cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sociological theory: A case of multiple personality disorder

Theory, as a distinct specialty in sociology, is characterized by multiple, often isolated, and mostly dysfunctional personalities. Most of these personalities appear largely irrelevant to sociologists who do not define themselves as "theorists," and to students required to study them. Much good theory, however, is produced by scholars who do not label themselves as such or affiliate with the theory organs of the discipline (e.g., the ASA Theory Section, the ASA journal, Socio logical Theory, and theory annuals such as Current Perspectives in Social Theory.) The results are that our discipline fails to provide adequate theoretical training for students; cumulative theoretical development is impeded as we constantly reinvent an often four-sided wheel by a multitude of different names; and research is substantially atheoretical (albeit dressed up with the requisite "theoretical discussion"). At least five different personalities coexist, often uncomfortably and usually unprofitably, within the beast called "sociological theory": 1) the Talmudic exegesis of classics by long dead scholars and their minor revisions to fit more contemporary concerns (e.g., what did Marx, Weber, Parsons, etc. "really mean?" or, how can their ideas be stretched to relate to each other or something else?); 2) the paraphrasing ("showing the relevance") of contemporary, mostly European, in evitably pretentious, often incomprehensible and typically "anti-positivistic" metatheories (e.g., Postmodernism, Poststructuralism, Semiotics, Hermeneutics, Discourse and Critical Theory); 3) abstract epistemological and ontological na vel-gazing (e.g., the relationship between agency/micro and structure/macro, theory as discourse, text as reality, all the "how to theorize about" papers); 4) conceptual development and (sometimes) application; and closely related to this, 5) substantive, explanatory theory. I am sufficiently antediluvian to take seriously the word "science" in "social sciences." I accept as a matter of working faith (in practice, if not as a matter of TRUTH) the possibility that we can develop relatively general, abstract ex planations of why and how empirically observed regularities in the social world occur. Moreover, these explanations are amenable to some form of empirical testing, to some manner of deciding that a given set of ideas is more credible
Economizing by firms through learning and adaptation

Abstract Continual search for payoff-related information or knowledge acquisition and effective adaptation to it is argued to be an essential component of economizing behavior by firms. By focussing the analysis on a model of demand uncertainty wherein the typical firm searches for and adapts to information relating to the unknown distribution of consumer preferences, certain predictive implications of economizing behavior on the boundary, scope and organizational structure of the firm are derived. In particular, the economizing boundary and organizational structure of the firm are seen to be dynamic , i.e., changing over time as the relative importance of information search versus effective internal adaptation changes over the life-cycle of the firm.
Comparison of Equatorial Winds as Measured by Cup and Propeller Anemometers

Abstract This study compares the performance of cup vs. propeller anemometers from surface-following taut-line moorings in the equatorial Pacific. Vector wind components at 4 m above the sea surface were measured from a mooring instrumented with a cup anemometer and concurrently from a nearby mooring instrumented with a propeller anemometer. Mean wind conditions over the 115-day comparison period were typical of the southeast trade winds with a mean speed of 6.7 m s−1 and a steadiness factor of 0.96. Differences between the time series measured by the two wind sensors were small. Mean speed differed by 0.02 m s−1 and mean direction by 1.4°. Correlation coefficients for 2-hour vector-averaged zonal component, meridional component, speed and direction were 0.97 or above. The small differences in measurements imply that the two systems are equally suited for near-surface wind observations under typical tradewind conditions.
A Case for Legal Protection for Sexual Minority Educators

Abstract Discrimination based on sexual orientation in K–12 education is not prohibited in many school districts across the United States. Teachers who are of the sexual minority (gay, lesbian, or bisexual) must remain closeted or risk losing their jobs. A history of past court decisions and laws deeming sexual minorities to be degenerates from which children should be protected, coupled with little legal protection for sexual minorities, have pressured many educators into remaining quiet about their identity. Here, we argue that the rationale of protecting children by allowing discrimination against sexual minorities is unfounded and does nothing more than continue the spread of homophobia and intolerance. Educational settings should be places of learning that foster inclusion and not places where some are ostracized for being different. Current legal proceedings offer hope for the curbing of this practice, but until more protection is offered to sexual minorities in K–12 education, they may still be at ...
Plasmon-assisted electron emission from Al and Mg surfaces by slow ions.

We find structure in the energy spectra of electrons not explainable by an Auger neutralization mechanism. This structure, which can be a dominant feature in the spectra, can be caused by a neutralization mechanism involving the excitation of both surface and bulk plasmons, provided the energy released in neutralizing the incoming ion exceeds the plasmon energy. We find that bulk plasmons are excited even under conditions where the majority of the ions do not penetrate the surface. The experiments were done in ultrahigh vacuum s,1 3 10 210 Torrd in a Perkin-Elmer 560 x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger microprobe system equipped with a double-pass cylindrical mirror electron energy spectrometer. For these experiments, the spectrometer was operated at a constant pass energy of 40 eV, a resolution of 0.16 eV, and an approximately constant transmission over the measured electron energy range. The energy scale of the spectrometer was calibrated with XPS photoelectron spectra of Au and high energy cutoff of the Al LVV Auger spectrum. To ease discussion of the results, the energy scale was
Absolute and trend accuracy of a new regional oximeter in healthy volunteers during controlled hypoxia.

BACKGROUND: Traditional patient monitoring may not detect cerebral tissue hypoxia, and typical interventions may not improve tissue oxygenation. Therefore, monitoring cerebral tissue oxygen status with regional oximetry is being increasingly used by anesthesiologists and perfusionists during surgery. In this study, we evaluated absolute and trend accuracy of a new regional oximetry technology in healthy volunteers.
Inapplicability of the Sugiyama phase sum rule to very thin films.

The Sugiyama phase sum rule, derived for a free-electron model, implies that the Fermi energy of a thin film cannot be size dependent. This rule is shown to be invalid for very thin films (${L}_{z}\ensuremath{\lesssim}50$ \AA{}) in a square-well model, since it depends on the incorrect assumption of local charge neutrality near the center of the film. The displacement of the potential barriers outward from the surfaces of very thin films in order to produce local charge neutrality in the interior is discussed. The size dependence found for the free-electron model is expected to persist in the presence of electron-electron interactions, though possibly with reduced magnitude.
Gutenberg-Richter statistics in topologically realistic system-level earthquake stress-evolution simulations

We discuss the problem of earthquake forecasting in the context of new models for the dynamics based on statistical physics. Here we focus on new, topologically realistic system-level approaches to the modeling of earthquake faults. We show that the frictional failure physics of earthquakes in these complex, topologically realistic models leads to self-organization of the statistical dynamics, and produces statistical distributions characterizing the activity, notably the Gutenberg-Richter magnitude frequency distribution, that are similar to those observed in nature. In particular, we show that a parameterization of friction that includes a simple representation of a dynamic stress intensity factor is needed to organize the dynamics. We also show that the slip distributions for synthetic events obtained in the model are also similar to those observed in nature
Lotus corniculatus Classification by Seed Globulin Polypeptides and Relationship to Accession Pedigrees and Geographic Origin

The birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) accessions from the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) have not been systematically evaluated to determine the genetic relationships of individuals or groups of similar accessions. This study was done to classify and determine the diversity of a collection of birdsfoot trefoil accessions using high salt-soluble globulin polypeptides (SGPP) and to compare their classification with geographic and ecological distribution, morphology, and known accession pedigrees. Seeds of 128 plant introductions, germplasms, and cultivars that represented a wide-range of geographic regions and collection site ecological habitats were analyzed for SGPPs
Variations between hospitals in antireflux procedures in children.

Objective To examine the differences and trends in pediatric antireflux procedures (ARPs) across individual pediatric hospitals over time. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Administrative database containing inpatient records with discharge dates between January 1, 2001, and March 31, 2006. Participants Hospitalized pediatric patients younger than 18 years with primary procedure codes for ARP, appendectomy, pyloromyotomy, and gastrostomy tube placement. The comparisons with admissions for these common procedures were used to identify changes in the incidence of ARP per hospital per year. Main Outcome Measures The ratio of ARPs to appendectomies, pyloromyotomies, gastrostomies, and all 3 procedures combined, in each hospital by year. Results During our study period 13 691 ARPs, 41 441 nonincidental appendectomies, 14 895 pyloromyotomies, and 23 527 gastrostomy tube placements were identified. The average number of ARPs per appendectomy, pyloromyotomy, and gastrostomy tube placement declined annually across free-standing pediatric institutions. When these annual changes are examined within each hospital individually, however, it appears that such changes are not occurring equally, in that some hospitals are performing significantly greater and some significantly fewer ARPs relative to these common procedures. Conclusions The number of ARPs being performed in 36 free-standing children's hospitals is decreasing each year relative to several operations commonly performed at these institutions. Despite this overall annual decrease, there is tremendous variation between individual hospitals in how frequently ARPs are being performed relative to these procedures.
Surface structure and spectroscopy of charge-density wave materials using scanning tunneling microscopy

The Scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has been used to study the effects of Fe doping on the charge-density wave (CDW) structure in NbSe{sub 3} and 1T-TaS{sub 2}. In NbSe{sub 3} small amounts of Fe reduce both CDW gaps by 25--30% and change the relative CDW amplitudes of the high and low temperature CDWs. The CDW amplitudes remain strong on all three chains of the surface unit cell with no evident disorder. In 1T-Fe{sub 0.05}Ta{sub 0.95}S{sub 2} the Fe introduces substantial disorder in the CDW pattern, but the local CDW amplitude remains strong. The CDW energy gap is reduced by approximately 50% and the resistive anomaly at the commensurate-incommensurate transition is removed. The STM in both the image and spectroscopy modes can detect subtle changes in CDW structure due to impurities.
Linking Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis with Goal Value Analysis in the Curriculum Using Spreadsheet Applications

ABSTRACT This paper is designed to demonstrate successful innovations in education, namely, combining a managerial accounting concept with a menu analysis concept using spreadsheet applications.
THE INTERACTION OF DNA AND INTERNAL PROTEIN FROM COLIPHAGE T2.

The viscosity of DNA from T2 bacteriophage decreased when the nucleic acid complexed with internal protein from the same phage. The viscosity reached a minimum value (60% of that of free DNA) when 0.2 μ g of internal protein had become bound per microgram of DNA; this is considerably below the value for saturation as measured by uptake of radioactive internal protein (25 μ g of protein per microgram of DNA). A similar decrease of viscosity was also observed when calf thymus DNA was substituted for T2 DNA. The effect of internal protein was not specific since the binding of other basic proteins (histone and ribonuclease) to DNA also led to a decrease in viscosity. Bovine serum albumin and T2 coat protein subunits did not bind to, or alter, the viscosity of T2 DNA. The melting point ( T m ) of T2 DNA alone and of DNA complexed with internal protein at a ratio of 0.25 μ g per microgram DNA was the same. Hence this amount of internal protein did not stabilize the DNA helix in a low ionic strength methanolcontaining medium. The maximum decrease in viscosity of DNA is not reached until the concentration of internal protein reaches a value three times larger than is normally found for mature phage. The actual value of the viscosity decrement indicates a very small degree of folding of the DNA under these conditions. No further decrease in viscosity could be obtained by the addition of coat protein subunits to the DNA-internal protein complex. We conclude that internal protein either alone or in conjunction with coat protein is unlikely to be responsible for the folding of DNA during phage maturation.
Microsatellite markers for the intertidal kelp Postelsia palmaeformis (Heterokontophyta; Laminariales)

Postelsia palmaeformis (Ruprecht) is an intertidal brown alga belonging to the ecologically and economically important group of seaweeds commonly referred to as kelp (Order Laminariales). Six polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified for this monotypic genus. The number of alleles ranged from two to five, with observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.00 to 0.704.
Efficacy of permanent gastric electrical stimulation for the treatment of gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia in children and adolescents

Abstract Purpose Permanent gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been performed in adults as a treatment for gastroparesis and refractory nausea and vomiting in patients who have failed medical therapy. We assessed the feasibility and clinical outcomes of permanent GES in children. Methods Permanent GES was performed in 16 children (10 females/6 males), median age 15years (range 4–19years). All patients had chronic nausea and vomiting refractory to medical therapy and met ROME III criteria for functional dyspepsia. Symptoms, route for nutrition, and satisfaction with procedure were recorded before and after permanent GES. Statistical analysis was performed using paired Student's t test. Results After permanent GES, there was significant improvement in severity of vomiting (p=0.0001), frequency of vomiting (p=0.0003), frequency of nausea (p Conclusions 1). Permanent GES improved health in children with functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis who fail medical therapy. 2). No serious adverse effects of permanent GES were noted. 3). Long-term efficacy and safety of GES therapy in children need to be established.
Negative potential vorticity lenses

Abstract The dynamical properties of inviscid fluid lenses, which rotate faster than the local Coriolis, were studied through numerical experiments. Such lenses have negative potential vorticity and generally require nonlinear dynamical balances. A solution scheme was used that preserved exactly the relevant nonlinearity of the Euler equations. The experiments described here were designed to determine how the lens evolution depends upon initial conditions. When the lens is isolated from background flows it was found that large initial anticyclonic particle spin tends to produce quasi-periodic behavior in the hydrodynamic fields. On the other hand, large initial deformation produced erratic solutions with both subinertial and superinertial frequency components. An investigation of the response of an initially circular lens to a steady background deforming flow was made. Two equilibrium solutions were found for this setting. The boundary between the equilibrium solutions and oscillating solutions was found to be extremely sensitive to initial conditions and other model parameters. However, as initial spin magnitude was increased, a decrease in the magnitude of environmental deformation required to achieve either equilibrium configuration was observed.
The Separation of Silver from Seawater by Adsorption Colloid Flotation

Abstract ACF was used to preconcentrate silver from spiked seawater samples by a collector-surfactant-inert gas system consisting of lead sulfide, stearyl amine, and nitrogen. Analysis was conducted in MIBK following complexation of the silver with TOTP and in an aqueous matrix with an atomic absorption unit. Replicate samples in the MIBK matrix yielded a mean recovery of 73.5% with a relative standard deviation of 18.4%; those conducted in an aqueous matrix and a mean recovery of 91.8% and a relative standard deviation of 8.1%. Silver in a seawater sample can be filtered, preconcentrated, and analyzed in approximately one hour.
Troponin C in brain.

THE tropomyosin–troponin complex renders actomyosin from vertebrate skeletal muscle calcium sensitive. Troponin itself consists of three subunits: troponin I (TNI), troponin C (TNC) and troponin T (TNT)1. Pure TNI (24,000-dalton subunit) inhibits the actin–myosin interaction irrespective of calcium concentration. TNC (18,000-dalton subunit) binds calcium and releases the TNI imposed inhibition. TNT (37,000-dalton subunit) attaches the subunit complex to tropomyosin. Actin, myosin and tropomyosin have been isolated and characterised from a number of non-muscle cells2,3. We now describe the isolation and characterisation of a protein from chick embryo brain which is very similar to muscle TNC.
Morris water maze function and histologic characterization of two age-at-injury experimental models of controlled cortical impact in the immature rat

Purpose Controlled cortical impact (CCI) is commonly used in adult animals to study focal traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our study aims to further study injury mechanisms in children and variable models of pathology in the developing brain.
On visualizing uncertainty in volumetric data: techniques and their evaluation

Abstract Four new techniques for the visualization of uncertainty in volumetric data are introduced, including three glyph-based techniques (i.e., cylinder, cone, and multi-point glyphs) and one non-glyph-based approach. The non-glyph-based approach uses an aliasing mechanism. Four of the existing techniques for visualization of uncertainty in volumetric data are also described, including transparency, color mapping, and ball and arrow glyph techniques. These new and existing techniques are analyzed via a usability study that considers four aspects of the techniques’ effectiveness (identification of the data and of the uncertainty, visual overload, and brightness contrast) for one typical volume visualization scenario. The analysis suggests that while each technique has some utility for a scenario such as the tested one, the new multi-point glyph and the existing ball and arrow glyph techniques appear to be most advantageous.
The effects of isolation on sexual and social behavior in the rat.

Five groups of male Long-Evans rats were weaned and assigned randomly to one of the five treatment groups listed below: (1) Total isolates (raised in individual cages), (2) Contact isolates (M) (males separated from each other by screen), (3) Contact isolates (F) (male separated from female by screen), (4) Cohabitants (M) (two males per cage) and (5) Cohabitants (F) (male and female together). When tested as adults in pair encounters with stimulus males and females, groups 1–3 spent significantly less time grooming the perianal region of the stimulus animal when compared to groups 4 and 5. In addition to this finding, was the fact that in male sexual behavior, groups 1–3 showed significantly lower frequencies of intromission when compared to groups 4 and 5 when all were paired with a receptive female. It was concluded that postweaning isolation has effects on adult social and sexual behavior. A possible explanation of the findings is presented.
Catecholamine uptake and storage of the newborn rat heart during post-natal development

The ability of atria, removed from Sprague-Dawley rats at ages 1–21 days, to take up and store catecholamines was studied to correlate this activity with the previously observed physiologic immaturity of the cardiac sympathetic nervous system in the neonate. The cardiac tissue was incubated in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer containing 10−5 M iproniazid and 10−7 M H3-nor-epinephrine (H3NE). Total uptake and subcellular distribution at 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 days were determined at various time intervals between 5 and 30 minutes. Uptakes at O°C. served as controls. Uptake rates were expressed on a per gram wet weight basis. There was a small amount of uptake observed during the first post-natal day (0.515 nanagrams/minute) which increased only slightly by 4 days of age (0.683 ng/min). The most significant change occurred between 4 and 7 days (115%). Uptakes at 7, 14, and 21 days were similar to adult values. Since reserpine effectively blocks uptake of catecholamines into the storage granulee, 10−5 M reserpine was added to the incubation media to determine the role of the granule in the previously observed uptake. Reserpine inhibited the 30 minute uptake 57% during the first day of life increasing to 70% inhibition by 7 days of age. The utake observed in the microsomal (granular) fraction showed similar suggest a marked inability of the newborn rat heart to take up and store norepinephrine due to either decreased number of storage vesicles or an immature uptake mechanism in the granule.
Comparative exome sequencing of metastatic lesions provides insights into the mutational progression of melanoma

Background: Metastasis is characterized by spreading of neoplastic cells to an organ other than where they originated and is the predominant cause of death among cancer patients. This holds true for melanoma, whose incidence is increasing more rapidly than any other cancer and once disseminated has few therapeutic options. Here we performed whole exome sequencing of two sets of matched normal and metastatic tumor DNAs. Results: Using stringent criteria, we evaluated the similarities and differences between the lesions. We find that in both cases, 96% of the single nucleotide variants are shared between the two metastases indicating that clonal populations gave rise to the distant metastases. Analysis of copy number variation patterns of both metastatic sets revealed a trend similar to that seen with our single nucleotide variants. Analysis of pathway enrichment on tumor sets shows commonly mutated pathways enriched between individual sets of metastases and all metastases combined. Conclusions: These data provide a proof-of-concept suggesting that individual metastases may have sufficient similarity for successful targeting of driver mutations.
The Moral Ends of Band.

This article provides a theoretical framework through which to reimagine and revitalize contemporary music education practices, using the large ensemble paradigm called band as the primary unit of analysis. Literature suggests that band places too much emphasis on teacher control and external measures of validation. Critics propose replacing this historic art form with ones that exist outside of school. It is argued in this article that band's crisis of legitimacy can be resolved by refocusing on student welfare and student well-being. Because band is the only indigenous American art form that exists in and has come into fruition through the public school, band directors are bound by a public trust to put the education of students first. Using Dewey's understanding of the role of public schooling in a democracy, a vision of moral education through music education is advanced. Band is ideally poised to illustrate what moral education can be.
The effect of temperature dependent viscosity on the structure of new plumes in the mantle: Results of a finite element model in a spherical, axisymmetric shell

Abstract We have developed a finite element model of convection in a spherical, axisymmetric shell that we use to simulate upwelling thermal plumes in the mantle. The finite element method provides the flexibility to include realistic properties such as temperature-dependent viscosity, the focus of this paper. We used this model to investigate the effect of temperature-dependent viscosity on the structure of new plumes originating at the core-mantle boundary. Because the way in which mantle viscosity varies with temperature is not well constrained, we determined the plume structure using a variety of viscosity laws. We focus on 3 different viscosity laws: (1) constant viscosity; (2) weakly temperature-dependent viscosity, in which the viscosity increases by a factor of 10 between the hottest and the coldest material; and (3) strongly temperature-dependent viscosity, in which the viscosity varies by a factor of 1000. In a constant viscosity fluid, the plume exhibited a spout structure without a distinctive head. The plume head and tail consisted largely of material from the hot thermal boundary layer at the base of the spherical shell that represented the mantle. When the viscosity was strongly temperature-dependent, starting plumes developed a mushroom structure with a large, slow-moving head, followed by a narrow, faster moving tail. Material from the overlying shell was assimilated into the plume head during formation of the upwelling in models with strongly temperature-dependent viscosity, while the plume tail showed little entrainment. Constant viscosity models and models with weakly temperature-dependent viscosity showed almost no entrainment in the head or tail. The large plume head that formed in models with strongly temperature-dependent viscosity created and then shed “blobs” of material from the deep mantle that did not arrive at the surface near the plume but instead were deposited elsewhere in the upper mantle.
Polymer degradation and ultrafine particles: Potential inhalation hazards for astronauts

To test the hypothesis that exposure to ultrafine particles results in an increased interstiatilization of the particles which is accompanied by an acute pathological inflammation, rats were exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles by intratracheal instillation and by inhalation. Both acute intratracheal instillation and subchronic inhalation studies on rats show that ultrafine TiO2 particles access the pulmonary interstitium to a larger extent than fine particles and that they elicit an inflammatory response as indicated by PMN increase in lavaged cells. The release of ultrafine particles into the air of an enclosed environment from a thermodegradation event or from other sources is a potential hazard for astronauts. Knowing the mechanisms of action is a prerequisite for technical or medical countermeasures.
Work and Family Variables as Related to Paternal Engagement, Responsibility, and Accessibility in Dual-Earner Couples with Young Children

Fathers and mothers (N = 75 dual-earner couples) of preschoolaged children completed questionnaires that examined work and family variables as related to paternal involvement in three areas: engagement (i.e., directly interacting with the child), responsibility (i.e., scheduling activities and being accountable for the child’s well-being), and accessibility (i.e., being available to the child but not in direct interaction). Fathers’ reports of responsibility and accessibility were significantly predicted by structural variables and beliefs; however, fathers’ reports of engagement were not predicted by work and family variables. Mothers’ reports of work and family variables did not predict their reports of father involvement. These findings suggest that for fathers of young children, parental involvement appears mainly self-determined.
Three approaches to object evolution

Dynamic object reclassification allows changes to the type of an object at runtime. This paper makes the case for object evolution, a restriction of general reclassification by which an object may gain, but never lose properties. We argue that evolution is an expressive and useful language construct and can be implemented efficiently. Further, the monotonicity property of evolution promotes static type-safety better than general reclassification. We describe three concrete variants of evolution, relying on inheritance, mixins and shakeins, and explain how any combination of these can be integrated into a concrete programming language. We chart the language design space, mention our implementation, and introduce the notion of evolvers, a critical mechanism for maintaining class invariants in the course of reclassification.
Economic decision-making in the virtual firm

Microeconomics has contributed much to the foundations of management practice from investment and financial structure, to strategic analysis of markets and the organization of activity. However, rapidly changing technology and the increasing importance of knowledge and communication represent significant challenges to static theories of the firm. The paper explores shortcomings of the traditional model suggests that the model of the entrepreneur is more appropriate for the virtual enterprises of the 21st century.
1-GHz Monolithically Integrated Hybrid Mode-Locked InP Laser

This letter demonstrates a 1-GHz hybrid mode-locked monolithic semiconductor laser fabricated on indium phosphide. Its operating regimes are explored and optical pulses as short as 36 ps were measured. The linear cavity is 41 mm long with integrated active quantum well and passive waveguide structures. To our knowledge, this is the lowest reported repetition rate for a monolithically integrated mode-locked semiconductor laser. We further describe optimization steps of the saturable absorber reverse bias, driving RF frequency, and the semiconductor optical amplifier gain current for minimal output pulsewidth.
DETECTION OF URETHRAL DIVERTICULA IN WOMEN: COMPARISON OF A HIGH RESOLUTION FAST SPIN ECHO TECHNIQUE WITH DOUBLE BALLOON URETHROGRAPHY

AbstractPurpose: We compared a rapid high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to contrast urethrography for the detection of urethral diverticula in women.Materials and Methods: During a 19-month interval 13 patients with clinically suspected urethral diverticula were evaluated with MRI and contrast urethrography. All patients were referred by a urologist, and had clinical signs and symptoms suggesting the presence of a urethral diverticulum. Double balloon urethrography was performed in 12 patients and voiding cystourethrography was done in 1. MRI was performed using a fast spin echo T2-weighted pulse sequence and a dedicated pelvic multicoil. Following a sagittal localizer sequence 3 mm. thick axial sections were obtained from the bladder base through the entire urethra. Total imaging time was 15 minutes.Results: In 7 patients MRI and urethrography were negative for urethral diverticula, and in 3 cystourethroscopy was negative. In 1 patient MRI revealed a vaginal inclusion cyst confirm...
From Rio 1992 to Rio 2012 and Beyond Revisiting the Role of Trade Rules and Financial Transfers for Sustainable Development

The 20th anniversary of the Journal of Environment and Development (JED) not coincidentally lines up with the anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio De Janeiro in 1992. The JED was launched as one of many thousands of initiatives during the preparatory phase of the Rio conference around the world encouraged by a cautious optimism that this event would help launch a new era of bringing economic development and care for the environment closer together. Coming 20 years after the 1972 Stockholm conference on the Human Environment it was hoped that the Rio conference of 1992 would be able to reap a peace dividend and profit from a greatly improved international political situation to focus on global environmental challenges. The cold-war years had receded into the history books and some of the North–South antagonism had softened after military regimes had given way to democratic systems in many large developing countries. World trade was expanding more rapidly again after a decade of economic stagnation in many parts of the world. This editorial looks back at the achievements of the Rio 1992 conference and highlights one of its perhaps most consequential failures: to launch a process that could find an appropriate balance between government regulation and faith in free markets and private sector initiatives to address environmental and development challenges in a comprehensive way. This would require an integration of trade rules and sustainable development objectives and a serious debate about raising financial resources for a global eco-services compensation system that does not primarily rely on fickle, voluntary, private sector investments into carbon-crediting systems. Rio plus 20 is an opportunity to review experience with 20 years of far-reaching reliance on free market solutions to public goods problems of global magnitude. It is a chance to learn important lessons that can guide the search for better policies to meet critical global Editorial
Cannabis-related episodic memory deficits and hippocampal morphological differences in healthy individuals and schizophrenia subjects

Cannabis use has been associated with episodic memory (EM) impairments and abnormal hippocampus morphology among both healthy individuals and schizophrenia subjects. Considering the hippocampus' role in EM, research is needed to evaluate the relationship between cannabis-related hippocampal morphology and EM among healthy and clinical groups. We examined differences in hippocampus morphology between control and schizophrenia subjects with and without a past (not current) cannabis use disorder (CUD). Subjects group-matched on demographics included 44 healthy controls (CON), 10 subjects with a CUD history (CON-CUD), 28 schizophrenia subjects with no history of substance use disorders (SCZ), and 15 schizophrenia subjects with a CUD history (SCZ-CUD). Large-deformation, high-dimensional brain mapping with MRI produced surface-based representations of the hippocampus that were compared across all four groups and correlated with EM and CUD history. Surface maps of the hippocampus were generated to visualize morphological differences. CON-CUD and SCZ-CUD were characterized by distinct cannabis-related hippocampal shape differences and parametric deficits in EM performance. Shape differences observed in CON-CUD were associated with poorer EM performance, while shape differences observed in SCZ-CUD were associated with a longer duration of CUD and shorter duration of CUD remission. A past history of CUD may be associated with notable differences in hippocampal morphology and EM impairments among adults with and without schizophrenia. Although the results may be compatible with a causal hypothesis, we must consider that the observed cannabis-related shape differences in the hippocampus could also be explained as biomarkers of a neurobiological susceptibility to poor memory or the effects of cannabis.
Identity of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain-binding protein with the 78,000-dalton glucose-regulated protein and the role of posttranslational modifications in its binding function.

Abstract The 78,000-dalton glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and the immunoglobulin heavy-chain-binding protein (BiP) were shown to be the same protein by NH2-terminal sequence comparison. Immunoprecipitation of GRP78-BiP induced by glucose starvation and a temperature-sensitive mutation in a hamster fibroblast cell line demonstrated the association of GRP78-BiP with other cellular proteins. In both fibroblasts and lymphoid cells, GRP78-BiP was found to label with 32Pi and [3H]adenosine. Phosphoamino acid analysis demonstrated that GRP78-BiP is phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues. Conditions which induce increased production of GRP78-BiP resulted in decreased incorporation of 32Pi and [3H]adenosine into GRP78-BiP. Furthermore, we report here that the phosphorylated form of BiP resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and that BiP which is associated with heavy chains is not phosphorylated or labeled with [3H]adenosine, whereas free BiP is. This suggests that posttranslational modifications may be important in regulating the synthesis and binding of BiP.
The discursive tactics of neoliberal development in small Third World countries

Abstract This paper draws from the regulation approach and from discourse analysis to contextualize and evaluate current trends in the industrial development policies of small Third World countries. The investment promotion guidebooks of eight economically-weak states of the Caribbean Basin and littoral Africa provide evidence for the construction of Third World mediascapes. Through promises of a pro-investor climate, images of scientific production, and avoidance of the reality of social discontent, the guidebooks signal that the country is a signatory to the neoliberal world order and is ripe for investment in export-oriented manufacturing. The guidebooks demonstrate considerable homogeneity regarding discursive tactics, messages, and promises to capital. The typical advertising package combines three themes: neoliberal and contextual depiction (pledges of subsidies, an open economy, and cheap and unorganized labour; tropical paradise and friendly natives), science fiction (dreams of high technology, telecommunications, and informatics), and strategic omission (exclusion of strife, resistance, hardship, and societal degradation). The homogeneity of incentives causes the generous incentive packages across the Third World to cancel each other out, thereby raising the stakes necessary to lure fastidious investors. Homogenization through mediascapes is not total, however. The invitations to international capital are trapped by local context. Investors discover either through the guidebooks or on site that local history and struggle preclude an unproblematic absorption and implementation of the neoliberal hegemonic project.
Landscape assessment of tree communities in the northern karst region of Puerto Rico

The northern karst of Puerto Rico is a unique formation that contains one of the island's largest remaining forested tracts. The region is under ever-increasing human pressure, but large portions of it are being considered for conserva- tion. Forest classification of the region is at a coarse scale, such that it is considered one vegetation type. We asked whether there were distinct tree assemblages which would necessitate targeted conservation strategies to ensure their protection. We examined tree species and communities across the region at three different major topographic positions along mogotes, or haystack-shaped hills. We found distinct tree communities on hilltops and valleys, with significantly more non-native species in valleys and significantly more endemic species on hilltops and hillsides. At a landscape level, we identified at least four different communities within each topographic position. Two mogote top communities were separated geographically (west and south) within the region, while two others co-occurred in the east-central part of the region. Mogote side and valley communities were less distinct geographically. Temperature, elevation, and precipitation were important variables in sep- arating some communities, suggesting that abiotic stress may play an important role in the distribu- tion of some species. In contrast, the lack of geo- graphic separations of other communities suggested that variables such as soil conditions, land use and biotic interactions such as dispersal limitation may also be important. Conservation planning strategies should target the south, west, and east-central areas that harbor distinct mogote top plant communities to ensure protection of the widest range of tree species and communities in the karst region.
SERS: A new method for the study of electronic structure in ultrasmall particles

Abstract Earlier work suggested that surface enhanced Raman scattering arises from off-diagonal coupling of excitations in the molecule and substrate. Using a free-electron model for a metallic substrate, large enhancements are confirmed, and insight gained about the effects of (1) substrate size, (2) molecular location, (3) density of states, and (4) excitation wavelength. Structured SERS and anti -enhancements occur under suitable conditions.
Neuroimaging at 1.5 T and 3.0 T: comparison of oxygenation-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging.

Noise properties, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and signal responses were compared during functional activation of the human brain at 1.5 and 3.0 T. At the higher field spiral gradient-echo (GRE) brain images revealed an average gain in SNR of 1.7 in fully relaxed and 2.2 in images with a repetition time (TR) of 1.5 sec. The tempered gain at longer TRs reflects the fact that the physiological noise depends on the signal strength and becomes a larger fraction of the total noise at 3.0 T. Activation of the primary motor and visual cortex resulted in a 36% and 44% increase of "activated pixels" at 3.0 T, which reflects a greater sensitivity for the detection of activated gray matter at the higher field. The gain in the CNR exhibited a dependency on the underlying tissue, i.e., an increase of 1.8x in regions of particular high activation-induced signal changes (presumably venous vessels) and of 2.2x in the average activated areas. These results demonstrate that 3.0 T provides a clear advantage over 1.5 T for neuroimaging of homogeneous brain tissue, although stronger physiological noise contributions, more complicated signal features in the proximity of strong susceptibility gradients, and changes in the intrinsic relaxation times may mediate the enhancement. Magn Reson Med 45:595-604, 2001.
Surgical management of primary aortoesophageal fistula secondary to thoracic aneurysm

Aortoesophageal fistula, secondary to thoracic aortic aneurysm, is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding that is uniformly fatal without surgical intervention. These may be primary fistulas, in cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm without previous repair, or secondary fistulas occurring after surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm. Surgical treatment has been successful in a small number of cases of primary aortoesophageal fistula, secondary to thoracic aortic aneurysm, but techniques used have varied. We report a successful repair of primary aortoesophageal fistula, secondary to descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, and review the evolution of management since the three previously reported successful repairs at our institution.
Relation of radar range resolution and signal-to-noise ratio to phased-array bandwidth

Phased-array radar systems using wide-band linear-FM pulses suffer from array dispersion. This causes a loss in signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and in radar range resolution (a broadening of the compressed-pulse width). Depending on the choice of the receiver matched filter (MF) and weighting filter (WF) one or the other of these effects may be minimized. The effects of dispersion in a square planar array with either a parallel feed or a center-fed series feed are studied. Loss in S/N ratio and in range resolution are determined for typical cases, and general curves are given for arrays with arbitrary size, scan range, and signal bandwidth. It is shown that there is an optimum or maximum-useful signal bandwidth for each array, for which the minimum S/N-loss MF-WF design is the same as the ideal-compressed-pulse-shape MF-WF design. For pulses having greater signal bandwidths, time delay steering should be used in the array.
In Vitro Evaluation of Cefoxitin and Cefamandole

Cefoxitin and cefamandole were evaluated in vitro against 263 organisms. Studies were performed in Mueller-Hinton and nutrient broth and agar employing inoculum sizes of 10(6) and 10(8) organisms per ml. At obtainable serum levels both antibiotics were bactericidal for nearly all strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus aureus but were inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterococcus. In agar, cefamandole appeared to be active against most strains of Enterobacter and indole-positive Proteus, whereas cefoxitin was active against indole-positive Proteus but not Enterobacter. Moreover, in broth medium most strains of Enterobacter were not readily inhibited by either antibiotic and only 40 and 73% of indole-positive Proteus were inhibited by 10 mug of cefamandole per ml in Mueller-Hinton and nutrient broth, respectively. However, in both broth media, 10 mug of cefoxitin per ml continued to be inhibitory and bactericidal for most isolates of indole-positive Proteus. Cefoxitin also was bactericidal against four cephalothin-resistant strains of E. coli. These data suggest that cefoxitin broadens the spectrum of existing cephalosporins by enhancing the activity against indole-positive Proteus species as well as some other Enterobacteriaceae. On the other hand, with the exception of strains of Enterobacter aerogenes, the apparent increased in vitro activity of cefamandole was demonstrated in agar and not in broth.
ON LINE SCREW SYSTEMS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO FLEXURE SYNTHESIS

This paper presents a new screw theory that deals with “lines” and “line systems”. A line is a screw with a zero pitch. A rank m screw system is called a line screw system if it contains m linearly independent lines. The set of lines within a screw system is called the line variety. A general m-system is a line screw system if the rank of its line variety equals m. This paper will answer two questions: (1) how to calculate the rank of the line variety for a given m-system and (2) how to algorithmically find a set of linearly independent lines from the given screw system. The motivation of this work comes from flexure synthesis whose goal is to find a pattern of flexures to achieve a specified motion. It has been previously found that a wire flexure is considered a line screw, or more specifically a pure force wrench. The synthesis of flexures is to remove undesired motion by applying constraints with flexures. By following reciprocity and definitions of line screws, we have derived the sufficient and necessary conditions of line screw systems. When applied to flexure synthesis, we show that not all motion pattern can be realized with wire flexures connected in parallel. A computational algorithm based on the line screw theory is developed to find all admissible line screws or force wrenches for a given motion space. At last two flexure synthesis case studies are provided to demonstrate the theory and the algorithm.Copyright © 2010 by ASME