cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Organizations and the Production of Systemic Risk

Organizations and Systemic Risks Systemic risks are those threatening multiple parts of an organizations, or other organizations and systems in its environment. Interdependencies abound in our highly technological world and can be unexpected, and in the case of global warming—largely an organizational failure—dire. An 80% reduction in the assets of oil, gas, and coal companies is required to reduce warming but is not anticipated. So-called “natural” disasters are shown to be enhanced or even caused by organizations. The organizational roots of the 2008 economic meltdown, Fukushima, and chemical plant accidents are examined with regard to regulations, profits, and system interdependencies. With economic systems favoring short-run concerns, and shareholder rather than stakeholder values, there is little evidence of emerging long-run visions that could protect future generations. Keywords: organizations; risks; accidents; catastrophes; vulnerabilities; climate change
Cardiovascular risk markers in hypothalamic amenorrhoea.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether women with oestrogendeficiency due to hypothalamic amenorrhoea (HA) would demonstrate a lipid and lipoprotein pattern similar to that seen in menopause with higher total cholesterol (TC), LDL, triglyceride and Lp(a) and lower HDL levels than women with regular menstrual cycles. DESIGN Cross-sectional. PATIENTS Fifty subjects: 21 women with HA and 30 eumenorrhoeic controls (NL) matched for age, BMI and fat-free mass. MEASUREMENTS Lipid and lipoprotein levels. RESULTS There was a significant difference in Lp(a) levels in the HA group between women with >19% fat intake and those 0.05], LDL [2.8 ± 0.6 (HA) vs. 2.7 ± 0.7 mmol/l (NL), P > 0.05], triglycerides [1.8 ± 0.5 (HA) vs. 1.7 ± 0.5 mmol/l (NL), P > 0.05] or Lp(a) [234 ± 199 (HA) vs. 247 ± 222 (NL) mg/l, P > 0.05] levels. CONCLUSION Reduced Lp(a) levels were associated with low dietary fat in women with HA. Moreover, in contrast to menopausal oestrogen deficiency, young women with HA and oestrogen deficiency have increased levels of HDL and no increases in TC, LDL and triglycerides. These data suggest that the negative effects of oestrogen deficiency on cardiovascular risk factors may be modified in women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea.
Does a Video Improve Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and HIV Testing among a Global Internet Audience?

The objectives of this study were to determine if a video improved HIV/AIDS and HIV testing knowledge among a global sample of Internet users, to discern if this improvement was the same for English and Spanish speakers, and to ascertain if the video was efficacious for those with lower health literacy. A worldwide sample of English- or Spanish-speaking Internet users was solicited. Participants completed a 25-item questionnaire to assess their HIV/AIDS and HIV testing knowledge before and after watching the video. Mean scores on the questionnaire improved after watching the video for both English speakers (after: 19.6 versus before: 16.4; Δ = 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8-3.5) and Spanish speakers (20.7 versus 17.3; Δ = 3.4; 95% CI: 3.0-3.8). There was no difference in improvement of scores between English and Spanish speakers (Δ = −0.24; 95% CI: −0.79 to 0.31), and this video was equally efficacious for those with lower and higher health literacy skills.
Assessing effects of native forest restoration on soil moisture dynamics and potential aquifer recharge, Auwahi, Maui

Understanding the role of soils in regulating water flow through the unsaturated zone is critical in assessing the influence of vegetation on soil moisture dynamics and aquifer recharge. Because of fire, introduced ungulates and landscape-level invasion of non-native grasses, less than 10% of original dry forest (~730 mm precipitation annually) still exists on leeward Haleakalā, Maui, Hawaiian Islands. Native dry forest restoration at Auwahi has demonstrated the potential for dramatic revegetation, allowing a unique experimental comparison of hydrologic function between tracts of restored forest and adjacent grasslands. We hypothesized that even relatively recent forest restoration can assist in the recovery of impaired hydrologic function, potentially increasing aquifer recharge. To compare restored forest and grassland sites, we experimentally irrigated and measured soil moisture and temperature with subsurface instrumentation at four locations within the reforested area and four within the grassland, each with a 2·5 × 2·5-m plot. Compared with grassland areas, water in reforested sites moved to depth faster with larger magnitude changes in water content. The median first arrival velocity of water was greater by a factor of about 13 in the reforested sites compared with the grassland sites. This rapid transport of water to depths of 1 m or greater suggests increased potential aquifer recharge. Improved characterization of how vegetation and soils influence recharge is crucial for understanding the long-term impacts of forest restoration on aquifer recharge and water resources, especially in moisture-limited regions. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effects of radiations on oral regeneration in Stentor coeruleus.

Irradiation with ultraviolet light (254 nm) or ionizing radiation can prolong oral regeneration in the ciliate Stentor coeruleus. The primary response is an interruption in the regeneration cycle, starting soon after irradiation and leading to a delay in the completion of development. The relation of dose to delay, of cells irradiated early in regeneration, is approximately linear. Early stages of regeneration are maximally sensitive, with the peak sensitivity to ultraviolet light occurring slightly earlier than that to ionizing radiation. Cells irradiated with combined doses of both radiations are more affected than cells exposed to either single radiation dose alone. Possible interpretations of the results are discussed.
Inhibition of human lymphokine-activated killer activity by smokeless tobacco (snuff) extract

Chronic snuff dipping has been associated with oral cancer in man and experimental animals. Here, the effects of a water-extract of snuff on the in-vitro development of human lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity were examined. The snuff extract inhibited both LAK cytotoxicity and DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent fashion at concentrations of 0.125 to 2.0 per cent; above 2.0 per cent, cell viability decreased significantly. In contrast, the snuff extract had no effect on natural killer-cell cytotoxicity when incubated with fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes in a standard 4 h assay, or on LAK cytotoxicity when incubated only during the final 4 h effector phase. Lymphocyte protein synthesis was generally unaffected by the addition of this extract. Thus, a water-soluble snuff extract appears to suppress LAK activity by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Altered LAK function in the oral mucosa might permit the development of snuff-associated carcinogenesis.
Perceptual aspects of tool using in infancy

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the role of perceptual factors in the solution of tool-using problems by 9—10-month-old infants. In the first study, the infants were presented with seven different types of tools that varied in shape and in spatial contact with the same goal (a small fuzzy mechanical toy). The tools and the toy were either similar or different, in color and/or in texture. There were strong effects of spatial configuration across color/texture conditions. Color/texture interactions suggested that a similarity in both color and texture made the problems particularly difficult to solve. A second experiment was designed to separate the role of motor factors from the perceptual effect of spatial contact. On tool/goal combinations that were very similar in the motor skill involved, but distinguished by either a spatial contact or a small gap between tool and goal, the spatial contact items were significantly easier. The findings are discussed in terms of attention and memory processes in tool use, and the role of anticipatory imagery.
Electron-CF4 elastic scattering in the static-exchange approximation.

Differential, integral, and momentum-transfer cross sections for the elastic scattering of electrons by CF4 from 5 to 35 eV are reported. The calculations were carried out at the fixed-nuclei, static-exchange level usign the Schwinger variational principle. Analyses of the partial channel amplitudes show four broad shape resonances; two in T2, one in A1, and one in E symmetries. The positions of these resonances agree with experimental data from total-cross-section measurements, dissociative attachment studies, and low-energy electron excitation spectra, the only exception being the 8.9-eV structure in the total-cross-section data. No experimental measurements on differential cross sections are available, but comparing with the corresponding static-exchange calculations for the e-CH4 system, the e-CF4 cross sections generally are less backward peaked.
The role of basicranial synchondroses in flexure processes and ontogenetic development of the skull base

The contribution of the basicranial synchondroses in the growth of neurocranial length and ontogenetic development of the cranial base were investigated. The study concentrated on the midsphenoidal synchondrosis and its delayed fusion in nonhuman primates when compared to man, and on the spheno-occipital synchondrosis. The mode and time of fusion of both growth centers were observed, and their role in the ontogenetic growth changes (flattening processes) of the cranial base were established. The chondrogenic ossification of midsphenoidal and spheno-occipital synchondroses was studied on 20 skulls of Macaca mulatta females, ranging in age from newborn specimens to those 24 months old. The technique of in vivo tetracycline bone labeling was used for histologic evaluation of the material. Different chondrogenic growth patterns were observed in both synchondroses. The endochondral activity of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis increased with age, from a nonactive narrow cartilaginous column in the neonatal specimen to a broad band with high chondrogenic ossification in the 24-month-old specimens. This growth center contributes to elongation of the posterior portion of the cranial base and is a secondary factor in its flexion. The midsphenoidal synchondrosis seems to be the primary factor in the mode of flexure of the cranial base in Macaques. This growth center is very active in the first ten months of life but later exhibits cessation of chondrogenic activity and long remains unfused. The first signs of fusion were observed as late as 72 months of age. At the same time, the continuous process of cranial base flattening showed the first signs of tapering off.
Oral delivery of β-lactamase by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis transformed with Plasmid ss80

The objective was to use normal flora to deliver protein/peptide drugs orally. A probiotic bacterium, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (L. lactis) transformed with Plasmid ss80, which made it able to synthesize and secrete beta-lactamase, a 29 kDa protein, was used as the delivery system for beta-lactamase. Oral absorption of beta-lactamase in rats when delivered by this L. lactis system was investigated. The oral bioavailability of beta-lactamase delivered by 3x10(7) of the L. lactis was equivalent to 209 mU of i.v. dose, and the estimated relative bioavailability was 16.7%. When delivered by beta-lactamase free solution form, the relative oral bioavailability was 4.7%, which increased to 6.0% when co-administered with 3x10(7) of the untransformed L. lactis. The results demonstrated that the L. lactis significantly increased the beta-lactamase oral bioavailability by 2-3-folds (p<0.01), the mean residence time (MRT) by 3-4 times (p<0.01), and the mean absorption time (MAT) by 6-14 times (p<0.01), as compared to the free solution form with/without the untransformed L. lactis. In conclusion, the L. lactis is more efficient in delivering beta-lactamase orally compared with the free solution form. It also provides a sustained delivery mechanism for beta-lactamase. Gene-transformed normal flora may be used as an efficient and sustained delivery system for protein drugs through oral route.
Flavor preferences conditioned by sugars: rats learn to prefer glucose over fructose.

Abstract The reinforcing effects of glucose and fructose were compared using flavor preference conditioninng paradigms. Female rats given access to flavored glucose and flavored fructose solutions developed preferences for the glucose- over the fructose-paired flavor, as well as for unflavored glucose over unflavored fructose. This effect was obtained with 8% and 32% solutions, and with nondeprived and deprived rats. In most cases, the glucose preference was not immediate but appeared only after the rats had one-bottle experience with the two sugars. Female rats also preferred a glucose-paired flavor over a flavor that was paired with a noncaloric saccharin solution. A similar but somewhat weaker preference was displayed for a fructose-paired flavor over a saccharin-paired flavor. Both male and female rats acquired preferences for flavored chow that was paired with the intake of a 32% glucose solutio over flavored chow paired with 32% fructose intake. Together, these results indicate that glucose has more potent postingestive reinforcing effects than does fructose. This may explain why rats consume more glucose than fructose in one-bottle acceptance as well as two-bottle preference tests.
Moving from ethical awareness to deeper understanding and practice: kindergarten teachers’ experience with developing caring dispositions in children

The goal of this research is to seek information from the Cleveland (Ohio) and Buffalo (New York) area kindergarten teachers about their experience in development of caring dispositions in children. Two hundred questionnaires were sent, one hundred to each city. There was a low response rate of less than 10% from both cities. A qualitative method of data analysis based on descriptive and thematic approach was applied. The results showed how the teachers model and practise caring. This study gives examples of the programmes and many books these teachers are using for teaching caring. It also provides advice to new teachers on how to model, practise and teach caring.
The Super of Superradiance

In 1954, Robert Dicke introduced the concept of superradiance in describing the cooperative, spontaneous emission of photons from a collection of atoms. The concept of superradiance can be understood by picturing each atom as a tiny antenna emitting electromagnetic waves. Thermally excited atoms emit light randomly, and the emitted intensity is a function of the number of atoms, N . However, when the atomic “antennas” are coherently radiating in phase with each other, the net electromagnetic field is proportional to N , and therefore, the emitted intensity goes as N 2. As a result, the atoms radiate their energy N times faster than for incoherent emission. It is this anomalous radiance that Dicke dubbed “superradiance” ( 1 – 3 ).
Predicting school readiness from neurodevelopmental assessments at age 2 years after respiratory distress syndrome in infants born preterm

AIM To determine whether neurodevelopmental outcomes at the age of 2 years accurately predict school readiness in children who survived respiratory distress syndrome after preterm birth. METHOD Our cohort included 121 preterm infants who received surfactant and ventilation and were enrolled in a randomized controlled study of inhaled nitric oxide for respiratory distress syndrome. Abnormal outcomes at the age of 2 years were defined as neurosensory disability (cerebral palsy, blindness, or bilateral hearing loss) or delay (no neurosensory disability but Bayley Scales of Infant Development mental or performance developmental index scores <70). School readiness (assessed at a mean age of 5y 6mo, SD 1y) was determined using neurodevelopmental assessments of motor, sensory, receptive vocabulary, perceptual, conceptual, and adaptive skills. RESULTS The mean birthweight of the cohort (57 males, 64 females) was 987g (SD 374), and the mean gestational age was 27.3 weeks (SD 2.6). At the age of 2 years, the neurodevelopmental classification was 'disabled' in 11% and 'delayed' in 23%. At the age of 5 years 6 months, intensive special education was required for 11% and some special education for 21%. Disability and delay at the age of 2 years were 92% and 50% predictive of lack of school readiness respectively, whereas only 15% of children who were normal at the age of 2 years were not school ready at the later assessment. Children with delay at 2 years were more likely to need special education if they were socially disadvantaged. INTERPRETATION Without preschool developmental supports, preterm survivors living in poverty will require more special education services.
A class of universal relations for constrained, isotropic elastic materials

A class of universal relations for all kinematically constrained, isotropic, elastic materials is described by the equationSB=BS relating the symmetric extra stress and the Cauchy-Green deformation tensors. This rule generates easily at most three universal relations for all kinematically admissible deformations of any constrained, isotropic body for which these tensors are nondiagonal. New universal formulae for homogeneous, compressible and incompressible materials reinforced by inextensible fibers in a variety of arrangements are presented for several kinds of homogeneous and nonhomogeneous, controllable universal deformations.
Outcomes and Pelvic Floor Interventions: Can We Predict?

An evolving trend in reporting outcomes after pelvic floor interventions is focusing increasingly on patient-reported outcomes as assessments of pelvic floor conditions and of results after intervention. Efforts have been made to scientifically validate patient-reported outcomes instruments and to standardize their use in clinical research. Additionally, guidelines have been published recommending minimum requirements for incorporating patient-reported outcomes in peer-reviewed publications. Although an increasing number of publications are incorporating patient-reported outcomes, how these data are being used remains unclear, as many studies are not using patient-reported outcomes data as primary end points or in definitions of cure. More widespread adoption of standardized outcomes measures will better ensure more quality clinical research as well as comparability between studies.
Influence of electric current on diffusionally accommodated sliding at hetero-interfaces

Abstract Diffusionally accommodated sliding at metal/non-metal interfaces has been experimentally and analytically investigated under a combination of an interfacial shear stress and a superimposed electric current. It is demonstrated that interfaces slide faster if electron flow is in the direction of applied shear on the metal side of the interface, which causes the stress-driven diffusional flux flowing along the interface to be augmented by the interfacial flux due to electromigration (EM). Conversely, the sliding rate decreases if electrons flow opposite to the shear direction on the metal side, which causes the stress- and electromigration-induced fluxes to counteract each other. The contribution of electric current to sliding is significant only when a sufficient EM flux is associated with the interface, a situation which is common in modern electronic devices. An analytically derived constitutive model describing the kinetics of EM-influenced interfacial sliding is proposed. Consistent with experiments, the model predicts that the sliding kinetics have linear dependencies on stress and current density, and an Arrhenius dependence on temperature, with an activation energy equal to that for interfacial diffusion when the grain size is large and the temperature is relatively low. At small grain sizes, both interfacial and film diffusivities contribute to sliding, and the constitutive behavior becomes more complex.
Gender equity, traditional masculine culture, and female homicide victimization

Several prior studies of gender equity and female violent victimization showed a positive relationship between the two, with some scholars defining this as a backlash effect due to increasing gender equity in the context of conservative gender role expectations. This assertion was tested here under a more general set of theories about real and perceived threats to White male dominance in the United States that suggested that the positive relationship between gender equity and female victimization was conditioned by the strength of traditional masculine culture. Using cross-sectional data and employing a commonly tested baseline model to control for other structural covariates of homicide rates, variables were introduced to represent gender income equity and different components of traditional masculine culture. Results confirmed a positive cross-sectional relationship between gender income equality and White non-Hispanic female homicide victimization rates, but did not show the expected interaction effects, leading the authors to conclude that other structural or cultural factors were the source of the positive relationship.
Long-term survival with adjuvant whole abdominopelvic irradiation for uterine papillary serous carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The optimum management of uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC), a clinically aggressive histologic variant of endometrial adenocarcinoma, is a controversial issue. METHODS Ten patients with UPSC were reviewed who received whole abdominopelvic irradiation (WAP) as adjuvant therapy after a staging laparotomy and debulking surgery. RESULTS Nine patients had clinical Stage I disease; the tumors in eight of them were upstaged based on laparotomy findings. There was greater than a 50% invasion of the myometrium in four of the hysterectomy specimens, and vascular space invasion was noted in seven patients. Peritoneal washings were positive in three of the nine specimens obtained; two others showed atypical cells. Five patients are alive with no evidence of disease at 102-133 months. Four patients are dead, and one patient is alive with disease. All recurrences were observed within 30 months of the initial diagnosis and were more common in the presence of deep myometrial invasion and vascular space involvement. Three of the four patients who died had pleural effusions that did not respond to hormonal and/or chemotherapy. Local irradiation produced long-term control of recurrences in two patients, including one with supraclavicular lymph node metastases who had no evidence of disease 117 months after radiation treatment to the involved nodes. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that WAP be considered as an adjuvant therapy in the management of UPSC. The patients with the greatest benefit were those with early disease by surgical staging with or without positive peritoneal cytologic findings. For patients at high risk for pleural effusions and pulmonary metastasis, additional adjuvant therapy, such as innovative chemotherapy or low-dose lung irradiation, needs to be considered.
Strategic retirements: A political model of turnover on the United States Supreme Court

The president's ability to nominate justices to the United States Supreme Court is one of his most powerful tools for advancing his policy goals. To maximize the use of this tool it is important that he be able to determine how reasonable it is to expect a retirement from the Court during his presidency. Prior research is inconclusive as to whether Court retirements are politically motivated. In this study I develop and test a political model of Court retirements. The results from estimating the model using exponential Poisson regression show there to be an identifiable political element relating to the timing of retirements from the Court.
Diruthenium compounds of thiol capped oligo(phenyleneethynyl) ligand: Synthesis and characterization

Abstract Reactions between Ru 2 (DMBA) 4 (NO 3 ) 2 and OPE n - S -TMSE ligand under weak base conditions afford trans -Ru 2 (DMBA) 4 (OPE n - S -TMSE) 2 compounds, where DMBA is N , N ′-dimethylbenzamidinate, TMSE is trimethylsilylethylene, and OPE n are –C CC 6 H 4 – ( 1 ), –C C(2,5-(CH 3 O) 2 C 6 H 2 )–(C CC 6 H 4 )– ( 2 ) and –(C CC 6 H 4 )–C C(2,5-(CH 3 O) 2 C 6 H 2 )–(C CC 6 H 4 )– ( 3 ). Molecular structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction, which revealed the extended rigid rod topology and coplanarity of phenyleneethynye units in 1 and 2 . Electrochemical and optical energy gaps of compounds 1 – 3 were estimated to be 1.57 eV and ca. 1.43 eV, respectively, from voltammetric and absorption spectral measurements.
Optimized wavelength-sized scalar horns as antenna radiation standards

The properties of beamwidth, directivity, and polarization of wavelength-size scalar horns are analyzed and optimized theoretically and confirmed experimentally to determine the usefulness of such horns as standards. Agreement between theoretical predictions and measurements was good.
Maintenance of Energy‐Linked Functions in Rat‐Liver Mitochondria Aged in the Presence of Nupercaine

The present study has been designed to examine whether endogenous phospholipase A2 of rat liver mitochondria is involved in the mitochondrial aging process during which time there is a gradual loss of energy-linked functions. Freshly-isolated rat liver mitochondria have a respiratory control ratio of 4 with succinate. During storage at 0—4 °C the respiratory control ratio decreased progressively to 1.0 after 90 h fromthe preparation. During storage there was also an increase in the conversion of mitochondrial phos phatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine to their corresponding lysoderivatives. The local anesthetic nupercaine (recently shown to be a powerful inhibitor of phospholipase A2 in a variety of systems) was effective in both stabilizing energy-linked functions of isolated mitochondria and maintaining the integrity of mitochondrial phospholipid. After 90 h aging at 0—4 °C, the respiratory control ratio of mitochondria treated with 400 μM nupercaine was nearly unchanged and the breakdown of mitochondrial phospholipid markedly reduced. Nupercaine alone can effectively substitute for either EDTA or bovine serum albumin, which are routinely used to improve the stability of isolated mitochondria. As the mitochondrial phospholipase A2 is activated by Ca2+ and free fatty acids, we suggest that the presence of these agents improves mitochondrial stability by preventing activation of the enzyme. We conclude that endogenous phospholipase activity is largely responsible for the damage to aged mitochondria, which results in a loss of their energy-linked functions. The addition of nupercaine during storage makes it possible to maintain rat liver mitochondria tightly coupled for long periods of time. We also suggest that the use of nupercaine should prove generally useful in preserving the structure and functions of other biological membranes containing phospholipase A2 during their preparation and storage.
Cost effective and robust optical network by inversely aggregated networking with programmable protection architecture

An inversely aggregated networking with programmable protection ( i -ANP 2 ) architecture is proposed to provide a cost-effective and robust optical network. It is shown to reduce more than 50% of capital expenditure (CAPEX) for protected services and the operational cost by several orders of magnitude.
Kernel Density Estimation Method for Monte Carlo Point Detector and Surface Crossing Flux Tallies

Monte Carlo point detector and surface crossing flux tallies are two widely used tallies, but they suffer from an unbounded variance. As a result, the central limit theorem cannot be used for these...
Organochlorine contaminants in the Northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis, collected from the Northwest Atlantic

Abstract Northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis , were sampled at two commercially important locations in the Northwest Atlantic and soft tissues analysed for a variety of organo-chlorine pollutants. Sampling facilitated examination of the environmental and experimental variability to determine if and how location, season, sex or size affects results. Organochlorine compounds including polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins and dibenbenzofurans were non-detectable in muscle tissue (DLs = 0.01 − 0.5 ng/g and 0.1 − 0.5 pg/g, for the two groups, wet weight). Concentrations were highest in hepatopancreas, the tissue with a higher lipid content (mean = 28% vs 0.27% in muscle. The larger variation in the tissue distribution of contaminants was observed in April versus November females. Higher concentrations were observed in November eggs and in hepatopancreas of females sampled in April. The present study indicates the presence of a larger number of PCB and PCDF congeners in the hepatopancreas of shrimp, a lower link in the Northwest Atlantic food chain, as compared to livers of previously studied finfish species.
Probing the salmeterol binding site on the β2-adrenergic receptor using a novel photoaffinity ligand, [125I]iodoazidosalmeterol

Salmeterol is a long-acting β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonist used clinically to treat asthma. In addition to binding at the active agonist site, it has been proposed that salmeterol also binds with very high affinity at a second site, termed the “exosite”, and that this exosite contributes to the long duration of action of salmeterol. To determine the position of the phenyl ring of the aralkyloxyalkyl side chain of salmeterol in the β2AR binding site, we designed and synthesized the agonist photoaffinity label [125I]iodoazidosalmeterol ([125I]IAS). In direct adenylyl cyclase activation, in effects on adenylyl cyclase after pretreatment of intact cells, and in guinea pig tracheal relaxation assays, IAS and the parent drug salmeterol behave essentially the same. Significantly, the photoreactive azide of IAS is positioned on the phenyl ring at the end of the molecule which is thought to be involved in exosite binding. Carrier-free radioiodinated [125I]IAS was used to photolabel epitope-tagged human β2AR...
Synthesis and characterization of spinnable sol-gel derived polyborates

Abstract Polyborate sol-gel routes have been studied in the context of molecular structure development and spinnability of the sols obtained through the sol-gel process. The similar chemical structures of the lithium polyborates derived from lithium methoxide and tri-n-butyl borate or from lithium methoxide and trimethoxyboroxine suggest mechanistic similarities in the two sol-gel reactions. Identical mixed oxide compositions could be formed by heat treatment of the lithium polyborate gels obtained in the two reactions. A controlled hydrolysis and polycondensation of trimethoxyboroxine has also been investigated to form polyborates without the presence of a counterion. The porous gel filaments that can be drawn from these sols may be suitable as precursors for the formation of other ceramic structures such as boron nitride.
Infant Nutrition and Supplements

Today, American consumers believe they need more and better nutrients than their diets provide. Consequently, consumers spend approximately three billion dollars each year on vitamin and nutrition products. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements are relatively inexpensive and available without a prescription; therefore, it is understandable that they are used by a substantial portion of the population. However, the last 50 years have witnessed a steadily increasing understanding of vitamins and trace mineral biochemistry and its role in human nutrition and intermediary metabolism. It has not been shown conclusively that normal breastfed infants of well nourished mothers need any specific vitamin and mineral supplements, with the exception of iron and fluoride. The use of vitamin D supplements remains controversial. Preterm infants may require supplements of vitamin E, iron, and folic acid because of their rapid rate of growth and less complete, intestinal absorption.
A BISACODYL SUPPOSITORY AS AN ENEMA SUBSTITUTE.

Despite the availability of numerous effective laxatives, a certain number of patients still require enemas for satisfactory evacuation of the contents of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Many are debilitated and chronically ill. This report describes our experience with a local-contact type of suppository as an enema substitute in such patients. Bisacodyl, or bis (p-acetoxyphenyl)-2-pyridylmethane1, is said to exert its laxative effect in the colon through reflex action upon contact with the mucosal nervous plexi (1). Its action is said to be independent of intestinal tone (2) and can be abolished by anesthetizing the rectosigmoid mucosa (3). The suppository contains 10 mg of the drug.
A Monte Carlo investigation of conjoint analysis index-of-fit: Goodness of fit, significance and power

Researchers in the field of conjoint analysis know the index-of-fit values worsen as the judgmental error of evaluation increases. This simulation study provides guidelines on the goodness of fit based on distribution of index-of-fit for different conjoint analysis designs. The study design included the following factors: number of profiles, number of attributes, algorithm used and judgmental model used. Critical values are provided for deciding the statistical significance of conjoint analysis results. Using these cumulative distributions, the power of the test used to reject the null hypothesis of random ranking is calculated. The test is found to be quite powerful except for the case of very small residual degrees of freedom.
Update on pediatric lung allocation in the United States

In May 2005, a system was established to allocate deceased donor lungs to adolescents and adults in the United States based on models of waiting list mortality and one-yr transplant survival benefit. The goal of the new system is to reduce the mortality of patients awaiting lung transplant and maximize the survival benefit of lung transplantation. This article discusses the considerations given to pediatric candidates during the development of the LAS, early outcome observations with emphasis on pediatric candidates and finally, future changes and impact on pediatric lung transplantation.
Quantum effects improve the energy efficiency of feedback control

The laws of thermodynamics apply equally well to quantum systems as to classical systems, and because of this, quantum effects do not change the fundamental thermodynamic efficiency of isothermal refrigerators or engines. We show that, despite this fact, quantum mechanics permits measurement-based feedback control protocols that are more thermodynamically efficient than their classical counterparts. As part of our analysis, we perform a detailed accounting of the thermodynamics of unitary feedback control and elucidate the sources of inefficiency in measurement-based and coherent feedback.
Medical Management of Cyclosporine-Induced Gingival Overgrowth Using Oral Azithromycin in Six Dogs

Gingival overgrowth is an uncommon adverse effect of cyclosporine administration in veterinary species. In people, gingival overgrowth is a common complication of cyclosporine administration for immunosuppression, generally following transplant procedures. Azithromycin has been used successfully for managing gingival overgrowth in human transplant patients when cyclosporine administration cannot be reduced or discontinued. This case series describes six dogs being administered cyclosporine for various dermatologic diseases that developed gingival overgrowth. The dogs were prescribed systemic azithromycin, with or without concurrent dose reduction of cyclosporine. Oral administration of 6.6-10.8 mg/kg of azithromycin once daily for 4-14 weeks was effective for complete clinical resolution of gingival overgrowth. In most cases, gingival overgrowth did not recur even with continued cyclosporine administration long-term. Adverse events of long-term azithromycin administration did not occur in any of the dogs. This series highlights a potentially beneficial medical treatment option for gingival overgrowth even when cyclosporine dose reduction is not possible or elected, without the need for surgical resection of proliferative gingival tissue.
Evaluation of advanced manufacturing technologies using Taguchi's loss functions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a tool for decision makers to consider both tangible and intangible factors while making decisions regarding investment in advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT).Design/methodology/approach – Traditional financial approaches are often used for evaluation of advanced technologies. However, the difficulty arises when the result of financial techniques cannot provide a conclusive recommendation for a technology adoption. The current research is an attempt to address this issue by including factors that allow distinction between technology alternatives with similar financial results. This task is accomplished in a two step process. First, a process is developed for identifying all potential benefits associated with adoption of an AMT. These are the benefits that were not measurable for inclusion in the financial analysis. Second, a mechanism is developed for quantifying these benefits to be used for ranking of the technology alternatives. This task is done ...
In vivo evaluation of a dexamethasone/PLGA microsphere system designed to suppress the inflammatory tissue response to implantable medical devices.

The purpose of this research effort was to evaluate in vivo a newly developed dexamethasone/PLGA microsphere system designed to suppress the inflammatory tissue response to an implanted device, in this case a biosensor. The microspheres were prepared using an oil/water (O/W) emulsion technique. The microsphere system was composed of drug-loaded microspheres (including newly formulated and predegraded microspheres) and free dexamethasone. The combination of the drug and drug-loaded microspheres provided burst release of dexamethasone followed by continuous release from days 2-14. Continuous release to at least 30 days was achieved by mixing predegraded and newly formulated microspheres. The ability of our mixed microsphere system to control tissue reactions to an implant then was tested in vivo using cotton thread sutures to induce inflammation subcutaneously in Sprague-Dawley rats. Two different in vivo studies were performed, the first to find the dosage level of dexamethasone that effectively would suppress the acute inflammatory reaction and the second to show how effective the dexamethasone delivered by PLGA microspheres was in suppressing chronic inflammatory response to an implant. The first in vivo study showed that 0.1 to 0.8 mg of dexamethasone at the site minimized the acute inflammatory reaction. The second in vivo study showed that our mixed microsphere system suppressed the inflammatory response to an implanted suture for at least 1 month. This study has proven the viability of microsphere delivery of an anti-inflammatory to control the inflammatory reaction at an implant site.
Plasmonic Nanophotonics: Coupling Light to Nanoscale via Plasmons

An incompatibility between light wavelength at the microscale and devices at the nanoscale can be addressed with plasmonic nanostructures. Plasmonic nanophotonics promises to create new prospects for sensing molecules and guiding light on the nanoscale
Effects of sublingually given naloxone in opioid-dependent human volunteers

To determine whether sublingual naloxone could precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent subjects, naloxone was administered in increasing doses (0-8 mg in four or six sessions conducted over 2 days) to six heroin abusers and three methadone (30 mg/day, p.o.) maintenance patients. Two or three sessions were conducted per day with 2- to 2.5-h intervals between same-day sessions. Naloxone precipitated withdrawal in two of six heroin abusers and in all three methadone subjects. Naloxone is sufficiently absorbed sublingually to precipitate abstinence in dependent subjects, but naloxone doses up to 1-2 mg can be administered sublingually to opioid abusers/addicts without precipitating withdrawal.
Data compression in machine learning applied to natural language

In this paper, we investigate the possibility of applying machine learning methods to data derived from the area of natural language and show how rules, induced by machine learning, are changed after the original data are compressed by grouping together entries, attributes, and attribute values. Also shown is how excessive compression of input data may affect the accuracy of induced rules.
On the relationships of substrate orientation, hydrogen abstraction, and product stereochemistry in single and double dioxygenations by soybean lipoxygenase-1 and its Ala542Gly mutant.

Abstract Recent findings associate the control of stereochemistry in lipoxygenase (LOX) catalysis with a conserved active site alanine for S configuration hydroperoxide products, or a corresponding glycine for R stereoconfiguration. To further elucidate the mechanistic basis for this stereocontrol we compared the stereoselectivity of the initiating hydrogen abstraction in soybean LOX-1 and an Ala542Gly mutant that converts linoleic acid to both 13S and 9R configuration hydroperoxide products. Using 11R-3H- and 11S-3H-labeled linoleic acid substrates to examine the initial hydrogen abstraction, we found that all the primary hydroperoxide products were formed with an identical and highly stereoselective pro-S hydrogen abstraction from C-11 of the substrate (97-99% pro-S-selective). This strongly suggests that 9R and 13S oxygenations occur with the same binding orientation of substrate in the active site, and as the equivalent 9R and 13S products were formed from a bulky ester derivative (1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoylphosphatidylcholine), one can infer that the orientation is tail-first. Both the EPR spectrum and the reaction kinetics were altered by the R product-inducing Ala-Gly mutation, indicating a substantial influence of this Ala-Gly substitution extending to the environment of the active site iron. To examine also the reversed orientation of substrate binding, we studied oxygenation of the 15S-hydroperoxide of arachidonic acid by the Ala542Gly mutant soybean LOX-1. In addition to the usual 5S, 15S- and 8S, 15S-dihydroperoxides, a new product was formed and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, UV, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and NMR as 9R, 15S-dihydroperoxyeicosa-5Z,7E,11Z,13E-tetraenoic acid, the R configuration “partner” of the normal 5S,15S product. This provides evidence that both tail-first and carboxylate end-first binding of substrate can be associated with S or R partnerships in product formation in the same active site.
Mineralogic Changes during Growth in the Red Alga, Clathromorphum compactum

The amount of magnesium in the skeletal calcite of the encrusting marine red alga Clathromorphum compactum varies seasonally in response to changes in water temperature. X-ray diffraction analyses of serial samples of this alga collected in the Gulf of Maine indicate more than a 40-percent change in composition during a year and demonstrate a more rapid calcification during warmer periods.
Cyclin D1 and MIB-1 immunohistochemistry in pilocytic astrocytomas: A study of 48 cases

Abstract Pilocytic astrocytoma is an infrequently encountered, generally low-grade neoplasm. No study has extensively looked at both cyclin Dl and MIB-1 labeling indices in pilocytic astrocytoma and their relation to clinical outcome. This study retrospectively examines the clinicopathologic features of 48 patients with pilocytic astrocytoma including MIB-1 (cell proliferation marker) and cyclin Dl (protein that regulates progression from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle) immunohistochemistry. Of 48 patients (27 females and 21 males; mean age, 12.7 years; age range, 2 to 57 years), 26 initially underwent gross total resection; 17, subtotal resection; four, biopsy alone; in one patient, the extent of tumor resection was unknown. Histological features observed included Rosenthal fibers (83.3%), granular bodies (75%), vascular sclerosis (56.2%), vascular proliferation (56.2%), prominent nuclear pleomorphism (14.6%), necrosis (10.4%), and identifiable mitotic figures (2.1%). MIB-1 labeling indices ( n = 45) (positive staining tumor nuclei per 1,000 nuclei evaluated) ranged from 0 to 3.5% (mean, 0.6%); seven tumors had a labeling index greater than 1.0%. Cyclin D1 labeling indices ( n = 45) ranged from 0 to 0.8% (mean, 0.1%). Most tumors ( N = 29, 66.7%) had no immunostaining. At last known follow-up, 27 patients were alive with no evidence of disease (mean, 49.2 months), 17 patients were alive with evidence of disease (mean, 36.8 months), three died with tumor at 2, 22, and 156 months, and one patient was lost to follow-up. Eight patients had at least one tumor recurrence requiring additional surgery; seven of these patients had an initial subtotal resection. In summary, MIB-1 labeling indices were generally low (mean, 0.6%) and are reflective of the slow growth of the tumors. Cyclin D1 immunostaining does not appear to be significantly increased in pilocytic astrocytoma. Adverse outcome in patients with pilocytic astrocytoma may be related to extent of surgical resection and does not seem to correlate with histology, MIB-1 labeling indices, or cyclin D1 immunoreactivity.
Preserving Starry Nights

![Figure][1] CREDIT: JUPITERIMAGES The 24 April News Focus story “Stars in dusty filing cabinets” (Y. Bhattacharjee, p. [460][1]) describes well the need to preserve astronomical glass plate collections and the difficulties encountered in doing so. The Carnegie Institution has a collection of some 200,000 plates of all kinds, gathered over decades from Mount Wilson Observatory, Palomar, and Las Campanas Observatory. Private funding has allowed us to preserve and archive the direct astronomical image and spectrographic plates in the collection, and small sets of these plates have been digitized when researchers needed them. Similarly, a project headed by Roger Ulrich at the University of California at Los Angeles and funded by the National Science Foundation has digitized large sections of our solar plates; these scans can be seen at [www.astro.ucla.edu/∼ulrich/MW_SPADP/index.html][2]. In total, 39,500 plates (including direct image, spectra, and solar plates) have been digitized so far. As the news story notes, space and funding needs for current projects often take away from efforts to preserve old data. Hopefully, greater awareness of the value of such plates, which are our only record of the past night sky, will lead to a corresponding increase in support for their protection. [1]: pending:yes [2]: http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~ulrich/MW_SPADP/index.html