cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two nucleic acid-dependent nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolases from vaccinia virus. Nucleotide substrate and polynucleotide cofactor specificities.

Abstract The two purified nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolases from vaccinia virus are distinct enzymes as judged by their nucleotide substrate and polynucleotide cofactor specificities. Phosphohydrolase I hydrolyzes only ATP and dATP, whereas phosphohydrolase II hydrolyzes the four common ribonucleoside triphosphates as well as dATP and TTP. The range of Km values for ATP and dATP hydrolysis by phosphohydrolase I (1.5 to 1.6 x 10-4 m) was lower than the range of Km values for ATP, dATP, TTP, GTP, CTP, and UTP hydrolysis by phosphohydrolase II (6.4 to 11.2 x 10-4 m). Phosphohydrolase I had little or no detectable activity in the absence of added nucleic acids. Phosphohydrolase II frequently had some endogenous activity, probably due to trace amounts of nucleic acid present in the eluate from the DNA-cellulose column. This endogenous activity could be reduced by passage through a DEAE-cellulose column. Neither phosphohydrolase I nor II was stimulated by completely double-stranded DNA unless the DNA was first denatured. Only phosphohydrolase II was stimulated by RNA but again only single-stranded forms were usable. Phosphohydrolase II was also stimulated by all tested homopolynucleotides of either the ribose or deoxyribose series and by all possible hybrid forms. Phosphohydrolase I exhibited a greater specificity and was incapable of using single-stranded homopolynucleotides. However, homopolydeoxyribonucleotide duplexes and some homopolyribonucleotide: homopolydeoxyribonucleotide duplexes were effective. These results suggest that phosphohydrolase I requires some secondary structure such as adjacent single-stranded and hydrogen-bonded regions. This interpretation was supported by the preferential inhibition of phosphohydrolase I with actinomycin D and low concentrations of proflavine. The ability of both enzymes to form stable complexes with nucleic acids was shown by glycerol gradient sedimentation. It was concluded that both nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolases have unique properties which make them distinct from any previously described enzymes. Their biological role is unknown, although it is tempting to speculate an involvement in replication and packing of DNA or transcription and extrusion of nascent RNA from viral cores.
Prolonged bleeding time in preterm infants receiving indomethacin for patent ductus arteriosus

Sequential bleeding times were performed on 25 preterm infants receiving intravenous indomethacin for closure of the patent ductus arteriosus. Prolongation of bleeding time was observed after the initial dose of indomethacin, with an increase from a pretreatment mean of 3.6 minutes to 8.7 minutes. The bleeding time was not further prolonged at the end of the three-dose course of indomethacin, but was still elevated 48 hours after the completion of therapy. Clinical bleeding developed in six of the patients, but was generally limited to occult hematuria. Serial echoencephalography during indomethacin therapy showed progression from mild periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage to moderate or severe grades in five of 21 infants at risk for this complication. However, no clear temporal relationship between indomethacin administration and intraventricular hemorrhage extension was observed, and no difference in the degree of bleeding time prolongation was noted between infants with and without hemorrhage extension. Other factors, including surfactant deficiency, amount of volume expansion used, and lowest Po 2 in the first day of life, did distinguish those with hemorrhage extension. The results suggest that indomethacin-induced platelet dysfunction is not associated with major hemorrhagic complications in the majority of preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus.
Alternate Routes of Opioid Administration in Palliative Care: Pharmacologic and Clinical Concerns

Pain relief at the end of life is a major factor in allowing patients to attend to personal matters and alleviating suffering. The majority of pain management modalities are pharmacological. Among these, opioids are key to pain relief in the preponderance of patients. Yet, most studies show that health professionals lack the attitudes, skills, and knowledge to employ opioids well. This review addresses the problems that clinicians encounter when faced with the need to use opioids for pain relief in ways not commonly addressed in their training due to complications of the underlying disease. The use of sustained release oral preparations to relieve the need to ingest medication every four hours, novel oral preparations of opioids, and the less commonly used routes of administration are discussed. How clinicians can correlate these issues with the altered pharmacokinetics that can be anticipated are explored.
Cross slip in phases having the L12 structure

Plastic deformation in phases having the Ll2 structure can occur on the {001} (110) system (cube slip) as well as on the {1ll} (101) system (octahedral slip). Primary and secondary slip may therefore occur with various combinations of the cube and octahedral slip systems. The stress fields around dislocation pile-ups on the primary slip system are calculated for these various combinations of slip system and it is shown that secondary slip can occur on the cube slip system over distances which are an appreciable fraction of the pile-up length, even when the Schmid factor for cube slip is zero, such as for (001) oriented crystals. Thus the change in the mechanism of work-hardening which was previously proposed5 to account for the anomalous temperature dependence of the flow stress of the γ’ phase based upon M3AI and which has the Ll2 structure, can also be applied to (001) oriented crystals of γ’, which also show the anomalous flow stress temperature dependence.3 The hypothesis predicts that the mobile dislocation behavior should be modified with change in temperature. Etch pit results are presented to show that freshly nucleated dislocation sources do respond differently under the same stress at 25° and at 400°. The observed behavior is consistent with the work-hardening model previously proposed.
Discovery of natural nicking endonucleases Nb.BsrDI and Nb.BtsI and engineering of top-strand nicking variants from BsrDI and BtsI

BsrDI and BtsI restriction endonucleases recognize and cleave double-strand DNA at the sequences GCAATG (2/0) and GCAGTG (2/0), respectively. We have purified and partially characterized these two enzymes, and analyzed the genes that encode them. BsrDI and BtsI are unusual in two respects: each cleaves DNA as a heterodimer of one large subunit (B subunit) and one small subunit (A subunit); and, in the absence of their small subunits, the large subunits behave as sequence-specific DNA nicking enzymes and only nick the bottom strand of the sequences at these respective positions: GCAATG (-/0) and GCAGTG (-/0). We refer to the single subunit, the bottom-strand nicking forms as 'hemidimers'. Amino acid sequence comparisons reveal that BsrDI and BtsI belong to a family of restriction enzymes that possess two catalytic sites: a canonical PD-X(n)-EXK and a second non-canonical PD-X(n)-E-X12-QR. Interestingly, the other family members, which include BsrI (ACTGG 1/-1) and BsmI/Mva1269I (GAATGC 1/-1) are single polypeptide chains, i.e. monomers, rather than heterodimers. In BsrDI and BtsI, the two catalytic sites are found in two separate subunits. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that the canonical catalytic site located at the N-terminus of the large subunit is responsible for the bottom-strand cleavage, whereas the non-canonical catalytic site located in the small subunit is responsible for hydrolysis of the top strand. Top-strand specific nicking variants, Nt.BsrDI and Nt.BtsI, were successfully engineered by combining the catalytic-deficient B subunit with wild-type A subunit.
Measuring French Arms Transfers A Problem of Sources and Some Sources of Problems With Acda Data

Through a careful examination of French arms transfer behavior over the past twenty years, this article attempts to contribute to the development of a more open, accurate, and reliable system for collecting arms transfer data and for evaluating the military, political, economic, and technological impact of arms transfers on international security. Part one presents arms transfers data for deliveries and orders for France since 1956 based on open French governmental sources. Part two contrasts these findings with ACDA figures. ACDA would appear to substantially underestimate French transfers in constant and current dollars. From 1966 to 1975, these amount, respectively, to $1750 million and $5003 million. Part three outlines some of the principal implications of the two sets of conflicting data for estimating French arms transfers. In contrast to ACDA findings, French economic dependency on arms transfers is considerable and increasing. Until this dependence can be decreased and associated strategic and do...
Abstract Coherent Categories

Many studies have demonstrated the importance of the knowledge that interrelates features in people's mental representation of categories and that makes our conception of categories coherent. This article focuses on abstract coherent categories, coherent categories that are also abstract because they are defined by relations independently of any features. Four experiments demonstrate that abstract coherent categories are learned more easily than control categories with identical features and statistical structure, and also that participants induced an abstract representation of the category by granting category membership to exemplars with completely novel features. The authors argue that the human conceptual system is heavily populated with abstract coherent concepts, including conceptions of social groups, societal institutions, legal, political, and military scenarios, and many superordinate categories, such as classes of natural kinds.
A comparative study of the impact of education vs. process groups for families of patients with affective disorders.

This clinical project compares the relative impact of two types of multiple family groups on psychiatric inpatients and their families. Forty patients with a diagnosis of affective disorder, and their family members, members, were randomly assigned to a traditional multiple family group with a process orientation that emphasized support, destigmatization, and self-help about common problems; or to a psychoeducational multiple family group that emphasized the provision of information about the patient's illness and methods of coping with it effectively. Both groups, which met for four hours on a Saturday afternoon, were an integral part of an ongoing inpatient program specializing in the treatment of affective disorders. Pre- and post-measures were obtained regarding family and patient knowledge about affective disorders, level of personal distress, attitudes about the illness, and dyadic adjustment. In addition, both patients and family members were asked to rate their satisfaction with the group experience. A number of differences in knowledge, attitude and dyadic adjustment were found in the participants of both groups immediately following their respective group sessions, but there were only a few statistically significant differences between the two groups. Those who attended the psychoeducational session, however, reported significantly more satisfaction with the experience.
In vivo microscopy of rat skeletal muscle after ischemia using labeled neutrophils (PMN)

Neutrophils (PMN) have been implicated as mediators of the “no-reflow” phenomenon seen in skeletal muscle during reperfusion after ischemia. In order to evaluate the PMN contribution to the changes seen in the microcirculation of skeletal muscle after ischemia, we evaluated PMN velocity using in vivo microscopy in a rat model. After the induction of anesthesia, the right iliac and femoral arteries were isolated. The right anterior tibialis muscle was exposed in situ, covered with a plexiglass disc, and perfused with Kreb's solution. Fluorescein-labeled bovine albumin was given intravenously, which identified the capillaries under microscopic magnification as viewed on the video screen. Acridine orange was then administered intravenously, which selectively fluoresced the PMN. The right iliac and femoral arteries were clamped for ischemia intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min. Acridine orange was given immediately after the arteries were unclamped, after 30 min of reperfusion and after 60 min of reperfusion. PMN velocity was determined by the distance traveled by the PMN over time using the videotape and frame-by-frame review. Results demonstrated no change in PMN velocity (mm/sec) after 5 min of ischemia. After 10, 15, and 20 min of ischemia, PMN velocity initially slowed and then recovered, which was not statistically significant. After 25 min of ischemia, PMN velocity decreased significantly, which persisted (P < 0.05 compared to 5-min ischemia by AN-OVA). No flow was seen after 30 min of ischemia. In conclusion: (1) Skeletal muscle capillaries can be visualized using this technique of in vivo microscopy and (2) changes in PMN velocity during reperfusion may contribute to areas of “no-reflow” as seen after only 30 min of ischemia in this rat model.
Dorzolamide hydrochloride and visual function in normal eyes.

Purpose To determine by a pilot study whether standard treatment with the topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor dorzolamide hydrochloride influences visual function under normal breathing conditions, during carbon dioxide inhalation, or during hyperventilation, and to establish criteria for future larger-scale studies. Methods We enrolled 12 normal subjects into this randomized double-masked placebo-controlled crossover study. Each subject was treated with either dorzolamide 2% or placebo, three times daily, for 4 days. After a 2-week washout period, the alternative topical agent was used under identical testing conditions. On day 2 of each treatment phase, contrast sensitivities to sinusoidal gratings of 1 and 4 cycles per degree (cpd) were assessed. On day 4, mean deviation values from full-threshold 10-2 visual fields were obtained. Three sets of each visual function test were obtained before each treatment phase, and in sequence on each testing day, during normal breathing (baseline), inhalation of carbon dioxide-enriched air, and hyperventilation while intraocular pressure was monitored. Results Contrast sensitivity at 4 cpd decreased significantly ( P P Conclusions Dorzolamide appears to enhance contrast sensitivity in normal subjects during physiologic hypercapnia and hypocapnia at 4 and 1 cpd, respectively. Also, under normal breathing conditions, dorzolamide therapy increases perimetric light sensitivity.
Impacts of a large-bodied, apex predator (Alligator mississippiensis Daudin 1801) on salt marsh food webs

Abstract Large-bodied apex predators (e.g., sharks, wolves, crocodilians) are believed to regulate food web structure and drive ecosystem processes, but there remains relatively little experimental evidence. Here we use field surveys and a mesocosm experiment to evaluate the cascading effects of an apex predator (American alligator) on a salt marsh food web. Consistent with previous studies (n = 10), field surveys revealed blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun 1896), an important marsh mesopredator, were a frequent component of estuarine-occurring alligators' diet (mean ± SD, 47 ± 20%, n = 1384). In mesocosms, we examined potential consequences of this interaction in a simplified salt marsh community. We experimentally isolated alligator effects on the abundance (consumptive effect) and behavior (non-consumptive effect) of blue crabs and on blue crab consumption of plant-grazing snails and ribbed mussels. Alligators reduced blue crab abundance by ~ 40% over 3 days and induced behavioral changes, resulting in decreased foraging activity and increased refuge use by blue crabs. The combined effects of reduced crab abundance and altered behavior translated into increased survival of both a keystone grazer (snails) and a mutualist (mussels) within the salt marsh food web. Our findings experimentally demonstrate that a large-bodied, apex predator has the potential to 1) generate a trophic cascade, 2) elicit behavioral changes (i.e., non-consumptive effects) in mesopredator prey, and 3) indirectly affect the potential for both grazing and mutualism to occur in this food chain. Our results generate testable hypotheses regarding the broad-scale effects of alligator presence and top-down forcing in salt marsh ecosystems.
SU‐E‐J‐37: An Open Platform for 2D‐3D Image Registration Experiments

Purpose: To provide a flexible environment for experimenting with various combinations of input images, arc length and resolution, projection geometries, search methods, and cost functions for projection‐to‐volume (“2D‐3D”) image registration Methods: A MATLAB graphical user interface was developed to align a series of orthogonal pairs of radiographs acquired during arc therapy to projections through a region of interest of a reference CTimage volume. The projection and volume geometries are based on a distributable image registration toolbox. Experiments can use single or orthogonal radiograph series, simulations from second input volumes, modified volumes of the reference CT such as additive noise, and variable regions of interest. Two forward projection algorithms (Siddon and separable footprint) are incorporated, both mutual information and SSD metrics can be used, and search engines include conjugate gradient (for SSD), simplex, as well as direct mapping of the cost function in a user‐defined local search region. Results: A number of initial experiments have been performed with this interface. The tradeoffs of local contrast and detail versus angular range, imagenoise, and angular resolution for identifying local transformations have been explored. The impact of removing, maintaining, or reducing CT signals outside the region of interest for alignment to radiographs has been tested. Modifications including temporal regularization to monitor movement during arc rotation are easily implemented within this open framework. Conclusions: This environment is continuously expanding, and should support collaborative investigations across institutions on common problems and solutions for projection‐based image registration. Funded in part by NIH P01‐CA59827
High-power III-Nitride Integrated Microwave Switch with capacitively-coupled contacts

We fabricated novel monolithically integrated microwave switch using AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field-effect transistors (HFET) without ohmic contacts. All three electrodes: source, gate and drain, formed by capacitively coupled contacts (C3) to the 2D channel. The C3HFETs do not require annealed contacts and hence can be fabricated using alignment-free technology. This makes them ideally suitable for microwave ICs. C3HFETs have much higher RF switching powers. In the frequency range 1...10 GHz the switch IC shows -1 dB insertion loss, the isolation -30 dB and the switching powers +39 dBm (limited by the available RF power source).
Inward rectifier potassium channels control rotor frequency in ventricular fibrillation

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the most important cause of sudden cardiac death. While traditionally thought to result from random activation of the ventricles by multiple independent wavelets, recent evidence suggests that VF may be determined by the sustained activation of a relatively small number of reentrant sources. In addition, recent experimental data in various species as well as computer simulations have provided important clues about its ionic and molecular mechanisms, particularly in regards to the role of potassium currents in such mechanisms. The results strongly argue that the inward rectifier current, I K1, is an important current during functional reentry because it mediates the electrotonic interactions between the unexcited core and its immediate surroundings. In addition, I K1 is a stabilizer of reentry due to its ability to shorten action potential duration and reduce conduction velocity near the center of rotation. Increased I K1 prevents wave front–wave tail interactions and thus averts rotor destabilization and breakup. Other studies have shown that while the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium current I Ks does not significantly modify rotor frequency or stability, it plays a major role in postrepolarization refractoriness and wave break formation. Therefore, the interplay between I K1 and the rapid sodium inward current (I Na ) is a major factor in the control of cardiac excitability and thus the stability and frequency of reentry, while I Ks is an important determinant of fibrillatory conduction. "…turbulent flows seem almost alive."—AT Winfree
Eddy-induced nutrient supply and new production in the Sargasso Sea

A limited area, eddy resolving coupled physical and biological model is used to examine the role of mesoscale dynamical processes in nutrient cycling in the Sargasso Sea. Upwelling due to the formation of cyclonic eddies and their intensification caused by interaction with surrounding mesoscale features causes spatially and temporally intermittent fluxes of nitrate into the euphotic zone. The annual flux resulting from this eddy upwelling process is of the order of 0.5molNm~Zyear-', which is sufficient to sustain a rate of new primary production that is consistent with estimates for this region derived from budgets of oxygen and other dissolved gases. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd
Substrate specificity of N-acetylglucosaminyl(diphosphodolichol) N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase, a key enzyme in the dolichol pathway.

Abstract N-Acetylglucosaminyl(diphosphodolichol) N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase, also known as Enzyme II, is the second enzyme in the dolichol pathway. This pathway is responsible for the assembly of the tetradecasaccharide pyrophosphate dolichol, which is the substrate for oligosaccharyl transferase. In order to study the specificity of Enzyme II, four unnatural dolichol diphosphate monosaccharides were synthesized, with the C-2 acetamido group in the natural substrate Dol-PP-GlcNAc Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 replaced by fluoro, ethoxy, trifluoroacetamido, and amino functionalities. These analogues Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Scheme 1 , Scheme 3 were evaluated as glycosyl acceptors for Enzyme II, which catalyzes the formation of dolichol diphosphate chitobiose (Dol-PP-GlcNAc2) from UDP-GlcNAc and Dol-PP-GlcNAc. Enzyme II from pig liver was found to be highly specific for its glycosyl acceptor and the acetamido group shown to be a key functional determinant for this glycosylation reaction.
Effect of pH on the suspension stability of alumina, titania and their mixtures

Abstract The electrophoretic mobility, the rheology and the sedimentation analysis of alumina, titania and their mixtures (ratio 1:2 and 2:1) were investigated in aqueous dispersions in the pH range 3–10. These results suggest that the rheology of the slips and the sedimentation rate of alumina and titania particles from suspensions are charge related. Although the rheology of suspensions and the sedimentation behavior of the particles containing alumina and titania mixtures are charge related, the overall stability of the slips is controlled by the degree of heteroflocculation.
Thermodynamic Modeling of the Nickel-Lead-Tin System.

A set of self-consistent thermodynamic model parameters is presented to describe the phase equilibria of nickel-lead (Ni-Pb) and nickel-tin (Ni-Sn) systems. Sublattice descriptions are used for thermodynamic modeling of the η-Ni3Sn, λ-Ni3Sn, η-Ni3Sn2, λ-Ni3Sn2, and Ni3Sn4 phases. A three-sublattice and a four-sublattice model are used to describe the molar Gibbs energies of η-Ni3Sn2 and λ-Ni3Sn2, respectively, and also to describe the second-order phase transition from η-Ni3Sn2 to λ-Ni3Sn2. In the majority of the cases, the agreement between the experimental data and the calculated values is very good. Since the experimental Ni-Pb-Sn ternary-phase diagrams are not known, several isothermal sections are calculated based on thermodynamic principles. They are of practical importance as related to microelectronics soldering applications.
Strategies to achieve coronary arterial plaque stabilization.

Acute coronary syndromes result from fissure, erosion or rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The characteristics of a vulnerable plaque include a large lipid pool, an abundance of inflammatory cells and mediators, a reduced smooth muscle cell and collagen content and a thin overlying fibrous cap. Potential therapeutic strategies at achieving plaque stabilization have targeted these features. Lipid lowering agents, β-adrenergic blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and antioxidants have been shown to reduce the incidence of acute coronary syndromes, presumably through plaque stabilization. Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors as well as macrolide antibiotics and gene therapy approaches show promise in achieving plaque stabilization. The evidence supporting plaque stabilization by these agents and the mechanisms by which these agents stabilize plaques are discussed in detail in this review.
Comparison between a switching controller and two LTI controllers for a class of LTI plants

We consider the design of three different control architectures for a step response tracking problem within a class of linear time-invariant (LTI) plants. Our goal is to motivate the use of a particular switching architecture that has been the subject of our prior work. We present the design of the particular switching architecture that we use and characterize its step response performance (measured in terms of the percentage overshoot and 1% settling time of the step response). We then compare the response of the switching controller with two other forms of LTI control in a servo configuration, one in which the order of the controller is constrained to be first order (which matches the order of the dynamics of the switching controller) and one in which the order of the controller is unconstrained. We will show that the switching architecture can outperform first-order LTI control, first in the context of a particular example. We shall then provide a weak generalization to extend this result to a more general class of plants. We shall also show that, while the LTI control of unconstrained order can outperform the switching architecture, the performance improvement is bounded (in a sense to be defined). Moreover, one method of designing close-to-optimal controllers will be discussed, which yields controllers of very high order. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Who asked what: integrating crowdsourced FAQs into API documentation

Documentation is important for learning Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). In addition to official documents, much crowdsourced API knowledge is available on the Web. Crowdsourced API documentation is fragmented, scattered around the Web, and disconnected from official documentation. Developers often rely on Web search to retrieve additional programming help. We propose to connect these two types of documentation by capturing developers' Web browsing behavior in the context of document reading and integrating crowdsourced frequently asked questions (FAQs) into API documents. Such an integration not only provides relevant API help more conveniently, but also opens a new approach to promoting knowledge collaboration and studying API users' information needs.
Atrial Myxomas: Special Emphasis on Unusual Manifestations

From January 1959 to January 1969, eight patients with atrial myxoma were seen at Emory University and Grady Memorial hospitals. Five patients had symptoms and signs compatible with mitral stenosis, three of whom underwent surgery with an incorrect preoperative diagnosis of mitral stenosis. Two myxomas were found at autopsy, one in a patient who died of acute myocardial infarction. One patient had findings suggestive of mitral stenosis and symptoms of subacute bacterial endocarditis. One patient was seen for recurrent dyspnea and a calcified right atrial mass and one for dyspnea and unexplained cyanosis. Myxoma of the heart is more common than generally realized and its clinical manifestations vary and can mimic other clinical entities. Therefore, a high index of suspicion concerning their diagnosis is needed. Early diagnosis should be established utilizing angiocardiography and immediate resection should be performed before catastrophic complications occur. The results of the surgical treatment of atrial myxoma are gratifying and long lasting.
Vocal fold vibratory patterns in tense versus lax phonation contrasts

This study explores the vocal fold contact patterns of one type of phonation contrast—the tense vs lax phonation contrasts of three Yi (Loloish) languages. These contrasts are interesting because neither phonation category is very different from modal voice, and because both phonations are largely independent of the languages' tonal contrasts. Electroglottographic (EGG) recordings were made in the field, and traditional EGG measures were derived. These showed many small but significant differences between the phonations, with tense phonation having greater contact quotients and briefer but slower changes in contact. Functional data analysis was then applied to entire EGG pulse shapes. The resulting first principal component was found to be mostly strongly related to the phonation contrasts, and correlated with almost all the traditional EGG measures. Unlike the traditional measures, however, this component also seems to capture differences in abruptness of contact. Furthermore, previously collected perceptual responses from native speakers of one of the languages correlated better with this component than with any other EGG measure or any acoustic measure. The differences between these tense and lax phonations are not large, but apparently they are consistent enough, and perceptually robust enough, to support this linguistic contrast.
Computer awareness and usage by industrial marketers

Abstract The attitudes, familiarity, and current practices of industrial marketers regarding computer technology are investigated in this article. Findings of a study involving marketing managers in 101 Midwest firms are reported. The results indicate fairly positive attitudes toward the role of computers in marketing, but limited familiarity with and actual use of the computer in marketing management activities.
Analysis of Steroids in Mixtures Using the Kinetics of Blue Tetrazolium Reduction

The rate of formation of formazan resulting from the base-catalyzed reduction of blue tetrazolium by certain steroids was studied spectrophotometrically. With cortisone and hydrocortisone, the reaction rate exhibited a first-order dependency on steroid concentration. The rate constant for cortisone-containing systems was significantly larger than that found for hydrocortisone systems. Studies with cortisone acetate showed that hydrolysis of the ester was prerequisite to reaction with the tetrazolium salt. Differences in rates of color development were used to analyze mixtures of cortisone and hydrocortisone and of cortisone and cortisone acetate.
The Complementary Effect of Mechanical and Chemical Stimuli on the Neural Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from bone marrow stroma, are a promising source for tissue repair and regeneration, due to their excellent abilities for proliferation and multipotent differentiation. While accumulated evidences during the past decade have shown that MSCs are able to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myoblasts and adipocytes, more recent research suggest their potential in neuronal differentiation [1]. Chemical stimuli, including growth factors, hormones, and other regulatory molecules, are used traditionally to direct MSC differentiation. Our group has previously shown that the intracellular second messenger, cAMP, is able to initiate early phase neuron-like morphology changes and late phase neural differentiation in MSCs [2]. Studies using chemical stimuli alone, however, have shown limited success in differentiating MSCs to mature neurons, thereby suggesting other factors are necessary for this process. In recent years, interest has grown on the impact of mechanical stimulation, such as stiffness, surface topography, and mechanical stretching, on cell fate decision [3].Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Evolutionary Exploitation of Design Options by the First Animals with Hard Skeletons

The set of viable design elements available for animals to use in building skeletons has been fully exploited. Analysis of animal skeletons in relation to the multivariate, theoretical "Skeleton Space" has shown that a large proportion of these options are used in each phylum. Here, we show that structural elements deployed in the skeletons of Burgess Shale animals (Middle Cambrian) incorporate 146 of 182 character pairs defined in this morphospace. Within 15 million years of the appearance of crown groups of phyla with substantial hard parts, at least 80 percent of skeletal design elements recognized among living and extinct marine metazoans were exploited.
Ionochromic behavior of Grecko visual pigments

Digitonin extracts of the retina of Gekko gekko prepared to minimize the presence of chloride ions show the photopigment to be at about 490 nanometers rather than at 521 nanometers, the position found for the same pigment in situ. The addition of chloride to the extract causes a bathochromic shift in spectral absorbance, the magnitude of the shift being related to the concentration of chloride, within limits. The effect is a specific one, and of all the anions tested only bromide causes a similar bathochromic shift. The nature of the cation is not involved since the same action is produced by the chlorides of sodium, lithium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, calcium, magnesium, beryllium, lanthanum, and choline.
Job satisfaction and perceived benefits of educational opportunities in recessional environments among professionals

An empirical analysis, via a focused, stratified approach to measure personal reactions to potential employment instability and educational incentives was conducted in a relatively large company, representative of the financial and marketing service industries, located in the metropolitan section of Cleveland, OH. This city was chosen as being representative of rustbelt areas most hit by the global recession. Via multiple linear regression, Chi-square, and factor analysis, it was found that these professionals increasingly view taking advantage of educational and/or training opportunities as the primary strategic leverage to become more competitive in the workplace and, hence, more desirable to their present employers. Many professionals view educational opportunities in their current field of expertise as preferred alternatives to pay-cuts, furlough, and/or changing careers.
Family Members' Obstructive Behaviors Appear to Be More Harmful Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Limited Health Literacy

Family members' diabetes-specific obstructive behaviors (e.g., nagging/arguing or getting in the way of patients' self-care) are associated with adults having worse glycemic control (HbA1C), with diabetes-specific supportive family behaviors protecting against this detrimental effect. Given the role of family members in helping patients with limited health literacy, patients' health literacy status may moderate these relations. The authors tested this hypothesis with 192 adults with type 2 diabetes. Twenty-six percent had limited health literacy, and limited health literacy was associated with more supportive family behaviors (p<.05), but not with obstructive family behaviors or with patients' HbA1C. Adjusted stratified analyses indicated obstructive family behaviors were more strongly associated with worse HbA1C among participants with limited health literacy and low supportive family behaviors than for participants with adequate health literacy and low supportive family behaviors (adjusted simple slopes β=0.70, p=.05 vs. β=0.36, p=.009). However, there was no association between obstructive family behaviors and HbA1C in the context of high supportive family behaviors, regardless of health literacy status. Involving family members in adults' self-care without teaching them to avoid obstructive behaviors may be particularly harmful for patients with limited health literacy. Future research should identify intervention content to reduce obstructive family behaviors and identify which supportive family behaviors may be protective.
HM-EH-RT: Hybrid multimodal energy harvesting from rotational and translational motions

This paper presents a novel hybrid multimodal energy harvesting device consisting of an unbalanced rotary disk that supports two transduction methods, piezoelectric and electromagnetic. The device generates electrical energy from oscillatory motion either orthogonal or parallel to the rotary axis to power electronic devices. Analytical models for the electromagnetic and piezoelectric systems were developed to describe the mechanical and electrical behavior of the device. From these models, numerical simulations were performed to predict power generation capabilities. The device was fabricated, and several components were optimized experimentally. The energy harvester was then experimentally characterized using a modal shaker in several different orientations. The device generates a maximum RMS power output of 120 mW from the electromagnetic system at 5 Hz and 0.8 g, and 4.23 mW from the piezoelectric system at 20.2 Hz and 0.4 g excitation acceleration. The device is 180 mm in diameter and 45 mm thick incl...
Asymmetric Effect of Currency Union for Developing Countries

The large effect of currency union on trade volume has been well documented by Rose (2000). However, the effect of currency union on trade balance has hardly been previously reported. In this study, the effect of currency union is found to differ substantially across imports and exports when a developing country trade with developed country that anchors the currency. To ensure that the asymmetric effect does not come from the specific nature of countries that have adopted a common currency or endogeneity of currency union, we test the same hypothesis using nominal exchange rate volatility and real exchange rate level.
Towards regenerative therapy for cardiac disease

Summary Development of regenerative therapeutic strategies to reverse the progression of advanced heart failure is one of the most urgent clinical needs of this century. Insights gained from clinical trials of adult stem cells, together with fundamental scientific advances in cardiac stem cell and regenerative biology, are beginning to yield potential new targets and strategies for regenerative therapies. Of particular importance are new scientific discoveries related to intrinsic cardiac regeneration, renewal factors that can trigger regeneration, and tissue-engineering technology, which are beginning to change the way investigators view the scientific and clinical position of cardiovascular regenerative therapy.
Exploratory longitudinal factor analysis in multiple populations

For multiple populatios, a longtidinal factor analytic model which is entirely exploratory, that is, no explicit identification constraints, is proposed. Factorial collapse and period/practice effects are allowed. An invariant and/or stationary factor pattern is permitted. This model is formulated stochastically. To implement this model a stagewise EM algorithm is developed. Finally a numerical illustration utilizing Nesselroade and Baltes' data is presented.
A refinement of Stark's conjecture over complex cubic number fields

Abstract We study the first-order zero case of Stark's conjecture over a complex cubic number field F . In that case, the conjecture predicts the absolute value of a complex unit in an abelian extension of F . We present a refinement of Stark's conjecture by proposing a formula (up to a root of unity) for the unit itself instead of its absolute value.
Deregulation, competition and consumer welfare in a banking market: evidence from Hong Kong

This paper examines competition among commercial banks following deregulation in a small open economy. I jointly estimate a system of differentiated product demand and pricing equations, and use conduct parameters to identify market structure. Overall, I find positive outcomes for the banking deregulation, which suggest that the benefits of deregulation understood in large industrialized economies indeed apply to a small open economy. Encouragingly, the industry becomes more competitive and the consumers are better-off after the deregulation. Empirical results also indicate that the banking sector is characterized by non-cooperative competitive behavior. Bank size is an important determinant of consumer’s bank choice.
Overview of the SLD

The SLD is a second generation detector for the SLAC Linear Collider (SLC). It is optimized for Z° physics and exploration of new physics in the Z° energy region. The SLD will have a CCD vertex detector, high resolution drift chambers for momentum measurement, a ?erenkov Ring Imaging Detector for particle identification, and calorimetry based on lead/liquid argon followed by an iron/gas system. The detector covers the full solid angle.
Fabrication of Titania Nanofibers by Electrospinning

This paper describes a procedure based on electrospinning for generating nanofibers of anatase with controllable diameters and porous structures. When an ethanol solution containing both poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP, Mw ≈ 1 300 000) and titanium tetraisopropoxide was injected through a needle under a strong electrical field, composite nanofibers made of PVP and amorphous TiO2 were formed (with lengths up to several centimeters) as a result of electrostatic jetting. These nanofibers could be subsequently converted into anatase without changing their morphology via calcination in air at 500 °C. The average diameter of these ceramic nanofibers could be controlled in the range from 20 to 200 nm by varying a number of parameters such as the ratio between PVP and titanium tetraisopropoxide, their concentrations in the alcohol solution, the strength of the electric field, and the feeding rate of the precursor solution. Both supported and free-standing mats consisting of anatase nanofibers have been successfully ...
QPE: Using assumption-based truth maintenance for qualitative simulation

Abstract Efficient qualitative simulators are crucial to continued progress in qualitative physics. Assumption-based truth maintenance systems (ATMS) were developed in part to simplify writing such programs. This paper identifies several abstractions for organizing ATMS-based problem-solvers which are especially useful for envisioning. In particular, we describe the many-worlds database , which avoids complex temporal reference schemes; how to organize problem-solving into justify/assume/interpret cycles which successively construct and extend partial solutions; and closed-world tables , which provide a mechanism for making closed-world assumptions. We sketch the design of the Qualitative Process Engine , QPE, an implementation of Qualitative Process theory, to illustrate the utility of these abstractions. On the basis of our experience in developing QPE and analysing its performance, we draw some general conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of assumption-based truth maintenance systems.
Cardiometabolic Effects of a New Class of Antidiabetic Agents

Abstract Purpose Within the past decade, many new classes of drugs have received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, including glucagon-like peptide-1agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, and the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Many trials have been performed, and several more are currently ongoing to evaluate these drugs. This review addresses the broad therapeutic and pleiotropic effects of these drugs. The review also discusses the role of these drugs in the treatment paradigm for type 2 diabetes and identifies patients who would be suitable candidates for treatment with these drugs. Methods In this comprehensive evidence-based review, the following databases were searched from 1990 to the present: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Portal, and the American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes abstract databases. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were only included for the main therapeutic and cardiovascular (CV) effects of these drug classes. For pleiotropic effects, RCTs were included unless no RCTs exist, in which case other studies as specified in the detailed Methods section were included. Findings All 3 drug classes are effective in lowering hemoglobin A 1c between 0.4% and 1.4%, depending on the drug class and population selected. These drug classes have beneficial effects on CV risk factors, such as weight, lipids, and blood pressure, in addition to lowering blood glucose levels. The CV tolerability of some drugs has been evaluated and found to be neutral; however, most trials are currently ongoing to assess CV tolerability. There are no concrete guidelines to determine where these drugs fit in the diabetes management paradigm, and there are ongoing trials to determine the best combination drug with metformin. Implications These 3 drug classes will potentially increase the armamentarium against hyperglycemia. However, the specific combinations with other antidiabetic drugs and populations that will best benefit from these drugs are still being tested. Future research is also being conducted on the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in patients with type 1 diabetes.