cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association between administrative and ownership characteristics of hospices and their proportion of inpatient deaths.

Hospice patients are more likely to die at home than patients involved in conventional medical care, but the proportion of home deaths varies between programs. A study of the effect of hospice administrative characteristics on inpatient death rates is presented. Data from hospice programs that operated in New York State between 1993 and 1995 were obtained from the State Health Department and from publications of the National Hospice Organization. Inpatient death rates varied significantly between different operating structures: 11% for hospices that were divisions of home health care agencies; 34% for hospices that were divisions of hospital corporations; and 20% for hospices that were independent hospice corporations. This difference was explained by the presence of dedicated inpatient hospice units: Programs with such units demonstrated higher inpatient death rates than those without (42% versus 11%; P < .00001). Though not necessarily causal, these associations should be of interest to patients, physicians, families, and policy-makers.
EFFECTS OF VISUAL PRESENTATION OF CALORIC VALUES ON FOOD BUYING BY NORMAL AND OBESE PERSONS

The effects of the visual presentation of the caloric values of food on the food buying behavior of 450 normal, overweight, and obese female subjects were studied, in a cafeteria setting. The caloric signs significantly decreased the total number of calories bought across all three weight groups. No differences were found among the three weight groups, either in the effect of the presentation of the caloric signs or in the total number of calories bought. The implications of these results were discussed, both in terms of present-day research on obesity as well as in terms of a large scale modification of eating behavior.
Bilateral central retinal artery occlusion in homocystinuria. A case report.

This article reports the first known case of bilateral central retinal artery occlusion associated with homocystinuria. Vascular occlusion may well explain cases of optic atrophy and sclerotic vessels which have been reported in the past.
A comparative analysis of four scales of consumer involvement

Four recent scales of consumer involvement are compared. These scales are first scrutinized, and, where necessary, modified, on a priori grounds. The modified scales are then empirically compared in terms of unidimensionality, convergent and discriminant validity, and nomological validity. On these criteria, the pruned and modified version of each of the four scales is found satisfactory. However, some unique features of each, which are discussed as trade-offs that marketing researchers would have to consider in their choice of a scale to measure this important consumer behavior construct. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
One digital library, two undergraduate classes, and four learning modules: Uses of a digital library in classrooms

The KMODDL (kinematic models for design digital library) is a digital library based on a historical collection of kinematic models made of steel and bronze. The digital library contains four types of learning modules including textual materials, QuickTime virtual reality movies, Java simulations, and stereolithographic files of the physical models. The authors report an evaluation study on the uses of the KMODDL in two undergraduate classes. This research reveals that the users in different classes encountered different usability problems, and reported quantitatively different subjective experiences. Further, the results indicate that depending on the subject area, the two user groups preferred different types of learning modules, resulting in different uses of the available materials and different learning outcomes. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future digital library design.
The histology and rate of tooth eruption with and without temporary impaction in the dog

Eruption was studied by experimentally impacting and releasing permanent premolars in puppies. Eruption rates of both normal and experimentally delayed teeth were calculated from weekly radiographs. The rate of normal eruption is triphasic and similar to a normal growth curve. It has an initial slow exponential rate which changes to a more rapid exponential rate followed in turn by a terminal plateau. All of the teeth released from impaction erupted and their rates exceeded or equaled the normal rate. The morphology of the bony trabeculae beneath the erupting teeth and the relative amount of soft tissue between the bone and teeth are expressions of the eruptive rate. The trabeculae around rapidly erupting teeth are thinner, more delicate and more widely separated from one another than those of slowly erupting teeth. Trabecular orientation aligns with the direction of eruption, showing not only its vertical component, but also whether the tooth moved mesially or distally during eruption.
Educating for Moral Development

This paper will begin by examining some of the characteristics of a person who is morally well developed. Then, two of the commonly held theories of moral development of human beings will be discussed. Next, some of the possible moral problems of gifted adolescents will be examined, as well as some of the reasons why these problems may occur. Finally, ideas will be given as to what school personnel can do in order to help gifted adolescents develop their full potential.
A comparison of community identication algorithms for regulatory network motifs

In the recent years high throughput data about biological processes has become available and thus opened a wide range of possibilities of research in multi-disciplinary areas, like network science. An idea that has been widely accepted is the fact that no life can exist without complex systems formed by interacting macromolecules. Rather than a single gene being responsible for a single phenotype (central dogma), it has been shown that the interaction between several genes is responsible for a given phenotype, a concept called System Biology. Identifying patterns of interactions (motifs) in these complex networks has attracted the attention in the scientific community, given that these networks are often very dense and dynamic. In this work we focus on a particular kind of biological network, a regulatory network where each node is a transcription factor and two nodes are connected if one of them encodes a transcription factor to another one that is regulated by this transcription factor. We focus on a specific kind of motif, a dense overlapping region (DOR) that claims that a set of genes regulated by different transcription factors are more overlapping than expected at a random network. We use different community identification algorithms in order to identify which algorithm best suits to the task of identification of this particular motif.
Kinetics of excited-state proton transfer of doubly protonated 3-aminoacridine

Abstract 3-aminoacridine (1) has beens been used to extend the quantitation of excited-state proton-transfer kinetic in concentrated acid media to ≈ 13 M sulfuric acid. The hydration requirement of the reaction and the reasons for its not attaining equilibrium within the lifetime of the excited state are discussed.
Regular expressions considered harmful in client-side XSS filters

Cross-site scripting flaws have now surpassed buffer overflows as the world's most common publicly-reported security vulnerability. In recent years, browser vendors and researchers have tried to develop client-side filters to mitigate these attacks. We analyze the best existing filters and find them to be either unacceptably slow or easily circumvented. Worse, some of these filters could introduce vulnerabilities into sites that were previously bug-free. We propose a new filter design that achieves both high performance and high precision by blocking scripts after HTML parsing but before execution. Compared to previous approaches, our approach is faster, protects against more vulnerabilities, and is harder for attackers to abuse. We have contributed an implementation of our filter design to the WebKit open source rendering engine, and the filter is now enabled by default in the Google Chrome browser.
Distribution of three key Early Permian fossil groups in western USA and northern Mexico and their relevance to interpretation of paleotectonic features along the southwestern margin of Laurentia

Abstract Three species groups, including two groups of corals and one of fusulinids, delineate the zone of favorable marine environments for these animals along the shelves bordering southwestern Laurentia during the Cisuralian (Early Permian). The three species groups are: the coral Protowentzelella group of late Asselian to early Sakmarian age, the fusulinid Eoparafusulina linearis group of late Sakmarian age, and the coral Pararachnastraea illipahensis group of late Artinskian to Kungurian age. Occurrences of these three species groups clearly outline most of the major paleotectonic features that were present along the southwestern margin of the Laurentian shelf at that time. The paucity of data in Mexico, however, leaves open the question of large-scale displacement on the Mojave–Sonora megashear, a feature proposed to cut across northern Mexico and southwestern USA, although the data presented here could be construed to suggest lack of significant displacement in post-Pennsylvanian time.
From college counselor to "risk manager": the evolving nature of college counseling on today's campuses.

Abstract College counselors are increasingly being called upon to assess “risk” and protect the college community from harm. This paper explores how this changing role for counselors might be impacting its reputation with students. It further discusses the complex and ever-changing dimensions of “risk,” noting the difficulty in developing reliable risk assessment tools.
Electric organ discharges of the gymnotiform fishes: III. Brachyhypopomus.

We measured and mapped the electric fields produced by three species of neotropical electric fish of the genus Brachyhypopomus (Gymnotiformes, Rham phichthyoidea, Hypopomidae), formerly Hypopomus. These species produce biphasic pulsed discharges from myogenic electric organs. Spatio-temporal false-color maps of the electric organ discharges measured on the skin show that the electric field is not a simple dipole in Brachyhypopomus. Instead, the dipole center moves rostro-caudally during the 1st phase (P1) of the electric organ discharge, and is stationary during the 2nd phase (P2). Except at the head and tip of tail, electric field lines rotate in the lateral and dorso-ventral planes. Rostrocaudal differences in field amplitude, field lines, and spatial stability suggest that different parts of the electric organ have undergone selection for different functions; the rostral portions seem specialized for electrosensory processing, whereas the caudal portions show adaptations for d.c. signal balancing and mate attraction as well. Computer animations of the electric field images described in this paper are available on web sites http:/(/) www.bbb.caltech.edu/ElectricFish or http:/(/)www.fiu.edu/-stoddard/electric fish.html.
Strong affirmative action

Abstract This paper analyses and defends strong affirmative action (SAA). SAA goes beyond weaker forms by using numerical goals, non‐traditional selection procedures, or preferential policies. Functions of SAA are identified and related to possible justifications. Claims that preferential policies are unfair to those they disadvantage are considered and rebutted. Diversity as a rationale for affirmative action is discussed and evaluated. And the limits of SAA in assisting the more disadvantaged segments of minority communities are noted.
Equilibrium shapes and energetics of iridium clusters on Ir(111)

Abstract In an effort to characterize the energetics of surface clusters, the shape and stability of iridium clusters containing from 18 to 39 atoms have been examined on the closepacked Ir(111) plane using a low-temperature field ion microscope. The hexagonal clusters Ir 19 and Ir 37 are found to be far more stable than less compact ones. At equilibrium, the latter occur in many different configurations conserving the total number of nearest neighbors. In these clusters, edges made up of {111} microfacets (type B) are strongly favored over type A edges, composed of {100} facets; the free energy difference amounts to ∼30 meV per atom. For nonhexagonal clusters, those with kinked edges occur most frequently.
Medication reconciliation: An important piece of the medication puzzle

Medication errors continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. This, in turn, costs the health care system millions of dollars each year in preventable costs. Medication reconciliation, an important piece of medication therapy management (MTM), is vital to reducing medication errors. By verifying, clarifying, and reconciling medications at each point of care, pharmacists can play a vital role in improving health care and lowering costs. This case study describes an MTM session with a 66-year-old Caucasian female who is referred by the nurse practitioner in the clinic for pharmacist services. The patient has a history of portal hypertension, alcoholic liver damage, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After obtaining a detailed history, the pharmacist identified significant medication-related problems including polypharmacy, nonadherence, drug-alcohol interactions, and inappropriate use of medication. After discussions with the patient and her nurse practitioner, a medication plan was created for the patient to follow.
Glycogen in Crustacean Fast and Slow Muscles

Ultrastructural examination of crayfish superficial (tonic) and deep (phasic) abdominal extensor muscles reveals a distribution and quantitative difference in glycogen between these muscles. Both superficial and deep fibers have a dense accumulation of glycogen in the interfibrillar sarcoplasm. In addition, the superficial extensors, but not the deep extensors, contain glycogen in the I band region. The glycogen granules are of the β type and can be removed enzymatically. The superficial medial and lateral fibers contain more glycogen than the medial and lateral deep fibers. A possible functional role for this difference is suggested.
Size Effects and Breakdown of the Power-Law Blinking Statistics of CdSe Nanorods

In this study, the dependence of sample size and light intensity on the fluorescence intermittency of semiconductor nanorods is investigated. We present a model with diffusion-controlled electron-transfer reactions involving anomalous diffusion in energy configuration space. This model leads to a general formula t(-m) exp[-(Gammat)n] for the temporal behavior of blinking statistics, where m and n are related to the time dependence of the spectral diffusion. We reanalyze the experimental data of the long-time bending tail of CdSe nanorods and elucidate the size effects of the bending rates and activation energy.
Mechanism of chromatin assembly in Xenopus oocytes

We have analyzed the chromatin assembly reaction catalyzed by the Xenopus oocyte extract (S-150). A 50 S complex is formed upon mixing the 17 S pUC DNA and the S-150. Mature histones are not detected in this complex, which contains relaxed DNA and protein, and generates subnucleosomal 7 S particles upon digestion with micrococcal nuclease. The relaxed nucleoprotein is gradually supercoiled into nucleosomal chromatin in the S-150, via a pathway that requires ATP and is blocked by novobiocin, and this process is accompanied by the appearance of mature histones H3 and H4. Isolated complexes also supercoil in vitro, which implies the complex is a kit that contains histone precursors, as well as topoisomerases and other enzymes required for assembly. We discuss the biological implications of these findings.
A mediator required for activation of RNA polymerase II transcription in vitro.

ACTIVATOR proteins bind to enhancer DNA elements and stimu-late the initiation of transcription. It has been proposed1–3 that activators contact general initiation factors at a promoter, and evidence for such direct interaction has been obtained4–10. Studies of transcription in vitro, however, have suggested that activators might function through an intermediary molecule(s) distinct from the general factors. In the first of these studies11,12, we exploited the finding that one activator could inhibit transcription stimulated by a second activator (activator interference or 'squelching')13–15. This inhibition, which is attributed to competition between the activators for a common target factor, could not be relieved by addition of a large excess of general initiation factors, suggesting that the target for which activators compete is distinct from these factors. Similar conclusions came from the observation that TFIID's expressed from cloned genes16–18 fail to replace partially purified 'natural' TFIID fractions in supporting activation, evidently because they lacked some component present in the impure fractions. While these lines of evidence for a novel 'mediator' of activation were negative, we also showed that a partially purified fraction from yeast would reverse activator interference12. This positive effect of a presumptive mediator provided an assay for its activity, but its role in activation was still only inferred. We now present direct evidence for a mediator which is required for stimulation of transcription in vitro by the activators GAL4–VP16 and GCN4, but which has no effect on transcription in the absence of activator protein.
Fragment-based identification of an inducible binding site on cell surface receptor CD44 for the design of protein-carbohydrate interaction inhibitors.

Selective inhibitors of hyaluronan (HA) binding to the cell surface receptor CD44 will have value as probes of CD44-mediated signaling and have potential as therapeutic agents in chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Using biophysical binding assays, fragment screening, and crystallographic characterization of complexes with the CD44 HA binding domain, we have discovered an inducible pocket adjacent to the HA binding groove into which small molecules may bind. Iterations of fragment combination and structure-driven design have allowed identification of a series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines as the first nonglycosidic inhibitors of the CD44–HA interaction. The affinity of these molecules for the CD44 HA binding domain parallels their ability to interfere with CD44 binding to polymeric HA in vitro. X-ray crystallographic complexes of lead compounds are described and compared to a new complex with a short HA tetrasaccharide, to establish the tetrahydroisoquinoline pharmacophore as an...
Serum bactericidal responses to Streptococcus equi of horses following infection or vaccination.

Summary An indirect test based on horse blood was used to study bactericidal responses of the horse to Streptococcus equi following infection or vaccination. Bactericidal antibody appeared in convalescent sera between two and four weeks and high titres were usually attained by eight weeks. Infection without clinical evidence of abscessation was also effective in eliciting strong bactericidal responses. Serum bactericidal activity of horses either recovered from strangles or immunised with commercial bacterin had declined eight months after vaccination. However, horses that developed strangles eight to 10 months after vaccination exhibited rapid and substantial increases in serum bactericidal activity. Groups of yearlings immunised with commercial S equi vaccines consisting either of M protein or bacterin developed clinical strangles within six months of vaccination although the majority of the animals had exhibited strong serum bactericidal activity a few weeks before occurrence of the disease. Similarly, a group of seven yearling ponies hyperimmunised with experimental vaccine, rich in M protein, were found to be highly susceptible to an intranasal challenge of 5 × 108 colony forming units of S equi, although their sera exhibited strong bactericidal activity at the time of challenge. These observations suggest that the role of serum bactericidal antibody in protection of the horse against strangles has been overrated.
Influence of aggregate size, water cement ratio and age on the microstructure of the interfacial transition zone

Abstract This paper presents the results of an investigation on the effect of water–cement ratio (w/c), aggregate size, and age on the microstructure of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between normal weight aggregate and the bulk cement paste. Backscattered electron images (BSE) obtained by scanning electron microscope were used to characterize the ITZ microstructure. The results suggest that the w/c plays an important role in controlling the microstructure of the ITZ and its thickness. Reducing w/c from 0.55 to 0.40 resulted in an ITZ with characteristics that are not distinguishable from those of the bulk paste as demonstrated by BSE images. Aggregate size appears to have an important influence on the ITZ characteristics. Reducing the aggregate size tends to reduce the ITZ porosity. The evolution of the ITZ microstructure relative to that of the bulk paste appears to depend on the initial content of the unhydrated cement grains (UH). The results suggest that the presence of a relatively low amount of UH in the ITZ at early age may cause the porosity of the ITZ, relative to that of the bulk paste, to increase with time. The presence of relatively large amount of UH in the ITZ at early ages may cause its porosity, relative to that of the bulk paste, to decrease with time.
Algorithms and Data Structures for External Memory

Data sets in large applications are often too massive to fit completely inside the computer's internal memory. The resulting input/output communication (or I/O) between fast internal memory and slower external memory (such as disks) can be a major performance bottleneck. In this manuscript, we survey the state of the art in the design and analysis of algorithms and data structures for external memory (or EM for short), where the goal is to exploit locality and parallelism in order to reduce the I/O costs. We consider a variety of EM paradigms for solving batched and online problems efficiently in external memory. For the batched problem of sorting and related problems like permuting and fast Fourier transform, the key paradigms include distribution and merging. The paradigm of disk striping offers an elegant way to use multiple disks in parallel. For sorting, however, disk striping can be nonoptimal with respect to I/O, so to gain further improvements we discuss distribution and merging techniques for using the disks independently. We also consider useful techniques for batched EM problems involving matrices, geometric data, and graphs. In the online domain, canonical EM applications include dictionary lookup and range searching. The two important classes of indexed data structures are based upon extendible hashing and B-trees. The paradigms of filtering and bootstrapping provide convenient means in online data structures to make effective use of the data accessed from disk. We also re-examine some of the above EM problems in slightly different settings, such as when the data items are moving, when the data items are variable-length such as character strings, when the data structure is compressed to save space, or when the allocated amount of internal memory can change dynamically. Programming tools and environments are available for simplifying the EM programming task. We report on some experiments in the domain of spatial databases using the TPIE system (Transparent Parallel I/O programming Environment). The newly developed EM algorithms and data structures that incorporate the paradigms we discuss are significantly faster than other methods used in practice.
Seizures Following DTP or MMR Vaccination: Results from the Vaccine Safety Datalink Study † 513

Seizures Following DTP or MMR Vaccination: Results from the Vaccine Safety Datalink Study † 513
Stabilization of DNA utilizing divalent cations and alcohol.

Abstract A novel method for protection of DNA from high shear induced damage is presented. This method uses simple divalent cations and the lyophilizable alcohol, tert-butanol, to self-assemble DNA into condensed, shear-resistant forms. The DNA used in these studies was a 5600 BP plasmid DNA encoding a therapeutic gene. Various solvents and salts were used to identify optimal conditions to condense plasmid DNA. A stable formulation was identified with plasmid DNA condensed in a cosolvent solution containing 20% (v/v) tert-butanol and 1 mM calcium chloride. The DNA was formulated at 100 μg/ml and condensed into rod and toroidal shapes that were approximately 50–300 nm in diameter. The rods were found to be kinetically stable for greater than 24 h following their preparation. Condensation of the plasmid DNA in this manner results in nearly 100% of the plasmid DNA remaining intact after 1 min of high shear stress applied by a 50 W probe sonicator. Uncondensed control plasmid DNA is completely fragmented following 30 s of identical sonication. It is believed that condensation of DNA in this manner will permit utilization of high shear-stress inducing processing techniques, such as lyophilization or spray-drying without resulting in damage to the DNA.
Visual encoding differentially affects auditory event-related potentials during working memory retrieval

Previous working memory studies using auditory stimuli at both encoding and retrieval show amplitude decreases in event-related potentials (N100 and late positive wave, LPW) at retrieval as a function of memory load. This study tested if these effects are associated with phonological or semantic coding by presenting visual stimuli at encoding and auditory stimuli at retrieval. We hypothesized that event-related potentials associated with phonological but not semantic coding would be affected by modality differences at encoding and retrieval. Memory sets having one, three, or five visual digits were followed by auditory probes that subjects classified as present or absent from the set. Reaction time increased and LPW amplitudes decreased with increases in memory load, but there were no significant effects of memory load on N100 amplitude. Results suggest that with respect to brain activity that covaries with memory load, probe N100 amplitude is associated with phonological coding and LPW amplitude is associated with semantic coding.
Activation of the Esophagin Promoter during Esophageal Epithelial Cell Differentiation

Abstract Esophagin is a member of the small proline-rich protein family of cell envelope precursor proteins, which are expressed during squamous cell differentiation. Esophagin is expressed at high levels in normal esophageal epithelium, but its expression is absent from esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. Moreover, loss of esophagin expression is present in areas of dysplasia or normal mucosa adjacent to carcinomas, suggesting that absence of esophagin may constitute a harbinger of early esophageal malignant transformation. A greater understanding of transcriptional control of esophagin may provide valuable insights into esophageal malignancy. Therefore, this study was undertaken in order to isolate and carry out initial characterization of a functional promoter for esophagin. A genomic clone containing esophagin was isolated and sequenced, including 2.7 kb of the esophagin promoter region. Esophagin expression was studied in response to various treatments of primary cultured human esophageal epithelial cells and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Calcium was the strongest inducer of the endogenous esophagin promoter, with induction occurring at 12–72 hours. In primary cultured esophageal epithelial cells, a region spanning 116 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site to 45 bp downstream was sufficient to direct low, basal, in vitro esophagin expression. However, responsiveness of primary esophageal cells to calcium required inclusion of promoter elements 1688 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site. Site-directed mutagenesis studies suggested a putative role for C/EBP-β, OCT-1, and OCT-3 transcription factor binding sites in the minimal promoter region. In conjunction with published human in vivo studies, these data support the hypothesis that esophagin is a biomarker of esophageal squamous cell differentiation and provide an in vitro model to evaluate regulatory factors involved in this differentiation process.
Is there a circadian variation of epileptiform abnormalities in idiopathic generalized epilepsy

Epileptiform abnormalities often occur at specific times of day or night, possibly attributable to state of consciousness (sleep vs. wake) and/or influences from the endogenous circadian pacemaker. In this pilot study we tested for the existence of circadian variation of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs), independent of changes in state, environment, or behavior. Five patients with generalized epilepsy underwent a protocol whereby their sleep/wake schedule was evenly distributed across the circadian cycle while undergoing full-montage electroencephalography and hourly plasma melatonin measurements. Light was <8 lux to prevent circadian entrainment. All patients completed the protocol, testifying to its feasibility. All patients had normal circadian rhythmicity of plasma melatonin relative to their habitual sleep times. In the three patients with sufficient IEDs to assess variability, most IEDs occurred during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (ratio NREM:wake = 14:1, P < 0.001). In both patients who had NREM at all circadian phases, there was apparent circadian variation in IEDs but with different phases relative to peak melatonin.
Error in skilled performance: a control model of prescribing

A control model of skilled performance is proposed as a framework for understanding why prescribing errors occur at a particular rate. Model error rate depends on skill level, system design characteristics, the range of different types of prescriptions that are produced and the time available to complete each prescription. The parameters of the model can be adjusted so it produces error rates that are quantitatively equal to those found in studies of the incidence of different types of prescribing error. The model will also produce error rates that are qualitatively consistent with the results of studies that show increases in prescribing error rates as a result of increases in distractions and workload. The model is used to determine the likely effectiveness of different prescribing error prevention interventions.
Direct measurement of electrostriction in perovskite type ferroelectrics

Abstract A simplified AC capacitance dilatometer based on the design of Uchino and Cross1 has been constructed to measure directly the temperature dependence of electrostrictive strain in perovskite type ferroelectric crystals and ceramics. A mechanical bridge circuit is used to compensate for thermal expansion of the mechanical components, eliminating the need for DC servo stabilization. The instrument has been used in the temperature range from 20°C to 200°C. In the AC method, the electrostrictive strain under AC driving field is compared to the known strain induced in a quartz reference crystal under phase locked conditions. The method has been checked with the known piezoelectric behavior of quartz and of selected PZT disk samples. Measurements of Q constants will be reported for lead magnesium niobate (PMN), lead magnesium niobate:lead titanate solid solutions (PMN:PT), and lead iron niobate:lead iron tungstate (PFN:PFW).
Coupling of a corona discharge to matrix isolation for the production of intermediates: the CCl4 system

Abstract An apparatus to couple a high voltage, low power corona discharge to a matrix isolation system has been designed and tested by application to the CCl 4 system. Argon was used as the discharge/expansion gas as well as the matrix material. A very high yield of the CCl 3 radical was obtained, along with a moderate yield of the CCl + 3 cation and related cationic species, along with several minor products. The results obtained here compare very favorably with earlier results from microwave discharge and excimer laser irradiation studies. The corona discharge is thus a simple, inexpensive and effective source of intermediates for matrix spectroscopic study.
Practice guidelines for the management of pain.

OPTIONS 1. Control of burn pain must begin upon initiation of medical care. Once intravenous access is gained and resuscitation started, intravenous opioids should be administered. The opioid dose occasionally exceeds the standard weight-based recommendations and is necessary to achieve adequate pain control. 2. Opioids, along with other adjuncts such as benzodiazepines, are used to control background pain and are supplemented to achieve procedural and breakthrough pain control. 3. Standardized metrics should be regularly used to quantify patient pain and anxiety levels
A 100 Mbps, LED Through-Wafer Optoelectronic Link for Multicomputer Interconnection Networks

Through-wafer optoelectronic interconnect offers some architectural alternatives that are not available with wire-based interconnects. In order to compete with wire-based technologies, optoelectronic interconnects must provide reasonable performance in terms of bandwidth, bit error rate (BER), and power, using inexpensive and manufacturable devices. This paper presents a 100 Mbps link design under development as part of a scalable three-dimensional multicomputer network for a 4096 node system. Empirical and analytical data for emitters, detectors, receivers, and optical coupling is used to examine the tradeoffs between link power and bit error rate (BER). Because multicomputer networks demand extremely low BERs (10?15?10?20),hop-by-hoperror correction circuitry is incorporated to optimize BER, providing a robust channel. This approach employs a novel adaptation of the widely used wormhole routing protocol to minimize overhead and maximize compatibility with existing interconnect techniques.
Crohn's disease diagnosis during pregnancy with small bowel capsule endoscopy

A 22 year-old African American female presented for further evaluation of loose stools, abdominal pain and recent abnormal CT scan. She had a past history of diarrhea and abdominal cramping around the time of her menses. 1 year prior to evaluation she developed a change in her stool pattern with daily loose watery stools that occured 3–4 times per day. These occured immediately after eating. There was no blood in her stools and there were no nocturnal bowel movements. She also complained of intermittent, fleeting abdominal pain lasting 2 minutes. This has occured in variable locations throughout the abdomen. There was an increase in symptoms with stress. Fiber supplementation improved the form of her bowel movements. An abdomino-pelvic CT scan was performed to further evaluate these symptoms with the fidings of some possible thickening of the small bowel wall in multiple loops raising the question of inflammatory bowel disease. Shortly after the CT scan the patient was found to be pregnant and she was referred for further diagnostic evaluation. Physical examination was unrevealing with a flat, soft abdomen. Bowel sounds were normal. The abdomen was non-tender and there were no masses noted. It was elected to evaluate her small bowel with capsule endoscopy instead of barium to avoid further Xray exposure with a barium study. Capsule study was performed with the Given capsule system.The transit time of the capsule to the colon was 3 hours and 22 minutes. In the terminal ileum there was edema, submucosal hemorrhage and ulceration consistent with Crohn's disase. Capsule endoscopy has most commonly been used for evaluating occult GI bleeding. Diagnosis of other small bowel disease is in evolution. The capsule evaluation allowed for differentiating IBS type symptoms from Crohn's disease in a pregant patient and allowed for intiation of the appropriate medical therapy.
Molecular determinants of susceptibility to oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Background M protein mutant vesicular stomatitis virus (M51R-VSV) has oncolytic properties against many cancers. However, some cancer cells are resistant to M51R-VSV. Herein, we evaluate the molecular determinants of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) resistance in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Methods Cell viability and the effect of β-interferon (IFN) were analyzed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay. Gene expression was evaluated via microarray analysis. Cell infectability was measured by flow cytometry. Xenografts were established in athymic nude mice and treated with intratumoral M51R-VSV. Results Four of five pancreatic cancer cell lines were sensitive to M51R-VSV, whereas Panc 03.27 cells remained resistant (81 ± 3% viability 72 h after single-cycle infection). Comparing sensitive MiaPaCa2 cells with resistant Panc 03.27 cells, significant differences in gene expression were found relating to IFN signaling ( P = 2 × 10 −5 ), viral entry ( P = 3 × 10 −4 ), and endocytosis ( P = 7 × 10 −4 ). MiaPaCa2 cells permitted high levels of VSV infection, whereas Panc 03.27 cells were capable of resisting VSV cell entry even at high multiplicities of infection. Extrinsic β-IFN overcame apparent defects in IFN-mediated pathways in MiaPaCa2 cells conferring VSV resistance. In contrast, β-IFN decreased cell viability in Panc 3.27 cells, suggesting intact antiviral mechanisms. VSV-treated xenografts exhibited reduced tumor growth relative to controls in both MiaPaCa2 (1423 ± 345% versus 164 ± 136%; P versus 50 ± 56%; P = 0.002) tumors. Significant lymphocytic infiltration was seen in M51R-VSV–treated Panc 03.27 xenografts. Conclusions Inhibition of VSV endocytosis and intact IFN-mediated defenses are responsible for M51R-VSV resistance in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. M51R-VSV treatment appears to induce antitumor cellular immunity in vivo , which may expand its clinical efficacy.
Average reward reinforcement learning: foundations, algorithms, and empirical results

This paper presents a detailed study of average reward reinforcement learning, an undiscounted optimality framework that is more appropriate for cyclical tasks than the much better studied discounted framework. A wide spectrum of average reward algorithms are described, ranging from synchronous dynamic programming methods to several (provably convergent) asynchronous algorithms from optimal control and learning automata. A general sensitive discount optimality metric called n-discount-optimality is introduced, and used to compare the various algorithms. The overview identifies a key similarity across several asynchronous algorithms that is crucial to their convergence, namely independent estimation of the average reward and the relative values. The overview also uncovers a surprising limitation shared by the different algorithms: while several algorithms can provably generate gain-optimal policies that maximize average reward, none of them can reliably filter these to produce bias-optimal (or T-optimal) policies that also maximize the finite reward to absorbing goal states. This paper also presents a detailed empirical study of R-learning, an average reward reinforcement learning method, using two empirical testbeds: a stochastic grid world domain and a simulated robot environment. A detailed sensitivity analysis of R-learning is carried out to test its dependence on learning rates and exploration levels. The results suggest that R-learning is quite sensitive to exploration strategies, and can fall into sub-optimal limit cycles. The performance of R-learning is also compared with that of Q-learning, the best studied discounted RL method. Here, the results suggest that R-learning can be fine-tuned to give better performance than Q-learning in both domains.
Atomic-layer-deposited LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 all oxide field-effect transistors

We have demonstrated well-behaved accumulation-mode all oxide NMOSFETs with amorphous atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) LaAlO 3 gate dielectric stacks on crystalline SrTiO 3 substrates. A maximum drain current exceeding 10 mA/mm has been obtained on a 3.75µm-gate-length device, proving a very conductive channel can be formed at the oxide-oxide interface. Four different gate dielectric stacks, which are Lafirst cycle LaAlO 3 , Al-first cycle LaAlO 3 , LaAlO 3 with 1.5 nm La 2 O 3 interfacial layer, and LaAlO 3 with 1.8 nm Al 2 O 3 interfacial layer, have been deposited on SrTiO 3 substrates to systematically study their effects on the conductivity at the different oxide-oxide interfaces. The experimental results show that a La-initiated interfacial layer is preferable to form a more conducting channel at the LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 interface. Low temperature characteristics have also been utilized to provide an in-depth understanding of the channel formation at the oxide-oxide interface. The availability of the MBE technology to epitaxially grow SrTiO 3 on Si substrate provides the pathway to integrate ALD LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 devices on Si platform.
Absolute Classification with Unsupervised Clustering

An absolute classification algorithm is proposed in which the class definition through training samples or otherwise is required only for a particular class of interest. The absolute classification is considered as a problem of unsupervised clustering when one cluster is known initially. The definitions and statistics of the other classes are automatically developed through the weighted unsupervised clustering procedure, which is developed to keep the cluster corresponding to the class of interest from losing its identity as the class of interest. Once all the classes are developed, a conventional relative classifier such as the maximum-likelihood classifier is used in the classification.
Regge Trajectories and Critical Fields of the Charged String in a Magnetic Background

The Regge trajectories of a charged string in a magnetic background are derived by using a decomposition of the rest energy in terms of the Casimir operators of the theory. The first Regge trajectory is given by a family of infinitely many parallel straight lines, one for each spin projection along the magnetic field. Using the trajectories linking rest energy and spin, a critical magnetic field is found, for each spin value, at which the correspondent spin state with the highest spin projection becomes massless.
Tensile Creep and Creep‐Strain Recovery Behavior of Silicon Carbide Fiber/Calcium Aluminosilicate Matrix Ceramic Composites

The tensile creep and creep strain recovery behavior of 0" and Oo/900 Nicalon-fiber/calcium aluminosilicate matrix composites was investigated at 1200°C in high-purity argon. For the 0" composite, the 100-h creep rate ranged from approximately 4.6 X s-' at 60 MPa to 2.2 X lo-* s-' at 200 MPa. At 60 MPa, the creep rate of the 0°/90" composite was approximately the same as that found for the 0" composite, even though the 0"/90" composite had only one-half the number of fibers in the loading direction. Upon unloading, the composites exhibited viscous strain recovery. For a loading history involving 100 h of creep at 60 MPa, followed by 100 h of recovery at 2 MPa, approximately 27% of the prior creep strain was recovered for the 0" composite and 49% for the 0"/90" composite. At low stresses (60 and 120 MPa), cavities formed in the matrix, but there was no significant fiber or matrix damage. For moderate stresses (200 MPa), periodic fiber rupture occurred. At high stresses (250 MPa), matrix fracture and rupture of the highly stressed bridging fibers limited the creep life to under 70 min.
Notes on Seneca's Quaestiones Naturales

‘In spite of the efforts of scholars to improve matters, the condition of Seneca's text remains in many places most uncertain or quite irrecoverable. Again and again one has to be content with conjectures which, while often giving the general sense of a passage, must not be taken as certainly Seneca's words’ (Corcoran). 1. praef. 5 o quam contempta res est homo, nisi supra humana surrexerit! quam diu cum affectibus colluctamur, quid magnifici facimus, etiam si superiores sumus? portenta vincimus: quid est cur suspiciamus nosmet ipsos, quia dissimiles deterrimis sumus? Traditional punctuation: ‘… quid magnifici facimus? etiam si superiores sumus, portenta vincimus’
Income and childlessness in Canada: A further examination

Abstract The relationship between childlessness and income is investigated using 1971 Canadian census data. The rate of childlessness among rural French Catholics is used to represent the maximum rate of physiological childlessness. By using various residence and education groups, hypothesized relationships between income and voluntary and involuntary childlessness are tested. The findings support the suggestion that income is inversely related to involuntary childlessness and directly related to voluntary childlessness.
Concurrent Error Detection in ALU's by Recomputing with Shifted Operands

A new method of concurrent error detection in the Arithmetic and Logic Units (ALU's) is proposed. This method, called "Recomputing with Shifted Operands" (RESO), can detect errors in both the arithmetic and logic operations. RESO uses the principle of time redundancy in detecting the errors and achieves its error detection capability through the use of the already existing replicated hardware in the form of identical bit slices. It is shown that for most practical ALU implementations, including the carry-lookahead adders, the RESO technique will detect all errors caused by faults in a bit-slice or a specific subcircuit of the bit slice. The fault model used is more general than the commonly assumed stuck-at fault model. Our fault model assumes that the faults are confined to a small area of the circuit and that the precise nature of the faults is not known. This model is very appropriate for the VLSI circuits.