cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Problems with HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment in Togo, West Africa: professional caregivers' perspectives.

This paper used accounts of professional caregivers to HIV/AIDS patients in Lome, Togo, West Africa to explore the impacts of cultural, institutional and socio-economic factors in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thirteen health professionals and 17 non-health professionals who work with people living with HIV/AIDS were interviewed in June and July 2002 in Lome, Togo. The study found that, in Togo there are some cultural, socio-economic and institutional practices that put Togolese at risk of contracting HIV and complicate the care of those who become infected. People with HIV/AIDS face socio-economic, emotional and psychological battles as they attempt to deal with their physical health and the social reactions to such a stigmatizing disease. Thus, in order to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS, people living with HIV/AIDS, family caregivers, traditional healers as well as the public must be educated about the importance of preventing the disease and how each group can help achieve success in its control. Interventions in prevention and care should be designed with an awareness of these structural factors that contribute to the spread of AIDS and compromise the quality of care given to those who become infected.
The role of potentially retrievable inferior vena cava filters in high-risk patients undergoing joint arthroplasty

Purpose Patients at significantly increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) undergoing total joint arthroplasty are a clinical challenge, given the paradoxical indication and contraindication to prophylactic anticoagulation. We hypothesize that the use of potentially retrievable IVC filters (prIVCF) in this high-risk patient population is safe and effective in preventing pulmonary embolism (PE) and mitigates long-term complications associated with permanent IVC filters. Materials and Methods In this prospective, IRB-approved study, prIVCF were placed in consecutive patients who met high-risk criteria (prior history of VTE, strong family history of VTE, or hypercoaguable state) prior to total joint arthroplasty. Patients were followed until the IVC filter was removed. Outcomes and complications were recorded as per Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines. Results Forty-two potentially retrievable IVC filters (17 Option [Rex Medical, Conshohocken, PA] and 25 Celect [Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN]) were placed in 40 patients, who all subsequently underwent joint arthroplasty. Forty-one IVC filters (97.6%) were retrieved successfully in a mean time of 59.8 days (range 27-183 days). There was 1 failed IVC filter retrieval attempt (2.3%) at 46 days post implantation. Two patients (4.6%) suffered from recurrent PE and were successfully treated with anticoagulation prior to IVC filter retrieval. There were no fatalities from perioperative PE. In 1 patient (2.3%), a fractured filter leg embolized to the heart during retrieval, resulting in hemopericardium requiring thoracotomy. Conclusion Potentially retrievable IVC filters are safe and effective for prophylaxis against fatal PE in patients at high risk for VTE undergoing joint replacement surgery. The majority of prIVCF can be successfully removed, mitigating potential long-term filter-related complications.
Network models for ecosystem-based fishery analysis : a review of concepts and application to the Gulf of Alaska marine food web

We apply graph theory and network analysis to the food web of the Gulf of Alaska marine ecosystem to classify its structural properties, which suggest how the ecosystem as a whole may respond to he...
Heterogeneous reduction of U6+ by structural Fe2+ from theory and experiment

Abstract Computational and experimental studies were performed to explore heterogeneous reduction of U 6+ by structural Fe 2+ at magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) surfaces. Molecular Fe–Fe–U models representing a uranyl species adsorbed in a biatomic bidentate fashion to an iron surface group were constructed. Various possible charge distributions in this model surface complex were evaluated in terms of their relative stabilities and electron exchange rates using ab initio molecular orbital methods. Freshly-cleaved, single crystals of magnetite with different initial Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ ratios were exposed to uranyl-nitrate solution (pH ∼ 4) for 90 h. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy indicated the presence of a mixed U 6+ /U 5+ precipitate heterogeneously nucleated and grown on stoichiometric magnetite surfaces, but only the presence of sorbed U 6+ and no precipitate on sub-stoichiometric magnetite surfaces. Calculated electron transfer rates indicate that sequential multi-electron uranium reduction is not kinetically limited by conductive electron resupply to the adsorption site. Both theory and experiment point to structural Fe 2+ density, taken as a measure of thermodynamic reducing potential, and sterically accessible uranium coordination environments as key controls on uranium reduction extent and rate. Uranium incorporation in solid phases where its coordination is constrained to the uranate type should widen the stability field of U 5+ relative to U 6+ . If uranium cannot acquire 8-fold coordination then reduction may proceed to U 5+ but not necessarily U 4+ .
Phosphorylation of Myosin Binding Protein-C Alters the Proximity of Cross-Bridges to Actin and Accelerates Myocardial Twitch Kinetics

The strength and kinetics of cardiac contraction vary on a beat-to-beat basis in efforts to match cardiac output in response to changing circulatory demands. In living myocardium, the beta-adrenoreceptor agonist dobutamine initiates protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylations of Ca2+ handling proteins and contractile proteins including cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), which leads to potentiation of twitch force and faster kinetics of force development and relaxation. Our previous studies in skinned myocardium suggest that PKA phosphorylation of cMyBP-C disrupts its interaction with myosin subfragment 2 (S2), which relieves the tether-like constraint of myosin heads imposed by cMyBP-C, and thereby accelerates cross-bridge cycling kinetics. To examine the relative role of cMyBP-C phosphorylation in altering twitch kinetics, we recorded twitch force and low-angle x-ray diffraction patterns in between twitches and near maximum twitch force in intact trabeculae isolated from murine myocardium electrically stimulated at 0.5 Hz in the presence and absence of dobutamine. Our data suggest that phosphorylation of cMyBP-C caused a radial or azimuthal displacement of cross-bridges towards the thin filament in vivo prior to the twitch, which contributes to the accelerated contraction kinetics following twitch stimulation. These results suggest that interactions between cMyBP-C and the S2-domain of myosin heavy chain are dynamically regulated by phosphorylation of cMyBP-C and function to modulate the availability and cooperative binding of cross-bridges to actin during the myocardial twitch.
Ultrasound imaging from vaporization signals emitted by phase change contrast agents

Phase change contrast agents (PCCAs) exhibit a unique acoustic signature during the transition from a liquid droplet to a gas microbubble. Here, we demonstrate that this event can be used to generate an ultrasound image, and that the signal can be separated from that of a conventional microbubble. This presents a new opportunity to monitor PCCA activation in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. A confocal, dual-frequency transducer was used to transmit 2 cycle, Gaussian enveloped sinusoids at 8 MHz and passively receive at 1 MHz. PCCAs were continuously infused through a microcellulose tube (250 µm diameter). At low pressures, vaporization signals from PCCAs were of significantly higher energy than signals emitted from the equivalent microbubble formulation. Specifically, when a peak negative pressure (PNP) of 0.51 MPa was transmitted, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was 18.94 dB for PCCAs and 2.28 dB for control microbubbles. As the PNP was increased to 0.76 MPa, these values changed to 22.1 dB and 9.73 dB, respectively. Time-domain averaging (TDA) helped to increase the separation of PCCA and microbubble signals. After TDA, the CNR at 0.76 MPa was 23.79 dB for PCCAs and 1.72 dB for microbubbles. The lateral resolution of the system was pressure dependent. With increasing pressure, the apparent diameter of the tube increased from 0.74 mm at 0.51 MPa to 1.14 mm at 0.76 MPa. This is due to the fact that the focal zone capable of activating PCCAs expands with increasing pressure.
A note on the vectorization of scalar recursions (Short Communication)

Abstract A comparison is made of the performance of three methods for scalar recursions (with Horner's scheme as a special case) on vector computers.
ToF–SIMS analysis of a fluorocarbon-grafted PET with a gold cluster ion source

Abstract Cluster ions have been recognized as a superb primary species in time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF–SIMS) compared with monatomic primary ions, as they significantly enhance the secondary ion yields from bulk samples. Self-assembled monolayers provide an important system for studying the fundamental mechanism involved in the yield enhancement. We used a gold cluster ion source to analyze a new type of self-assembled monolayer: a fluorocarbon-grafted polyethylene terephthalate. In addition to the structure details, which helped to understand the grafting mechanism, ToF–SIMS analysis revealed that fluorocarbon secondary ion yield enhancements by cluster ions were due to the enhanced sputter efficiency. A larger information depth may also be expected from the enhancement. Both mathematical definitions of damage cross-section and disappearance cross-section were revisited under a new context. Another cross-section parameter, sputter cross-section, was introduced to differentiate the beam induced sputter process from damage process.
The combination of amlodipine and angiotensin receptor blocker or diuretics in high risk hypertensive patients

Background and Objectives Antihypertensive therapy is effective in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. However, blood pressure (BP) control rate remains poor and the optimal combination therapy against hypertension is not established in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of two antihypertensive regimens, amlodipine plus telmisartan and amlodipine plus amiloride/hydrochlorothiazide, in patients with essential hypertension and at least one cardiovascular risk factor.
An experimental equation of state for sodium

Abstract An experimental equation of state for sodium has been obtained for pressures to 20,000 atm and for temperatures from 20°K to the melting point. Various experimental details are given of an apparatus with which it is possible to obtain pressure-volume data which are reliable to ± 0002 in ΔV V 0 over this range of temperature and pressure. The equation of state can be represented to within the above accuracy by an expression which is derived from the assumption that the isothermal compressibility is linear with volume and has no explicit temperature dependence. A discussion is given of the effect of these assumptions on the validity of calculations of the variation with volume of the temperature dependent contribution to the thermodynamic functions. Grueneisen onstants as obtained from various definitions are calculated as functions of temperature and volume, and the validity of the Mie-Grueneisen equation of state as it applies to sodium appears open to question below room temperature. Recent high pressure ultrasonic experiments on sodium are interpreted as being in agreement with this conclusion.
Declining sex differences in mortality from lung cancer in high-income nations.

After decades of widening, the difference in mortality from lung cancer between men and women has begun to narrow in recent years. Recognizing that the increase in smoking among women relative to men is the proximate cause of the changing sex difference in rates of lung cancer, I analyzed two approaches to identify the more distant sources of the changes. A gender-equality argument suggests that the difference is related to the more general equalization of women’s and men’s work and family roles, which also encourages the adoption of harmful behaviors such as smoking by women. An alternative explanation suggests that the convergence in mortality from lung cancer among men and women is the byproduct of a lag in the adoption, diffusion, and abatement of smoking by women. Using mortality data on 21 nations from 1955 to 1996, an analysis of logged rates of men’s and women’s lung cancer mortality and the logged ratio of the rates demonstrated little relationship between the sex difference and gender equality. However, I found a strong and consistent relationship between the sex difference and the stage of diffusion of the use of cigarettes.
PFN GASCA technique for detection of explosives and drugs

Abstract The applicability of nanosecond-resolved gamma-ray spectrometry for chemical analysis with pulsed fast neutrons — the PFN GASCA technique — is examined for detection of nitrate-based explosives and common drugs in luggage. By scanning the luggage with a collimated 7.5 MeV neutron beam and using the time of (n, xγ) events, a noninvasive fast multi-elemental 3-D mapping of luggage contents is feasible. The technique facilitates reliable detection of concealed explosives and, possibly, drugs at a high interrogation rate.
Intimate Partner Violence—Pediatric Risks of “Not Asking–Not Telling”

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects millions of adults and children each year. The associated risks for child maltreatment are significant, and IPV exposure can have significant harmful consequences for the child. Routine IPV screening in the context of the health care visit for a child in the emergency department can offer the opportunity to effectively identify child risks and provide appropriate intervention to improve child health and well-being. This article provides an overview of the importance of this issue for pediatric emergency physicians and other pediatric health care providers, the challenges to screening, innovative approaches to screening, and follow-up efforts.
Localization of methylation sites in the human O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter: correlation with gene suppression

Adducts of O 6 -alkylguanine in DNA that are induced by cytotoxic, carcinogenic or mutagenic alkylating agents can be removed by the DNA repair enzyme O 6 -methylguanineDNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Human tumor cell lines that do not express this enzyme (Mer - ) are hypersensitive to the effects of such alkylating agents, although the molecular basis of MGMT gene suppression is not yet understood. Previous studies suggested that Mer - cells deficient in this enzyme lack neither the gene nor the (trans-acting factors necessary for normal transcription. Methylation of CpG dinucleotides is an attractive mechanism to account for suppression of the MGMT gene; however, there have been reports of both direct and inverse correlations between methylation and MGMT expression. We previously demonstrated an inverse correlation between methylation at a single SmaI site in the human MGMT promoter and gene expression. To substantiate this observation, we examined additional CpGs in the promoters of three Mer + and three Mer - cell lines, using rare methylation-sensitive restriction sites, and then sought to identify the region where methylation correlated with gene expression. Six CpGs in the region from -245 bp to +225 bp (relative to the transcription start site) were completely unmethylated in all Mer + cells, whereas in Mer - cells were at least partially methylated. The methylation status of CpGs further upstream did not correlate with MGMT expression. We conclude, therefore, that the association between CpG methylation and suppressed MGMT gene activity extends to sites other than SmaI but is limited to a core region of the promoter
The pharmacology of two structurally isomeric mono-phenyl substituted 1, 2, 4-triazoles.

Pharmacological comparison of 1-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole (1-P) and 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole (4-P) revealed that these two-position isomers produce qualitatively opposite effects. In studies performed on intact unanesthetized mice and rats, 1-P caused depression and impairment of motor function, whereas 4-P caused excitation and clonic convulsions. Further experiments on anesthetized and spinal cats and on isolated tissue preparations suggested that both agents act at brain-stem level, and that neither triazole produces any direct peripheral autonomic effect. Investigation of interaction between isomers indicated that either compound was capable of antagonizing the action of the other.
Peut-on parler de processus psychanalytique dans les traitements parents/bébé ?

Des psychanalystes depuis plus de vingt ans sont sollicites, de facon croissante, pour des enfants de 0 a 3 ans, parfois directement par les parents. Malgre les reticences de quelques-uns, cette intervention parait utile pour aider de facon specifique les parents en difficulte avec un bebe. La question de la place du bebe dans ces rencontres est plus controversee. Dans cette clinique, la psychanalyse se trouve confrontee a des notions qui se sont developpees a sa marge, telles l’empathie, l’empathie metaphorisante et la narrativite. Dans ces nouvelles aventures, qu’apporte la psychanalyse et y gagne-t-elle quelque chose ?
Perceived body image among African Americans with type 2 diabetes

Abstract Objective To assess current, desired and best body image in the opposite sex and examine correlates of body image dissatisfaction. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis at baseline of 185 (141 women, 44 men) African Americans with type 2 diabetes in Project Sugar 1 , a randomized controlled trial of primary care-based interventions to improve diabetic control. Results Women had a significantly lower desired body image compared to their current body image (BMI ∼ 27.7 versus ∼35.3). Men preferred a body image for women that was similar to the body image that women desired for themselves (BMI ∼ 28.3 versus ∼27.7). Significant correlates of body image dissatisfaction included self-perception of being overweight and attempting weight-loss ( P Practical implications Among overweight and obese African–American women with diabetes, it is important to first address an individual's perceived body image, perceived risk of disease, desired body image, and weight-loss perceptions. In addition to the aesthetic benefits of weight-loss, there is a need to focus on the health benefits in order to intervene among African Americans with diabetes.
Rapid, On-Line Preconcentration, Matrix Normalization, and Signal Enhancement for Flame Atomic Absorption via Tubular Donnan Dialysis

The application of tubular ion-exchange membranes for on-line use with flame atomic absorption (FAA) was investigated. Signal enhancement factors as high as 22 were observed within five minutes for a variety of cations. Enhancements improved with lower pH receiver solutions, increased tubing length, and increased temperature. Optimum receiver flow rates were a compromise between optima for independent Donnan dialysis or FAA experiments. Low anion interferences were observed for phosphate-to-calcium mole ratios up to 80.
IL-4 inhibits IL-2 induction of LAK cytotoxicity in lymphocytes from a variety of lymphoid tissues

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of recombinant human interleukin-4 (IL-4) on the regulation of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) and mixed lymphocyte culture cytotoxic activity. Lymphocytes from several lymphoid tissues were studied including human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), spleen cells, thymocytes, and thoracic duct lymphocytes. Cells were cultured with IL-4 in the presence or absence of recombinant human interleukin-2 (IL-2) in 4-day cultures. LAK and natural killer (NK) activities were measured in a standard chromium release cytotoxicity assay against LAK-sensitive, NK-resistant M14 melanoma targets and NK-sensitive K562 erythroleukemic cells. IL-4 alone does not increase NK or LAK activity under the conditions studied. However, IL-4 does inhibit the induction of cytotoxic activity by IL-2. IL-4 inhibits IL-2-induced thymidine incorporation in 3-day PBL cultures, suggesting that the inhibition of cytotoxicity is not a dilution effect due to the proliferation of noncytotoxic cell populations. IL-4 also inhibits the development of LAK and NK-like activities generated in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) while augmenting MLC-generated allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. Thus, IL-4 appears to inhibit the induction of nonspecific cytotoxic effectors while augmenting the generation of MHC-specific responses. This confirms an important regulatory function for this lymphokine in the generation of cytotoxic effectors.
Diagnostic accuracy of pattern differentiation algorithm based on Chinese medicine theory: a stochastic simulation study

Background: Clinical practice of Chinese medicine requires little information for differentiation of Zang-fu patterns. This study is to test the impact of information amount on the diagnostic accuracy of pattern differentiation algorithm (PDA) using stochastic simulation of cases. Methods: A dataset with 69 Zang-fu single patterns was used with manifestations according to the Four Examinations, namely inspection (Ip), auscultation and olfaction (AO), inquiry (Iq) and palpation (P). A variable quantity of available information (N%) was randomly sampled to generate 100 true positive and 100 true negative manifestation profiles per pattern to which PDA was applied. Four runs of simulations were used according to the Four Examinations: Ip, Ip+AO, Ip+AO+Iq and Ip+AO+Iq+P. The algorithm performed pattern differentiation by ranking a list of diagnostic hypotheses by the amount of explained information F%. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and negative and positive predictive values were calculated. Results: Use the Four Examinations resulted in the best accuracy with the smallest cutoff value (N% = 28.5%), followed by Ip+AO+Iq (33.5%), Ip+AO (51.5%) and Ip (52.0%). All tested combinations provided concave-shaped curves for accuracy, indicating an optimal value subject to N %-cutoff . Use of N %-cutoff as a secondary criterion resulted in 94.7% (94.3; 95.1) accuracy, 89.8% (89.1; 90.6) sensitivity, and 99.5% (99.3; 99.7) specificity with the Four Examinations. Conclusion: Pattern differentiation based on both explained and optimum available information (F% and N%-cutoff) is more accurate than using explained and available information without cutoff (F% and N % ). Both F % and N %-cutoff should be used as PDA's objective criteria to perform Zang-fu single pattern differentiation.
Potential carbon and nitrogen mineralization in soils from a perennial forage production system amended with class B biosolids

Abstract The effects of biosolids application rate and history on soil potential C and N mineralization were measured over a 112-day laboratory incubation. Soils were collected from a large-scale biosolids recycling operation that surface-applies anaerobically digested Class B biosolids for commercial forage production. Five treatments were evaluated: unamended control; 22 Mg dry biosolids ha−1 y−1 applied for 25 years; 22, 45, and 67 Mg ha−1 y−1 applied for 8 years. Biosolids additions enhanced total soil organic C by 32–92% and total N by 30–157% compared to unamended soils. Total N increased with application rate and was dominated by nitrate-N. Potential C mineralization (cumulative CO2 produced) was 11–62% greater in amended soils compared to controls and highest at 67 Mg ha−1 y−1. Net N mineralization and immobilization were highest early in the incubation for 45 and 67 Mg ha−1 y−1 treatments. No significant differences in potential C and N mineralization between controls and soils amended at the lowest rate for 8 or 25 years suggests that biosolids applications at 22 Mg ha−1 y−1 are sustainable over the long-term. Higher potential N mineralization rates and soil nitrate concentrations under higher application rates may increase the risk of off-site nutrient transport and requires further evaluation.
Obesity and symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee

Given the growing prevalence of obesity around the world and its association with osteoarthritis of the knee, orthopaedic surgeons need to be familiar with the management of the obese patient with degenerative knee pain. The precise mechanism by which obesity leads to osteoarthritis remains unknown, but is likely to be due to a combination of mechanical, humoral and genetic factors. Weight loss has clear medical benefits for the obese patient and seems to be a logical way of relieving joint pain associated with degenerative arthritis. There are a variety of ways in which this may be done including diet and exercise, and treatment with drugs and bariatric surgery. Whether substantial weight loss can delay or even reverse the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis remains to be seen. Surgery for osteoarthritis in the obese patient can be technically more challenging and carries a risk of additional complications. Substantial weight loss before undertaking total knee replacement is advisable. More prospective studies that evaluate the effect of significant weight loss on the evolution of symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee are needed so that orthopaedic surgeons can treat this patient group appropriately.
Function and dynamics of PKD2 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii flagella

To analyze the function of ciliary polycystic kidney disease 2 (PKD2) and its relationship to intraflagellar transport (IFT), we cloned the gene encoding Chlamydomonas reinhardtii PKD2 (CrPKD2), a protein with the characteristics of PKD2 family members. Three forms of this protein (210, 120, and 90 kD) were detected in whole cells; the two smaller forms are cleavage products of the 210-kD protein and were the predominant forms in flagella. In cells expressing CrPKD2–GFP, about 10% of flagellar CrPKD2–GFP was observed moving in the flagellar membrane. When IFT was blocked, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching of flagellar CrPKD2–GFP was attenuated and CrPKD2 accumulated in the flagella. Flagellar CrPKD2 increased fourfold during gametogenesis, and several CrPKD2 RNA interference strains showed defects in flagella-dependent mating. These results suggest that the CrPKD2 cation channel is involved in coupling flagellar adhesion at the beginning of mating to the increase in flagellar calcium required for subsequent steps in mating.
Randomized Comparison of Cooked and Noncooked Diets in Patients Undergoing Remission Induction Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Purpose A neutropenic diet is often used to prevent infection in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although such a diet potentially entails inconvenience, its value is uncertain. Patients and Methods One hundred fifty-three patients admitted to a high-efficiency particulate air–filtered room (protected environment [PE]) to receive induction therapy for newly diagnosed AML were randomly assigned to a diet containing no raw fruits or vegetables (cooked diet) or to a diet containing fresh fruit and fresh vegetables (raw diet). Stratification was based on the patients’ early risk of mortality (ERM) score. All patients received antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis and remained on study until they were discharged from the PE. The outcomes of principal interest were major infection (pneumonia, bacteremia, or fungemia) and death; if the true probability of either event was 20% on the cooked arm and 40% on the raw arm, then the probability that the cooked arm would be selected as superior was 83%. Re...
Issues relating to agricultural pricing policies and their analysis in developing countries

Abstract Agricultural pricing policies in developing countries are often the result of complex interactions between producer, consumer and merchant groups and their relative effectiveness in influencing government decision making. Even within governments, various ministries often have opposing views. In this environment one of the contributions a policy analyst can make is to attempt to quantify the effects of different policy options. This permits a more informed discussion which hopefully leads to better decision-making and an improved incentive environment. Many analyses of agricultural pricing policies have used the standard partial equilibrium analysis where no linkages between commodity markets were considered. In this paper we have considered cross-price effects. Also, we have discussed issues relating to other adjustments/refinements of the standard method so that a practitioner not familiar with the various methods can form an opinion of what the options are and what adjustments may be appropriate for a particular case in question. The adjustments relate to overvaluation of currencies, input price distortions, differences in the degree of distortions between producers and consumers, and variability of border prices. The inclusion of cross-price elasticities was important for assessing production, consumption and trade effects for Argentina, but for the other countries it resulted in only somewhat improved accuracy. The adjustment for exchange rates had a large impact in Egypt and was important for other countries as well. This underlines the importance of exchange rates as key variables for agricultural pricing policies in general. The numbers show that the traditional taxation policies of agricultural products in the sample of developing countries is somewhat less widespread than in the past. These policies, however, continue to favor consumers over producers, with significant losses for some of the latter. The large size of welfare losses, especially compared to efficiency losses, highlights the importance of correcting distorted prices that adversely affect the poorest sections of society. Also, the usual government objective of taxing producers to raise revenues is frequently defeated by the large subsidies provided to consumers. For the partitioner, for whom time is often of the essence, the assessment of welfare effects using the partial equilibrium method may provide reasonably good ‘first cut’ estimates of the order of magnitude of the impact of distortions. But often, these ‘base case estimates’ can and should be adjusted for a number of possible factors. The analyst needs to determine how important accurate estimates of key variables are to the policy makers; he or she then needs to compare the costs involved in generating or gathering the data and doing the calculations with the benefits of a broader and more accurate analysis of the distortionary effects of the particular case in question.
PREFERENCE FOR REINFORCERS UNDER PROGRESSIVE- AND FIXED-RATIO SCHEDULES: A COMPARISON OF SINGLE AND CONCURRENT ARRANGEMENTS

Progressive-ratio (PR) schedules were used to identify the break point (i.e., the last schedule value completed) for 2 reinforcers under single and concurrent schedules. After the respective break points were established, the same reinforcers were presented under concurrent fixed-ratio (FR) schedules that were yoked to the break points obtained with the PR schedules. Results suggested that the participants responded more for the high-preference item than for the low-preference item, regardless of the presentation arrangement (single or concurrent presentations). This pattern of responding was maintained when the reinforcers were presented under dissimilar FR schedules. The results suggest that responding for differentially preferred stimuli may vary as a function of differences in schedule requirements.
A simple method for obtaining esophageal electrocardiograms of good diagnostic quality.

Resumen Le curvate deviationes erratic del linea de base que es normalmente characteristic de electrocardiogrammas esophagee obtenite per medio de electrodos conventional a puncta metallic, es apparentemente causate per un variabile potential de contacto al extremitate distal del electrodo. Iste defecto es practicamente eliminate per le uso de un simple ponte electrolytic que consiste in principio de un solution salin physiologic intra un plastic sonda gastric. A causa del simplicitate e efficacia de iste methodo illo es portate al attention del interessatos in le campo de electrocardiographia esophagee.
Regulation of the human cathepsin E gene by the constitutive androstane receptor.

Cathepsin E (CTSE) is an aspartic protease that has been linked to antigen processing and innate immunity. Elevated levels of CTSE expression have also been associated with several forms of cancer, including carcinomas exhibiting highly invasive character. In this study, we performed DNA microarray experiments, together with quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analyses and enzymatic activity determinations to identify human CTSE as a novel target gene for regulation by the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a nuclear receptor activated by the liver tumor promoting agent, phenobarbital. In particular, two motifs within the 5′-flanking region of the human CTSE gene were identified as direct sites of interaction with CAR/RXRα heterodimers, a direct repeat-3 site at position −766 and a direct repeat-4 site at position −1407. Thus, these studies demonstrate CAR-mediated regulation of CTSE within primary hepatocyte cultures from several individual donors and suggest that elevated CTSE activity may play a functional role in the etiology of hepatocarcinogenesis.
Effect of temperature on in-use stiction of cantilever beams coated with perfluorinated alkysiloxane monolayers

The effect of annealing (for temperatures up to 300 degC) on the antistiction performance of perfluorinated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is characterized using polycrystalline Si cantilever beam arrays. The monolayers 1H,1H,2H,2H, perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) and 1H,1H,2H,2H, perfluorodecyldimethylchlorosilane (FDDMCS) deposited from both liquid and vapor phase are investigated. It is observed that stiction decreases upon annealing for both monolayers and for both types of deposition. FDTS, however, displays greater temperature stability than FDDMCS regardless of the mode of deposition. The higher thermal resistance of the FDTS underscores the importance of monolayer crosslinking since unlike FDDMCS, FDTS forms a siloxane network on the surface. Further vacuum annealing and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments are performed to identify chemical changes in the monolayer during annealing. Incipient monolayer degradation is observed, with loss of the whole fluorinated monolayer chain. This process appears drastically different from the decomposition mechanism of hydrogenated alkylsiloxane monolayers such as octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)
What's the difference?: efficient set reconciliation without prior context

We describe a synopsis structure, the Difference Digest, that allows two nodes to compute the elements belonging to the set difference in a single round with communication overhead proportional to the size of the difference times the logarithm of the keyspace. While set reconciliation can be done efficiently using logs, logs require overhead for every update and scale poorly when multiple users are to be reconciled. By contrast, our abstraction assumes no prior context and is useful in networking and distributed systems applications such as trading blocks in a peer-to-peer network, and synchronizing link-state databases after a partition.Our basic set-reconciliation method has a similarity with the peeling algorithm used in Tornado codes [6], which is not surprising, as there is an intimate connection between set difference and coding. Beyond set reconciliation, an essential component in our Difference Digest is a new estimator for the size of the set difference that outperforms min-wise sketches [3] for small set differences.Our experiments show that the Difference Digest is more efficient than prior approaches such as Approximate Reconciliation Trees [5] and Characteristic Polynomial Interpolation [17]. We use Difference Digests to implement a generic KeyDiff service in Linux that runs over TCP and returns the sets of keys that differ between machines.
Midlife Impacts of Adolescent Parenthood

The present study examined the midlife outcomes of 548 adults who became parents before the age of 20. Participants were from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) and were followed prospectively from age 18 until age 53. Their life-course development was compared to sample members who gave birth at the mean age for the WLS. Midlife outcomes were assessed in five domains: educational and occupational attainment, family formation, social participation and support, physical health, and psychological health. Compared to delayed child bearers, early child bearers completed less schooling and, in midlife, had less prestigious occupations, more unstable marriages, and were less physically healthy. Differences were not evident in appraisals of job and marital satisfaction, social support, and psychological health, revealing areas of positive adaptation as well as areas of vulnerability unique to adolescent parenthood.
An algorithm for optimal control of the intra-aortic balloon pump

Based on studies of the intraaortic balloon pump (IABP), a performance index reflecting cardiac oxygen balance was formulated and implemented in an optimal control system. This control system changes the deflation time of the IABP with respect to the R-wave to maximize the performance index. Features of the algorithm include the ability to adapt to rapid changes in heart rate, to track a changing optimal point, and to allow the operator to vary the weights assigned to the performance index variables. >
Improving Student Comprehension of Social Studies Text: A Self-Questioning Strategy for Inclusive Middle School Classes:

This study employed a randomized experimental design to investigate the effectiveness of a self-questioning strategy for improving student reading comprehension of grade-level social studies text material. Fifty-seven seventh grade students with a range of abilities, including English as second language learners and students with learning and other disabilities, from three inclusive middle school classes participated. Results indicated that students in the self-questioning strategy group outperformed students in a typical practice group on both multiple-choice and open-ended comprehension tests of the social studies content read. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Feedback capacity of finite-state machine channels

We consider a finite-state machine channel with a finite memory length (e.g., finite length intersymbol interference channels with finite input alphabets-also known as partial response channels). For such a finite-state machine channel, we show that feedback-dependent Markov sources achieve the feedback capacity, and that the required memory length of the Markov process matches the memory length of the channel. Further, we show that the whole history of feedback is summarized by the causal posterior channel state distribution, which is computed by the sum-product forward recursion of the Bahl-Cocke-Jelinek-Raviv (BCJR) (Baum-Welch, discrete-time Wonham filtering) algorithm. These results drastically reduce the space over which the optimal feedback-dependent source distribution needs to be sought. Further, the feedback capacity computation may then be formulated as an average-reward-per-stage stochastic control problem, which is solved by dynamic programming. With the knowledge of the capacity-achieving source distribution, the value of the capacity is easily estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. When the feedback is delayed, we show that the feedback capacity can be computed by similar procedures. We also show that the delayed feedback capacity is a tight upper bound on the feedforward capacity by comparing it to tight existing lower bounds. We demonstrate the applicability of the method by computing the feedback capacity of partial response channels and the feedback capacity of run-length-limited (RLL) sequences over binary symmetric channels (BSCs).
Defining movements rhetorically: Casting the widest net

The rhetorical study of movements has several attractions and the number of studies has increased significantly in recent years as has the number of articles theorizing about the rhetorical definition of movements. These theoretical explanations have not been followed in practice by critics and exhibit four problems that limit their usefulness. They assume that movements are linear phenomena, they over‐emphasize cause and effect analysis, they stress intentional analysis unnecessarily, and they prescribe excessively rigid definitions of the phenomena they study. The solution is to let the critic define a movement by the study done and make it acceptable by effectively arguing its usefulness and carefulness. This will open the study of movements to a variety of methodologies and make our theory more consistent with our practice.
Buprenorphine for Prescription Opioid Addiction in a Patient With Depression and Alcohol Dependence

Marc J. Fishman, M.D., Li-Tzy Wu, Sc.D., and George E. Woody, M.D. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Mountain Manor Treatment Center, Baltimore; the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.; and the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Treatment Research Institute, Philadelphia
Effect of obesity on linear growth.

Purpose of review To describe our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of linear growth in childhood obesity. Recent findings The developmental origins hypothesis has focused on low birth weight individuals with subsequent obesity, identifying a cascade of neuroendocrine regulatory factors involved in the progressive increase in body fat and metabolic risk. Yet, tall stature is the common clinical outcome of childhood obesity. Recent data have expanded our understanding of environmental influences on developing systems. Here, we review the elements of neuroendocrine systems contributing to the integration of metabolic controls involved in growth regulation in the obese child with particular emphasis on growth hormone, ghrelin, insulin-like growth factors and insulin. Summary Growth patterns of obesity during childhood are well described, documenting increased linear growth in early childhood associated with accelerated pubertal maturation resulting in normal adult height. Despite recent data suggesting that ghrelin and the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, as well as the insulin-like growth factors, their binding proteins and insulin have potential to be mediators of nutrient exposure and linear growth, it remains to be determined how these systems interrelate and determine growth. This is an area of ongoing investigation.
Status and directions for the PYRAMID parallel unstructured AMR library

This is a status report on our progress with the development of PYRAMID, a Fortran 90/95-based library for parallel unstructured adaptive mesh refinement. The library has been designed to simplify the use of adaptive methods in computational science applications by introducing many advanced software engineering features. In this paper, design and performance issues are described concluding with a discussion of our future development plans.
Design technique for mitigation of alpha-particle-induced single-event transients in combinational logic

Alpha particles incident on CMOS integrated circuits deposit charges on circuit nodes resulting in single-event transients (SETs). These transient errors propagate through the circuit and reach a latch where they may get latched under proper conditions. This paper presents circuit design techniques to remove the effects of such SET pulses from the circuit. An optimized design is developed whose area, power, and speed performance is superior to other design methods for SET mitigation. Simulation results showing SET pulse elimination are presented.
The Transition to Air Breathing in Fishes:: I. Environmental Effects on the Facultative Air Breathing of Ancistrus Chagresi and Hypostomus Plecostomus Loricariidae

In response to progressive aquatic hypoxia, the armoured loricariid catfishes Ancistrus chagresi and Hypostomus plecostomus become facultative air-breathers and utilize their stomachs as accessory air-breathing organs. Hypostomus initiates air breathing at a higher aquatic O 2 tension ( P w, O w, O2 ) than does Ancistrus (60 v . 33 mmHg). Once begun, the air-breathing frequencies of both species increase with decreasing P w, O w, O2 ; the frequency of Ancistrus , however, is greater than and increases more with hypoxia than does that of Hypostomus , which appears to be a more efficient air breather. Hypoxia acclimation reduces the air-breathing rate of both species. A larger rate reduction occurs in Ancistrus , which, however, continues to require more frequent breaths than Hypostomus . Hypoxia acclimation does not affect the air-breathing threshold of either species, suggesting that external O 2 receptors initiate facultative air breathing. In progressive aquatic hypercapnia Ancistrus has a lower air-breathing CO 2 threshold (8.7 mmHg) than Hypostomus (12.8 mmHg). However, in some tests, individual fish of both species did not initiate air breathing even at P w, CO w, CO2 as high as 21 mmHg. Also, air breathing evoked by hypercapnia was short-lived; both species quickly compensated for this gas and resumed exclusively aquatic respiration within a few hours of exposure. Thus, CO 2 is not an important regulator of air breathing in these species. Between 25 and 35 °C, the P w, O w, O2 air breathing threshold of Ancistrus is temperature-independent, but air-breathing frequency increases with temperature. Ancistrus and Hypostomus do not breathe air in normoxic (air-saturated) water; their air-breathing responses are evoked by environmental hypoxia. This is fundamentally different from other fish species that breathe air in normoxia in order to meet heightened metabolic demands. Also, the facultative air-breathing adaptations of Ancistrus and Hypostomus differ in scope and magnitude from those utilized by species that breathe air in nor-moxia and adapt to hypoxia by increasing air-breathing rate.