cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of salicylic acid on plant-water relationships.

Soybean seedlings [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were used as the test species to study the allelopathic influence of salicylic acid (SA) on short- and long-term plant water status. Plants were grown in greenhouse conditions in nutrient culture medium amended with SA. Treatments were initiated 10 days after germination and continued for either 14 or 28 days. The threshold for inhibition of seedling growth over a 28-day treatment was 0.15 mM SA. Seedlings grown with 0.3 mM SA consistently had higher leaf diffusive resistance and lower transpiration and water potentials than control plants. The stable carbon isotope ratio (13C:12C) in tissue from both the 0.15 and 0.30 mM SA-treated plants was significantly higher than control seedlings, indicating SA caused a chronic water stress during the 28-day treatment. These data show that an interference with plant-water relationships is one mechanism whereby this allelochemical inhibits plant growth.
Wave Functions of Nonlocal Potentials: The Perey Effect

An eigenfunction of an attractive nonlocal single-particle potential is always smaller inside the region of the potential than outside; the converse occurs for repulsive potentials. This is the Perey effect. In the present article explicit formulas for the effect are derived for the case of motion in one dimension, and interpretive discussions of the effect are given. The derivation does not employ series expansions. It is argued that the effect can be understood in terms of the fundamental many-body theory from which the single-particle potential has (in principle) been derived. Some of the wave function lies in the channels which have been eliminated in the course of that derivation.
The 360-degree evaluation: Increased work with little return?

Objective To test a 360-degree resident evaluation tool on our trauma/critical care services to determine if multiple raters yielded equivalent information compared with traditional faculty evaluations. Design Prospective evaluation. Participants Residents, nurses, faculty, and staff at an academic medical center. Methods The evaluation tool was developed based on extensive qualitative analysis of 13 major medical specialties' Residency Review Committee (RRC) criteria relative to the ACGME competencies and then revised with content specific to surgery. The evaluation contained 19 items divided into ACGME competency areas. Each item was scored on a 1 to 9 Likert scale: 1=not meeting expectations and 9=exceeding expectations. Residents on the trauma and surgical intensive care unit rotations evaluated themselves, and they were also evaluated by chief residents, surgical intensive care unit fellows, faculty, surgical intensive care unit nurses, trauma nurse clinicians, and nurse practitioners. Multiple analyses of variance were used to compare ratings by rater groups. Results Ten residents were evaluated on the trauma service from April to August 2003. Between 74 and 106 evaluations were obtained per resident per competency area. Average scores across the competencies were remarkably similar, ranging from 6.18 for practice-based learning and systems-based practice to 6.54 for professionalism. Although there was variability within rater groups, ratings were not statistically different between groups for any ACGME competency. Conclusions The 360-degree evaluation provide limited new information compared with traditional faculty ratings. Follow-up studies are required to confirm this finding with larger samples of residents and surgical specialties.
Injustice in American liberal democracy: Foundations for a Rawlsian critique

Rawls stipulates that nonideal theory must include theories of punishment and compensatory justice, as well as a justification for the forms of opposition to unjust regimes, from civil disobedience and conscientious refusal to militant resistance, rebellion and revolution. (TOJ, p. 8) Given the Kantian interpretation of nonideal theory we now can see that each of its parts must be constructed to contribute to the teaching of justice. The preferred theory of moral development enables us to understand how persons come to adopt nonideal conceptions and practices, and how they can be convinced to change their thinking. The theory of history enables us to determine which traditions contain empirical causes of contemporary conceptions and practices.
Conduction and blocking properties of a predominantly anion-selective channel from human platelet surface membrane reconstituted into planar phospholipid bilayers

We have investigated the basic properties of a predominantly anion-selective channel derived from highly purified human platelet surface membrane. Single channels have been reconstituted into planar phospholipid bilayers by fusion of membrane vesicles and recorded under voltage-clamp conditions.
A boundary element solution of an inverse elasticity problem and applications to determining residual stress and contact stress

Abstract A boundary element solution is developed for an inverse elasticity problem. In this inverse problem, boundary conditions are incompletely specified. Strains can be determined experimentally, in practice, at a number of internal points and used as input to completely resolve these boundary conditions. In this paper, these strains, including random errors, are numerically simulated. This inverse problem finds applications in the evaluation of residual stress and contact stress. In contrast to previous studies, the construction of the sensitivity matrix is embedded in the boundary element formulation thereby avoiding the solution of a series of forward problems. Further, the effects of prescribed non-zero boundary conditions and body forces are included in the relation between measured strains and the primary traction unknowns. Unfortunately, the inverse problem is still ill-posed. Physical constraints are introduced to stabilize the solution. As a result, the algorithm presented here has reasonable tolerance to error in the measurement of strains. Numerical examples are given to validate the inverse algorithm. In these examples, the input strains are numerically simulated, and stable and accurate solutions are obtained with up to ±5% random error in the input.
Architecture with GIDEON, a program for design in structural DNA nanotechnology.

Abstract We present geometry based design strategies for DNA nanostructures. The strategies have been implemented with GIDEON—a graphical integrated development environment for oligonucleotides. GIDEON has a highly flexible graphical user interface that facilitates the development of simple yet precise models, and the evaluation of strains therein. Models are built on a simple model of undistorted B-DNA double-helical domains. Simple point and click manipulations of the model allow the minimization of strain in the phosphate-backbone linkages between these domains and the identification of any steric clashes that might occur as a result. Detailed analysis of 3D triangles yields clear predictions of the strains associated with triangles of different sizes. We have carried out experiments that confirm that 3D triangles form well only when their geometrical strain is less than 4% deviation from the estimated relaxed structure. Thus geometry-based techniques alone, without detailed energetic considerations, can be used to explain certain general trends in DNA structure formation. We have used GIDEON to build detailed models of double crossover and triple crossover molecules, evaluating the non-planarity associated with base tilt and junction misalignments. Computer modeling using a graphical user interface overcomes the limited precision of physical models for larger systems, and the limited interaction rate associated with earlier, command-line driven software.
Conflict of Interest Policies for Organizations Producing a Large Number of Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background Conflict of interest (COI) of clinical practice guideline (CPG) sponsors and authors is an important potential source of bias in CPG development. The objectives of this study were to describe the COI policies for organizations currently producing a significant number of CPGs, and to determine if these policies meet 2011 Institute of Medicine (IOM) standards. Methodology/Principal Findings We identified organizations with five or more guidelines listed in the National Guideline Clearinghouse between January 1, 2009 and November 5, 2010. We obtained the COI policy for each organization from publicly accessible sources, most often the organization's website, and compared those polices to IOM standards related to COI. 37 organizations fulfilled our inclusion criteria, of which 17 (46%) had a COI policy directly related to CPGs. These COI policies varied widely with respect to types of COI addressed, from whom disclosures were collected, monetary thresholds for disclosure, approaches to management, and updating requirements. Not one organization's policy adhered to all seven of the IOM standards that were examined, and nine organizations did not meet a single one of the standards. Conclusions/Significance COI policies among organizations producing a large number of CPGs currently do not measure up to IOM standards related to COI disclosure and management. CPG developers need to make significant improvements in these policies and their implementation in order to optimize the quality and credibility of their guidelines.
Compliance with a risk-factor-based guideline for the prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal sepsis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the compliance rate with a maternal risk-factor-based guideline for the prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis. Methods: In August 1994, a risk-factor-based guideline for selective intrapartum prophylaxis against neonatal GBS was adopted by a group model health maintenance organization. This guideline identified the following maternal risk factors for neonatal GBS sepsis: preterm delivery, rupture of membranes for >18 h, fever/chorioamnionitis, and history of a previous GBS-affected child. Patients with one or more risk factors were to receive intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis consisting of either ampicillin, erythromycin, or clindamycin. We conducted a retrospective chart review to record risk factors and use of antibiotics. We hypothesized that >90% of patients with risk factors would receive intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Results: A total of 805 maternal charts were reviewed. Of these, 105 (13%) were candidates for intrapartum prophylaxis. We found an overall compliance rate of 65%. Compliance rates by risk factor were preterm delivery (51%), prolonged rupture of membranes (73%), fever/chorioamnionitis (87%), and previous affected child (100%). Conclusions: Our results show unexpectedly low compliance rates with a risk-factor-based guideline for the prevention of neonatal GBS sepsis. Only 65% of women with any risk factor for neonatal GBS sepsis received intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis appropriately. Educational efforts to improve compliance with a risk-factor-based guideline should specifically address mothers delivering at 34–36 weeks gestation and mothers with prolonged rupture of membranes.
The length and distribution of accessible DNA regions in human chromatin in situ

Abstract The structure of chromatin in intact nuclei has been investigated by studying the kinetics of DNA degradation with exogenous nucleases. We find that human chromatin in its native state consists of relatively inaccessible DNA regions alternating with accessible regions of essentially uniform length. The length of the accessible regions, as calculated from two independent sets of data, is about 50 base pairs.
Amphetamine and ammonshorn-sclerosis.

IN a previous communication1 I reported the tendency for repetitive carbon-monoxide seizures in guinea pigs to produce ‘eosinophilic ischaemia’ relatively selectively in CA2 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, and made passing mention of amphetamine's sparing effect on the coincident ‘collapse’ of synaptic entities within the adjacent end-bulb of the mossy fibre system. Since then I have completed the neurohistological survey of 11 guinea pigs, of 400–600 g in weight, in which 10 mg amphetamine was always injected intramuscularly 0.5–4 h before exposures to carbon monoxide hypoxia and was still producing motor activation (notably in the form of compulsive gnawing) at the times of exposure. Of 5 of these animals which had 6, 5, 4, 3, and 3 full seizures, respectively, only 2 displayed ischaemia in CA2, and then only in mild degree—so that cell-soma pathology also had apparently been very appreciably spared at end-bulb levels. The remaining 6 animals, despite at least 5 exposures each, produced not even a modified seizure, and no CA2 ischaemia whatever. In 3 of these 6 it is possible that incipient coma was interrupted prematurely at every exposure; but in the other 3 the depth of pre-coma normally characterized by a full four-legged running seizure in opisthotonus was undoubtedly reached each time —so that these 3 were presumably either seizure-resistant by constitution or seizure-suppressed by the drug. (Acetazolamide, in lieu of amphetamine in a similar smaller series of experiments, tended to suppress seizures but not to diminish CA2 pathology.)
Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Very Elderly

It is estimated that by 2050, there will be a 300% increase in the elderly population (=>65 years) and a cor-responding increase in elderly patients presenting for surgical evaluation. Surgical decision-making in this population can be difficult because outcomes in the elderly are poorly defined. We reviewed 2698 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies (PDs) at our institution over a 35-year period (April 1970 through March 2005), with the last 1000 resections being done in the last 4 years. Data collected in-cluded surgical indication, mortality (defined as 30-day or in-hospital mortality), complications, and sur-vival. Patients were divided by age into three groups ( 90 years) and evaluated using multiple logistic regression. Two hundred seven patients =>80 years old underwent a PD (7.7% of 2698). Patients 80 89 years of age had a mortality rate of 4.1% (8 of 197) and a complication rate of 52.8% (99 of 197), whereas patients = 90 years of age, and their com-plication rate was 50% (5 of 10). One-year survival for patients 80 89 years of age was 59.1%, and that for patients =>90 years was 60%. Age was not an independent risk factor for perioperative mortality and morbidity following PD after adjusting for preoperative comorbidities. We demonstrate that PD can be safely performed in patients over 80 years of age and conclude that age alone should not be a contrain-dication to pancreatic resection. The advent of improved surgical outcomes and an aging population will likely result in a significant increase in the number of PDs performed in the next few decades.
An Eco-Behavioral Approach to Examining the Contextual Effects of Early Childhood Classrooms.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to determine what child characteristics (age, gender, language) and classroom characteristics (activity, teacher involvement) typically accompany complex interactions with objects and peers in ethnically diverse early childhood classrooms, and whether global classroom quality contributes additional variance to children’s interactions with objects and peers when child and classroom characteristics are accounted for. Two hundred and twenty-five children (mean age=59.5 months, 50% females) from 61 classrooms in 46 centers in the state of Hawaii participated. An eco-behavioral framework was used to examine ecological factors that “set the stage” for children’s complex interactions with objects and peers. Complex interactions with peers were most likely for girls, especially English-speaking, when there was no teacher involvement, and in creative activities. Complex interactions with objects were most likely for English-speaking children and in creative activities. Child activity moderated the association between teacher involvement and complex interactions with objects. Global classroom quality was not a significant predictor of complex interactions with objects or peers.
Selective Inhibition of Gastrointestinal β-Glucuronidase by Poly(vinylbenzyl D-glucaro(1,4)lactonate). Part 2. Poly(vinylbenzyl D-Glucaro(1,4) lactonate) In vitro Inhibition Studies

In vitro inhibition studies with β-glucuronidase from purified E. coli and mouse intestinal contents indicated that the polymer, poly(vinylbenzyl D-glucaro(1,4)lactonate, is an effective β-glucuronidase inhibitor. Purified E. coli β-glucuronidase was inhibited by 99.6% with 1 77 mM D-glucaro(1,4)lactone using the polymer-inhibitor. Similarly, 95% inhibition of β-glucuronidase activity of mouse intestinal contents was obtained with 177 mM and 50% inhibition was obtained with 31.5 mM D-glucaro(1,4)lactone based on the modified polymer. The structural requirements of an effective β-glucuronidase inhibitor based on the structure of the polymer-inhibitor are also discussed.
Positional information in the forelimb of the axolotl: experiments with double-half tissues.

Abstract It has been demonstrated recently that upper forelimbs of axolotls comprised of symmetrically arranged soft tissues do not regenerate ( P. W. Tank, 1978 , J. Exp. Zool. 204, 325–336). These double-half forelimb stumps contained skin, muscle, and loose connective tissues in symmetrical arrangement. The present study explores the roles of muscle, skin, and epidermis in the regeneration of double-half forelimbs by grafting them separately to create forelimb stumps bearing symmetrical arrangements of these individual tissues. Forelimb stumps bearing symmetrically arranged flexor and extensor muscles and normally arranged skin underwent complete regeneration (96%). Forelimbs comprised of double-half skin overlying normally arranged muscles and deep tissues formed hypomorphic structures and nonregenerates (56%) with some single and multiple regenerates. Limbs with double-half deep tissues and complete epidermis either regenerated distally incomplete patterns (47%), single patterns (33%), or multiple patterns (20%). Those forelimbs comprised of double-half skin and no muscle regenerated incomplete patterns in the majority of cases (56%) but single and multiple limbs also were formed. Based on these results it can be concluded that no single type of tissue is solely responsible for the regenerative failure experienced by double-half forelimbs in the earlier study. The complete failure of forelimb regeneration occurs only when all types of soft tissues tested (skin, muscle, and deep connective tissues) are present in symmetrical arrangement.
On the Measurement of Creep by Nanoindentation with Continuous Stiffness Techniques

Measurement of material creep parameters by means of nanoindentation using continuous stiffness techniques avoids the problems associated with thermal drift that often plague creep measurements based on the time dependence of the indentation depth alone [1,2]. Problems with thermal drift are negligible from a practical point of view during continuous stiffness measurements because the contact stiffness can be measured over a short time period, typically less than one second, during which time the displacements due to thermal drift are minimal. Determination of the time dependence of the indentation depth from the stiffness data relies on the well-known relation between contact stiffness and the square root of the contact area. For pyramidal indenters, the true indentation contact depth must be proportional to the contact stiffness, leading to the assumption that indentation depth is also proportional to the contact stiffness. In this study, we critically examine this assumption using data obtained from experiments on a relatively soft material, epoxy, and a relatively hard material, fused quartz. The results show that just after initial load application, the change in contact area may be different than that expected from the change in indentation depth. One possible explanation for the observed behavior is examined by finite element modeling.
Design, implementation, and field testing of a portable fluorescence-based vapor sensor.

The design and implementation of a portable fluorescence-based vapor sensing system are described. The system incorporates previously developed microsensor array technology into a compact, low-power device capable of collecting and delivering ambient vapor samples to the array while monitoring and recording the fluorescent responses of the sensors. The sensors respond differentially when exposed to a sample vapor and, when processed using a support vector machine (SVM) pattern recognition algorithm, are shown to discriminate between three classes of petroleum distillates. The system was characterized using sample vapors prepared under several different conditions in three sensing scenarios. The first scenario demonstrates the basic operational capability of the device in the field by presenting high concentration vapors to the array. The second scenario introduces the potential for a greater degree of variability in both sample vapor concentration and composition in an effort to emulate real-world sensing...
Impact of surgically induced weight loss on pelvic floor disorders

Introduction and hypothesis Given the increased prevalence of obesity and pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), we estimated changes in prevalence, bother, and quality of life (QOL) for PFDs in obese women undergoing bariatric surgery. We hypothesized PFDs would improve after surgical weight loss.
A fast general algorithm for extracting image features on SIMD mesh-connected computers

Extracting features of components in an image is an important step for recognition of objects in the image. In this paper, we develop a general formula for extracting some geometric features of image components such as area, perimeter, compactness, height, width, diameter, moments, and centroid. We then design a fast algorithm for the general formula on SIMD mesh-connected computers. The algorithm uses a pipelining technique to compute a geometric property of kn components at the same time. It takes O(@?m/[email protected]?n) time to compute a geometric property of all the components in an n x n image on an n x n SIMD mesh-connected computer with O(k) local space in each processing element, where m is the number of components in the image and k is an integer between 1 and @?m/[email protected]?. Compared with previous algorithms, it speeds up the feature extraction process by at least k times.
Efficiency of IPC-1478 Filter Paper against Polystyrene Latex and Dioctyl Phthalate Aerosols

IPC-1478 filter paper efficiency was evaluated using polystyrene latex and dioctyl phthalate (DOP aerosols). Efficiency was measured as a function of particle size, filtration velocity, and filter mass loading. Experimental results of 0.557-µm and larger particle sizes indicate that this medium has limited effectiveness under high-velocity and high-loading conditions. Differences in efficiency were observed when this medium was tested with solid and liquid aerosols.
A hybrid aggregation and compression technique for road network databases

Vector data and in particular road networks are being queried, hosted and processed in many application domains such as in mobile computing. Many client systems such as PDAs would prefer to receive the query results in unrasterized format without introducing an overhead on overall system performance and result size. While several general vector data compression schemes have been studied by different communities, we propose a novel approach in vector data compression which is easily integrated within a geospatial query processing system. It uses line aggregation to reduce the number of relevant tuples and Huffman compression to achieve a multi-resolution compressed representation of a road network database. Our experiments performed on an end-to-end prototype verify that our approach exhibits fast query processing on both client and server sides as well as high compression ratio.
An Automated Testing Assembly for Characterizing Stiffness of an Ankle Foot Orthosis

An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is a device that provides a controlled force to compensate for the muscle deficiencies in the ankle and helps normalize the gait of the patient. Evidence has indicated that there exists an optimal match correlating the patient’s gait related problems and the AFO stiffness. AFO ankle stiffness is measured by the moment around the ankle joint exerted by the AFO per degree of ankle joint rotation. To date, several testing devices and procedures have been developed to assess the stiffness characteristics of AFOs. Most of the devices are manually driven and may not exactly replicate human leg motion. Objective of developing an automated testing assembly is to identify stiffness characteristics of passive AFOs so as to develop an active AFO with shape memory alloy. We have developed an assembly using aluminum T-slotted profiles, single flange linear bearings, and living hinges from 80/20 Inc. Angle measurement was done by mounting Digital Protractor on the shank segment. The whole assembly was mounted on BOSE ElectroForce 3330 test instrument. dSPACE hardware-in-the-loop solution was used for real time data capture of force and angle sensor output. After assessing the characteristics of passive AFO we incorporated SMA wire in the AFO. Similar tests were conducted to evaluate effect of SMA wires on the overall stiffness of an AFO. The results confirm that SMA wires provide stiffness variation such a way that AAFO can be developed to achieve stiffness variation close to normal ankle stiffness.© 2011 ASME
Cognitive Processes in Design.

This paper reports on a observational study and 2 experimental studies of the design process deriving from our interest in improving the design of computer software. A model of design is developed from these studies. This consists of 3 interacting processes: goal elaboration, design generation and design evaluation. The experimental studies show that design specifications are often incorrect and incomplete with different designers paying more or less attention to different aspects of the design. Finally, from the design model and the results of the experimental studies, a number of aids to the design process are developed and discussed.
The relationship of socioeconomic status, race, and modifiable risk factors to outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective. To study the relationship of race, socioeconomic status (SES), clinical factors, and psychosocial factors to outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. A retrospective cohort was assembled, comprising 200 patients with SLE from 5 centers. This cohort was balanced in terms of race and SES. Patients provided information on socioeconomic factors, access to health care, nutrition, self-efficacy for disease management, health locus of control, social support, compliance, knowledge about SLE, and satisfaction with medical care. Outcome measures included disease activity (measured by the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure), damage (measured by the SLICC/ACR damage index), and health status (measured by the SF-36). Results. In multivariate models that were controlled for race, SES, center, psychosocial factors, and clinical factors, lower self-efficacy for disease management (P ≤ 0.0001), less social support (P < 0.005), and younger age at diagnosis (P < 0.007) were associated with greater disease activity. Older age at diagnosis (P ≤ 0.0001), longer duration of SLE (P ≤ 0.0001), poor nutrition (P < 0.002), and higher disease activity at diagnosis (P < 0.007) were associated with more damage. Lower self-efficacy for disease management was associated with worse physical function (P ≤ 0.0001) and worse mental health status (P ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion. Disease activity and health status were most strongly associated with potentially modifiable psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy for disease management. Cumulative organ damage was most highly associated with clinical factors such as age and duration of disease. None of the outcomes measured were associated with race. These results suggest that education and counseling, coordinated with medical care, might improve outcomes in patients with SLE.
Enhanced single molecule fluorescence and reduced observation volumes on nanoporous gold (NPG) films.

We report single molecule fluorescence studies on nanoporous gold films. We observed dramatically enhanced intensities in individual immobilized fluorophores and reduced effective observation volumes in the nanopores. The enhanced localized plasmon field existing in the “nanovoid” regions can be visualized from the overlaid mapping image derived from surface reflectance and fluorescence emission.
4 Treatment of polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia

The clinical course in both polycythaemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is characterized by significant thrombohaemorrhagic complications and variable risk of disease transformation into myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukaemia. Randomized studies have shown that the risk of thrombosis was significantly reduced in ET with the use of hydroxyurea (HU) and in PV with the use of chlorambucil or 32 P. However, the use of chlorambucil or 32 P has been associated with an increased risk of leukaemic transformation. Subsequently, other studies have suggested that both HU and pipobroman may be less leukaemogenic and as effective as chlorambucil and 32 P for preventing thrombosis in PV. However, the results from these prospective studies have raised concern that even HU and pipobroman may be associated with excess leukaemic events in both ET and PV. The recent introduction of anagrelide as a specific platelet-lowering agent, the demonstration of treatment efficacy with interferon-α, and the revived interest in using low-dose acetylsalicylic acid provide the opportunity to initiate prospective randomized studies incorporating these treatments.
An I/O Bandwidth-Sensitive Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication Engine on FPGAs

Sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SMVM) is a fundamental core of many high-performance computing applications, including information retrieval, medical imaging, and economic modeling. While the use of reconfigurable computing technology in a high-performance computing environment has shown recent promise in accelerating a wide variety of scientific applications, existing SMVM architectures on FPGA hardware have been limited in that they require either numerous pipeline stalls during computation (due to zero padding) or excessive input preprocessing during run-time. For large-scale sparse matrix scenarios, both of these shortcomings can result in unacceptable performance overheads, limiting the overall value of using FPGAs in a high-performance computing environment. In this paper, we present a scalable and efficient FPGA-based SMVM architecture which can handle arbitrary matrix sparsity patterns without excessive preprocessing or zero padding and can be dynamically expanded based on the available I/O bandwidth. Our experimental results using a commercial FPGA-based acceleration system demonstrate that our reconfigurable SMVM engine is highly efficient, with benchmark-dependent speedups over an optimized software implementation that range from to in terms of computation time.
Microstrip subarray with coplanar and stacked parasitic elements

A parasitic subarray configuration combining the coplanar and stacked geometries is proposed and studied. It is numerically shown that a two-layer cross offers a gain enhancement of several decibels compared with either the coplanar cross or the two-layer electromagnetically coupled antenna. Preliminary experimental results appear to be in agreement with this estimate.
Left ventricular wall acceleration and the law of Laplace

The relationship between ventricular wall tension and intraventricular blood pressure is examined from the point of view of a system which is accelerating. The usual relationship between these variables, often called the law of Laplace, is derived under assumptions of static equilibrium. In this paper the dynamic relationship is developed from basic physical theory employing the concept of centre of mass, and is used to determine the actual forces present on a moving equatorial strip of heart muscle. It is shown that even in cases of heightened ventricular activity, Laplace's law is a good approximation to the true situation. The significance of ventricular acceleration is discussed.
Skewness:asymptotic critical values for a test related to Pearson's measure

We examine the asymptotic distribution of, and give critical values for, a test related to Pearson's measure of skewness. The test detects the asymmetry of a continuous distribution about a specified median. Two sets of data are tested using our method.eabs:
Increased activity of the temporal insula in subjects with bradycardia.

Abstract Though it has been postulated that cortical brain regions participate in the regulation of heart rate, their involvement is poorly understood. Using PET and [18] FDG (to measure regional brain glucose metabolism, which serves as an index of brain function) we compared the regional brain metabolic activity between healthy subjects with bradycardia (
Building a registered volume database: an object-oriented octree program

The Dynamic Brain Project will create an interactive database on the human brain, available via the Internet. In addition to medical images and textual information, the completed project will give users access to all types of data, including video and sound. One of the primary tasks is to create a point-and-click navigation interface for the user, giving access to the data through a 3-dimensional, volumetric image generated from medical scans. The project uses Postgres, an object-oriented database management system. Data relations (tables) are spatially linked to the interface image by the x,y,z-coordinates to which they belong. These coordinates are determined by building the volume with an octree data structure and outputting the spatially registered data to a Postgres table. This paper summarizes the database schema and the octree algorithm for the project.
Terminal transferase expression in acute myeloid leukaemia: biology and prognosis.

Clinical and biological features were assessed in 114 consecutive previously untreated adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients whose diagnosis was based on FAB criteria and detailed immunophenotyping. All patients received standard intensive chemotherapy. The main purpose of this study was to establish the prognostic value, if any, of terminal transferase (TdT) expression in myeloid leukaemia. TdT positive cells (7-80% of total blast cells) were detected in 40% of the cases. Among clinical characteristics, a low lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (less than 250 I.U.) (P = 0.003), a low initial white blood cell count (less than 10 x 10(9)/l) (P = 0.002), and an absolute neutrophil count (less than 5 x 10(9)/l) (P = 0.02) were associated with TdT-positivity. FAB classification was not predictive of TdT expression, and there was no difference in the distribution of FAB subtypes between the groups. Multivariate analysis combining clinical and laboratory data indicated that a low expression of the monocytic antigen CD14 was predictive of TdT positivity in AML (P = 0.01). Karyotyping showed no difference in the pattern of occurrence of specific abnormalities between the TdT+ and the TdT- group. When clinical and immunophenotype data were included in a prognostic model, the patient's age was highly predictive of response (P less than 0.001), and only the CDw65 antigen contributed to the response model (P = 0.07). TdT+ patients with a low expression of CD11b achieved a higher frequency of response at a borderline level of significance (P = 0.06). Frequency of response to chemotherapy, the response duration or overall survival were not influenced by TdT expression.
Investigating emotion in moral cognition: a review of evidence from functional neuroimaging and neuropsychology

Introduction: Human moral decision-making has long been a topic of philosophical debate, and, more recently, a topic for empirical investigation. Central to this investigation is the extent to which emotional processes underlie our decisions about moral right and wrong. Neuroscience offers a unique perspective on this question by addressing whether brain regions associated with emotional processing are involved in moral cognition. Method: We conduct a narrative review of neuroscientific studies focused on the role of emotion in morality. Specifically, we describe evidence implicating the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPC), a brain region known to be important for emotional processing. Results: Functional imaging studies demonstrate VMPC activation during tasks probing moral cognition. Studies of clinical populations, including patients with VMPC damage, reveal an association between impairments in emotional processing and impairments in moral judgement and behaviour. Conclusions: Considered together, these studies indicate that not only are emotions engaged during moral cognition, but that emotions, particularly those mediated by VMPC, are in fact critical for human morality.
Changes in Internal Auditing during the Time of the Major U.S. Accounting Scandals

We examine changes in internal auditing during the time of the Enron and WorldCom disasters and the related legislative and media focus on internal control and corporate governance. Data gathered from 271 mid-sized US public companies reveal that internal audit budgets, staffing levels, meetings with the audit committee, and meeting length increased markedly during this time. Regression analyses provide some evidence of (a) larger budget increases among smaller companies, (b) larger budget and staff increases in companies with greater financial resources (i.e., stronger operating cash flows) or with greater liquidity risk (i.e., lower current ratios), and (c) industry differences in the change in internal auditing. We encourage additional research on recent changes in internal auditing, including research in other countries.
Approximate capacity region of the two-pair bidirectional Gaussian relay network

We study the capacity of the Gaussian two-pair fullduplex directional (or two-way) relay network with a single-relay supporting the communication of the pairs. This network is a generalization of the well known bidirectional relay channel, where we have only one pair of users. We propose a novel transmission technique which is based on a specific superposition of lattice codes and random Gaussian codes at the source nodes. The relay attempts to decode the Gaussian codewords and the superposition of the lattice codewords of each pair. Then it forwards this information to all users. We analyze the achievable rate of this scheme and show that for all channel gains it achieves to within 2 bits/sec/Hz per user of the cut-set upper bound on the capacity region of the two-pair bidirectional relay network.
Explaining Prehistoric Variation in the Abundance of Large Prey: A Zooarchaeological Analysis of Deer and Rabbit Hunting Along the Pecho Coast of Central California

Three main hypotheses are commonly employed to explain diachronic variation in the relative abundance of remains of large terrestrial herbivores: (1) large prey populations decline as a function of anthropogenic overexploitation; (2) large prey tends to increase as a result of increasing social payoffs; and (3) proportions of large terrestrial prey are dependent on stochastic fluctuations in climate. This paper tests predictions derived from these three hypotheses through a zooarchaeological analysis of eleven temporal components from three sites on central California’s Pecho Coast. Specifically, we examine the trade-offs between hunting rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) and deer (Odocoileus hemionus) using models derived from human behavioral ecology. The results show that foragers exploited a robust population of deer throughout most of the Holocene, only doing otherwise during periods associated with climatic trends unfavorable to larger herbivores. The most recent component (Late Prehistoric/Contact era) shows modest evidence of localized resource depression and perhaps greater social benefits from hunting larger prey; we suggest that these final changes resulted from the introduction of bow and arrow technology. Overall, results suggest that along central California’s Pecho Coast, density independent factors described as climatically-mediated prey choice best predict changes in the relative abundance of large terrestrial herbivores through the Holocene.
Ingesting a pre-workout supplement containing caffeine, B-vitamins, amino acids, creatine, and beta-alanine before exercise delays fatigue while improving reaction time and muscular endurance

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the pre-workout supplement Assault™ (MusclePharm, Denver, CO, USA) on upper and lower body muscular endurance, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and choice reaction time in recreationally-trained males. Subjective feelings of energy, fatigue, alertness, and focus were measured to examine associations between psychological factors and human performance. Twelve recreationally-trained males participated in a 3-week investigation (mean +/- SD, age: 28 +/- 5 y, height: 178 +/- 9 cm, weight: 79.2 +/- 15.7 kg, VO2max: 45.7 +/- 7.6 ml/kg/min). Subjects reported to the human performance laboratory on three separate occasions. All participants completed a baseline/familiarization day of testing that included a maximal graded exercise test for the determination of aerobic capacity (VO2max), one-rep maximum (1-RM) for bench and leg press to determine 75% of 1-RM, choice reaction tests, and intermittent critical velocity familiarization. Choice reaction tests included the following: single-step audio and visual, one-tower stationary protocol, two-tower lateral protocol, three-tower multi-directional protocol, and three-tower multi-directional protocol with martial arts sticks. Subjects were randomly assigned to ingest either the supplement (SUP) or the placebo (PL) during Visit 2. Subjects were provided with the cross-over treatment on the last testing visit. Testing occurred 20 min following ingestion of both treatments. Significant (p < 0.05) main effects for the SUP were observed for leg press (SUP: 13 ± 6 reps, PL: 11 ± 3 reps), perceived energy (SUP: 3.4 ± 0.9, PL: 3.1 ± 0.8), alertness (SUP: 4.0 ± 0.7, PL: 3.5 ± 0.8), focus (SUP: 4.1 ± 0.6, PL: 3.5 ± 0.8), choice reaction audio single-step (SUP: 0.92 ± 0.10 s, PL: 0.97 ± 0.11 s), choice reaction multi-direction 15 s (SUP: 1.07 ± 0.12 s, PL: 1.13 ± 0.14 s), and multi-direction for 30 s (SUP: 1.10 ± 0.11 s, PL: 1.14 ± 0.13 s). Ingesting the SUP before exercise significantly improved agility choice reaction performance and lower body muscular endurance, while increasing perceived energy and reducing subjective fatigue. These findings suggest that the SUP may delay fatigue during strenuous exercise.
Solvent effects on initial and transition states in the reaction of m-fluorophenyltriethyltin with mercuric chloride in methanol and methanol-water mixtures

We have investigated solvent effects on the aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction of m-fluorophenyltriethyltin, 1, with mercuric chloride in order to obtain information about the polarity of the transition state. Second-order rate constants have been determined for the reaction of 1 with mercuric chloride in methanol and methanol–water mixtures at 25·0°C, allowing determination of δΔG‡. Molar standard free energies of transfer (ΔG) for the same solvent mixtures have also been determined for 1 at 25·0°C. Combination of our δΔG‡ and δΔG values with literature data for ΔG of HgCl2 yield values of ΔG(TS), the standard free energy of transfer of the corresponding transition state (TS) in the reaction from methanol to aqueous methanol. It is shown that the reduction in activation energy accompanying replacement of methanol by water is due to initial state destabilization and not to TS stabilization. In fact, the TS is destabilized as methanol is replaced by water. Further analysis permits dissection of the free energies of transfer of the TS into electrostatic and non-electrostatic components. Comparison of these electrostatic components for the 1/HgCl2 system with some model reactions shows that charge development in TS of 1/HgCl2 is approximately 0·5 units of electronic charge.
High speed networking evolution

The author describes the evolution of computer networks and the impact of the very-high-speed, very-low-bit-error-rate transmission media. Some of the new high-speed switched services that will likely be offered by the communications carriers in the US in the next few years are discussed. The focus is on the wide area network (WAN) environment. The current US communications environment is described. The advent of private high-speed networks is explained and the impact of cheap Tl links on classic networking products is shown. A description of some of the high-bandwidth drivers is given, as well as the new services considered by the carriers, such as switched multimegabit data service (SMDS) and switched high-speed links. >
Assessment of retrograde cardioplegia with magnetic resonance imaging and localized 31P spectroscopy in isolated pig hearts.

Abstract Objective: This study was done to determine whether retrograde delivery of cardioplegic solution provides uniform blood flow to the myocardium supplied by an occluded coronary artery and whether it maintains myocardial energy levels beyond the coronary occlusion. Methods: Isolated pig hearts were used. A hydraulic occluder was placed at the origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The perfusion pressure for retrograde delivery of cardioplegic solution was controlled at 40 to 50 mm Hg. Magnetic resonance imaging and localized 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to assess myocardial perfusion and energy metabolism, respectively. Results: Magnetic resonance perfusion images (n = 7) showed that the perfusion defect that occurred during antegrade delivery of cardioplegic solution (as a result of the occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery) resolved during retrograde delivery of cardioplegic solution. Retrograde perfusion delivered similar amounts of flow to the jeopardized myocardium as it did to other areas of the myocardium. However, the distribution of cardioplegic solution by the retrograde route was heterogeneous (cloudlike) across both ventricular walls. 31P magnetic resonance spectra showed that the ischemic changes induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery during antegrade perfusion were greatly alleviated by retrograde perfusion; however, it took longer for retrograde cardioplegia (n = 7, 17.08 minutes) to restore the levels of inorganic phosphate/phosphocreatine relative to the effect of releasing the left anterior descending artery occluder during antegrade delivery of cardioplegic solution (n = 7, 5.3 minutes). Conclusions: First, retrograde delivery of cardioplegic solution provides sufficient flow to the myocardium beyond a coronary occlusion to maintain near normal levels of energy metabolites, and second, the efficacy of the retrograde route of cardioplegic solution delivery (in terms of distribution of the solution and rate of myocardial energy recovery) is significantly lower than that of the antegrade route(J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;114:109-116)
Realistic performance-constrained pipelining in high-level synthesis

This paper describes an approach to pipelining in high-level synthesis that modifies the control/data flow graph before and after scheduling. This enables the direct re-use of a pre-existing, timing- and area-aware non-pipelined simultaneous scheduler and binder. Such an approach ensures that the RTL output can be synthesized within the given timing and area constraints. Results from real industrial designs show the effectiveness of this approach in improving Pareto optimality with respect to area, delay and power.