cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Job Characteristics and Attitudes: A Study of Temporary Employees

We examine the relationship between job characteristics and employee attitudes in the context of temporary employees who are assigned to work at the client organizations but are formally employed by a temporary agency. Based on the rationale provided by social exchange and social identity theories, we hypothesized that job characteristics would be related to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intention in regard to both the client organization and the temporary agency. Results based on data collected from a large temporary agency supported all hypothesized relationships in regard to the client organization, and most hypothesized relationships in regard to the temporary agency. We discuss implications of these findings for research and the practice of managing temporary employee attitudes.
A simplified approach to minimally invasive parathyroidectomy

Objectives/Hypothesis To assess the feasibility of a simplified approach for the use of a rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) assay based on a single 10-minute post-excision level using the workup parathyroid hormone level (wPTH) as the baseline in minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) and to compare the predictive value of this criterion with other recommended criteria. Study Design Case series with chart review. Methods A single surgeon's prospectively maintained parathyroidectomy database at an academic center was reviewed over a 2-year period from June 2009 through June 2011. Results A total of 102 patients undergoing MIP met the inclusion criteria. An IOPTH threshold of a ≥50% drop at 10 minutes post-excision from the wPTH baseline resulted in acceptable false positive (1.9%) and false negative (0.9%) rates. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of this modified criterion was 98.9%, 71.4%, 98%, 83.3%, and 97%, respectively. Conclusions In our patient cohort, the pre-incision and pre-excision IOPTH levels did not seem to change the overall accuracy of predicting surgical success in MIP if a single 10-minute post-excision IOPTH level is used along with the wPTH, and is commensurate with the commonly used Miami and Vienna criteria. A single intraoperative blood sample demonstrating a ≥50% drop from the wPTH at 10 minutes post-excision should be explored further as a feasible simplified criterion that avoids multiple IOPTH samples Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 124:2205–2210, 2014
Cardiac Replacement Therapy

The term cardiac replacement therapy until recently was limited only to cardiac transplantation. Indeed, the term only evolved as significant innovations were made in the development and implementation of cardiac assist systems as well as xenotransplantation programs. Long-term implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are currently in use throughout the world with increasing frequency. In addition, the total artificial heart (TAH) is also making resurgence as a viable therapeutic option. Mechanical circulatory support has evolved from a bridge-to-recovery or bridge-to-transplant therapy to also include destination therapy.
SU(2) deformations of the minimal unitary representation of OSp(8*|2N) as massless 6D conformal supermultiplets

Abstract Minimal unitary representation of SO ⁎ ( 8 ) ≃ SO ( 6 , 2 ) realized over the Hilbert space of functions of five variables and its deformations labeled by the spin t of an SU ( 2 ) subgroup correspond to massless conformal fields in six dimensions as was shown in [S. Fernando, M. Gunaydin, arXiv:1005.3580 ]. In this paper we study the minimal unitary supermultiplet of OSp ( 8 ⁎ | 2 N ) with the even subgroup SO ⁎ ( 8 ) × USp ( 2 N ) and its deformations using quasiconformal methods. We show that the minimal unitary supermultiplet of OSp ( 8 ⁎ | 2 N ) admits deformations labeled uniquely by the spin t of an SU ( 2 ) subgroup of the little group SO ( 4 ) of lightlike vectors in six dimensions. We construct the deformed minimal unitary representations and show that they correspond to massless 6D conformal supermultiplets. The minimal unitary supermultiplet of OSp ( 8 ⁎ | 4 ) is the massless supermultiplet of ( 2 , 0 ) conformal field theory that is believed to be dual to M-theory on AdS 7 × S 4 . We study its deformations in further detail and show that they are isomorphic to the doubleton supermultiplets constructed by using twistorial oscillators.
Studies on the Vitamin D Endocrine System in the Avian

This report summarizes the current understanding of the mode of action of vitamin D and emphasizes the contributions to this system that have been based on results obtained in avian species. A complex endocrine system coordinates the metabolism of vitamin D into 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol[1,25(OH)2D3] and 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol[24R,25)OH)2D3] and 28 other metabolites; of these 16 were originally isolated and chemically characterized from avian systems. Key advances in understanding the mode of action of the seco-steroid 1,25(OH)2D3 and the scope of its action have been made by studying the tissue distribution of both its receptor and its gene-induced product, a 28,000-dalton calcium-binding protein termed calbindin-D28K. To date no less than 23 tissues have been found to have specific 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors; of these 10 were identified in avian studies. Similarly, nine tissues express the vitamin D-induced calbindin; seven have been reported in avian tissues. The second dihydroxylated metabolite, 24R,25(OH)2D3, has been reported to be capable of inducing a variety of specific biological effects, some when the steroid is administered alone and some in the presence of its companion dihydroxylated metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3. There is emerging evidence for the existence of specific receptors for 24R,25(OH)2D3, particularly in chondrocytes and parathyroid glands (both studied in avian systems). These observations collectively demonstrate the broad scope of the vitamin D endocrine system.
Cross‐sectional structural variation relative to midshaft along hominine diaphyses. II. The hind limb

Objectives: In comparative analyses of hominine hind limb diaphyseal structure, homologous cross sections are located according to half bone length (midshaft). Here, we address three questions. First, how accurately must midshaft be defined to yield comparable data? Second, does variation in midshaft location due to different ways of measuring length fall within error ranges such that data gathered using different metrics are comparable? Third, do error ranges and length met- ric effects differ between elements or taxa such that cer- tain bones or species are more prone to issues of comparability? Materials and Methods: Femora and tibiae of Homo, Pan, and Gorilla were CT-scanned longitudinally and error ranges for multiple structural parameters (CSA, J, Imax/ Imin) were calculated around midshafts. Results: Distances proximally and distally from midshaft where structural values differ significantly from midshaft values vary between bones, species, and structural traits. Femoral error ranges are typically larger than tibial ranges. In the femur, error ranges are generally largest for chimpanzees and smallest for gorillas. A similar taxonomic pattern is not evident in the tibia. No structural trait con- sistently displays larger or smaller error ranges across both elements and all species. Variation in midshaft loca- tions stemming from different length definitions is small and falls within observed error ranges defined by any one metric. Discussion: Incorporating fragmentary specimens (e.g., fossils) for which midshaft location is unknown in com- parisons of diaphyseal structure necessitates evaluation on a case-by-case basis, with thought to element, taxon, and structural traits of interest. Midshaft data recorded from distinct length measurements are generally compa- rable. Am J Phys Anthropol 000:000-000, 2015. V C 2015
Behavioral effects of ionized air on rats.

The primary purpose of the experiments was to determine whether stress is a necessary precondition for ionized air to affect behavior. A secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between ion polarity and subject age. Thirty-six male albino rats of the Wistar strain were used as subjects, divided into 2 groups according to age; one group was 3 months, and the other 14 months, old. Animals were exposed in environmental chambers in which the ion concentrations were 2.9 × 105 positive ions/cc, 1.4 × 105 negative ions/cc, or 600 positive and negative ions cc (control). Criteria for evaluating behavioral effects were rate of learning of a water maze and performance in the maze after learning was complete. Half of the subjects were subjected to a 60-v, 0.7–sec electrical shock prior to maze trials. Results indicate that stress is not a necessary precondition for air ions to affect behavior. Learning of the maze was enhanced by both ion polarities, particularly by negatively ionized air. Performance of the older animals living in a negatively ionized atmosphere was significantly improved.
Maximal compact subgroups and the centre in an analytic group

In this paper we study the centre of a simply connected analytic group. We present two structure theorems on the centres of such groups. We also study maximal tori and maximal compact subgroups of an analytic group, and as a result, we extend a theorem by Goto.
Interaction of Rotational Wakes and Coolant Film in a Sector-Annular Duct

In the effort to increase turbine inlet temperature for greater efficiencies, more focus has been placed on the secondary and unsteady flow structures in gas turbine components. One such area that has seen great interest in past decades is the effect of unsteady wakes on film cooling. These wakes are primarily shed by upstream guide vanes or rotors. Relatively little data exists for annular endwall cooling in the presence of these wakes. Time resolved measurements of the film cooling-wake interaction were obtained using hot wire anemometry in a low speed, 30 degree annular sector open loop wind tunnel. In addition, time averaged measurements of the adiabatic film cooling effectiveness were determined for cylindrical holes. The film cooling effectiveness at three blowing ratios (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0) is reported at three wake Strouhal numbers (0, 0.1, and 0.3). Temperature Sensitive Paint was used to obtain spatially resolved temperature measurements. The experimental results are compared to numerical studies as well as experimental literature for several cases. The rotating wake is characterized by a velocity detriment and a local increase in turbulence. The effect of this wake is a reduction in film cooling effectiveness with increasing Strouhal number at weak injection rates (I < 0.3). For strong injection that would lead to liftoff, the effect of the wake is to promote reattachment and increase lateral spreading of the jet, resulting in increased effectiveness. Potential for active flow control exists for strong injection resulting in equal or better effectiveness at lower coolant flow rates.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Formation of negative ions in magnetic fields

It is argued that the negative helium ion exists in magnetic fields. Similarly, nontrapping isoelectronic impurities in semiconductors trap with magnetic fields. Crude estimates of binding energies are given.
Influence of a bulk superconducting environment on the superconductivity of one-dimensional zinc nanowires

In an earlier paper [Tian et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 076802 (2005)], we reported an antiproximity effect (APE) in a system consisting of $40\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ diameter Zn nanowires (ZNWs) sandwiched between bulk Sn and In electrodes. When the electrodes are in the superconducting state, the superconductivity of the ZNWs is suppressed. When the electrodes are driven normal by a magnetic field, the superconductivity of the ZNWs recovers. In this paper we report systematic transport studies of this phenomenon with ZNWs sandwiched between Pb electrodes. The APE found in this system is subtle, showing up primarily in significantly reducing the critical current of the ZNWs when the Pb electrodes are in a superconducting state. The critical current is independent of the magnetic field until it is increased to a characteristic value ${H}^{d}$ near $0.6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kOe}$ when the critical current shows a rapid enhancement and reaches a maximum value at the critical field of Pb electrodes at $0.94\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kOe}$.
Avoiding Catastrophe: The Interactional Production of Possibility during the Cuban Missile Crisis1

In October 1962, the fate of the world hung on the U.S. response to the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. President Kennedy’s decision to impose a blockade was based on hours of discussions with top advisers (the so-called ExComm), yet decades of scholarship on the crisis have missed the central puzzle: How did the group select one response, the blockade, when all options seemed bad? Recently released audio recordings are used to argue that the key conversational activity was storytelling about an uncertain future. Kennedy’s choice of a blockade hinged on the narrative “suppression” of its most dangerous possible consequence, namely the perils of a later attack against operational missiles, something accomplished through omission, self-censorship, ambiguation, uptake failure, and narrative interdiction. The article makes the very first connection between the localized dynamics of conversation and decision making in times of crisis, and offers a novel processual account of one of the most fatef...
As the world turns: Ethno-racial distances after 70 years

In 1925, Emory Bogardus published one of the earliest reports on social distance, examining the opinions of 110 business men and school teachers about 39 ethnic and racial groups. In 1993, we studied the views of 135 middle school teachers, using essentially the same instrument applied to 24 of the same target groups. Comparison of the findings of these two surveys seven decades apart showed that (a) the mean social distances correlated .71 (p < .001); (b) however, the distance values in 1993 were smaller (the grand mean, 1.43) than those in 1925 (3.82; the difference, p < .001); (c) likewise, the 1993 distances were more homogeneous (sd, .28) than those in 1925 (sd, 1.43; the difference, p < .001); (d) nevertheless, the rankings based upon the distance values remained remarkably similar (r, .86, p < .001), the most welcome groups being western and northern Europeans and the least tolerated being Middle Easterners, Orientals, and African-Americans. The same stereotypical attitudes appeared to underlie the stable preferential patterns for differing ethno-racial groups.
A simulation study of FMS tool allocation procedures

Abstract Allocating the required to meet the cutting needs of component parts and products is an important element of FMS production planning. This research describes three heuristics that can be used to allocate tools to an FMS. The three heuristic procedures are then evaluated, through a simulation study, for an FMS that processes a low part type mix (10) and a high part type mix (25). Results indicate that a tool allocation approach that aims at full utilization of the tool magazine capacity produces better FMS performance than an approach that seeks to minimize the frequency of tool changes. An approach that aims at combining both minimal tool changes at the machines and greater tool magazine utilization will be even more beneficial, especially if the cost of tool changes is high relative to capacity utilization.
Modeling and measured verification of stored energy and loss in MEMS toroidal inductors

This paper presents the derivation and verification of a sinusoidal-steady-state equivalent-circuit model for microfabricated inductors developed for use in integrated power electronics. These inductors have a low profile, a toroidal air core, and a single-layer winding fabricated via high-aspect-ratio molding and electroplating. Such inductors inevitably have a significant gap between winding turns. This makes the equivalent resistance more difficult to model. The low profile increases the significance of energy stored in the winding which, together with the winding gap, makes the equivalent inductance more difficult to model as well. The models presented here account for these effects. Finally, the models are verified against results from 2D FEA, 3D FEA, direct measurement, and in-circuit experimentation. In all cases, the equivalent-circuit model is observed to be accurate to within several percent.
Predicting the shock mitigating properties of thermoplastic foams

A procedure is presented by which the impact response of polymer foams can be predicted from basic compressive stress-strain data. The effect of strain rate is accounted for by dividing the cushion into incremental thicknesses. The changing velocity in each increment is related to a changing strain rate by an iterative procedure incorporating experimental data taken over a wide range of strain rates. This procedure represents a considerable savings in the time required to evaluate a cushion over the currently used drop test method.
Hydrogen Energy Levels: Perturbation Caused by Proton Structure

The shifts in the lowest electronic energy levels of the hydrogen atom caused by the extended charge distribution of the proton have been calculated and found to be of the order of the unexplained portion of the Lamb shift for these levels.
How Children Determine the Size of 3D Structures: Investigating Factors Influencing Strategy Choice

This study explores changes in students’ strategies as they solve different types of volume problems. Fifth graders were presented with pictures showing 3D objects and a unit cube; they determined how many cubes made up the object and explained their responses. We examined whether children transferred strategies across problem types, varying in terms of (a) availability of grids that divided objects into individual unit cubes, (b) order of items, (c) object shape, and (d) availability of the unit cube. Children's strategy choices varied systematically with object and task characteristics. They were more likely to use conceptually appropriate strategies when presented with grids. With non-gridded objects, they were more likely to treat a 3D object as a collection of 2D faces. Presenting gridded items first increased the use of conceptually appropriate strategies on the non-gridded items. We discuss findings in the context of Siegler's theory of strategy choice and address educational implications.
Synthesis of the pentacyclic skeleton of the indole alkaloid arboflorine.

An effective synthesis of the pentacyclic core of the unusual Kopsia alkaloid arboflorine is reported. The success of the synthetic route rested on the use of a borylative C–H functionalization reaction, a convergent Suzuki cross-coupling to a C(2) halogenated indole and an unprecedented transannular dehydrogenative C–N bond forming reaction.
Electrophoresis of ganglioside micelles

Gangliosides are known to exist as monomers in organic solvents and to aggregate in aqueous systems with the formation of high molecular weight micelles. It is shown here that the ganglioside micelles can be rendered visible by incorporation of a lipophilic dye and analyzed by conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Mixed micelles of gangliosides and commonly used detergents as well as interaction products of ganglioside micelles with albumin were thus visualized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the first time.
The Broca-Sulzer effect in a Ganzfeld

Abstract Observers judged the brightness of an infinitely large, contourless field of view (Ganzfeld) illuminated by constant luminance flashes of various durations. A Broca-Sulzer effect was found: 50 msec flashes were judged 30–40% brighter than 500 msec flashes of equal luminance. In a second experiment, the same observers demonstrated a Broca-Sulzer effect in estimating the overall brightness of grating targets. The Ganzfeld results show that neither stimulus contours nor edge effects generated by eye movements are necessary for the Broca-Sulzer effect.
Ultrafast laser-induced processing of materials: fundamentals and applications in micromachining

Fundamental questions arise regarding the possibility and nature of melting and the ensuring mechanism of ablation in femtosecond laser processing of materials. A comprehensive experimental study is presented to address these issues in depth and detail. The mechanisms of ultra-fast laser-induced phase-transformations during the laser interactions with materials have been investigated by time-resolved pump-and- probe imaging in both vacuum and ambient environment. The temporal delay between the pump and probe pulses is set by a precision translation stage up to about 500 ps and then extended to the nanosecond regime by an optical fiber assembly. Ejection of material in the form of nanoparticles is observed at several picoseconds after the main pulse. The ignition of surface-initiated plasma into the ambient air immediately following the pump pulse and the ejection of ablated material in the picosecond and nanosecond time scales have been proven by high-resolution, ultra-fast shadowgraphy. To further dissect the origin and evolution of the ablation process, a double pulse experiment has been implemented, whereby both the pump and probe pulses are split into two components each separated by variable temporal delays. A diffractive optical element is used to fabricate micro-channels in silicon wafers.
BRIEF REPORT Relationship of MMPI‐2 anxiety and defensiveness to neuropsychological test performance and psychotropic medication use

Research has suggested an adverse effect of anxiety on cognitive functioning, and high defensive individuals may have poorer control of their anxiety than low defensive individuals. Thus, these individuals may be more likely to have a prescription for psychotropic medication. The purpose of this study was to further delineate the effects of anxiety and defensiveness on neuropsychological test performance and psychotropic medication use. Participants were 143 US veterans referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Four groups were established based on median splits on MMPI‐2 approximations of anxiety and defensiveness. Anxiety and defensiveness were unrelated to neuropsychological test performance. Defensive high anxious individuals were more likely than truly high anxious individuals to have anxiolytic and narcotic prescriptions. There was also a trend toward truly low anxious participants being more likely to be prescribed anxiolytics than repressor participants. Thus, defensiveness appears to attenuate ...
ON THE PURPOSES AND ENDS OF NATURAL RHETORIC

Despite traditional viewpoints that see rhetoric as nothing more than a techne or bios, rhetoric may be viewed as being capable of instantiating basic human goods. This paper proposes that rhetoric motivates our capacities for action and brings the processes involved in action – including the bearing of practical reason on them – into accord with virtue, enabling us to exercise practical wisdom in and through prudential judgments so that when these judgments have a direct bearing on others we may say that they are just.
Predicting Thymine Dimerization Yields from Molecular Dynamics Simulations

It was recently shown that thymine dimers in the all-thymine oligonucleotide (dT)18 are fully formed in <1 ps after ultraviolet excitation. The speed and low quantum yield of this reaction suggest that only a small fraction of the conformers of this structurally disordered oligonucleotide are in a position to react at the instant of photon absorption. In this work, we explore the hypothesis that conventional molecular dynamics simulations can be used to predict the yield of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in DNA. Conformations obtained from simulations of thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-thymidine in various cosolvents were classified as dimerizable or nondimerizable depending on the distance between the C5-C6 double bonds of the adjacent thymine bases and the torsion angle between them. The quantum yield of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation was calculated as the number of dimerizable conformations divided by the total number of conformations. The experimental quantum yields measured in the different solvents were satisfactorily reproduced using physically reasonable values for the two parameters. The mean dimerizable structure computed by averaging all of the dimerizable cis-syn conformations is structurally similar to the actual cis-syn dimer. Compared to the canonical B-form TT step, the most important structural property of a dimerizable conformation is its reduced helical twist angle of 22°.
710-2 Coronary Stents Versus Balloon Angioplasty for Aorto-Coronary Saphenous Vein Bypass Graft Disease: Interim Results of a Randomized Trial

The purpose of this interim analysis of the SAVED Restenosis Trial was to assess the acute results of balloon angioplasty (PTCA) and elective PalmazSchatz coronary stent placement in the treatment of de novo venous bypass graft lesions. As of August 1, 1994, 128 patients (60 PTCA, 68 Stent) have been enrolled at 13 centers. Baseline demographics were similar in both groups. Mean graft ages in the PTCA and Stent groups were 9.8 ± 4.2 vs 9.7 ± 4.5 years (p = ns). Initial angiographic results by core laboratory analysis and clinical events from 0 to 30 days were as follows: Angiographic results PICA Stent Clinical Events (%) PICA Stent Vessel diameter (mm) 3.21 3.18 Death 3.3 5.9 Baseline mid (mm) 0.98 0.93 O-wave MI 1.7 1.5 Final mid (mm) 2.12 2.85 Bypass Surgery 6.7 0 ** Final % diam stenosis 33 12 * Closure: ≥24 hrs 33 2.9 Procedure success (%) 85 96 ** g24 hrs 1.7 0 * p l 0.01 ** p l 0.05 vs PICA One or more major clinical events occurred in 11.7% of PTCA patients vs 5.9% of Stent patients (p = ns). Crossover from assigned to alternative therapy (including bypass surgery) was 13.3% for the PTCA group vs 1.5% for the Stent group (p l 0.01). In conclusion, the preliminary findings of this prospective trial indicate: (1) Elective stent placement in de novo saphenous vein bypass graft lesions achieves a superior initial angiographic result compared to balloon angioplasty; (2) Stents confer a salutary effect on early clinical events with less frequent need for alterna1e therapies including coronary bypass surgery.
Reconstitution of a partially purified endplate acetylcholine receptor preparation in lipid bilayer membranes

Abstract Incorporation of a fraction isolated from rat diaphragm muscle that contained the specific endplate cholinergic receptor into phospholipid bilayer membranes resulted in the production of an acetylcholine-stimulated conductance increment of large magnitude. The acetylcholine-stimulated conductance shows several characteristics of the in vivo post-synaptic excitable system.
Influence of Environment on the Distribution and Form of Sponges

DURING a taxonomic study of sponges in the Madras harbour and the adjoining Royapuram beach1, certain differences in distribution, size, texture and the extent of animal associations between the sponges occurring in these two areas were observed.
Membrane filtration for determining protein in the presence of interfering substances.

SEVERAL substances that are present in biological materials and some compounds which are added during protein purification procedures interfere with protein determinations by the biuret and Folin-phenol procedures1. For example, substances with two or more peptide bonds and ammonium salts give a positive biuret reaction and aromatic amino-acids, uric acid, guanine, and xanthine cause similar difficulties in the Folin-phenol method. Reducing agents such as 2-mercaptoethanol interfere with both procedures. The effects of these substances can be minimized if protein samples are analysed after being precipitated, centrifuged and further washed with trichloroacetic acid (TCA). It, however, the initial protein solution is very dilute and large portions must be taken for analysis, or if only a small amount of protein is to be assayed, problems arise in recovering and washing the precipitated protein free of interfering substances. Micromethods have been devised2 to surmount these problems, but for routine analysis a rapid and effective procedure is needed for removing these undesirable substances and determining protein. These requirements appear to be fulfilled in the method reported here. This method involves the analysis of protein precipitated by TCA and then separated from interfering substances by membrane filtration on ‘Millipore’ filters.
Computed tomographic evaluation of therapeutically induced changes in primary and secondary brain tumors

A prospective study was initiated to evaluate computed tomography as a method for monitoring therapeutically induced changes in brain tumors. Early postoperative scans may be misleading in the evaluation of residual tumor because of trauma to the blood-brain barrier during operation. The size of the dominant mass (17/25), enhancement (11/25), edema (11/25), and ventricular distortion (14/25) were decreased in many patients after radiation therapy. Occasional tumors increased in size during radiation therapy (3/25). Enlargement of the lateral ventricles developed in 9 of 25 patients. Computed tomography offers definite advantages over nuclide brain scans, angiography and other diagnostic studies for evaluating therapeutically induced changes in brain tumors.
Biofuel production: Fast pyrolysis units' manufacturing infrastructure

Biofuels are a replacement for fossil fuels that helps meet national, energy, environmental and economic security requirements. One type of the biofuel production is fast pyrolysis. The goal of this work is to develop an understanding of how fast pyrolysis units can be correctly sized to meet these security types in addition to other stakeholder perspectives and requirements. There are a lot of work in biofuel production; however, most of them are focused on a subset of these perspectives and requirements. Likewise, manufacturing requirements were also not typically studied. There has been some work investigating different sizes of fast pyrolysis units. The manufacturing of fast pyrolysis units is considered as a complex problem due to the stakeholders' diversity as well as the nature of this problem. The diversity of biofuel production stakeholders created different perspectives, requirements, and decisions. Therefore, the need arises to develop a systems-oriented approach for the manufacturing, placement, and optimal sizing of a fast pyrolysis units' manufacturing infrastructure for biofuel energy production. This research aims to illustrate the general framework and the strategic design for the development of the systems-oriented approach to reduce capital costs, investment risk, and increase units' flexibility to be more responsive to changes in energy demands. This designed decision-making approach in this work could be applied to other complex systems for decision-making under uncertainty.
Defining the attributes expected of graduating veterinary medical students, part 2: external evaluation and outcomes assessment.

We have previously defined a set of 62 attributes—12 in the area of professional characteristics, 28 addressing knowledge and understanding, and 22 delineating skills—that veterinary students should be expected to have demonstrated by the time of their graduation (Walsh DA, Osburn BI, Christopher MM. Defining the attributes expected of graduating veterinary medical students. J Am Vet Med Assoc 219:1358–1365, 2001). We have used this set of attributes as the basis of an outcomes assessment completed by California practitioners to determine whether graduates from the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine are meeting these expectations. Based upon this assessment, these 62 defined attributes appear to reflect very well practicing veterinarians’ views and expectations of DVM graduates. The survey results also indicate that, overall, the recent University of California graduates are meeting these set of expectations. Simultaneously, the outcomes assessment focused attention on several areas, i...
Anorthite Sputtering by H+ and Arq+ (q=1-9) at Solar Wind Velocities

Here, we report sputtering measurements of anorthite-like material, taken to be representative of soils found in the lunar highlands, impacted by singly and multicharged ions representative of the solar wind. The ions investigated include protons, as well as singly and multicharged Ar ions (as proxies for the nonreactive heavy solar wind constituents), in the charge state range +1 to +9, at fixed solar wind-relevant impact velocities of 165 and 310 km/s (0.25 keV/amu and 0.5 keV/amu). A quartz microbalance approach (QCM) for determination of total sputtering yields was used. The goal of the measurements was to determine the sputtering contribution of the heavy, multicharged minority solar wind constituents in comparison to that due to the dominant H+ fraction. The QCM results show a yield increase of a factor of about 80 for Ar+ versus H+ sputtering and an enhancement by a factor of 1.67 between Ar9+ and Ar+, which is a clear indication of a potential sputtering effect.
Afterthoughts... A dossier on masculinities

Our comments do not respond to all the essays printed here. They merely record ideas we had upon hearing earlier versions of some of these articles at a conference on "Unraveling Masculinities," held at the University of California, Davis, in the spring of 1991. We subsequently reformulated such "afterthoughts" to begin to engage more generally with the present issue's project of articulating and analyzing masculinities. Our observations mean to problematize certain recent developments in the field of gender studies in which we are all working. They suggest the extent to which some disciplines, especially gay studies and art theory, have distrusted the very category of "masculinity" on which many of the essays here build. Yet we do not wish to outline a counter-agenda, or even to homogenize our related though individual approaches to the topic. Instead we offer merely some other ideas coming at the topic from a variety of directions, in imitation of the stylistic diversity and structural discontinuity of the ground-breaking "dossier" on race assembled by Kobena Mercer and Isaac Julien.1
Progressions in every two-coloration of Z n

Abstract For each positive integer n , G ( n ) is defined to be the largest integer k such that no matter how Z n is two-colored, some progression a , a + d , a + 2 d , …, a + ( k − 1) d of k distinct elements of Z n will appear in one color. Our main theorem shows constructively that if Z n can be two-colored in such a way that the longest monochrome progression has m distinct terms mod n and any monochrome progression of k distinct terms with common difference d ≢ 0 (mod n ) has the property that kd ≢ 0 (mod n ), then G ( rn ) ⩽ m for 1 ⩽ r ⩽ m and G ( rn ) ⩽ r for r > m . One lower bound on G ( n ) says G ( rn ) ⩾ G ( n ) for r ⩾ 1 and n ⩾ 1. Two main results with corollaries, a “quadratic-residue coloration” on Z p for p a prime, and the van der Waerden numbers W ( k ) for 2 ⩽ k ⩽ 5, together with a computer search, have been used to determine the exact value of G ( n ) for 1 ⩽ n ⩽ 53, for all primes up to 71, and for a few more cases, the highest of which is G (695) = 5 which guarantees that W (6) ⩾ 696.
Effects of opioids on the immune system

Both therapeutic and chronic uses of opioids compromise the optimal functioning of the immune system. Overwhelming evidence suggests that opioid use affects both innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Chronic administration of opioids decreases the proliferative capacity of macrophage progenitor cells and lymphocytes. Additionally, the differentiated function of immune cells is significantly affected by opioids. These effects are mediated by either a direct action of opioids on the target cells or by indirect centrally mediated pathways. Molecular biological and biochemical characterization suggest that immune cells differentially express classical opioid receptors. Interestingly, these studies also reveal the presence of a novel class of opioid receptors in immune cells. We believe that this low affinity morphine binding site mediates the antiproliferative effects of morphine.
Efficacy and economy of inhaled nitric oxide in neonates accepted for extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation.

Objective: To study the clinical efficacy as well as the cost-effectiveness of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) compared with extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in neonates with pulmonary hypertension and hypoxic respiratory failure accepted for ECMO treatment. Design: Retrospective study of the first 10 consecutive neonatal patients treated with inhaled NO during 1992-94. Inhaled NO was administered after failure of conventional treatment as a last resort before initiating ECMO. For cost-effectiveness calculations the above-described patient population was compared with ECMO patients having a very favourable ECMO course. Setting: Twelve-bed neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit with ECMO capabilities at a tertiary university referral hospital. Results: Inhaled NO was found to significantly decrease the oxygenation index (OI pre-NO: median 80.5; OI post-NO: median 22.5; P = 0.003) and five of the patients could successfully be handled without the use of ECMO. ECMO was found to be more than four times as expensive as inhaled NO treatment on a per hour basis ($244 vs. $53 per hour) and the net savings from being able to avoid ECMO in five patients was calculated to be $156 200. Conclusion: Initiation of inhaled NO caused a significant improvement in oxygenation index and reduced the need for ECMO by 50% in critically ill neonatal patients with hypoxic respiratory failure. Inhaled NO was also found to compare very favourably with ECMO regarding cost-effectiveness ($53 vs. $244 per treatment hour).
Epac2 Mediates Cardiac β1-Adrenergic–Dependent Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Leak and Arrhythmia

Background—β-Adrenergic receptor (β-AR) activation can provoke cardiac arrhythmias mediated by cAMP-dependent alterations of Ca2+ signaling. However, cAMP can activate both protein kinase A and an exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac), but their functional interaction is unclear. In heart, selective Epac activation can induce potentially arrhythmogenic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release that involves Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) effects on the ryanodine receptor (RyR). Methods and Results—We tested whether physiological β-AR activation causes Epac-mediated SR Ca2+ leak and arrhythmias and whether it requires Epac1 versus Epac2, β1-AR versus β2-AR, and CaMKIIδ-dependent phosphorylation of RyR2-S2814. We used knockout (KO) mice for Epac1, Epac2, or both. All KOs exhibited unaltered basal cardiac function, Ca2+ handling, and hypertrophy in response to pressure overload. However, SR Ca2+ leak induced by the specific Epac activator 8-CPT in wild-type mice was abolishe...
Manufacturing in the developing countries: A Venezuelan perspective

This paper presents a descriptive model that explains industrial development in Venezuela and its influence on the manufacturing sector. We start by introducing the critical aggregate variables that determine industrial development: participation of the Government, distribution of the resources, long– versus short–term planning, and the lack of an industrial tradition. We then present a general model that captures the interaction among these aggregate variables and their effect on the market structure. Based on that model, different companies face options or strategic alternatives resulting from their particular level of planning. Finally, the paper summarizes all these expectations in a simple model that captures the role of manufacturing at the firm level. The model allows us to understand the different scenarios that the Venezuelan manufacturing sector faces by emphasising the constraints that limit industrial development.
NLRs at the intersection of cell death and immunity

Inflammation is a crucial element of the host response to cellular insult. Pathogen-induced inflammation includes a molecular pathway which proceeds through activation of the protease caspase-1 to the release of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-18. Importantly, pathogens may also induce forms of cell death that have inherently pro-inflammatory features. Here, we review recent evidence demonstrating that NLR (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat containing) family proteins serve as a common component of both caspase-1-activated apoptotic pathways and caspase-independent necrotic pathways. Parallels are drawn between NLR protein function and the activity of structurally similar proteins involved in cell death: the apoptotic mediator APAF1 (apoptotic-protease-activating factor 1) and the plant disease resistance NBS-LRR (nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeats) proteins.
Bootstrapping Likelihood for Model Selection with Small Samples

Abstract Akaike's information criterion (AIC), derived from asymptotics of the maximum likelihood estimator, is widely used in model selection. However, it has a finite-sample bias that produces overfitting in linear regression. To deal with this problem, Ishiguro, Sakamoto, and Kitagawa proposed a bootstrap-based extension to AIC which they called EIC. This article compares model-selection performance of AIC, EIC, a bootstrap-smoothed likelihood cross-validation (BCV) and its modification (632CV) in small-sample linear regression, logistic regression, and Cox regression. Simulation results show that EIC largely overcomes AIC's overfitting problem and that BCV may be better than EIC. Hence, the three methods based on bootstrapping the likelihood establish themselves as important alternatives to AIC in model selection with small samples.
Numerical Simulation of Radio Frequency Induction Plasma Spray Processing

A two-dimensional numerical model has been developed to investigate the induction electromagnetic (EM) field and the thermo-fluid field in a radio frequency inductively coupled plasma (RF-ICP). Various physical and chemical phenomena have been considered such as the induction heating, plasma generation, and the in-flight particle interaction with the plasma jet. This model has been applied to the induction plasma spray process operated in a vacuum chamber. The partially stabilized zirconia powder (PSZ) has been used as an example for the feedstock. The effects of power input, standoff distance and powder injection position on the plasma and particle behaviors have also been investigated and discussed.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The Reasons Behind Early Adolescents’ Responses to Peer Victimization

Victims of school-based peer harassment face a range of risks including psycho-social, physical, and academic harm. The aim of the present study was to examine the behavioral coping responses used by early adolescents when they face peer victimization. To meet this aim, 216 sixth grade students (55 % girls) from two urban middle schools and 254 students (50 % girls) from one suburban middle school completed structured open-ended questions about a recent peer victimization experience. In both school settings, the results supported both previously- and newly-identified coping responses that fit within the approach-avoidance coping framework, reasoning that maps on to social information processing models, and systematic associations between reasoning and the coping responses adopted by the adolescents. In both school settings, approach responses were associated with having the goal of defending oneself against the victimization whereas avoidance responses were associated with wanting to prevent the escalation of the peer victimization event. The discussion argues that knowledge about the link between reasoning and coping responses can be informative to understanding what coping responses are effective for victims.
EXPERIENCE WITH A SIMPLE PROCEDURE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PLASMA AND URINE FREE 11-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS.

Abstract Plasma and urine free 11-hydroxycorticosteroids were measured by a simple fluorometric procedure. Precision and recovery of cortisol were excellent. The 8 to 9 a.m. mean plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroid value was 17 ± 4.9 (S.D.) μg. 100 ml. and agrees well with those reported using the Porter-Silber chromogen technic for measurements of plasma nonconjugated corticosteroids in normal subjects. Dexamethasone 2 mg. every 6 hours for 24 hours resulted in plasma levels of 2.2 to 4.9 μg. 100 ml. ACTH 25 mg. I.V. over a 6 hour period in normal subjects gave a mean plasma value of 58.8 ± 10.9 (S.D.) μg. 100 ml. The mean plasma half-life of injected cortisol of 127 minutes is in good agreement with the values reported using other technics to measure cortisol. The mean urinary free 11-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion was 86.8 ± 29.5 (S.D.) μg. 24 hours in normal subjects. Dexamethasone suppression did not lower this below the normal range. The day of the ACTH infusion the mean urinary value rose to 895 ± 323 (S.D.) μg. 24 hours with only one value less than 470 μg. 24 hours . The technic applied to the plasma appears to offer a simple and rapid measurement of adrenal function that is adequate for most clinical purposes. Further studies are necessary to judge the urinary findings.
The physicochemical limnology of a stretch of the Guadalupe River, Texas, with five main-stream impoundments

A study of limnological conditions was conducted on a 168-km stretch of the Guadalupe River in central Texas for one year beginning in February, 1969. This river stretch was unique in that it had a sequence of five shallow, nonstratified, main-stream reservoirs. Flow through the study area was controlled by releases from these five reservoirs and from Canyon Reservoir, a deep-storage reservoir, located 30 km upstream. Physicochemical properties measured monthly on a diel basis at 16 stations were: dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, pH alkalinity, specific conductance, water temperature, turbidity, transparency, water velocity, and discharge.
A cartesian closed category for topology

Abstract By replacing sequences by sets in definitions of Frechet and Urysohn, one obtains the definition of an L ∗ space. The category of L ∗ spaces properly contains the category of topological spaces, it is cartesian closed, and it has other properties which make it convenient for topology. The category of L ∗ spaces is properly smaller than the category of convergence spaces (Limesraame) of Cook and Fischer, but properly larger than the category of epitopological spaces of Antoine.
KARYOTYPIC ABERRATIONS IN CHROMATIN POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS WITH PRIMARY OVARIAN FAILURE

Summary Forty chromatin positive females with primary ovarian failure were studied by cytogenetic and hormonal methods. Aberrant karyotypes were found in 40 per cent. Although a relationship exists between the proportion of chromatin-positive cells in the buccal smear and the relative frequency of 45X cells in subjects with a 46XX/45X karyotype, many shortcomings are encountered in using buccal smears as an index of the karyotypic status. This study also includes that a constant phenotype can exist in conjunction with a wide range of sex chromosomal patterns.
Some relationships between possibility, truth and certainty

We discuss some relationships between the fuzzy subset concepts of possibility, truth and certainty. We show, for A and B fuzzy subsets of X, that the possibility of A given B is related to the truth of A given B through a Sugeno-like integral. Furthermore, we show that if B is a normal fuzzy subset than Poss[A |B] is always at least as large as the certainty [A | B]. On the other hand if the maximum membership in B is less than 0.5 the certainty is always as least as large as the possibility.