cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytokines for surgeons

All cells maintain continuous communication. Hormones derive constitutively from specialized cells to effect total body homeostasis. Conversely, cytokines are produced sporadically from almost all nucleated cells in response to surgical ischemia/septic challenge. Surgical patients are a stew of pulsating cytokines, which serve as the language between all surgically stressed somatic and myeloid cells. Therapeutic manipulation of cytokines has already generated some exhilarating success stories and some crushing disappointments. This introduction to surgically relevant cytokines is presented with the conviction that cytokine-based therapies of surgical patients will (in the future) prove as beneficial to our patients as antibiotics have in the past.
Solar Absorber Surfaces Treated by Femtosecond Laser

Using a femtosecond laser surface structuring technique, we produce technologically important solar absorbers (black aluminum, titanium, tungsten, copper, and stainless steel) with absorptance of about 85-95% over a broad wavelength range from ultraviolet to infrared. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the enhanced absorption of the black metals is caused by a rich variety of nano- and microscale surface structures. The black metals produced in this study may find applications in solar energy absorbers, photovoltaic thermal collectors, and heat transfer devices. The suggested technique is environmentally friendly.
Cloning and functional promoter mapping of the rat serotonin-2 receptor gene.

Abstract We have cloned the gene encoding the rat serotonin-2 (5-HT2) receptor. The transcription unit is divided into three exons by two introns. The major 5-HT2 transcript is 5.62 kb in length and contains 1173 bases of 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) 1413 bases of open reading frame, and 3033 bases of 3′-UTR. Primer extension demonstrates one strong transcription initiation site 1173 nt from the start codon. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicates the presence of at least one additional minor site of transcription initiation 1355 nt from the start codon. There are ATA boxes 28 nt 5′ to both the major and minor sites of transcription initiation, Functional promoter mapping was carried out in a transient transfection assay. This analysis reveals that there are negative attenuating elements between 2.5 and 2.3 kb from the initiation site and positive elements between 1100 and 200 nt from transcription initiation. Minimal promoter sequences are contained within 200 nt of the major site of transcription initiation. These findings suggest that the expression of the 5-HT2 receptor gene is regulated by a combination of positive and negative elements operating through the minimal promoter.
An intercellular substance in rat cerebral cortex: Submicroscopic distribution of ruthenium red

Specimens of rat cerebral cortex were fixed in solutions containing ruthenium red and prepared for electron microscopy by a method described by Luft ('65a). In specimens taken from a narrow zone 5–10 m thick and about 5 m beneath the pial surface the ruthenium red reaction was found to be uniform and reproducible. In this zone a particulate reaction product was distributed extracellularly. The reaction product accumulated in intercellular gaps, filling them with closely-packed, dense particulates which adhered closely to the outer leaflets of apposed plasma membranes and filled also the intercellular spaces with additional particulates. The selective, extracellular distribution of the ruthenium red reaction product suggested the presence of an intercellular acid mucopolysaccharide, which may be different in capillary basal laminae, intercellular gaps and synaptic clefts, as suggested by the variable reactivity of these extracellular sites. The presence of an intercellular acid mucopolysaccharide in the cerebral cortex would controvert neither ion transport by glial cytoplasm nor intercellular channels. It is suggested that such an intercellular substance might facilitate ion transport and the histophysiological significance of this is discussed.
Resonant four-wave mixing of finite-amplitude Alfvén waves

Using the derivative nonlinear Schrodinger equation, resonant four-wave mixing of finite-amplitude Alfven waves is explored in this paper. The evolution equations governing the amplitudes of the interacting waves and the conservation relations are derived from the basic equation. These evolution equations are used to study parametric amplification and oscillation of two small-amplitude Alfven waves due to two large-amplitude pump (Alfven) waves. It is also shown that three pump waves can mix together to generate a low-frequency Alfven wave in a dissipative plasma.
Prospective, randomized study of the efficacy of Mepitel on children with partial-thickness scalds.

We performed a randomized clinical trial in which children with partial-thickness scald burns of less than 15% total body surface area were assigned treatment with either Mepitel (Molnlycke Health Care) or silver sulfadiazine. Data were collected on time to wound healing, pain at dressing change, infection, and resource use. Student's t and chi-square tests were used to determine differences in the two groups. Healing times were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Wounds of children treated with Mepitel healed significantly faster than did controls' (p < 0.001), exhibited less eschar formation (p < 0.05), and experienced less pain at dressing change (p < 0.05). They also had significantly lower mean daily hospital charges ($1937 vs $2316; p = 0.025); as well as significantly lower charges for dressing changes and narcotics. There was no significant difference in wound infection. We believe the use of Mepitel represents a significant advance in the treatment of partial-thickness scald wounds in children.
Expatriate Performance Appraisal in U.S. Multinational Firms

This exploratory study examines empirically expatriate performance appraisal (EPA) practices for U.S. multinational firms and assesses how such practices relate to the perceived accuracy of EPAs. From a sample of U.S. multinationals, the results suggest that a balanced set of raters from host and home countries and more frequent appraisals relate positively to perceived accuracy of EPAs. The data suggest, however, that most respondent firms did not follow these practices. In addition, the use of standardized and customized EPA evaluation forms relates negatively to perceived EPA accuracy. Implications of these exploratory findings for research and practice are also discussed.
Anisotropic 2-D model of electrical propagation in cardiac muscle

The propagation of depolarization in cardiac muscle is known to be anisotropic in several characteristics: velocity of propagation, waveform of depolarization, and safety factor. Previous models, both 1-D and 2-D, have been able to account for some, but not all of these anisotropies. A 2-D propagation model is proposed that used a 'brick wall' form of staggered transverse intercellular connections suggested by the tissue structure. The model accounts for all three kinds of anisotropic characteristics. >
Greenways as a planning strategy

Greenways is a generic term that has been applied to a wide range of landscape planning strategies, concepts, and plans. While there is some consensus emerging on the benefits of protecting networks of land, there is little agreement on terminology. As a result, communication and knowledge exchange are limited. This paper offers an inclusive definition of greenways, discusses greenway characteristics, benefits and liabilities, and presents a typology for greenway classification based on scale, goals, landscape context, and planning strategy. This typology is applied to three case studies from the Netherlands and the USA which have been selected to represent a range of greenway types, to articulate similarities, differences, and to explore the transferability of knowledge and concepts. Through this discussion, greenways are considered as a useful strategy for planning, design and management of sustainable landscapes.
Pay more get more? What buyers say

Purpose – This study investigated perceptions useful for pricing decisions. Buyers observing premium prices may believe that “you get what you pay for,” but do buyers seeing low prices believe that “you do not get what you do not pay for”? This research tested the idea that these two statements often prompt different perceptions.Design/methodology/approach – Data came from a questionnaire completed by 105 working professionals in an evening MBA program at a metropolitan university. A randomly selected half received one version, asking about the statement “you get what you pay for.” The other half received an otherwise identical version asking about “you do not get what you do not pay for.” All were asked whether they believed the statement, Yes or No, and then asked to offer an example from their own experience to support that answer.Findings – As expected, different examples were offered, depending on the statement. Examples agreeing that “you get what you pay for” disproportionately involved quality. Ex...
Detection of respiratory viruses in asymptomatic children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Detection of respiratory viruses by molecular methods, in children without respiratory symptoms undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), has not been well described. A prospective study of 33 asymptomatic children detected respiratory viruses in 8 of 33 (24%) patients before HCT. Human rhinovirus (HRV) was detected in 5 patients, and human adenovirus (hADV) in 3 patients. Two additional patients shed HRV, and one shed human coronavirus (hCoV), post-HCT. Two patients had co-infections. Of the 11 asymptomatic patients where respiratory virus was detected, 3 (27%) later developed an upper respiratory tract infection, from the same virus.
Pathogenic Escherichia coli increase Cl– secretion from intestinal epithelia by upregulating galanin-1 receptor expression

Galanin is widely distributed in enteric nerve terminals lining the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We have shown previously that galanin-1 receptors (Gal1-R) are expressed by epithelial cells lining the human GI tract, and upon activation cause Cl- secretion. Because expression of this receptor is transcriptionally regulated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B), which is activated by enteric pathogens as a part of the host epithelial response to infection, we investigated whether such bacterial pathogens could directly increase Gal1-R expression in the T84-cell model system. Pathogenic Escherichia coli, but not nonpathogenic E. coli, activate a p50/p65 NF-kappa B complex that binds to oligonucleotides corresponding to a recognition site located within the 5' flanking region of the human GAL1R gene. Pathogenic E. coli, but not normal commensal organisms, increase Gal1-R mRNA synthesis and [(125)I]galanin binding sites. Whereas galanin increases short-circuit current (Isc) approximately 5-fold in uninfected T84 cells, exposure to pathogenic, but not nonpathogenic, E. coli results in galanin increasing Isc approximately 20-fold. To confirm the validity of these in vitro observations, we also studied C57BL/6J mice infected with enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) by gavage. Infection caused a progressive increase in both NF-kappa B activation and Gal1-R expression, with maximal levels of both observed 3 days after gavage. Ussing chamber studies revealed that colons infected with EHEC, but not those exposed to normal colonic flora, markedly increased Isc in response to galanin. These data indicate that pathogen-induced increases in Gal1-R expression by epithelial cells lining the colon may represent a novel unifying pathway responsible for at least a portion of the excessive fluid secretion observed during infectious diarrhea.
What are the eating cognitions of children whose chronic diseases do and do not require attention to diet

Nutrition therapy is essential to the management of several chronic diseases affecting adolescents. Unfortunately, dietary impositions may evoke pathological eating-related cognitions. This pilot study examined eating- and weight-related cognitions of 55 adolescents attending a summer camp for youngsters with a heterogeneous variety of chronic diseases. Campers completed the Eating Cognitions Questionnaire and the Situational Obstacles to Dietary Adherence questionnaire. Campers whose medical regimens included special dietary recommendations (n = 24) were expected to have more cognitions associated with eating disorders than those without dietary restrictions (n = 31). Girls were significantly more concerned than boys about weight and restrictive dietary rules. Cognitions of youngsters with special dietary recommendations showed greater flexibility, less eating pathology and less weight concern than campers without recommended diets. Contrary to previous reports, dietary restrictions were associated with more appropriate eating cognitions, suggesting that adolescents with chronic illnesses requiring nutrition therapy may not necessarily bear greater risk of eating disorders.
A factorial design approach for pressureless sintering in air of (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 synthesized via coprecipitation of oxide–alkoxides

Abstract Using factorial design for guidance, (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 (PLZT) ceramics of compositions 9.5/65/35 and 5/Z/T (Z/T = 60/40, 54/46, 40/60) were pressureless sintered in air. Theoretical bulk densities of up to 96% were achieved. The starting materials were obtained from the coprecipitation of the oxide–alkoxides. The relevant sintering parameters were initially screened with the 9.5/65/35 composition using a factorial design method to achieve high-density, high purity perovskite-phase, and small grain-size. The variables were ball-milling time, cold-press pressure, sintering time, sintering temperature, vacuum treatment, and PLZT to PbZrO3 weight ratio. The optimized sintering conditions were then applied to the remaining PLZT compositions, as well as to a commercially purchased PLZT powder, PLZT 8/40/60 to yield similar ceramic qualities. The ceramic samples were characterized with SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy, and their relative permittivity, ɛr, and the piezoelectric constant, d33, were measured.
Is Understanding A Species Of Knowledge

AbstractAmong philosophers of science there seems to be a general consensus that understanding represents a species of knowledge, but virtually every major epistemologist who has thought seriously ...
Increase in platelet support of thrombin generation after thrombolytic therapy.

Abstract Thrombolytic therapy has been a major advance in the treatment of thrombotic diseases, particularly in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The multitude of effects of fibrinolytic agents on platelets has been reviewed by Coller. 1 Increasing evidence shows that platelet activation after thrombolytic therapy may have an important role in both preventing reperfusion and inducing reocclusion. Platelet activation in vivo has been assessed by elevated thromboxane A2 and serotonin, compounds released by platelets after activation. 2–5 The evidence for activation of coagulation includes increases in fibrinopeptide A, thrombin-antithrombin III complex and prothrombin fragment F1.2. 6–11 Unsuccessful reperfusion and early reocclusion is associated with increased fibrinopeptide A in patients with myocardial infarction. 6 The administration of thrombin or platelet inhibitors, or both, accelerates lysis of thrombi and prevents reocclusion in animal models. 4,11–13 It was shown that the in vitro treatment of platelet-rich plasma with fibrinolytic agents shortened the time to thrombin generation and that there was a parallel decrease in the clotting time. 14 In the present report, these observations were extended to patients treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA).
Postnatal development of jejunal sucrase: independence from cyclic AMP.

It has previously been shown that jejunal sucrase activity becomes increasingly responsive to glucocorticoids between the postnatal ages of 4 and 15 days. This study examines the possibility that cycl
Who can be an expert in anesthesia malpractice suits? A case of general anesthesia, cardiopulmonary risk, and patient death.

In December 1994, BR, a female in her early 50s, fell and injured her elbow severely. BR had a past medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, two myocardial infarctions with quadruple bypass surgery, and a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) affecting her left side. BR’s medications included Lasix, Vasotec, Klotrix, and glyburide. BR had a significant social history of smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes daily for many years. She was examined in the emergency room (ER) of the hospital and diagnosed with a fractured olecranon process. BR was then referred to Dr. MM, an orthopedic surgeon, who examined her on 12/19/94 and scheduled BR for corrective surgery on the next day. Preoperative studies performed on 12/19/94 showed an upper lobe vascular prominence suggestive of congestive heart failure on chest radiography and Q waves and prolonged QT interval on electrocardiography, possibly indicative of ischemic heart disease. During these studies, nursing notes indicated difficulty removing BR’s rings from the left hand, possibly because of edema. BR was also seen by Dr. C, an anesthesiologist on 12/19/94. Dr. C noted that BR occasionally complained of chest pain and also confirmed a past medical history significant for previous myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes. Dr. C then assigned BR a “physical status III” under American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) definitions. On 12/20/94, BR was brought to surgery. Anesthesia was administered by Dr. F. Anesthesia was begun at 10:55 AM. At that time, vital signs were blood pressure (BP) 98/55 mmHg and a heart rate of 55 bpm. There were no apparent difficulties with the surgical procedure. However, on completion of the surgery, BR was transferred to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) at 12:30 PM; at that
Assessing the profitability effects of airline deregulation

Abstract This paper implements a methodology developed in Spiller (1982) to assess the differential profitability effects of the deregulation of the airline industry. It is found that the ‘standard’ residual analysis does not uncover the true impact of this regulatory change: large differential changes in profitability which are, in most instances, accompanied by large risk changes. This paper then shows the usefulness of the new methodology.
Organic Aerosol Formation from Photochemical Oxidation of Diesel Exhaust in a Smog Chamber

Diluted exhaust from a diesel engine was photo-oxidized in a smog chamber to investigate secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production. Photochemical aging rapidly produces significant SOA, almost doubling the organic aerosol contribution of primary emissions after several hours of processing at atmospherically relevant hydroxyl radical concentrations. Less than 10% of the SOA mass can be explained using a SOA model and the measured oxidation of known precursors such as light aromatics. However, the ultimate yield of SOA is uncertain because it is sensitive to treatment of particle and vapor losses to the chamber walls. Mass spectra from an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) reveal that the organic aerosol becomes progressively more oxidized throughout the experiments, consistent with sustained, multi-generational production. The data provide strong evidence that the oxidation of a wide array of precursors that are currently not accounted for in existing models contributes to ambient SOA formation.
Tree–grass competition varies across select savanna tree species: a potential role for rooting depth

Tree–grass competition is recognized as an important ecological process in savannas and woodlands, yet we only have a limited understanding of how it varies across tree species, particularly in relation to water use and root morphology. We grew seedlings of three African savanna tree species either with or without grasses in a greenhouse experiment over 8 months. We measured soil moisture content at three depths throughout the course of the experiment and measured seedling height, root depth, and root allocation as a function of depth at the end of the experiment. The tree species differed markedly in their response to grass competition, ranging between a reduction >50 % in relative growth rate to no effect. The species also differed in terms of relative root mass allocation with depth, despite a lack of maximum rooting depth differences. Against expectations, the species with the deepest rooting allocation was highly susceptible to competition from grasses. Grass presence led to a reduction of soil moisture in relation to controls and the reduction increased as a function of depth. Analysis of soil moisture reductions during dry periods indicated that grass uptake was dominant in the upper soil layers, suggesting that lower water availability at depth associated with the presence of grass was the result of reduced flow to deeper layers. We hypothesize that shallow-rooted tree species may be able to successfully engage in exploitative competition with grasses, but deep-rooted species may be exposed to interference competition when water is limiting.
Resource Training Using Alternating Tasks

Resource training, the cross-training of tasks sharing mental resources, has been demonstrated using both pretest-posttest and dual task paradigms. Both of these methods have some disadvantages. The pretest-posttest paradigm separates tasks in time, making resource relationships less apparent to trainees. It is also inherently unidirectional, allowing assessment of effects on the target task but not on the training task. The dual-task paradigm solves these problems by requiring simultaneous performance of two tasks sharing resources but the disadvantage is that the nature of many tasks, especially complex ones, is not conducive to the use of dual-task methodology. Here a third method is used, the alternating task paradigm. By alternating, the tasks are not structured as dual tasks yet are minimally separated in time, and the effects of each on the other are assessable. Use of the paradigm with simple tasks demonstrates that resource training does occur. While the results are promising, it remains to be se...
Computer-Assisted Instruction in Adult Basic and Secondary Education: A Review of the Experimental Literature, 1984-1992

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in the adult basic and secondary education setting continues to attract the attention of researchers attempting to examine its effects compared to traditional methods not including CAI. All of the reviewed studies utilized control (non-CAI) and experimental (CAI) groups, and most examined any differences in reading, math, and/or other areas of achievement for statistical significance. A few investigations examined attitudes towards computers as well as achievement gains. Of 12 studies meeting the criteria for review, six indicated no statistically significant differences in achievement, two had mixed results, one had significance favorable to CAI, one had significance favorable to traditional methods, and two failed to report statistical significance. Implications are discussed.
Physical properties of block copolymers of polydimethyl siloxane and polycarbonate

A detailed study of the physical properties of alternating block copolymers of polydimethyl siloxane and bisphenol-A polycarbonate is presented. The results suggest that the mechanical and optical properties of such materials are dependent upon the presence of associated regions as well as the nature of the chain between such regions. Dielectric, infrared, and DSC data as well as the stress and birefringence strain behavior are presented.
Monumental feminism and literature's ancestral house: Another look at “The Yellow Wallpaper”

(1986). Monumental feminism and literature's ancestral house: Another look at “The Yellow Wallpaper”. Women's Studies: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 113-128.
Tracheal Agenesis : Recognition and Management

Abstract A case of congenital agenesis of the trachea with esophagobronchial fistula is presented and the literature on the subject reviewed. A therapeutic plan is proposed for the management of this lesion in the immediate postnatal period.
An Iterative Spike Separation Technique

A spike separation technique which combines data processing methods with extracellular probing techniques to allow simultaneous observation of multiple neural events is presented. A preparation, the locust ventral cord, allows spike separation. Experimental results and simulation indicate the usefulness of the method for this preparation. A feature of the data processing method allows the experimenter to direct the machine classification by an initial classification. Subsequently, the machine returns an indication of the quality of classification, allowing a reclassification or termination.
Scanning Acoustic Microscopy of Indentation Damage in Y2O3-Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia

Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) has been applied to investigate Vickers indentation-induced damage in Y2O3-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP). The leaky Rayleigh wave velocity, vR, around the indentation is determined from the V(Z) curve technique. A considerable anisotropy in vR is observed within the elastic/plastic zone which results from the indentation-induced residual stresses. In contreast, an isotropic reduction in vR is found within the indentation core, implying the presence of microcracks. Furthermore, the SAM observations reveal that the elasic/plastic boundary is axisymmetric with respect to the loading axis and that its radius is 1.2 times as large as the indentation half-diagonal. These results are discussed in terms of an analysis based on the pressurized-sphericalcavity model.
Human COX6A1 gene: promoter analysis, cDNA isolation and expression in the monkey brain.

Abstract The human COX6A1 gene encodes the ubiquitous isoform of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) subunit VIa (VIa-L), and is located in a CpG island on chromosome 12q24.2. We compared the COX6A1 gene with the published cDNA and several ESTs and concluded that subunit COX VIa-L is synthesized as a preprotein, as are other COX subunits. The same transcription start sites were identified by primer extension analysis of human brain and lymphoblastoid RNA. Analysis of the COX6A1 promoter revealed several conserved sequence elements found in other COX genes, namely binding sites for nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), nuclear respiratory factor 2/GA binding protein (NRF-2/GABP), and ying–yang protein 1 (YY1). These conserved elements were shown to bind nuclear proteins from HeLa nuclear extracts. COX6A1 cDNA was isolated from a human brain cDNA library, and the sequence was identical to that of human liver. The expression of this gene was demonstrated by in-situ hybridization in monkey brain sections with our human brain cDNA. Monocular impulse blockade in adult monkeys induced a downregulation of COX6A1 expression in deprived visual neurons, suggesting that this subunit gene is regulated by neuronal activity.
Evidence of a small exciton in the Ba 1 − x K x BiO 3 superconductor and its relationship with superconductivity

The effective mass of a free-carrier plasmon is measured by momentum-resolved electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. The effective mass of the plasmon is heavy along the [100] direction and light along the [110] direction in the optimal doped regime, where T c is highest. The anisotropy of the effective mass between [100] and [110] decreases with increasing doping and decreasing of T c . In the overdoped regime with T c almost zero (normal metal state), the effective mass of the free-carrier plasmon becomes isotropic. A linear correlation between T c and the effective mass difference along the two orientations is extracted from the experimental data. The dispersion of the plasmon for the optimal doped material cannot be explained by the band structure alone, but that for the overdoped material is consistent with the band-structure calculation. This indicates that the effective mass is strongly renormalized along [100] by an additional interaction in the optimally doped material of the highest T c . Of related interest is a group of small excitons in the parent compound of Ba 1 - x K x BiO 3 (BKBO), BaBiO 3 , with assigned symmetries that are s wave (optically forbidden) at 4.2 eV, p wave at 2.1 eV (optically allowed), and d wave at 0.5 eV (optically forbidden). We propose a mixing state of free carriers and small excitons to explain the anisotropic dispersion for the optimally doped regime and a free-carrier state free of small excitons for the overdoped material (normal metal state). The linear correlation between T c and mass renormalization provides insight that the superconductivity of BKBO may be related to electronic structure, possibly to the small exciton or WZK (Wang-Zhang-Klein) exciton.
Dissimilarities in Grade-Equivalent Scores on Different Standardized Tests of Achievement: a Threat to Criterion-Related Validity

Five standardized tests of reading achievement were administered to community college freshmen. Each student took two different tests on two consecutive days. Grade-equivalent scores earned on tests were compared. Differences were found between tests based on the number of students who reached the criterion score of grade-equivalent 11 or 12. These differences would pose a threat to the criterion-related validity of the scores when they are used for selection and placement purposes.
Biaxial stretching of heat‐softened plastic sheets: Experiments and results

A second-generation apparatus was built and used to inflate heat-softened plastic sheets to shapes from hemispheres to large spheroidal bubbles. Three sheet materials, polystyrene, high-impact polystyrene, and cellulose acetate butyrate, were successfully formed beyond the hemispherical shape at temperatures somewhat below industrial levels. Four others, rigid poly-(vinyl chloride), an acrylic-modified PVC, cast poly(methyl methacrylate), and polycarbonate, could not be deformed beyond the hemispherical shape without rupture. Measurements included bubble profiles, thickness distributions and local extension ratios for the final bubbles; two plots of profile growth measured from high-speed motion pictures; and a continuous record of bubble temperatures and blowing pressure from which the meridional temperature distributions were plotted. Fifteen bubbles were measured and analyzed. Profiles and extension ratios were compared with those computed from the equations of isotropic, isothermal elasticity, using several different strain-energy functions with constant material parameters. Agreement over all fifteen bubbles on all properties was about ±10.8 percent (absolute) for the best models considered. Bubble growth occurred over periods of 5 to 8 seconds, with about 90 percent of the final area of the larger bubbles being generated in the final 1.5 seconds. The maximum areal elongations obtained were 18,600 percent for clear polystyrene at 238°F, 14,300 percent for high-impact polystyrene at 224°F, and 1,010 percent for cellulose acetate butyrate at 280°F.
Does group membership matter? Evidence from the Japanese steel industry

In this study we address criticism that performance differences among strategic groups found in past research may be spurious and attributable to firm effects. The Japanese steel industry provides the setting for the study. Our analysis is based on data from the carbon steel sector of the Japanese steel industry for the periods 1980–87 and 1988–93. A one-way ANOVA indicated that the average performance of firms in the two technology-based groups in this industry—the integrated mills and the minimills—were significantly different during the two periods. Subsequently, we performed a regression analysis to examine the residual group effect after controlling for both environment and firm-specific effects. We found that even after controlling for both environment and firm-specific effects group membership was significantly associated with firm performance. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Actinomycin D effects on mitosis and chromosomes: sticky chromatids and localized lesions.

When Indian muntjac and Chinese hamster cells in culture were treated with Actinomycin D (1 μg/ml) for 1–2 hours, the sister chromatids, especially the distal segments, appeared to have difficulty separating in anaphase. The separated proximal segments progressively became stretched. The nucleolus organizer regions seemed to be most susceptible to stretching, and breaks in these regions were frequently observed. Electron microscopic observations showed that the sticky chromatids (and less frequently sticky chromosomes) contain connecting submicroscopic chromosome strands. When the treated cells were allowed to grow in a drug-free medium for several days, a high frequency of endoreduplicated mitotic figures was found. Chromosome and chromatid breaks and other aberrations were common, mainly localized at G band negative areas particularly nucleolus organizer regions.
Heracleon and the ‘Western’ Textual Tradition

Heracleon's commentary on the Fourth Gospel has always intrigued Patristic scholars concerned with the history of exegesis.1 Rarely has it evoked equal interest among textual critics concerned with the history of the NT text. In part this is due to the unfortunate bifurcation of the disciplines, a breach that has begun to mend only in recent years.2 Perhaps in greater part it is due to the nature of the materials. Heracleon's work is preserved almost exclusively in the citations of Origen, who wrote his own exposition, in some measure, as a rebuttal. Origen never completed his commentary on John; of the thirty-two volumes that he did produce, we have just nine. In these we find scattered quotations drawn from the work of his predecessor, cited primarily in order to be refuted. In all, there are not quite fifty such quotations, ranging from two or three lines of Greek text in the standard edition up to several dozen.3
In Memoriam: Ralph K. White

Ralph White was born on December 9, 1907. One hundred years later, he received congratulatory birthday calls from young colleagues such as M. Brewster Smith, Herbert Kelman, and Daniel Christie. Th...
Message efficient termination detection in wireless sensor networks

Execution of wireless sensor network (WSN) applications typically consists of a number of successive phases such as network reprogramming, localization, power management, health monitoring, and parameter updates. Termination detection of a phase is therefore a critical operation for a network manager to safely execute a new phase on some or all of the network nodes. In this paper, we reformulate the well-known problem of termination detection for WSNs, and present an automated, low-cost solution to the problem. Our algorithm, Reporter, exploits the reactive nature of WSN protocols as well as the broadcast communication model of WSNs. It detects termination accurately and (message) efficiently, using reports from only a small fraction of nodes in the network. It exploits existing network traffic to construct a routing tree to collect these reports at a base station, and thus reduces the control overhead of structure formation. Moreover, it has low computation and memory overhead. We have developed a TinyOS implementation of Reporter, which is easily composed with a number of existing WSN protocols. We provide detailed experimental performance results obtained on an indoor mote testbed which show that Reporter selects as few as 5 % of the total number of nodes in the network for collecting termination reports while preserving accuracy.
Multiple Antigenic Sites Are Involved in Blocking the Interaction of GII.4 Norovirus Capsid with ABH Histo-Blood Group Antigens

Noroviruses are major etiological agents of acute viral gastroenteritis. In 2002, a GII.4 variant (Farmington Hills cluster) spread so rapidly in the human population that it predominated worldwide and displaced previous GII.4 strains. We developed and characterized a panel of six monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the capsid protein of a Farmington Hills-like GII.4 norovirus strain that was associated with a large hospital outbreak in Maryland in 2004. The six MAbs reacted with high titers against homologous virus-like particles (VLPs) by enzyme-linked immunoassay but did not react with denatured capsid protein in immunoblots. The expression and self-assembly of newly developed genogroup I/II chimeric VLPs showed that five MAbs bound to the GII.4 protruding (P) domain of the capsid protein, while one recognized the GII.4 shell (S) domain. Cross-competition assays and mutational analyses showed evidence for at least three distinct antigenic sites in the P domain and one in the S domain. MAbs that mapped to the P domain but not the S domain were able to block the interaction of VLPs with ABH histo-blood group antigens (HBGA), suggesting that multiple antigenic sites of the P domain are involved in HBGA blocking. Further analysis showed that two MAbs mapped to regions of the capsid that had been associated with the emergence of new GII.4 variants. Taken together, our data map antibody and HBGA carbohydrate binding to proximal regions of the norovirus capsid, showing that evolutionary pressures on the norovirus capsid protein may affect both antigenic and carbohydrate recognition phenotypes.
Reducing Catfish Farm Losses Due to Dockages Assessed by Processing Plants

Dockages can have a significant effect on catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, farm revenues. This study was conducted to quantify common dockages, examine seasonal and yearly variations in dockages assessed, and determine optimal production practices given various dockage scenarios. A convenience survey of invoice records from 30 commercial catfish farms and 10 processing plants provided 3686 daily catfish load records that were used to quantify dockages. A linear programming model was developed to examine optimal production practices given 11 alternative production scenarios with five size-grading technologies subject to 24 types and levels of dockages. The survey revealed that 95% of catfish loads delivered to processing plants between 1997 and 2002 were assessed dockages that resulted in average losses of 2.45% per load or $0.066/kg of catfish marketed over the study period. Out-of-size discounts constituted the greatest losses. Dockage losses can be reduced by shifting either to longer-term single-batch production or more intensive grading. Longer-term production results in fewer smaller fish that would incur dockage losses. However, cash flow constraints require more intensive early-season grading. The grader choice depended on the dockage tolerance level and rate, the frequency distribution of sizes of catfish in the population, the efficiency of the grading technology, and the cost of the grading method. Larger farms minimize losses with intensive active grading (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff grader).
Race and Ethnicity in School Psychology Publications: A Content Analysis and Comparison to Publications in Related Disciplines

Previous research has examined the quantity and types of diversity-related research in the field of school psychology, revealing gaps in the literature. Extension of this line of research with current data and comparison to related disciplines is needed. This study used content analysis to address these issues, with a specific focus on the racial and ethnic dimension of diversity. Specifically, this study examined and compared the quantity and types of peer-reviewed journal articles related to race/ethnicity within school psychology, special education, and professional school counseling. Three journals from each of these three disciplines from 2008–2010 were identified and coded using systematic procedures, and data were analyzed descriptively. Of the three professions, school psychology journals devoted the least amount of coverage to race/ethnicity-related issues with professional school counseling journals publishing over twice the amount of articles on race/ethnicity in the same time period. Additional results, interpretations, implications, and limitations are provided.
Basal and calcium-stimulated gastroesophageal sphincter pressure in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Basal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was measured in 6 patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) and hypergastrinemia, and in 6 patients with duodenal ulcer and normogastrinemia. Basal LES pressure in ZES patients, 17.0 ± 3.7 (mean ± SE) mm Hg was similar to basal LES pressure in duodenal ulcer patients, 18.3 ± 3.5 mm Hg (P > 0.10). LES pressure and serum gastrin concentration were not related in the ZES patients, r = 0.03, or in the duodenal ulcer patients, r = 0.20. Intravenous infusion of calcium gluconate in ZES patients produced a marked rise in serum gastrin concentration, Δ =1580 ± 1110 pg per ml (P 0.10). This study suggests that basal LES pressure is not regulated by blood gastrin levels in the ZES. We interpret the calcium infusion study to show that the LES pressure in patients with ZES may respond to acute changes in endogenous gastrin levels.
Forward, tangent linear, and adjoint Runge-Kutta methods for stiff chemical kinetic simulations

This paper investigates numerical methods for direct decoupled sensitivity and discrete adjoint sensitivity analysis of stiff systems based on implicit Runge-Kutta schemes. Efficient implementations of tangent linear and adjoint schemes are discussed for two families of methods: fully implicit three-stage Runge-Kutta and singly diagonally-implicit Runge-Kutta. High computational efficiency is attained by exploiting the sparsity patterns of the Jacobian and Hessian. Numerical experiments with a large chemical system used in atmospheric chemistry illustrate the power of the stiff Runge-Kutta integrators and their tangent linear and discrete adjoint models. Through the integration with the Kinetic PreProcessor KPP-2.2 these numerical techniques become readily available to a wide community interested in the simulation of chemical kinetic systems.
Kielin/Chordin-Like Protein Attenuates both Acute and Chronic Renal Injury

The secreted kielin/chordin-like (KCP) protein, one of a family of cysteine-rich proteins, suppresses TGF-b signaling by sequesteringthe ligand fromits receptor,but itenhances bone morphogeneticprotein(BMP) signalingbypromoting ligand-receptorinteractions.GiventhecriticalrolesforTGF-bandBMP proteinsin enhancing or suppressing renal interstitial fibrosis, respectively, we examined whether secreted KCP could attenuate renal fibrosis in mouse models of chronic and acute disease. Transgenic mice that express KCP in adult kidneys showed significantly less expression of collagen IV, a-smooth muscle actin, and other markers of disease progression in the unilateral ureteral obstruction model of renal interstitial fibrosis. In the folic acid nephrotoxicity model of acute tubular necrosis, mice expressing KCP survived high doses of folicacidthatwerelethalforwild-typemice.Withalowerdoseoffolicacid,miceexpressingKCPexhibited improved renal recovery compared with wild-type mice. Thus, these data suggest that extracellular regulation of the TGF-b/BMP signaling axis by KCP, and by extension possibly other cysteine-rich domain proteins, can attenuate both acute and chronic renal injury.
The Supply of Urban Housing

I. The problem of housing supply analysis, 389.—II. Controlling for quality in a location-constrained model, 391.—III. Empirical work, 400.—IV. Summary and implications of empirical results and methodology, 402.
Androgen receptor characteristics in skin fibroblasts from men with pubertal macromastia.

SUMMARY Endocrine studies in men with pubertal macromastia (PM) have failed to reveal a hormonal abnormality to account for the disorder. As a result, it has been hypothesized that this form of gynecomastia may be a manifestation of a target organ abnormality. Because the syndromes of apparent androgen resistance, such as testicular feminization and Reifenstein's Syndrome, are associated with gynaecomastia, we examined skin fibroblasts cultured from men with pubertal macromastia for androgen receptor defects. We studied 12 men with PM and confirmed that plasma concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol, gonadotrophins, and prolactin, were all within the normal range; findings identical to those of a similar series of patients previously reported. Androgen receptor content (Ro) and binding affinity (Kd) in cultured areolar and pubic skin fibroblasts were measured using a dispersed, whole cell assay. Nineteen areolar cell lines from the 12 patients with PM were compared with 4 areolar cell lines from three normal men and 9 areolar cell lines from nine normal women. There was no difference in the mean androgen receptor content (approximately 10 000 sites/cell) or binding affinity (approximately 1 nM) between the patients' fibroblasts and those of the normal subjects. Similarly, there were no differences in these parameters when pubic skin fibroblast androgen receptors were used for the comparison. We conclude that, although PM may yet be due to a defect in breast tissue sensitivity to androgen, the disorder cannot be explained by abnormalities in fibroblast androgen receptor number or affinity.
Surf and Turf Wars Online—Growing Implications of Internet Gang Violence

To examine use of the Internet by gangs and its affect on youth, i-SAFE Inc. collected information from more than 100,000 students and 137 gang associates from an urban population. Although individuals who associate with a gang have distinguishable discrepancies in the amount of time spent online, they have similar online behavior as compared with those who are not involved with gangs. Additional research is necessary to develop a substantive link between gangs online and the school and community culture.
Cigarette Smoking Increases Sympathetic Outflow in Humans

Background—It is generally accepted that smoking increases blood pressure and inhibits muscle sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). The decrease in muscle SNA with cigarette smoking might be secondary to baroreflex responses to the pressor effect of smoking, thus obscuring a sympathetic excitatory effect of smoking. We tested the hypothesis that smoking increases sympathetic outflow. Methods and Results—We examined the effects of sham smoking, cigarette smoking, and cigarette smoking in combination with nitroprusside on muscle (baroreflex-dependent) SNA in 10 healthy habitual smokers. The 3 sessions were performed in random order, each study on a separate day. In an additional study, we also investigated the effects of sham smoking and cigarette smoking on skin (baroreflex-independent) SNA in 9 subjects. Compared with sham smoking, cigarette smoking alone increased blood pressure and decreased muscle SNA. When the blood pressure increase in response to smoking was blunted by nitroprusside infusion, there was ...
The Use of Halakhic Material in Discussions of Medical Ethics

In this paper questions are raised about the use of Halakhic material in discussions of medical ethics. Three ways in which one might use Halakhic material in such discussions are distinguished: (a) as a source for ideas about medical ethics which can be defended independently of their origin; (b) as a basis for mandating certain forms of behavior for members of the Jewish faith; (c) as the basis for claims about the Jewish view on disputed topics in medical ethics. The first two raise no methodological problems. The third use raises a number of theoretical and practical issues, with which the paper is concerned. The problems stem from the fact that Halakhah distinguishes between obligations, the fulfillment of which is required of the Jewish people, and obligations, the fulfillment of which is required of all people. With rare exceptions, the obligations imposed upon the Jewish people are more stringent. The pitfall lurking in the third of the three uses is that authors using Halakhic material may incorrectly conclude that obligations that are supposed to fall only upon the Jewish people fall upon all people. An analysis of this problem follows, along with a plea for a responsible use of Halakhic material in the third way, so as to avoid certain real pitfalls.