cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Turnover in the Child Welfare Workforce: A Different Perspective

Child welfare agencies across the country are experiencing a workforce crisis involving high staff turnover rates. The purpose of this study was to determine which of the organizational, personal, and supervisory variables identified in prior research on this topic are most associated with intent to leave among employees in urban and rural child welfare settings. Four-hundred-and-forty-seven employees in 13 child welfare agencies participated in a survey addressing organizational, personal, and supervisory factors related to turnover. ANOVA, logistical regression, and structural equation modeling were used in the data analysis. The organizational and supervisory variables identified as significant in the logistic regression, as in earlier research, were not significant when the data were subjected to structural equation modeling. Instead, findings suggest that career satisfaction and satisfaction with paperwork are the key determinants of workers' intention to stay.
Clinical pharmacology of camptothecins

Camptothecins (CPTs) are a unique class of chemotherapeutic agent which inhibit DNA synthesis by inhibiting topoisomerase I activity. Structure-activity studies on the original CPT alkaloid led to the development of the new analogues irinotecan (CPT-11), topotecan, and 9-aminocamptothecin, which have improved water solubility and lower toxicity. CPT analogues exhibit interesting pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and metabolic properties that are of major research and clinical interest. This review describes the clinical pharmacology of these 3 CPT analogues. Specific areas such as absorption after extra-vascular administration, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic variability, metabolism, and administration in special populations are discussed. Key words Camptothecins • Irinotecan • Topotecan • 9-Aminocamptothecin • Clinical pharmacology
Why don't we dismiss residents?

Thearticle “The Hidden Costs of Failing to Fail Residents”1 in the June 2011 issue of the Journal of Graduate Medical Education might be better titled “W hy Don't We Dismiss Residents?” The article by Drs Roberts and Williams is a carefully considered discussion of the problems inherent in dealing with poor resident performance. To assure the public that trainees have acquired the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to independently practice medicine, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and its Review Committees have developed more specific requirements and have substantially increased the need for documentation. Increased analysis of resident performance has uncovered more resident performance issues. It is not clear whether we are seeing more unprofessional behavior in physicians2,3 because residents currently in training are different from those from earlier generations, or that as supervisory faculty, we may have missed or overlooked some of these deficiencies in the past. There is some evidence in recent years that we are seeing more unprofessional behavior in physicians.2,3 The concept of failure is extremely important. Residents who do not demonstrate competence to the level of the program's academic and professional standards should not be advanced. There is merit in providing residents the opportunity to remediate. Repetition of clinical rotations for residents with academic difficulty can be beneficial for residents to develop into practicing physicians. Problems in the area of professionalism are more difficult to remediate. We have found that residents with professionalism challenges are either “socially promoted” as described in the article or are issued notices of nonreappointment. However, for programs to be able to offer remediation for professionalism, there need to be models for remediation. Review of the literature demonstrates a dearth of literature and/or evidence of successful models.4 The ACGME provides residents with a due process that often, as the authors allude to, brings in the legal system, which makes the dismissal process time and labor intensive. Although a program may be maintaining exact, detailed records of the performance issues, residents challenge or appeal their dismissals, which makes programs reticent to pursue this course of action. The fear of litigation should not be an issue if the process has been objectively followed and documented, and the dismissal is not “arbitrary and capricious.” The courts will not intrude on the academic judgment if due process is followed (ie, an individual is notified of the issue, given an opportunity to respond, and offered remediation if possible). Although dismissal is frequently saved for only very egregious performance issues, this should not be the case. Until program directors and faculty are comfortable with failing residents as well as dismissing them for performance issues, nothing will change except that program directors', designated institutional officials', and general counsels' frustrations will continue to increase.
SPECTRA OF DECAYING TURBULENCE IN A SOAP FILM

Grid turbulence in a flowing soap film is investigated with ambient pressure $P$ as one of the control parameters. Reducing $P$ significantly decreases air drag thus minimizing three-dimensional effects on the flowing film. It was found that while the total kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2}〈{v}^{2}〉\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\int}E(k)\mathrm{dk}$ of velocity fluctuations increased noticeably as $P$ was reduced, the energy spectrum $E(k)$ for wave numbers greater than the injection scale was remarkably insensitive to the pressure change, and obeyed a power law $E(k)\ensuremath{\sim}{k}^{\ensuremath{-}3.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3}$.
Observation of anisotropy in CuCu atom vibrational amplitudes due to thermal motion at a CuAl2O3 interface

Abstract Results from polarization-dependent total-reflection X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray reflectivity studies on the Cu Al 2 O 3 thin film system indicate that vibrational amplitudes of Cu atoms due to thermal motion in the direction perpendicular to the interface are substantially larger than those in the direction parallel to the interface. The anisotropy in CuCu atom vibrational amplitudes was found to increase with temperature and decrease with depth in the copper film. The kinetics leading to greater thermal disorder at the Cu Al 2 O 3 interface and the copper surface are found to be similar up to 525 K.
CLEO: Recent results and future prospects

Abstract After summarizing the present goals and current activities of the CLEO collaboration, I report on: 1. (i) new measurements of the CKM matrix elements Vcb and Vub; 2. (ii) a new measurement of B(B→K ∗ (892)γ) and upper limits on B(B°→ϱ°γ), B(B°→ωγ), B(B−→ϱ−γ); 3. (iii) the observation of the B+→ω(π+ or K+) rare decays modes. I conclude outlining the current activities for the upgrade of CESR and the CLEO detector.
Estimation of thresholds for evoked potentials using a laboratory computer

Abstract To study drug effects on bioelectric activity evoked by near-threshold stimulation, we have developed a computerized threshold estimation technique. The procedure utilizes a laboratory computer ( PDP 11 34 ) equipped with a standard laboratory interface with A/D and D/A capabilities. Program-controlled voltage pulses, delivered via D/A, are interfaced through a constant current stimulus isolation unit for electrical stimulation. One channel of activity is digitized at a user-defined rate and the signal is searched for a response. Responses were generally defined by a feature of the signal which was greater than a multiple of its standard deviation in the subthreshold signal. Using some a priori knowledge of the expected response and user-defined processing options, the program determines threshold on-line without pretrial test data. Program operation is illustrated with sensory evoked potentials in acutely prepared cats and hippocampal evoked potentials in chronically implanted rats.
Direct calculation of atomic coordinates from diffraction intensities: space group P1.

Abstract A method is presented that can extend the range of convergence for the least-squares minimization technique in nonlinear systems. The problem of determining directly the positions of atomic coordinates in a crystal from the measured intensities of x-ray scattering is used to illustrate the method. The minimization is facilitated by altering the minimization function in a way that reduces the number of false minima and, in addition, by altering the character of the false minima from time to time by changing the particular deck of data that is used and the values of a variety of parameters that may occur in the defining equations. With a structure consisting of 30 equal atoms in space group P1 and the use of exact data with a Cray XMP/216 computer, convergence to a global minimum was generally obtained, from a random positioning of the 90 coordinates, in a few minutes. Convergence within an hour for a 40-atom problem was much more sporadic, showing a considerable decrease in success with the increase in complexity. The possibility of extending the method to other mathematical systems is apparent.
Energy self-sufficiency of office buildings in four Asian cities

This paper examines the climatic and technical feasibilities of zero energy buildings in Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Riyadh. Annual and seasonal energy demands of office buildings of various scales in the above cities were compared. Using optimally tilted rooftop PV panels, solar energy production potentials of the buildings were estimated. Based on the estimates of onsite renewable energy production and building energy consumption, the energy self-sufficiencies of the test buildings were assessed. The economic feasibilities of the PV systems in the four locations were analyzed. Strategies for achieving zero energy buildings are suggested.
Alterations in plantar pressure with different walking boot designs.

Background: Specialized walking devices, such as total contact casts and removable walking boots, have been shown to be effective noninvasive treatment options for plantar ulcers. Attempts at impro...
Transfection of the inner cell mass and lack of a unique DNA sequence affecting the uptake of exogenous DNA by sperm as shown by dideoxy sequencing analogues

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether exogenous DNA internalized into blastocysts after transference from DNA-carrier sperm are localized at the inner cell mass or trophoblast cells and to identify differences in uptake of exogenous DNA fragments by sperm due to unique DNA sequences.
Cooperative gazing behaviors in human multi-robot interaction

When humans are addressing multiple robots with informative speech acts (Clark & Carlson 1982), their cognitive resources are shared between all the participating robot agents. For each moment, the user’s behavior is not only determined by the actions of the robot that they are directly gazing at, but also shaped by the behaviors from all the other robots in the shared environment. We define cooperative behavior as the action performed by the robots that are not capturing the user’s direct attention. In this paper, we are interested in how the human participants adjust and coordinate their own behavioral cues when the robot agents are performing different cooperative gaze behaviors. A novel gaze-contingent platform was designed and implemented. The robots’ behaviors were triggered by the participant’s attentional shifts in real time. Results showed that the human participants were highly sensitive when the robot agents were performing different cooperative gazing behaviors. Keywords: human-robot interaction; multi-robot interaction; multiparty interaction; eye gaze cue; embodied conversational agent
L-Arginine Supplementation Improves Venous Endothelial Cell but Not Smooth Muscle Cell Dysfunction Induced by Prolonged Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia induces venous vasomotor dysfunction. This study examines the endothelial and smooth muscle cell vasoreactivity of external jugular veins from rabbits fed either a normal or a 1% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks with and without L-arginine supplementation (2 g/kg day-1 orally for the last 5 weeks). Isometric tension studies were performed on harvested jugular veins. Concentrations of serum cholesterol were 20-fold higher than controls and serum L-arginine twofold higher than untreated animals. Hypercholesterolemia induced hypersensitivity to norepinephrine (p .05). Non-endothelium-dependent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside of precontracted veins was unaffected by the presence of high cholesterol concentrations. This study suggests that L-arginine therapy may ameliorate hypercholesterolemia-induced functional abnormalities in endothelial cells.
The comparative influence of thyroid imbalance and limited body weight gain on submandibular gland weight, the protein components of saliva and dental caries in the rat

Abstract Hyperthyroidism in the rat, produced by dietary desiccated thyroid, resulted in an absolute increase in submandibular gland weight, a relative decrease in prevalence of dental caries (when increased food consumption is considered), and specific changes in pilocarpine-stimulated protein components of saliva, notably a decrease in component 5 and an increase in component 9 compared to rats with hypothyroidism produced by dietary 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil. The latter exhibited an absolute decrease in gland weight, a relative increase in caries (when decreased food consumption is considered), and an increase in component 5 and decrease in component 9. Total salivary protein secretion was slightly decreased in the former and markedly decreased in the latter, compared to that secreted by pair-weight control rats. Changes in salivary protein components did not appear to reflect changes in serum protein components among any of the groups. A comparison of pair-weight control animals whose rates of growth were limited to those of the experimental groups by caloric restriction (12 per cent and 38 per cent below the normal level of food consumption) demonstrated progressively smaller gland weights and lower caries experiences and progressive decreases in salivary component 5 and increases in salivary component 9. It is concluded that factors other than rate of growth and food intake are responsible for the changes in thyroid imbalance. This study supports the view that salivary gland function and caries experience are closely related to thyroid physiology.
Coherent optics in electrical engineering education

A one semester course in coherent optics primarily for senior electrical engineering students is described. The need for such a course and a method of teaching it are discussed. Both lectures and demonstration experiments are suggested. A follow-on course for graduate students is also mentioned.
Catalyst microstructure and methane oxidation reactivity during the Pd↔PdO transformation on alumina supports

Abstract A 5 wt.% Pd/θ-Al 2 O 3 catalyst has been cycled in air at temperatures where the oxide PdO decomposes to Pd upon heating and reforms upon cooling. The microstructure of the Pd and PdO particles was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The extent of phase transformation was measured via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Our results confirm the observation reported previously by Farrauto et al. (Appl. Catal. A: General 81 (1992) 227) that the decomposition temperature ( T D ) of the PdO exceeds the oxide reformation temperature by a few hundred degrees K. TEM images provide insight into the morphology of the particles during the PdO → Pd phase transformation. This phase transformation is initiated at the surface and causes small domains of Pd metal to form on the surface of PdO. These small domains of Pd metal are easy to reoxidize upon cooling. However, complete transformation of the PdO → Pd at T > 1198 K yields single crystal metal particles that are harder to oxidize during cooling in air. Appreciable amounts of bulk oxide do not form on the transitional alumina supported Pd unless the sample is cooled below 873 K. The hysteresis in the reformation of oxide during cooling is related to strongly bound oxygen on the Pd surface that inhibits bulk oxidation. The relationship between bulk oxide formation and the reactivity for methane oxidation was also examined. It was found that reactivation of the catalyst occurred before significant bulk PdO had formed. Samples quenched during this reactivation process were examined by XPS and TEM, and no evidence was seen for any redispersion during the reoxidation of the Pd metal. Extensive surface roughening appears to result from bulk oxide formation, which may explain the higher reactivity seen after catalyst cool-down.
Quantum phase transitions in an array of coupled nanocavity quantum dots

We investigate exciton-photon quantum phase transitions in a planar lattice of one-mode cavities containing one quantum dot. The quantum dot can be occupied by up to two excitons with opposite spin. We adopt the well-established mean-field approximation comprising an exciton order parameter and a photon coherence parameter. Calculating exciton- and photon-phase diagrams it is demonstrated that by controlling exciton- and photon-hopping energies a very rich scenario of coupled fermionic-bosonic quantum phase transitions, including, e.g., quantum phase transitions of the Hubbard model or quantum phase transitions of the light, is revealed. Moreover, our results support the interpretation of polariton Bose-Einstein condensation as only (polariton) laser coherence.
Metabolism and disposition of ferbam in the rat

Abstract Approximately 40–70% of an oral dose of ferric [ 35 S]dimethyldithiocarbamate ([ 35 S]ferbam) or ferric [ 14 C]dimethyldithiocarbamate ([ 14 C]ferbam) was absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract of the rat during a 24-hr period. In rats receiving [ 35 S]ferbam, 22.7, 18.1, and 1.0% of the radioactivity was found in urine, expired air, and bile, respectively. Only small amounts of 35 S were found in the various tissues, including blood, kidneys, muscle, and brain. In rats receiving [ 14 C]ferbam 42.9 and 1.4% of the 14 C was found in the urine and bile, respectively; whereas only 0.6% of the radioactivity was recovered in the expired air. The other tissues contained only small amounts of 14 C. Analysis of expired air indicated that the only expired ferbam metabolite was carbon disulfide. Major metabolites in the urine included inorganic sulfate, a salt of dimethylamine and a glucuronide conjugate of dimethyldithiocarbamate. Unchanged ferbam was not excreted in the urine. In pregnant rats given [ 14 C]ferbam a small but significant amount of radioactivity readily crossed the placenta into the fetus. In lactating rats given [ 14 C]ferbam, radioactivity was secreted into milk, absorbed by the pups and excreted in the pups' urine.
Ponatinib in the leukemia world: why a reevaluation is necessary for Philadelphia chromosome-positive patients with T315I mutation

Strategic drug design is used to meet the needs of numerous diseases for which there is no other recourse. Take the T315I mutation, for example, which occurs in Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemias and renders all currently available tissue kinase inhibitors useless. The US FDA therefore saw it fit to avail ponatinib, the therapeutic result of careful drug design, to patients based on early data. However, its sales and marketing were later suspended due to emerging safety concerns. This drug has now returned to market albeit with tighter labeling. While the lesson for early approvals may be to restrict the drug to as narrow a patient population as possible, the potential benefits of this drug for the target population must not be lost amidst the controversy.
PERCEIVED AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN ISRAEL

Since role images are determinants of organizational behavior, discrepancies in such images might lead to inner‐organizational social tension. This study concentrates on the inter‐relationships between Israeli elementary school principals, perceived authority and responsibility. School principals are victims of multi‐discrepancies in role perceptions. Their perceived investment in responsibility is not equivalent to expected returns in authority, it is equivalent to what they seek, but not to what they get. There are discrepancies between teachers' and supervisors' perceptions of principals' authority and responsibility, as well as discrepancies between teachers and supervisors, and between them and principals themselves. Further investigation is needed to deepen understanding of organizational leadership and organizational behavior as affected by multiple role images.
Large sample properties and confidence bands for component-wise varying-coefficient regression with longitudinal dependent variable

Longitudinal studies with repeatedly measured dependent variable (out-come) and time-invariant covariates are common in biomedical and epidemi-ological studies. A useful statistical tool to evaluate the effects of covariates on the outcome variable over time is the varying-coefficient regression, which considers a linear relationship between the covariates and the outcome at a specific time point but assumes the linear coefficients to be smooth curves over time. In order to provide adequate smoothing for each coefficient curve, Wu and Chiang ( 1999 ) proposed a class of component-wise kernel estimators and determined the large sample convergence rates and some of the constant terms of the mean squared errors of their estimators. In this paper we calcu¬late the explicit large sample mean squared errors, including the convergence rates and ail the constant terms, and the asymptotic distributions of the kernel estimators of Wu and Chiang ( 1999 ). These asymptotic distributions are used to construct point-wi...
Survival after acute hemodialysis in Pennsylvania, 2005-2007: A retrospective cohort study

Background: Little is known about acute hemodialysis in the US. Here we describe predictors of receipt of acute hemodialysis in one state and estimate the marginal impact of acute hemodialysis on survival after accounting for confounding due to illness severity. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of acute-care hospitalizations in Pennsylvania from October 2005 to December 2007 using data from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. Exposure variable is acute hemodialysis; dependent variable is survival following acute hemodialysis. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine propensity to receive acute hemodialysis and then, for a Cox proportional hazards model, matched acute hemodialysis and non-acute hemodialysis patients 1:5 on this propensity. Results: In 2,131,248 admissions of adults without end-stage renal disease, there were 6,657 instances of acute hemodialysis. In analyses adjusted for predicted probability of death upon admission plus other covariates and stratified on age, being male, black, and insured were independent predictors of receipt of acute hemodialysis. One-year post-admission mortality was 43% for those receiving acute hemodialysis, compared to 13% among those not receiving acute hemodialysis. After matching on propensity to receive acute hemodialysis and adjusting for predicted probability of death upon admission, patients who received acute hemodialysis had a higher risk of death than patients who did not over at least 1 year of follow-up (hazard ratio 1.82, 95% confidence interval 1.68-1.97). Conclusions: In a populous US state, receipt of acute hemodialysis varied by age, sex, race, and insurance status even after adjustment for illness severity. In a comparison of patients with similar propensity to receive acute hemodialysis, those who did receive it were less likely to survive than those who did not. These findings raise questions about reasons for lack of benefit. © 2014 Ramer et al.
Language and Visual Perception Associations: Meta-Analytic Connectivity Modeling of Brodmann Area 37

Background. Understanding the functions of different brain areas has represented a major endeavor of neurosciences. Historically, brain functions have been associated with specific cortical brain areas; however, modern neuroimaging developments suggest cognitive functions are associated to networks rather than to areas. Objectives. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the connectivity of Brodmann area (BA) 37 (posterior, inferior, and temporal/fusiform gyrus) in relation to (1) language and (2) visual processing. Methods. Two meta-analyses were initially conducted (first level analysis). The first one was intended to assess the language network in which BA37 is involved. The second one was intended to assess the visual perception network. A third meta-analysis (second level analysis) was then performed to assess contrasts and convergence between the two cognitive domains (language and visual perception). The DataBase of Brainmap was used. Results. Our results support the role of BA37 in language but by means of a distinct network from the network that supports its second most important function: visual perception. Conclusion. It was concluded that left BA37 is a common node of two distinct networks—visual recognition (perception) and semantic language functions.
The effect of aging on ventricular contractile performance

Abstract The effects of aging on mechanical performance of isolated canine right ventricular trabeculae were studied in two age groups. The first group was comprised of nine dogs, about 9 months of age. The second group was composed of seven dogs over 8 years of age. Aging had no significant effect on developed force. Extent of shortening tended to decrease. There was a significant decrease in both the rate of rise of tension and the velocity of shortening (20 per cent). This reduction was primarily due to an increased duration of contraction. Twitch duration increased by as much as 40 per cent during aging but most of this prolongation was due to a profound slowing of relaxation. Aging caused a significant increase in passive stiffness since equivalent changes in muscle length brought about twice as much increase in resting tension in the aged muscle as in the young muscle. On the other hand, aging caused a significant shift of L o to the right. Taken collectively, these results indicate that aging is associated with increased passive stiffness and decreased speed of contraction without changes in strength.
Contact discontinuities in a cold collision‐free two‐beam plasma

The structure of contact discontinuities in a collision-free plasma is examined using a model of a plasma which consists of two oppositely directed cold ion beams and a background of cold massless electrons such that exact charge neutrality is maintained and that the electric field is zero. The basic equations describing self-consistent equilibria are obtained for the more general situation where a net flow across the layer takes place and where the magnetic field has two nonzero tangential components but where the electric field remains zero. These equations are then specialized to the case of no net plasma flow where one of the tangential components is zero, and four different classes of sheets are obtained, all having thickness the order of the ion inertial length. The first class is for layers separating two identical plasma and magnetic field regions, the second is for an infinite array of parallel layers producing an undulated magnetic field, the third is for layers containing trapped ions in closed orbits which separate two vacuum regions with uniform identical magnetic fields, and the fourth is for layers which reflect a single plasma beam, leaving a vacuum with a reversed and compressed tangential field on the other side.
Concurrency control for high contention environments

Future transaction processing systems may have substantially higher levels of concurrency due to reasons which include: (1) increasing disparity between processor speeds and data access latencies, (2) large numbers of processors, and (3) distributed databases. Another influence is the trend towards longer or more complex transactions. A possible consequence is substantially more data contention, which could limit total achievable throughput. In particular, it is known that the usual locking method of concurrency control is not well suited to environments where data contention is a significant factor.Here we consider a number of concurrency control concepts and transaction scheduling techniques that are applicable to high contention environments, and that do not rely on database semantics to reduce contention. These include access invariance and its application to prefetching of data, approximations to essential blocking such as wait depth limited scheduling, and phase dependent control. The performance of various concurrency control methods based on these concepts are studied using detailed simulation models. The results indicate that the new techniques can offer substantial benefits for systems with high levels of data contention.
Synthesis of subunit III of CF0 by thylakoid-bound polysomes from pea chloroplasts.

Wahsed thylakoid membranes from pea chloroplasts incorporate label from (35S)-methionine into protein when supplemented with S-30 soluble factors from E. coli. One of the products associated with the thylakoids is soluble in butanol, precipitated by ether and has an apparent molecular mss of 8200D on urea-lithium dodecyl sulphate (LDS) polyacrylamide gels. In addition, the protein covalently binds dicyclohexylcarbo-diimide (DCCD) which causes it to migrate as two slower forms on gels. Based on these criteria we establish that the proteolipid or subunit III of CF0 (the intrinsic sector of the ATPase complex) is synthesized by the thylakoid bound polysomes.
Surgical operations fifty years ago

[Dr. Rudolph Matas in his ninety-first year is engaged in writing an ambitious history of medicine in Louisiana. It is designed to run into several voIumes and Dr. Matas says he wilt not live to see its finish. We hope he wit1 be disappointed. Rather than put added burdens on his shouIders we are reprinting his “Surgical Operations Fifty Years Ago” which we pubIished in the Fiftieth Anniversary issue in ,941. This essay by the outstanding surgical pioneer in America has been considered a rare literary gem. Ed.]
Flow-induced errors in estimating perfusion pressure of the isolated rat kidney.

The isolated perfused rat kidney has proven to be a very useful model for the assessment of the intrinsic renal actions of agents in a setting devoid of extrarenal influences (for review see [1]). A cell-free artificial medium of defined composition is employed usually for reasons of economy, as well as experimental design. The low viscosity of such media results in relatively high perfusate flow rates. The small size of the renal artery of the rat dictates the use of small-bore arterial cannulas that exhibit a significant resistance and induce a large decrement in pressure at the high flow rates encountered with this preparation. Since perfusion pressure is routinely monitored proximal to the arterial cannula, the pressure drop imposed by the cannula represents a potential source of error in the estimation of renal perfusion pressure. Furthermore, since perfusion pressure is an important determinant of renal function, such an erroneous estimation of this parameter may alter observed renal function inadvertently, thereby confounding the interpretation of results obtained with this model.
Testing models of unthinned red pine plantation dynamics using a modified Bakuzis matrix of stand properties

Abstract The comprehensive graphical matrix of even-aged stand property inter-dependence, first developed by E.V. Bakuzis, facilitates identification and understanding of the relationship among stand properties. Bakuzis' original matrix of eight stand properties, contained 64 cells, was symmetric, but only about 11 of the 64 relationships had shown enough regularity among species to have been named. In this paper I simplify the Bakuzis matrix by reordering the rows and columns to make a more compact, lower triangular arrangement of eight rules or law-like relationships. I then demonstrate matrix use by looking for structural flaws in two models of unthinned red pine ( Pinus resinosa ) plantation dynamics in the Lake States (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan) ( stems and redpine ), and one from Ontario (yield tables from Petawawa). Flaws were found in each source of projections. redpine violates the Sukachev effect, predicts trees will have larger diameters on poor sites than on good sites, and that site has a significant effect on the mean height-stem frequency relation All bi-variate relations for the Petawawa data are identical, which violates several rules. The stems program does the poorest job of the three methods of predicting unthinned red pine plantation stand development, primarily because site index has very little effect on any of the stand variables.
Serial correlation in latent discrete variable models

Abstract We consider the problems of estimation and testing in models with serially correlated discrete latent variables. A particular case of this is the time series regression model in which a discrete explanatory variable is measured with error. Test statistics are derived for detecting serial correlation in such a model. We then show that the likelihood function can be evaluated by a recurrence relation, and thus maximum likelihood estimation is computationally feasible. An illustrative example of these methods is given, followed by a brief discussion of their applicability to a Markov model of switching regressions.
Evaluation of the dangers of repeatedadministration of sulfadiazine and sulfathiazole in children

Summary 1. One hundred and seventy-seven children were given a sulfonamide drug during two or more courses and had no reaction during the first course. Eighty-six were given sulfathiazole; three developed febrile reactions, none within the first forty-eight hours. Ninety-one were given sulfadiazine; four developed febrile reactions, only one within the first forty-eight hours. 2. In the total of seven cases (4 per cent) exhibiting reactions tothese two drugs, fever appeared first on the second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh, fourteenth, and fifteenth days, respectively. It is suggested these febrile responses were toxic reactions to the drug that might have occurred at any time and had no clear relation to previous drug therapy. 3. Two of the seven children with initial reactions were given botha second and a third course of the drug without reaction. 4. An “immediate” type of febrile reaction occurred during a secondcourse of sulfonamides in three of five children who had had reactions during a first course. 5. Our studies show that “sensitization” to sulfathiazole or sulfadiazineis not common or frequent in children, but that the occurrence of one reaction greatly increases the probability of future reactions. 6. Children who developed toxic symptoms during the first administration of the drug should be given the drug only with caution and close observation.
Adapting the sir algorithm to ASCAT

Scatterometers have been launched primarily to measure ocean winds. The value of scatterometer data is increased by application of the SIR (Scatterometer Image Reconstruction) algorithm. The SIR algorithm enhances the effective resolution of the scatterometer data to support its use for other studies. SIR has been used successfully on several scatterometers, including QuikSCAT. In this paper, we describe how the SIR algorithm is adapted to ASCAT data. Using SZF data from ASCAT leads to the best resolution enhancement. SIR requires an estimate of the spatial extent for each measurement. We detail our method to estimate an approximate spatial response function for each ASCAT measurement. Finally, SIR parameters are tuned for use with ASCAT.
A review of melanocortin receptor small molecule ligands

The melanocortin system (MC) is implicated in the regulation of a variety of physiological pathways including pigmentation, steroid function, energy homeostasis, food intake, obesity, cardiovascular, sexual function, and normal gland regulation. The melanocortin system consists of five receptors identified to date (MC1-5R), melanocortin agonists derived from the pro-opiomelanocortin prohormone (POMC) and two naturally existing antagonists. Melanocortin receptor ligand structure-activity studies have been performed since the 1960s, primarily focused on the pigmentation aspect of physiology. During the 1990s, the melanocortin-4 receptor was identified to play a significant physiological role in the regulation of both food intake and obesity. Subsequently, a concerted drug design effort has focused on the design and discovery of melanocortin receptor small molecules. Herein, we present an overview of melanocortin receptor heterocyclic small molecules.
Abstract 813: Deletion of vitamin D receptor in prostate epithelial cells increases proliferation, reduces apoptosis, and enhances early carcinogenesis in the TgAPT121mouse model of prostate cancer

High vitamin D status has been proposed to prevent prostate cancer (PCa). In vitro, the active metabolite of vitamin D suppresses PCa cell growth and has a number of other anti-cancer actions in prostate epithelial cells (PEC) that are mediated through a vitamin D receptor (VDR)-dependent transcriptional mechanism. We examined the in vivo importance of VDR in normal PEC biology and in PCa development using mouse models. In the first study, 7 wk-old wild type mice and mice with PEC-specific deletion of VDR (PEC-VDR KO) were randomized to intact, castration, or castration + testosterone propionate (TP, 2.5 mg/kg BW for last 5 d) groups and mice were killed 12 d later. PEC proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (TUNEL) were determined in the anterior prostate (AP). Castration reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis indices in the prostate while TP treatment reversed these effects. In PEC-VDR KO mice, TUNEL staining was significantly reduced (e.g. 50% lower after castration) and Ki-67 staining was significantly increased (e.g. 2-fold higher after castration + TP) compared to the controls. This suggests that loss of VDR signaling provides an environment in the prostate that may be permissive to events that enhance prostate carcinogenesis. We tested this hypothesis in the TgAPT 121 transgenic mouse model of PCa. The TgAPT 121 transgenic mice express a truncated SV40 Large T antigen (T 121 ) in PEC. T 121 expression inactivates the retinoblastoma (Rb) family of proteins causing epithelial cell hyperplasia, development of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions by 12 wk of age, and microinvasive adenocarcinoma by 6 mo of age. TgAPT 121 (APT;VDR WT) mice and TgAPT 121 lacking both VDR alleles in PEC (APT;PEC-VDR KO) were generated and at 28 wks of age their prostates were removed and histologically graded. The total area covered by high grade PIN, adenocarcinoma, and microinvasive cancer was significantly higher in APT;PEC-VDR KO as was the number of foci per AP for each of these lesions (e.g. adenocarcinoma lesion foci 7.93% in APT;PEC-VDR KO versus 2.55% in APT;VDR WT, p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 813. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-813
Sequential one-sample grouped signed rank tests for symmetry: Monte carlo studies

Monte Carlo studies of sequential, one-sample, signed rank tests developed earlier by the authors are reported. The basic tests are the ssr-test based on the sums of signed ranks and the csr-test based on the observed configurations of singed ranks in both of which groups of N observations are obtained a new for the totality of observations available at each stage of the sequential process. The alternative hypothesis in each case is stated in the class of Lehmann alternatives. The main Monte Carlo studies are for the ssr-test with α=β=0.05, N =2(1)10, and K(d)=2(1)5,k(d) indexing the alternative hypotheses. Studies are conducted for the L-model and the Φ-model respectively involving a Lehmann class of populations and classical normal populations with location changes. The parameter k* associated with k 1* describes the L-model while μ(k*) for the Φ-model is associated with it. Limited studies are made for the csr-test and the mcsr-test for comparisons. Average sample numbers and power functions are estima...
TV on Strike: Why Hollywood Went to War over the Internet Cynthia Littleton. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2012.

TV on Strike: Why Hollywood Went to War over the Internet Cynthia Littleton. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2012.In 2007, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on a well-publicized strike that lasted a little over three months and brought scripted productions in Hollywood to a near standstill. The causes for the strike were complex and intricately connected to historical precedents set by management and labor. Cynthia Littleton's TV on Strike: Why Hollywood Went to War over the Internet is a valiant effort to make sense of the numerous behind-the-scenes machinations and combative personalities that defined the strike, although readers looking for in-depth analysis of the repercussions of the strike might be left wanting.Littleton, who is a deputy editor at Variety, provides the reader with a diverse cast of voices involved in the strike, including WGA East president Michael Winship, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers' (AMPTP) second-in-command Carol Lombardini, and WGA negotiating committee member John Bowman, among many others. The access provided to such important primary source voices is integral to the insider's approach offered by Littleton and should be of particular interest for scholars writing about labor negotiations in Hollywood. However, it should be noted that parties from the WGA's camp are much better represented than those from the studio executive side. While it could be argued that Hollywood power players would have little interest in devoting hours to interviews for a book published on an academic press, it should be kept in mind that the presented perspectives are a little uneven.With that said, Littleton does do an effective job of maintaining a detached approach to the strike. She does not portray one side as worse than the other; rather, she lets the actions taken and words used by each side to present the events that transpired. In addition to copious personal interviews, Littleton uses the industry press (including Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter), the mainstream press (the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times), and partisan sources that sprung up after the strike began. Citing these various sources gives the reader diverse perspectives from many different publications, each with its own purpose.While the objective approach taken by Littleton allows the reader to determine where the blame for the strike may lie, it also exposes one of the major weaknesses of the text. …
Climate change and the demise of Minoan civilization

Abstract. Climate change has been implicated in the success and downfall of several ancient civilizations. Here we present a synthesis of historical, climatic, and geological evidence that supports the hypothesis that climate change may have been responsible for the slow demise of Minoan civilization. Using proxy ENSO and precipitation reconstruction data in the period 1650–1980 we present empirical and quantitative evidence that El Nino causes drier conditions in the area of Crete. This result is supported by modern data analysis as well as by model simulations. Though not very strong, the ENSO-Mediterranean drying signal appears to be robust, and its overall effect was accentuated by a series of unusually strong and long-lasting El Nino events during the time of the Minoan decline. Indeed, a change in the dynamics of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system occurred around 3000 BC, which culminated in a series of strong and frequent El Nino events starting at about 1450 BC and lasting for several centuries. This stressful climatic trend, associated with the gradual demise of the Minoans, is argued to be an important force acting in the downfall of this classic and long-lived civilization.
Field experiments on sexuality in the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris. The control of oocyte production and the fate of unfertilized oocytes.

Gemmulated, female sponge was collected from nature on 10 November 1971 and then stored in the laboratory at 3°C in the dark. Pieces of this sponge were set out in the pond of origin on 29 May, 6 July, 10 August, and 14 September 1972 and on 16 May 1973. Oocyte production was observed in all sponges developing from the hatched gemmules about one week after implantation. The production of young oocytes ceased three or four weeks following implantation except in the sponges implanted on 14 September 1972, which continued to produce oocytes up to 6 November. This extended period of oocyte production was associated with and may be due to low water temperatures. The study shows that oocyte production does not require an environmental stimulus specific to a particular time of year, for oocytes differentiated under conditions of increasing as well as decreasing water temperatures and day lengths. The control of oocyte production is probably endogenous and associated with gemmule hatching. The possible nature and the adaptive significance of this control mechanism are discussed. Oocytes produced in sponges implanted after the normal sexual period in the pond were not fertilized. Such oocytes go through the normal growth sequence up to the end of the “grand accroissement” phase. Then they degenerate, ultimately releasing their stored yolk bodies into the mesenchyme. All evidence indicates that this population of the species is dioecious.
On the Curious Discipline of Political Philosophy

Abstract Political philosophy has a “curious” place in intellectual affairs. It wants to know whether philosophy has a place in the city. It also is aware that once political things have accomplished their purpose, the major issues of what-it-is-to-be-a-human-being remain. Aristotle warned that politics was not the highest science as such, but an understanding of politics that saw no place for anything but the political would end in a tyrannical exclusion of the human good from public life. Politics would claim that its definition of the good was the only definition. This exclusion meant that there was no natural or transcendent order to which man was open. The discipline of political philosophy, at its best, is open both to human and, indirectly, to divine things, as Artistotle intimated.
An improved method for determining thermal conductance and equilibrium body temperature with cooling curve experiments

Abstract 1. 1.|The analysis of cooling curves to find the thermal conductance by plotting log(body temperature-air temperature) vs time is generally inaccurate. 2. 2.|Cooling curves are correctly analyzed by plotting log(body temperature-equilibrium body temperature) vs time. 3. 3.|Experiment time may be greatly reduced by using computer analysis to find equilibrium body temperature and the thermal conductance simultaneously. 4. 4.|Two computer programs for cooling curve analysis are described, together with representative results. 5. 5.|Accurate values of thermal conductance may be determined with cooling ranges of less than 5°C.