cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The E-Banking and the Adoption of Innovations from the Perspective of the Transactions Cost Theory: Case of the Largest Commercial Banks in Lebanon

Based on the transactions cost theory, this article aims to explore the adoption and the integration of innovations and e-banking by the largest commercial banks in Lebanon. Referring to Rogers’ models (Diffusion of innovations. The Free Press, A Division of Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1983 [16]; Diffusion of innovations. New York Free Press, 1995 [17]), we studied the effects of this adoption on transactions costs and we presented the key role played by information and communications technology (ICT) in organizations, especially at the cost level. Using a qualitative approach, our study reveals the complexity of this concept, particularly regarding the integration strategies of the latest technological innovations within the banking sector, which appear to be essential for the development and the continuity of the sector at the national and regional levels
Multidimensional scaling and perceptual features: evidence of stimulus processing or memory prototypes?

Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to discover whether the perceptual features obtained in multidimensional scaling studies accurately reflect the acoustic properties of the stimulus vowels or merely aspects of the vowels’ long-term memory prototypes. In each experiment subjects were required to make paired-comparison judgments of vowel stimuli on two sets of stimulus pairs. The stimulus sets were composed of the same phonetic qualities but differed in terms of subphonemic (acoustic) characteristics. Multivariant analysis of variance indicated that subjects’ perceptual distance judgments were sensitive to the subphonemic as well as phonemic distinctions among the stimuli. The perceptual spaces extracted using INDSCAL analysis also accurately corresponded to these acoustic space variations. The results are argued to demonstrate the use of covert, subphonemic, categories during the paired-comparison task.
Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli) emergence and growth in a changing climate in great plains wetlands

Projected twenty first century increases in temperature and precipitation intensity in the U.S. Great Plains may alter playa wetland hydroperiods. Our objective was to identify favorable germination conditions for a common moist-soil grass, Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.), by evaluating emergence and growth response to various environmental conditions specific to the Northern (Nebraska) and Southern (Texas) range of playas. We used a temperature-controlled growth chamber experiment to evaluate emergence and growth response of Barnyardgrass to three main effects: (i) weekly temperatures representing historical and future conditions under a moderate emissions scenario, (ii) dry, moist, and saturated soil moisture conditions, and (iii) various seed bank densities. In Nebraska samples, projected future temperatures reduced emergence percentage by up to 20%, but increased emergence percentage by up to 15% for Texas samples. For Nebraska samples, plants were 9.6 cm taller under field capacity moisture compared to saturated moisture. Texas plant height was driven by temperature, where historical conditions produced plants that were 13 cm shorter than future warm conditions. These effects may be exacerbated in natural settings over time and when inter-specific competition exists; thus, temperature, soil moisture, and seed bank densities may be important considerations when planning for playa management in future climate conditions.
Recent advances in aerosol devices for the delivery of inhaled medications

Introduction: Aerosolized medications are commonly prescribed for the treatment of patients with pulmonary diseases, and there has been an increased interest in the development of aerosol delivery devices over the years. Technical innovations have advanced device design, novel features such as breath actuation, dose tracking, portability, and feedback mechanism during treatment that improved the performance of aerosol devices, and effectiveness of inhalation therapy.Areas covered: The purpose of this paper is to review recent advances in aerosol devices for delivery of inhaled medications.Expert opinion: Drug formulations and device designs are rapidly evolving to make more consistent dosing across a broad range of inspiratory efforts, to maximize dose and target specific areas of the diseased lung.
Zygomatic-Meatal Perpendicular Projection Lines: Bony Landmarks for Early Identification of the Temporal Horn of the Lateral Ventricle

Objective Localization of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle (TH) may be required during temporal lobe and ambient cistern surgery. Most available anatomic landmarks for TH localization are based on adjacent cortical landmarks that are inherently variable or subtle. This study aimed to localize the anterior tip of the TH relative to adjacent bony landmarks. Methods The TH was exposed on 21 sides of 11 cadaveric heads via removal of the middle temporal gyrus. Two lines were defined: (1) a perpendicular line to the zygomatic arch projected from the anterior concavity of the posterior zygomatic root (line A), and (2) a parallel line passing through the anterosuperior corner of the external auditory canal (line B). Sagittal distances from lines A and B to a parallel line passing through the anterior recess of the TH (line H) were measured. Results Mean (standard deviation) distances from lines A and B to line H were 13.3 (2.5) mm and 11.9 (2.2) mm, respectively. Line H was at 53% (8%) of the line A–line B interval measured from line A. The best way to search for the TH was to start approximately 15 mm posterior to line A and progress posteriorly such that a more posteriorly located TH tip would not be missed. Conclusions The zygomatic-meatal landmark is a reliable tool to localize TH during various approaches. It is independent from the approach trajectory. This landmark may be used as an ancillary tool in conjunction with other cortical landmarks and image guidance.
Partial Discharge Behaviors in Power Module under Very High Dv/dt Repetitive Square Voltages

Partial discharge (PD) is more likely to happen in the power module due to the increasing switching speed of new generation semiconductors. However, little research has been done to study the PD behaviors under very fast dv/dt (above $50 \mathrm{kV}/\mu\mathrm{s}$ ) repetitive square-wave voltages. To address this problem, PD behaviors of designed direct bonded copper (DBC) samples with different trench distances and chamfer radiuses under fast dv/dt ( $130 \mathrm{kV}/\mu\mathrm{s}$ ) repetitive square voltages are studied. The results show that, for different trench distances, the partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) increases linearly with increasing trench distances when the chamfer radius is larger than 0.5 mm, while PDIV shows a hump curve when the chamfer radius is less than 0.5 mm. The apparent charge becomes 23 nC with a large dispersion when the trench distance is 0.5 mm. For different chamfer radiuses, PDIV presents a U-shape shape curve with increasing radiuses from the zero (right angle) to 0.7 mm. The apparent charge is about 325 pC with a large dispersion when the chamfer radius is zero. The detailed experiment results and discussions are presented in this paper.
CHAPTER FIVE – Functional Explanation

Publisher Summary Objections are often raised against functional explanations because of their alleged inability to account for change, their antihistorical character, and their reinforcement of political conservatism. Such objections fail to distinguish between functional explanations per se and particular functionalist theories of society that have been offered by some anthropologists. Functionalist theories go beyond the mere employment of explanations that refer to roles and purposes. They require viewing societies as organic units, and demand either that every feature of a society be explained with reference to its contribution to the maintenance of the whole or that every cultural feature be explained in terms of its role in satisfying some basic need. One important use of functional explanations in these theories is to account for the stability of social arrangements, thus supporting the charges raised above. This chapter discusses the importance of several types of functional explanation for archaeology. It also presents various objections to functional explanation.
A Novel Active Needle Probe in an Atmospheric Pressure Corona-Based Cold Plasma Reactor With Admixtures of Helium and Dry Air

Corona-based atmospheric pressure cold plasma reactors can be applied to material processing, bacteria inactivation, plasma medicine, etc. Knowledge generated in this article can be used to optimize such reactors when they use electrodes consisting of arrays of needles. The experiment used a gas admixture of helium and dry air and an applied 60-Hz ac voltage of 6.5-kV rms, with an electrode gap of 6 cm. A novel single conducting needle probe was inserted into the corona gap from below the grounded electrode. Two distinct conduction and displacement current signals were captured by a digital oscilloscope: 1) current collected by the probe and 2) current collected by the grounded electrode. Current oscillograms were sorted into several classes, one of which showed evidence that corona pulses launched from the tip of the needle probe acted to shield surrounding portions of the grounded electrode resulting in distinct counter pulses of current (called shielding current pulses) observed at the grounded electrode current sensor. This needle probe has the ability to provide information regarding which electrode launches a corona pulse when both needle arrays (the high-voltage array and the grounded array) are known to be sources of corona discharges.
The matroid stratification of the Hilbert scheme of points on $$\mathbb {P}^1$$ P 1

Given a homogeneous ideal I in a polynomial ring over a field, one may record, for each degree d and for each polynomial $$f\in I_d$$ , the set of monomials in f with nonzero coefficients. These data collectively form the tropicalization of I. Tropicalizing ideals induces a “matroid stratification” on any (multigraded) Hilbert scheme. Very little is known about the structure of these stratifications. In this paper, we explore many examples of matroid strata, including some with interesting combinatorial structure, and give a convenient way of visualizing them. We show that the matroid stratification in the Hilbert scheme of points $$(\mathbb {P}^1)^{[k]}$$ is generated by all Schur polynomials in k variables. We end with an application to the T-graph problem of $$(\mathbb {A}^2)^{[n]};$$ classifying this graph is a longstanding open problem, and we establish the existence of an infinite class of edges.
Impact of Antimicrobial Use in Animals and Regulatory Response

There is accumulating evidence that the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals has adverse human health consequences. The use of these drugs in food animals selects for resistant pathogens and resistance genes that may be transferred to humans through the consumption or handling of foods of animal origin. Recent studies have demonstrated that antimicrobial resistance among foodborne bacteria may cause excess cases of illness, prolonged duration of illness, and increased rates of bacteremia, hospitalization and death. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is committed to resolving the public health impact arising from the use of antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals. The FDA's goal is to ensure that significant human antimicrobial therapies are not compromised or lost while providing for the safe use of antimicrobials in food animals. The FDA published a guidance document titled "Evaluating the Safety of Antimicrobial New Animal Drugs with Regard to their Microbiological Effects on Bacteria of Human Health Concern" that outlines a pathway drug sponsors can use to address concerns about antimicrobial resistance prior to approval of their drug. 30 The process uses a qualitative risk assessment approach to assess the potential of the intended use of a product to develop resistance in bacteria that may harm humans. The level of risk determines the level of risk management that is required for the drug to be approved.
Fintech and its Regulation, a Tool for Financial Inclusion in Argentina

This paper intends to address how FinTech and the regulation of FinTech can promote development, and in particular, financial inclusion in Argentina. If properly promoted and regulated, FinTech can make in Argentina a significant contribution to address its most important issues, mainly because it can be a powerful tool to fight financial exclusion.
Trends in Weight and Body Mass Index after Spinal Surgery for Degenerative Disease

ABSTRACT Background: Currently, 37% of adults in the United States are obese, and 34% are overweight. Obesity poses a particularly complex challenge in spinal surgery management, whereby risk of adverse surgical outcomes increases with increased body mass index (BMI). When patients are counseled to reduce weight to levels associated with acceptable surgical risks, patients often respond that their spinal problems prohibit the exercise needed to lose the required weight and counter that surgery will allow for increased activity and thereby facilitate weight loss. A retrospective study of a US Veterans Affairs (USVA) nationwide patient database was undertaken. Methods: A request was made of the USVA Corporate Data Warehouse for data on all patients undergoing elective spine surgery for degenerative conditions over a 10-year period. Results: The mean preoperative age of 65 667 patients identified was 59 years. The mean preoperative weight was 91.8 kg, and BMI was 29.2. Before surgery, 26 772 patients had a BMI of >30. After surgery, 12 564 (46.9%) lost at least 2.3 kg, 9450 (35.3%) gained at least 2.3 kg, and 4758 (17.8%) were unchanged. After surgery, 4853 (18.1%) lost at least 11.3 kg and 1360 (5.1%) lost at least 22.7 kg. At a mean of 1.9 years after index surgery, mean postoperative weight was 92.5 kg, and BMI was 29.4. Of the 65 667 patients, 23 125 (35.2%) patients lost at least 2.3 kg, 27 571 (42.0%) gained at least 2.3 kg, and 14 971 (23.0%) remained within 2.3 kg of their preoperative weight. Conclusion: The study results will aid in counseling patients regarding realistic expectations about weight loss after spinal surgery. Level of Evidence: 4. Clinical Relevance: This evidence will allow for realistic patient counseling regarding the likelihood of weight loss after elective spinal surgery.
Bipolar fractionated radiofrequency midface lift: A retrospective review

INTRODUCTION Midface rejuvenation is an important component of overall facial rejuvenation. Traditionally, midfacial skin laxity and volume loss have been addressed with surgical midfacial lifting and soft tissue augmentation with dermal fillers. We present a novel noninvasive approach to midface rejuvenation with a bipolar fractionated radiofrequency (FRF) device that addresses both volume loss and improves skin laxity. METHODS An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was performed and included subjects who received midfacial treatment with a bipolar FRF device. Follow-up photographs were objectively assessed by a blinded evaluator using a validated scale, the Facial Laxity Rating Scale. Paired t tests were used to evaluate the results for statistical significance. RESULTS A total of 15 subjects were included in the study. The average age was 64 and ranged from 48 to 73. The average midface laxity score prior to treatment was 5.6 and post-treatment was 6.3 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Bipolar FRF is a promising noninvasive intervention for midface rejuvenation.
Children's screen and problematic media use in the United States before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This mixed methods study examined parent-reported child screen media use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic by examining 2019-2020 changes in parent perceptions of media, screen media use (SMU), and problematic media use (PMU) in children aged 2-13 years (N = 129; 64 boys, 64 girls, 1 nonbinary; 90.7% White, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, 0.8% Black, 8.5% multiethnic; primarily middle-to-high income). Quantitative analyses showed a significant SMU and PMU increase (medium effect size). There was a steeper increase in PMU among school-age (older) children. Together, the qualitative and quantitative results suggest that the PMU and SMU increase were influenced by distal, proximal, and maintaining factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning, child behaviors, other children, parental mediation, and positive media reinforcement.
The long and winding road to memory consolidation

An imaging study suggests memories may depend briefly on the hippocampus, and for a prolonged period on the entorhinal cortex, before being organized fully within the neocortex.
Modulation of the Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase in Guinea Pigs by Ascorbic Acid and Food Restriction

Modulationof the flavin-containingmonooxygenase (FMO) by varying the ascorbic acid and food intake was investigated. Hepatic activity of the FMO in ascorbic acid-deficient guinea pigs fed a restricted amount of diet, which resulted in a 10-15% body weight loss, was 17% of that in animals fed restricted amounts of the adequate diet. FMO hepatic activity in ascorbic acid-supplemented guinea pigs on a food-restricted regimen was 176% of that found in animals fed the adequate diet ad libitum. This increase in activity was not related to stress. Alteration in the activity of this important drug-metabolizing enzyme system by a combination of ascorbic acid deficiency and reduced food intake could potentially alter the rate of metabolism of a great variety of pharmaceutical drugs and environmental chemicals. J. Nutr. 117: 286-290, 1987.
Mitotic Spindle Dynamics in Drosophila

Mitosis, the process by which the replicated chromosomes are segregated equally into daughter cells, has been studied for over a century. Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal organism for this research. Drosophila embryos are well suited to image mitosis, because during cycles 10-13 nuclei divide rapidly at the surface of the embryo, but mitotic cells during larval stages and spermatocytes are also used for the study of mitosis. Drosophila can be easily maintained, many mutant stocks exist, and transgenic flies expressing mutated or fluorescently labeled proteins can be made. In addition, the genome has been completed and RNA interference can be used in Drosophila tissue culture cells. Here, we review our current understanding of spindle dynamics, looking at the experiments and quantitative modeling on which it is based. Many molecular players in the Drosophila mitotic spindle are similar to those in mammalian spindles, so findings in Drosophila can be extended to other organisms.
Continuous conversion of uranium/plutonium nitrates to oxides

>A continuous fluidized-bed process for the conversion of uranium/ plutonium nitrates to oxides is under development to facilitate the recycle of plutonium in the nuclear fuel cycle. The basic process consists of two steps, each performed in a separate fluid-bed reactor: (a) codenitration at 375 deg C of uranyl nitrate -plutonium nitrate solutions to a UO/sub 3/ - PuO/sub 2/ powder form, and (b) reduction of the UO/sub 3/-PuO/sub 2/ with hydrogen at 600 deg C to form UO/sub 2/- PuO/sub 2/. Pilot-plant denitration studies with uranyl nitrate- plutonium nitrate solutions containing uranium/plutonium ratios of 50 and 4, and plutonium nitrate solution alone are described, as well as reduction of UO/sub 3/- PuO/sub 2/ powder. Examination of the UO/sub 3/ - PuO/sub 2/ denitration product by autoradiographic and electron microprobe techniques showed that the PuO/sub 2/ was distributed in the UO/sub 3/ matrix with a high degree of homogeneity. The conversion process appears to be applicable over the entire range of uranium-plutonium concentrations and for plutonium nitrate alone. The suitability of this product for the fabrication of fuel pellets is being studied in cooperation with nuclear fuel manufacturers. (auth)
Mashup as temporal amalgam: Time, taste, and textuality

The mashup video is examined as a specific textual component of remix culture. Mashup videos represent one particular type of remix and require an intricate base of knowledge to understand and appreciate the complex reworking of textuality engendered by the form. The mashup video becomes a key symbol of the engaged 21st-century media creator because it speaks to a media-literate and active audience. If we are to particulate in a fully autonomous media environment as scholars and as practitioners of participatory media, then it behooves us to speak not just to the salience of the mashup through a particular methodology, but also with a Media Studies 2.0 knowledge base. The temporal fluidity of the mashup video is explored as it relates to the concept of social and cultural taste. Analyses of the mashup videos "Virgin O'Riley" (Mark Vidler), "Vogue" (Luminosity), and "The Grey Video" (Fauchere and Tinguely) show how mashup videos remix new genres of cultural activity.
Reveal: A Formal Verification Tool for Verilog Designs

We describe the Reveal formal functional verification system and its application to four representative hardware test cases. Reveal employs counterexample-guided abstraction refinement, or CEGAR, and is suitable for verifying the complex control logic of designs with wide datapaths. Reveal performs automatic datapath abstraction yielding an approximation of the original design with a much smaller state space. This approximation is subsequently used to verify the correctness of control logic interactions. If the approximation proves to be too coarse, it is automatically refined based on the spurious counterexample it generates. Such refinement can be viewed as a form of on-demand "learning" similar in spirit to conflict-based learning in modern Boolean satisfiability solvers. The abstraction/refinement process is iterated until the design is shown to be correct or an actual design error is reported. The Reveal system allows some user control over the abstraction and refinement steps. This paper examines the effect on Reveal's performance of the various available options for abstraction and refinement. Based on our initial experience with this system, we believe that automating the verification for a useful class of hardware designs is now quite feasible.
Synaptonemal complex and recombination nodules in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster females.

Electron microscope serial section reconstruction analysis of all zygotene-pachytene nuclei of meiotic cells from three wild-type germaria (a subunit of the ovary containing the early meiotic stages arrayed in temporal developmental sequence) of Drosophila melanogaster females corroborates and extends earlier observations (CARPENTER 1975a) on the nature and sequence of ultrastructural events occurring during the time of meiotic recombination. Emphasis has been placed on (1) the time of appearance and disappearance of the synaptonemal complex (SC) and the changes in its dimensions that accompany a cell's progression through pachytene, and (2) the appearance, disappearance, number and chromosomal locations of recombination nodules (CARPENTER 1975b). For both the SC and the recombination nodule the availability of several developmental series has provided an estimate of the biological variability in the properties of these recombination-associated structures. The much more extensive data presented here substantiate the earlier hypothesis that recombination nodules occur at sites where reciprocal meiotic recombination will occur, has occurred, or is occurring. A second morphological type of recombination nodule is reported; it is suggested that the presence of the latter type of nodule may correlate with sites of gene conversion. The hypothesis that there may be two types of meiotic recombination processes is discussed.
TRANSICIÓN EN LAS UNIVERSIDADES DANESAS: GESTIÓN, FUSIONES Y RESPONSABILIDAD

Resumen es: Este texto se dedica al analisis del impacto de los procesos de globalizacion en la educacion superior danesa. Se estudia el alcance de tres tendencias q...
The Role of Renin-Angiotensin Agents in Altering the Natural History of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality worldwide. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers have been indispensable in diminishing the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes. In addition, cumulative evidence from retrospective studies pointed toward a beneficial effect of RAS agents in preventing the development and progression of T2DM. This disease-modifying potential of RAS blockers has been substantiated by recent prospective trials. Contemporary concepts regarding the natural history of T2DM and the pathophysiologic processes involved have increased our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of these agents in diabetes management. In addition to their established roles in the primary prevention of CVD in patients with diabetes, RAS blockers might be considered a suitable therapeutic choice for preventing the development of frank diabetes in high-risk patients.
Multifractal Structure of Noncompactly Supported Measures

Many important definitions in the theory of multifractal measures on ℝd, such as the Lq-spectrum, L∞-dimensions, and the Hausdorff dimension of a measure, cannot be applied to non-compactly supported or infinite measures. We propose definitions that extend the original definitions to positive Borel measures on ℝd which are finite on bounded sets, and recover many important results that hold for compactly supported finite measures. In particular, we prove that if the Lq-spectrum is differentiable at q = 1, then the derivative is equal to the Hausdorff dimension of the measure.
Performance-Based Budgeting: The Contribution of the Program Assessment Rating Tool

Under the President's Management Agenda for performance and budget integration, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) designed the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) to breath new life into performance-based budgeting as envisioned by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). This article discusses what PART is designed to do and how the PART process works. Based on recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports addressing implementation of PART in the last four fiscal years, the article answers such questions as: Has PART made a difference in program operations? What is the relationship between PART and GPRA? Has progress been made in improving the evidence base for PART assessments? How well does PART assess programs related to a common goal? What has been congressional reaction to the PART process? Are PART and performance budgeting making a difference in government?
Multilevel tree fusion for robust clock networks

Recent improvements in clock-tree and mesh-based topologies maintain a healthy competition between the two. Trees require much smaller capacitance, but meshes are naturally robust against process variation and can accommodate late design changes. Cross-link insertion has been advocated to make trees more robust, but is limited in practice to short distances. In this work we develop a novel non-tree topology that fuses several clock trees to create large-scale redundancy in a clock network. Empirical validation shows that our novel clock-network structure incrementally enhances robustness to satisfy given variation constraints. Our implementation called Contango3.0 produces robust clock networks even for challenging skew limits, without parallel buffering used by other implementations. It also offers a fine trade-off between power and robustness, increasing the capacitance of the initial tree by less than 60%, which results in 2.3× greater power efficiency than mesh structures.
International Differences in the Use of Obstetric Interventions

This study investigated current levels and trends between 1975 and 1986 in the rates of cesarean section in 21 countries and of operative vaginal delivery in 14 countries. Sharp differences in national obstetric practice were found, with cesarean rates ranging from a high of 32 (Brazil) to 7 (Czechoslovakia) per 100 hospital deliveries, and operative vaginal rates from 16 (Canada) to 2 (Czechoslovakia) per 100 hospital deliveries. For most countries, rates of cesarean section have risen as operative vaginal rates have fallen, but some important exceptions exist. A comparison of cesarean section rates for two complications of labor and delivery that can be objectively diagnosed, multiple births and breech delivery, demonstrates that cesarean section rates for these complications rose sharply in almost every country from 1980 to 1985. A comparison of 1985 national rates of intervention and measures of birth outcome found no significant relationship between the two. While such ecological comparisons are imperfect at best, this does indicate that low levels of early infant mortality can be achieved in some populations despite a low rate of cesarean deliveries. ( JAMA . 1990;263:3286-3291)
Staphylococcus aureus Infections and Antibiotic Resistance in Older Adults

The prevalence of infection with Staphylococcus aureus among older adults is unknown, but clinical syndromes caused by this organism are common. Bacteremia, pneumonia, endocarditis, and bone and joint infections are encountered with relative frequency in this population, and the clinical presentation may be atypical. Underlying disease and functional debility, rather than age itself, predispose the older adult to staphylococcal carriage and infection. Infections with methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus are acquired primarily in hospital, rather than in nursing homes or in the community. Lack of clinical suspicion for S. aureus infection and delays in appropriate therapy can be fatal. Staphylococcal infection should be considered for an older adult with risk factors for staphylococcal carriage, comorbid illness, debility, and history of recent hospitalization or nursing home stay. Choices regarding empirical therapy should be made on the basis of knowledge of local antibiotic susceptibility patterns.
Influence of Substrate and Salinity on Air-Incubated Gulf Killifish Embryos

Abstract Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis have evolved the ability to utilize air incubation in marsh grass to protect embryos from aquatic predators and allow for synchronous hatching during the following diurnal peak tide. This incubation strategy provides a humid, oxygen-rich environment for the embryos to develop. The current project investigated practical materials that could be used in an aquaculture setting to mimic the air incubation strategy at different salinities, and determined the effect of substrate (moistened with 7.5-g/L salinity water) on embryo size after an extended incubation period (19 d) at 22°C. Air-incubated embryos were placed on synthetic foam, bamboo batting, or burlap cloth substrates. Substrates were moistened with 3.5-, 7.5-, 14-, 20-, or 27-g/L-salinity water, and hatching was induced by submersion in water after 19 d of incubation. Embryos incubated in water (3.5- and 7.5-g/L salinity) at the same temperature began hatching at 8 d and continued intermittently until 14 d. The...
SOCIALIZING RETAIL EMPLOYEES IN ETHICAL VALUES: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FORMAL VERSUS INFORMAL METHODS

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an informal socialization process for reported employee attitudes towards unethical behavior within a large retail organization. This study compares the reported ethical attitudes of full-time employees (N = 203) who were socialized using an informal approach, to the reported ethical attitudes of their managers (N = 274) who were socialized using a formal approach. The results indicate that the informal approach to ethical socialization was not as effective as the formal approach to ethical socialization. Employees were more accepting of unethical behavior than were their managers. Implications are discussed and recommendations for ethical socialization techniques are provided.
Multiple retinoids alter liver bile salt-independent retinyl ester hydrolase activity, serum vitamin A and serum retinol-binding protein of rats☆

Abstract Liver bile salt-independent retinyl ester hydrolase (BSI-REH) has been suggested to play a significant role in the hydrolysis of chylomicron derived retinyl esters. Studies were conducted to investigate the individual effects of N -(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (HPR), retinoic acid, 13- cis -retinoic acid, Acitretin and Temarotene on BSI-REH, serum retinol, and serum retinol-binding protein (RBP) concentrations. We have demonstrated that micromolar concentrations of HPR, retinoic acid, 13- cis -retinoic acid or Acitretin significantly reduced the in vitro hydrolysis of retinyl palmitate. In contrast, Temarotene stimulated retinyl palmitate hydrolysis by BSI-REH. Retinoic acid and 13- cis -retinoic acid produced transient, but significant, depressions of both serum retinol and RBP concentrations, when the individual retinoids were administered orally to rats. The duration of the depression was shorter than we previously observed with acute HPR administration. Furthermore, Acitretin appeared to function with bimodal activity, producing significant depressions of serum retinol at 2 h and 24 h. No effect of Acitretin or Temarotene on serum RBP concentration was observed. The alterations observed in BSI-REH activity, serum retinol and RBP concentrations provide evidence that these retinoids can alter liver retinyl ester hydrolysis, but the effects observed on serum retinol concentration can only be partially explained by the BSI-REH activity.
Association of cardiomegaly with coronary artery histopathology and its relationship to atheroma.

Aims: Hypertrophied hearts at autopsy often display excessive coronary artery atherosclerosis, but the histopathology of coronary arteries in hearts with and without cardiomegaly has rarely been compared.Methods: In this study, forensic autopsies provided hearts with unexplained enlargement plus comparison specimens. Right coronary artery was opened longitudinally and flattened for formalin fixation and H&E-stained paraffin sections were cut perpendicular to the endothelial surface. The micro-scopically observed presence or absence of a necrotic atheroma in the specimen was recorded. At multiple sites far removed from any form of atherosclerosis, measurements were taken of intimal thickness, numbers of smooth muscle cells (SMC) and their ratio, the thickness per SMC, averaged over the entire nonatheromatous arterial length. When the mean thickness per SMC exceeded a certain cutoff point, the artery was declared likely to contain a necrotic atheroma.Results: The prevalence of specimens with necrotic atheromas increased stepwise with increasing heart weight, equally with fatal or with incidental cardiomegaly, and equally with hypertension- or obesity-related hypertrophy, rejecting further inclusion of appreciable age, race, or gender effects. The prevalence of specimens with thickness per SMC exceeding the cutoff point was almost always nearly identical to the prevalence of observed necrotic atheroma, showing the two variables to be tightly linked to each other with quantitative consistency across group comparisons of every form.Conclusions: In summary, cardiomegaly, irrespective of the specific cause, seems to accelerate the risk of atheromas, and to do so by first altering the arterial architecture, especially by increasing intimal thickness per SMC.
The Biosynthesis of GDP-l-Colitose: C-3 Deoxygenation Is Catalyzed by a Unique Coenzyme B6-Dependent Enzyme

l-Colitose (1) is a 3,6-dideoxyhexose found in the O-antigen of gram-negative lipopoly-saccharides. While the biosynthesis of many deoxysugars have previously been investigated, l-colitose is distinct in that it originates from GDP-d-mannose. In contrast, other 3,6-dideoxyhexoses arise from CDP-d-glucose. Therefore, the enzymes involved in the l-colitose biosynthetic pathway must be specifically tailored to utilize such a modified substrate. The mode for deoxygenation at C-3 of colitose is of particular interest because this conversion in other naturally occurring 3,6-dideoxyhexoses requires a pair of enzymes, E1 and E3, acting in concert. Interestingly, no E3 equivalent was identified in the five open reading frames of the col biosynthetic gene cluster from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IVA. However, the gene product of colD showed moderate similarity with the E1 gene (ddhC/ascC) of the ascarylose pathway (27% identity and 42% similarity). Because E1 is a pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP)-dependent enzyme, it was thought that ColD might also utilize PMP. Indeed, turnover was observed during incubation of ColD with substrate in the presence of excess PMP, but not with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). However, the rate of product formation increased by more than 40-fold when l-glutamate was included in the PLP incubation. The formation of alpha-ketoglutarate as a byproduct under these conditions clearly indicated that ColD functions as a transaminase, recognizing both PMP and PLP. In this paper, we propose a novel biosynthetic route for colitose, including the unprecedented C-3 deoxygenation performed solely by ColD. The utilization of PMP in a dehydration reaction is rare, but the combined deoxygenation-transamination activity makes ColD a unique enzyme.
A SYSTEMATIC-APPROACH TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CHRONIC CONJUNCTIVITIS

In 58 patients with chronic conjunctivitis of greater than two weeks' duration, examination included obtaining an ocular and general medical history and performing a complete ophthalmic examination of the external eye. Conjunctival smears were obtained for Gram and Giemsa staining, direct immunofluorescent monoclonal antibody staining for Chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex virus, and chlamydial culture. Cultures for bacteria and viruses were obtained in 33 patients. The cause of the chronic conjunctivitis based on clinical and laboratory criteria was established in 40 of 58 (69%) patients: chlamydia, 11 (19%); virus, eight (14%); irritant, six (10%); allergen, four (7%); contact lens, four (7%); bacteria, four (7%); acne rosacea, two (3%); and floppy eyelid syndrome, one (2%). In 18 of 58 (31%) patients, no specific cause was detected. We recommend a systematic approach in the investigation of chronic conjunctivitis. Direct immunofluorescent monoclonal antibody staining is an effective and rapid technique for detecting chronic chlamydial conjunctivitis.
Secretion of a lactosaminoglycan-containing glycoprotein by peri-implantation sheep conceptuses

Abstract Sheep conceptuses from day 16 of pregnancy we cultured in the presence of [ 3 H]glucosamine and [ 14 C]leucine and a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein (HMWG) secreted into the culture medium was purified by a combination of anion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The HMWG was found to have a molecular weight between 800 000 and 900 000 and to be highly resistant to digestion with pronase. Characteristics of the carbohydrate portion of the purified glycoprotein were examined by selective chemical and enzymatic digestions and lectin binding studies. Mild alkaline reduction was ineffective in disassociating carbohydrate chains from the protein core. Furthermore, the protein was resistant to both O -glycanase and peptide: N -glycanase F. Harsh alkaline reduction caused the release of carbohydrates, however. After pronase digestion of these products, three molecular weight classes of carbohydrates were resolved by Sephadex G-25 chromatography. Two lines of evidence indicate that the HMWG contains lactosaminoglycan components. The intact molecule and two of the molecular weight classes of carbohydrates resolved by harsh alkaline reduction bind Datura stramonium lectin. Binding of HMWG to lectin could be partially inhibited by N -acetyllactosamine and completely inhibited by a mixture of N , N ′-diacetylchitobiose and N , N ′ , N ″-triacetylchitotriose. Secondly, digestion with endo-β-galactosidase causes the release of 16% of the [ 3 H]glucosamine from the intact molecule. Therefore, the HMWG of the sheep conceptus is the first reported example of secretion of lactosaminoglycan-containing glycoprotein by peri-implantation embryos.
Closed Form Solution to the Electrostatic Potential Problem for a Spherical Cap

The following electrostatic potential problem is considered: arbitrary potential distribution is given on a spherical cap, the electric charge distribution is to be determined. The closed form solution is obtained by a special integral representation of the kernel of governing integral equation. Two examples are considered: uniform potential distribution over a spherical cap, and the case of earthed conducting spherical cap in a uniform electrical field. The expressions for the electric charge distribution and the total charge are given. The general results of this paper may be also applied to the related problems of a fluid flow and thermoconductivity. Die folgende Aufgabe zum elektrostatischen Potential wird betrachtet: Gegeben ist eine beliebige Potentialverteilung auf einer Kugelkalotte, dann bestimme man die Verteilung der elektrischen Ladung. Man erhalt eine Losung in geschlossener Form durch eine spezielle Integraldarstellung des Kerns der kontrollierenden Integralgleichung. Es werden zwei Beispiele betrachtet: homogene Potentialverteilung uber einer Kugelkalotte und der Fall einer geerdeten leitenden Kugelkalotte in einem homogenen elektrischen Feld. Die Ausdrucke fur die Verteilung der elektrischen Ladung und die Gesamtladung werden angegeben. Die allgemeinen Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit konnen auch auf die verwandten Probleme einer Flussigkeitsstromung und der Warmeleitfahigkeit angewendet werden.
Analysis of aortic valve gradients by transseptal technique: implications for noninvasive evaluation.

The peak instantaneous aortic valve gradient derived from Doppler echocardiography is commonly used to predict the severity of aortic stenosis. Peak instantaneous gradient should not be equated with the mean gradient or "peak to peak" gradient measured at cardiac catheterization. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between the aortic valve gradients, using a two-catheter transseptal technique in 102 patients with aortic stenosis, mixed aortic stenosis and regurgitation, and following aortic valve replacement. These cases were drawn from a series of 111 consecutive transseptal procedures for patients with isolated aortic valve disease. No major complications occurred, and the most common reason for technical failure was inability to engage the atrial septum in postoperative patients. Although the peak instantaneous gradient correlates well with the mean gradient in aortic stenosis (r = .94, P less than .001), mixed stenosis and regurgitation (r = .95, P less than .001), and after aortic valve replacement (r = .86, P less than .001), it systematically overestimates both the mean gradient and the peak to peak gradient. Neither the peak instantaneous nor the mean gradient correlates highly with aortic valve area in aortic stenosis (r = -.48, P less than .01 peak; r = -.58, P less than .001 mean gradient), mixed aortic stenosis and regurgitation (r = -.39, P NS peak; r = -.42, P NS mean gradient) or following aortic valve replacement (r = -.26, P NS peak; r = -.53, P less than .01 mean gradient). Systolic time intervals also were analyzed from the simultaneous left ventricular and ascending aortic pressure tracings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Effect of Crack Length and Bond Strength on the Delamination Process in Borsic-Al Composites

The effect of crack length and fiber-matrix bond strength on the delamination process in unidirectional Borsic-Al composites has been examined using Single-Edge-Notch specimens. The transverse tensile strength, σT, was used as an indirect measure of the fiber-matrix bond strength, which was altered through variations in hot pressing during composite fabrication. In composites with weak fiber-matrix bonds (σT = 3.2 ksi), the net-section stress at delamination, σ D, was observed to decrease with increasing crack length. Variations in crack length did not significantly alter the basic fracture mechanism in which the delamination process led to notch insensitivity. Increases in the fiber-matrix bond strength (σT increased from 3.2 ksi to 13.2 ksi) caused a marked increase in σD but did not change the general delamination process. Through the use of cross-plied composites, the transverse strength was raised to 16.6 ksi and delamination was suppressed. This led to notch-sensitive fracture behavior and a substan...
Performance of Obsolete and Current Cultivars and Pee Dee Germplasm Lines of Cotton

Yield and fiber quality comparisons of modern vs. obsolete cultivars and Pee Dee (PD) germplasm lines represent a measure of genetic gain for these traits and can be used to establish a base for estimating future breeding accomplishments. We evaluated 29 commercial cultivars and PD germplasm lines of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), 12 modern and 17 osbolete, in two tests per year for a 3-yr period (1979, 1980, 1981). The soils were a Norfolk fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Kandiudult) and a Norfolk loamy sand at Florence, SC(.)
A Rank Two Vector Bundle Associated to a Three Arrangement, and its Chern Polynomial

Abstract We prove that the Poincare polynomial π( A , t) of an essential, central three arrangement A over a field K of characteristic zero is (1+t)·ct( D 0( A )∨), where D 0( A ) is the sheaf associated to the kernel of the Jacobian ideal of A , and ct is the Chern polynomial. This shows that a version of Terao's theorem [Invent. Math.63 (1981), 159–179] on free arrangements also holds for all three arrangements. We also prove that for such an arrangement D 0( A )∨ is a vector bundle on P2 and derive an algorithm which computes ct( D 0( A )∨) from a free resolution of the Jacobian ideal of the defining polynomial of A .
Fecal propulsion in the colon: what a long, strange trip it is!

The peristaltic reflex, first described in detail by Bayliss & Starling (1899), is a fundamental reflex that propels gastrointestinal content in an oral to anal direction. The peristaltic reflex contributes aboral propulsion of content through the small and large intestines. The peristaltic reflex is mediated entirely by the enteric nervous system (ENS) which is intrinsic to the gut wall. The peristaltic reflex is initiated by circumferential distention of the gut wall by a bolus of luminal content which activates tension-sensitive intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs) and stretch sensitive interneurons (Furness et al. 2004; Smith et al. 2007). The tension- and stretch-sensitive neurons have orally and anally directed axons that synapse with interneurons. On the oral side of the site of distention, interneurons synapse with motoneurons which release acetylcholine to cause muscle contraction; this is the ascending excitatory component of the peristaltic reflex. On the anal side of the distention, interneurons synapse with motorneurons which release nitric oxide (NO) to cause muscle relaxation; this is the descending inhibitory component of the peristaltic reflex. The polarized reflex produces a pressure gradient which propels intestinal content in an oral to anal direction (Brookes, 2001).
Rapid regulation of tonic GABA currents in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Subacute and chronic changes in tonic GABAergic inhibition occur in human and experimental epilepsy. Less is known about how tonic inhibition is modulated over shorter time frames (seconds). We mea...