cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dobutamine Cardiolite(®) stress testing with low-level treadmill exercise demonstrates improved image quality, less medication and fewer patient side effects.

Some form of exercise is helpful to achieve target heart rate (THR) in patients undergoing dobutamine Technetium-99 Sestamibi (Cardiolite ® ) stress tests. The outcomes of low-level exercise (slow treadmill walking) and isometric exercises to achieve THR during dobutamine Cardiolite ® stress tests have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients who walked on a treadmill during their dobutamine Cardiolite ® stress test had better outcomes than those who used isometric exercises. The outcomes measured were the amount of dobutamine and atropine sulfate (atropine) used, duration of dobutamine infusion and quality of cardiac images. A convenience sample of 30 patients per group who required a dobutamine Cardiolite ® stress test was recruited from April to September, 2008. Descriptive statistics were reported for each group. The subjects who walked on the treadmill required a lower dose of dobutamine ( P = 0.028) and a decreased time of dobutamine infusion ( P = 0.031) to achieve their target heart rate. Heart-to-liver ratio results ( P = 0.08) and image quality ( P ® stress test achieved the target heart rate faster, required less dobutamine and had better image quality than those who performed isometric exercises.
Network Principles for SfM: Disambiguating Repeated Structures with Local Context

Repeated features are common in urban scenes. Many objects, such as clock towers with nearly identical sides, or domes with strong radial symmetries, pose challenges for structure from motion. When similar but distinct features are mistakenly equated, the resulting 3D reconstructions can have errors ranging from phantom walls and superimposed structures to a complete failure to reconstruct. We present a new approach to solving such problems by considering the local visibility structure of such repeated features. Drawing upon network theory, we present a new way of scoring features using a measure of local clustering. Our model leads to a simple, fast, and highly scalable technique for disambiguating repeated features based on an analysis of an underlying visibility graph, without relying on explicit geometric reasoning. We demonstrate our method on several very large datasets drawn from Internet photo collections, and compare it to a more traditional geometry-based disambiguation technique.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in battered women: A shelter sample

A sample of 77 battered women in shelters was examined for the presence or absence of a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. Self-report data were obtained on battery characteristics, extent of intrusion and avoidance, depression, anxiety, and general psychopathology. Eight-four percent of the sample met the DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD according to self-report. The reported subjective distress regarding the battery experience was positively correlated with presence and degree of PTSD, intrusion, depression, anxiety, and general psychopathology. Extent of abuse was positively related to presence and degree of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and overall symptom distress. Length of the abusive relationship was least related to the outcome variables. The results of this study indicated that the shelter population of battered women is at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder and this is linked with characteristics of the battery experience. The usefulness of these findings with regards to diagnosis and treatment is discussed.
Sticky wax infiltration in the preparation of sawed undecalcified bone sections.

The undecalcified bone specimen was surfaced by an ordinary motor-driven circular saw. After thorough drying in air, the specimen was infiltrated with melted Caulk sticky wax (L. D. Caulk Co., Milford, Del., 19963) without casting in a block. The specimen was affixed to the Gillings-Hamco thin-sectioning machine with cut surface parallel to the circular diamond blade. Prior to sawing each section, the specimen surface was blown dry and coated with a thin supporting layer of stick wax. The section was then attached to an albumen-coated glass slide with the newly cut surface facing the slide. After drying in room temperature, the slide was soaked in xylene to partially dissolve the sticky wax, and the loosened residue was removed subsequently by gentle brushing. The section was mounted and covered with a coverglass. Sections 50-100 μ thick were prepared satisfactorily by this method. The advantages of using sticky wax as an infiltration medium depend on its physical properties: it is gluey when melted, and ...
Characterization of an Anther- and Tapetum-specific Gene Encoding a Glycine-rich Protein from Tomato

Summary A eDNA clone, TomA92B9, encoding a putative 15-kDa glycine-rich protein from tomato anthers, was isolated and characterized. The gene is present in one copy per haploid genome. The mRNA accumulated predominantly in the tapetal layer of stamens from early meiosis through tetrad release. The protein deduced from this clone has an N-terminal hydrophobic domain with the characteristics of a secretory signal. The mature protein contains 32% of Gly residues. On the basis of the analysis of gene's expression pattern and its primary structure, it is concluded that this gene product is a novel glycine-rich protein.
Cell wall biogenesis of Blastomyces dermatitidis. Evidence for a novel mechanism of cell surface localization of a virulence-associated adhesin via extracellular release and reassociation with cell wall chitin

Pathogenic yeast of Blastomyces dermatitidis express a surface protein adhesin, WI-1. Due to the crucial role of WI-1 in adherence and disease pathogenesis, we investigated how the protein localizes to the surface of B. dermatitidis. WI-1 released extracellularly by wild-type yeast coated the surfaces of co-cultured knockout yeast within 3 h of incubation, implying that secreted WI-1 provides a pathway for loading the protein onto the yeast cell wall. In radioligand binding assays, purified WI-1 bound saturably, specifically, and with high affinity (K d = 8.3 × 10−9) to the cell surface of knockout yeast devoid of WI-1. WI-1 added exogenously,in vitro, to knockout yeast was indistinguishable from native cell surface WI-1 by fluorescence staining and restored adhesivity to the knockout yeast in macrophage binding and phagocytosis assays. Analysis of interactions between WI-1 and elements of the yeast cell wall identified chitin as the anchor point for WI-1. This interaction was shown to hinge on the 24-amino acid tandem repeat sequence of WI-1. Efforts to extract surface WI-1 from the yeast demonstrated that it is fastened to the wall by non-covalent interactions and covalent links between cysteine residues. We conclude that the yeast cell surface adhesin WI-1 localizes to the cell wall, in part, through extracellular release followed by high affinity binding back onto exposed chitin fibrils. These findings point to a novel pathway of cell wall biogenesis in yeast and an unanticipated role for chitin in anchoring and displaying a surface adhesin and virulence determinant.
The Protestant work ethic, religious beliefs, and homonegative attitudes

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) on negative attitudes towards gay men and lesbian women (homonegativity). The influence of religious beliefs and the notion of homosexuality as a choice were also examined in combination with PWE in regards to homonegativity. Previous research suggested that those who subscribe to the PWE have more negative attitudes towards societal out-groups (e.g., African–Americans). Thus, it was hypothesized that those with high PWE scores would display more homonegative attitudes. A significant correlation between PWE and homonegativity supported this hypothesis. Multiple regression analyses revealed that PWE interacted with religious beliefs, and religious beliefs interacted marginally with the idea of homosexuality as a choice. Those with high religious beliefs and who strongly believed that homosexuality was a choice were more likely to have negative attitudes towards homosexuals. The implications of these findings are discu...
Instrumental avoidance conditioning in the spinal rat.

Abstract Spinal rats exposed to an instrumental avoidance routine in a counterbalanced Horridge paradigm were able to achieve successively higher criteria. Both experimental and yoked control animals were capable of instrumental avoidance conditioning to incremental criteria; experimental animals exhibited retention of the task when tested. During acquisition, naive experimental animals were superior in performance to previous control animals. Due to the use of a counterbalanced Horridge paradigm, the effects of sensitization and response variability are probably not sufficient to explain all of the results of this experiment. The data suggest that both graded acquisition and retention occur at the spinal level.
Abstract LB-178: In vivo validation of candidate radiosensitizers that target ionizing radiation induced foci

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Even after several decades of use, radiation therapy (RT) remains an important tool in the treatment of different types of cancers. Discovery of novel non-toxic radiosensitizers that halt tumor growth and/or restore senescence checkpoint growth arrest are highly desirable. Our work, along with other studies, has revealed that disrupting the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) can sensitize cancer cells to genotoxic stress. In our prior work we used GFP-53BP1 expressed in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line as a sensor to screen small molecules that affect radiation-induced foci (IRIF) persistence. The screening of libraries of approved and investigational drugs identified several “hits”, a surprising number of which were compounds without known connections to the DNA damage response or to chromatin alteration. Significantly, several compounds that promote IRIF persistence also restore the senescence checkpoint in irradiated cancer cells. To validate the candidate radiosensitizers we demonstrated that selected hits induced IRIF persistence and senescence in a variety of different cell lines, including HNSCC, and pancreatic and melanoma cells. Based on in vitro analysis, we identified the most promising compounds/”hits” for testing in tumor growth studies. Combining selected “hits” with radiation treatment (RT) induced IRIF persistence and increased senescence induction in MCF7-GFP-53BP1 xenografts growing in nude mice. We report that drug “hits” combined with RT induced senescence and suppressed tumor regrowth in highly radioresistant B16-SIY melanoma tumors growing in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. Our data suggest that the use of nontoxic radiation sensitizers which enhance the effects of DNA damage and overcome intrinsic tumor radioresistance may be employed to enhance the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy. Citation Format: Elena V. Efimova, Helena J. Mauceri, Edwardine Labay, Harold Sutton, Ashly Haraf, Stehen J. Kron, Ralph Weichselbaum. In vivo validation of candidate radiosensitizers that target ionizing radiation induced foci. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-178. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-178
Evaluation of a Rural Healthy Families America (HFA) Program: The Importance of Context:

This paper describes sociodemographics, program involvement, and outcomes for 115 families involved in a rural HFA program. HFA-involved families fared well in concrete areas, yet demonstrated fewe...
NMR spectra of trimethylsilyl ethers of flavonoid glycosides

Abstract NMR spectra including signal assignments are presented for the trimethylsilyl ethers of five flavonoid glycosides; quercitrin, rutin, hesperidin, naringin and tectoridin, three flavonoid aglycones: luteolin, morin and hesperetin and two sugars: glucose and rhamnose.
Reciprocity in character theory of finite semigroups

Abstract This paper concerns the complex characters of finite semigroups. We begin by reducing the general problem to the study of local monoids M=G∪J∪{0}, where G is the unit group and J is a regular J -class. Let H be a maximal subgroup of J. For a C H -module U with character θ, let Ũ be the associated C M -module and let θ be the character of the C G -module Ũ. For a C G -module V with character ψ, we construct a natural C H -module V ∼ with character ψ ∼ . We prove the reciprocity theorem: 〈 θ ,ψ〉 G =〈θ, ψ ∼ 〉 H . As a consequence we find a characterization of the J-cuspidal characters of G. We go on to interpret our results for groups, introducing the concept of double parabolic induction.
Vagal paraganglioma: The Jefferson experience:

Vagal paraganglioma is a rare tumor of neural crest origin. Although the literature is in agreement with regard to epidemiology, diagnosis, and tumor biology, there is some controversy over treatment modalities for these patients. We performed a nonrandomized retrospective study in a large single-institution series of patients (n = 19) in whom vagal paraganglioma was diagnosed. General statistics included age, male/female ratio, tumor size, and duration of follow-up. Other variables such as signs and symptoms at presentation, family history, multicentricity, metastatic disease, and secretion of catecholamines were included. CT scan, MRI, and angiography were used in combination for diagnostic purposes as well as for treatment planning. Preoperative embolization was performed in 5 of the more recently treated patients. Current issues regarding the use of preoperative embolization and choice of surgical approach were analyzed. In this article the possibility and sequela of vagus nerve-sparing procedures will be presented. Operative complications and postoperative morbidity related to cranial neuropathies will be discussed. The rationale for performing adjunct procedures, including cricopharyngeal myotomy and vocal fold medialization, to facilitate the rehabilitation of patients with postoperative cranial nerve deficits will be given. Our findings and recommendations will be compared with currently accepted treatment protocols in conjunction with a review of the literature.
Bifurcations in nonlinear integral models of biological systems

A bifurcation analysis is suggested for nonlinear integral models of age-distributed biological populations. The analysis shows that the integral model of one-species population with intraspecies competition has zero and positive stationary states for some values of a bifurcation parameter. The nontrivial positive stationary state is initially stable and becomes unstable as the parameter grows. The obtained results are discussed and compared with the corresponding results in differential and difference models.
Karen Resettlement: A Participatory Action Research Project

Since 2007, ethnic Karen refugees have been resettling in communities across the USA. To date, a dearth of information exists in the academic literature, and mainstream culture about the Karen people and even less has been reported on their resettlement. This study offers insight into the Karen people and their resettlement experiences via a collaborative research project between a US graduate student and three Karen brothers. Together, we investigated the Karen resettlement experience in four different communities in the USA. This particular paper draws on data gleaned from our 2-year collaboration. We focus on issues identified by the research team as principal concerns of the brothers’ Karen community in rural Georgia and the broader Karen community in the USA. As a collaborative project, this paper offers a unique synthesis of both emic and etic perceptions on Karen resettlement.
Studies on the Interaction of Human Plasma-Fibronectin with Native Type I Calf Skin Collagen Molecules Using the Rotary Shadowing Technique

Abstract Fibronectin is a ubiquitous glycoprotein found in plasma, on the surface of a number of cell types and in the extracellular matrix. It is believed to function as an adhesive protein for cells by mediating their interaction with connective tissue macromolecules. This study uses the rotary shadowing technique to investigate the interaction between human plasma fibronectin and native calf skin type I collagen molecules. Purified human plasma fibronectin appears fibrillar with a total length of 152 ± 48 ma (n = 127). Individual molecules of fibronectin interact with one another in an apparent concentration dependent process to form linear polymeric structures up to 10 molecules by end-to-end association. Incubation of various concentrations of fibronectin with collagen results in the interaction of fibronectin with specific sites on the native collagen molecules. In addition, polymeric forms of fibronectin interact with collagen molecules and occasionally bridging structures between collagen molecules are formed. This study provides direct visual demonstration of an interaction between fibronectin and native collagen molecules. Possible physiologic implications of these observations are discussed.
Pharmacotherapy: comparative safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

A network meta-analysis by Trelle and colleagues has confirmed that the routine use of all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, both nonselective and selective, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Although a rigorous method was used in this analysis, comparative safety research in which data from randomized clinical trials is used has some important strengths and weaknesses to consider.
The Rise and Decline of an Open Collaboration System: How Wikipedia’s Reaction to Popularity Is Causing Its Decline

Open collaboration systems, such as Wikipedia, need to maintain a pool of volunteer contributors to remain relevant. Wikipedia was created through a tremendous number of contributions by millions of contributors. However, recent research has shown that the number of active contributors in Wikipedia has been declining steadily for years and suggests that a sharp decline in the retention of newcomers is the cause. This article presents data that show how several changes the Wikipedia community made to manage quality and consistency in the face of a massive growth in participation have ironically crippled the very growth they were designed to manage. Specifically, the restrictiveness of the encyclopedia’s primary quality control mechanism and the algorithmic tools used to reject contributions are implicated as key causes of decreased newcomer retention. Furthermore, the community’s formal mechanisms for norm articulation are shown to have calcified against changes—especially changes proposed by newer editors.
Microstructure of thermoelectric SiGe alloys containing fullerite

Abstract A series of thermoelectric materials has been characterized microstructurally. The materials are Si 80 Ge 20 (at.% alloys with additions of fullerite in the concentrations 0, 0.2 and 2.0 wt.%. The alloys were fabricated by a hot sintering technique, where the feed power was produced by mechanical alloying (MA). Fullerite was added either before or after MA. The experimental results have demonstrated that a high density of microtwins, some of them a few nanometers thick, exists in the alloys. The number density of the microtwins has been found to be over 10 8 cm −2 The addition of fullerite greatly reduced the grain size of the hot sintered alloys. The alloy without fullerite has a grain size of between 0.5 and 5 μm, whereas the grain size of the alloy with 2.0 wt% fullerite is decreased by one order of magnitude. Owing to a fine grain structure, the dislocation density in the alloy with fullerite is much less than 10 9 cm −2 . It has also been found that the added fullerite reacted with the surrounding SiGe matrix to produce an f.c.c. silicon carbide of lattice parameter 0.4359 nm. It is concluded from analysis of Moire fringes that the interface between the small SiC particles and the matrix is not coherent.
The Challenge of Common-Pool Resources

(2008). The Challenge of Common-Pool Resources. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development: Vol. 50, No. 4, pp. 8-21.
Infectivity of a mixture of cowpea mosaic virus ribonucleoprotein components.

The Sb isolate of cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV-Sb) produces two nucleoprotein components in the normal course of an infection. The components, M and B, were separated by zone sucrose gradient centrifugation and were found to be serologically indistinguishable. Mixtures of M and B were more than eight times as infective as would be predicted from the separate local lesion assays of M and B, and the ribonucleic acids isolated from M and B showed a similar activation of infectivity upon mixing. Most individual local infections from unfractionated CPMV-Sb probably originate through a synergistic action of M and B rather than through the action of either M or B alone. The virus preparations from plants inoculated with either M or B all contained both M and B. Three possible mechanisms of infectivity activation are evaluated and compared.
Graphical Data Processing by Adaptive and Computerized Techniques

A broad research program under the direction of USAECOM is in progress to investigate techniques and equipment characteristics suitable for automatically processing graphical data for military requirements. This paper considers a phase of this program, which is concerned with techniques and experimental test results designed to determine machine proficiency for automatic recognition and classification of military map symbols. For convenience of test, these map symbols are on glass slides, but the implication is that the technique is useful for automatically categorizing and symbolically recording any form of graphical data that can be displayed electrically or recorded on hard copy. Preprocessing methods used to reduce the complexity of the input data so that it can be more readily handled by the adaptive section of the machine are discussed. A description of the preprocessing technique is given.
A PC-Based Information Tracking System for Submissions at the FDA

The Division of Bioequivalence in the Office of Drug Standards at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has instituted a personul computer-bused in formation management system for trucking submissions received by [he Division. This system, which employs commercial software, allows for efficient and easy tracking of any submission in the Division. The program provides for useful and timely reports on all activity, which can be broken down in a variety of ways. The design of the system and its function within the Division are discussed us well as its application in other ureus.
Contraception: an ongoing study in misinformation and misunderstanding

The last six decades have witnessed the birth and development of hormonal contraception, a truly monumental milestone in human history given its profound impact on women’s health, wellbeing and sex...
SYNTHESIS OF DOLICHYLPYROPHOSPHATE-LINKED OLIGOSACCHARIDES

Abstract An efficient synthesis of radiolabelled P 1 -di-N-acetyl-α-chitobiosyl P 2 . dolichylpyrophosphate is described. The synthesis involves both chemical and enzymatic transformations.
Distributed Control of Two Dimensional Vehicular Formations: Stability Margin Improvement by Mistuning

We consider distributed control of a large two-dimensional (planar) vehicular formation. An individual vehicle in the formation is assumed to be a fully actuated point mass. The control objective is to move the formation with a constant pre-specified velocity while maintaining constant inter-vehicle separation between any pair of nearby vehicles. The control law is distributed in the sense that the control action at each vehicle depends on the relative position measurements with nearby vehicles and its own velocity measurement. For this problem, a partial differential equation (PDE) model is derived to describe the spatio-temporal evolution of velocity perturbations for large number of vehicles, Nveh . The PDE model is used to deduce asymptotic formulae for the stability margin (absolute value of the real part of the least stable eigenvalue). We show that the stability margin of the closed loop decays to 0 as the number of vehicles increases, but the decay rate in 2D formation is much slower than in 1D platoons. In addition, the PDE is used to optimize the stability margin using a mistuning-based approach, in which the control gains of the vehicles are changed slightly from their nominal values. We show that the mistuning design reduces the loss of stability margin significantly even with arbitrarily small amount of mistuning. The results of the analysis with the PDE model are corroborated with numerical computation of eigenvalues with the state-space model of the vehicular formation.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Isolation and characterization of two types of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles

A purified preparation of sarcoplasmic reticulum from rabbit skeletal muscle has been found to consist of a heterogeneous population of vesicles. Isopycnic centrifugation was used to obtain "light" and "heavy" vesicles from the upper and lower ends of a 25 to 45% (w/w) linear sucrose gradient. Each fraction accounted for about 10 to 15% of the total vesicles. The remainder of the vesicles were of intermediate density and banded between the light and heavy fraction. Light vesicles were composed of about equal amounts of phospholipid and Ca-2+ pump protein which contained approx. 90% of the protein. Heavy vesicles contained in addition to the Ca-2+ pump protein (55-65% of the protein) two other major protein components, the Ca-2+ binding and M55 proteins which accounted for 20-25 and 5-7% of the protein of these vesicles, respectively. The sarcoplasmic reticulum subfractions had 32-P-labelled phosphoenzyme levels proportional to their Ca-2+ pump protein content and contained similar Ca-2+-stimulated ATPase activities. They were capable of accumulating Ca-2+ in the presence of ATP and of releasing the accumulated Ca-2+ when placed into a medium with a low Ca-2+ concentration. The vesicles differed significantly in that heavy vesicles had a greater number of non-specific Ca-2+ binding sites than light vesicles (approx. 220 vs 75 nmol of bound Ca-2+ per mg protein), in accordance with their high content of Ca-2+ binding protein. Electron dense material could be seen within the compartment of heavy but not light vesicles. Removal of Ca-2+ binding and M55 proteins from heavy vesicles resulted in empty membranous structures consisting mainly of Ca-2+ pump protein and phospholipid. Electron micrographs of sections of muscle showed dense material in terminal cisternae but not in longitudinal sections of sarcoplasmic reticulum. These experiments are consistent with the interpretation that (1) the electron dense material inside heavy vesicles may be referable to Ca-2+ binding and/or M55 proteins, and that (2) light and heavy vesicles may be derived from the longitudinal sections and terminal cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum, respectively.
Salivary Progesterone Levels Before Menarche: A Prospective Study of Adolescent Girls

Objective: Our objective was to determine the frequency of ovulatory salivary progesterone levels before menarche in healthy girls. Design: We recruited a prospective cohort of midpubertal, premenarcheal girls. Participants collected weekly saliva samples until first menses or for 12 months. Menstrual cycles were considered to have ovulatory salivary progesterone levels if values were greater than 0.100 ng/ml (0.318 nmol/liter) 0–14 d before menarche. Settings: Participants collected saliva samples weekly at home and attended monthly clinic visits. Patients: Patients included 63 premenarcheal females, age 9–15 yr, with body mass index higher than the fifth percentile for age and Tanner stage III or greater for both pubic hair and breast development. Main Outcome Measures: Frequency of ovulatory levels of salivary progesterone before menarche was assessed. Results: Fifty-five girls completed the study, and 43 experienced menarche. Of the 42 girls who reached menarche and provided a sample within 14 d of menarche, five (12%) had ovulatory progesterone levels. The mean anovulatory salivary progesterone level was 0.041 ng/ml (0.130 nmol/liter; range, 0.012–0.078 ng/ml, 0.038–0.248 nmol/liter), and the mean ovulatory level was 0.194 ng/ml (0.617 nmol/liter; range, 0.125–0.343 ng/ml, 0.398–1.09 nmol/liter). The levels of estrogen, testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were higher and the mean BMI was lower in those with ovulatory progesterone levels vs. those with anovulatory levels. Conclusion: A significant proportion of girls displayed ovulatory levels of progesterone before menarche. More research is needed to clarify the hormonal events that occur in the perimenarcheal time period.
Foreign bank penetration and the lending channel in emerging economies: Evidence from bank-level panel data

Abstract This paper examines the main implications of recently increasing foreign bank penetration on bank lending as a channel of monetary policy transmission in emerging economies. Using a dynamic panel model of loan growth, we investigate the loan granting behavior of 1273 banks in the emerging economies of Asia, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe during the period from 1996 to 2003. Applying the pooled OLS, system GMM, and panel VAR estimators, we find consistent evidence that foreign banks are less responsive to monetary shocks in host countries, as they adjust their outstanding loan portfolios and interest rates to a lesser extent than domestic private banks, independent of their liquidity, capitalization, size, efficiency, and credit risk, and although there exists a bank lending channel in the emerging economies, it is declining in strength due to the increased level of foreign bank penetration. We also explore possible driving factors for the different responses of foreign and domestic banks to monetary policy shocks by investigating foreign banks’ different behavior during banking crises and tranquil periods, the effects of mode of entry to host countries, the home-country effects, and the response of foreign banks from OECD countries vs. all foreign countries including non-OECD countries. We suggest the access of foreign banks to funding from parent banks through internal capital markets as the most convincing explanation.
Endocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas:grading, tumor size and proliferation index do not predict malignant behavior

Gastrointestinal and pancreatic (GIP) endocrine tumors (ETs) have been regarded as slow growing neoplasms with distinct morphologic characteristics that behave less aggressively than carcinomas. The malignant potential of these tumors is difficult to predict. To evaluate prognostic parameters, namely tumor size, tumor grade, and Ki-67 index in relationship to metastatic behavior of GIP ETs. Biopsies and surgical specimens from 38 patients with GIP ETs were selected. The study group comprised 16 males and 22 females (mean age 62.6 years; range 24–91). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were stained with H&E, synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and Ki-67. Ki-67 index was evaluated using ChromaVision Automated Assisted Image Analysis software. Proliferative index was compared to tumor grade, and the degree of associations between tumor size, tumor grade, Ki-67 index and metastatic behavior of GIP ETs were evaluated. Fifteen of the twenty-two (68.18%) surgically staged neoplasms presented with peritoneal dissemination, lymphogeneous, and/or hematogeneous metastases. Nine of the metastatic tumors were G1 (9/13, or 69.23%), 5 were G2 (5/7, or 71.42%), and 1 – G3 (1/2, or 50%). Overall, 10/15 (66.66%) metastatic tumors showed < 2% Ki-67 immunoreactivity. Four ileal ETs had a synchronous malignancy. No significant correlation was found to exist between tumor grade and Ki-67 index as well as between tumor size, tumor grade, Ki-67 index and metastatic behavior. The findings suggest that tumor size, tumor grade and Ki-67 index do not accurately predict malignant behavior of GIP ETs.
Surgical Management of Persistent Intoeing Gait Due to Increased Internal Tibial Torsion in Children

Background:Intoeing gait is frequently seen in developing children, and in most cases it resolves with growth. However, persistent, extreme intoeing gait, due to increased internal tibial torsion, may disrupt gait function. At our institution, children with symptomatic intoeing gait are evaluated pe
Technology and Firm Size-Wage Differentials in Colombia, Mexico, and Taiwan (China)

In many economies, studies have found large wage differentials not accounted for by workforce characteristics, collective bargaining, or market power. Researchers attribute these differentials to either unobserved worker quality or pay incentives designed to elicit worker effort. This article finds empirical support for an alternative explanation: These wage differentials result from firms' technology-generating activities. Using firm-level data from Colombia, Mexico, and Taiwan (China), the article compares the effects of research and development, worker training, and exports by employers on the wages of skilled and unskilled workers. The results suggest that technology investments lead to large wage premiums for skilled workers but not for unskilled workers. These wage premiums are primarily the result of investments in research and development and in training, while exporting is relatively less important except in Colombia
Raman Spectrum of Heavy Water (By Cable)

THE Raman spectrum of heavy water has been obtained by 2536 excitation of 8 c.c. of 18 per cent heavy water in a quartz tube 35 cm. in length in contact with a quartz mercury vacuum tube. Two Raman bands were obtained with an intensity ratio of one to four, the new one having a mean wavelength of 2713 A. due to water molecules containing one atom of heavy hydrogen. The frequency difference was 2577, against 3420 for ordinary water. Cross and Van Vleck (J. Chem. Phys., June) have calculated a Raman frequency difference of 2720 for heavy water vapour, but a lower value is to be expected for the liquid, which Dieke has calculated as agreeing with my value within four per cent. There appeared to be slight indication of the band due to molecules containing two atoms of heavy hydrogen, but the faint continuous background made any certain measurements impossible. The heavy water was prepared by John W. Murray, of the Department of Chemistry.
Comparison of post-germination mobilization of cell wall polysaccharides and non-cell wall carbohydrates in soybean (Glycine max L.) cotyledons

BACKGROUND: In previous research, we demonstrated that cell wall polysaccharide (CWP) levels of soybean (Glycine max L.) cotyledons are negatively correlated with the sum of seed oil and protein content. Although the results suggest that reducing cotyledon CWP levels would be desirable, it is not known whether CWP are mobilized during early seedling growth and, if so, to what extent mobilization contributes to seed reserves. RESULTS: Ungerminated (dry) seeds contained equivalent amounts [approximately 20 mg (cotyledon pair)−1] of non-cell wall carbohydrates (NCWC) and CWP. Galactose and arabinose accounted for 47% of total CWP in cotyledons of dry seeds. Measured 14 days after planting (DAP), the levels of NCWC and CWP were reduced 98% and 34%, respectively, in cotyledons of seedlings grown under a 16-h photoperiod. Measured 14 DAP, greater than 85% of cotyledon cell wall galactose plus arabinose was mobilized. The transformation of the cotyledon to a photosynthetic organ was associated with restructuring of the cell wall involving increases in uronic acids, glucose and rhamnose. CONCLUSION: CWP of soybean cotyledons are modified during early seedling growth due to mobilization and cell wall restructuring triggered by light. The amount of carbon mobilized makes only a small contribution to total cotyledon reserves. Published 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reciprocity in Recurring Crises

Reciprocal behavior is understood as responses in kind and magnitude to both positive and/or negative actions. Four propositions that attempt to explain the presence of reciprocal behavior in interstate conflict are examined: (1) adherence by states to a norm of reciprocity, (2) Dupreel's theorem that as rivalries mature, states are more and more likely to imitate each other's behavior, (3) locking-in to escalating conflictual actions in a conflict spiral, and (4) the use of Reciprocating influence strategies, based on tit-for-tat, to elicit cooperation. The propositions are examined in 12 recurring militarized crises within the post-World War II rivalries of the United States and Soviet Union, India and Pakistan, and Israel and Egypt. The analysis employs events data from the BCOW data set, along with qualitative analyses of individual crises. The findings provide indirect support for the influence of the reciprocity norm, even within highly contentious situations. No evidence is found to support Dupreel's proposition. The presence of a true conflict spiral appears in only one of the 12 crises. The effectiveness of Reciprocating influence strategies receives support consistent with that found in other studies of influence strategies in militarized crises.
A comparative analysis of in vitro assays of bacterial adherence

Abstract In recent years there has been a sharp increase in publications concerned with adherence of bacteria to animal cells. Surprisingly, the three types of assays used to measure such adherence — light microscopy, quantitative subculture and radiolabel assays — had not previously been compared in a systematic fashion to determine their reliability or relative merits. In the present report we undertake such a comparison. Our findings indicate that although each assay has unique advantages and limitations, the double radiolabel assay has the fewest major limitations of the three assays examined. Unfortunately, this assay can quantitative the number of bacteria adhering to a given number of cells, but not the actual percent of cells colonized. The microscopic assay, because of its subjectivity and inability to detect small or poorly staining microorganisms, or to differentiate morphologically similar bacteria in mixed populations, is the least useful of the adherence assays. Our data suggest that when this assay is used, no fewer than 50 cells should be examined. The quantitative subculture assay had the advantage of detecting living bacterial forms, but suffered from difficulty obtaining a homogeneous suspension of colonized cells. Our data suggest that when using this assay or the radiolabel assay, quantitation of both bacterial and animal cells is necessary even when using only confluent monolayers. To obtain a comprehensive picture of bacterial adherence, data obtained with one assay should be confirmed in at least one of the other two assay systems.
Adenosine 5'-diphosphate dialdehyde: an affinity labeling reagent for phenol-sulfotransferase.

Abstract Adenosine 5′-diphosphate (5′-ADP) was oxidized with periodic acid to 2′-O-[(R)-formyl(adenin-9-yl)methyl]-3′-diphosphate-3′-deoxy-(S)-glyceraldehyde (ADP-dialdehyde). ADP-dialdehyde, but not 2′, 3′-acyclic ADP, inhibited phenol-sulfotransferase (PST). The inhibition of PST by ADP dialdehyde was irreversible. A kinetic analysis of the enzyme inactivation suggests the formation of a dissociable enzyme-inhibitor complex prior to the inactivation step. PST could be completely protected from inactivation by the inclusion of 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate in the preincubation mixture. These results are consistent with ADP-dialdehyde being an affinity labeling reagent for PST.
Human growth hormone: complementary DNA cloning and expression in bacteria

The nucleotide sequence of a DNA complementary to human growth hormone messenger RNA was cloned; it contains 29 nucleotides in its 5' untranslated region, the 651 nucleotides coding for the prehormone, and the entire 3' untranslated region (108 nucleotides). The data reported predict the previously unknown sequence of the signal peptide of human growth hormone and, by comparison with the previously determined sequences of rat growth hormone and human chorionic somatomammotropin, strengthens the hypothesis that these genes evolved by gene duplication from a common ancestral sequence. The human growth hormone gene sequences have been linked in phase to a fragment of the trp D gene of Escherichia coli in a plasmid vehicle, and a fusion protein is synthesized at high level (approximately 3 percent of bacterial protein) under the control of the regulatory region of the trp operon. This fusion protein (70 percent of whose amino acids are coded for by the human growth hormone gene) reacts specifically with antibodies to human growth hormone and is stable in E. coli.
An evolutionary framework for the study of developmental evolution in a set of nematodes related to Caenorhabditis elegans.

Nematodes are known to be a useful system for studies of comparative development. Here we perform a molecular phylogenetic analysis to allow for the independent interpretation of the developmental and morphological changes observed among a selected set of nematode species. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis is based on coding regions of the genes for RNA polymerase II, the small subunit rRNA and an expansion segment of the large subunit rRNA. Sequences were compared from five species in the family (Rhabditidae) that includes the developmental model organism Caenorhabditis elegans and from an outgroup taxon Aduncospiculum halicti (Diplogasterina). The phylogenetic analysis does not support the monophyly of the subfamily Mesorhabditinae and identifies the unnamed strain PS1010 as a sister taxon of C. elegans despite its morphologically divergent buccal capsule. On the basis of the inferred framework, we can begin to interpret the evolution of vulval development and of morphological differences among these nematode species.
Strain hardening due to deformation twinning in α-titanium : Constitutive relations and crystal-plasticity modeling

Abstract The mechanisms governing twin-induced strain hardening of high-purity α-titanium at room temperature were incorporated into constitutive laws to describe the evolution of both twin and slip resistance due to deformation twinning. The proposed equations were incorporated in a Taylor-type crystal plasticity model to predict mechanical behavior and texture evolution for different deformation paths. Model predictions for the overall stress–strain response and texture evolution compared well with the experimental results. Specifically, the model captured the three stages of strain hardening for uniaxial-compression and plane-strain-compression testing of α-titanium. In addition, predicted texture evolution due to the reorientation of twinned area showed excellent agreement with the observations. These findings proved the necessity of incorporating twinning and its associated hardening mechanisms in realistic constitutive descriptions to account for anisotropic strain-hardening behavior and texture evolution in materials that deform by both slip and twinning.
Marijuana craving trajectories in an adolescent marijuana cessation pharmacotherapy trial.

Abstract Marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance among youths and recent epidemiological data indicate that rates of marijuana use are on the rise. The purpose of this study was to examine marijuana craving trajectories among adolescents in an eight-week, placebo-controlled pharmacotherapy trial targeting marijuana cessation. All participants received contingency management and cessation counseling, and were randomized to either N-acetylcysteine (1200 mg NAC twice daily; n = 45) or placebo (n = 44). Craving for marijuana was measured using the short-form of the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ). Results demonstrated a significant decrease in MCQ scores over time for the total sample, but no significant differential change in scores between the NAC and placebo groups. This lack of significant difference is in the setting of NAC participants submitting significantly more negative urine cannabinoid tests as compared to placebo participants. This suggests that cessation effects associated with NAC may be mediated by effects other than marijuana craving.
Taking on the Unknown: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Unknown Relationship Homicides

Aside from noting the dramatic rise in their numbers, homicides with unknown victim/offender relationships have attracted little research attention. This study uses Qualitative Comparative Analysis and data from the Supplementary Homicide Reports for 1976 through 1998 to examine the nature of unknown relationship homicides and changes in their structure over time. The findings indicate that a large number of unknown relationship cases are contained within a few prevalent homicide situations while also occurring in a diverse array of less common situations. The situational context of unknown homicides exhibits considerable change over time, shifting from the killing of older White males with a variety of weapons to killings involving young Black males with guns. Although unknown and stranger homicides frequently share common structures, they demonstrate notable differences as well, suggesting that unknown relationships cannot automatically be assumed to involve strangers. Implications of the findings for p...
Earthquake Damage Assessment Using Objective Image Segmentation: A Case Study of 2010 Haiti Earthquake

The free and open availability of high-resolution satellite and airborne imagery after the 2010 Haiti earthquake provided a new opportunity to analyze earthquake-induced damage. Previous work has analyzed pre- and post-event remote sensing images using pixel-based change detection. The drawback of these methods is that they have difficulty differentiating earthquake-induced damage from other natural and manmade changes. An alternate method is to analyze damage in terms of objects rather than image pixels. The significant advantage of object-based analysis is its ability to effectively use the characteristics of the change such as shape, length/width ratio, asymmetry etc. to differentiate between damage types. However, to make effective use of object-based analysis for earthquake-induced damage evaluation, we need a comprehensive understanding of all potentially useful earthquake-induced damage characteristics, specifically from a segmentation-based perspective. In this study, we perform a case study on imagery from the Haiti earthquake that evaluates a novel object-based approach for characterizing earthquake induced surface effects of liquefaction against a traditional pixel based change technique. Our technique, which combines object-oriented change detection with discriminant/categorical functions, shows the power of distinguishing earthquakeinduced surface effects from changes in buildings using the object properties concavity, convexity, orthogonality and rectangularity. Our results suggest that object-based analysis holds promise in automatically extracting earthquake-induced damages from high-resolution aerial/satellite imagery.