cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evaluation of Intergovernmental Programs

This paper is the introductory essay for a set of six papers in which a series of field network evaluation studies, conducted in the United States of America, on the effects of major changes in the grant-in-aid policies and programs of the national government are described. The studies, begun in 1972, focused on the effects of new grant programs on state and local governments and the services they provide. The five studies are of (1) the revenue sharing program, (2) the community development block grant program, (3) all federal grants-in-aid in eleven large cities in 1978, (4) the public service job-creation program, and (5) the cuts and changes in federal grant-in-aid program made under President Reagan. In this paper, the rationale, methodology, and history of these studies are described.
The climatological annual cycle of satellite-derived phytoplankton pigments in the Alboran Sea

The circulation and upwelling processes that control the phytoplankton distribution in the Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean) are examined from a climatological perspective for the first time. To characterize the annual cycle of the near-surface phytoplankton patterns, we analyze the monthly distributions of pigments from the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS). Two regimes occur: a fall-to-winter bloom (November–March) and a non-bloom period (May–September). These regimes differentiate the basin from other parts of the western Mediterranean, where a significant spring bloom occurs. The newest ocean color data sets available today from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) and the Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (OCTS) fall within this annual progression. The combined interaction of seasonal stratification, coastal and gyre-induced upwelling, and horizontal advection control the near-surface pigment distribution in Alboran, while light availability does not determine the seasonal cycle of pigments.
The Role of Health Care Providers in Recognizing and Reporting Elder Abuse

The incidence of abuse cases in older adults is on the rise. Health care providers play an important role in recognizing and reporting abuse, the first step of which is to prepare themselves with knowledge regarding abuse. This consists of knowing the risk factors and signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report it. Of equal importance is knowledge of ethical implications, legalities, and ways to prevent elder abuse. Health care providers must take advantage of their unique roles to assess for mistreatment as well as to spread knowledge on recognizing, reporting, and preventing elder abuse.
Crystal and Molecular Structure of a Phospholipid Component: L-α -Glycerophosphorylcholine Cadmium Chloride Trihydrate

The structure of L-alpha-glycerophosphorylcholine cadmium chloride trihydrate has been determined by the conventional, single-crystal, x-ray diffraction technique. The phospholipid component displays the characteristic gauche conformation for the choline residue and the gauche-gauche conformation for the glycerol moiety. Therefore, a possible model for the structures of phospholipids is similar to that proposed by Finean.
Women with polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase (MS) are less likely to have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3

The role of nutrient-related genetic susceptibility factors for pre-cancerous lesions is gaining attention. We conducted a study to examine associations between polymorphisms in folate pathway coenzymes (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] and methionine synthase [MS]) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3 in a population exposed to folic acid by the food fortification program in the United States. Status of MTHFR and MS and circulating concentrations of folate, vitamins B12, A, E, C and total carotene were ascertained in 170 Caucasian and 266 African-American women positive for high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV). Polymorphism status was determined using polymerase chain reaction assays. Micronutrient concentrations were measured using radiobinding assays, high performance liquid chromatography or spectrophotometry. Presence/absence of CIN 2 or 3 was determined on the basis of histology results and the association with risk factors was examined using multivariable analyses. Eighty women had CIN 2 or 3 lesions and they were compared to 356 women who had CIN 1, ASCUS or normal cytology. We found that women polymorphic for MTHFR were less likely to have CIN 2 or 3 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23–0.79). No associations were seen with MS polymorphism alone (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.43–1.21); however, women polymorphic for both MTHFR and MS were less likely to have CIN 2 or 3 (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.08–0.62). We conclude that these polymorphisms in the folate metabolic pathway were associated with a lower likelihood of CIN 2 or 3 in a population exposed to adequate amounts of folate from exposure to food fortification with folic acid. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Aggregation of γ-crystallins associated with human cataracts via domain swapping at the C-terminal β-strands

The prevalent eye disease age-onset cataract is associated with aggregation of human γD-crystallins, one of the longest-lived proteins. Identification of the γ-crystallin precursors to aggregates is crucial for developing strategies to prevent and reverse cataract. Our microseconds of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations uncover the molecular structure of the experimentally detected aggregation-prone folding intermediate species of monomeric native γD-crystallin with a largely folded C-terminal domain and a mostly unfolded N-terminal domain. About 30 residues including a, b, and c strands from the Greek Key motif 4 of the C-terminal domain experience strong solvent exposure of hydrophobic residues as well as partial unstructuring upon N-terminal domain unfolding. Those strands comprise the domain–domain interface crucial for unusually high stability of γD-crystallin. We further simulate the intermolecular linkage of these monomeric aggregation precursors, which reveals domain-swapped dimeric structures. In the simulated dimeric structures, the N-terminal domain of one monomer is frequently found in contact with residues 135–164 encompassing the a, b, and c strands of the Greek Key motif 4 of the second molecule. The present results suggest that γD-crystallin may polymerize through successive domain swapping of those three C-terminal β-strands leading to age-onset cataract, as an evolutionary cost of its very high stability. Alanine substitutions of the hydrophobic residues in those aggregation-prone β-strands, such as L145 and M147, hinder domain swapping as a pathway toward dimerization. These findings thus provide critical molecular insights onto the initial stages of age-onset cataract, which is important for understanding protein aggregation diseases.
Physicochemical properties as predictors of organic chemical effects on soil microbial respiration

Structure-activity analysis was used to evaluate the effects of 19 hazardous organic chemicals on microbial respiration in two slightly acidic soils (a Captina silt loam from Roane County Tennessee, and a McLaurin sandy loam from Stone County, Mississippi), both low in organic car bon and typical of the southeastern United States. Single additions of individual chemicals were applied at 1,000 μg/g (dry weight) soil, which was moistened to 80% base saturation and incubated in the dark at 20°C. CO2 efflux from the soils was monitored at 24-h intervals over a 6-d period The chemicals included in the study were the following: acrylonitrile, furan, methyl ethyl ketone tetrahydrofuran, benzene, toluene, 1,2-dichloroethane, p-xylene, chlorobenzene, chloroform nitrobenzene, trans-1,4-dichloro-2-butene, cis-1,4-dichloro-2-butene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,3 trichloropropane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dibromoethane (ethylene dibromide), 1,2,4,5 tetrachlorobenzene and hexachlorobenzene. Seventeen of the chemicals caused temporary depressions in CO2 efflux in at least one soil, bu treatments were not significantly different from controls by the sixth day for most of these com pounds, indicating the ability of the microbial community to recover from chemically induced toxicity at this concentration. Acrylonitrile, nitrobenzene, and the 1,4-dichloro-2-butenes causec sustained depressions, whereas methyl ethyl ketone and benzene increased respiration. The octanol/water partition coefficient (KOW) and molecular connectivity (1x) gave good correlations with effects on soil respiration for a subset of benzene and the six alkyl- and chloro substituted derivatives (i.e., toluene, p-xylene, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetra chlorobenzene and hexachlorobenzene).
Calmodulin Stimulation of Ca2+‐Dependent ATP Hydrolysis and ATP‐Dependent Ca2+ Transport in Synaptic Membranes

We report here characterization of calmodulin-stimulated Ca2+ transport activities in synaptic plasma membranes (SPM). The calcium transport activity consists of a Ca2+-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis coupled with ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake into membraneous sacs on the cytosolic face of the synaptosomal membrane. These transport activities have been found in synaptosomal subfractions to be located primarily in SPM-1 and SPM-2. Both Ca2+-ATPase and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake require calmodulin for maximal activity (KCm for ATPase = 60 nM; KCm for uptake = 50 nM). In the reconstituted membrane system, KCa was found to be 0.8 microM for Ca2+-ATPase and 0.4 microM for Ca2+ uptake. These results demonstrate for the first time the calmodulin requirements for the Ca2+ pump in SPM when Ca2+ ATPase and Ca2+ uptake are assayed under functionally coupled conditions. They suggest that calmodulin association with the membrane calcium pump is regulated by the level of free Ca2+ in the cytoplasm. The activation by calmodulin, in turn, regulates the cytosolic Ca2+ levels in a feedback process. These studies expand the calmodulin hypothesis of synaptic transmission to include activation of a high-affinity Ca2+ + Mg2+ ATPase as a regulator for cytosolic Ca2+.
Relating Liquid Fuel and Headspace Vapor Composition for California Reformulated Gasoline Samples Containing Ethanol

Changes in gasoline formulation will be required as use of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is phased out. Changes in evaporative emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be of concern in c...
EFFECTS OF INITIAL HAM QUALITY AND OTHER VARIABLES ON PROCESSING YIELD AND SMOKE DEPOSITION

Subjective ratings for muscle color and firmness were utilized to segment 299 fresh hams into four different quality groups (low, average, high, dark and soft). Individual hams were pumped to 115% of their green weights with a 62° brine (8–2–2 mixture) by either an artery (188 hams) or stitch (111 hams) brine injection system and then held at 3°C for a 21-day brine equalization period. The hams were then washed, placed in stockinettes and smoked. Prior to smoking, individual hams were assigned to one of six smoking schedules which were based upon three different levels of relative humidity (40, 60 and 80%) and two heating schedules (60, 71, 82°C and 49, 60, 71°C, dry bulb). Center-cut slices (1.25 cm thick) were removed from five or six average quality hams in each smoking schedule. Three 0.3 cm thick slices were removed from the top (medial side) and two 0.3 cm thick slices from the bottom (lateral side) of each center-cut slice for smoke deposition determinations (phenolic compounds). Artery-pumped hams produced significantly higher processing yields than the stitch-pumped hams. Smoke deposition was not affected by method of brine injection. Processing yields were significantly lower for the low-quality group of hams. Smoking schedules employing the lower smokehouse temperatures and relative humidities (40 and 60%) produced higher overall processing yields. At the higher temperature schedule, 60% relative humidity decidedly reduced overall processing yields. Processors desiring to use higher smokehouse temperatures should use a relative humidity greater than or less than, but not equal to, 60% to optimize processing yields. The concentrations of phenols observed in all six treatments would result in acceptable smoke flavor ratings.
Trends in refractive surgery at an academic center: 2007-2009

Background The United States officially entered a recession in December 2007, and it officially exited the recession in December 2009, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Since the economy may affect not only the volume of excimer laser refractive surgery, but also the clinical characteristics of patients undergoing surgery, our goal was to compare the characteristics of patients completing excimer laser refractive surgery and the types of procedures performed in the summer quarter in 2007 and the same quarter in 2009 at an academic center. A secondary goal was to determine whether the volume of astigmatism- or presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs) has concurrently changed because like laser refractive surgery, these "premium" IOLs involve out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Boutique Government and the Challenge of Contemporary Leadership

The demands on natural leaders have changed dramatically in recent decades. Opportunities for bold innovation appear to have passed, prompting instead a focus on consensus building and partnership. Drawing on evidence from five Anglo-American democracies, this article argues that a diminished faith in public institutions and declining willingness to support altruistic community programs are reshaping the possibilities for national chief executives.
Simplifying home health monitoring by incorporating a cell phone in a weight scale

The overweight under-exercised aging baby-boom generation is creating an epidemic of chronic diseases that is placing a tremendous burden on the health care system. Frequent monitoring and contact between a patient and health care professional can help the patient control their diet, get more exercise and increase medication compliance. These factors produce dramatic improvements in patient health and well being. We present a home health system to manage heart disease that monitors patient weight and symptoms and support verbal communication between patient and health care professionals. The system embeds a cell phone, electronics and a large battery inside a weight scale to simplify installation and use, leverage cell phone cost-performance and speed up prototype development.
Classical theory, postmodernism, and the sociology liberal arts curriculum

This article presents classical theory as a modernist endeavor to apprehend the phenomenon of “unity of disunity.” It presents the three ways that classical theory comes to grips with the problem of wholes and parts: the holism of Durkheim, the dialectical materialism of Marx, and the pluralism of Weber. It argues that postmodernism liquidates, rather than solves, the unity of disunity problem by treating “wholes” as mere appearances. The article contends that postmodernism needs to be taken more seriously than it has been by sociologists but that, ultimately, the challenge presented by postmodernism validates the relevancy of classical theory. The article concludes that the postmodernist influence has diminished sociology’s relevance to real-world problems and, as a result, made the discipline less relevant for undergraduates. It calls for a revitalized sociology of sociology with the capacity to think through the trap formed by neoconservatism on the one side and the micro politics of postmodernism on the other.
CDMA-based predictive model of the read performance of EPC RFID tags in supply chain environments

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is quickly becoming the item-tracking solution of choice in supply chain applications. However, most RFID deployments are currently performed on a trial-and-error basis. This research aims to develop a predictive model of the read performance of Electronic Product Code (EPC) RFID tags in supply chain environments borrowing ideas from well established cellular communication systems that are based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology. This predictive model will be used to determine the optimal number of tags that can be consistently read in a specific warehouse facility prior to the deployment of an RFID system solution.
Automatic classification of chromatographic peaks

An intelligent algorithm was developed to automatically categorize chromatographic peaks resulting from the separation of protein mixtures using ion exchange chromatography. A vector quantizing neural network (VQN) was trained and used to classify peaks into six distinct categories based on peak geometry: Gaussian, fronted, tailed, leading shoulder, trailing shoulder, and overlapping. A preprocessing algorithm consisting of noise filtering, vector normalization, and cubic spline interpolation was developed to map peaks to identically sized vectors before introducing them to the VQN. Experimental data was used for training and testing. The VQN correctly classified 90% of the test peaks.
Suppression of inhibitor formation against FVIII in a murine model of hemophilia A by oral delivery of antigens bioencapsulated in plant cells

Hemophilia A is the X-linked bleeding disorder caused by deficiency of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). To address serious complications of inhibitory antibody formation in current replacement therapy, we created tobacco transplastomic lines expressing FVIII antigens, heavy chain (HC) and C2, fused with the transmucosal carrier, cholera toxin B subunit. Cholera toxin B-HC and cholera toxin B-C2 fusion proteins expressed up to 80 or 370 µg/g in fresh leaves, assembled into pentameric forms, and bound to GM1 receptors. Protection of FVIII antigen through bioencapsulation in plant cells and oral delivery to the gut immune system was confirmed by immunostaining. Feeding of HC/C2 mixture substantially suppressed T helper cell responses and inhibitor formation against FVIII in mice of 2 different strain backgrounds with hemophilia A. Prolonged oral delivery was required to control inhibitor formation long-term. Substantial reduction of inhibitor titers in preimmune mice demonstrated that the protocol could also reverse inhibitor formation. Gene expression and flow cytometry analyses showed upregulation of immune suppressive cytokines (transforming growth factor β and interleukin 10). Adoptive transfer experiments confirmed an active suppression mechanism and revealed induction of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25− T cells that potently suppressed anti-FVIII formation. In sum, these data support plant cell-based oral tolerance for suppression of inhibitor formation against FVIII.
Pharmacy practice department chairs' perspectives on part-time faculty members.

Objective. To identify the benefits and consequences of having part-time faculty members in departments of pharmacy practice from the department chair’s perspective.Methods. A stratified purposive ...
Influence of cultural dimensions on online interactive review feature implementations: A comparison of Korean and U.S. retail web sites

This study examines the nature of online consumer-generated communications, focusing especially on consumer reviews of leading retail Web sites in South Korea and the U.S. The current investigation adopts a two-pronged approach that utilizes both the user control concept and a cross-cultural perspective. The active implementations of consumer review features in Korean Web sites found in this study indicate that people in high power distance countries can adopt information technology rapidly to facilitate horizontal communication. As a result, we were able to support and expand the traditional view looking at the differences between Northeast Asian business culture and Western business culture.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF SIALIC ACIDS IN NATURE.

Abstract 1. 1. The occurrence of sialic acids acids in nature has been studied. These acids are found in all species of Vertebrata, Cephalochorda, Hemichorda and Echinoderma tested. 2. 2. They are distributed sporadically in the phyla Platyhelminthes, Mollusca, Anthropoda and in bacteria. The acoel turbellarian, a primitive platyhelminth, contains sialic acid. In the mollusc and anthropod, sialic acid is found in a free state in the digestive glands of squid ( Loligo pealii ) and lobster ( Homarus americanus ). 3. 3. In the species tested there is no detectable sialic acid in flowering plants, ferns, mosses, lichens, algae, fungi, protozoa, slime mold and in species of the phyla Urochorda (tunicates), Prosopygia, Porifera, Ctenophora, Coelentera, Annelida, Sipuncoloidea, Nemertea and Chaetognatha. 4. 4. There appear to be several, new undescribed forms of sialic acid in the invertebrates, most of which contain glycolyl groups. 5. 5. The biosynthesis of sialic acid and the formation of cytidine-5′-monophospho-sialic acid have been investigated in some invertebrates.
Mucosal Trafficking of Vector-Specific CD4+ T Lymphocytes following Vaccination of Rhesus Monkeys with Adenovirus Serotype 5

Post hoc analysis of the phase 2b Step study evaluating a recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5)-based HIV-1 vaccine candidate suggested a potential increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition in subjects who were baseline Ad5 seropositive and uncircumcised. These concerns had a profound impact on the HIV-1 vaccine development field, although the mechanism underlying this observation remains unknown. It has been hypothesized that rAd5 vaccination of baseline Ad5-seropositive individuals may have resulted in anamnestic, vector-specific CD4+ T lymphocytes that could have trafficked to mucosal sites and served as increased targets for HIV-1 infection. Here we show that Ad5-specific CD4+ T lymphocyte responses at mucosal sites following rAd5-Gag/Pol/Nef vaccination were comparable in rhesus monkeys with and without baseline Ad5 immunity. Moreover, the total cellular inflammatory infiltrates and the CD3+, CD4+, HLA-DR+, Ki67+, and langerin+ cellular subpopulations in colorectal and foreskin mucosa were similar in both groups. Thus, no greater trafficking of Ad5-specific CD4+ T lymphocytes to mucosal target sites was observed following rAd5 vaccination of rhesus monkeys with baseline Ad5 immunity. These findings from this nonhuman primate model provide evidence against the hypothesis that recruitment of vector-specific target cells to mucosal sites led to increased HIV-1 acquisition in Ad5-seropositive, uncircumcised vaccinees in the Step study.
Improved Equation of the Continuous Particle Size Distribution for Dense Packing

The Furnas model describes the discrete particle size distribution for densest packing. Using a model that considers a continuous particle size distribution for the densest packing to be a mixture of infinite Furnas discrete particle size groups, an equation for the cumulative particle size distribution providing the densest packing was derived. Monosize particles with different shapes have a different packing pore fraction. One parameter in the equation is the pore fraction of packed monosize particles; the particle size distribution for achieving densest packing is a function of this pore fraction. A reduced form of this equation is also presented as a working equation. The equation derived here is compared to the modified Andreasen equation for dense packing. An equation and the correlated graph for calculating theoretically the geometric mean particle size and an equation for calculating the specific surface area of the particle size distribution of the improved equation are also derived.
Testing for long‐range dependence in the presence of shifting means or a slowly declining trend, using a variance‐type estimator

In this paper we examine the effects of certain types of non- stationarity on the detection of long-range dependence and on the estimation of the Hurst parameter H, when using a variance-type estimator. The resulting estimate of H can be misleading when the series has either a jump in the mean or a slow trend. In such a case, plotting the logarithm of the variance versus the logarithm of the level of aggregation gives a curve which is quite different from a straight line. A method for distinguishing between the effects of long-range dependence and these types of non-stationarity is developed.
A decision support system for college selection

Abstract In this changing society the importance of higher education is increasing more than ever before. The selection of an appropriate university or college is of vital importance to the student for acquisition of proper educational experience. There are thousands of universities and colleges in the United States and Canada. The information available to students about each college is plentiful but is rather tedious to be obtained. The decision process of college selection is further complicated by many factors such as tuition, location, rank, size of the universities, and so forth. These factors play an important role in the final selection of a college. Therefore, a computer-based decision support system is developed in this paper to help users make better decisions in the selection of a college. This college selection decision support system is designed to be menu-driven and highly user-friendly with a “Help” utility. Many “what-if” scenarios are also available in this system. It can be run on any IBM XT/AT or compatible machines with a DOS environment. It will allow users to make better decisions in their college selection process.
Soviet Studies, National Security and the Production of “Useful” Knowledge

Know Your Enemy: The Rise and Fall of America's Soviet Experts. By David C. Engerman. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. 480p. $34.95. Know Your Enemy is a sociology of knowledge of the rise of post–World War II Russian and Soviet Studies, written by intellectual historian David C. Engerman. While it is not a work of political science, it offers an important historical analysis of a foundational episode in the history of the political science discipline. It is an account of the evolution of a specific field—Soviet Studies—but it is more than this, because this particular field was at the heart of the development of post–World War II area studies in general, and the intellectual and political engagements linked to the evolution of area studies were crucial to the development of modern political and social science. This symposium thus brings together scholars of Soviet Studies, contemporary post-Soviet Russian politics, comparative politics and international relations more generally, and the history of the discipline, to reflect on this book. While participants were asked to critically evaluate the book's analysis, they were also asked to comment more generally on the rise (and fall?) of area studies, and the history of political science more broadly. The issues raised by the book relate to the history and evolution of the current discipline, but also bear upon its future. For in response to post–Cold War crises (many connected to the discourse of the “war on terror”), there have been new calls for security-related area research made by such institutions as the Department of Defense (the Minerva Program, administered by the National Science Foundation), the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Department of Education (in connection with Title VI funding of area studies). What does the history of Soviet Studies tell us about these recent developments, and about how individual political scientists and indeed the institutions of professional political science should respond to them?—Jeffrey C. Isaac, Editor
Outer retinal degeneration: an electronic retinal prosthesis as a treatment strategy.

Objective To review progress toward an electronic retinal prosthesis for outerretinal degeneration. Method Literature review. Results Retinal degenerations such as retinitis pigmentosa result in a lossof photoreceptors. There is a secondary loss of inner retinal cells, but significantnumbers of bipolar and ganglion cells remain for many years. Electrical stimulationcan produce phosphenes in the eyes of individuals who are blind as a resultof retinitis pigmentosa. Several research groups are trying to exploit thisphenomenon to produce artificial vision with electronic retinal prostheses.Two groups, with private company sponsorship, have recently implanted first-generationdevices in subjects with advanced retinitis pigmentosa. They have reportedlimited preliminary results. This article seeks to put these results in abroader context and review potential obstacles to successful prosthesis development.These include inner retinal cell viability, high thresholds, signal encoding,power requirements, biocompatibility, and device encapsulation. Conclusion There has been substantial progress toward an electronic retinal prosthesis,but fully functional, long-lasting devices are not on the immediate horizon.
The World Wide Failure Exercise II Examination of Results

The years long in preparation World Wide Failure Exercise II has been completed and the final results and conclusions published. The overall purpose of the World Wide Failure Exercise II was to evaluate the failure criteria/failure theories to be used in the analysis of fiber composite materials. An in-depth consideration of the results from the failure exercise is laid out here. Many critical issues are examined and the status and significance of the World Wide Failure Exercise II is assessed. These results may be of interest and use to researchers and practitioners in the field of composite materials and structures.
The effects of ketamine on dexmedetomidine-induced electrophysiologic changes in children

Summary Background Dexmedetomidine is an alpha2-adrenergic agonist used for sedation and analgesia in children. We previously showed that dexmedetomidine depresses sinus and AV nodal function resulting in adverse hemodynamic effects such as bradycardia and increased blood pressure. We hypothesized that these effects of dexmedetomidine might be antagonized by co-administration of ketamine, which has sympathomimetic properties. Methods Twenty-two children (ages 5–17 years) undergoing electrophysiologic (EP) study and ablation for supraventricular tachycardia were enrolled. Patients were kept sedated with continuous infusion of propofol at a fixed rate. Hemodynamic and EP parameters were measured before and after a loading dose of dexmedetomidine (1 μg·kg−1). A continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine (0.7 μg·kg−1·h−1) was initiated and a ketamine loading dose (1 mg·kg−1), followed by continuous infusion (1 mg·kg−1·h−1), was given. A repeat set of hemodynamic and EP parameters were then measured at the time of projected peak tissue concentration for both drugs. Results A significant increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was seen compared with baseline after loading of dexmedetomidine. This returned to baseline after co-administration of ketamine (mean difference between baseline and after ketamine 1.8 mmHg; 95%CI, −7.8 to 4.3; P = <0.001). A decrease in heart rate was seen after dexmedetomidine followed by a return to baseline after co-administration of ketamine (mean difference between baseline and after ketamine −6.5 bpm; 95%CI, −11.2 to −1.8; P = 0.005). Sinus node recovery time was lengthened after dexmedetomidine but returned to baseline after ketamine (mean difference between baseline and after ketamine −16.2 ms; 95%CI, −63 to 30; P = 0.014). QT was prolonged after dexmedetomidine and returned to baseline after ketamine (mean difference between baseline and after ketamine −34.2 ms; 95%CI, −48.4 to −20.2; P = 0.004). AV nodal effective refractory period was also impaired after dexmedetomidine and showed weak evidence for return to baseline function after ketamine (mean difference between baseline and after ketamine −22.8 ms; 95%CI, −40.2 to −5.2; P = 0.069). Conclusion The concurrent use of ketamine may mitigate the negative chronotropic effects of dexmedetomidine.
Discrepancies between film and digital mammography interpretations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency and reasons of disagreement between film and full-field digital mammography (FFDM) interpretations observed in a prospective clinical trial performed with the GE Senographe 2000D system. The data from 643 mammography examinations comprising both digital and film mammograms were analyzed for this purpose. Reports indicated that 455 findings were identified on the digital softcopy reading and 457 findings on the standard film mammography with 408 discrepancies. Findings with discrepancies were matched and analyzed. A reason was identified and a relative conspicuity score of 0 to 10 was assigned to each finding at the time of resolution; 0 corresponded to a finding highly conspicuous on digital, 10 to a finding highly conspicuous on film, and 5 denoted equal visibility on both. After review, agreement was established between the two modalities in 73.3% of the findings; 13.5% of findings were seen better on digital and 13.2% of the findings were seen better on film. Approximately 63% of the discrepancies occurred due to variability in the reporting style of the radiologists and/or unavailability of prior films for comparison. Three cancer cases were identified in this study; two were seen on both modalities and one only on film. In conclusion, no statistically significant differences were observed between digital and film mammography, a result that despite the small size of our dataset is in agreement with previous reports. Inter-observer variability, display differences, and presentation disagreements are the main reasons for interpretation differences that are primarily identified in the classification and BIRADS assignment.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Programmed Cell Death Mechanisms in Neurological Disease

Programmed cell death (pcd) is a form of cell death in which the cell plays an active role in its own demise. Pcd plays a critical role in the development of the nervous system, as well as in its response to insult. Both anti-pcd and pro-pcd modulators play prominent roles in development and disease, including neurodegeneration, cancer, and ischemic vascular disease, among others. Over 100,000 published studies on one form of programmed cell death-apoptosis-have appeared, but recent studies from multiple laboratories suggest the existence of non-apoptotic forms of programmed cell death, such as autophagic programmed cell death. In addition, there appear to be programmatic cell deaths that do not fit the criteria for either apoptosis or autophagic cell death, arguing that additional programs may also be available to cells. Constructing a mechanistic taxonomy of all forms of pcd-based on inhibitors, activators, and identified biochemical pathways involved in each form of pcd-should offer new insight into cell deaths associated with various disease states, and ultimately offer new therapeutic approaches.
On the Contribution of Major Warming Episodes in the Tropical East Pacific to a Useful Prognostic Relationship Based on the Southern Oscillation

Abstract It is known that the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and the mean sea surface temperature off the Peru Coast are highly coherent and that variations of the latter are dominated by infrequent warming episodes. The present study examines the relative contribution of these warming episodes to the covariance of statistically significant correlations between the fall SOI and winter mean 700 mb heights in the Northern Hemisphere. The degree of dominance of the warming episode years in this context is evaluated by Monte Carlo methods. It was found that, for the 30-year period studied, data pairs following tropical east Pacific warming events contributed disproportionately to major correlation maxima in much of the Northern Hemisphere. Such covariance concentrations, however, were found to be fairly likely outcomes (probability > 9%) if groups of years are chosen at random from the appropriate covariance arrays. Thus, we conclude that the influence of the fall SOI upon the subsequent winter mean 700 mb ...
For the Public Good or Just Good Publicity? Celebrity Diplomacy and the Ethics of Representation

Celebrities in recent years have taken on a more active role in communicating global humanitarian crises to the American public. This role at times shifts between journalist, advocate, philanthropist, and personal publicist. This article evaluates how three of the most well-known celebrities in this genre in the United States—Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, and Bono—differ in their method of speaking about these issues, focusing on how their public discourse adds to, or detracts from, citizens' abilities to understand, discuss, and respond to the issues presented in the public sphere. Through critical discourse analysis, similarities and differences are teased out and placed within the context of previous research on celebrity diplomacy and humanitarian crises, in order to evaluate the usefulness of such performances for the U.S. public as democratic citizens and for the victims of foreign suffering the celebrities purport to represent.
Modeling Permanent Mold Casting of Aluminum

Modeling the complex, coupled fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification phenomena taking place in metal casting is a challenging task. The quality of any metal casting depends on many parameters such as the type of mould, rate of filling, and rate of solidification. Optimization of these operational parameters is very important in reducing casting defects such as oxide inclusions and porosity. This paper addresses the first steps in validating a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of permanent mold casting of aluminum. A mathematical model of the casting system has been developed using the commercial CFD package StarCD. A physical model of the system has been used to validate the mold filling phenomena in the process. Comparison of the results from these models will be presented.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Amplitude-phase decompositions and the growth and decay of solutions of the incompressible Navier-Stokes and Euler equations

We introduce the concept of amplitude–phase decompositions and apply it to the study of growth and decay of solutions of the incompressible Navier–Stokes and Euler equations. Amplitudes coincide with functionals of physical and mathematical interest. We are able to explicitly solve for the amplitudes in terms of the phases. The results obtained provide insights into the growth and decay of enstrophy and viscous dissipation, and identify new criteria for solutions to remain smooth for all time or blow-up in finite time.
Thin Film Ferroelectrics for Guided Wave Devices

Thin film ferroelectrics are being developed for guided wave optical devices. Of particular interest is BaTiO3 because of its high electro-optic coefficient. Epitaxial thin films have been deposited by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition that are suitable for electro-optic devices. Thin film electro-optic modulators have been fabricated and their optical properties characterized. Factors that determine the ultimate bandwidth of these devices are discussed.
Morphological stability of ice cylinders in aqueous solution

Abstract Cylindrical ice crystals oriented with the axis normal to the basal plane have been grown into slightly undercooled 0.1 molar HCl solution. The crystals develop approximately sinusoidal perturbations along the axis. The growth rates of these perturbations are in quantitative agreement with the predictions of a Mullins-Sekerka analysis of a cylinder growing into a binary melt. The ice-solution surface tension calculated from the perturbation growth rate is 23 mJ/m 2 , essentially the same value found with distilled water. A number of other ionic solutes were studied at concentrations below 10 -3 molar. Most solutes appear to have little effect on morphology or surface tension. However, ammonium compounds other than NH 4 F and NH 4 OH produce extreme changes in crystal morphology.
Nonlinear RANSAC Optimization for Parameter Estimation with Applications to Phagocyte Transmigration

Developing vigorous mathematical models and estimating accurate parameters within feasible computational time are two indispensable parts to build reliable system models for representing biological properties of the system and for producing reliable simulation. For a complex biological system with limited observations, one of the daunting tasks is the large number of unknown parameters in the mathematical modeling whose values directly determine the performance of computational modeling. To tackle this problem, we have developed a data-driven global optimization method, nonlinear RANSAC, based on Random Sample Consensus (a.k.a. RANSAC) method, for parameter estimation of nonlinear system models. Conventional RANSAC method is sound and simple, but it is oriented for linear system models. We not only adopt the strengths of RANSAC, but also extend the method for nonlinear systems with outstanding performance. As a specific application example, we have targeted understanding phagocyte transmigration which is involved in the fibrosis process for biomedical device implantation. With well-defined mathematical nonlinear equations of the system, nonlinear RANSAC is performed for the parameter estimation. Moreover, simulations of the system for propagation prediction over the time are conducted under both normal conditions and knock-out conditions. In order to evaluate the general performance of the method, we also applied the method to signalling pathways where mathematical equations which are representing interaction of proteins are generated using ordinary differential equations as a general format, and public data sets for nonlinear regression evaluation are used to assess its performance.
Bargaining power of targets: Takeover defenses and top-tier target advisors

Abstract This paper examines whether takeover defenses (i.e., poison pills and classified boards) can enhance the bargaining position of the target firm, especially when the target advisor is a top-tier investment bank. I find that classified boards and poison pills are positively linked to target's share of merger gains, target announcement returns, and premiums when the target employs a top-tier advisor and the acquisition is initiated by the acquirer. These results support the argument that top-tier target advisors might be more effective in utilizing takeover defenses in deal negotiations to enhance the bargaining position of their client firms and help them capture higher returns and share of merger gains.
Sex-Role Stereotypes as a Function of Marital Status and Role

Summary This study examined stereotypes of married and unrelated men and women in various roles (adult, undergraduate, graduate student). One hundred sixty-eight male and female college students each rated a man and a woman on a sex-role stereotype questionnaire. Stimulus persons varied as a function of marital status and role. Married couples with similar roles were rated more similar to each other than married couples without similar roles; this was not the case for unrelated men and women. Married couples with similar roles were rated less stereotypically than those with dissimilar roles; unrelated men and women were rated stereotypically regardless of role. The results were discussed in terms of evidence that marriage facilitates the expression of sterotypically “masculine” characteristics in women and of stereotypically “feminine” characteristics in men. Also discussed was the importance of situational cues, such as marital status, in addition to role as factors in the attribution of traits.
Strain Hardening and Long-Range Internal Stress in the Localized Deformation of Irradiated Polycrystalline Metals

Low-temperature irradiation can significantly harden metallic materials and often results in microscopic strain localization such as dislocation channeling during deformation. In true stress-true strain analyses, however, the strain localization does not significantly affect macroscopic strain-hardening behavior. It was attempted to explain the strain-hardening behavior during strain localization in terms of long-range back stresses. In theoretical modeling the long-range back stress was formulated as a function of the number of residual pileup dislocations at a grain boundary and the number of localized bands formed in a grain. The strain-hardening rates in channel deformation were calculated for ten face-centered cubic (fcc) and body-centered cubic (bcc) metals. A few residual dislocations in each channel could account for the strain-hardening rates as high as those for uniform deformation. It was also shown that the strain-hardening behavior predicted by the long-range back stress model resembled the empirical strain-hardening behaviors, which result from both localized and non-localized deformations. The predicted plastic instability stress was comparable to the tensile test data.
The Self In The Age Of Information

Since the advent of literacy, more advanced forms of information have changed the process of self‐understanding. The information age has undermined one's existence as an individual. In the new technology‐based ethos, self‐definition has been replaced with group definition, resulting in a glaring presence of identity politics.
Leukemia inhibitory factor ameliorates experimental anti-GBM Ab glomerulonephritis

Leukemia inhibitory factor ameliorates experimental anti-GBM Ab glomerulonephritis. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been identified in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, and renal allograft rejection. We investigated the glomerular expression of LIF at 30 minutes, and 3, 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after administration of anti-GBM Ab (N = 3) by the RNase protection assay. Control rats received rabbit sera and were sacrificed at 30 minutes, and 6 and 24 hours. LIF mRNA relative to GAPDH mRNA was detected at low levels within the glomeruli of occasional control rats. However, with the induction of anti-GBM Ab GN, there was a marked increase in LIF steady-state mRNA beginning at three hours which persisted through 24 hours. LIF mRNA was also detected in cultured mesangial cells stimulated with IL-1β, identifying this cell type as a potential glomerular source for this cytokine. To investigate the in vivo effect of LIF, Lewis rats were continuously infused with recombinant (r) human (h) LIF (∼0.5 ng/hr) or saline vehicle i.p. with ALZA osmotic pumps beginning at t = -24 hours (N = 8). All rats were injected with anti-GBM Ab intravenously at t = 0 (N = 16). LIF infusion decreased 24-hour urinary protein excretion by 85% (17 ± 15 vs. 114 ± 37 mg/day, P = 0.0001) and was associated with a 60% decrease in glomerular macrophage infiltration (0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 2.0 ± 0.6 ED-1 cells/glom, P = 0.0001). The administration of rhLIF did not affect the binding of the anti-GBM Ab to glomeruli. The beneficial effects of LIF were associated with a decrease in glomerular MCP-1 (56%), IL-1 (41%) and TNF (17%) steady state mRNA expression. The latter was associated with a 29% decrease in TNF-α protein expression within the glomerular lysate of nephritic rats administered LIF when compared with control rats. These data demonstrate a potential role for LIF in the therapy of anti-GBM Ab GN.
Revisiting Structural Pluralism: A Two-Dimensional Conception of Community Power

This study suggests a revision of the community pluralism model used in mass communication to include a dimension of leadership diversity, which would examine the influence of ethnic leaders within communities, along with the traditional structural indicators. Using confirmatory factor analysis, results indicated that a 2-dimensional model was more appropriate for capturing the dissemination of power within a community. Findings and implications for future research are discussed.