cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel conditional platelet depletion mouse model reveals the importance of platelets in protection against Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Background Platelets are critical cells for maintaining vascular hemostasis but their activities in other processes are becoming apparent. Specifically, the ability of platelets to recognize and respond to infectious agents is an important area of investigation. To understand the physiological roles of platelets in vivo, most researchers have used antibody-mediated platelet depletion, which has certain limitations.
Suppression of B cell responses by natural killer cells is mediated through direct effects on T cells.

Abstract We examined the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to modulate T cell-dependent mitogen-induced B cell responses. Highly purified NK cells inhibited the polyclonal antibody responses of autologous pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated unfractionated mononuclear cells in a reverse hemolytic plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay. Investigation of the possible mechanism(s) of the suppressor activity of NK cells revealed that lysis of mitogen-stimulated cells was unlikely. Chromium-51 release cytotoxicity assays of PWM-stimulated mononuclear cells did not demonstrate lysis by NK cells. Additionally, the monoclonal antibody 13.3, which abrogates NK cell cytolysis, did not reverse NK cell-dependent suppression of PFC formation. The putative lytic molecule elaborated by NK cells, NK cytotoxic factor, did not suppress B cell responses, further supporting a nonlytic inhibitory mechanism. That NK cell-derived lymphokines such as IFN-α, IFN-γ, or IL-2 were uninvolved in the down-regulation of B cells was corroborated by the failure of antibodies to these mediators to reverse the suppression. NK cells did not suppress PFC formation when T cells were replaced by supernatants from PWM-stimulated T cells; additionally, NK cells had no effect on the generation of these necessary T cell factors. However, the coculture of T cells with NK cells resulted in the induction of suppressor activity within the T cell population suggesting that this was the mechanism of NK cellmediated Suppression of B cell responses.
Predicting Unexpected Chemical Reactions by Isopotential Searching

The reactions of a chemical system are dictated by the corresponding potential energy surface (PES). Since reasonably accurate PESs are now available from quantum chemical calculations, a great dea...
Renal Cell Carcinoma: New Developments in Molecular Biology and Potential for Targeted Therapies

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) affects 38,000 individuals in the U.S. yearly. Seventy-five percent of cases are clear-cell carcinomas, and a majority is driven by dysfunction of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene. VHL loss of function and other non-VHL pathways leading to RCC share aberrant activation of the hypoxic response, such as upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and consequent neoangiogenesis. Metastatic RCC has been notoriously resistant to therapy. For decades, its treatment has been based on nephrectomy and limited use of toxic and often inefficient immunotherapy with interleukin-2 or interferon-alpha. However, new biologic agents are beginning to break the resistance barrier. Small-molecule multikinase inhibitors that target VEGF receptors (sunitinib and sorafenib) have a favorable toxicity profile and can prolong time to progression and preserve quality of life when used in newly diagnosed or previously treated patients. The anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab enhances the response rate and prolongs disease control when added to interferon-alpha. Temsirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, prolongs the survival duration of patients with poor-risk disease. Despite three new drugs being approved for RCC in the past 2 years, responses are mostly partial and of limited duration. Multiple new drugs and drug combinations are undergoing clinical trials and will likely impact the treatment of RCC in future years. Compounds found to be active in the metastatic setting are now being tried in earlier stage disease in an attempt to improve curability. However, no method has yet been validated to predict patient response to these newer treatments.
Effect of rest from running on overuse injuries in Army basic training

Abstract Background: It has been hypothesized that a period of rest from running in the early weeks of basic military training will prevent stress fractures among recruits. Design: Modification of running schedules in companies of Army recruits undergoing basic military training was assigned. Setting/ Participants: Six male training companies were enrolled and followed during their 8 weeks of basic military training at Fort Bliss, Texas, in summer/fall 1989. Intervention: Intervention companies were asked to rest from running during the second, third, or fourth week of basic military training. Main outcome measures: Data were collected from questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, Army physical fitness tests, company training logs, and medical record abstraction of all clinic visits. Results: Among the 1357 enrolled male recruits, there were 236 (17%) with overuse injury and 144 (11%) with traumatic injury, resulting in 535 clinic visits and 1927 training days lost. Stress fracture/reaction rates varied from 3 to 8 per 100 recruits among the intervention companies and 2 to 7 per 100 recruits among the non-intervention companies. Total injury rates were 18 to 35 per 100 recruits in the intervention companies and 18 to 29 per 100 recruits in the non-intervention companies. Conclusions: The study provided no evidence for a protective effect on overuse injuries of resting from running for 1 week early in basic military training. There was varied physical training among the companies, however, with variation of injury rates that likely related to factors other than the intervention.
Strategies for tangibilizing retail services: An assessment

This study empirically evaluated the usefulness of tangible cues in the marketing of consumer services. It has been suggested that service marketers could benefit from attempts to market their products with the aid of tangible cues. The present investigation analyzed the effect of three such cues on consumers' perceptions regarding the likelihood that specific benefits would be forthcoming from specific service providers. The three cues investigated were a tangible representation, a provider-client interface, and a relation to a tangible object. Results indicated some variation between subjects exposed in perception of benefits received for a limited number of the benefits investigated.
THE PROBLEM OF FINDING A POSITIVE ROLE FOR HUMANS IN THE NATURAL WORLD

As necessary as it obviously is, the effort of "wilderness preservation" has too often implied that it is enough to save a series of islands of pristine and uninhabited wilderness in an otherwise exploited, damaged, and polluted land. And, further, that the pristine wilderness is the only alternative to exploitation and abuse. So far, the moral landscape of the conservation movement has tended to be a landscape of extremes.... On the one hand we have the unspoiled wilderness, and on the other hand we have scenes of utter devastation-strip mines, clear-cuts, industrially polluted wastelands, and so on. We wish, say the conservationists, to have more of the one, and less of the other. To which, of course, one must say amen. But it must be a qualified amen, for the conservationist's program has been embarrassingly incomplete. Its picture of the world as either deserted landscape or desertified landscape has misrepresented both the world and humanity. If we are to have an accurate picture of the world, even in its present diseased condition, we must interpose between the unused landscape and the misused landscape a landscape that humans have used well.
Alternative Frankfurt-style counterexamples to the principle of alternative possibilities

In this paper, I assume that if we have libertarian freedom, it is located in the power to choose and its exercise. Given this assumption, I then further assume a version of the Principle of Alternative Possibilities (PAP) which states that an agent is morally responsible for his choice only if he could have chosen otherwise. With these assumptions in place, I examine three recent attempts to construct Frankfurt-style counterexamples (FSCs) to PAP. I argue that all fail to undermine the intuitive plausibility of PAP.
Prostaglandin H synthase

Abstract The prostaglandin H synthase structure reveals that the enzyme has a fold similar to those of other heme peroxidases, but differing in that a second active site has evolved within this fold which catalyzes the cyclooxygenase reaction. The protein has also acquired two additional domains: a membrane-binding motif that lacks transmembrane segments, mediating attachment to the membrane via helices that lie parallel to the membrane, and an epidermal growth factor-like module found just before the membrane-binding motif. The epidermal growth factor-like module is located in the dimer interface.
Influence of currents on weakly nonlinear topographic waves

In the Boussinesq approximation, we consider trapped topographic waves in an inhomogeneous current directed along isobaths. The influence of the current on the dispersion properties of trapped topographic waves in the Norwegian Sea is studied. We determine the mean currents and nonoscillatory (on the time scale of the waves) density corrections induced by the waves due to their nonlinearity. It is shown that the influence of currents is significant in the short-wave region. Its influence leads to a decrease in the wavelength for the constant period of waves, whereas the mean current caused by nonlinearity noticeably varies, especially in the bottom layer.
Mobilizing the Law in China: “Informed Disenchantment” and the Development of Legal Consciousness

This article critically examines the development of legal consciousness among legal aid plaintiffs in Shanghai. It is based on 16 months of research at a large legal aid center and in-depth interviews with 50 plaintiffs. Chinese legal aid plaintiffs come to the legal process with high expectations about the possibility of protecting their rights; however, they also have only a vague and imprecise knowledge of legal procedure and their actual codified rights. Through this process of legal mobilization, plaintiffs' legal consciousness changes in two separate dimensions: changes in one's feelings of efficacy and competency vis-a-vis the law, and changes in one's perception/evaluation of the legal system. Put another way, the first dimension is “How well can I work the law?” and the second is “How well does the law work?” In this study I observe positive changes in feelings of individual efficacy and competency that are combined with more negative evaluations/perceptions of the legal system in terms of its fairness and effectiveness. The positive feelings of efficacy and voice provided by the legal process encourage labor dispute plaintiffs in the post-dispute period to plan new lawsuits and to help friends and relatives with their legal problems. Disenchantment with the promises of the legal system does not lead to despondency, but to more critical, informed action. This study provides new evidence on the nature of China's developing legal system with a focus on the social response to the state-led “rule of law” project.
A single-period inventory placement problem for a supply chain with the expected profit objective

Consider the expected profit maximizing inventory placement problem in an N-stage, supply chain facing a stochastic demand for a single planning period for a specialty item with a very short selling season. Each stage is a stocking point holding some form of inventory (e.g., raw materials, subassemblies, product returns or finished products) that after a suitable transformation can satisfy customer demand. Stocking decisions are made before demand occurs. Because of delays, only a known fraction of demand at a stage will wait for shipments. Unsatisfied demand is lost. The revenue, salvage value, ordering, shipping, processing, and lost sales costs are proportional. There are fixed costs for utilizing stages for stock storage. After characterizing an optimal solution, we propose an algorithm for its computation. For the zero fixed cost case, the computations can be done on a spreadsheet given normal demands. For the nonnegative fixed cost case, we develop an effective branch and bound algorithm.
First parasitic ecdysis of Haemonchus contortus in vitro without stimulation by carbon dioxide.

Abstract Three experiments were performed on infective Haemonchus contortus larvae to determine that in exsheathment counts the greatest variation from the mean in replicate tubes was 6.2 and that exsheathment was already over 60% at 1 hour. A fourth experiment compared various modifications of Earle's salt solution with and without NH4Cl, Na2CO3, and gassing with CO2. Neither CO2 gas nor Na2CO3 was required for exsheathment. The ammonium ion enhanced exsheathment when added to Earle's salt solution with or without Na2CO3. Exsheathment without stimulation of CO2(HCO3) was related to the “readiness” of the larvae to exsheath dependent on the age of the larvae and the preculture treatment.
Radiation exposure to the hands from mini C-arm fluoroscopy.

Purpose To quantify the level of radiation exposure to the hands of hand surgeons using intraoperative mini C-arm fluoroscopy and to compare the actual level of exposure with predicted levels and acceptable limits. Methods Five hand surgeons were given ring dosimeters to measure radiation exposure to their hands during surgery of the finger, hand, and wrist. A total of 81 rings were analyzed. After the clinical study a phantom was used to measure scatter at close range from the mini C-arm. Results Surgeons' hands were exposed to an average ± SD of 20 ± 12.3 mrem/case. For comparison a chest x-ray results in approximately 20 mrem exposure to the patient. Radiation exposure for the group of hand surgeons ranged from 5 to 80 mrem. Surgeons used an average of 51 ± 36.9 seconds of fluoroscopy time per case. Exposure time for the group ranged from 6 to 170 seconds. The radiation scatter rate decreases precipitously outside the beam or beyond the radius of the intensifier. An average exposure to the hands of 20 mrem/case suggests that surgeons' hands must be entering the beam and getting direct exposure. Conclusions Hand surgeons work close to the beam and as a result their hands potentially are exposed to a nontrivial amount of radiation. We recommend that surgeons who use the mini C-arm use precautions to minimize radiation exposure, particularly to their hands.
Spectroscopic studies on inclusion properties of fullerenocalix[4]arene conjugates with metal ions

Metal-chelating propertiesin the ground and excited statesof fullerenocalix[4]arenes containing two malonamide substituents at the upper rim and four alkyl ester chains at the lower rim have been studied by means of steady-state absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and time-resolved transient absorption spectra. In particular, the influence that Ag+ enforces on the fullerene electronic spectra is due to direct interactions between Ag+ and the surface of C60. The effects stemming from Na+, Mg2+, and Ba2+, on the other hand, are indirect and are introduced through chelating the metal ions to the calix[4]arene moiety. They strongly depend on the molecular structure of the fullerenocalix[4]arenes. No spectroscopic evidence was obtained for any influence caused by Mn2+, although the malonamide groups provide good chelating ability even for this transition metal ion.
The use of Chorin's method for explosive-metal systems

Abstract Chorin's new numerical method called “random choice method” is presented. A practical application to one dimensional interactions between high explosives and inert materials is shown. The new method is based on the solution of a Riemann problem at every grid point and then using this Riemann solution to obtain solution values on a grid through a random sampling procedure. Glimm has proved the existence of a weak solution for certain non linear hyperbolic systems of conservation laws. Chorin's numerical method is rooted in Glimm's difference scheme which we describe briefly in the introduction. This method deals with shock waves and slip line interactions without introducing any kind of artificial viscosity and without special handling of discontinuities. The probabilistic mechanism used in the calculation causes some uncertainty in the location of the calculated points, but the average of the calculated results is very close to published numerical results obtained by conventional methods for solving the same set of equations. Chorin's error estimates shows that his method is a first order method, which resolves shocks very sharply and keeps fluid interfaces perfectly sharp. We used realistic parameters in the equation of state of different materials. Numerical results are presented and compared with experimental and numerical results previously published for similar configurations. The calculated results are most reasonable and the test calculations established the validity and usefulness of the new method of analysis.
A link between neuroscience and informatics: Large-scale modeling of memory processes

Utilizing advances in functional neuroimaging and computational neural modeling, neuroscientists have increasingly sought to investigate how distributed networks, composed of functionally defined subregions, combine to produce cognition. Large-scale, biologically realistic neural models, which integrate data from cellular, regional, whole brain, and behavioral sources, delineate specific hypotheses about how these interacting neural populations might carry out high-level cognitive tasks. In this review, we discuss neuroimaging, neural modeling, and the utility of large-scale biologically realistic models using modeling of short-term memory as an example. We present a sketch of the data regarding the neural basis of short-term memory from non-human electrophysiological, computational and neuroimaging perspectives, highlighting the multiple interacting brain regions believed to be involved. Through a review of several efforts, including our own, to combine neural modeling and neuroimaging data, we argue that large scale neural models provide specific advantages in understanding the distributed networks underlying cognition and behavior.
Evolution of Phase Transformation Behavior in Li(Mn1.5Ni0.5)O4 Cathodes Studied By In Situ XRD

Li(Mn1.5Ni0.5)O4 (MNO) is promising spinel cathode material for lithium ion batteries (LIB) due to its increased intercalation potential and improved capacity retention compared to LiMn2O4. Still, improvements to this materials performance must be achieved before MNO is a viable option for commercial LIB cells. In situ X-ray diffraction of Li(Mn1.5Ni0.5)O4 was performed using a novel electrochemical cell based on coin cell hardware. A diffractogram of the pristine material showed a spinel structure with a Ni2+ oxidation state. As the cell was charged through its 4.75V plateau, a transition between spinels with Ni2+, Ni3+, and Ni4+ oxidation was observed. As the oxidation stage on the nickel increased the lattice parameter of the corresponding spinel was reduced. As discharged ensued the spinel reversed its phases change until only the Ni2+ spinel was present. When discharge reached the 2.75V plateau a tetragonal spinel phase was formed, which upon subsequent cell charging was completely converted back to a cubic spinel phase. Lattice parameter changes of each phase were calculated and showed a characteristic strain release during phase changes. After 15 full cycles the transition between these phases was no longer complete and the formation of the tetragonal spinel phase was no longer detected. Amore » discussion of how these cycle-induced changes to phase transition behavior relate to capacity fade and overall cell performance is presented.« less
Displacement operators relative to group matrices

Abstract Let T be an operator that permutes the entries of square matrices. If T fixes exactly an algebra of group matrices, it acts by cyclic permutations of the group diagonals. For any such operator, the matrices B that can be written in the form B=A − T (A) are those whose entries sum to zero along every group diagonal. For any such zero-sum matrix B and any such T , a suitable A can be constructed explicitly, and it is unique up to a summand that is a group matrix.
Solid-State NMR Analysis of Fluorinated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Assessing the Extent of Fluorination

Fluorinated single-walled carbon nanotubes (F-SWNTs) have been characterized by magic angle spinning 13C NMR spectroscopy and the results correlated with Raman, IR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The 13C NMR shift for the sp3 fluorine-substituted (CF) carbon atoms of the SWNT sidewall is observed at δ = 83.5 ppm. This apparently unusual shift compared to those of most other tertiary alkyl fluorides is confirmed to be due to the CF moieties from ab initio calculations on an 80-carbon fragment of the 5,5 (armchair) SWNT and is in good agreement with the predominance of 1,2-addition rather than 1,4-addition of fluorine. The lack of observable scalar 13C−19F coupling for the CF carbon signal over a wide range of spinning speeds and at two different field strengths apparently results from interaction between 19F−19F and 13C−19F dipolar couplings and from magnetization exchange between the 13C doublet components caused by fluorine spin diffusion. The assignment of the 83.5 ppm peak is furthe...
Summary of major changes in the 1997 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases.

The key words relevant to this article are: acellular pertussis vaccines, adolescent immunization, AIDS, anaphylaxis, antibacterial drugs, antibiotics, antifungal drugs, antimicrobial drugs, antimicrobial resistance, antiparasitic drugs, antiviral drugs, bacterial meningitis, bacterial vaccines, bite wounds, Candida albicans , chancroid, chemoprophylaxis, corticosteroids, DTaP vaccine, DTP vaccine, ehrlichiosis, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Escherichia coli diarrhea, fluoroquinolones, foodborne disease, foreign travel, group A streptococcal infections, group A streptococcal pharyngitis, group B streptococcal infections, hemolytic uremic syndrome, hepatitis A, hepatitis A vaccine, hepatitis B, hepatitis B vaccine, hepatitis C, HIV infection, immune globulins, immunization of preterm infants, immunization recommendations, immunizations, immunoprophylaxis, infection control, intravenous immune globulin (IGIV), Lyme disease, malaria, measles, measles vaccine, MEDWATCH, meningococcal infections, meningococcal vaccination, MMR vaccine, Mycobacterium avium complex, needlestick injuries, nontuberculous mycobacteria, opportunistic infections, pertussis, pertussis vaccines, pneumococcal infections, pneumococcal meningitis, pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumocystis carinii , poliovirus vaccines, rabies, rabies immunoprophylaxis, respiratory syncytial virus infection, respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin (RSV-IGIV), ribavirin, Salmonella infections, school health, sexually transmitted diseases, Streptococcus pneumoniae , sporotrichosis, tetracyclines, tinea, toxoplasmosis, tuberculin skin testing, tuberculosis, tuberculosis drug therapy, typhoid vaccines, vaccine adverse events, vaccine precautions, vaccine contraindications, vaccine injury compensation, vaccines, varicella vaccine, varicella-zoster infections, viral vaccines, bite wounds. The 1997 Red Book: The Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases was recently published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and gives current recommendations and guidelines for prevention, control, and management of infectious diseases in infants and children.1 These recommendations and guidelines are based on information available through December 1996 and replace those given in the 1994 Red Book .2 To aid physicians and other health care professionals in assimilating these recommendations and information in the care of patients, a summary of major changes is given in the Red Book and also published in Pediatrics . Subsequent AAP recommendations from the Committee …
An optical thermometer for direct measurement of cell temperature in the Beckman instruments XL-A analytical ultracentrifuge.

Abstract An optical thermometer has been evaluated for use in the Beekman Instruments Optima XL-A Analytical Ultracentrifuge. A thermochromic solution of CoCl 2 ·6H 2 O was used as the temperature sensing material. The dehydration of CoCl2·6H 2 O is temperature dependent resulting a highly temperature dependent absorption peak at 660 nm. Spectra of 0.1 M CoCl 2 ·6H 2 O in an alcohol-water mixture were measured at different temperature settings of the XL-A. The spectra of the same CoCl 2 ·6H 2 O solutions were measured on a Beckman Instruments DU-650 spectrophotometer with a calibrated thermocouple attached to the cuvette. A standard curve was constructed by plotting the area under the spectrum from 450 to 750 nm as a function of the thermocouple temperature. Spectra were obtained on the XL-A at various temperature settings and integrated over the same range. This method allows direct comparison of the cell temperature to the value displayed on the console panel of the XL-A.
A New Classification of Positive Sestamibi and Ultrasound Scans in Parathyroid Localization

Ultrasound (US) and sestamibi (MIBI) are traditionally considered positive or negative. The purpose of this study was to define and test a new scoring system for MIBI and US and to determine whether this can improve their accuracy for primary hyperparathyroidism. This is a prospective study of 200 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had a single uptake on MIBI scans before bilateral neck exploration at a tertiary academic center between 2007 and 2008. These patients also had surgeon-performed neck US in the office, which was scored as “typical” or “atypical” based on how characteristic the image resembled a parathyroid gland. The MIBI uptake was scored by the nuclear medicine specialist as “weak,” “moderate,” or “strong” compared with the signal intensity of the thyroid. US and MIBI scoring was done preoperatively and their findings were compared with operative data. Of 200 patients, 71 % had a single adenoma, 12 % had double adenomas, and 17 % had four-gland hyperplasia. A weak, moderate, and strong signal on MIBI had an accuracy of 23, 47, and 72 %, respectively, in demonstrating single-gland disease. An atypical versus typical US appearance was accurate in 55 and 74 % of the time, in identifying single-gland disease. An appraisal of US and MIBI positivity in relation to image characteristics affects the reliability of both studies. This information should be kept in mind when selecting patients for focal neck exploration.
Psychometric properties of the college survey for students with brain injury: individuals with and without traumatic brain injury.

AbstractPurpose: The psychometric properties of the college challenges sub-set from The College Survey for Students with Brain Injury (CSS-BI) were investigated with adults with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods: Adults with and without TBI completed the CSS-BI. A sub-set of participants with TBI were interviewed, intentional and convergent validity were investigated, and the internal structure of the college challenges was analysed with exploratory factor analysis/principle component analysis.Results: Respondents with TBI understood the items describing college challenges with evidence of intentional validity. More individuals with TBI than controls endorsed eight of the 13 college challenges. Those who reported more health issues endorsed more college challenges, demonstrating preliminary convergent validity. Cronbach’s alphas of >0.85 demonstrated acceptable internal reliability. Factor analysis revealed a four-factor model for those with TBI: studying and learning (Factor 1), time manag...
A tauberian theorem on dirichlet series

Abstract A very short proof is given for a theorem that has applications to sieve methods. The general applications appear in an earlier paper by the author and N. C. Ankeny, where the theorem was utilized but not proved.
Regulation of plasma growth hormone-binding proteins in health and disease

Abstract Binding proteins (BP) for growth hormone (GH) have recently been discovered in human plasma. The main BP is related to the GH receptor and probably corresponds to the extracellular portion of the receptor. The BP influence several aspects of GH homeostasis and action. Their level and activity in blood, therefore, become important variables in overall GH physiology. However, to date little is known about the regulation of GH-BP in health and disease. To gain initial information about this point, GH-BP activity was examined in the plasma of 124 subjects with various physiologic and pathologic conditions. The conditions were selected to provide basic physiologic data (men, women, children, age, pregnancy) and to investigate key disease states attended by abnormal GH physiology (liver cirrhosis, uremia, infection, acromegaly). A standardized GH binding assay was used to measure BP activity as an index of BP levels. Both the principal, high affinity BP (peak II) and the minor, low affinity BP (peak I) showed considerable individual variation in all groups. Neonates had the lowest levels of both BPs, but by the age of 1 year the levels had increased and remained fairly stable through the seventh decade. In males but not females between the ages of 1 and 20 years, the main (peak II) BP showed a slight upward trend, whereas the minor (peak I) BP declined moderately. Patients with cirrhosis showed the most variation in both BP, and uremic patients demonstrated decreased peak II, but not peak I, binding. Neither BP was affected in acromogaly. We conclude that BP activity in plasma is well conserved in most conditions, but substantial individual variability exists. BP activity increases dramatically during the first year of life. The two BPs appear to be differently regulated, with peak I, but not peak II, showing evidence for sex hormone dependence. The high affinity (peak II) BP carries 80% to 90% of the complexed GH. We propose to define one unit of BP activity as that contained in 1 mL of normal adult plasma. Under the conditions of analysis used in this report, one unit corresponds to a bound GH fraction of 30%.
CFRP strengthening of timber beams recovered from a 32 year old quonset: Element and system level tests

Abstract This paper presents an experimental program for examining the behavior of Douglas Fir timber beams recovered from a 32 year old quonset. Selected beams are intentionally damaged by creating a notch at midspan and strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. Two types of CFRPs are used with different types of epoxy adhesives. The test program consists of two phases incorporating 27 beams: the element-level test with six individual beams and the system-level test with seven beam-assemblies consisting of three beams per system representing an actual service condition. Such a unique experimental approach enables to study the load-sharing mechanism of CFRP-strengthened beam–floor modules. Test beams are simply supported and monotonically loaded until failure occurs. The beams strengthened with the CFRP exhibit a significant improvement in load-carrying capacity of up to 184% and in deflection ductility of up to 165% when compared to the unretrofitted control. Stress concentrations at the notch (simulated damage) are an important factor that influences the failure characteristics and ultimate capacity of the beams. CFRP-strengthening results in improved load-distribution among the constituent beams in the assembly despite the localized damage.
Thermodynamic analysis of the chemical vapor deposition of diamond films

Abstract The chemical vapor deposition of carbon films is analyzed using the thermodynamic quasiequilibrium model and a phase diagram for the carbon-hydrogen system is obtained. When the enhanced etching of graphite by hydrogen is included in the model, a region in the phase diagram where diamond is the only stable solid phase of carbon is predicted, consistent with the experimental results of S. Matsumoto, Y. Sato, M. Tsutsumi and N. Setaka [J. Mater. Sci. 17, 3106 (1982)]. It is further predicted that higher carbon fractions (at least 5%) in the gas phase will be required for deposition of diamond at atmospheric pressure.
Low-Level Segmentation Of Multidimensional Medical Images: An Expert System

The basic framework of an expert rule-based segmentation system designed to handle some of the low-level segmentation problems in medical imaging is presented. The system is modular in nature consisting of two associative memories and a number of independent modules specialized in different aspects of segmentation. The basic control structure is that of a production system in which knowledge is formulated into condition-action rules. Some preliminary results pertaining to low-level segmentation of structures of the brain via magnetic resonance imaging are also presented.
Parliamentary members and leaders as agents of reform: Parliamentary and regime change revisited

(1999). Parliamentary members and leaders as agents of reform: Parliamentary and regime change revisited. The Journal of Legislative Studies: Vol. 5, The Uneasy Relationships Between Parliamentary Members and Leaders, pp. 131-208.
Environmental Determinants for Organizing Continuing Professional Education

Offices of continuing professional education (i.e., CPE centers) are organized to link learners and knowledge resources via learning formats and needs assessment procedures. Two primary organizing dimensions, a service and an education orientation, were evident in a sample of 184 CPE centers randomly selected from lists of centers serving clergy, attorneys, education, and health professionals. A division of the centers into four groups based on scores on these two primary orientations allowed a test of environmental influences. A discriminant function analysis weighted 19 environmental variables to distinguish service-oriented centers from education-oriented centers with an accuracy rate of 92%. Conclusions direct us away from profession and parent organization as the basis of classifications for organizing CPE providers. In their place are posited functional orientations of CPE centers and characteristics of their environments.
The Incidence of State Lottery Taxes

The price of a lottery ticket consists of two components, the production cost of the ticket and an excise tax. This tax is an approximately constant proportion of ticket price and is fully shifted to the consumer. Hence the ratio of tax to income is a multiple of the expenditures-income ratio. Data from the Pennsylvania state lottery were used to estimate the relationships between lottery expenditures and income, age, race, education, and city residence. It is concluded that the excise tax on lotteries is moderately regressive, representing much less than one percent of income at all income levels.
A functional programming language compiler for massively parallel computers

Functional programming languages remove programmers from low-level machine details, an important achievement when programming massively parallel systems. We present an overview of an FP compiler that generates programs capable of exploiting data-parallelism, a view of parallelism where distinct data elements reside on distinct processors and all processors execute a single instruction stream. To achieve this form of parallelism, FP's sequences are represented as arrays. This representation makes possible optimization techniques developed for APL compilers that compose routing functions at compile-time. These techniques are described succinctly by a set of axioms and inference rules. We demonstrate the optimizations by compiling several FP functions, obtaining optimal performance.
Using Empathic Identification as a Literacy Tool for Building Culturally Responsive Pedagogy with Preservice Teachers.

This study explores how teaching cases that featured diversity and literacy issues and self-reflexive writing exercises called postcard narratives can be used as tools by teacher educators for developing a culturally responsive pedagogy with preservice teachers. This study used interviews with the professor, a journal kept by the professor, a researcher reflective journal, a pre- and post-teaching case, non-participant observation notes, preservice teachers’ written narratives and the statistically significant results of the Cultural Diversity Awareness Inventory to understand the lived experiences of 20 preservice teachers and one professor during the course of one semester. The discourse drawn from the teaching cases and the written postcard narratives were shown to be effective tools to cultivate experiences that allow preservice teachers and teacher educators to learn about other cultures, embrace difference and develop a culturally responsive pedagogy.
Social Instability and Attitudes Toward Pregnancy as a Social Role

erice, pregnancy may be regarded as a social role to the extent that expectations and proscriptions for behavior may attach to the status of the expectant mother. Thus, the expectant mother may view herself and be viewed by others as expected to act "as-if" she were sick during pregnancy, while others may not so regard themselves.' Typically, the role of the sick means that the afflicted individual is exempt from normal social responsibilities during the course of the incapacitation. Moreover, the affliction is regarded as "abnormal" and, therefore, the ill person feels expected to "get over it" and return to normal as soon as possible. In addition, the person who enacts a sick role considers that pain and suffering are expected corollaries of one's being ill and of getting better. Further, the person who regards himself as sick is expected to be sensitive to and concerned about possible organic changes and complications-he is expected to be concerned about the crisis in which
CHARACTERIZING GENDER DIFFERENCES IN TREATMENT SEEKERS

Background Available evidence suggests women may be more vulnerable to the effects of chronic alcohol consumption than men. The few investigations of gender differences in treatment-seeking populations have often involved study samples restricted by selection criteria (e.g., age, education). The current study examined gender differences in a heterogeneous sample of individuals seeking treatment for a substance use disorder. We examined alcohol drinking levels, age at drinking milestones (e.g., first drink, first intoxication), and progression from milestones to alcohol problems or treatment. Additionally, family history, spousal alcoholism, and nicotine use were analyzed. Methods Participants included men (n = 274) and women (n = 257) in substance abuse treatment facilities. Participants completed inventories quantifying affect, intellectual ability, and drinking consequences. A family tree for substance use and personal histories for alcohol and nicotine use, including chronicity, frequency, and regularity, were collected. Results Telescoping was not observed when progression from drinking milestones to alcoholism or alcohol problems was compared between men and women. In contrast, when considered as progression to treatment, marked telescoping effects were detected, with women entering treatment more rapidly by approximately 4 years. Familial differences included a greater proportion of women reporting alcoholic parents (73% women; 61% men) and alcoholic spouses (58% women; 38% men). Smoking behaviors were similar between genders; however, men reporting higher levels of alcohol consumption reported greater intensity of chronic smoking. Smoking and drinking behaviors were correlated among men, but not women. Rates of pretreatment drug problems were equivalent between genders. Conclusions When contrasted with the available literature, our data were only partially supportive of gender-contingent telescoping. While women did not experience alcohol problems or alcoholism earlier than men, they progressed to treatment more quickly. These results highlight the importance of carefully considering the sample and specific outcome variables when interpreting gender differences.
Determinants of Benefit-Program Participation Among the Urban Homeless: Results from a 16-City Study

Data are presented on the entitlement status of nearly 30,000 homeless persons who have received care through the national Health Care for the Homeless program in 16 project cities. Overall, about half of all clients are enrolled in at least one benefit program; program participation is slightly higher among homeless women than among homeless men and increases sharply with age. City-to-city variation in theproportion ofparticipat ing clients is found to be determined primarily by state-level differences in the leniency of eligibility criteria; in contrast, the effects of direct project efforts are modest. The "entitle ment problem "faced by the urban homeless is not that they fail to participate in programs for which they are otherwise eligible, but rather that in many states they are not eligible to participate in many programs, regardless of their rather obvious needs.
Effect of Through-Silicon-Via Joule Heating on Device Performance for Low-Powered Mobile Applications

Three-dimensional (3D) through-silicon-via (TSV) technology is emerging as a powerful technology to reduce package footprint, decrease interconnection power, higher frequencies, and provide efficient integration of heterogeneous devices. TSVs provide high speed signal propagation due to reduced interconnect lengths as compared to wire-bonding. The current flowing through the TSVs results in localized heat generation (joule heating), which could be detrimental to the device performance. The effect of joule heating on per
Singular value decomposition in Minkowski space

Abstract The well-known singular value decomposition theorem states that every matrix M can be written in the form M = QDR , where D is diagonal and Q and R are orthogonal. We explore the analogous decomposition where Q and R are required to be orthogonal with respect to the Minkowski rather than the Euclidean metric.
Symmetry as an Epistemic Notion (Twice Over)

Symmetriesinphysicsareaguidetoreality.Thatmuchiswellknown.Butwhatislesswell known is why symmetry is a guide to reality. What justifies inferences that draw conclusionsaboutrealityfrompremisesaboutsymmetries?Iarguethatansweringthisquestion reveals that symmetry is an epistemic notion twice over. First, these inferences must proceed via epistemic lemmas: premises about symmetries in the first instance justify epistemic lemmas about our powers of detection, and only from those epistemic lemmascanwedrawconclusionsaboutreality.Second,inordertojustifythoseepistemic lemmas, the notion of symmetry must be defined partly in epistemic terms.
Solid-state NMR comparison of various spiders' dragline silk fiber.

Major ampullate (dragline) spider silk is a coveted biopolymer due to its combination of strength and extensibility. The dragline silk of different spiders have distinct mechanical properties that can be qualitatively correlated to the protein sequence. This study uses amino acid analysis and carbon-13 solid-state NMR to compare the molecular composition, structure, and dynamics of major ampullate dragline silk of four orb-web spider species (Nephila clavipes, Araneus gemmoides, Argiope aurantia, and Argiope argentata) and one cobweb species (Latrodectus hesperus). The mobility of the protein backbone and amino acid side chains in water exposed silk fibers is shown to correlate to the proline content. This implies that regions of major ampullate spidroin 2 protein, which is the only dragline silk protein with any significant proline content, become significantly hydrated in dragline spider silk.
The Impact of a Transitional Training Program for Young Adults with Learning Disabilities

A study was conducted in 1988-1990 at Lesley College's (Cambridge, Massachusetts) Threshold Program, one of the few campus-based, comprehensive transition programs in the country for young adults with learning disabilities functioning in the low-average intellectual range. The goal of the study was to assess the ability of program graduates from the classes of 1984 to 1987 to successfully manage the demands of independent living and competitive employment after intensive training in Threshold's 2- to 3-year program. From a total of 71 graduates contacted, 45 participated in the study, including 34 females and 11 males. The subjects ranged in age from 21 to 31 with the average age being 24. Information was gathered from all subjects through written questionnaires and personal or telephone contact. Small-group interviews were conducted with a sample of eight subjects. Factors contributing to the stability of competitive employment and independent living, support systems most commonly used, and specific impacts of the Threshold program on the lives of its graduates were studied. The data revealed that 61% of the respondents were currently employed in one of Threshold's fields of training, 52% had held their jobs for at least 1 year, and 42% (excluding cohort '87) held their jobs for at least 2 years. Seventy-five percent were living independently and 84% of those had maintained an apartment for more than 1 year. Subjects found compatibility with roommates and money management to be the biggest challenges. They perceived themselves as being quite independent and felt they would not be as successful without the opportunity of this program model.
On expectations and stability

In many decision making situations it is necessary for the decision maker to anticipate the actions of his opponents or rivals. In the area of economics this is typically the case in a market in which a number of different brands of a particular product are sold by competing producers. This problem was first formulated and analyzed in 1838 by Augustin Cournot who made the assumption that each producer believes that his rivals will take the same actions in the current period as in the preceding period. One of the implications of the Cournot model which invites serious criticismis the fact that the decision maker never changes his strategy in spite of the fact that his forecasts about his rivals' actions are always wrong. This article considers a number of alternative models into which learning processes are incorporated. One of the main results is that the introduction of a learning rule may be detrimental to the stability of the model. More generally, in choosing among alternative formulations, it may be the case that the model which is most attractive from the point of view of decision making, may turn out to be less stable than other models. Since the reasonableness of the behavioral assumptions as well as the stability of the underlying dynamical process are desirable features of such models, the findings of this research imply the existence of methodological conflicts.
Compensation Schemes, Skill Level, and Task Performance: An Experimental Examination*

The effect of budget-based incentive compensation schemes is a fundamental issue in developing and implementing organizational control systems. This study investigates the effect of alternative compensation schemes on performance and satisfaction. A theoretical model outlining the primary relationships is formulated and related hypotheses specified. The hypotheses reflect an integration of agency theory and organization behavior research. Across-group and within-group effects are investigated using both single-period and multiperiod analyses. A laboratory study involving 40 subjects is undertaken and the findings provide insights into the individual and group effects of alternative compensation schemes and the dynamics of changing Compensation schemes on productivity and satisfaction. Specifically, a relationship is found between compensation schemes and performance. The effect on performance is independent of the compensation scheme's perceived fairness. Satisfaction is a function of the congruence between the preferred scheme and the implemented scheme.