cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Removing performance appraisal and merit pay in the name of quality: an empirical study of employees' reactions

Abstract Given the important and institutionalized roles of performance evaluations and merit pay plans in organizations, it is likely that employees would have strong reactions to the abrupt removal of established evaluation and merit pay systems prescribed by the implementation of Deming's quality management philosophy. This paper develops a model that tests employees' reactions to the removal of these programs on a sample of 123 nonmanagerial bank employees. Results indicate that the policy changes were positively received by employees. Replacing a traditional performance appraisal with a concerted performance feedback and coaching effort, and merit pay with a blanket pay increase enhanced employees' perceptions of pay fairness, pay satisfaction, and job satisfaction.
MACAU: A Markov model for reliability evaluations of caches under Single-bit and Multi-bit Upsets

Due to the growing trend that a Single Event Upset (SEU) can cause spatial Multi-Bit Upsets (MBUs), the effects of spatial MBUs has recently become an important yet very challenging issue, especially in large, last-level caches (LLCs) protected by protection codes. In the presence of spatial MBUs, the strength of the protection codes becomes a critical design issue. Developing a reliability model that includes the cumulative effects of overlapping SBUs, temporal MBUs and spatial MBUs is a very challenging problem, especially when protection codes are active. In this paper, we introduce a new framework called MACAU. MACAU is based on a Markov chain model and can compute the intrinsic MTTFs of scrubbed caches as well as benchmark caches protected by various codes. MACAU is the first framework that quantifies the failure rates of caches due to the combined effects of SBUs, temporal MBUs and spatial MBUs.
Regulation of cellular growth by sodium pump activity.

Cellular growth has been found to be directly related to the amount of sodium pumping activity in mouse lymphoblasts (L5178-Y) cultured in varying concentrations of the cardiac glycoside, ouabain. No short-term adaptation (within one generation) occurred; i.e., neither growth rate nor (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity increased in cells cultured for 1–2 days in ouabain. Growth inhibition commenced after two hours, occurring concomitantly with decreased 3H-leucine incorporation into protein. The time course of this inhibition of protein synthesis, measured by leucine incorporation was similar to, but slightly slower than the time course of the dissipation of the sodium gradient. On the other hand, 3H-thymidine incorporation is unaffected by ouabain treatment over the same period. The uptake of 3H-alanine, a neutral amino acid thought to be transported via a Na+-dependent carrier, was depressed concurrently with the sodium gradient dissipation. It is suggested, therefore, that ouabain inhibition of cellular growth results primarily from the dissipation of the sodium gradient leading to decreased Na+-dependent transport of amino acids (e.g., alanine) and, therefore, decreased protein synthesis, as observed by leucine incorporation. A sensitive and rapid method for determining ouabain inhibition of cell volume regulation is also described, which may prove potentially useful for assaying Na pump activity.
Sectional representations for simulating aerosol dynamics

Abstract A general method for simulating aerosol size distribution dynamics is developed. The method, based on dividing the particle size domain into sections and dealing only with one integral quantity in each section (e.g., number, surface area, or volume), has the advantages that the integral quantity is conserved within the computational domain and coagulations between all particle sizes are properly accounted for. To demonstrate the simplicity and accuracy of the method for a practical problem, the evolution of a power plant plume aerosol undergoing coagulation is simulated.
Information Literacy Standards and Library Instruction

Abstract A program of library instruction, oriented towards the Outcomes attached to the ACRL's Competency Standards One and Two, assists community college students towards information literacy. Online resources and the World Wide Web provide integral components of this program. Library instruction alone cannot fulfill all of the Standards, however. Information literacy demands the cooperation of the host institution, faculty, library, and the students themselves. This cooperation further yields data the community college can use for accreditation and assessment purposes.
Event-study methodology under conditions of event-induced variance

Abstract Many authors have identified the hazards of ignoring event-induced variance in event studies. To determine the practical extent of the problem, we simulate an event with stochastic effects. We find that when an event causes even minor increases in variance, the most commonly-used methods reject the null hypothesis of zero average abnormal return too frequently when it is true, although they are reasonably powerful when it is false. We demonstrate that a simple adjustment to the cross-sectional techniques produces appropriate rejection rates when the null is true and equally powerful tests when it is false.
COMPOUND HETEROZYGOUS MUTATIONS OF THE LUTEINIZING HORMONE/CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN RECEPTOR GENE IN A FAMILY WITH TWO CHILDREN AFFECTED BY LEYDIG CELL HYPOPLASIA (LCH). • 387

COMPOUND HETEROZYGOUS MUTATIONS OF THE LUTEINIZING HORMONE/CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN RECEPTOR GENE IN A FAMILY WITH TWO CHILDREN AFFECTED BY LEYDIG CELL HYPOPLASIA (LCH). • 387
An exploratory test of Sheldon's theory of personality in neonates.

For 18 neonates significant correlations of ectomorphy with rated irritability (−.48) and sensitivity (.58) were consistent with Sheldon's proposal that genes that determine physique also affect personality.
Can surgical performance benchmarking be generalized across multiple outcomes databases: a comparison of University HealthSystem Consortium and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

BACKGROUND: Surgeon’s performance is tracked using patient outcomes databases. We compared data onpatientsundergoinglaparoscopiccholecystectomyfrom2largedatabaseswithsignificantinstitutionaloverlaptoseeifeitherpatientcharacteristicsoroutcomesweresimilarenoughtoaccuratelycompareperformance. METHODS: Data from 2009 to 2011 were collected from University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). UHC and NSQIP collect data from over 200 and 400 medical centers, respectively, with an overlap of 70. Patient demographics, pre-existing medical conditions, operative details, and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Fifty-six thousand one hundred ninety-seven UHC patients and 56,197 NSQIP patients met criteria. Groups were matched by age, sex, and pre-existing comorbidities. Outcomes for NSQIP and UHC differed, including mortality (.20% NSQIP vs .12% UHC; P , .0001), morbidity (2.0% vs 1.5%; P , .0001), wound infection (.07% vs .33%; P , .0001), pneumonia (.38% vs .75%; P , .0001), urinary tract infections (.62% vs .01%; P , .0001), and length of hospital stay (1.8 6 7.5 vs 3.8 6 3.7 days; P 5 .0004), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical outcomes are significantly different between databases and resulting performance data may be significantly biased. A single unified national database may be required to correct this problem.
Mean lifetimes of the 3.38 and 4.59 MeV levels of 38Ar

Abstract The recoil-distance Doppler-shift method has been used to measure the lifetimes of two levels of 38 Ar, produced by the 4 He( 35 Cl, p) 38 Ar reaction. A gas target at 200 to 400 Torr pressure was used. The mean lifetime of the 3377 keV level was determined as 27±3 ps. The mean lifetime of the 4585 keV level was determined as 172 ± 8 ps through observation of the 105 keV γ-rays which are emitted from this level and of the subsequently emitted 670 keV γ-rays.
Sex differences in lung‐cancer risk associated with cigarette smoking

The importance of cigarette smoking as a risk factor for specific histologic types of lung cancer in men and women has been examined in a case-control analysis of data from the Cancer Surveillance Program of Orange County, a population-based registry. Smoking habits were abstracted from medical records for 1153 men and 833 women diagnosed with primary lung cancer in 1984-1986 and 1851 men and 1656 women aged 30 or older diagnosed with cancers not associated with smoking. Ninety-six percent of men and 89% of women with lung cancer were current or former cigarette smokers, as compared with 55% of men and 34% of women with other cancers. The age and ethnicity-adjusted odds ratios (OR) for ever-smoking were 19.7 for men and 15.0 for women. Men and women who smoked 2 or more packs per day experienced nearly equal risks. Comparison of the most common cell types showed that women smokers had equal or lower ORs for squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, but higher OR for small-cell carcinoma, as compared with men smokers. While the smoking-associated OR were equal for small-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas in men, the OR for women were significantly higher for small-cell carcinoma than for squamous-cell carcinoma.
Effect of prazosin treatment on carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism in patients with hypertension.

This study evaluated the effect of prazosin in controlled mild hypertension and evaluated select metabolic changes that occurred with prazosin monotherapy. Various aspects of glucose, insulin, and lipid metabolism were studied before and after approximately 10 weeks of prazosin treatment in 12 patients with mild hypertension. Prazosin was well tolerated and induced a significant decrease (p less than 0.001) in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, without any change in body weight. Plasma concentrations of glucose, free fatty acid, and lactate, which were measured hourly from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. following meals consumed at 8 A.M. and noon, did not change with prazosin treatment. However, the plasma insulin response from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. decreased significantly (p less than 0.001) following prazosin treatment. In addition, fasting plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) in prazosin-treated persons, as were postprandial triglyceride concentrations (p less than 0.001). Lower total plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were accounted for by decreases in very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride, whereas both high-density lipoprotein triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations increased following prazosin treatment. Finally, although both apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B concentrations decreased in association with prazosin treatment, the decrease in apolipoprotein B was much greater in magnitude, leading to an increase in the ratio of apolipoprotein A1 to apolipoprotein B. In this study, treatment of mild hypertension with prazosin led to lower blood pressures and changes in insulin and lipoprotein metabolism that are important in this patient population.
The f.c.c.-b.c.c. transformation in iron deposits on copper

Abstract The diffusionless f.c.c.-b.c.c. transformation in thin pseudomorphic iron films on copper substrates in {100} orientation has been studied and the result compared with corresponding earlier results on the ironnickel system. The misfit stresses in the films in these two systems are similar in magnitude but have opposite sign, thus permitting one to investigate the influence of stress systems on the selection of orientations in the transformation. Variants of the Pitsch and of the Kurdjumov-Sachs orientations were found in the Fe/Cu system while the earlier study of the Fe/Ni system had revealed only variants of the Pitsch orientation which differ from those reported here. At large film thicknesses, where the misfit stresses are relieved by interfacial dislocations, the observed Pitsch orientations in the Fe/Cu system predominated over the Kurdjumov-Sachs variants. It is deduced that stresses do indeed largely determine the orientation relationships in the f.c.c.-b.c.c. transformation of iron.
Estrogen and brood pouch formation in the marsupial frog, Gastrotheca riobambae.

Immature female Gastrotheca riobambae were treated with either 1 μg or 10 μg estradiol daily for 24 days. Both estrogen dosages elicited formation of the brood pouch, a dorsal integumentary structure which contains eggs or larvae during the breeding season. A decrease or loss of epidermal keratin, dermal chromatophore units and dermal poison glands occurred during both normal and estrogen-induced pouch formation. Also, pouch skin exhibited dermal hypervascularity and connective tissue hyperplasia. The epidermis lining the pouch lumen possessed crypts. The importance of these changes is discussed in relation to pouch function.
Heat shock inducibility of an archaeal TATA‐like promoter is controlled by adjacent sequence elements

The expression of a heat-inducible cct1 (chaperonin-containing Tcp-1) family member gene is regulated at the transcription level in the archaeon Haloferax volcanii. Transcriptional fusions of the cct1 promoter region with a yeast proline tRNA reporter gene were constructed to analyse the functional domains of this archaeal heat shock promoter. Both basal and heat-induced transcription of the reporter gene was directed by an archaeal consensus TATA element (5'-TTTATA-3') centred 25bp upstream of the transcription start site. Deletion mutagenesis indicated that the 5' boundary of the cct1 regulatory region mapped to position -37. Nucleotide alignment with the 5' flanking regions of two additional cct-related genes identified in H. volcanii showed a high degree of sequence conservation between positions +1 and -37, especially in and immediately surrounding the TATA element of the putative core promoter. Mutational analysis of conserved sequences demonstrated that basal and heat-induced transcription required sequence elements located upstream and downstream of the TATA-box. These findings indicate that the regulatory sequences involved in heat-induced transcription lie within the core promoter region and suggest that the mechanism controlling heat shock gene expression in H. volcanii differs from the bacterial and eukaryal strategies.
Institutional and economic determinants of corruption: a cross-section analysis

In recent years, corruption and possible anti-corruption measures have been extensively discussed at the national, international and multilateral levels. This article provides an empirical analysis of corruption by viewing corruption as an evolutionary process. It assumes that the institutional set-up of the country such as the characteristics of the political and judicial system determines the extent of corruption. The empirical results confirm that countries with totalitarian political regimes, ineffective judicial systems and lower levels of education as well as slower economic growth and higher inflation rates tend to have higher levels of corruption.
Changes in Body Weight and Water Consumption in Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs and Rock Doves Following red Phosphorus Smoke Exposures

AbstractEffects of red phosphorus/butyl rubber (RP/BR) smoke on two wildlife species, black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and rock doves (Columbia livia), were evaluated in laboratory range-finding experiments. Prairie dog groups were exposed to 2.0, 4.0, or 6.0 mg/L target concentrations of smoke generated for 1 h over 1–4 daily exposure sessions. Rock dove groups were exposed to either 0.0, 3.0, or 6.0 mg/L target concentrations for comparable time periods. Animals were monitored for body weight and water consumption changes for 28 days after their last smoke-exposure day. Body weight losses were severe and protracted in male rock doves, and these were correlated with significant mortality rates. Male doves exposed to 6.0 mg/L smoke concentration level never recovered their lost body weights to preexposure levels during the 28-day observation period. Prairie dogs, in contrast, only showed a 1-day body weight loss postexposure and a rapid recovery to their preexposure weight levels. Both spe...
Use of automated chromatography on the amino acid analyzer with lithium citrate buffers to separate nucleic acid bases, nucleosides, nucleotides and their precurosors

Abstract A simple and sensitive method has been developed to separate nucleic acid bases, nucleosides, nucleotides and their precursors by automated chromatography using the amino acid analyzer with lithium citrate buffers. The method is sensitive to a concentration of 5 nmol, linear in the range of 5–100 nmol, and resolves almost all the bases, nucleosides, nucleotides and their precursors of physiologic importance.
Cochlear reimplantation: surgical techniques and functional results.

Objectives/Hypothesis The most common indication for cochlear reimplantation is device failure. Other, less frequent indications consist of “upgrades” (e.g., single to multichannel), infection, and flap breakdown. Although the percentage of failures has decreased over time, an occasional patient requires reimplantation because of device malfunction. The varying designs of internal receiver/stimulators and electrode arrays mandate an examination of the nature and effects of reimplantation for the individual designs. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the reimplantation of several implant designs and to determine whether differences in surgical technique, anatomical findings, and postoperative performance exist. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods The subjects were 33 of 618 severely to profoundly deaf adults and children who had implantation at the New York University Medical Center (New York, NY) between February 1984 and December 2000. The subjects had previously had implantation with either a single-channel 3M/House (House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, CA) or 3M/Vienna (Technical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria) device or with one of the multichannel Clarion (Advanced Bionics, Sylmar, CA), Ineraid (Smith & Nephew Richards, TN), or Nucleus (including the Contour) devices (Cochlear Corp., Englewood, CO) before reimplantation. Results Length of use before reimplantation ranged from 1 month to 13 years and included traumatic and atraumatic (electronic) failures, as well as device extrusion or infection. Results indicated that postoperative performance was either equal to or better than scores before failure. None of the devices explanted caused damage that precluded the implantation of the same or an upgraded device. These findings support the efficacy and safety of internal implant designs as related to the maintenance of a functional cochlea for the purpose of reimplantation. Conclusions Cochlear reimplantation can be performed safely and without decrement to performance. The number of implanted electrodes at reinsertion were either the same or greater in all cases.
Antioxidant therapies in COPD

Oxidative stress is an important feature in the pathogenesis of COPD. Targeting oxidative stress with antioxidants or boosting the endogenous levels of antioxidants is likely to be beneficial in the treatment of COPD. Antioxidant agents such as thiol molecules (glutathione and mucolytic drugs, such as N-acetyl-L-cysteine and N-acystelyn), dietary polyphenols (curcumin, resveratrol, green tea, catechins/quercetin), erdosteine, and carbocysteine lysine salt, all have been reported to control nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κ B) activation, regulation of glutathione biosynthesis genes, chromatin remodeling, and hence inflammatory gene expression. Specific spin traps such as α-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone, a catalytic antioxidant (ECSOD mimetic), porphyrins (AEOL 10150 and AEOL 10113), and a superoxide dismutase mimetic M40419 have also been reported to inhibit cigarette smoke-induced inflammatory responses in vivo. Since a variety of oxidants, free radicals, and aldehydes are implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD, it is possible that therapeutic administration of multiple antioxidants will be effective in the treatment of COPD. Various approaches to enhance lung antioxidant capacity and clinical trials of antioxidant compounds in COPD are discussed.
Zone-melting-recrystallization silicon-on-insulator technology

The author describes the zone-melting recrystallization (ZMR) technique and the crystallographic properties of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) films. He reviews the devices and circuits fabricated in these films, discusses their radiation hardness, and considers the prospects of the graphite-strip-heater technology for achieving commercialization.
Determination of α-keto acids as silylated oximes in urine and serum by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry☆

Abstract Nine α-keto acids in serum and urine were analyzed by gas chromatography as their oxime-trimethylsilylated derivatives, following oxime formation with hydroxylamine in pyridine and silylation with BSA containing 10% TMCS. The oxime-TMS derivatives were identified by both low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Recoveries from urine were greater than 90% and from serum greater than 80%. Loads of valine, leucine and isoleucine are shown to result in increased serum concentrations of corresponding α-keto acids in healthy adults. In a child with maple-syrup-urine disease under treatment by dietary restriction of the branchedchain amino acids, administration of leucine results in a large excretion of α-keto isocaproic acid and a less striking excretion of α-keto-β-methylvaleric and α-keto isovaleric acid. The excretion of the branched-chain α-keto acids is reported in two patients with maple-syrup-urine disease before and after institution of dietary treatment. Nine α-keto acids and at least 15 phenolic acids and related compounds can be determined in a single analysis using the method described. The ‘metabolic profile’ thus obtained may be used in screening for abnormalities in the metabolism of amino acids. The gas Chromatographic analysis alone is adequate for screening; when an abnormal quantity of a constituent is found, mass spectrometry is used for confirmation of identity.
Sacrococcygeal chordoma metastatic to the brain with review of the literature

A 29-year-old man presented with headache, confusion, word-finding difficulty, and a visual field deficit 16 months after complete removal of a sacrococcygeal chordoma. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head demonstrated two discrete enhancing left occipital lesions with associated cerebral edema. Both masses were surgically excised and their histological appearance was consistant with chordoma. Chordoma from the sacral region is known to metastasize to the lungs and the vertebral bodies but has rarely been shown to spread to the brain. Dissemination to the brain in this case may be related to the extent of the metastatic pulmonary disease and the anaplastic appearance of the primary tumor.
Characterization of free, restricted, and entrapped water environments in poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) hydrogels via 1H HRMAS PFG NMR spectroscopy

We found that different water environments in poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels are identified and characterized using 1H high resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Local water environments corresponding to a “free” highly mobile species, along with waters showing restricted dynamics are resolved in these swollen hydro-gels. For photo-initiated polymerized PNIPAAm gels, an additional entrapped water species is observed. Spin–spin R2 relaxation experiments support the argument of reduced mobility in the restricted and entrapped water species. Furthermore, by combining pulse field gradient techniques with HRMAS NMR it is possible to directly measure the self-diffusion rate for these different water environments. The behavior of the heterogeneous water environments through the lower critical solution temperature transition is described.
Solubility and rate of dissolution for Miscanthus in hydrophilic ionic liquids

Abstract Miscanthus is a potential feedstock for the production of biofuels. Lignocellulosic biomass is not soluble in conventional solvents, but Miscanthus and other lignocellulosic biomass have reasonable solubilities in some ionic liquids. The solubility of Miscanthus in a variety of hydrophilic ionic liquids was measured as a function of particle size, temperature and time for dissolution. In addition to temperature and time, the ionic liquid anion has a significant effect on solubility and rate of dissolution. The moisture content of Miscanthus lowers its solubility in certain ionic liquids. Chloride, acetate, and phosphate-based ionic liquids favor solubility. A tentative correlation for the solubility of Miscanthus is proposed in terms of Abraham solvation parameters obtained from quantum-chemical model COSMO-RS (Conductor like Screening Model-Real Solvents).
A Comparative Analysis of Empirical Research on Technology and Structure

This paper proposes that when empirical research on the technology-structure relationship is classified by organizational level and by type of technology studied, the evidence favoring a technological imperative is quite consistent. The only studies which have yielded inconsistent results have been those focusing on the total organization, where the measurement of both the transformation technology and structure has been particularly problematic. At the workflow or subunit level of organizations, generally strong technology-structure relationships have been observed. The same is true for system level studies where technology was operationalized in terms of the characteristics of environmental inputs or outputs rather than of the transformation process itself. It is suggested that the consistency and value of future research results on the technology-structure connection can be considerably enhanced if researchers take greater care to specify their organizational levels of analysis as well as the way in wh...
Testing alternative captive breeding strategies with the subsequent release into the wild

We used the housefly (Musca domestica L.) as an experimental model to compare two strategies for the captive breeding of an endangered species: a strategy to minimize inbreeding and balance founder contributions (termed “MAI” for “maximum avoidance of inbreeding”) versus a scheme to select against less fit individuals (disregarding relatedness). By balancing the initial founder contributions, the MAI protocol was analogous to methods for minimizing kinship. In both breeding strategies, the population growth rate was limited to a maximum increase of 50% per generation. Five replicate populations, each starting with five male–female pairs, were subjected to five generations of captive breeding. Six generations of simulated “release into the wild” allowed ad lib breeding with less restrictive population growth potential, in either a benign or stressful environment (i.e., constant or variable temperature). Population size, fecundity, and fertility were assayed throughout the experiment, with juvenile-to-adult survival assayed in the second phase of the project. Allozyme assays determined the resultant inbreeding coefficients from the captive breeding schemes. The MAI breeding scheme resulted in significantly lower inbreeding coefficients and higher fitness, with qualitatively reduced extinction potential, most notable in the stressful environment. Spontaneous fitness rebounds suggested that the MAI strategy facilitated some form of purging of inbreeding depression effects. Importantly, the advantages of the MAI strategy were difficult to detect during the captive breeding phase, suggesting that the long-term advantages of the MAI approach could be underestimated in actual breeding programs. We concur with the common recommendation of maximum avoidance of inbreeding at least for systems with low reproductive potential. Zoo Biol 0:1–18, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Muscle quality index improves with resistance exercise training in older adults.

Abstract Introduction Sarcopenia is currently best described as an age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function. However, no consensus exists as to how to best quantify muscle function in older adults. The muscle quality index (MQI) was recently recommended as an ideal evidence-based assessment of functional status in older adults. Nevertheless, the usefulness of MQI to assess physical function is limited by whether it is reflective of muscle qualitative changes to an intervention. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine whether MQI changes in response to resistance exercise training and detraining and how such changes correspond to other recommended measures of physical function proposed by suggested definitions of sarcopenia. Methods Twenty-five older adults (70.6 ± 6.1 y; BMI = 28.1 ± 5.4 kg · m− 2) completed a 6-week resistance training program in a wait-list controlled, cross-over design. MQI was determined as power output from timed sit to stand (STS), body mass, and leg length. Gait speed, hand grip strength, get-up-and-go and lean body mass (LBM) were evaluated before and after exercise training and detraining. MQI and functional changes to training and detraining were evaluated with repeated measures ANOVA and clinical interpretations of magnitude based inferences. Results Short term resistance training significantly and clinically improved MQI (203.4 ± 64.31 to 244.3 ± 82.92 W), gait time (1.85 ± 0.36 to 1.66 ± 0.27 s) and sit to stand performance (13.21 ± 2.51 to 11.05 ± 1.58 s). Changes in LBM and hand grip strength were not significant or clinically meaningful. De-training for 6-weeks did not result in significant changes in any measure from post-training performance.
Pollution as News: Media and Stock Market Reactions to the Toxics Release Inventory Data

Abstract This study investigates whether pollution data released by the EPA in the June 1989 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) were "news" to journalists and investors. The results indicate that the higher pollution figures (such as air emissions or offsite shipments of toxic waste) were in a firm′s TRI reports, the more likely print journalists were to write about the firm′s toxic releases. Investors also found this pollution information of interest, since nearly three quarters of the TRI pollution releases came from publicly held companies. Stockholders in firms reporting TRI pollution figures experienced negative, statistically significant abnormal returns upon the first release of the information. These abnormal returns translated into an average loss of $4.1 million in stock value for TRI firms on the day the pollution figures were first released.
Gauge kinetic mixing and leptophobic Z ′ in E 6 and SO ( 10 )

We examine the influence of gauge kinetic mixing on the couplings of a TeV scale ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ in both ${E}_{6}$ and $\mathrm{SO}(10)$ models. The strength of such mixing, which arises due to the existence of incomplete matter representations at low scale, can be described by a single parameter \ensuremath{\delta}. The value of this parameter can significantly influence the ability of both hadron and lepton colliders to detect a ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ using conventional search techniques. In addition, $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\ne}0$ also adds to the complexities involved in separating ${E}_{6}$ ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ models from those arising from alternative scenarios. Employing a reasonable set of assumptions we have determined the allowed range for this parameter within a wide class of models via an RGE analysis. In particular, given the requirements of standard model gauge coupling unification, anomaly freedom, and perturbativity up to the GUT scale, we demonstrate that the necessary condition for exact leptophobia in \ensuremath{\eta} type ${E}_{6}$ models, $\ensuremath{\delta}=\ensuremath{-}1/3,$ is impossible to achieve in this scenario. Furthermore we show that the allowed range for \ensuremath{\delta} is rather restricted for arbitrary values of the mixing between the ${U(1)}_{\ensuremath{\chi}}$ and ${U(1)}_{\ensuremath{\psi}}$ type couplings. The $\mathrm{SO}(10)$ ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ model \ensuremath{\chi} is discussed as a separate case since it requires special attention.
Design of Planar Nonlinear Springs for Prescribed Load-Displacement Functions

Nonlinear springs can simplify and improve the performance of a variety of devices, including prosthetics, MEMS, and vehicle suspensions. Each nonlinear spring application has unique load-displacement specifications that do not correspond to one general spring design. This limits the use of nonlinear springs and thus compromises the performance of these applications. This paper presents a generalized methodology, including topology, size, and shape optimization, for creating nonlinear springs with prescribed load-displacement functions. The methodology includes a new parametric model that represents nonlinear springs as a single-plane, ‘fractal’-like network of splines. The parametric model and the objective function are incorporated into a genetic algorithm optimization scheme. Nonlinear finite element analysis evaluates the large displacements of each spring design. Three nonlinear spring examples, each having uniquely prescribed load-displacement functions including a “J”-shaped, an “S”-shaped, and a constant-force function, generate designs that demonstrate the methodology’s effectiveness in designing nonlinear springs.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Investigation of a Split-Dimple Fin Geometry for Heat Transfer Augmentation

The use of an interrupted plate fin with surface roughness in the form of split-dimples is investigated. Time-dependent high-fidelity simulations are conducted for laminar, early turbulent, and fully turbulent flows, ReH = 360, 800, and 2000. Detailed analysis of the domain’s flow structure, turbulent statistics, and heat transfer distribution is presented. Regions of high heat transfer occur at the fin and protrusion leading edges, at flow impingement on the protrusion faces, and flow acceleration region between protrusions. Flow separation and large wakes induced by the large protruding surfaces of the split-dimples, increase friction losses and reduce heat transfer from the fin. The split-dimple fin has a heat conductance 60–175% higher than that of the plate fin, but at 4–8 times the pressure drop.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Evolution of water resource management: a Laurentian great lakes case study

The evolution of water resource management in the Great Lakes Region is reconstructed using a case study of the Bay of Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Three different time periods or eras are identified. The significant events associated with these eras are discussed in the context of changing attitudes and approaches to water resource management. Changes in water quality over time are documented where possible. Comments on the future and a call for integrative management conclude the paper.
Imaging of tumour neovasculature by targeting the TGF-β binding receptor endoglin

In vivo imaging of endothelial markers in intact tumour neovasculature would have applications in assessing the efficacy of anti-angiogenic agents in clinical trials. Although a variety of different endothelial markers have been described, few have been evaluated as imaging markers. The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) binding receptor endoglin is a proliferation-associated endothelial marker. We hypothesised that endoglin would be an ideal target for imaging since it is strongly upregulated in proliferating endothelial cells of the tumour neovasculature. We used a radiolabelled monoclonal anti-endoglin antibody and compared its neovascular binding, accumulation and in vivo behaviour to an isotype-matched control IgG(2a). Our data show that the probe binds specifically and rapidly within minutes in vivo and that correlative autoradiography and immunohistology support the in vivo imaging findings. Imaging of abundantly expressed endothelial targets circumvents delivery barriers normally associated with other tumour targeting strategies, and can potentially be used to quantitate molecular angiogenic markers.
Scholastic Aptitude, the National Teacher Examinations, and Teaching Success

AbstractThis study tests the hypotheses that (1) grades in high school and college as well as scores on nationally-standardised tests of scholastic aptitude and professional knowledge (National Teacher Examinations, NTE) do not predict rated success in teaching, but that (2) scholastic aptitude and achievement do predict scores on the NTE. In a sample of 280 student teachers, evidence was found to support both of these hypotheses
Adsorptive/extractive stripping voltammetry of phenothiazine compounds at carbon paste electrodes

Abstract An investigation of the extractive/adsorptive accumulation behavior of various phenothiazine drugs at carbon paste electrodes is presented. These compounds exhibit different degrees of accumulation, depending on the side-chains of the molecule. The voltammetric experiments are accompanied by analogous solvent extraction studies. The extraction/adsorption process serves as an effective preconcentration step which improves the subsequent voltammetric measurement with respect to the sensitivity and selectivity. After 10 min preconcentration, a detection limit near 1.5 × 10−9M perphenazine is obtained. By making the measurement in an exchange (blank) solution, the accumulated phenothiazines can be measured in the presence of macro solution constituents with similar redox properties. Applicability to selective measurements in serum is illustrated.
Behavioral Treatment of Anexoria Nervosa A Five-Year Study

A 16-year-old adolescent male was treated with systematic desensitization and cognitive restructuring for anorexia nervosa over a five-year period. Results were evaluated by means of a single-subject design. Introduction and withdrawal of systematic desensitization had a clear and systematic effect upon weight gain. Introduction of cognitive restructuring also had a clear effect on weight gain. Moreover, when cognitive restructuring treatment was withdrawn, weight gain was maintained. Results were discussed in terms of clinical and experimental control of behavior and the need for extended follow-up studies.
Differential susceptibility of human and guinea pig lymphokines to reduction and alkylation.

Abstract Guinea pig and human macrophage migration inhibitory factors (MIF) were modified by reduction and alkylation. Guinea pig MIF lost activity when reduced and alkylated in the presence of urea or guanidine. Irreversible sulfhydryl modification was dependent upon the denaturation of the MIF molecule, suggesting that sulfhydryl bonds within the native molecule may contribute to biologic activity. Alkylation alone in guanidine had no effect on biologic activity, suggesting that free sulfhydryl groups are not essential for migration inhibitory activity. In contrast, human MIF was unaffected by any of the procedures used. Since previous studies have shown that human MIF can dissociate during extensive dialysis, these observations suggest that sulfyhydryl bonds are not important in the expression of human migration inhibitory activity. We have also shown that skin reactive factor (SRF), another lymphokine activity present in the activated lymphocyte culture supernates studied, has a pattern of susceptibility to reduction-alkylation procedures which is similar to that of MIF.
Inspiring collaborative benefits: an interaction between a virtual and a physical group learning infrastructure

The physical environments are often limited for fostering and enriching creativity and collaborative benefits, especially in the educational context. In general, students have limited opportunities to experience peer-to-peer and group collaborative learning. Gaining knowledge, understanding and group interaction skills from a collaborative learning experience in a classroom are often rare. This paper introduces how a virtual environment can be combined with a physical environment to achieve collaborative benefits. We observed an online homework submission system that facilitated this collaborative process. Although this is only one example of one class, these observed collaborative benefits and the way that the virtual and physical environments combine to produce them could be useful for other courses where collaborative skills are necessary or desired.
UPTAKE OF NO3 ON WATER SOLUTIONS : RATE COEFFICIENTS FOR REACTIONS OF NO3 WITH CLOUD WATER CONSTITUENTS

The reactive uptake coefficients, γ, of NO3 onto aqueous solutions containing ions X- = HSO3-, SO32-, HCOO-, CH3COO-, and OH- were measured at 273 ± 1 K using a wetted-wall flow tube reactor. The values of H2D&#x1d4c1; k (H = Henry's law coefficient, D&#x1d4c1; = diffusion coefficient in the liquid phase, and k = second-order rate coefficient for the liquid phase reactions of NO3 with X-) for the reactive uptake of NO3 were determined by measuring γ as a function of liquid phase reactant concentration. The linear correlation between the measured rate coefficients and those for corresponding SO4- reactions, and the dependence of the measured rate coefficients on the redox potential of the X/X- pair suggest that the NO3 + X- reactions proceed by electron transfer. The atmospheric implications of these findings are briefly discussed.
Commutative semifields and symplectic spreads

Abstract Commutative semifields are constructed by using their relationship with symplectic spreads. The number of pairwise nonisomorphic commutative semifield planes of even order N obtained in this manner is not bounded above by any polynomial in N . The number previously known for any N was less than log N .
Tunable infra-red lasers and their applications to air pollution measurements

This paper describes a number of tunable infra-red lasers and techniques employing them for the detection and monitoring of gaseous air pollutants. Recent progress in the development of lasers that can be matched to characteristic infra-red absorption or emission lines of certain pollutants suggest wide potential application for sensitive specific monitoring. Examples to be described include highly-specific point-sampling,in situ source monitoring, ambient air monitoring, resonance fluorescence, and remote heterodyne detection.
Causes of Obesity and Consequences of Obesity Prevention in Non-human Primates and Other Animal Models

Obesity develops slowly and spontaneously in some rodent strains and in non-human primates, with peak body weight reached in ‘middle-age’ or in older age. The animal models of obesity may be classified as: (a) spontaneous naturally occurring (of unknown genetic and physiologic cause(s)); (b) specific genetic models of known or unknown single gene mutations occurring spontaneously (and selected for by breeding), or produced by transgenic approaches; (c) dietary or nutritionally induced obesity usually by high fat and/or highly palatable diets in rodents (a form of obesity which is likely to be polygenic), or by high fat diets or forced overfeeding in non-human primates; and (d) neuroendocrine disorders causing obesity, such as via hypothalamic lesions or chemical infusions (e.g. the injection of gold thioglucose into mice), as detailed in Table 14.1. The present review will focus principally upon the spontaneously occurring form of obesity in non-human primates and in rodents, the form(s) of obesity that are highly likely to be directly relevant to most human obesity.
Environmental controls on the petrology of a late Holocene speleothem from Botswana with annual layers of aragonite and calcite

ABSTRACT A carbonate stalagmite from Drotsky's Cave in northwestern Botswana consists of alternating layers of calcite and aragonite. Layer counts and radiocarbon ages indicate that the calcite-aragonite pairs are annual layers representing about 1500 years of deposition. The annual layering probably resulted from highly seasonal rainfall. Comparison of the uppermost layers of the speleothem with meteorological records shows that precipitation of CaCO3 in Drotsky's Cave was controlled by climate. Thickness of calcite layers correlates with rainfall, suggesting that calcite precipitation was largely dependent on the quantity of water supplied to the speleothem. By contrast, thickness of aragonite layers correlates with temperature, although variation in temperature cannot explain greater aragonite abundance on the sides of the speleothem compared to its center. Mg/Ca ratios in calcite layers increase upward to the bases of overlying aragonite layers, and analyses of cave waters suggest that fluid Mg/Ca ratios reach levels sufficient to cause aragonite precipitation. Increasing evaporation, which caused greater ionic strength and supersaturation, resultant increasing Mg/Ca ratios in the fluid, and perhaps increasing temperature probably combined to cause aragonite precipitation. Detailed petrographic analysis suggests that each annual cycle of CaCO3 precipitation began with relatively intense fluid flow, sometimes sufficient to dissolve some of the underlying aragonite before precipitation of calcite. Calcite precipitation under a thick fluid layer allowed euhedral crystals to form at first, but thinning of the fluid to a film allowed only flatly terminated calcite crystals by season's end. As fluid flow diminished, increasing evaporation, increasing Mg/Ca ratios in the fluid, and perhaps increasing temperature combined to cause aragonite precipitation to begin, particularly on the sides of the speleothem. In some years, fluid flow diminished to the point that dust accumulated on aragonite surfaces before the onset of the next year's precipitation. /P>
Myocardial Fibrosis From Severe Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Detected by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a leading cause of toxicological morbidity and mortality. We recently reported 37% of patients with moderate to severe CO poisoning suffered myocardial injury.1 In follow-up, 24% of patients died at a median of 7.6 years, a mortality rate 3 times higher than expected compared with age- and sex-specific US mortality rates. Myocardial injury was the major predictor of mortality: 38% of patients who sustained myocardial injury died compared with 15% without myocardial injury. The precise mechanisms responsible for the increase in mortality …
Mapping Ocean Observations in a Dynamical Framework: A 2004–06 Ocean Atlas

Abstract This paper exploits a new observational atlas for the near-global ocean for the best-observed 3-yr period from December 2003 through November 2006. The atlas consists of mapped observations and derived quantities. Together they form a full representation of the ocean state and its seasonal cycle. The mapped observations are primarily altimeter data, satellite SST, and Argo profiles. GCM interpolation is used to synthesize these datasets, and the resulting atlas is a fairly close fit to each one of them. For observed quantities especially, the atlas is a practical means to evaluate free-running GCM simulations and to put field experiments into a broader context. The atlas-derived quantities include the middepth dynamic topography, as well as ocean fluxes of heat and salt–freshwater. The atlas is publicly available online (www.ecco-group.org). This paper provides insight into two oceanographic problems that are the subject of vigorous ongoing research. First, regarding ocean circulation estimates, ...
A phase transition phenomenon between the isometric and isomorphic extension problems for Hölder functions between Lp spaces

It is shown that it is possible to extend a Holder maps from subsets of Lp to L q (1 <p, q≤2) isometrically if and only if α≤p/q*, and isomorphically if and only if α≤p/2. It is also proved that the set of as which allow an isomorphic extension for a Holder maps from subsets of X to Y is monotone when Y is a dual Banach space. Finally, the isometric and isomorphic extension problems for Holder functions between L p and L q is studied for general p, q≥1, and a question posed by K. Ball is solved by showing that it is not true that all Lipschitz maps from subsets of Hilbert space into normed spaces extend to the whole of Hilbert space.