cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corporate financial crime: social diagnosis and treatment

Purpose – The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to assist in finding solutions for the growing moral and social issues of financial crime plaguing corporations today.Design/methodology/approach – Methodology includes the synthesis of existing theories in economic sociology and criminology to “diagnose” and “treat” the existing flaws in corporate structures that have led to malaise and malfeasance. Theories include differential association, self‐control, and control balance, taking into consideration the characteristics of individuals and corporate structures.Findings – Findings suggest that corporate structure has to be critically scrutinized and changes implemented, including close examination of informal and formal communication and salary structures.Practical implications – This paper suggests concrete strategies and policy changes for regulators, corporate decision makers, and academics.Originality/value – The synthesis of existing theories in white collar malfeasance and crime provides a template to...
Oligophagy and absence of food-aversion learning in tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta

. Temporary illness can be induced in tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta, by feeding them on Atropa belladonna or Nerium oleander that have been sprayed with insecticides, or by feeding them on unsprayed Petunia. Behavioural preference tests showed that recovered larvae did not avoid the plants that induced illness. Thus, these larvae did not exhibit food-aversion learning of the kind demonstrated in phytophagous terrestrial slugs and in vertebrates. The ecological significance of these results is discussed.
Electrospun biocomposite nanofibers for urea biosensing

Abstract Urease E.C.3.5.1.5 acts as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. Presence of this enzyme can increase the rate of reaction by 10 14 . Urea levels are vital in medical diagnosis, environmental and bioindustrial analysis. This paper presents an innovative technique for enzyme immobilization. Nanocomposite fibers of urease and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared by the electrospinning technique. The non-woven mat formed has potential as a urea biosensor. Its advancements over prior technology are faster response time, sensitivity to lower concentrations of urea, and a more versatile design.
Anisotropic Eliashberg theory of MgB2: Tc, isotope effects, superconducting energy gaps, quasiparticles, and specific heat

Abstract The anisotropic Eliashberg formalism, employing results from the ab initio pseudopotential density functional calculations, is applied to study the superconducting properties of MgB 2 . It is shown that the relatively high transition temperature of MgB 2 originates from strong electron–phonon coupling of the hole states in the boron σ-bonds although the coupling strength averaged over the Fermi surface is moderate, and the reduction of the isotope effect arises from the large anharmonicity of the relevant phonons. The superconducting energy gap is nodeless but its value varies strongly on different pieces of the Fermi surface. The gap values Δ ( k ) cluster into two groups at low temperature, a small value of ∼2 meV and a large value of ∼7 meV, resulting in two thresholds in the quasiparticle density of states and an increase in the specific heat at low temperature due to quasiparticle excitations over the small gap. All of these results are in good agreement with corresponding experiments and support the view that MgB 2 is a phonon-mediated multiple-gap superconductor.
Biocultural belief and iodine prophylaxis

Iodine prophylaxis, the most cost-effective public health intervention as yet known, has been slow to be adopted even where goiter and cretinism--the most common expressions of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD)--have long been known to be endemic and where underdevelopment cannot explain the absence of prophylaxis. Belief in the hereditary causation of IDD tends to be high in societies where familial goiter is common and endogamy is high. This belief props up opposition to prophylaxis, making dietary intervention appear both useless and wasteful. The examination of genealogies (pedigrees) alongside dietary history can erode support for hereditary causation. This can be done by charting the incidence of IDD against social and dietary changes.
The relationship between the low-income subsidy and cost-related nonadherence to drug therapies in Medicare Part D.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between receiving the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy (LIS) and cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey collected in spring 2007. Participants: Part D�enrolled Medicare beneficiaries who responded to the CAHPS survey. Measurements: Respondents were categorized into three LIS groups: deemed LIS (Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible and individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income), LIS applicants (other low-income individuals who applied for and received LIS), and non-LIS. Adjusted logistic models were used to assess the likelihood of CRN according to LIS status. Sample weights were applied in all analyses to account for complex sampling design. Results: Of 171,573 Part D-enrolled respondents (weighted N = 14,572,827; response rate 48%), 17.2% reported CRN. Specifically, 14.7% of non-LIS respondents, 22.2% of deemed-LIS respondents, and 24.0% of LIS applicants reported CRN. LIS groups had higher unadjusted odds of CRN than the non-LIS respondents, but fully adjusted odds of CRN were lower in the deemed-LIS (adjusted odds ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval = 0.59, 0.74) than the LIS applicants or the non-LIS respondents. Subgroup analyses revealed that sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were associated with higher CRN in all three groups. Conclusion: The lower adjusted odds of CRN in deemed-LIS is reassuring, suggesting that autoenrollment provides meaningful assistance in removing cost-related barriers to medication use, but certain sociodemographic characteristics were associated with higher odds of CRN. Efforts to improving outreach to these subgroups and tracking of CRN are warranted.
Acadian and Alleghenian remagnetization of the Jim Pond Formation, central western Maine, northern Appalachians

Lombard, A.D., van der Pluijm, B.A. and Van der Voo, R., 1991. Acadian and Alleghenian remagnetization of the Jim Pond Formation, central western Maine, northern Appalachians. Tectonophysics, 186: 279-291. Samples were collected from ten sites of the Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician Jim Pond Formation for paleomagnetic study. Stepwise thermal demagnetization reveals three separable components of magnetization. Component I is typically removed by 350aC; it is subparallel to the present day field (354O/+ 76” vs. 342”/+ 72O) at the site location (45.3ON, 289.4’E) and is considered to be a recent partial overprint. Component II, without tilt-correction, is a south-southeasterly and shallow direction (mean: 165 O/O ‘-‘, k = 31.4, a s5 = 8.6 o ) that is removed over an intermediate temperature range (350-600°C). Component III, without tilt-correction, is a northeasterly and shallow, upward direction (mean: lo”/- 24O, k = 21.5, ass = 7.3” ) and is removed over the highest temperature range (480° to 69OOC). Though not statistically significant, for Components II and III the precision parameter, k, decreases and the as5 increases when tilt-correction is applied, suggesting that both are post-folding magnetizations. Component II, without tilt correction, has a corresponding paleomagnetic pole located at 43ON, 130” E (dp, dm = 4.3”, 8.6 o ). which falls near the Late Carboniferous segment of the Laurentian Apparent Polar Wander Path (APWP). Component III, without tilt correction, has a corresponding pole located at 32”N. 98”E (dp, dm = 4.7O, 7.8”) which falls near the Lower-Middle Devonian segment of the APWP. We conclude that the Jim Pond Formation has undergone two Paleozoic remagnetization events, one in the Early to Middle Devonian and a second one in the Late Paleozoic. The ages of these remagnetizations coincide with the timing of major erogenic activity in the area, i.e. the Acadian and Alleghenian, respectively. The remagnetization event associated with the Acadian pulse can be recognized in other paleomagnetic investigations in the northern Appalachians.
Treatment with AC pulsed electromagnetic fields improves olfactory function in Parkinson's disease.

Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). It may manifest in the early stages of the disease and infrequently may even antedate the onset of motor symptoms. The cause of olfactory dysfunction in PD remains unknown. Pathological changes characteristic of PD (i.e., Lewy bodies) have been demonstrated in the olfactory bulb which contains a large population of dopaminergic neurons involved in olfactory information processing. Since dopaminergic drugs do not affect olfactory threshold in PD patients, it has been suggested that olfactory dysfunction in these patients is not dependent on dopamine deficiency. I present two fully medicated Parkinsonian patients with long standing history of olfactory dysfunction in whom recovery of smell occurred during therapeutic transcranial application of AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the picotesla flux density. In both patients improvement of smell during administration of EMFs occurred in conjunction with recurrent episodes of yawning. The temporal association between recovery of smell and yawning behavior is remarkable since yawning is mediated by activation of a subpopulation of striatal and limbic postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors induced by increased synaptic dopamine release. A high density of dopamine D2 receptors is present in the olfactory bulb and tract. Degeneration of olfactory dopaminergic neurons may lead to upregulation (i.e., supersensitivity) of postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors. Presumably, small amounts of dopamine released into the synapses of the olfactory bulb during magnetic stimulation may cause activation of these supersensitive receptors resulting in enhanced sense of smell. Interestingly, in both patients enhancement of smell perception occurred only during administration of EMFs of 7 Hz frequency implying that the release of dopamine and activation of dopamine D2 receptors in the olfactory bulb was partly frequency dependent. In fact, weak magnetic fields have been found to cause interaction with biological systems only within narrow frequency ranges (i.e., frequency windows) and the existence of such frequency ranges has been explained on the basis of the cyclotron resonance model.
Mexico's Maquiladora trade and the industrial flight hypothesis

The negotiating and ratification process of the North American Free Trade Agreement has brought new attention to the environmental problems of the U.S.-Mexico border. Particularly, much of the discussion has centered on whether the maquiladoras have had a large impact in creating the environmental problems along the border. The Integrated Environmental Border Plan under the Bush Administration and the parallel negotiations under the Clinton Administration are evidence of the political importance of the border environmental problems. The possible impacts of NAFTA on the border environment is an issue widely discussed among scholars (Gilbreath 1992, Mumme 1993, Trevino and Fernandez 1992). The purpose to the present work is to look back at the precursor of the NAFTA, the maquila industry. We will show that pollution abatement avoidance in the U.S. has contributed to the growth of the maquila industry. Industrial flight to Mexico occurs as pollution abatement costs rise in the U.S. In addition, our results indicate that firms may move to Mexico to increase their capital intensity. This result appears to contradict the conventional wisdom that firms move to Mexico to take advantage of inexpensive labor. The paper proceeds as follows. In the next section, brief reviews of the industrial flight and the pollution haven hypotheses in the maquiladora industry are presented. In Section III we present a model to test the industrial flight hypothesis. Section IV presents a description of the data and test results. The final section contains some conclusions and suggestions for additional research.
STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS IN THE GUANYLATE CYCLASE HEME POCKET AFTER CO PHOTOLYSIS

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is highly activated by NO, whereas CO, a competing ligand, only weakly activates the enzyme. The fact that NO, but not CO, breaks the sGC heme Fe-proximal histidine bond, has been assumed to be the key step in the NO activation of sGC. In this paper, we investigate the response of the heme pocket of three forms of sGCnative sGC, the homodimeric heme domain fragment [β1(1−385)], and the proximal heme-ligand mutant of β1(1−385) [H105G(Im)]to CO photolysis by using time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy to obtain better insight into the interaction of CO with sGC. Our results show that the heme pocket of native sGC assumes its equilibrium conformation within 10 ps after CO photolysis, while in β1(1−385) a 7 cm-1 upshift in ν(Fe−His) indicates a non-equilibrium conformation of the heme pocket, which relaxes with a time constant of 20 ns. In H105G(Im), a frequency downshift of 6 cm-1 is observed for ν(Fe−Im), and heme pocket relaxation has not fully occurred at 1 μs after CO...
The Effects of Delayed Auditory Feedback on a Speech-Related Task in Stutterers

Fifteen adult stutterers and 15 matched nonstutterers who presented normal hearing and normal psychiatric and neurological histories were studied. Their responses were compared on a patterned sylla...
Imaging the distribution and secondary structure of immobilized enzymes using infrared microspectroscopy.

Synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy (SIRMS) was used for the first time to image the distribution and secondary structure of an enzyme (lipase B from Candida antarctica, CALB) immobilized within a macroporous polymer matrix (poly(methyl methacrylate)) at 10 Im resolution. The beads of this catalyst (Novozyme435) were cut into thin sections (12 Im). SIRMS imaging of these thin sections revealed that the enzyme is localized in an external shell of the bead with a thickness of 80-100 Im. Also, the enzyme was unevenly distributed throughout this shell. Furthermore, by SIRMS-generated spectra, it was found that CALB secondary structure was not altered by immobilization. Unlike CALB, polystyrene molecules of similar molecular weight diffuse easily throughout Novozyme435 beads. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images of the Novozyme435 beads showed that the average pore size is 10 times larger than CALB or polystyrene molecules, implying that there is no physical barrier to enzyme or substrate diffusion throughout the bead. Thus, the difference between polystyrene and enzyme diffusivity suggests that protein-matrix and protein-protein interactions govern the distribution of the enzyme within the macroporous resin.
Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Following Stem Cell Transplantation: Is It More Than a Chance Occurrence?

Noninfectious pulmonary complications are one of the major side effects of hematopoetic stem cell transplant (HSCT); however, the development of pulmonary sarcoidosis post-HSCT is uncommon, with only three cases previously reported. In each of those cases, sarcoidosis was also diagnosed in the stem cell donor. We now report four cases of de novo pulmonary sarcoidosis occurring post-HSCT (3 autologous HSCT and 1 allogeneic HSCT). We suggest that pulmonary sarcoidosis may develop following either autologous or allogeneic HSCT, and the prevalence may be 10-fold higher than that of the normal population.
Use of ensemble learning technique for detection/identification of chemical plumes

An ensemble learning approach using a number of weak classifiers, each classifier conducting learning based on a random subset of spectral features (bands) of the training sample, is used to detect/identify a specific chemical plume. The support vector machine (SVM) is used as the weak classifier. The detection results of the multiple SVMs are combined to generate a final decision on a pixel's class membership. Due to the multiple learning processes conducted in the randomly selected spectral subspaces, the proposed ensemble learning can improve solution generality. This work uses a two-class approach, using samples taken from hyper-spectral image (HSI) cubes collected during a release of the test chemical. Performance results in the form of receiver operator characteristic curves, show similar performance when compared to a single SVM using the full spectrum. Initial results were obtained by training with samples taken from a single HSI cube. These results are compared to results that are more recent from training with sample data from 28 HSI cubes. Performance of algorithms trained with high concentration spectra show very strong responses when scored only on high concentration data. However, performance drops substantially when low concentration pixels are scored as well. Training with the low concentration pixels along with the high concentration pixels can improve over all solution generality and shows the strength of the ensemble approach. However, it appears that careful selection of the training data and the number of examples can have a significant impact on performance.
Contemporaneous and Longitudinal Associations of Sibling Conflict with Family Relationship Assessments and Family Discussions about Sibling Problems

The first purpose of this study was to examine contemporaneous and longitudinal associations of maternal and paternal measures of family functioning with observational and self-report assessments of sibling conflict. The second purpose was to determine whether the ways in which families attempt to solve siblings' problems are associated with contemporaneous and longitudinal assessment of sibling conflict. The results indicate that paternal equality of treatment and family harmony during family discussions about sibling problems, as well as parents' perceptions of family cohesiveness, are associated with lower sibling conflict levels.
Angiotensin II AT2 receptor stimulation extends the upper limit of cerebral blood flow autoregulation: agonist effects of CGP 42112 and PD 123319

The effects of the angiotensin II AT2 receptor ligands CGP 42112 and PD 123319, the AT1 antagonist losartan, and the nonselective angiotensin II antagonist Sar1,Ile8-angiotensin II on the upper limit of CBF autoregulation were studied in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Blood pressure was increased by intravenous phenylephrine infusion, while CBF was measured continuously from the parietal cortex by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Intravenous infusions of CGP 42112 (0.1 and 1 mg kg-1 min-1) and PD 123319 (0.36 and 1 mg kg-1 min-1) shifted the upper limit of CBF autoregulation toward higher blood pressures without affecting baseline CBF. Sar1,Ile8-angiotensin II (4 micrograms kg-1 min-1) had no effect on baseline CBF or CBF autoregulation but antagonized the effect of CGP 42112 and PD 123319. Losartan (10 mg/kg i.v. bolus) reduced baseline blood pressure and CBF and shifted the autoregulation curve toward higher blood pressures. Sar1,Ile8-angiotensin II blocked the effect of losartan on baseline CBF but not on CBF autoregulation. These results suggest that both CGP 42112 and PD 123319 exert their effects on CBF autoregulation through stimulation of angiotensin II AT2 receptors. The mechanism by which losartan affects CBF remains unclear.
Ethical Decision-Making by Consumers: The Roles of Product Harm and Consumer Vulnerability

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of perceptions of product harm and consumer vulnerability on ethical evaluations of target marketing strategies. We first established whether subjects are able to accurately judge the harmfulness of a product through labeling alone, and whether they could differentiate consumers who were more or less vulnerable. The results suggest that without the presence of a prime, subjects who depended on implicit memory or guess were able to detect differences in “sin” and “non-sin” products and consumer vulnerability, but were far less likely to be able to distinguish among high and low levels of product harm and consumer vulnerability. The inability to accurately identify high and low levels of product harm and consumer vulnerability impacted their perceptions of the ethicality of target marketing strategies, such that only four out of 18 target marketing strategies were judged as unethical. Thus, our findings contradict previous research that found subjects judged many more of the integrated strategies as unethical [Smith and Cooper-Martin, J Market 61(1997) 1]. Our results suggest that assessing ethical evaluations of strategies varying in product harm, and consumer vulnerability may only be relevant if consumers can accurately identify product harm.
Comparison of invasive and oscillometric blood pressure measurement techniques in anesthetized sheep, goats, and cattle

Abstract Objective To determine the level of agreement between an oscillometric (O-NIBP) and an invasive method (IBP) of monitoring arterial blood pressure (ABP) in anesthetized sheep, goats, and cattle. Study design Prospective clinical study. Animals Twenty sheep and goats, 20 cattle weighing 150 kg body weight. Methods Animals were anesthetized and systolic ABP (SABP), mean ABP (MABP), and diastolic ABP (DABP) were measured using IBP and O-NIBP. Differences between IBP and O-NIBP, and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) between SABP, MABP, and DABP values were assessed by the Bland–Altman method. Results Mean difference ± standard deviation (range) between SABP, DABP, and MABP measurements in sheep and goats was 0 ± 16 (-57 to 38) mmHg, 13 ± 16 (-37 to 70) mmHg, and 8 ± 13 (-34 to 54) mmHg, respectively. Mean difference between SABP, DABP, and MABP measurements in small cattle was 0 ± 19 (-37 to 37) mmHg, 6 ± 18 (-77 to 48) mmHg, and 4 ± 16 (-73 to 48) mmHg, respectively. Mean difference between SABP, DABP, and MABP measurements in large cattle was -18 ± 32 (-107 to 71) mmHg, 7 ± 29 (-112 to 63) mmHg, and -5 ± 28 (-110 to 60) mmHg, respectively. The 95% LOAs for SABP, DABP, and MABP were -31 to +31, -19 to +44, and -19 to +34 mmHg, respectively in sheep and goats; were -37 to +37, -19 to +44, and -19 to +34 mmHg, respectively in small cattle; and were -81 to +45, -50 to +63, and -59 to +50 mmHg, respectively in large cattle. Conclusions Agreement was poor between O-NIBP and IBP monitoring techniques. Clinical relevance Arterial BP should be monitored in anesthetized sheep, goats, and cattle using IBP.
Environmental and ecological problems in the introduction of alien microorganisms in the soil

Abstract The proposed environmental release of genetically engineereed microorganisms (GEMs) presents unique problems in hazard assessment. Currently, there are two general models, which might serve as guidelines for studying the environmental fate of GEMs. The first is to use the release of other non-indigenous organisms as a model for GEM fate. This approach has the advantage of focussing on the living properties of GEMs and provides insight not only into acute toxicity of the GEMs and gene products, but also into their ability to proliferate in host tissues and pass their genes to indigenous species. Alternatively, GEM fate can be analyzed by comparing GEMs to organic chemicals for which well-defined models exist. In this case, a primary consideration is to determine the degree to which a GEM is adsorbed or unbound. Further, the factors which affect adsorption, e.g. pH, temperature and soil characteristics as well as the population dynamics of GEMs and their ecological impact, must be assessed. Regardless of which model is chosen, the ultimate challenge is to develop methods which permit the screening of environmental samples for the presence of GEMs, their genes and gene products. Whole organisms can be detected using viable cell counts on antibiotic-amended agar as well as by serological means. Genes (and gene transfer) can be screened by Southern blots; the presence of various gene products can be detected by bioassay or serology. Microcosms, incorporating several trophic levels, provide a means by which the direct and indirect, as well as the acute and sublethal, effects of a GEM can be gauged.
Correction of argininosuccinate synthetase (AS) deficiency in a murine model of citrullinemia with recombinant adenovirus carrying human AS cDNA.

Citrullinemia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of argininosuccinate synthetase (AS). It is characterized by elevated levels of blood citrulline and ammonia, which often results in hyperammonemic coma and early neonatal death in affected children. We have explored the use of adenoviral vectors as a treatment modality in a murine model of citrullinemia, the Ass mouse. The Ass mouse has no endogenous AS activity due to a targeted interruption of the AS gene. Homozygous mutant animals develop high levels of blood citrulline, become hyperammonemic, and die within 24-48 h after birth. We demonstrated that the neonatal crisis in Ass mice can be ameliorated by the injection of a recombinant adenovirus carrying human AS cDNA (Ad.CMVhAS) within hours after birth. The average life span of the virus-treated animals was extended from 30 +/- 9.5 h to 16.1 +/- 1.6 days. A second viral infusion 14 days after the first dose further prolonged the life span to an average of 36.2 +/- 7.0 days, and to 40.7 +/- 3.3 days with a concurrent daily injection of arginine and sodium benzoate. Significantly increased liver AS activity (47.3 +/- 7.9% of normal) was detected 24 h after viral infusion, which reached peak levels (80-90% of normal) at day 7 and decreased to about 20% of normal within 2-3 weeks after viral infusion. Southern blot analysis of liver DNA revealed a transduction efficiency of about one viral genome per hepatocyte 7 days after viral infusion and a gradual decrease of viral genome per cell parallel to the loss of liver AS activity. Plasma glutamine levels were partially normalized in virus-treated animals and were completely normalized in animals receiving Ad.CMVhAS concurrently with alternative pathway therapy. Plasma arginine levels were also partially normalized. Together, these results demonstrated that the recombinant adenovirus was capable of conferring AS activity in the liver of the recipient animals within 24 h, and the neonatal crisis of hyperammonemia could be averted by acute treatment with the AS containing adenovirus.
Intracellular distribution of copper in rat liver and its response to hypophysectomy and growth hormone

Abstract 1. 1. Intracellular Cu in rat livers is found in largest concentrations in mitochondria and nuclei. 2. 2. There is a marked strain difference between Sprague-Dawley and Long Evans rats as determined by intracellular Cu binding. 3. 3. Hypophysectomy results in the accumulation of Cu in mitochondria, nuclei and the soluble cytoplasmic fraction, while growth hormone counteracts this effect. This influence of the pituitary is also manifested in the in vitro binding of Cu by liver homogenates. 4. 4. The major part of Cu bound to intracellular fractions is in non-dialyzable form.
Roadway network as a degrading system: vulnerability and system level performance

Views of both researchers and practitioners towards transportation infrastructure performance have experienced notable changes in the past few years. Strategic level decision-makers are more interested in knowing the performance of roadways and systems as a whole rather than the performance of the asset level components. With interdependent and complex infrastructure, many researchers have attempted to study the vulnerability of infrastructure to disasters and catastrophes as an important system level performance measure. This paper reviews the literature, extends the discussion and proposes new directions on vulnerability and performance evaluation of roadways. This paper reviews how performance assessment in transportation infrastructure - and particularly roadway systems - has been addressed from asset level to a wider system level perspective. Infrastructure interdependencies and network science, as two necessary components of system level performance and vulnerability assessment, are discussed. The significant impact of the condition of the roadway system on its performance and vulnerability is explained and condition based approaches are proposed. Finally, the advantages of, and contributions derived from, using a condition based approach to vulnerability assessment with current management systems of roadway infrastructure are explained.
Axon targeting in the Drosophila visual system.

Abstract The neuronal wiring of the Drosophila melanogaster visual system is constructed through an intricate series of cell–cell interactions. Recent studies have identified some of the gene regulatory and cytoskeletal signaling pathways responsible for the layer-specific targeting of Drosophila photoreceptor axons. Target selection decisions of the R1–R6 subset of photoreceptor axons have been found to be influenced by the nuclear factors Brakeless and Runt, and target selection decisions of the R7 subset of axons have been found to require the cell-surface proteins Ptp69d, Lar and N-cadherin. A role for the visual system glia in orienting photoreceptor axon outgrowth and target selection has also been uncovered.
Voice Production Mechanisms following Phonosurgical Treatment of Early Glottic Cancer

Objectives: Although near-normal conversational voices can be achieved with the phonosurgical management of early glottic cancer, there are still acoustic and aerodynamic deficits in vocal function that must be better understood to help further optimize phonosurgical interventions. Stroboscopic assessment is inadequate for this purpose. Methods: A newly developed color high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) system that included time-synchronized recordings of the acoustic signal was used to perform a detailed examination of voice production mechanisms in 14 subjects. Digital image processing techniques were used to quantify glottal phonatory function and to delineate relationships between vocal fold vibratory properties and acoustic perturbation measures. Results: The results for multiple measurements of vibratory asymmetry showed that 31% to 62% of subjects displayed higher-than-normal average values, whereas the mean values for glottal closure duration (open quotient) and periodicity of vibration fell within normal limits. The average HSV-based measures did not correlate significantly with the acoustic perturbation measures, but moderate correlations were exhibited between the acoustic measures and the SDs of the HSVbased parameters. Conclusions: The use of simultaneous, time-synchronized HSV and acoustic recordings can provide new insights into postoperative voice production mechanisms that cannot be obtained with stroboscopic assessment.
Cryoablation during left ventricular assist device implantation reduces postoperative ventricular tachyarrhythmias

Background The number of patients undergoing implantation of a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD; Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, Calif) is rising. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VA) after placement of the device is common, especially among patients with preoperative VA. We sought to determine whether intraoperative cryoablation in select patients reduces the incidence of postoperative VA. Methods From January 2009 through September 2010, 50 consecutive patients undergoing implantation of the HeartMate II LVAD were examined. Fourteen of these patients had recurrent preoperative VA. Of those patients with recurrent VA, half underwent intraoperative cryoablation (Cryo: n = 7) and half did not (NoCryo: n = 7). Intraoperatively, patients underwent localized epicardial and endocardial cryoablation via LVAD ventriculotomy. Cryothermal lesions were created to connect scar to fixed anatomic borders in the region of clinical VA. Demographics, risk factors, intraoperative features, and outcomes were analyzed to investigate the feasibility of cryoablation. Results Thirty-day mortality remained low (n = 1, 2%) among all LVAD recipients. There were no differences in risk factors between groups except that preoperative inotropes were less prevalent in Cryo patients ( P = .09). Compared with NoCryo, the Cryo group had significantly decreased postoperative resource use and complications ( P P = .02). Conclusions Postoperative VA can be minimized by preoperative risk assessment and intraoperative treatment. Localized cryoablation in select patients offers promising early feasibility when performed during HeartMate II LVAD implantation. Further prospective analysis is required to investigate this novel approach.
Challenging patients in an ambulatory setting

An increasing number of surgical procedures are now performed on an ambulatory basis. This article reviews these conditions and defines the appropriate preoperative evaluation and perioperative management. Our goal is to define those patients who would benefit in having care in an inpatient setting or those who require more intensive medical evaluation or preparation prior to outpatient surgery.
A 360-Degree and -Order Model of Venus Topography

This report presents the most recent spherical harmonic topography model of Venus developed at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It was produced by a spherical harmonic analysis of the most complete set of Magellan altimetry data, augmented by Pioneer Venus and Venera data. The harmonic coefficients of the topography were computed to degree and order 360. Compared to previous topography models, this one has the highest correlation with the gravity field of Venus.
Accuracy of film-based, digital, and enhanced digital images for endodontic length determination

Objective This study compared the accuracy of D- and F-speed intraoral radiographs and digital and enhanced digital radiographic images for endodontic file length determination. Study design Size 15 K-files were bonded in 51 canals of 34 human cadaver teeth. The distance from file tip to root apex was measured on D- and F-speed film and on unenhanced and enhanced digital images. The quality of the images was rated by the observers. Overlying cadaver bone and root structure were subsequently removed to expose the file tip for actual measurement to the apex. The distance measured on each image was compared with the actual measurement. ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, sign test, and Pearson correlation statistical analyses were applied. Results There were no significant differences in measurement accuracy among the 4 image types ( P ≤ .05). Subjective ratings showed a preference for the quality of enhanced digital images. Conclusion All 4 image types were similar in accuracy of file measurement. The image quality of enhanced digital images was subjectively superior to the others.
Real-Time PCR Assays for Detection and Quantification of Sweetpotato Viruses

Kokkinos, C. D., and Clark, C. A. 2006. Real-time PCR assays for detection and quantification of sweetpotato viruses. Plant Dis. 90:783-788. Viral diseases, especially those caused by mixed infections, are among the economically most important diseases of sweetpotato. The difficulties inherent in detecting, quantifying, and isolating viruses directly from sweetpotato have impeded progress in sweetpotato virus research. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed for the detection and relative quantification in singleplex reactions of the potyviruses Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), Sweet potato virus G (SPVG), and Ipomoea vein mosaic virus (IVMV); the crinivirus Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV); and the begomovirus Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) directly from infected sweetpotato plants. There was no significant effect from potential inhibitors in total nucleic acid extracts from sweetpotato leaves on the performance of the real-time PCR assays. Virus titers of SPFMV, IVMV, and SPVG were quantified using real-time PCR and found to be lower in singly infected sweetpotato plants compared with singly infected Brazilian morning-glory (Ipomoea setosa Ker.) and I. nil cv. Scarlet O’Hara plants. Real-time PCR was a more efficient detection method for SPLCV than conventional PCR assay.
Engineered Combined-Positive-Control Template for Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR in Multiple-Pathogen-Detection Assays

Recently we evaluated a custom TaqMan array card (TAC) detection system, formerly known as a TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) card, for simultaneous real-time PCR identification of 21 pathogens and three control targets in duplicate from respiratory specimens (M. Kodani et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 49:2175-2182, 2011). We engineered an adaptable and expandable system of in vitro RNA transcripts to serve as a combined positive control for both DNA and RNA targets in multiple-pathogen-detection technologies based on real-time reverse transcription-PCR.
Cardiac care unit admission criteria for suspected acute myocardial infarction in new-onset atrial fibrillation

Abstract Management of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) varies between institutions and individual physicians. Because AF often occurs in elderly patients and is associated with coronary artery disease, patients presenting for the first time are often selected for admission to the coronary care unit to exclude the possibility of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A review of 245 patients with AF admitted to an intensive care unit revealed 45 cases that were of new onset. AMI was diagnosed in 5 (11 % ) on the basis of elevated serum creatine kinase-MB levels. Evaluation of 56 clinical variables available during initial assessment indicated that infarction patients could be distinguished from others by the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (p
Estimation of length density Lv from vertical slices of unknown thickness

SUMMARY Length density of lineal features, Lv, is an important stereological parameter. The efficient stereological procedure for the estimation of Lv from the counting measurement performed on the projected images of the vertical slices (foils) is modified and improved: Lv can be now estimated from vertical slices of unknown thickness, and the slices need not be of the same thickness. The required assumption-free stereological relationship is is the average number of intersections of straight test lines parallel to the vertical axis with the projected images of the lineal features in the vertical slices, per unit test line length. is the average number of intersections of the lineal features with the parallel planes of the vertical slices, per unit area. Note that there are two parallel planes in a slice, and therefore their total area is twice the area of the observed projected image frame. is the average number of intersections of orientated cycloid-shaped test lines (minor axis perpendicular to vertical axis) with the projected images of the lineal features in the vertical slices, per unit length. For practical applications of this result, it is necessary uniquely to identify the points of intersections of the lineal features with the parallel planes of the slices in the projected images, so that can be estimated unambiguously. However, in practice, this is not a problem in biological, as well as materials microstructures.
Protective and Toxic Neuroinflammation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder characterized by loss of motor neurons, resulting in paralysis and death. Multiple mechanisms of motor neuron injury have been implicated based upon the more than 20 different genetic causes of familial ALS. These inherited mutations compromise diverse motor neuron pathways leading to cell-autonomous injury. In the ALS transgenic mouse models, however, motor neurons do not die alone. Cell death is noncell-autonomous dependent upon a well orchestrated dialogue between motor neurons and surrounding glia and adaptive immune cells. The pathogenesis of ALS consists of 2 stages: an early neuroprotective stage and a later neurotoxic stage. During early phases of disease progression, the immune system is protective with glia and T cells, especially M2 macrophages/microglia, and T helper 2 cells and regulatory T cells, providing anti-inflammatory factors that sustain motor neuron viability. As the disease progresses and motor neuron injury accelerates, a second rapidly progressing phase develops, characterized by M1 macrophages/microglia, and proinflammatory T cells. In rapidly progressing ALS patients, as in transgenic mice, neuroprotective regulatory T cells are significantly decreased and neurotoxicity predominates. Our own therapeutic efforts are focused on modulating these neuroinflammatory pathways. This review will focus on the cellular players involved in neuroinflammation in ALS and current therapeutic strategies to enhance neuroprotection and suppress neurotoxicity with the goal of arresting the progressive and devastating nature of ALS.
THE EXCLUSION OF ILLEGAL HISPANICS IN AGENDA-SETTING: THE IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONTROL ACT OF 1986

In November of 1986, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, designed primarily to control illegal Hispanic residents was signed into law. The new policy as implemented failed to remove, via legalization, illegal residents residing within the United States. The perspectives of Hispanic organiza- tions and 594 illegal residents were collected and evaluated to ascertain those variables that may have served to negate this public policy. The utilization of a subsequent qualitative and discriminant analysis indicated that the exclusion and/or lack of consideration given the perspectives of policy targeted groups and individuals in agenda setting, adversely affected the efficacy of the policy-making process, and thus, the laws it creates.
First-Principle Electronic Properties of Dilute-As GaNAs Alloy for Visible Light Emitters

The band structure of dilute-As GaNAs alloy with the As composition range from 0% to 12.5% is studied by using First-Principle density-functional calculation. Our analysis shows that the dilute-As GaNAs alloy exhibits the direct band gap properties. The dilute-As GaNAs alloy shows a band gap range from 3.645 eV down to 2.232 eV with As content varying from 0% to 12.5%, which covers the blue and green spectral regime. This finding indicates the alloy as a potential candidate for photonic devices applications. The bowing parameter of 14.5 eV ±0.5 eV is also obtained using line fitting with the First-Principle and experimental data. The effective masses for electrons and holes in dilute-As GaNAs alloy, as well as the split-off energy parameters, were also presented. Minimal interband Auger recombination is also suggested for the dilute-As GaNAs alloy attributing to the off-resonance condition for this process.
Thermal conductivity of amorphous solids

The thermal conductivities of glassy solids, when scaled by material parameters, have a similar magnitude and temperature dependence, from the lowest temperatures yet measured, to the melt. Both empirical results and theoretical models are reviewed briefly. It is emphasized that the thermal conductivity of an amorphous solid is not understood in any temperature range.
Evaluation of hardboard manufacturing process wastewater as a feedstream for ethanol production

Waste streams from the wood processing industry can serve as feedstream for ethanol production from biomass residues. Hardboard manufacturing process wastewater (HPW) was evaluated on the basis of monomeric sugar recovery and fermentability as a novel feedstream for ethanol production. Dilute acid hydrolysis, coupled with concentration of the wastewater resulted in a hydrolysate with 66 g/l total fermentable sugars. As xylose accounted for 53 % of the total sugars, native xylose-fermenting yeasts were evaluated for their ability to produce ethanol from the hydrolysate. The strains selected were, in decreasing order by ethanol yields from xylose (Yp/s, based on consumed sugars), Scheffersomycesstipitis ATCC 58785 (CBS 6054), Pachysolen tannophilus ATCC 60393, and Kluyveromyces marxianus ATCC 46537. The yeasts were compared on the basis of substrate utilization and ethanol yield during fermentations of the hydrolysate, measured using an HPLC. S. stipitis, P. tannophilus, and K. marxianus produced 0.34, 0.31, and 0.36 g/g, respectively. The yeasts were able to utilize between 58 and 75 % of the available substrate. S. stipitis outperformed the other yeast during the fermentation of the hydrolysate; consuming the highest concentration of available substrate and producing the highest ethanol concentration in 72 h. Due to its high sugar content and low inhibitor levels after hydrolysis, it was concluded that HPW is a suitable feedstream for ethanol production by S. stipitis.
Factors controlling variation in the seasonal spawning pattern of Lytechinus variegatus

A population of the regular sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus was sampled, and the gonad volume and test diameter recorded at monthly intervals for 10 years. Parameters abstracted from the data included the size and date when the gonads were full and when they were spent, the spawning pattern, and the spawn output. Environmental parameters available were sea temperature and rainfall. Correlations were determined among these. A correlation was also found between the appearance in successive years of a brood of young urchins on the shore and the temperature and rainfall.
Pregnancy outcomes in 10 female pancreas-kidney recipients.

Female recipients of pancreas-kidney transplants may have an increased chance for pregnancy, because transplantation often restores fertility. Data on pregnancy after pancreas-kidney transplantation were analyzed by the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry at US transplant centers. Ten recipients who were on cyclosporine-based immunosuppression were studied. A total of 15 pregnancies had resulted, of which 12 were live births. Among the 12 newborns, prematurity and low birth weight occurred in 75% and 83% of the cases, respectively. Three had complications associated with prematurity. Two thirds of the infants were delivered by cesarean section. All children are developing well with no apparent residual problems. During pregnancy, hypertension and urinary tract infections occurred frequently among recipients. Two recipients had three subsequent graft losses within 2 years of giving birth; however, both were successfully retransplanted. Successful pregnancy is possible for female pancreas-kidney rec...
Interaction with the United States Secret Service: Views of a mental health professional

Following a 1981 conference on Behavioral Science and the Secret Service, the author and his colleagues worked with the Service in a number of capacities. This paper summarizes their experience, with particular reference to the mentally ill threateners that come to the attention of the Secret Service. This experience offers one model for interaction between the Secret Service and a mental health agency, keeping clear the different roles of each. Language: en