition. Incorporating the latest insight gained from clinical and epidemiological studies with potential epigenetic mechanisms from basic research, the following review summarizes findings from a workshop on Early Life Programming and Neurodevelopmental Disorders held at the University of Pennsylvania in 2009.
Management of local recurrence in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Abstract Local recurrence of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma has a reported mortality approaching 50%. The University of Kentucky experience was reviewed to determine whether aggressive surveillance and treatment with reoperation and/or I-131 ablation increased survival following recurrence. Records of 66 consecutive patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated at the University of Kentucky Medical Center (1980–1989) were reviewed. Forty-nine cases of papillary carcinoma and 17 cases of follicular carcinoma were studied; median follow-up was 68 months. At presentation, patients with follicular carcinoma were older (48 versus 35 years; P P Fifty-eight (88%) patients were alive and diseasefree at last follow-up. Fifteen patients (24%) had developed recurrent disease; median time to recurrence was 24 months. Multivariate regression examined the variables of age, sex, histology, tumor size, cervical adenopathy, capsular and vascular invasion, multicentricity, and surgical procedure. While distant metastases affected actuarial survival, no factor independently predicted local recurrence. In six patients with local recurrence, nonpalpable disease was detected by I-131 scan. All were treated with ablation and remain disease-free (mean follow-up 42 months). Eight patients with local recurrence presented with palpable lesions; seven underwent surgery. While two patients developed repeated local recurrences, the other five remain diseasefree (mean follow-up 52 months). Early detection and aggressive treatment of local recurrence improve survival in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. To facilitate use of I-131, we advise total thyroidectomy for patients with welldifferentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Evaluation of a new treatment strategy for Paget-Schroetter syndrome: spontaneous thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a staged, multimodal algorithm of therapy for durable correction of Paget-Schroetter syndrome. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients were entered into a sequential treatment program for spontaneous axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis. Forty-three had initial thrombolytic or anticoagulant treatment followed by longer-term warfarin sodium therapy. Thirty-six (72%) underwent surgical correction of the underlying structural abnormality, and nine patients had postoperative balloon angioplasty. Results: At the time of final evaluation, 93% of patients with a patent vein and 64% of those with an occluded vein were essentially free of symptoms. After surgical correction there were no episodes of recurrent thrombosis in a mean follow-up period of 3.1 years. Urokinase was the most effective pharmacologic agent for clot lysis ( p = 0.003), and restoration of initial patency was the most significant factor in establishing final venous patency determined venographically ( p = 0.0003). Conclusions: It was concluded that a staged, multimodal approach to the Paget-Schroetter syndrome can effectively restore venous patency, reduce rethrombosis, and return normal function. The most effective sequence included transcatheter thrombolytic therapy, 3 months of anticoagulation therapy with warfarin sodium, and transaxillary first rib resection and decompression, followed by balloon angioplasty in cases of residual stricture. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:305-17.)
Some limitations on the detection of high elongational stress effects in dilute polymer solutions

The elongational flow behavior of dilute polymer solutions is of great current interest because it has been suggested that elongational viscosity effects may be involved in a number of phenomena such as turbulent drag reduction and flow cavitation suppression. Unfortunately, recent experiments, in trying to investigate elongational effects, have produced widely varying results. In this paper, an attempt is made to analyze one of the factors that contribute to this diversity. By using a generalized convected Maxwell model, it is shown that in a transient elongational flow, both stretching rate and flow time must reach the proper values before high stress levels can be observed. This is true for both accelerating flows such as through a cone or wedge and decelerating flows such as in a free jet. Since most previous experiments have not considered flow time, consistent results cannot be expected. Consequently, the proper control of all flow conditions is an essential requirement when trying to observe high stress levels. The results presented here provide valuable guidelines in this regard.
The strategic use of the politics of care: The Israeli Checkpoint Watch movement

This article examines the Israeli women’s movement, Checkpoint Watch, as a case from which to argue that the strategic use of the politics of care can challenge existing social and political orders. The conscious decision of activists to direct the practice of care toward the ‘wrong’ subject – toward Palestinians rather than Israeli soldiers – challenges the dehumanisation of Palestinians in Israeli society. While the politics of care may call the political order into question, the service of a behaviour that is considered essentialist may paradoxically reinforce the existing social order. I argue that the politics of care has the potential to challenge both the political and the social order, though not simultaneously.
Modelling paracetamol urine metabolites

Introduction Glucuronidation is immature in neonates and sulphation is the dominant metabolic pathway (glucuronide/sulphate 0.34). Adult glucuronide/sulphate ratios (+2) are believed to occur at 12 years (1). Different UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, the rate-limiting enzyme in neonates, mature at different rates: that responsible for bilirubin metabolism, for example, within the first 3 months of life. These enzymes are regulated not only by ontogenic, but also by genetic processes. Paracetamol clearance approaches adult rates at 1 year, when standardised to an allometric 3/4 power model (2). Urinary metabolites in 11-month-old children were investigated to determine metabolic pathway predominance at this age for paracetamol. Methods Ethical committee approval was granted and informed consent from parents/caregivers was obtained for each study child. Children (n = 158) nursed in PICU after craniosyntosis surgery were given regular paracetamol (LD 40 mg/kg, MD 20 mg·kg−1 6–8 h over 24 h). Serial serum concentrations were measured in 150 children (3). Urine was collected at 3 h intervals for 24 h and assayed for paracetamol, paracetamol glucuronide and paracetamol sulphate in 15 children. Data were analysed using differential equations for a 7 compartment model with the first order conditional estimate method using ADVAN 6, Tol = 5 of NONMEM V. Data were pooled with another study (2) to characterise oral bioavailability. Results Children had a mean age 11.8 SD 2.6 months and weight 9.1 SD 1.9 kg. Oral paracetamol bioavailability was low compared to rectal. due to nasogastric loss and vomiting. Sulphate metabolite clearance was 2.85 l·h−1·70kg−1 while glueuronide metabolite clearance was 6.07 l·h−1·70kg−1. Unmetabolised paracetamol urinary clearance (3.65 l·h−1·70kg−1) was unexpectedly large and was related to urine production with an exponential function. We were unable to estimate other metabolite (e.g. mercaptopurine/cysteine metabolites from glutathione) clearances. Discussion The glucuronide/sulphate ratio of approximately 2 that is described in children aged 12 years (1) was reached by the age of 1 year. Earlier reports suggested that this ratio be attained slowly during childhood. Our data suggests that maturation of the glucuronide system for paracetamol is more rapid during the first year than previously assumed.
Autoimmune thyroid disease: unlocking a complex puzzle.

Purpose of review The autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), Graves' disease and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) are amongst the most common endocrine diseases in childhood and adolescence. The application of molecular biology has permitted an unparalleled insight into susceptibility genes that predispose to their development and has allowed enhanced understanding of their complex immune pathophysiology. Recent findings The susceptibility genes that predispose to AITD can be subdivided into those that affect the immune response in general and thyroid-specific antigens. Both known and new susceptibility genes have been the focus of recent attention. Although there is no known human leukocyte antigen (HLA) association in CLT, recent work has demonstrated an association with a specific amino acid pocket signature irrespective of the HLA-DR class. In Graves' disease a specific combination of polymorphisms for thyroglobulin and HLA-DR markedly increases the odds ratio for developing disease. The availability of recombinant antigen [particularly thyroid peroxidase and thyrotropin (TSH) receptor] and of high affinity monoclonal antibodies has provided insight into the specific epitopes recognized by antibodies in AITD and has confirmed the increased affinity of stimulating TSH receptor antibodies for the shed A subunit rather than the holoreceptor. Summary Powerful molecular tools have been developed that have shed light on the nature of the susceptibility genes for and the pathophysiology of AITD. These have already led to improved diagnostic tools and, hopefully, will permit the development of more specific immune therapy in the future.
The Calcineurin-binding Protein Cain Is a Negative Regulator of Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis

During neurotransmitter release, exocytosed neurotransmitter vesicles are recycled by endocytosis, which involves the assembly of a complex of endocytic proteins. Assembly of endocytic proteins into a functional complex depends on their dephosphorylation by calcineurin, a calcium-sensitive protein phosphatase and the inhibitory target of immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A and FK506. Cain is a recently identified protein inhibitor of calcineurin. We now provide evidence that cain is a component of the endocytic protein complex. The proline-rich region of cain forms a stable association with the SH3 domain of amphiphysin 1. Using a transferrin uptake assay, we found that overexpression of cain in HEK293 cells blocks endocytosis as potently as expression of a dominant negative dynamin 1 construct. The use of other calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporin A and FK506 also blocks endocytosis. Since binding of cain to amphiphysin 1 does not affect amphiphysin's interaction with other endocytic proteins, our results suggest that cain negatively regulates synaptic vesicle endocytosis by inhibiting calcineurin activity, rather than sterically interfering with the assembly of the endocytic protein complex.
EXAMINATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PRACTITIONERS’ GENERAL PERCEPTION OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN YOUNG CHILDREN

This study attempts to explore and discuss preschool teachers’ perception of gender differences in young children through their verbal expression. The teachers (Study I, n —121, Study II, n= 31) in this study perceive female preschoolers as positive and sensitive learners. While many learner qualities such as inventive, problem‐solver, builder, hands‐on, questioning, etc. are identified more often for boys than girls, overall the teachers’ perception of the boys’ group is less “teachable” and “easy to work with” than the girls group. In addition, one of the most intriguing and concerning observations is that girls are perceived as “passive learners” and therefore they are more “teachable” than boys. As implications of the study, the paper discusses an important understanding of gender‐fair and gender‐congruent pedagogical awareness for developmentally and culturally appropriate practice in early childhood education. This study was originally presented at the 1999 AERA Annual Meeting, April 19‐23, Montreal...
Is Gompertzian or exponential kinetics a valid description of individual human cancer growth

Abstract It is generally accepted that human cancers grow in an exponential or Gompertzian manner. This assurnption is based on analysis of the growth of transplantable animal tumors and on averages of tumor growth in human populations. A computer model of breast cancer in individual patients has raised some doubts about this assumption. The computer model predicts an irregular pattern of tumor growth that incorporates plateaus or dormant periods separated by Gompertzian growth spurts. Since growth patterns involving plateaus are not predicted by conventionally accepted exponential or Gompertzian kinetics, sufficient documentation of their existence may be regarded as some evidence that the computer model is correct. The literature has been surveyed to identify growth patterns specifically predicted by the model. The literature contains clinical evidence from individual patients of this growth pattern in primary breast, large intestine and rectum, and pulmonary cancers and metastatic pulmonary cancer. Much data, including the only breast data, are not consistent with exponential or Gompertzian kinetics but are explainable by irregular growth kinetics. Exponential growth is valid for some tumors and for short times, but there are many papers citing significant deviations from that growth. Exponential growth may accurately describe averages of human tumor growth and growth of multipassaged experimental tumors, but it is not valid for all individual tumors.
The Study of Administration

It is now fifty years since Woodrow Wilson wrote his brilliant essay on public administration. It is a good essay to reread every so often; there is so much in it that sounds modern, so much that will hold permanently true. “It is getting to be harder to run a constitution than to frame one.” Was this said only yesterday? No, Woodrow Wilson clearly saw the importance of governmental administration half a century ago. “Administration is the most obvious part of government; it is government in action; it is the executive, the operative, the most visible side of government, and is of course as old as government itself.” Yet democracies have badly neglected administrative principles and structural improvements. “Like a lusty child, government with us has expanded in nature and grown great in stature, but has also become awkward in movement. … English and American political history has been a history, not of administrative development, but of legislative oversight—not of progress in governmental organization, but of advance in law-making and political criticism. … We go on criticising when we ought to be creating.”
Children's Testimony and the Necessity of Critical Witness in Urban Classrooms

This article focuses on the everyday ways that children's perspectives on and experiences within urban schools are chronicled and interpreted. Drawing on illustrations from two students' experiences across a school year in one classroom, the author argues that students in urban schools are everyday documentarians, sharing their relationships to school in ways—both subtle and overt, and that reveal both challenges and resilience—that provide insights into the specific, individual ways that educators can better support them. At the same time, those everyday testimonies require critical approaches to witnessing urban students' lives that reveal and open for critique both the assumptions that are embedded within class-privileged interpretations of students' lives and the broader social narratives that feed them. The article concludes with a discussion of critical witnessing as both a conceptual and practical tool for supporting urban educators in efforts to be the witnesses students deserve in high-poverty ur...
Costs of certified emission reductions under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol

Abstract This paper examines the cost structure of certified emission reductions (CERs) through various types of projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. Using the CDM project data, the costs of CERs and their variation across technology and over time and space are estimated by applying alternative functional forms and specifications. Results show that the average cost of CERs decreases with the project scale and duration, scale and duration effects significantly vary across project types, and there is an upward trend in costs. The results also show that the distribution of the projects in the CDM portfolio or a given location does not strictly follow the relative cost structure, nor does the distribution of the CDM projects in different host countries follow the principle of comparative advantage. More than 84% of the CDM portfolio consists of various energy projects with substantially higher costs of CERs than afforestation and reforestation, industrial and landfill gas reduction, and methane avoidance projects, which are only 12% of all projects. While per unit cost of abatement plays an important role in the bottom-up and top-down models to evaluate emission reduction potential and analyze policy alternatives, the findings contradict the presumption of such models that project investors seek out low-cost opportunities. At the aggregate level, the cost of CER by the projects in Asia and Europe is similar but higher than those hosted in Africa, Americas, and Oceania. Yet more than 83% of the projects in the CDM portfolio are located in Asia; more than 69% of the projects are in China and India alone. China appears to have a comparative advantage (i.e., lowest opportunity cost) in energy efficiency projects, while India has a comparative advantage in hydro power projects and Brazil has a comparative advantage in wind power projects. In contrast, energy efficiency category accounts for only 8% of the CDM projects in China, hydro power accounts for 12% of the projects in India, and wind power accounts for 18% of the projects in Brazil. The results provide a basis for evaluating the incentives that the mechanism offers as a cost effective policy instrument that balances greenhouse gas mitigation across sectors and regions, while fulfilling the objective of the convention.
Plastic cars in China? The significance of production location over markets for technology competitiveness in the United States versus the People's Republic of China

Abstract This paper demonstrates the significance of location-specific differences in manufacturing characteristics and in consumer demand for technology competitiveness. It looks, in particular, at the economic viability of emerging polymer composite automobile body technologies if produced in the United States (U.S.) versus if produced in the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) The results show that polymer composite bodies, when produced locally for the local market, are competitive for significantly fewer cars in the P.R.C. (7%) than in the U.S. (29%). Despite consumer demand characteristics in the P.R.C. being more favorable for composites, differences in production characteristics between the two locations dominate the overall effect. These results suggest that in cases such as automobile bodies where markets and manufacturing location are tightly coupled, firms may need to put as much emphasis on understanding the impact of local production differences on technology competitiveness as in understanding local markets.
Environmental and managerial determinants of somatic cell counts and clinical mastitis incidence in Ohio dairy herds

Abstract A stratified-random sample of 48 Ohio dairy herds participated in a 1-year disease monitoring survey to study herd management and environmental conditions affecting udder infection and clinical mastitis incidence. The mean monthly bulk-tank somatic cell count was used as an indicator of overall udder infection. Clinical incidence was determined by monthly on-farm interviews with the dairy producers. Management and environmental conditions were assessed by direct observation as well as by personal interview of dairy managers. The final multivariable analysis-of-variance model of log bulk-tank somatic cell count had an R2 value of 0.43. Lower log bulk-tank somatic cell count was found in herds with hired milkers, a clean and dry cow exercise area, clean teats following milking and fewer milking cows. The number of months spent on pasture was also significant. The final model for clinical mastitis incidence had an R2 value of 0.38. Less clinical mastitis was found on farms where straw bedding was used, pre-dip was not used, where there were fewer cows, fewer person-hours per cow were spent milking cows, a greater percentage of calvings occurred in the designated calving facility, and cows spent fewer months per year on pasture. Other potentially important disease determinants could not be included in the final models because of limited sample size relative to the model degrees of freedom (six each).
Anticorrosion Coatings based on a Water-Bitumen-Polymeric Composite with High Rates of Formation

We analyze the prospects and show the advantages of application of water-bitumen-polymeric emulsions for the corrosion protection of objects of the oil and gas complex. We present the properties of a coating material obtained from emulsion compositions. It is shown that this material can be used for the corrosion protection of objects of the oil and gas complex.
ERRATUM: the polynomial time hierarchy collapses if the boolean hierarchy collapses

It is shown that if the Boolean hierarchy (BH) collapses, then there exists a sparse set S such that ${\text{co-NP}} \subseteq {\text{ NP}}^S $, and therefore the polynomial time hierarchy (PH) col...
Psychiatric malpractice in the 1980s: a look at some areas of concern.

Lawsuits alleging malpractice in psychiatric diagnosis or treatment, once rather rare, appear to be growing in number. The low incidence of such claims in the past has been attributed to the difficulty of proving the applicable standard of care and a causal relationship between the breach of the standard of care and the alleged injury, the patient's reluctance to publicize his psychiatric history, the patient's inability either to formulate cleat expectations for the results of treatment or to assess the results, and the belief that the success of psychotherapy depends to a great extent on the cooperation of the patient. Nonetheless, the number of claims against psychiatrists is rising, in part because of a more open attitude about psychiatric treatment coupled with increased expectations of its efficacy. Other factors which may be contributing to this trend are the emphasis on mental patients rights in recent court decisions and the popular literature, the emergence of legal doctrines finding new legal duties arising out of the therapist-patient relationship, and the publication of several sizable verdicts in suits based on psychiatric malpractice.
Quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion during graded coronary artery stenoses by intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography

Abstract OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine whether coronary stenoses of variable severity could be quantitatively assessed by analysis of myocardial perfusion as determined by intravenous (IV) myocardial contrast echocardiography. BACKGROUND Recently, new contrast agents and imaging technology have been developed that may enable improved assessment of myocardial perfusion by IV contrast injection. METHODS Variable obstruction of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in dogs was produced by a screw occluder. Coronary artery flow was measured with a transit time flowmeter during baseline, pharmacological vasodilation, a non-flow-limiting stenosis at rest in conjunction with vasodilation, a flow-limiting stenosis, and total occlusion. Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed after IV injection of the contrast agent NC 100100. Time-intensity curves were obtained off-line for the LAD risk area and the adjacent left circumflex (LCx) territory, and peak background-subtracted video intensity was determined. Fluorescent microspheres were injected at each intervention for determination of regional myocardial blood flow. RESULTS During non-flow-limiting stenosis, flow limiting stenosis and total occlusion, LAD/LCx ratios of peak myocardial videointensity and blood flow decreased proportionately. Both LAD/LCx ratios of video intensity and blood flow identified the non-flow-limiting and the flow-limiting stenoses as well as total occlusion of the LAD artery. A significant correlation between LAD/LCx video intensity and blood flow ratios was observed (r = 0.83, p CONCLUSIONS The degree of blood flow mismatch between ischemic and normal myocardial regions during graded coronary stenoses can be estimated in the dog by quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion produced by IV myocardial contrast echocardiography.
Sensory factors limiting horizontal and vertical visual span for letter recognition

Reading speed for English text is slower for text oriented vertically than horizontally. Yu, Park, Gerold, and Legge (2010) showed that slower reading of vertical text is associated with a smaller visual span (the number of letters recognized with high accuracy without moving the eyes). Three possible sensory determinants of the size of the visual span are: resolution (decreasing acuity at letter positions farther from the midline), mislocations (uncertainty about the relative position of letters in strings), and crowding (interference from flanking letters in recognizing the target letter). In the present study, we asked which of these factors is most important in determining the size of the visual span, and likely in turn in determining the horizontal/vertical difference in reading when letter size is above the critical print size for reading. We used a decomposition analysis to represent constraints due to resolution, mislocations, and crowding as losses in information transmitted (in bits) about letter recognition. Across vertical and horizontal conditions, crowding accounted for 75% of the loss in information, mislocations accounted for 19% of the loss, and declining acuity away from fixation accounted for only 6%. We conclude that crowding is the major factor limiting the size of the visual span, and that the horizontal/vertical difference in the size of the visual span is associated with stronger crowding along the vertical midline.
Analysis of transient thermal images to distinguish melanoma from dysplastic nevi

We have recently developed a dynamic infrared (IR) imaging system that provides accurate measurements of transient thermal response of the skin surface for characterizing lesions. Our hypothesis was that malignant pigmented lesions with increased proliferative potential generate quantifiable amounts of heat and possess an ability to reheat more quickly than the surrounding normal skin, thereby creating a marker of melanoma lesions vs. non-proliferative nevi. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that the visualization and measurement of the transient thermal response of the skin to a cooling excitation can aid the identification of skin lesions of different origin. This capability of distinguishing benign from malignant pigmented lesions is expected to improve the specificity and sensitivity for melanoma as well as other skin cancers, while decreasing the number of unnecessary biopsies. In this work, in order to quantify the transient thermal response with high accuracy, we present a processing framework on multimodal images, which includes a feature point (landmark) detection module, an IR image registration module that uses the resulting landmarks to correct involuntary body/limb motion and an interactive white-light image segmentation module to delineate the contours of the lesions. The proposed method is tested in a pilot patient study in which all the patients possess a pigmented lesion with a clinical indication for biopsy. After scanning, biopsying, and grading the lesions for malignant potential, we observe that the results of our approach match well with the biopsy results.