cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo and in vitro retention of [14C]aldrin and [14C]dieldrin in cellular fractions from brain and liver tissues of insecticide-resistant and susceptible Gambusia☆

Abstract Aldrin and dieldrin-resistant and susceptible populations of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were assayed for aldrin and dieldrin retention in particulate fractions of livers and brains following in vivo and in vitro treatment with [14C]aldrin and [14C]dieldrin. In the in ivvo studies there was a highly significant difference in retention between all particulate fractions of susceptible and resistant fish brains. In the in vitro studies the corresponding difference was less or entirely absent. This study offers indirect evidence for a membrane barrier to both aldrin and dieldrin in the brains of resistant fish.
Zooplankton feeding ecology: Predation by the marine cyclopoid copepod Corycaeus amazonicus F. Dahl upon natural prey

Rates of predation by adult female and male Corycaeus amazoniens F. Dahl feeding upon specific naupliar stages (N1–N6) of Acartia tonsa Dana were significantly influenced by prey concentration, prey stage ( = size), and sex of predator. Predation rates were linear functions of prey concentration, but mean predation rate by females was approximately double that for males. Some stages of nauplii were consumed at higher rates than others, and ability to capture and ingest naupliar stages, particularly older ones (N4–N6), differed with sex of predator. Rates of consumption of nauplii in the presence and absence of alternative phytoplankton food were not significantly different, suggesting that Corycaeus amazonicus is primarily carnivorous. Rates of consumption of nauplii from the present study, combined with data on the abundances of C. amazonicus and copepod nauplii in continental shelf waters, suggest that predation by C. amazonicus removes < 1% of natural populations of nauplii per day.
Output Feedback Model-Based Control of uncertain discrete-time systems with network induced delays

A new architecture for model-based control of unstable and uncertain systems with network induced delays, and for set-point tracking over networks, is presented in this paper. This setup provides better performance than similar approaches in terms of steady-state tracking error and reduction of network traffic by transmitting measurement updates only when necessary. The results in this paper also extend previous work using the Model-Based Networked Control Systems (MB-NCS) approach to consider the output feedback case and to consider models and uncertain systems which do not necessarily have the same dimension; that is, both the parameters and the order of the system are unknown. The Model-Based Event-Triggered (MB-ET) framework presented in this paper is used for stabilization and tracking of piece-wise constant signals and it is extended in two directions; first, to consider a more general two channel networked system and second, to address the reference input tracking problem in the presence of network induced delays.
Scotopic vision at photopic levels

Abstract The hue, saturation and brightness of various monochromatic stimuli have been shown to be greatly altered when the stimulus is interrupted at approximately 10 Hz. The most striking change was a total desaturation of 510 nm light at this rate. It was postulated that scotopic involvement may be responsible for the desaturation. In order to investigate this hypothesis, a variety of intermittent monochromatic stimuli were used, some of which exhibited the desaturation noted above. The relative size of the electroretinogram scotopic b -wave was used as an index of scotopic activity. The amount of scotopic activity under conditions which produced desaturation was compared with those conditions which did not. In general, the conditions that produced the most desaturation also produced the most scotopic activity. The data were discussed in terms of a model which postulates an interaction between scotopic and photopic activity at the ganglion cell level.
The Transnational Location of Two Leading Evangelical Churches in the Global South

Religion remains critically important in the Global South even as globalization intensifies. As international political and economic structures evolve, transnational religions shift societal locations within countries. These shifts cause changes within religions themselves, altering patterns of interaction that may in turn have political and economic consequences. By examining Iglesia Josue in El Salvador and Rhema Bible Church in South Africa, this article shows that the current leading Pentecostal churches and actors in developing countries are often located in upper-middle-class neighborhoods. Strong institutional and personal networks that stretch across borders transnationally embed such churches at multiple levels. The transnational orientation of leading churches has important implications for the rest of the in-country Pentecostal community.
Grounded Practical Theory: The Case of Intellectual Discussion

A research program on intellectual discussion in academic institutions is presented as a case that illustrates a method for constructing grounded practical communication theory. Within a practical discipline perspective, theory is conceived as a rational reconstruction of practices for the purpose of informing further practice and reflection. The theoretical reconstruction of communication practices can be undertaken at three interrelated levels of analysis, here called the technical, problem, and philosophical levels. Based on interpretive discourse analysis of recorded departmental colloquia and interviews with participants, we identify a complex interactional dilemma that arises within this type of communicative situation (problem level), specific techniques by which participants attempt to cope with that dilemma (technical level), and two situated ideals to which they have recourse for reflecting on the normative basis of their own and others' actions (philosophical level). Because of the ways grounded practical theory differs from other theoretical approaches, we argue that existing criteria for evaluating theories must be rethought within this radically reflexive enterprise.
Electron attachment in gases and liquids

Abstract The relevance of quantities describing electron attachment processes in gases to hydrated electron reaction rates is indicated. On the basis of current knowledge of attachment processes in gases, reaction rates for a number of molecules with the hydrated electron are predicted.
Steel truss/composite skin hybrid ship hull, Part II: Manufacturing and sagging testing

A six meter subscale steel truss/composite skin hybrid ship hull model was developed based on an optimized design of a full scale model. The subscale model was finite element analyzed, manufactured and tested under sagging loads. It was made of a welded stainless steel truss to which 60 composite sandwich panels were bonded. The model was loaded to 36% above the design load, at which point there was substantial yielding and residual deformation of the steel truss. However, there was no indication of damage in any of the composite sandwich panels, nor in the bonds between the panels and the steel truss.
Mosaics from video with burned-in metadata

In this paper, we discuss some of the challenges of computing mosaics from practical aerial surveillance video, and how these challenges can be overcome. One particular challenge is "burned-in" metadata, which occurs when metadata from the sensor and aircraft are burned into the actual pixel data. Another obstacle is the presence of "black borders" that commonly appear on the edges of video frames, which may vary in size and location from system to system. The paper demonstrates methods of robustly aligning frames and compositing them so that the limitations just mentioned do not affect the final mosaic quality too severely.
The octant rule. XIV. synthesis and circular dichroism of α- and -deuteriobicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one and 6,6-dimethybicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-one

Abstract (1R,5S)-2S-Deuteriobicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one ( 1 ) and (1R,5S)-2R-Deuteriobicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one ( 2 ), prepared by diazomethane ring enlargement of (1S,4R)-2(exo)-deuteriobicyclo-[2.2.1] heptan-2-one and (1S,4R)-2(endo)-deuteriobicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one respectively, both gave (−) n-π* circular dichroism (CD) Cotton effects, Δemax294 = −0.05 and Δemax294=−0.1, respectively, in hydrocarbon solvent. (1S,5R)-2S-Deuterio-6,6-diaethylbicyclo[3.1.1] heptan-3-one ( 3 ) and (1S,5R)-2R-deuterio-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1] heptan-3-one ( 4 ), prepared from (-) myrtenal, both exhibited extraordinary vibrational fine structure for the n-π* CD transitions observed in hydrocarbon solvent and oppositely−signed CEs, Δemax282=−0.01 and Δemax279=+0.01 respectively in CF3CH2OH solvent.
Bias analysis of source location estimates from eigenspace-based spatial-spectrum estimators

The authors rigorously derive bias expressions of source location estimates for MUSIC, MIN-NORM, and FINE for arbitrarily configured arrays. These bias expressions are a function of the null spectrum and statistics of estimated signal eigenvectors only. These expressions are valid over a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) extending down into the resolution threshold region. It is shown that these expressions can be accurately applied to a small number of snapshot cases. >
Lifetime reproductive success in the spotted sandpiper ( Actitis macularia ) : sex differences and variance components

Lifetime reproductive success (LRS) of male (N=103) and female (N= 66) spotted sandpipers (Actitis macularia) was studied for 13 years of a 17-year study at Little Pelican Island, Leech Lake, Minnesota. There was no sex difference in longevity, but females had significantly more mates, eggs, chicks, fledged young, and young returning in subsequent years than did males. Variance in LRS was partitioned into five life-history components: longevity (L), mates per year (M), eggs per mate (E), proportion eggs hatched (H), and proportion of chicks fledged (F). For both sexes, F accounted for the greatest proportion of variance in LRS (males, 43%; females, 47%), followed by L (males, 26%; females, 43%) and H (males, 21%; females, 28%). Positive covariance between H and F was consistent with predator-caused clutch and brood loss. Contrary to our expectations, males had a higher coefficient of variation in reproductive success than did females. This was because males were relatively more likely than females to produce no young.
Katrina: macro-ethical issues for engineers.

Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst disasters in United States history. Failures within New Orleans’ engineered hurricane protection system (levees and floodwalls) contributed to the severity of the event and have drawn considerable public attention. In the time since Katrina, forensic investigations have uncovered a range of issues and problems related to the engineering work. In this article, my goal is to distill from these investigations, and the related literature that has accumulated, some overarching macro-ethical issues that are relevant for all engineers. I attempt to frame these issues, using illustrative examples taken from Katrina, in a way that might be of pedagogical use and benefit for engineering educators interested in engaging their students in discussions of engineering ethics, societal impact of engineered systems, engineering design, or related topics. Some of the issues discussed are problems of unanticipated failure modes, faulty assumptions, lack or misuse of information, the importance of resiliency, the effects of time, balancing competing interests, attending to the details of interfaces, the fickleness of risk perception, and how the past constrains the present.
The Observation of Mold Flux Crystallization on Radiative Heat Transfer

As an important factor in the moderation of heat transfer in continuous casting mold, mold flux has been researched widely. However, the study of the effect of solid mold flux on radiative heat transfer has not been conducted widely. By using an infrared radiation emitter, which was developed at Carnegie Mellon University, a radiative heat flux was applied to a copper mold to simulate the heat transfer phenomena in continuous casting. The effect of adding a thin slag disc on top of copper mold on radiative heat transfer has been analyzed. It was found that the presence of mold flux enhanced radiative heat transfer rate. The effect of full crystallization of a slag disc was to reduce the heat transfer rate by 20% compared with a completely glassy sample. The specific effect of full crystalline and glassy parts of the mold flux on radiative heat transfer, and the influence of their properties on heat transfer rate was discussed in this paper.
Typing Biometrics: Impact of Human Learning on Performance Quality

The use of stolen personal-identifying information, like Social Security numbers, to commit identity fraud continues to be a major problem. The fact that an impostor can pass as the genuine user by possession of stolen identification information is a weakness in current authentication systems. Adding a biometric layer to the traditional knowledge and token-based authentication systems is one way to counter this problem. Physical biometrics, such as fingerprint systems, are highly accurate; hence, they would be the first choice for such applications but are often inappropriate. Behavioral biometrics, like biometric typing patterns, have the potential to fill this gap as another level of security but this research identified some deficiencies in performance quality. Two research streams for improvements have emerged. The first approach attempts to improve performance by building better classifiers, while the second attempts to attain the same goal by using richer identifying inputs. Both streams assume that the typing biometric patterns are stable over time. This study investigates the validity of this assumption by analyzing how students’ typing patterns behave over time. The results demonstrate that typing patterns change over time due to learning resulting in several performance quality challenges. First, the changing patterns lead to deteriorating authentication accuracy. Second, the relevancy of the reference biometric template created during training becomes questionable. Third, the deterioration in accuracy compromises the security of the whole system and fourth, the net effect brings to question whether the biometric keypad is no longer “fit for use” as an authentication system. These are critical data quality issues that need to be addressed if behavioral biometrics are to play a significant role in minimizing authentication fraud. Possible solutions to the problem, including biometric template updating and choice of uncorrelated PIN combinations, are suggested as potential topics for future research.
The role of pyoderma in pruritus.

In the approach to the pruritic patient, it is important to first determine if a pyoderma is present. This article addresses the classifications of pyoderma, therapy, and the role of pyoderma in the pruritic animal.
Thermoregulation and marathon running: biological and environmental influences.

The extreme physical endurance demands and varied environmental settings of marathon footraces have provided a unique opportunity to study the limits of human thermoregulation for more than a century. High post-race rectal temperatures (Tre) are commonly and consistently documented in marathon runners, yet a clear divergence of thought surrounds the cause for this observation. A close examination of the literature reveals that this phenomenon is commonly attributed to either biological (dehydration, metabolic rate, gender) or environmental factors. Marathon climatic conditions vary as much as their course topography and can change considerably from year to year and even from start to finish in the same race. The fact that climate can significantly limit temperature regulation and performance is evident from the direct relationship between heat casualties and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), as well as the inverse relationship between record setting race performances and ambient temperatures. However, the usual range of compensable racing environments actually appears to play more of an indirect role in predicting Tre by acting to modulate heat loss and fluid balance. The importance of fluid balance in thermoregulation is well established. Dehydration-mediated perturbations in blood volume and blood flow can compromise exercise heat loss and increase thermal strain. Although progressive dehydration reduces heat dissipation and increases Tre during exercise, the loss of plasma volume contributing to this effect is not always observed for prolonged running and may therefore complicate the predictive influence of dehydration on Tre for marathon running. Metabolic heat production consequent to muscle contraction creates an internal heat load proportional to exercise intensity. The correlation between running speed and Tre, especially over the final stages of a marathon event, is often significant but fails to reliably explain more than a fraction of the variability in post-marathon Tre. Additionally, the submaximal exercise intensities observed throughout 42km races suggest the need for other synergistic factors or circumstances in explaining this occurrence There is a paucity of research on women marathon runners. Some biological determinants of exercise thermoregulation, including body mass, surface area-to mass ratio, sweat rate, and menstrual cycle phase are gender-discrete variables with the potential to alter the exercise-thermoregulatory response to different environments, fluid intake, and exercise metabolism. However, these gender differences appear to be more quantitative than qualitative for most marathon road racing environments.
Reproducibility and performance characteristics of colonic compliance, tone, and sensory tests in healthy humans.

Background The performance characteristics of colonic sensation and motility measurements are unclear. Aim To compare left colon compliance, tone, and sensation in males and females and to evaluate inter and intra-individual coefficients of variation (COV) in these measurements. Methods Data were acquired using standard barostat methods, by one technologist, in 72 human volunteers (38 males, 18–65 years). We measured compliance, fasting tone, and sensation during baseline and post-placebo; postprandial (PP) tone was measured only post-placebo. Compliance and thresholds for first sensation, gas, and pain were measured using ascending method of limits; sensory ratings (0–100 mm VAS) using random phasic distensions at 8–36 mmHg above baseline operating pressure. Change in PP tone was measured by barostat balloon volume for the first 30 min after a 1000-kcal meal. Inter-COV was calculated as 100 (SD/mean), and intra-COV as (100 × SD delta/overall mean). Results There were no statistically significant associations with gender for most sensory or motor data at baseline. A modest association of fasting colonic tone and gender was observed. COV are lower (20–35%) for compliance, fasting tone, pain threshold, and sensation ratings than for PP tone and threshold for first or gas sensation (>45%). COV data are similar in males and females; sensation COVs appear smaller in females than in males. Conclusions Testing of compliance, tone and pain, and gas sensation in left colon performs adequately to assess these functions in humans. Lower COV for sensation tests among females is relevant to plan studies of drugs intended for functional GI disorders.
Kernel composition, starch structure, and enzyme digestibility of opaque-2 maize and quality protein maize.

Objectives of this study were to understand how opaque-2 (o2) mutation and quality protein maize (QPM) affect maize kernel composition and starch structure, property, and enzyme digestibility. Kern...
Stability of superconductors cooled internally by He II heat transfer

Abstract He II (superfluid helium) is a unique fluid which offers substantial advantages when utilized as a coolant for large superconducting magnets. One of the principal advantages of He II is its extremely high heat conductivity which allows rapid diffusion of localized transient heating. The present paper reviews the processes involved in transient heat transfer in He II. Emphasis is placed on those processes which are particularly relevant to the stability of superconducting magnets. The implications that these processes have on predicting the performance of actual magnet systems are also discussed. A recent experiment involving composite superconductors cooled with He II demonstrates the importance of transient heat transfer for obtaining stability in these systems.
Structure of III-Sb(001) growth surfaces: the role of heterodimers

We have determined the structure of AlSb and GaSb (001) surfaces prepared by molecular beam epitaxy under typical Sb-rich device growth conditions. Within the range of flux and temperature where the diffraction pattern is nominally $(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3)$, we find that there are actually three distinct, stable $(4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3)$ surface reconstructions. The three structures differ from any previously proposed for these growth conditions, with two of the reconstructions incorporating mixed III-V dimers within the Sb surface layer. These heterodimers appear to play an important role in island nucleation and growth.
Postfreeze viability of human renal epithelial carcinoma cells in quaternary solutions

Abstract The postfreeze survival of human renal epithelial carcinoma cells frozen in suspensions based on (MEM + FCS) (Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium with Hanks' salts added and supplemented with 20 vol% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum) to which additions of NaCl and the cryoprotective compounds, dimethyl sulfoxide and glycerol, were made, have been determined by a vital dye exclusion technique. A significant range of aqueous-rich quaternary solutions were found to be highly effective cryoprotective agents for these cells under optimum freezing and thawing conditions. High survival occurs in a composition series emanating from the region of high postfreeze cell viability in the ternary (MEM + FCS)-NaCl-DMSO system, between 80 and 95% (MEM + FCS), along isopleths that substitute glycerol for NaCl in various proportions. In addition, viability remains sufficiently high as a few percentage of glycerol is substituted for DMSO alone.
ASSESSMENT OF NEWBORN BRAIN MICROSTRUCTURE USING DIFFUSION WEIGHTED MR-IMAGING (DWI): EARLY DETECTION OF PERIVENTRICULAR LEUKOMALACIA (PVL)† 908

The capability of MR to image and quantify molecular diffusion provides new insight into brain development and neuropathology in the newborn. The in vivo microstructural assessment of the brain and the early detection of microstructural alterations in PVL were the aims of this study.
Hemodynamic and renal function in essential hypertension during treatment with enalapril

Abstract Enalapril (at a mean dose of 25 mg), a potent, long-acting angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, was prescribed in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (at a mean dose of 64 mg) for 96 weeks in 11 patients with essential hypertension who had pretreatment (placebo) glomerular filtration rates of less than 80 ml/minute/1.73 m 2 . Blood pressure was well controlled. After 56 weeks of therapy, glomerular filtration rate (assessed by inulin clearance) increased 55 percent and effective renal plasma flow (assessed by para-aminohippurate clearance) increased by 32 percent; these increases were sustained through the 96 weeks of therapy. Furthermore, gains in renal function were sustained without adversely affecting 24-hour urinary protein excretion, sodium excretion, or body fluid composition. These results suggest that enalapril, in combination with hydrochlorothiazide, has the pharmacologic capability to favorably modify a primary pathophysiologic characteristic of essential hypertension by decreasing renal vascular and mesangial tone.
A low-bandwidth network file system

Users rarely consider running network file systems over slow or wide-area networks, as the performance would be unacceptable and the bandwidth consumption too high. Nonetheless, efficient remote file access would often be desirable over such networks---particularly when high latency makes remote login sessions unresponsive. Rather than run interactive programs such as editors remotely, users could run the programs locally and manipulate remote files through the file system. To do so, however, would require a network file system that consumes less bandwidth than most current file systems.This paper presents LBFS, a network file system designed for low-bandwidth networks. LBFS exploits similarities between files or versions of the same file to save bandwidth. It avoids sending data over the network when the same data can already be found in the server's file system or the client's cache. Using this technique in conjunction with conventional compression and caching, LBFS consumes over an order of magnitude less bandwidth than traditional network file systems on common workloads.
Efficient energy transfer and redirection in weakly interacting granular lens

One of the main challenging tasks in the modern design of highly adaptive granular material is in ability to passively control the flow of energy through it by means of trapping, redirection and scattering. In the present work we demonstrate that one of the possible mechanisms to achieve efficient control over the propagating shock wave in the material is the usage of weakly interacting, non-compressed granular lens (granular chains). In the latest computational studies we have demonstrated that the shock waves initially localized on a finite amount of chains may be efficiently redirected to the neighboring granular chains. In this study it is also shown that the amplitude of the shock wave redirected to the neighboring chains may be passively controlled by choosing appropriate parameters of coupling which makes this type of granular structure highly adaptive for the required control of mechanical energy flow. The mechanism for efficient transport of energy from one chain to another are also found. It corresponds to a simple exchange of energy between the weakly interacting granular chains providing equi-partition of Nesterenko solitary waves through the chains. This mechanism of energy transfer and redirection in highly nonlinear granular chains are conceptually new. Analytical and computational studies of all the mechanisms are performed in the present study.© 2011 ASME
Automatic music monitoring and boundary detection for broadcast using audio watermarking

An application of watermarking for automatic music monitoring of radio broadcasts is discussed. By embedding information into the music as a watermark before broadcasting it, it is possible to keep track of what music has been on the air at what time, and for how long. However, to effectively implement this application, the handling of content transitions is important, because the detection reliability deteriorates at the content boundaries. In this paper, a method of detecting content boundaries using overlapping detection windows is described. The most probable pattern of content transition is selected under the condition that detection results from multiple windows are available. The derived rules are represented using a finite state model, which is useful for detection in real time. Experimental results on FM radio broadcasts are also presented.
Applicability of a rigid-ion model to zinc-blende crystals

Abstract The applicability of the rigid-ion model to the phonon dispersion in zinc-blende type crystals is discussed. An invariance relation has been obtained connecting the elastic constants C 11 , C 12 and C 44 and the long wavelength longitudinal and transverse optic mode frequencies. This relation is found to apply well in the case of a number of II–VI and III–V compounds. An empirical relation connecting the ratio of the zone boundary (at X C.P.) LO and LA phonon frequencies with the mass ratios for diatomic cubic crystals is confirmed by the present model. The available neutron scattering and specific heat data on zinc-blende crystals is discussed in the light of the present model.
Comparative effects of FR 34235, a new slow channel calcium blocker, and nifedipine on hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen consumption in the anesthetized dog

Abstract 1. 1. Five doses of two dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, FR 34235 and nifedipine, were given intravenously to anesthetized dogs to determine effects on hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen balance. 2. 2. Both agents produced dose-related decreases in mean arterial blood pressure and tension time index with little effect on heart rate, dP/dt or myocardial contractile force except at high doses where small decreases were observed. 3. 3. Coronary blood flow increased markedly in the presence of both agents with a maximum increase observed at doses of 10 and 30 μg/kg for FR 34235 and nifedipine, respectively. 4. 4. Both compounds decreased myocardial oxygen extraction at all doses and reduced myocardial oxygen consumption at higher doses. 5. 5. These results indicate that FR 34235, a new slow channel calcium blocker, is a potent coronary vasodilator. In addition, this compound possesses oxygen-sparing activity at higher doses.
Order Parameter and Phase Transitions of Stressed SrTi O 3

EPR spectra of $\mathrm{F}\mathrm{e}\ensuremath{-}{V}_{\mathrm{O}}$ pairs were used to study how the order parameter of SrTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ varies with uniaxial stress applied to a (111) face. A second-order cubic-trigonal phase boundary appears above the stress-free transition temperature ${T}_{a}$. A first-order tetra-gonal-trigonal phase boundary is found below ${T}_{a}$. An independently determined Landau potential describes the results.
Diagnosis and assessment of pulmonary vascular disease by Doppler echocardiography.

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a relatively misunderstood disease, partly related to the fact that many perceive PH to be a singular diagnosis. An unintended consequence of this is the misapplication of the role of the Doppler-Echocardiographic (DE) examination, as well as an underappreciation for its ability to help discern PH pathophysiology prior to right heart catheterization. Since DE often serves as the “gatekeeper” to invasive right heart catheterization, misinterpretation of the DE can lead to missed or delayed diagnosis with devastating consequences. Too often, the primary or nearly exclusive focus of the DE examination is placed on the pulmonary artery pressure estimation. Two main issues with this approach are that Doppler pressure estimations can be inaccurate and even when accurate, without integration of additional 2-D and Doppler information, the clinician will often still not appreciate the pathophysiology of the PH nor its clinical significance. This review will focus on the 2-D a...
Structural determinants of infant mortality in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan America

Abstract A conceptual model of the impact of structural advantage and disadvantage on infant mortality rates is developed and fitted to countylevel data. This model includes mediating endogenous constructs representing medical care availability, the incidence of teenage childbearing, and low birthweight rates and is estimated for three residence categories. Both direct and indirect effects of social structure and teenage childbearing on infant mortality vary significantly across the categories. Structural advantage exerts a significant and negative direct effect on infant mortality rates in urban areas, but in rural areas this effect is indirect, operating through teenage childbearing and low birthweight. Structural disadvantage significantly increases infant mortality in both rural and urban settings, but the effects operate directly in metropolitan areas and indirectly in rural areas. These results underscore the central role that social structure continues to play in determining infant mortality rates in the United States.
Are We Studying What Matters? Health Priorities and NIH-Funded Biomedical Engineering Research

With the founding of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) in 1999, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) made explicit its dedication to expanding research in biomedical engineering. Ten years later, we sought to examine how closely federal funding for biomedical engineering aligns with U.S. health priorities. Using a publicly accessible database of research projects funded by the NIH in 2008, we identified 641 grants focused on biomedical engineering, 48% of which targeted specific diseases. Overall, we found that these disease-specific NIH-funded biomedical engineering research projects align with national health priorities, as quantified by three commonly utilized measures of disease burden: cause of death, disability-adjusted survival losses, and expenditures. However, we also found some illnesses (e.g., cancer and heart disease) for which the number of research projects funded deviated from our expectations, given their disease burden. Our findings suggest several possibilities for future studies that would serve to further inform the allocation of limited research dollars within the field of biomedical engineering.
Splenic infarction associated with anticardiolipin antibodies in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Although patients with AIDS frequently develop high titers of anticardiolipin antibodies, the clinical significance of this laboratory abnormality in AIDS patients is unknown. A 33-year-old female with AIDS, a prior small cerebrovascular accident, thrombocytopenia, and a coagulopathy suddenly developed left upper quadrant pain and tenderness due to splenic infarction associated with a high titer of anticardiolipin antibodies. Possible clinical manifestations of anticadiolipin antibodies in this patient include recurrent thromboembolism, coagulopathy, and thrombocytopenia. This case report suggests that anticardiolipin antibodies are associated with splenic infarction and that anticardiolipin antibodies associated with AIDS may sometimes be clincally signifcant.
Analysis of finite anisotropic media containing multiple cracks using superposition

Abstract A method is presented for estimating the stress intensity factors of interacting cracks in a finite anisotropic medium. The method is based on the simultaneous application of two superposition schemes. In the first scheme, concentrated forces and couples acting at various locations along an imaginary curve within an infinite medium are superposed using the framework of the boundary force method. This transforms the problem of a finite cracked medium to that of an infinite cracked medium. In the second scheme, approximating tractions acting on crack lines are superposed to compute the stress fields required for determining stress intensity factors. It is shown that the computed stress intensity factors of a single crack or several cracks in rectangular specimens agree closely with published data for isotropic specimens. The method is further used to study the dependence of the stress intensity factors on crack statistics, material anisotropy and specimen boundary.
Highly efficient DNA delivery mediated by pH-sensitive immunoliposomes

We have previously shown that pH-sensitive immunoliposomes can mediate a target-specific delivery of plasmid DNA to tumor cells grown in a mouse model [Wang, C.-Y., & Huang, L. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 7851-7855]. The efficiency of delivery in terms of the target cell transformation frequency has now been characterized for both short- and long-term gene expression in a tissue culture system. Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) gene was used as a reporter gene. It was placed under the control of the promoter for the rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene, which contains a cAMP regulatory element. Therefore, the expression of the exogenous gene in the target cell, mouse Ltk- cells, can be regulated by cAMP drugs. The plasmid DNA was encapsulated in liposomes using a detergent dialysis method. The efficiency of gene delivery was optimized with respect to the time course and dose of liposome-associated DNA. The existence of antibody of the liposomes was essential for the maximal level of DNA delivery. Delivery was also dependent on the lipid composition of the liposome. The pH-sensitive lipid composition gave 8-fold higher efficiency than the corresponding pH-insensitive composition. The transformation efficiency of the target cell also depended on the regulation of gene expression; cells incubated with dibutyryl-cAMP and theophylline showed a much higher level of transformation frequency than cells incubated without the drugs. When all liposome and incubation parameters are optimized, the Ltk- cells showed a 47% efficiency for the short-term transformation, and 2% for the long-term transformation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Synergism of nitric oxide and iron in killing the transformed murine oligodendrocyte cell line N20.1

Abstract : Nitric oxide (NO) produced in inflammatory lesions may play a major role in the destruction of oligodendrocytes in multiple sclerosis and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. The transformed murine oligodendroglial line N20.1 is much more resistant than primary oligodendrocytes to killing by the NO generator S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP). This observation prompted investigation of the mechanisms leading to cell death in the N20.1 cells and comparison of SNAP with another NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP). We observed that N20.1 cells were 30 times more sensitive to SNP than to SNAP. The specific NO scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO) protected against SNP only, not against SNAP. However, dithiothreitol protected against both SNAP and SNP, indicating that S-nitrosylation of cysteines plays a major role in the cytotoxicity of both NO donors. We did not observe any formation of peroxynitrite or increase of Ca2+ concentration with either SNAP or SNP, thus excluding their involvement in the mechanisms leading to N20.1 cell death. Based on two observations, (a) potentiation of the cytotoxic effect of SNP when coincubated with ferricyanide or ferrocyanide, but not sodium cyanide, and (b) protection by deferoxamine, an iron cyanide chelator, we conclude that the greater sensitivity of N20.1 cells to SNP compared with SNAP is due to synergism between NO released and the iron cyanide portion of SNP, with the cyanide accounting for very little of the cytotoxicity. Finally, SNP but not SNAP induces some apoptosis, as shown by DNA laddering and protection by a caspase-3 inhibitor. These results suggest that low levels of NO in combination with increased iron content lead to apoptotic cell death rather than the necrotic cell death seen with higher levels of NO generated by SNAP.
Significance of His Bundle Recordings with Short H-V Intervals

The H-V interval was defined as the time elapsed between activation of His bundle and ventricular muscle. “Shortening” of this interval had a different significance in various pathologic conditions. For instance, in the presence of late ventricular extrasystoles a short H-V interval merely indicated that part of the ventricles had been depolarized by the ectopic focus before than by the impulse traversing the His bundle. This interval was also shortened in ventricular preexcitation due to a total (Kent bundle) or partial (Mahaim bundle) bypass of the normal A-V conducting system. When only the A-V node was bypassed (James bundle) the H-V interval was not short Extrasystoles arising in the posterior division of the left branch produced retrograde activation of His bundle ahead of the ventricles. Pseudoshortening of the H-V interval occurred if the His bundle was depolarized after the onset of the QRS complex in the surface electrogram but before the electrogram in the HBE leads.
Comprehending indirect replies : When and how are their conveyed meanings activated?

Abstract Six experiments examined the comprehension of indirect replies conveyed by violating Grice's (1975) relation maxim (be relevant). In contrast to the nonliteral meanings examined in prior research (e.g., metaphors), the replies examined in these experiments yielded particularized rather than generalized implicatures (Grice, 1975); their indirect meanings were optional and accessed only with reference to the conversational context. Experiments 1–3 demonstrated that these conveyed meanings are activated during comprehension and form part of the comprehender's representation of the remark. Experiments 4–6 demonstrated that the comprehension of most of these replies involves a time-consuming inference process, including an activation of the remark's literal meaning. The need for an inference process was mediated by the conventionality of the reply.
Modeling nonlinear elastic behavior of reinforced soil using artificial neural networks

This paper presents the application using a multilayer neural network to model nonlinear elastic behavior of composite soil reinforced with fiber and stabilized with lime. First, shear modulus of the reinforced soil was assumed to be a nonlinear function of multiple variables such as contents of short fiber and lime powder, confining pressure, sample-aging period as well as shear strain. Secondly, a multilayer neural network was designed to map the highly nonlinear relationship between shear stress and strain. Thirdly, conventional triaxial shearing tests have been conducted for 34 sets of soil samples to provide experimental data for training and validating the neural network model. Finally, the neural network-based parameter sensitivities have been analyzed. The results of sensitivity analysis indicate that the lime content and the sample curing time play more significant roles than the fiber content in improving soil mechanical properties. It is the first attempt to apply the neural network to modeling of elastic behavior of composite soils, and has been found that modeling of reinforced soil using a multilayer neural network can provide more quality information on the performance of reinforced soil for better decision-making and continuous improvement of construction material designs.
Pitfalls in the Evaluation and Resuscitation of the Trauma Patient

The management of the trauma patient presents the practitioner with a host of challenges, and the pace, variety of venues, and multidisciplinary nature of the field combine to create a system complexity that is laden with potential pitfalls. This review summarizes some of the general principles of medical errors and examines some of the more common pitfalls encountered in the initial resuscitation and evaluation of the major trauma patient.
Excitation of molecules formed by ion bombardment of surfaces

Abstract We report the observation of optical emission from molecular species AB ∗ formed when a solid A is bombarded by energetic heavy ions B + . The vibrational spectra of CN, SiN, and A1N were observed during N 2 + bombardment of C, Si and Al. To confirm our identification of the observed spectra, we performed high resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry experiments. The possibility of formation of these molecules by recombination is examined and we propose a mechanism whereby the emitting species is ejected as an intact molecule in a vibrationally excited state.
PCA of Wavelet Transformed Process Data for Monitoring

Producing a uniform product is important for several reasons such as maintenance of a competitive position, reduction in the number of shutdowns and startups, and the elimination of the sources of variability. Multivariate statistical methods can assist in the identification of process correlations and the development of process monitoring models. This work extends these concepts by demonstrating that the correlations and resulting monitoring models can be improved greatly with the addition of pre-filtering the time signals using a median filter, and time-scale decomposition using a multi-resolution wavelet function. After the data are filtered and decomposed, the multivariate statistical method of principal component analysis PCA is used to develop a process monitoring model. Data that was taken from a difficult-to-operate industrial process are used to demonstrate these ideas.
Chemoradiation therapy in the management of gastrointestinal malignancies

Concurrent administration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been increasingly used in cancer treatment, leading to improvements in survival as well as quality of life. Currently, it is a feasible preference, often regarded as the standard therapeutic option, for many locally confined solid tumors, including anal, bladder, cervical, esophageal, gastric, head and neck, lung, pancreatic and rectal cancers. In patients with these tumors, combined modality therapy improves local tumor control and survival while, in some instances, obviating the need for surgical removal of the organ of origin. The scientific rationale for the use of chemoradiation derives from the preclinical and clinical observations of synergistic interactions between radiotherapy and chemotherapy. When chemotherapy and radiotherapy are administered together, the chemotherapeutic agents can sensitize the cancer cells to the effects of ionizing radiation, leading to increased tumor-killing effects within the radiotherapy field. This, in turn, can improve local control of the primary tumor and, in some cancers, render surgical resection unnecessary. In other cases, patients with tumors that were initially considered unresectable are able to undergo curative interventions after completing chemoradiation. The chemotherapy component can address any potential micrometastatic disease that, without therapy, leads to an increased risk of distant recurrence. A large body of evidence exists that supports the use of chemoradiotherapy in gastrointestinal cancers. In fact, one of the first tumor types in which the superior efficacy of chemoradiation was described was anal cancer. Since then, chemoradiotherapy has been explored in other gastrointestinal malignancies with superior outcomes when compared with either radiation or chemotherapy alone. This article aims to recapitulate the clinical evidence supporting the use of chemoradiotherapy in a variety of gastrointestinal tumor types.
Association between an abnormal cerebroplacental ratio and the development of severe pre-eclampsia.

To study the association between the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and the development of pre-eclampsia. Three study groups were determined: Group 1—normal umbilical artery (UA; referent), Group 2—abnormal UA and normal CPR and Group 3—abnormal UA and an abnormal CPR. The primary outcome was the development of severe pre-eclampsia. We included 270 women. Women in Group 3 had significantly elevated rates of severe pre-eclampsia versus those in Group 1 and Group 2, 52.5% versus 5.1% and 15.4%, respectively, (P<0.01), adjusted odds ratio 4.14 (95% confidence interval, 2.59 to 6.61). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed earlier delivery in women with pre-eclampsia in Group 3 versus Group 1, Cox–Mantel hazard ratio 2.39 (1.17 to 4.88), log rank P=0.01. An abnormal CPR is associated with a higher rate severe pre-eclampsia with delivery at earlier gestational ages than with a normal UA or an abnormal UA, but normal CPR.