cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unification of Foreign Exchange Markets: A Comment on Agénor and Flood

Recently in an interesting paper in IMF Staff Papers, Pierre-Richard Agenor and Robert Flood (1992) set up a theoretical model of dual exchange rates and analyzed how the economy would work given the shock of an announcement to unify dual exchange markets. Provided that the unified exchange rate under the flexible regime is greater than the official exchange rate under the dual regime, their major findings are (i) at the announcement, the domestic price of foreign currency in the parallel exchange market depreciates immediately, (ii) the parallel exchange rate keeps rising and net foreign assets keep falling during the pre-unification period, and (iii) the unified exchange rate of the post-unification regime is independent of the timing of unified implementation. This paper is written for two purposes. First, we intend to show that the unified exchange rate of the post-reform regime is inversely related to the date of reform. Second, we attempt to extend the graphical presentation of Agenor and Flood (1992) and to trace the possible dynamic behavior of relevant variables during the unified process.1
Self-organizing ARTMAP rule discovery

The Self-Organizing ARTMAP Rule Discovery (SOARD) system derives relationships among recognition classes during online learning. SOARD training on input/output pairs produces the basic competence of direct recognition of individual class labels for new test inputs. As a typical supervised system, it learns many-to-one maps, which recognize different inputs (Spot, Rex) as belonging to one class (dog). As an ARTMAP system, it also learns one-to-many maps, allowing a given input (Spot) to learn a new class (animal) without forgetting its previously learned output (dog), even as it corrects erroneous predictions (cat). As it learns individual input/output class predictions, SOARD employs distributed code representations that support online rule discovery. When the input Spot activates the classes dogand animal, confidence in the rule dog->animal begins to grow. When other inputs simultaneously activate classes cat and animal, confidence in the converse rule, animal->dog, decreases. Confidence in a self-organized rule is encoded as the weight in a path from one class node to the other. An experience-based mechanism modulates the rate of rule learning, to keep inaccurate predictions from creating false rules during early learning. Rules may be excitatory or inhibitory so that rule-based activation can add missing classes and remove incorrect ones. SOARD rule activation also enables inputs to learn to make direct predictions of output classes that they have never experienced during supervised training. When input Rex activates its learned class dog, the rule dog->animal indirectly activates the output class animal. The newly activated class serves as a teaching signal which allows input Rex to learn direct activation of the output class animal. Simulations using small-scale and large-scale datasets demonstrate functional properties of the SOARD system in both spatial and time-series domains.
Amino acid composition of preterm and term breast milk during early lactation

The amino acid composition of the protein nitrogen (PN) and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) fractions of human milk obtained from mothers delivering maturely and at term was studied weekly until 44 weeks postconceptual age. Preterm milk contained significantly more total nitrogen (TN) and PN than the term milk; the NPN component was similar between the two groups. The amount of PN decreased significantly in both term and preterm milk during the first weeks of lactation (from approximately 300 mg/100 ml at day 7 to approximately 220 mg/100 ml at 8 weeks), while the level of NPN remained constant (approximately 33 mg/100 ml). The concentrations of almost all amino acids in the PN fraction also decreased during early lactation, while those in the NPN portion remained relatively constant. Glutamate (1630 microM) and taurine (398 microM) were the most plentiful amino acids found in the NPN fraction. No differences in the amino acid composition of the PN were detectable between the preterm and term group. Amino acids measured in this study accounted for 67% of the TN present. Whether the remaining 33% of the nitrogen can be attributed to nitrogen-containing substances other than amino acids and/or methodologic error is not known.
The stability of nonporous and macroporous titania thin films in aqueous electrolyte solutions

A simple electrochemical approach was used to evaluate the stability and porosity of titania and silica thin films spin coated on electrode surfaces. This approach involved monitoring the magnitude of the Faradaic current of diffusing redox probes at the modified electrode surfaces over the course of a week to 4.5 months. Relatively nonporous films were examined as well as films templated with polystyrene latex spheres. The results show that templated titania films were significantly more porous compared to non-templated films. After the defect sites in the templated films were blocked, their long-term stability in aqueous electrolyte was evaluated. For titania, blocking was done by spin coating a dilute titania sol on the top of the film whereas for silica, the film was soaked in octyltrimethoxysilane. Both types of titania films (templated and non-templated) were found to be significantly more stable than the corresponding silica films, showing no signs of deterioration in simple electrolyte solutions during the entire evaluation period. In contrast, silica films showed significant deterioration in as little as 3 days. The enhanced stability of the titania films relative to silica films in near neutral electrolyte solutions was attributed to the differences in the point of zero charge of the oxide films.
Administration as a civic institution in the political thought of Woodrow Wilson

Progressive era debates about politics and economics featured a concern for the effects of political and economic institutions on the civic vitality of democratic regimes. Similarly, over the course of his scholarly work on public administration and management, Woodrow Wilson developed a civic or “constitutive” conception of administration in a constitutional democracy. An examination of Wilson’s most well‐known works, as well as his lectures on administration and public law, reveals the development of Wilson’s thinking on this score. Taking Wilson’s ideas into consideration can enrich current debates about public management and its impact on the quality of democratic governance.
Neuroprotective versus tumorigenic protein kinase C activators

Protein kinase C (PKC) activators possess potent neurotrophic and neuroprotective activity, thus indicating potential applications in treating neurodegenerative diseases, stroke and traumatic brain injury. Although some activators, such as bryostatin and gnidimacrin, have been tested as antitumor agents, others, such as phorbol esters, are potent tumor promoters. All PKC activators downregulate PKC at high concentrations and long application times. However, tumorigenic activators downregulate certain PKC isozymes, especially PKCδ, more strongly. Tumorigenic activators possess unique structural features that could account for this difference. At concentrations that minimize PKC downregulation, PKC activators can improve long-term memory, reduce β-amyloid levels, induce synaptogenesis, promote neuronal repair and inhibit cell proliferation. Intermittent, low concentrations of structurally specific, non-tumorigenic PKC activators, therefore, could offer therapeutic benefit for a variety of neurologic disorders.
The effect of plant protein quality on insect digestive physiology and the toxicity of plant proteinase inhibitors

Abstract We examined the influence of protein quality on the growth of larval Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) and on the toxicity of soybean trypsin inhibitor to these larvae. Using artificial diets containing the test proteins (either soy, tomato foliar protein, gluten, zein or casein) we were able to show that (1) protein quality significantly influences the growth of larval S. exigua, (2) protein quality does not significantly effect the level of tryptic activity in the larval gut, (3) protein quality significantly alters the toxicity of soybean trypsin inhibitor to the larvae (i.e. the more nutrituous the protein, the less toxic the inhibitor), and (4) the aspect of protein quality that most significantly influences its effect on larval growth is the amino acid profile (particularly the lysine + arginine content).
Quantum computing with induced dipole-dipole forbidden transitions

Forbidden transitions often have moderate energy separations and long lifetimes. They can be induced in elements by external force including laser absorption, magnetic effect, crystal forces and collision with energetic particles. In this paper we discuss the prospects of quantum information processing involving forbidden transitions in the inner shell of Ytterbium. We derive the Schrodinger wave equation for the qubit states with the 3 P and 1S as basis states. We also determine a coherent norm calculate the decoherence rate for trapped atoms.
A FOURTH ORDER SCHEME FOR NONLINEAR INTEGRAL EQUATIONS OF VISCOELASTICITY

Abstract A modification of the classical fourth-order Runge-Kutta method has been developed to solve certain nonlinear integral equations that arise in modeling stress-temperature relationships in viscoelastic films. Here we present the numerical scheme and apply it to the calculation of temperature paths which minimize residual stress in the material.
Risk-taking orientation and injury among youth workers : Examining the social influence of supervisors, coworkers, and parents

Despite youths' susceptibility to social influence, little research has examined the extent to which social factors impact youths' risk-taking orientation and injury at work. Drawing on social influence and behavioral intention theories, this study hypothesized that perceived supervisory influence, coworker risk taking, and parental risk taking serve as key exogenous variables of risk-taking orientation at work. Risk-taking orientation was further hypothesized to serve as a direct predictor and full mediator of work injury. The effect of parental risk taking was also hypothesized to be mediated through global risk taking, which in turn was posited to predict risk-taking orientation at work. Longitudinal results from 2,542 adolescents working across a wide spectrum of jobs supported hypothesized linkages, although there was some evidence of partially mediated mechanisms. Coworker risk taking was a relatively strong predictor of youths' risk-taking orientation at work.
Individual variation in the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue: Influence of sex

There is considerable individual variation in the propensity of animals to attribute incentive salience to discrete reward cues, but to date most of this research has been conducted in male rats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex influences the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue, using rats from two different outbred strains (Sprague-Dawley [SD] and Heterogeneous Stock [HS]). The motivational value of a food cue was assessed in two ways: (i) by the ability of the cue to elicit approach toward it and (ii) by its ability to act as a conditioned reinforcer. We found that female SD rats acquired Pavlovian conditioned approach behavior slightly faster than males, but no sex difference was detected in HS rats, and neither strain showed a sex difference in asymptotic performance of approach behavior. Moreover, female approach behavior did not differ across estrous cycle. Compared to males, females made more active responses during the test for conditioned reinforcement, although they made more inactive responses as well. We conclude that although there are small sex differences in performance on these tasks, these are probably not due to a notable sex difference in the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue.
Proboscis myoglobin of Glycera dibranchiata

Abstract 1. 1. A monomeric myoglobin is present in the muscles of the proboscis of the polychaete Glycera dibranchiata . This myoglobin differs in structure and function from the monomeric hemoglobin found in this animal's coelomic cells. 2. 2. The myoglobin has a very high oxygen affinity and a high carbonmonoxide combination rate. The high oxygen affinity of this myoglobin is well suited physiologically to supply oxygen to muscles of the proboscis which are used in burrowing and feeding.
Convergence studies of plane‐wave spectral expansion technique for analyzing truncated frequency‐selective surfaces

In this Letter, the problem of scattering from truncated frequency-selective surfaces (FSSs) has been analyzed by using the plane-wave spectral (PWS) expansion technique. The scattered electric and magnetic fields from the structure are computed for each spectral component, and are then superimposed to obtain the total fields. The convergence of various electrical characteristics has been studied as a function of the number of terms used in the expansion. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the accuracy of the technique by comparing them with those derived by using the rigorous moment-method analysis. In addition, the computational advantages of the PWS method, in terms of CPU time and memory requirements, are pointed out. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 417–421, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10481
A lower bound for sorting networks based on the shuffle permutation

We prove an omega (lg2 n/lg lg n) lower bound for the depth of sorting networks based on the shuffle permutation. This settles an open question posed by Knuth, up to a theta (lg lg n) factor. The proof technique employed in the lower bound argument may be of separate interest.
Effects of moisture barriers on resistive switching in Pt-dispersed SiO 2 nanometallic thin films

Moisture invasion into memory devices can result in data loss and malfunctions in write/erase switching. Deteriorated uniformity and retention characteristics, and distorted switching hysteresis loops, are observed in moisture-attacked Pt-dispersed SiO2 nanometallic thin-film devices, and can be effectively prevented by coating the device with a nanoscale Al2O3 barrier layer grown by an atomic layer deposition method. The moisture-attacked devices exhibit evidence of cumulating ion current and ion potential with repeated switching. In contrast, a capped device with an extremely uniform and reproducible resistive switching behavior features a completely symmetric current–voltage curve expected for a purely electronic device.
Benefits and costs of intensive lifestyle modification programs for symptomatic coronary disease in Medicare beneficiaries

Background This study reports outcomes of a Medicare-sponsored demonstration of two intensive lifestyle modification programs (LMPs) in patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease: the Cardiac Wellness Program of the Benson-Henry Mind Body Institute (MBMI) and the Dr Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease® (Ornish). Methods This multisite demonstration, conducted between 2000 and 2008, enrolled Medicare beneficiaries who had had an acute myocardial infarction or a cardiac procedure within the preceding 12 months or had stable angina pectoris. Health and economic outcomes are compared with matched controls who had received either traditional or no cardiac rehabilitation following similar cardiac events. Each program included a 1-year active intervention of exercise, diet, small-group support, and stress reduction. Medicare claims were used to examine 3-year outcomes. The analysis includes 461 elderly, fee-for-service, Medicare participants and 1,795 controls. Results Cardiac and non-cardiac hospitalization rates were lower in participants than controls in each program and were statistically significant in MBMI ( P P = .07). Conclusions Intensive, year-long LMPs reduced hospitalization rates and suggest reduced Medicare costs in elderly beneficiaries with symptomatic coronary heart disease.
Influence of porosity and pore size on the compressive strength of porous hydroxyapatite ceramic

Abstract Porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics with porosity volume fractions varying from 33% to 78% were fabricated using poly vinyl butyral (PVB) as a pore-forming agent. Three types of PVB particle, of size 0.093 mm, 0.188 mm, and 0.42 mm, were employed corresponding to the porous HAp of different macropore sizes. The compressive strength of the porous HAp was investigated in terms of porosity and pore size. The compressive strength behaviour of the porous HAp can be correlated exponentially with porosity volume with a correlation factor greater than 0.96. The porous HAp consisting of smaller macropore exhibits higher strength in comparison with those of larger macropore; however, a greater porosity-dependent strength is observed for the porous HAp ceramic consisting primarily of smaller macropores. Experimental analysis also revealed that for a given porosity volume, the compressive strength behaves roughly linearly with macropore size; a smaller macropore corresponds to a higher compressive strength. These findings suggest that an optimum design of porous HAp with a variety of porosities and with sufficient strength is feasible.
Cardiac Tumors in Infants and Children: Study of 120 Operated Patients

Cardiac tumors in children are rare, and patient series are limited in size. We report 120 children who underwent surgery to treat a cardiac tumor; the tumor type was known in 108 instances. The patients represented <0.1 % of 130,000 cardiac surgeries performed in children from a multi-institutional data base. The most common tumors and the number of patients were rhabdomyoma (n = 42), myxoma (n = 28), and fibromas (n = 10). The remaining 18 tumors of various types occurred in smaller numbers of patients. Nine patients (7 %) died after surgery. The mean age of death was 14 days, and death was most frequent in patients with fibromas (n = 4). Considering the variety of tumors, their varied location in cardiac structures, the patient ages, and the infrequent occurrence in an individual surgeon’s experience, the operative mortality was low.
Determining Binding Kinetics for Microfluidic Carbonylated Protein Enrichment

Microfluidics provides a promising platform for high throughput screening assays and biomolecule sensing through capture. We have recently developed an assay for capturing carbonylated proteins, a common marker of oxidative stress, on a surface-modified polymeric microfluidic chip by taking advantage of carbonyl affinity for hydrazide. Optimization of the biomicrofluidic design involves modeling characteristics inside the chip, including fluid flow and molecular binding constants. We use experimentally calculated concentration changes in a flowing protein solution to determine binding constants between oxidized cytochrome c and oxalyldihydrazide. We assume a simple, bimolecule model that has a first-order interaction. We determine binding constants for association and dissociation between carbonyls and oxalyldihydrazide. These constants will guide our future optimization work for improving carbonylated protein capture on this biomicrodevice. This study is the first to model the binding kinetics between protein carbonyls and oxalyldihydrazide under a flowing condition. These results establish the framework for optimizing microchip design for high-throughput analysis of this common oxidative stress marker, which has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Multifocal Electroretinography in Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema

In this review article, we first present a brief overview of the vascular and neural components of diabetic retinopathy. Next, the multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) technique, which can map neuroretinal function noninvasively, is described. Findings in diabetic retinal disease using the mfERG are reviewed. We then describe the progress that has been made to predict the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy and edema in specific retinal locations, using quantitative models based on the mfERG. Finally, we consider the implications for the future of these predictive models.
Morphotypic analysis and classification of bacteria and bacterial colonies using laser light-scattering, pattern recognition, and machine-learning system

Light scattering is one of the most fundamental optical processes whereby electromagnetic waves are forced to deviate from a straight trajectory by non-uniformities in the medium that they traverse. This presentation summarizes our recent research on application of light-scatter measurements paired with machine learning and pattern recognition methodologies for label-free classification of bioparticles. Two separate examples of light scatter-based techniques are discussed: forward-scatter measurements of bacterial colonies in an imaging system, and flow cytometry measurements of scatter signals formed by individual bacterial particles. Recently, we have reported a first practical implementation of a system capable of label-free classification and recognition of pathogenic species of Listeria , Salmonella, Vibrio, Staphylococcus, and E. coli using forward-scatter patterns produced by bacterial colonies irradiated with laser light. Individual bacteria in flow also form complex patterns dependent on particle size, shape, refraction index, density, and morphology. Although commercial flow cytometers allow scatter measurement at two angles this rudimentary approach cannot be used to separate populations of bioparticles of similar shape, size, or structure. The custom-built system used in the presented work collects axial light-loss and scatter signals at five carefully chosen angles. Experimental results obtained from colony scanner, as well from the extended cytometry instrument, were used to train the pattern-recognition algorithm. The results demonstrate that information provided by scatter alone may be sufficient to recognize various bioparticles with 90-99% success rate, both in flow and in imaging systems.
Mother's home time and the production of child quality.

This paper deals with the effect of mother’s time spent out of the labor force, and presumably in the home, on the “production” of child quality, where child quality is measured by intelligence (IQ), level of schooling attained, and market earning power. The results indicate that mother’s home time is most effective in producing (male) child quality for mothers who have attained relatively high levels of schooling. The results suggest that education programs which devote equal school resources to all (male) children do not necessarily provide equal educational opportunity and that the influence of family background on economic success is indirect, operating through home investments in children.
Surgery for Stress Incontinence

SummaryUrinary incontinence is common. It affects about 10 per cent of the adult female population in this country (Thomas et al., 1980). Not only is it distressing to the patient but it presents a social and hygienic problem and is expensive in terms of protective garments and nursing time. It is therefore important that treatment achieves the best possible cure rate.
1-Hydroxycyclopropane carboxylic acid phosphate: a potent inhibitor of enzymes metabolizing phosphoenolpyruvate.

Abstract 1-Hydroxycyclopropane carboxylic acid phosphate has been synthesized from diethyl succinate by acyloin condensation followed by ring contraction and phosphorylation. This compound is a potent competitive inhibitor of enzymes utilizing phosphoenolpyruvate. For phosphoenolpyruvate from maize, Ki = 7.3 μM at pH 8.0 in the presence of Mg2+. For pyruvate kinase, Ki = 2.0 mM at pH 7.0. For enolase, Ki = 8.0 μM at pH 8.0. In each case, this compound is a substantially better inhibitor than the commonly used phosphoenolpyruvate analogs phosphoglycolate and phospholactate, presumably because of the similarity in geometric and electronic structure between the cyclopropane compound and phosphoenolpyruvate.
A Scheme for Biological Model Improvement (A Classroom Approach)

This communication presents a classroom procedure for minimizing the error between simulated data and experimental data to obtain the ``best'' parameters for a given system model. It is hoped that such experience helps in the process of biological model building and brings out the advantages of different types of simulations used for model improvement.
Heat transfer characteristics of SA-178 boiler tubes covered with erosion resistance coatings

Abstract An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the heat transfer characteristics of SA-178 boiler tubes coated with various erosion resistant coatings. Four tubes were tested to gather data for this investigation. The three outer surface coatings employed consisted of a 0.20 mm ceramic coating, a 0.70 mm black plasma coating, and a 0.70 mm metallic coating. The improved performance of two of the coated tubes over that of the uncoated tube indicated that the addition of material to the outer surface of these tubes did not decrease the tubes overall heat transfer coefficient. This would be expected if conduction were in fact the sole heat transfer mode experienced by the tubes. Radiation heat transfer in conjunction with the outer surface finish of the tubes were the dominant factors leading to the improved heat transfer capability of the ceramic and black plasma coated tubes.
Turning Points, Bottlenecks, and the Fallacies of Counterfactual History

Arguments for historical turning points are sometimes put forward as a principled argument against causal determinism of the course of world history; sometimes as clever curiosities and flights of imagination. I will attempt to show that the logic of turning-point arguments does not disprove historical causality but, on the contrary, depends on belief in causality. Sometimes, this is only an implicit belief in the cliches of folk historiography; occasionally, a serious sociology is explicitly invoked. In either case, there is a tendency to misperceive how historical causality works through broadly-based processes that are not easily stopped or drastically diverted by particular events.
Transient sea-ice polynya forced by oceanic flow variability

Abstract In the Weddell Sea during the winters of 1974–1976 a significant opening in the sea-ice cover occurred in the vicinity of a large bathymetric feature — the Maud Rise seamount. The event is commonly referred to as the Weddell Polynya. Aside from such a large-scale, relatively persistent polynya in the Weddell Sea, transient, small-scale polynya can also appear in the sea-ice cover at various times throughout the winter and at various locations with respect to the Maud Rise. The underlying causes for the occurrence of such transient polynya have not been unambiguously identified. We hypothesize that variations in the mean ocean currents are one major contributor to such variability in the sea-ice cover. Analysis of the sea-ice equations with certain idealized patterns of ocean currents serving as forcing is shown to lead to Ekman transports of sea ice favorable to the initiation of transient polynya. Aside from the actual spatial pattern of the idealized ocean currents, many other factors need also be taken into account when looking at such transient polynya. Two other such factors discussed are variations in the sea-ice thickness field and the treatment of the sea-ice rheology. Simulations of a sea-ice model coupled to a dynamical ocean model show that the interaction of (dynamical) oceanic currents with large-scale topographic features, such as the Maud Rise, does lead to the formation of transient polynya, again through Ekman transport effects. This occurs because the seamount has a dynamic impact on the three-dimensional oceanic flow field all the way up through the water column, and hence on the near surface ocean currents that are in physical contact with the sea ice. Further simulations of a sea-ice model coupled to a dynamic ocean model and forced with atmospheric buoyancy fluxes show that transient polynya can be enhanced when atmospheric cooling provides a positive feedback mechanism allowing preferential open-ocean convection to occur. The convection, which takes hold at sites where transient polynya have been initiated by sea-ice–ocean stress interaction, has an enhancing effect arising from the convective access to warmer, deeper waters. To investigate all of these effects in a hierarchical manner we use a primitive equation coupled sea-ice–ocean numerical model configured in a periodic channel domain with specified atmospheric conditions. We show that oceanic flow variability can account for temporal variability in small-scale, transient polynya and thus point to a plausible mechanism for the initiation of large-scale, sustained polynya such as the Weddell Polynya event of the mid 1970s.
The biological activities of five azido N-substituted phthalimides : potential photoaffinity reagents for gibberellin receptors

The biological activities of five azido derivatives of the synthetic GA-like bioregulator 94,377 (1-[3-chlorophthalimido]cyclohexanecarboximide) were examined in a range of gibberellin-sensitive assays including: barley half-seed α-amylase secretion, Rumex chlorophyll retention, d5 maize leaf-sheath elongation, lettuce hypocotyl elongation and cucumber hypocotyl elongation. The five azido derivatives tested possessed an N-substituted phthalimide structure but differed in the placement of the azido moiety. An acyl-azido derivative was devoid of biological activity in all assays examined. Of the four remaining aryl-azido derivatives, three exhibited significant biological activity. The biological activity was both compound and species-dependent; a given azido derivative being highly active in one assay (species) but inactive in another. None of the aryl-azides promoted hypocotyl growth in light-grown cucumber seedlings when tested at 100 μM. However, two of the derivatives that were highly active in other assay systems were capable of displacing [3H]GA4 bound to a soluble binding protein prepared from cucumber seedlings when tested at high concentrations. These results indicate that certain aryl-azido derivatives of 94,377 may be useful in purifying GA binding proteins from responsive tissues and should facilitate the molecular modelling of the actual ligand binding pocket of GA receptors or other GA binding proteins.
Closure of the Calcified Patent Ductus in the Elderly: Avoidance of Ductal Clamps and Shunts

A technique for closure of the calcified ductus in the adult is described that avoids systemic heparinization or the use of shunts or bypass. An aortotomy is performed and the ductus is closed from within the aorta. Use of a running suture technique and closure from the inside should allow for a short clamp time, and therefore avoid the occurrence of paraplegia.
Effect of radiation in utero on mouse testes lactate dehydrogenase—X

Abstract Lactate dehydrogenase-X(LDH-X), a sperm specific isozyme of mammals, can be used as a marker for active spermatogenesis. LDH-X dectropboretic patterns may also be affected in radiation-induced sterility following in utcro irradiation. To Investigate this relationship pregnant female mice were given 100 red X-radiation on day 19,13 and 17 following gestation. All male offspring were sacrificed 20 days after birth and testes tissues obtained. The testes were homogenized to obtain crude extracts for starch gel electrophoresis and zymogram staining for LDH-X. Results to date show that the LDH-X is not expressed in the testis when fetal irradiation occurred at 10 and 13 days following gestation. Faint bands of LDH-X wcee observed m testes homogenates of mice whose mothers were irradiated 17 days following gestation. Pronounced LDH-X bands were present in all control preparations.
What is the evidence for use of antibiotic prophylaxis in clean-contaminated head and neck surgery?†

BACKGROUND Antibiotic prophylaxis is commonly used in head and neck surgery. Prophylactic use of antibiotics in clean surgical cases is not clearly indicated, but evidence exists for use in cases of clean-contaminated surgery, such as major head and neck oncologic procedures. Despite evidence specifically outlining the indications for antibiotic prophylaxis, there continues to be widespread variability in the use (and overuse) of prophylactic antibiotics in head and neck oncologic surgery. In an era of increasing resistance to antimicrobial therapy, it is worthwhile to revisit the evidence for the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck surgery.
Cellular and Plasma Protein Determinants in the Differential Distribution and Metabolism of D- and L-Thyroxine in the Rat

The distribution and metabolism of D- and L-thyroxine (T4) were analyzed with specific reference to cellular and plasma protein determinants. Tracer quantities of 131I-L-T4 (Abbott Labs) and 125I-D-T4, synthesized by an iodine exchange reaction, were injected iv into intact male Sprague-Dawley rats. Both isomers were compared with respect to fractional plasma disappearance rates, total volumes of distribution, total metabolic clearance rates (MCRt), urinary and fecal excretory patterns, as well as distribution in liver, kidney and residual carcass. Appropriate corrections were made for trapped plasma within tissues by the use of tracer quantities of radioactive albumin. The relative strength of plasma binding of D- and L-T4 was determined both by equilibrium dialysis in diluted plasma, and by measurement of the fractional exit rates of labeled hormone from one compartment of undiluted plasma to another through a semipermeable membrane. Calculations based on these values and theoretical considerations deve...
On the computational competitiveness of full-information maximum-likelihood and three-stage least-squares in the estimation of nonlinear, simultaneous-equations models

Abstract While full-information maximum-likehood (FIML) estimation has long been considered an important theoretical econometric estimation technique, computational considerations have greatly restricted its use in practice. Recent advances in numerical analysis and in computational software, however, have combined to provide algorithms capable of carrying out the FIML calculations quite efficiently relative to past standards. This paper compares the computational competitiveness of FIML with its most popular competitor, 3SLS, in the estimation of a variety of linear and non-linear (in parameters and variables) models. The nonlinear full-information maximum-likelihood (NLFIML) estimator is described and a computationally efficient approximation, TRUNFIML, is defined. Nonlinear three-stage least-squares (NL3SLS) is accomplished by the method of Jorgenson-Laffont. Comparisons are made on the basis of numbers of iterations to convergence, number of function evaluations, and total computer CPU time required, this latter figure being most relevant to a comparison of computational effort and cost.
A Review of Co-Morbid Depression in Pediatric ADHD: Etiologies, Phenomenology, and Treatment

This paper reviews the literature and highlights the need for further research regarding the phenomenology, etiology, assessment, and treatment of co-morbid depression in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). Depression occurs in youths with ADHD at a significantly higher rate than in youths without ADHD. Youths with ADHD and depression together have a more severe course of psychopathology and a higher risk of long-term impairment and suicide than youths with either disorder alone. Assessment of such co-morbid depression is complicated by overlapping symptoms with ADHD and with other disorders that commonly occur with ADHD. Depressive disorders typically emerge several years after the onset of ADHD and may arise from environmental difficulties associated with chronic ADHD that interact with genetic risks as the child gets older. Despite a scarcity of well-designed treatment studies for youths with ADHD and co-morbid depression, there is increasing preliminary evidence for the role of stimulants, selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors, bupropion, and atomoxetine to target either or both disorders. There is also some indirect evidence for the benefit of combining pharmacological treatments with psychosocial interventions that specifically target relevant environmental factors and functional impairments.
Higher Criticism and Higher Education at the University of Chicago: William Rainey Harper's Vision of Religion in the Research University.

On September 18, 1890, an enthusiastic and portly man on a train from Chicago to New Haven scribbled in a notebook. The man was William Rainey Harper, and the contents of his notebook would become the plans for The University of Chicago. Upon arriving in New Haven, he wrote a letter to John D. Rockefeller, who would finance Harper's vision for a university. Harper wrote, On my way from Chicago the whole thing outlined itself in my mind and I have a plan which is at the same time unique and comprehensive, which I am persuaded will revolutionize study in this country…. It is very simple but thoroughgoing.
Distinct Cutaneous Manifestations and Cold-Induced Leukocyte Activation Associated With PLCG2 Mutations.

RESULTS Among 36 patients with PLAID and PLAID-like phenotypes, all of whom had evaporative cold urticaria, 8 patients had a history of unique neonatal-onset ulcerative and cutaneous lesions in cold-sensitive regions of the body. Granulomatous skin lesions sparing warm regions (eg, flexural surfaces and skinfolds) were identified in 4 patients. Neutrophils and monocytes from patients with PLAID exhibited enhanced baseline activation in vitro, which was potentiated by ambient temperature exposure. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Collectively, these findings suggest that early identification of neonatal lesions may help in the diagnosis of PLAID and that leukocyte hyperactivation may underlie cutaneous lesions in patients with PLAID. Further characterization of mechanisms underlying leukocyte hyperactivation may contribute to the fundamental understanding of granuloma formation.
Viability of airborne Salmonella newbrunswick under various conditions.

Abstract Death rates of Salmonella newbrunswick aerosolized from distilled water or skimmilk into a closed chamber were determined at 10 and 21C and 30, 50, 70, 90% relative humidity (RH,). Initial death rates (natural logarithms of slopes of survivor curves without negative sign) for the first 20min at 10C ranged from 0.0112 to 0.0346 at 90 and 30% RH, and at 21C from 0.0141 to 0.056. The D values corresponding to these death rates, ranged from 41min at 21C and 30% RH to 206min at 10C and 90% RH. The secondary death rates for the 20 to 90min aerosol age ranged from 0.0057 to 0.0099 at 10C and 90 or 30% RH, and from 0.0141 to 0.0182 at 21C and the same relative humidities. The protection of skimmilk solids was shown by decreases in death rates. The corresponding D values for S. newbrunswick aerosolized in skimmilk at 10C ranged from 245min to 404min at 90 and 30% RH and at 21C from 164 to 470min. Activation energies for the initial period of death ranged from 3,520 to 7,357cal per mole at 90 and 30% RH. These values increased to 13,360 and 8,649cal per mole for the secondary period of death. The negative entropies for the airborne death of S. newbrunswick may indicate concentration of solutes in the bacteria. Concentration of solutes or aggregation of macromolecules may result in physicochemical changes which ultimately cause death.
Identifying Bearing Rotordynamic Coefficients using an Extended Kalman Filter

An Extended Kalman Filter is developed to estimate the linearized direct and indirect stiffness and damping force coefficients for bearings in rotor-dynamic applications from noisy measurements of the shaft displacement in response to imbalance and impact excitation. The bearing properties are modeled as stochastic random variables using a Gauss-Markov model. Noise terms are introduced into the system model to account for all of the estimation error, including modeling errors and uncertainties and the propagation of measurement errors into the parameter estimates. The system model contains two user-defined parameters that can be tuned to improve the filter s performance; these parameters correspond to the covariance of the system and measurement noise variables. The filter is also strongly influenced by the initial values of the states and the error covariance matrix. The filter is demonstrated using numerically simulated data for a rotor-bearing system with two identical bearings, which reduces the number of unknown linear dynamic coefficients to eight. The filter estimates for the direct damping coefficients and all four stiffness coefficients correlated well with actual values, whereas the estimates for the cross-coupled damping coefficients were the least accurate.
Therapy of Acute Bronchospasm Complicated by Lactic Acidosis and Hypokalemia

Hypokalemia and lactic acidosis developed following correction of respiratory acidosis in a 5-year-old child who presented with respiratory failure secondary to severe asthma and treated with theophylline, inhaled albuterol, and parenteral methylprednisolone. Calculation of the "anion gap" that provided the clue to presence of lactic acidosis was confirmed by the measurement of serum lactate level.
Selective attachment and release of a chemotherapeutic agent from the interior of a protein cage architecture

The antitumor agent doxorubicin was covalently bound and selectively released in a pH dependent manner from the interior surface of a genetically modified small heat shock protein (Hsp) cage.
Bone Neoplasms in F344 Rats Given Teriparatide [rhPTH(1-34)] Are Dependent on Duration of Treatment and Dose

A long-term study was conducted in female F344 rats to determine the relative importance of dose, treatment duration, and age at initiation of treatment on the incidence of teriparatide [rhPTH[1-34)]-induced bone proliferative lesions. Treatment groups consisted of different combinations of dose (0, 5, or 30 μg/kg/d), treatment duration (6, 20, or 24 months) and age at initiation of treatment (2 or 6 months of age). The primary endpoints were the incidence of bone neoplasms and effects on bone mass and structure as evaluated by quantitative computed tomography and histomorphometery. Significant increases in the incidence of bone tumors (osteoma, osteoblastoma, and osteosarcoma) occurred in rats treated with 30 μg/kg for 20 or 24 months. No neoplasms were found when the 5 μg/kg treatment was initiated at 6 months of age and continued for either 6 or 20 months (up to 70% of life span). This treatment regimen defined a “no-effect” dose for neoplasm formation that nevertheless resulted in substantial increase...
Formation and dissipation of the electron cloud

We present an understanding of the effect of various features of the secondary emission yield (SEY) and secondary emission spectrum on the formation and dissipation of the electron cloud (EC). This understanding is based on dedicated experimental studies at several storage rings and systematic benchmarks of simulations against these measurements.
Surface integral finite element hybrid (SIFEH) method for fracture mechanics

An effective surface integral and finite element hybrid (SIFEH) method has been developed to model fracture problems in finite plane domains. This hybridization by (incrementally) linear superposition combines the best features of both component methods. Finite elements are used to model the finite domain (and eventually nonlinearity), while continuous distributions of dislocations (resulting in surface integral equations) are used to model the fracture (i.e. displacement discontinuity). This method has been implemented in a computer program and results of representative problems are presented: these compare very well with known solutions and they demonstrate the computational advantages of SIFEH over other numerical methods (including the individual components).
The feeding rates of the pelagic tunicate Pegea confederata and two other salps1

The filtration rates of Pegea confederata, Salpa maxima, and Cyclosalpa a;ffinis were measured. Filtration rates increase exponentially with increasing length and body carbon. Filtration rates exceeding 100 ml min-’ were recorded. The mucous net of P. confederata can retain particles at least as small as 0.7 P. There appears to be no change in filtration rate with changes in particle concentration. Filtration rate per microgram of carbon increases with increasing body weight of salps in contrast to ascidians, perhaps because salps use muscular pumping rather than ciliary currents to transport water. The filtration rates recorded suggest that the role of salps in the open ocean ecosystem may be more important than previously assumed.
Examining the Use of Hofstede's Uncertainty Avoidance Construct in a Major Role in Ethics Research

This research focused on research in the Journal of Business Ethics (hereafter JoBE), International Journal of Value Based Management (hereafter IJoVBM) and Teaching Business Ethics (hereafter TBE) that used Hofstede’s uncertainty avoidance construct (hereafter UA). We identified research that used Hofstede’s UA to significantly contribute to the development of hypotheses, to construct an independent variable or as an independent variable. Understanding how UA has been used could provide opportunities for future research that increases our understanding of differences in international behavior and/or perceptions. The data indicate that of the 77 articles, 66.2% used UA strictly to construct hypotheses, 5.2% to construct alternative cultural indices and 28.6% as an independent variable.
PulseCO: a less-invasive method to monitor cardiac output from arterial pressure after cardiac surgery.

Background. Cardiac output is often monitored after cardiac operations with a pulmonary artery catheter. A new method has been introduced that measures cardiac output by lithium dilution (LiDCO) and uses these data to calibrate a system (PulseCO) that calculates cardiac output continuously from the energy of the arterial pressure waveform. It is unknown whether PulseCO measurements are valid early after cardiac surgery when changes in temperature and vascular tone or intermittent use of the arterial line for blood sampling may occur. This study assessed the reliability of cardiac output determinations by PulseCO in the first 8 hours after cardiac surgery. Methods. After a one-time PulseCO calibration, cardiac output was measured in 20 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after arrival in the intensive care unit using (1) thermodilution through a pulmonary artery catheter (Thermo); (2) lithium dilution (LiDCO); and (3) PulseCO. Concordance correlations were calculated between methods, and differences were compared by Wilcoxon paired rank test and Bland-Altman analysis. Results. Cardiac output ranged from 3.4 to 8.5 L/min. No significant differences were noted between measurements obtained by each technique at any time point. Concordance correlations and Bland-Altman analysis confirmed good agreement between PulseCO and Thermo determinations of cardiac output during the study interval. Conclusions. PulseCO measurements remain reliable without recalibration for at least 8 hours after cardiac surgery and may offer a less-invasive approach for early postoperative cardiac output monitoring.