cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical, electrical and structural properties of Cu2Te thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering

Abstract Thin films of Cu 2 Te were deposited, at room temperature, on glass substrates by magnetron sputtering from independent Cu and Te sources. This work presents the effect of annealing temperature on the optical, structural, and electrical properties of sputtered Cu 2 Te films. Annealing above 300 °C resulted in stoichiometric and near stoichiometric Cu 2 Te phases, whereas temperatures above 400 °C yielded films with single Cu 2 Te phase. In contrast, annealing at temperatures of 250 °C and below resulted in mixed phases of CuTe, Cu 7 Te 5 , Cu 1.8 Te, and Cu 2 Te. Analyses of transmittance and reflectance measurements for Cu 2 Te indicate that photon absorption occurs via indirect band transitions for incident photons with energy above the band gap energy and free carrier absorption below the band gap energy. The determined indirect band gap was 0.90 eV and its associated phonon energy was 0.065 eV. Optical phonon scattering was identified as the mechanism through which the momentum is conserved during absorption by free carriers. Electrical measurements show p -type conductivity and highly degenerate semiconducting behavior with a hole carrier concentration p = 5.18 × 10 21 cm − 3 .
Examining the Relationship between Food Thought Suppression and Binge Eating Disorder

Food thought suppression, or purposely attempting to avoid thoughts of food, is related to a number of unwanted eating- and weight-related consequences, particularly in dieting and obese individuals. Little is known about the possible significance of food thought suppression in clinical samples, particularly obese patients who binge eat. This study examined food thought suppression in 150 obese patients seeking treatment for binge eating disorder (BED). Food thought suppression was not associated with binge eating frequency or body mass index but was significantly associated with higher current levels of eating disorder psychopathology and variables pertaining to obesity, dieting, and binge eating.
Chronic pelvic pain: Psychological features and laparoscopic findings

One hundred three consecutive patients referred for treatment of chronic pelvic pain underwent MMPI testing, and 60 had diagnostic laparoscopy. A physical cause for the pain was found in 45 (75%) of the 60. However, three fourths (34) of patients with an organic cause for the pain also had evidence of psychopathology on the MMPI. Reassurance and education as to the role of stress in causing or exacerbating pain complaints appeared helpful. Most patients improve without major surgery.
Constructing Typologies Through Cluster Analysis

Construction de typologies avec l'analyse de classification. Le manque de modeles statistiques semble rendre les methodes classificatoires inadequantes pour la recherche de types sousjacents. L'auteur montre que ces methodes, quoi que manquant un modele statistique, possedent clairement un modele logique. Les types monothetiques, polythetiques et completement polythetiques sont definis avec la logique de classes. L'objectif de la construction typologique est defini et la relation entre le modele logique et le modele statistique est developpee. L'auteur demontre que la construction d'une typologie (avec les methodes classificatoires ou d'autres methodes) n'est pas necessaire pour l'etude d'un petit nombre de variables. En revanche elle est essentielle dans le cas d'un nombre important de variables et l'analyse classificatoire est la seule methode adequate pour la construction de la typologie necessaire.
Goods and factors liberalization under increasing returns to scale

This paper develops a general equilibrium model with alternative forms of import restrictions, international capital mobility, and taxes on the rate of return on foreign capital in the context of a small open economy using an external increasing returns technology. Within this framework, this paper analyses the price and welfare effects of import liberalization in the presence of tax on foreign capital and of factor flows liberalization in the presence of alternative forms of import restrictions. It is shown, among other things, that, in contrast to the existing literature on constant returns to scale economy, the optimal policy towards foreign factors is possibly tax under each form of import restrictions.
Hydrothermal synthesis of lead zirconate titanate (PZT or Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3) nano-particles using controlled ramping and cooling rates

Abstract Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles with chemical composition Pb(Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 hold many promising current and future applications, such as PZT ink for 3-D printing or seeds for PZT thick films. One common method is hydrothermal growth, in which temperature, duration, or mineralizer concentrations are optimized to produce PZT nanoparticles with controlled size and distribution. In this paper, we present a modified hydrothermal process to fabricate PZT nanoparticles. The novelty is to employ a high ramping rate (e.g., 20 °C/min) as well as a fast cooling rate (e.g., 5 °C/min). The former generates abrupt supersaturation to promote burst nucleation of PZT nanoparticles, and the latter provides a controlled termination of crystal growth. As a result, PZT nanoparticles with a size distribution ranging from 200 nm to 800 nm are obtained with good morphology and crystallinity. The chemical composition and crystal structure of the PZT nanoparticles are confirmed through use of energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). A cubic morphology is also confirmed via SEM images. The hydrothermal process is further modified with excess lead (from 20 wt.% to 80 wt.%) to significantly reduce amorphous phase and agglomeration of the PZT nanoparticles. Finally, an expedited hydrothermal manufacturing process was developed to substantially reduce the fabrication time.
Structural and Functional Analysis of A-Type Ketoreductases from the Amphotericin Modular Polyketide Synthase.

Summary Complex polyketides are characterized by multiple chiral centers harboring hydroxyl and alkyl substituents. To investigate the mechanisms by which these stereocenters are set, several high-resolution structures of the ketoreductase (KR) domain from the second module of the amphotericin modular polyketide synthase (PKS) were solved. This first structural analysis of an A-type KR helps reveal how these KRs direct polyketide intermediates into their active sites from the side opposite that used by B-type KRs, resulting in a β-hydroxyl group of opposite stereochemistry. A comparison of structures obtained in the absence and presence of ligands reveals an induced fit mechanism that is important for catalysis. Activity assays of mutants of KRs from the first and second modules of the amphotericin PKS reveal the relative contributions of several active site residues toward catalysis and stereocontrol. Together, these results highlight the possibility of region-specific modification of polyketides through active site engineering of KRs.
Disorder-Tolerant Waveguides in Magneto-Optical Photonic Crystals

We explore back-scattering suppression in 2D magneto-optical photonic-crystal waveguides. A nonreciprocal waveguide is side-coupled to a coupled-resonator optical waveguide, where at certain frequency range the forward- and the backward-traveling waves are spatially separated.
The effect of anticipatory guidance on mothers' self-efficacy and behavioral intentions to prevent burns caused by hot tap water

Abstract An informational cartoon was developed and tested in a low-socioeconomic population composed mainly of Hispanics attending the Ripley Health Clinic in Houston, TX. The informational cartoon illustrated how scald injuries can be prevented by adjusting the water heater thermostat. Self-efficacy, intention, knowledge, attitude and social desirability were measured. Days were the randomization units. Over a 2-week period, five clinic days were randomly allocated to control and five to the intervention condition. During the control days, mothers in the pediatric department received only a posttest. During the intervention days mothers received the informational cartoon and posttest. Significant posttest differences between groups were found for self-efficacy ( P P P P
Secondary Organic Aerosol from Sesquiterpene and Monoterpene Emissions in the United States

Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from vegetation are believed to be a major source of secondary organic aerosol (SOA), which in turn comprises a large fraction of fine particulate matter in many areas. Sesquiterpenes are a class of biogenic VOC with high chemical reactivity and SOA yields. Sesquiterpenes have only recently been quantified in emissions from a wide variety of plants. In this study, a new sesquiterpene emission inventory is used to provide input to the Models-3 Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. CMAQ is used to estimate the contribution of sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes to SOA concentrations over the contiguous United States. The gas-particle partitioning module of CMAQ was modified to include condensable products of sesquiterpene oxidation and to update values of the enthalpy of vaporization. The resulting model predicts July monthly average surface concentrations of total SOA in the eastern U.S. ranging from about 0.2-0.8 microg m(-3). This is roughly double the amount of SOA produced in this region when sesquiterpenes are not included. Even with sesquiterpenes included, however, the model significantly underpredicts surface concentrations of particle-phase organic matter compared to observed values. Treating all SOA as capable of undergoing polymerization increases predicted monthly average surface concentrations in July to 0.4-1.2 microg m(-3), in closer agreement with observations. Using the original enthalpy of vaporization value in CMAQ in place of the values estimated from the recent literature results in predicted SOA concentrations of about 0.3-1.3 microg m(-3).
The effect of applied stress on densification of nanostructured zirconia during sinter-forging

Abstract Nanoparticles of ZrO2 (n-ZrO2) synthesized by the inert gas condensation technique were consolidated by sinter-forging, which is a pressure-assisted sintering process. It was found that there is a threshold stress below which there is only a small contribution to densification by the applied pressure. The value of the threshold stress depends on grain size and the effect is explained on the basis of driving forces for sintering. The grain size in the fully dense n-ZrO2 samples was 45 nm.
Robust portfolio selection problems

In this paper we show how to formulate and solve robust portfolio selection problems. The objective of these robust formulations is to systematically combat the sensitivity of the optimal portfolio to statistical and modeling errors in the estimates of the relevant market parameters. We introduce "uncertainty structures" for the market parameters and show that the robust portfolio selection problems corresponding to these uncertainty structures can be reformulated as second-order cone programs and, therefore, the computational effort required to solve them is comparable to that required for solving convex quadratic programs. Moreover, we show that these uncertainty structures correspond to confidence regions associated with the statistical procedures employed to estimate the market parameters. Finally, we demonstrate a simple recipe for efficiently computing robust portfolios given raw market data and a desired level of confidence.
Oral absorption of insulin encapsulated in artificial chyles of bile salts, palmitic acid and α-tocopherol dispersions

Abstract The hypoglycemic effect of orally given insulin was studied on rabbits, using different bile salts as absorption promoters, in two different carriers to form an artificial chyloform system ready to be absorbed by intestinal mucosa. The rank order of enhancement by bile salts in the presence of 1% ethanol was deoxycholate>cholate>glycocholate>glycodeoxycholate>taurodeoxycholate>no bile salts. The dose response studies with increased insulin loaded in the chyle showed a greater corresponding hypoglycemic effect with the system of cholate–palmitic-α-tocopherol dispersions than the cholate–palmitic acid dispersions. A more effective hypoglycemic effect was achieved using lower doses of the deoxycholate–palmitate–tocopherol–chyle dispersions.
Polarimetry of thin metal transmission gratings in the resonance region and its impact on the response of metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors

The resonance behavior of metal transmission gratings and its impact on the response of metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors have been studied experimentally and theoretically. The metal gratings, with finger spacings in the subwavelength region of the visible light, were fabricated using e-beam lithography and lift-off. Strong resonances have been observed only in the S polarization. As a result, the light transmitted through a grating is primarily S polarized if the grating’s finger spacing is less than one-third of the wavelength of the incident light, but P polarized otherwise. Similar phenomenon has been observed in the response of MSM photodetectors since the fingers (electrodes) of an MSM photodetector basically form a grating. Theoretical simulations employing the rigorous modal-expansion theory fairly predict the observed phenomenon.
Identification of proteins in human substantia nigra

Characterization of the human brain proteome is a critical area of research. While examination of the human cortex has provided some insight, very little is known about the proteome of the human midbrain, which demonstrates substantial loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in Parkinson's disease (PD). Therefore, characterization of this region is essential to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PD. This dataset paper reports two separate studies, where human SNpc was collected from PD and control subjects and 1263 proteins were identified using MALDI-TOF/TOF as well as linear ion trap MS platforms. With gene ontology analysis, the proteins were categorized according to their biological processes, as well as cellular components. These data were also compared with previous proteomic characterization of the human frontal and temporal cortex, and cerebrospinal fluid to establish shared proteins of relevance. The present dataset is the most extensive survey of the human SNpc proteome, to date. Further characterization of the SNpc proteome will significantly facilitate our understanding of the function and expression of proteins involved in PD, as well as provide potential proteins that may be utilized as biomarkers.
Transitioning the GPS Operational Control Segment to a modern architecture

This paper discusses how the GPS Operational Control Segment is evolving from a mainframe-based architecture to a distributed, modular architecture. The new architecture will facilitate future enhancements and the incorporation of new functionality into GPS. The paper details the architecture evolution approach that is currently being implemented. Specifically, the architecture evolution goals, the phases of the Architecture Evolution Plan, and the risk mitigation approach are discussed.
London study of vortex states in a superconducting film due to a magnetic dot

Here we report a study of vortex states in a thin superconducting film with a magnetic dot grown upon it by means of a method based on London-Maxwell equations. Vortices with a single quantum flux $({\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{0}=hc∕2e)$, giant vortices (vortices with multiple flux), as well as antivortices (vortices with negative vorticity) are taken into consideration. It turns out that giant vortices occur when the dot's size is sufficiently smaller $(R\ensuremath{\leqslant}4.5\ensuremath{\xi})$ than the effective penetration depth $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$. In the case of a dot with sufficiently large size $(R\ensuremath{\geqslant}6\ensuremath{\xi})$, the vortices with a single quantum flux dominate the vortex states. Their geometrical patterns are predicted up to seven vortices. Our calculations do not show the spontaneous appearance of antivortices.
Review Essay on Jonathan Kvanvig’s The Value of Knowledge and the Pursuit of Understanding

Jonathan Kvanvig’s The Value of Knowledge and the Pursuit of Understanding (2003) is a pioneering work in ‘‘value-driven epistemology.’’ According to this approach, since certain epistemic goods clearly are valuable or matter to us, our accounts of these goods should at least be sensitive to, and ideally should illuminate or explain, their value. It is natural to think that knowledge is one of the epistemic goods that we value, perhaps even that it is one of the great goods. Some valuable things are what we will call distinctively valuable, in the sense that each essential part or constituent of the thing makes some distinct positive contribution to its value. A state is distinctively valuable, if the value of the state exceeds the value of any proper subset of its constituents. Thus, if it turns out that something we find especially good is valuable only in virtue of the value of some proper subset of its constituents, then however great the value of this thing, it is not distinctively valuable. So is knowledge distinctively valuable? The majority of the book represents Kvanvig’s attempt to identify such a distinctive value. He begins by noting that Plato poses essentially the same question in the Meno. Suppose we take it, along with Meno towards the end of the dialogue, that knowledge is valuable because of its practical usefulness. Perhaps, for example, the reason we value knowing the correct way to
The Last-Weiss Rorschach Ego-Strength Scale as a prognostic measure for psychiatric outpatients.

This study tested the hypothesis that the Last and Weiss (1976) Rorschach Ego-Strength Scale (Σ E) would predict outcome among a representative sample of never-hospitalized psychiatric outpatients. 78 patients were assessed with structured symptom, psychiatric history, and social data interviews at the time of initial clinic contact and at 2-yr. follow-up. Outcome measures included the Menninger Health-Sickness Scale, a multidimensional variable involving social and work functioning and recent symptom level, symptom measures, and an index of diagnostic severity. Σ E, controlled for number of responses, correlated significantly with Health-Sickness, neurotic symptoms, diagnostic severity, and psychotic symptomatology. Among the components of Σ E, M +, and FC + had significant relationships or contributed to significant relations with outcome variables. Considered with an earlier study of inpatients, in which S + Σ E component correlated inversely with outcome, this study suggested that Σ E components have ...
4.4.3 Managing System Interface Requirements Reconciliation Using Design Structure Matrix Method

This paper presents a study at Ford Motor Company using the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) method to reveal the true workload associated with reconciling the requirements concerning major system interfaces. This study found that the common management practice underestimated the workload because the focus was on locally owned responsibilities. The workload associated with system interfaces was not accounted for. Three levels of responsibilities were uncovered—local responsibility, first order system interfaces, and second order system interfaces. The results of this study provide engineers and managers a framework and a vocabulary to better understand and manage system interface requirements reconciliation.
Antiplane Crack Problem in Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Materials

In this paper the problem of a finite crack in a strip of functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM) is studied. It is assumed that the elastic stiffness, piezoelectric constant, and dielectric permitivity of the FGPM vary continuously along the thickness of the strip, and that the strip is under an antiplane mechanical loading and in-plane electric loading. By using the Fourier transform, the problem is first reduced to two pairs of dual integral equations and then into Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. The near-tip singular stress and electric fields are obtained from the asymptotic expansion of the stresses and electric fields around the crack tip. It is found that the singular stresses and electric displacements at the tip of the crack in the functionally graded piezoelectric material carry the same forms as those in a homogeneous piezoelectric material but that the magnitudes of the intensity factors are dependent upon the gradient of the FGPM properties. The investigation on the influences of the FGPM graded properties shows that an increase in the gradient of the material properties can reduce the magnitude of the stress intensity factor. ©2002 ASME
Performance Measurement Versus City Service Satisfaction: Intra‐City Variations in Quality?*

Objective. This article illustrates the usefulness of citizen satisfaction surveys to account for variation in citizen satisfaction with public-service quality within a city's boundaries. Methods. The article examines data from 17 local governments and divided into 141 spatial areas to investigate the distribution of satisfaction within cities (as an outcome measure) and the effect of SES variables on variation in satisfaction with jointly consumed services. Results. Satisfaction varies within cities, not all of which is attributable to SES characteristics. This suggests substantive variation in service quality. Conclusions. Local governments interested in developing meaningful performance measures of service outcomes should incorporate properly designed citizen satisfaction surveys implemented at the service-district level. In addition, performance indicators of service inputs and outputs should be disaggregated to the service-district level and matched to citizen satisfaction results in order to allocate and tailor resource policy decisions in a more informed manner.
PRODUCTION OF K MESONS IN THREE-BODY STATES IN PROTON-PROTON INTERACTIONS AT 6 BeV/c

Analysis of 9700 events, containing at least one observed neutral or charged decay, produced by $6\ensuremath{-}\frac{\mathrm{BeV}}{c}$ protons in the LRL 72-in. liquid-hydrogen bubble chamber has yielded 1746 examples of the reaction $\mathrm{proton}+\mathrm{proton}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{hyperon}+K\mathrm{meson}+\mathrm{nucleon}$. Production cross sections for these three-body reactions are as follows:$\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\Lambda}{K}^{+}p)=54_{\ensuremath{-}5}^{}{}_{}{}^{+3}$\ensuremath{\mu}b, $\ensuremath{\sigma}({\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{0}{K}^{+}p)=17_{\ensuremath{-}2}^{}{}_{}{}^{+4}$\ensuremath{\mu}b, $\ensuremath{\sigma}({\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}{K}^{0}p)=26\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4$\ensuremath{\mu}b, $\ensuremath{\sigma}({\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}{K}^{+}n)=57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7$\ensuremath{\mu}b.Strong ${N}^{*}$ production is observed in all channels. In particular, one or more $T=\frac{1}{2}$ resonant states with mass near 1700 $\frac{\mathrm{MeV}}{{c}^{2}}$, decaying into $\ensuremath{\Lambda}{K}^{+}$, and a $T=\frac{3}{2}$ resonance with mass 1920 $\frac{\mathrm{MeV}}{{c}^{2}}$, decaying into ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}{K}^{+}$, are produced. In all cases the data are consistent with a production process dominated by a single-pion-exchange mechanism. No evidence is found for a dibaryon state in either the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-proton or $\ensuremath{\Sigma}$-nucleon system.
CellProfiler: image analysis software for identifying and quantifying cell phenotypes

Biologists can now prepare and image thousands of samples per day using automation, enabling chemical screens and functional genomics (for example, using RNA interference). Here we describe the first free, open-source system designed for flexible, high-throughput cell image analysis, CellProfiler. CellProfiler can address a variety of biological questions quantitatively, including standard assays (for example, cell count, size, per-cell protein levels) and complex morphological assays (for example, cell/organelle shape or subcellular patterns of DNA or protein staining).
ERO1-β, a pancreas-specific disulfide oxidase, promotes insulin biogenesis and glucose homeostasis

Mammals have two genes encoding homologues of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) disulfide oxidase ERO1 (ER oxidoreductin 1). ERO1-β is greatly enriched in the endocrine pancreas. We report in this study that homozygosity for a disrupting allele of Ero1lb selectively compromises oxidative folding of proinsulin and promotes glucose intolerance in mutant mice. Surprisingly, concomitant disruption of Ero1l, encoding the other ERO1 isoform, ERO1-α, does not exacerbate the ERO1-β deficiency phenotype. Although immunoglobulin-producing cells normally express both isoforms of ERO1, disulfide bond formation and immunoglobulin secretion proceed at nearly normal pace in the double mutant. Moreover, although the more reducing environment of their ER protects cultured ERO1-β knockdown Min6 cells from the toxicity of a misfolding-prone mutant Ins2Akita, the diabetic phenotype and islet destruction promoted by Ins2Akita are enhanced in ERO1-β compound mutant mice. These findings point to an unexpectedly selective function for ERO1-β in oxidative protein folding in insulin-producing cells that is required for glucose homeostasis in vivo.
Is α2-macroglobulin important in female stress urinary incontinence?

BACKGROUND: Loss of mechanical stability of the urethra and bladder is thought to be important in the development of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The vaginal wall is the main supporting tissue for pelvic organs and changes in components of supporting tissues are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of SUI. METHODS: We evaluated changes in expression of alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2-M), a protease inhibitor, in vaginal wall tissues from premenopausal women (aged 42-45 years) with SUI (n = 28) compared with menstrual cycle-matched continent women (controls, n = 29). The distribution of alpha2-M in vaginal wall tissues and fibroblasts was analysed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Expression levels of alpha2-M mRNA and protein was determined by relative real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Protease inhibition was measured to assess bioactivity. RESULTS: Vaginal wall tissues do express alpha2-M. Expression of alpha2-M mRNA and protein was significantly higher in tissues from controls compared to women with SUI in both proliferative and secretory phases (P < 0.05). Protease inhibitory activity of alpha2-M was significantly higher in tissues from controls compared to women with SUI in the secretory phase (P < 0.05), but we found no difference in the proliferative phase between groups. alpha2-M protein level was lower in the proliferative phase than the secretory phase in both controls and SUI patients, while for alpha2-M mRNA this was found only in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased expression of alpha2-M mRNA and protein and protease inhibitory activity in the vaginal wall tissues of women with SUI may contribute to the development of SUI.
Electrical characterization of the interconnected mesh power system (IMPS) MCM topology

A significant decrease in MCM substrate production cost can be achieved by reducing the number of substrate layers from the conventional four or five (power, ground, X signal, Y signal, pad) to two or three. Besides reducing direct processing steps, yield will also increase as defect producing operations are eliminated. This paper describes the Interconnected Mesh Power System (IMPS), a new interconnection topology which leverages the production technologies of fine line lithography and batch via generation to allow planar power and ground distribution, and dense signal interconnection, on only two metal layers. Several possible implementations of the topology in MCM-D and MCM-L are described. The design of a test vehicle which characterizes both the signal transmission and power distribution properties of the IMPS topology is discussed. The test vehicle has been built in an aluminum/polyimide on silicon process developed at HiDEC. Results of signal transmission measurements (impedance, delay, and crosstalk) for various signal/power/ground configurations are presented. Power distribution characteristics (DC drops and AC noise) are presented and compared with measurements on a test vehicle implemented with solid power and ground planes. From the measured characteristics of the test vehicle, the applicability (clock frequency, power, etc.) for the IMPS topology has been determined. Most MCM applications can benefit from the substrate cost reduction enabled by IMPS. >
Detection and Localization of Proteinuria by Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using MS325

After renal transplantation, persistent glomerular disease affecting the native kidneys typically causes albuminuria, at least for a period of time, making it difficult to determine in a noninvasive fashion whether proteinuria originates in the native kidneys or the renal allograft. To address this problem, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using gadolinium (Gd)-based albumin-bound blood pool contrast agent (MS325) to localize proteinuria was investigated. Glomerular proteinuria was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by intravenous injection of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN), whereas control rats received physiologic saline vehicle. Both groups of animals underwent a 40-min dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI using radio frequency spoiled gradient echo imaging sequence after injection of Gd-labeled MS325. Contrast uptake and clearance curves for cortex and medulla were determined from acquired MR images. Compared with controls, proteinuric rats exhibited significantly lower elimination rate constants. The use of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) as a contrast agent showed smaller and less specific differences between proteinuric and control groups. In rats with one proteinuric kidney (PAN-treated) and one normal kidney (transplanted from a normal rat), MRI using MS325 was able to differentiate between the two kidneys. The results suggest that MRI with an albumin-bound blood pool contrast agent may be a useful noninvasive way to localize proteinuria. If this technique can be successfully applied in human patients, it may allow for the localization of proteinuria after kidney transplant and thereby provide a noninvasive way to detect disease affecting the renal allograft.
MONETARY POLICY AND SALES‐FINANCE AND SMALL‐LOAN COMPANIES' FUNDS, 1949–54*

ONE POINT OF DISAGREEMENT between advocates and non-advocates of general credit controls is whether a tightening credit structure affects the operations of consumer instalment credit institutions. This study attempts to determine how a restrictive monetary policy affected the amounts, source, and cost of funds of sales-finance and small-loan companies. It is limited to the period from December 31, 1948, to June 30, 1954, which includes the restrictive monetary episode of March, 1951-June, 1953. Questionnaires were sent to one hundred companies (fifty-one replied) to determine quantitatively and qualitatively what effect monetary policy had had on their funds. This study is a compilation and analysis of their answers. Quantitative portions of the study deal with the amount, source, and cost of funds. Qualitative portions represent the expression of opinions by financial officers about their companies' actual and anticipated experiences in the money market during the 1951-53 episode and how these experiences altered their financial operations. Companies were segregated into sales-finance and smallloan groups and then further broken down into size groups. As an analysis of each division was made, qualitative and quantitative data were integrated to determine whether variations among the divisions were reactions to changing monetary policy. Major findings were that the amount, source, and cost of funds to these companies were influenced to some degree by monetary policy. The amount of funds was least affected, the source of funds more, and the cost of funds most significantly. There was no discernible limitation in the total amount of funds used by these companies as a group, but some companies were unable to get all the funds they wanted at rates they were willing to pay. This limitation was more than offset by the fact that larger companies could obtain additional funds at all times. The only possible limitation was of an indirect nature, caused by changes in terms of credit to the consumer which were made under the influence of monetary policy.
Genome-Wide Patterns of Expression in Drosophila Pure Species and Hybrid Males

One of the most fundamental questions for understanding the origin of species is why genes that function to cause fertility in a pure-species genetic background fail to produce fertility in a hybrid genetic background. A related question is why the sex that is most often sterile or inviable in hybrids is the heterogametic (usually male) sex. In this survey, we have examined the extent and nature of differences in gene expression between fertile adult males of two Drosophila species and sterile hybrid males produced from crosses between these species. Using oligonucleotide microarrays and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we have identified and confirmed that differences in gene expression exist between pure species and hybrid males, and many of these differences are quantitative rather than qualitative. Furthermore, genes that are expressed primarily or exclusively in males, including several involved in spermatogenesis, are disproportionately misexpressed in hybrids, suggesting a possible genetic cause for their sterility.
Hepato-biliary stem cells: facts and fancies

The canals of Hering and stem cells At the close of the 20 century, a decades long questions was finally settled: both rodent and human livers had facultative hepato-biliary stem cells. The stem cell niche in which these cells’ activities were identified was the canal of Hering (CoH) [1] – the link between hepatocyte canaliculi and the biliary tree. This structure had been functionally demonstrated by Ewald Hering in 1857, but its anatomic structure was merely inferred, but not visualized. Hering’s suggested that the link was located at the limiting plate, where hepatic parenchyma encountered portal tract stroma. His initial drawings depicted that hypothesis. The first direct imagings of the CoH were via electron microscopy, which confirmed that the CoH, as Hering intuited, was comprised of hepatocytes on one side and the smallest cholangiocytes on the other, but these high powered, ultrastructural views could not really explore the canal’s tissue level anatomic structure. Immunohistochemistry (for biliary keratins) and serial sectioning to create a three dimensional analysis of CoH in human livers solved the question [2]. Human CoH were not as small as thought and not restricted to the limiting plate; rather, they were delicate structures that extended across the limiting plate, into the periportal parenchymal regions, as much as a third of the way toward the central vein (but no further). It was from these structures that new hepatocytes were seen to be arising in the setting of severe acute injury (e.g. acetaminophen toxicity) [2] and in chronic liver diseases of all kinds (reviewed in [3]). These findings led to significant paradigm shifts. For hepato-biliary regeneration, settling of the argument as to whether there actually were liver stem cells potentiated explosive creativity in exploring their physiologic behavior and theraperutic potential. For pathology, the ubiquitous, but poorly understood “ductular reactions” (DR) – seen in all severe acute injuries and in all advanced stage chronic liver disease – were now understood to be tissue activations of the hepatobiliary stem cell niche [3].
The accuracy of reproducing target positions under various tensions

Using a lever positioning task, six groups of 10 Ss attempted to reproduce target positions of 25 deg or 65 deg under tension levels of either 0, 5, or 10 lb. It was found that the accuracy of reproduction was facilitated by the increased resistence at the 65-deg target position. No increase in accuracy was found at the 25-deg target.
Human resource development in China

Abstract China's recent dramatic economic growth has created an acute shortage of all grades of skilled labor. This article describes her human resource development strategies for overcoming these shortages. She is injecting market forces and incentives into the system and withdrawing from comprehensive manpower planning strategies. Her non-formal education system is probably the best and most comprehensive in the developing world.
Postdural Puncture Headache

HISTORY AND CURRENT RELEVANCE As one of the earliest recognized complications of regional anesthesia, PDPH has a long and colorful history [1]. Dr August Bier noted this adverse effect in the first patient to undergo successful spinal anesthesia on August 16, 1898. Bier observed: ‘‘Two hours after the operation his back and left leg became painful and the patient vomited and complained of severe headache. The pain and vomiting soon ceased, but headache was still present the next day’’ (italics added) [2]. The following week, Bier and his assistant, Dr August Hildebrandt, performed experiments with cocainization of the spinal cord on themselves. In a description scarcely improved upon in an intervening century, Bier later reported first-hand his experience in the days to follow: ‘‘I had a feeling of very strong pressure on my skull and became rather dizzy when I stood up rapidly from my chair. All these symptoms vanished at once when I lay down flat, but returned when I stood up. I was forced to take to bed and remained there for nine days, because all the manifestations recurred as soon as I got up. The symptoms finally resolved nine days after the lumbar puncture’’ [2]. In medical history, few complications have come to be considered as closely linked to a specific technique as PDPH with spinal anesthesia. Employing the methods of the early twentieth century, spinal anesthesia was frequently followed by severe and prolonged headache, casting a long shadow over the development and acceptance of this modality. Investigations into the cause of these troubling symptoms eventually led to the conclusion that they were due to persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) loss through the rent created in the meninges. The most notable successful efforts to minimize the loss of
Genetic analysis in Drosophila reveals a role for the mitochondrial protein p32 in synaptic transmission.

Mitochondria located within neuronal presynaptic terminals have been shown to play important roles in the release of chemical neurotransmitters. In the present study, a genetic screen for synaptic transmission mutants of Drosophila has identified the first mutation in a Drosophila homolog of the mitochondrial protein P32. Although P32 is highly conserved and has been studied extensively, its physiological role in mitochondria remains unknown and it has not previously been implicated in neural function. The Drosophila P32 mutant, referred to as dp32EC1, exhibited a temperature-sensitive (TS) paralytic behavioral phenotype. Moreover, electrophysiological analysis at adult neuromuscular synapses revealed a TS reduction in the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) and indicated that dP32 functions in neurotransmitter release. These studies are the first to address P32 function in Drosophila and expand our knowledge of mitochondrial proteins contributing to synaptic transmission.
Efficient Internet Chat Services for Help Desk Agents

This paper presents a model for "help desk chat" which is distinct from the "buddy-list" model for the conventional collaborative chats. Help desk chat includes several distinct capabilities including scheduling and routing functionality, archival of problem resolution sessions, integration with ticketing databases, unification with knowledge management systems, and efficient interfaces for agents to effectively handle and multi-task several chat sessions. The main motivation is to provide an alternate channel to voice calls that increases help desk agent efficiency while improving end user satisfaction. By implementing an end to end help desk chat system and piloting it in a large global enterprise, we demonstrate that help desk chat indeed meets these goals. Analysis results over numerous help desk chat transcripts quantitatively show the effectiveness of chat over voice across key help desk performance indicators including first call resolution, average speed to answer, average call duration, extent of multi-tasking, and end user satisfaction.
The role of the polycystins in kidney development

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic disease that affects both adults and children. Renal cysts are the cardinal sign of the disease that also causes cysts in liver, pancreas, testis, and ovary, as well as cardiac valvular insufficiency and arterial aneurysms. At least three genes cause ADPKD in humans. PKD1 and PKD2 have been cloned and sequenced, both code for novel proteins. Analyses of their primary structures suggest that polycystin-1, the PKD1 gene product, is a receptor, while similarities between the polycystins and calcium channel subunits suggest that these proteins are subunits of a novel channel. Individuals with mutations in PKD1 or PKD2 have identical phenotypes, which present at a later age in PKD2 patients. Recent evidence suggests that the two polycystins interact, providing a biochemical basis for the similarity of disease caused by mutations in PKD1 and PKD2. Consistent with its protean manifestations, polycystin-1 is widely expressed in both epithelial and nonepithelial tissues during embryological development. Mice with targeted mutations of either the PKD1 or the PKD2 genes die during embryogenesis. Thus, the PKD genes are required for normal fetal development. The observation that loss of polycystin-1 or -2 function causes death during embryogenesis suggests that PKD1 and PKD2 might be part of a morphoregulatory pathway.
Intra-hepatic vessel segmentation and classification in multi-phase CT using optimized graph cuts

The segmentation and classification of the major intra-hepatic blood vessels are critical for the robust identification of the segmental anatomy of the liver. We propose a novel 4D graph-based method to segment and label the hepatic and portal veins. The algorithm uses multi-phase CT images to model the differential enhancement of the liver structures and Hessian-based vesselness likelihood to avoid the common pitfalls of graph cuts-based intra-hepatic vessel segmentation. A hybrid classification step identifies the right, middle and left hepatic, and portal veins. We tested the method on CT data from nine patients and comparatively found that the new vesselness and enhancement graph costs are effective in reducing the effects of heterogeneous noise and vessel fragmentation.
Bi-directional half-duplex relaying protocols

The bi-directional relay channel is the natural extension of a three-terminal relay channel where node a transmits to node b with the help of a relay r to allow for two-way communication between nodes a and b. That is, in a bi-directional relay channel, a and b wish to exchange independent messages over a shared channel with the help of a relay r. The rates at which this communication may reliably take place depend on the assumptions made on the relay processing abilities. We overview information theoretic limits of the bi-directional relay channel under a variety of conditions, before focusing on half-duplex nodes in which communication takes place in a number of temporal phases (resulting in protocols), and nodes may forward messages in four manners. The relay-forwarding considered are: Amplify and forward (AF), decode and forward (DF), compress and forward (CF), and mixed forward. The last scheme is a combination of CF in one direction and DF in the other. We derive inner and outer bounds to the capacity region of the bi-directional relay channel for three temporal protocols under these four relaying schemes. The first protocol is a two phase protocol where a and b simultaneously transmit during the first phase and the relay r alone transmits during the second. The second protocol considers sequential transmissions from a and b followed by a transmission from the relay while the third protocol is a hybrid of the first two protocols and has four phases. We provide a comprehensive treatment of protocols in Gaussian noise, obtaining their respective achievable rate regions, outer bounds, and their relative performance under different SNR and relay geometries.
Pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol in Chinese spot-billed ducks (Anas poecilorhyncha).

The pharmacokinetic behavior of chloramphenicol in Chinese spot-billed ducks (Anas poecilorhyncha) was investigated. Single doses of chloramphenicol were given by the intravenous (22 mg/kg), intramuscular (22 mg/kg), and oral route (55 mg/kg) to six, seven and six ducks, respectively. Serum samples were collected at various times and analyzed for chloramphenicol by a radio-enzymatic procedure. The time—concentration curves after intravenous administration were described by one-compartment kinetics. The mean half-lives for the intravenous, intramuscular, and oral route were 102.5, 104.5 and 151.4 min, respectively. There was little individual variation in the time—concentration plots for either the intravenous or intramuscular route. However, following oral administration, there was considerable individual variation indicating erratic absorption. From the intravenously derived, pharmacokinetic parameters, dosage regimens applicable to either the intravenous or intramuscular route, were developed.
Editorial Comment—Ethnic Disparities in Stroke: Epidemiology, Acute Care, and Postacute Outcomes

In the current issue of Stroke , Stansbury et al provide a broad survey of ethnic disparities in stroke. Going beyond the frequently covered topics of incidence and mortality, this selected review of literature published from 1991 to 2003 considers ethnic variations in risk factor profiles, acute care, and the more chronic issues of use of rehabilitation services, functional outcomes, and recurrent stroke prevention. Data are most prevalent regarding black/white differences, allowing for firmer conclusions regarding disparities between these groups than can be drawn regarding other minority groups. Similarly, examination of the more easily and frequently measured variables of incidence and severity yields clearer conclusions, but the authors are to be commended for drawing attention to less well-studied but equally important areas of possible disparity. The authors focus on race or ethnicity (preferring the latter designation) as a construct primarily characterizing cultural and socioeconomic factors that relate to issues of access, societal discrimination, or behavioral variation more than they do genetics or biology. This seems entirely appropriate given that the biological effects of risk factors and medications are generally consistent across ethnic or racial groups, and the degree of genetic homogeneity within the groups considered is limited.1 This review …
A systematic study of radiation-induced segregation in ferritic-martensitic alloys

Abstract A systematic approach to measuring radiation-induced segregation (RIS) was used on four ferritic–martensitic (F–M) alloys: T91, HCM12A, HT9, and a Fe–9Cr model alloy, irradiated with 2.0 MeV protons over a range of doses (1–10 dpa) and temperatures (300–700°C). The experimental conditions are established so as to isolate the dependence of RIS on the experimental parameters: temperature, dose and bulk composition. RIS is measured at prior austenite grain boundaries (PAGBs) using the STEM/EDX technique. Chromium is found to enrich at PAGBs in all conditions with the exception being T91 irradiated to 3 dpa at 700°C. The magnitude of enrichment is small (