cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Method for Investigating the Cognitive Processes and Knowledge Structures of Expert Salespeople

Researchers are increasingly focusing on the mental processes and knowledge structures of salespeople. Of particular interest are expert (or highly skilled) salespeople. This article presents a method for investigating the cognitive processes and knowledge structures of expert salespeople. The method examines both declarative and procedural knowledge by combining several techniques traditionally seen in the cognitive sciences, namely the critical incident technique, vicarious role play using simulated problem situations, and content analysis of verbal protocols. Examples of an application of this procedure with a food broker sales force are used to illustrate certain aspects of the method.
Atomistic simulation of size effects in single-crystalline metals of confined volumes during nanoindentation

Abstract In single-crystalline metals, the sources of size effects depend on the sample length scale. In bulk samples, the interaction of dislocations with each other is responsible for size effects which is commonly termed forest hardening. The Taylor-like hardening models are usually incorporated to capture the forest hardening which states that the strength increases as the dislocation density increases. As an example, the fact that the nanoindentation hardness increases as the indentation depth decreases is justified as an increase in the density of geometrically necessary dislocations. In the cases of small length scales, several experiments on whiskers, wires, and micropillars have demonstrated that the sources of size effects are different from those of bulk material. In the case of nanoindentation of nanoscale samples, it has been experimentally shown that the hardness decreases as the density of geometrically necessary dislocations increases in the region of small indentation depths. It shows that the size effects theory of bulk material cannot be extended to the indentation of nanoscale samples. The present work incorporates the large scale atomistic simulation to investigate the size effects in a nanoscale single crystal Ni thin film during indentation. The results show that the hardness decreases as the dislocation density increases, and the forest hardening model cannot capture the strength size effects during nanoindentation at small length scales. It is observed that the size effects are initially controlled by dislocation nucleation and source exhaustion. As the indentation depth increases, the dislocation length and density increase. Consequently, the number of dislocation sources and their characteristic length increase which decreases the material strength. Finally, increasing the dislocation length and density, the dislocation interaction mechanism also becomes important.
Intercoder reliability indices in tourism research.

•This research emphasizes the necessity of reporting reliability in coding analysis.•The common misuses of reporting intercoder reliability are discussed.•Methodological suggestions regarding using intercoder reliability are provided.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of 5-Methyltetrahydrohomofolate

dl- N 5-Methyltetrahydrohomofolate (MTHHF; NSC-139490; N -{{4-{{2-(2-amino-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-4-oxo-5-methyl-6-pteridinyl)ethyl} amino) benzoyl}}-l-glutamate), a new folate antagonist of relatively low toxicity, is active against experimental tumor systems resistant to methotrexate and consequently now in clinical trial. We investigated its clinical pharmacokinetics in six patients; four of them received by rapid i.v. infusion tracer doses of [ N 5- methyl -14C]MTHHF ranging from 13 to 16 mg/sq m, and 2 received 150 mg/sq m; the total radioactivity dose was 100 to 200 µ Ci/patient. MTHHF was assayed by radiochemical and chromatographic techniques. The elimination of MTHHF from the plasma followed a triexponential pattern, with a harmonic mean initial half-life of 20.1 min, an intermediary half-life of 4.5 hr, and a terminal half-life of 74.6 hr. The apparent volume of distribution was 1.6 liters/kg, suggesting rapid and extensive tissue binding. This, together with the low total clearance of 0.2 ml/kg/min, contributed to the long half-life of this agent. Although 68% of the administered dose was excreted in the urine on the first day, only an additional 1 % was excreted on the ensuing 3 days. In the two patients who received the higher dose, very little MTHHF was found in the cerebrospinal fluid. In concentrations ranging from 25 to 500 µ g/ml, the drug was about 50% bound to plasma protein. MTHHF was not metabolized in humans as also reported in animals. These results suggest that MTHHF is excreted in the bile to certain extent. Moreover, since it tends to localize and persist in the body, to forestall cumulative toxicity, frequent administration of this agent should be undertaken only with caution.
Dysregulation of hepatic zinc transporters in a mouse model of alcoholic liver disease

Zinc deficiency is a consistent phenomenon observed in patients with alcoholic liver disease, but the mechanisms have not been well defined. The objective of this study was to determine if alcohol alters hepatic zinc transporters in association with reduction of hepatic zinc levels and if oxidative stress mediates the alterations of zinc transporters. C57BL/6 mice were pair-fed with the Lieber-DeCarli control or ethanol diets for 2, 4, or 8 wk. Chronic alcohol exposure reduced hepatic zinc levels, but increased plasma and urine zinc levels, at all time points. Hepatic zinc finger proteins, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α), were downregulated in ethanol-fed mice. Four hepatic zinc transporter proteins showed significant alterations in ethanol-fed mice compared with the controls. ZIP5 and ZIP14 proteins were downregulated, while ZIP7 and ZnT7 proteins were upregulated, by ethanol exposure at all time points. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that chronic ethanol exposure upregulated cytochrome P-450 2E1 and caused 4-hydroxynonenal accumulation in the liver. For the in vitro study, murine FL-83B hepatocytes were treated with 5 μM 4-hydroxynonenal or 100 μM hydrogen peroxide for 72 h. The results from in vitro studies demonstrated that 4-hydroxynonenal treatment altered ZIP5 and ZIP7 protein abundance, and hydrogen peroxide treatment changed ZIP7, ZIP14, and ZnT7 protein abundance. These results suggest that chronic ethanol exposure alters hepatic zinc transporters via oxidative stress, which might account for ethanol-induced hepatic zinc deficiency.
Regional Cooperation among Microstates

Owing to their low bargaining power and high negotiation costs, microstates face severe disadvantages when dealing with the outside world. Forming a group with neighboring nations might be an effective instrument to address this problem. This paper presents a model in which the decision to form, expand or join a regional club is based on negotiation costs and bargaining power rather than on the traditional costs and benefits of trade integration. The model is used to determine the optimal and the equilibrium group size under various entry conditions. The welfare implications of the entry conditions are also examined.
Differential effect of a new thyromimetic on triiodothyronine transport into myoblasts and hepatoma and neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract 3,5-Dibromo-3′-pyridazinone- l -thyronine (L-94901), a member of a novel class of thyromimetics, reduces cholesterol plasma levels with little effect on cardiac function in rats. Because receptor binding of L-94901 in isolated heart and liver nuclei is similar but binding in liver nuclei in vivo was 50-fold higher than in cardiac nuclei, we studied its effect on triiodothyronine (T3) transport across the plasma membrane of myoblasts, hepatoma cells and neuroblasts. Previously, we had demonstrated saturable, stereospecific and energy dependent transport of T3 into the three cell lines. After equilibrium of intact cells with hormone, nuclear binding of T3 was decreased by L-94901 in all three cell lines. While whole cell uptake and whole cell binding of T3 was only slightly affected by L-94901, kinetic analysis of the initial rate of uptake showed uncompetitive or noncompetitive inhibition and a differential decrease in Vmax. Furthermore, the Ki for the liver and brain derived cells was 10-fold lower than for the muscle derived cells. This effect on the plasma membrane transport of T3 may explain the differential effect reported in the intact animal.
Clinical outcome of pathologic Stage IIA endometrial adenocarcinoma after intravaginal brachytherapy alone

Abstract Purpose We studied the impact of different prognostic factors on the clinical outcome for the patients with pathologic Stage IIA endometrial adenocarcinoma who had surgical staging (SS) and received adjuvant high-dose-rate intravaginal brachytherapy (IVB) alone. Methods and Materials Sixty-one patients with Stage IIA endometrial adenocarcinoma were retrospectively studied. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to study prognostic factors. Results All the patients underwent SS between July 1994 and December 2005. The median age was 64 years (range, 46–71 years). The median number of lymph nodes sampled was 8 (range, 7–12). All the patients received adjuvant IVB to doses of 35–36 Gy in four to five fractions prescribed to the surface. The myometrial invasion was p = 0.01). In regard to overall survival (OS), factors that were significantly predictive on univariate analysis were LVI ( p = 0.03), tumor grade ( p = 0.04), and depth of myometrial invasion ( p = 0.04). The 5-year rates of vaginal and pelvic recurrences were 1.7% and 8.2%, respectively. The 5-year local control and OS rates were both 87%. Conclusions Our results suggest excellent local control with adjuvant IVB alone for selected patients with Stage IIA endometrial adenocarcinoma. The patients with positive LVI and deep myometrial invasion have a worse locoregional control and OS despite SS and adjuvant IVB.
Neurophysiology of spasms

Spasms are a form of epileptic seizure typical of infancy. From a clinical point of view, the child presents a flexor-extensor movement involving the trunk and limbs and lasting about 1s. Although asymmetry can be present, the seizure involves both sides of the body. The ictal discharge most frequently associated with spasms in West syndrome (WS) is a diffuse triphasic slow high-amplitude wave and less frequently a low-amplitude brief rapid rhythm. The origin of the spasm in WS and classification as either partial or generalized seizure are the subject of much discussion. Factors supporting partial origin include: interictal electroencephalography (EEG) characterized by multifocal anomalies; high incidence of focal cortical lesions and remission of spasms following surgical removal of focal lesions. Factors supporting generalized origin are: clinical involvement of the entire body; mostly generalized ictal EEG pattern; existence of idiopathic cases and possibility of spasms immediately following a partial seizure like a particular form of secondary generalization. In our opinion, the categories of 'partial' and 'generalized' seizures are not applicable to spasms in WS. Sometimes the spasms in WS can be observed together with other types of partial or generalized seizures. Polygraphic recordings have demonstrated that despite being clinically similar, each spasm is different from the other because of a variable sequence in muscular contraction. These data support the peculiar nature of the spasm in WS that could be a subcortical phenomenon that requires a cortical trigger.
Transplantation of glial-committed progenitor cells into a viral model of multiple sclerosis induces remyelination in the absence of an attenuated inflammatory response.

Abstract Transplantation of remyelination-competent cells represents a promising strategy for the treatment of demyelinating diseases. As the environment dictates the success or failure of remyelination, it is critical to understand the role that the immune system plays in transplant-mediated remyelination. In this study, we evaluated the severity of neuroinflammation following transplantation of glial-committed progenitor cells into the spinal cords of mice chronically infected with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a model in which T cells and macrophages are critical in amplifying the severity of demyelination. Transplantation was performed following viral persistence in which inflammation and demyelination are established and clinical disease is evident. Mice were sacrificed 10 and 21 days following progenitor cell transplantation and the effect on neuroinflammation evaluated. Treatment did not alter accumulation of T cells or macrophages within the CNS as compared to control mice. Moreover, progenitor cell implantation did not affect local cytokine/chemokine gene expression in the CNS. Finally, remyelination associated with transplantation did not result in an imbalance of T H 1-associated cytokine production by virus-specific T cells. These studies demonstrate that progenitor cell-mediated remyelination is not the result of modulating the composition of the cellular infiltrate nor cytokine expression by virus-specific T cells and suggest that remyelination may not depend on amelioration of the inflammatory response or alteration of cytokine secretion by virus-specific T cells.
Relationship between 1-hour glucose challenge test results and perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relationship between 1-hour 50 g glucose challenge test values and perinatal outcomes. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter treatment trial of mild gestational diabetes mellitus. Women with glucose challenge test values of 135–199 mg/dL completed a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Mild gestational diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting glucose less than 95 mg/dL and two or more abnormal oral glucose tolerance test values: 1-hour 180 mg/dL or more; 2-hour 155 mg/dL or more; and 3-hour 140 mg/dL or more. Our study included untreated women with glucose challenge test values of 135–139 mg/dL and 140– 199 mg/dL and a comparison group with values less than 120 mg/dL. Primary outcomes included a perinatal composite (stillbirth, neonatal death, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal hyperinsulinemia, and birth trauma), large for gestational age (LGA, birth weight above the 90 th percentile based on sex-specific and race-specific norms), and macrosomia (greater than 4,000 g). RESULTS: There were 436 women with glucose challenge test values less than 120 mg/dL and 1,403 with values of 135 mg/dL or more (135–139, n5135; 140–199, n51,268). The composite perinatal outcome occurred in 25.6% of those with glucose challenge test values less than 120 mg/dL compared with 21.1% for values of 135–139 mg/dL and 35.3% for values of 140–199 mg/dL.
New Jersey air quality index.

Abstract Publication of a daily Air Quality Index, provided by the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Pollution Control, began on 15 May 1972. The Index is intended to provide both interested citizens and persons with a professional interest in air pollution with the best available information on levels of four pollutants—carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, smoke shade and oxidants. Actual concentrations—in μg or mg m −3 —are presented, based on data from air monitoring sites throughout the State. The concentrations are directly comparable to national Ambient Air Quality Standards for the contaminants. In addition, an overall daily rating and a forecast rating for the following day are supplied.
An Inexpensive, Highly Portable Optical to Haptic Graphical Display

Current methods available to represent graphical information to individuals who are blind or visually impaired are too expensive and/or cumbersome to be of practical use. Therefore, there is a need for an affordable display device capable of rendering graphical information through stimulation of working sensory systems. To further facilitate individuals, the device must be portable, as to enable them to use it in many different settings, and highly affordable, as most individuals who are blind are also unemployed. In this paper a dynamic display haptic device is described that is both affordable (<$25 US) and portable (<1 kg). The device uses a photo-interrupter to detect contrasts in light reflectivity for an image and vibrating solenoid motors to provide tactile feedback. The device is worn like a glove, so the tactile feedback combines with the body's kinesthetic sense of position of the hand to convey a haptic image. Preliminary tests show that a single-finger model of the device has on average a 50% object identification accuracy, which is higher than the accuracy for raised-line drawings. The device can be expanded for use of multiple fingers, while still remaining affordable (<$50 US).
Incremental vacuum dehydration-decarbonation experiments on a natural gibbsite (α-Al(OH3)): CO2 abundance and δ13C values

Abstract Incremental vacuum dehydration-decarbonation experiments were performed at 190°C on chemically “cleaned” aliquots of a gibbsite-dominated, Eocene-age bauxite sample with evolution of CO 2 and H 2 O. “Plateau” F (CO 2 /H 2 O ratios) and δ 13 C values of the CO 2 derived from gibbsite were attained over the dehydration interval, X v (H 2 ) = 0.16 to 0.67 (i.e., 16 to 67% breakdown of gibbsite). The plateau value of F for gibbsite was 0.0043 ± 0.0003, while the corresponding δ 13 C value of evolved CO 2 was −16.0‰±0.4‰. Additional experiments on chemically cleaned aliquots included (1) treatment with a solution of 0.3M Na-Citrate + 0.1M Na-Dithionite and (2) an exchange experiment with 0.1 bar of 13 C-depleted CO 2 (−46‰) at 105°C for 64.5 h. Neither of these additional treatments resulted in a measurable perturbation of plateau values of F or δ 13 C for CO 2 evolved from gibbsite during dehydroxylation. These results support published work on Holocene samples which suggested that CO 2 occluded in gibbsite may preserve information on δ 13 C values of CO 2 in ancient terrestrial systems. The plateau values of F observed in the Eocene gibbsite indicate that it may be possible to experimentally calibrate a relationship between the concentration of CO 2 occluded in gibbsite and CO 2 in the environment at the time of crystallization. Such a calibration would significantly enhance the value of gibbsite as a source of information on ancient oxidized carbon systems.
Are endoscopic antireflux procedures useful

Endoscopic antireflux procedures are an alternative treatment for patients who do not desire medical therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease. This Viewpoint assesses the success rates of endoscopic therapies and highlights the importance of selecting appropriate patients for this therapy.
Using reference conditions in ecosystem restoration: an example for riparian conifer forests in the Pacific Northwest

Quantifying the attributes of reference sites is a crucial problem in the restoration of ecosystems, driving both the evaluation of current conditions and the setting of management targets for specific points in the future. Restoration of riparian ecosystems, particularly those dominated by conifers, has become a priority because of the numerous ecosystem services they provide, including a high number of vertebrate species in population decline that utilize these structurally complex forests. By way of example, we illustrate a three-step process to assess the effects of proposed riparian ecosystem restoration efforts: (1) identify reference sites (2) quantify metrics that describe the reference sites, and (3) use models to predict the likely effects of restoration actions relative to reference conditions. To this end, we identified 117 natural, late-successional conifer dominated stands from existing forest inventories in the Pacific Northwest for the purpose of establishing reference conditions. We did this to establish quantitative metrics for structural attributes essential to the maintenance of biodiversity in these forests, and to assess whether there were any important quantitative differences between upland and riparian forests or whether upland and riparian forest reference sites could be used interchangeably. Both forest types were generally similar, but riparian stands had higher average live tree wood volumes and basal areas, suggesting they may be growing on sites that are more productive. Both riparian and upland forests had abundant large diameter (>50 cm) live trees and snags. Collectively, our data suggest that mature, late-successional conifer dominated forests have well developed structural characteristics in terms of abundant large trees in the overstory, abundant large snags, and a well-developed understory of shade-tolerant trees. We modeled the growth of young conifer stands to assess whether a common restoration treatment would accelerate development of structural characteristics typical of reference conditions. We found that left untreated, the stands followed a trajectory towards developing forest structure similar to the average reference condition. In contrast, the restoration treatment followed a developmental trajectory along the outside range of reference conditions.
An experimental study of a mnemonic system

The learning of a 20 item CVC list by serial anticipation of Ss receiving a 30 min training session in a commercial mnemonic technique known as the “hook” or “peg” system was compared with the performance of untrained Ss. Trained Ss performed significantly better, with respect to number of correct anticipations, than did untrained Ss receiving the same trigrams. Trained Ss who learned high (100%) association trigrams exhibited a distortion of the classical serial position effect.
Properties of the scale invariant O(g4) Lipatov kernel

Abstract We study the scale-invariant O(g4) kernel which appears as an infra-red contribution in the BFKL evolution equation and is constructed via multiparticle t-channel unitarity. We detail the variety of Ward identity constraints and infra-red cancellations that characterize its infrared behaviour. We give an analytic form for the full non-forward kernel. For the forward kernel controlling parton evolution at small x, we give an impact parameter representation, derive the eigenvalue spectrum, and demonstrate a holomorphic factorisation property related to conformal invariance. The present results indicate that, at next-to-leading order, the transverse momentum infra-red region may produce a significant reduction of the BFKL small-x behavior.
Maturational differences in hepatic microhemodynamics in rats

Age-related changes in the hepatic microcirculation may contribute to the increased susceptibility of the immature liver to microvascular injury. We quantified sinusoidal and acinar diameters, sinusoidal red cell velocities (VRBC), and sinusoidal volume flows to characterize microhemodynamics of weanling and adult rat livers with and without hepatic artery (HA) ligation using intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy. Despite a 20% faster heart rate and a nearly 20% lower mean arterial and portal vein pressure in weanling rats relative to those in the adults, weanling periportal and pericentral sinusoidal velocities were approximately 30 and 25% faster, respectively, than those in adults. Furthermore, the HA was found to contribute more to maintenance of sinusoidal VRBC in the immature liver as demonstrated by a significant decrease in both periportal and pericentral VRBC following HA ligation. HA ligation had no effect on VRBC of either zone in adults. Zonal volume flow (HA intact), however, was maintained independent of age. These results suggest a lower extrasinusoidal resistance in the weanling. The 25% shorter acinar diameter that we found in weanling livers likely contributes to a lower extrasinusoidal resistance by allowing a higher ratio of inflow vessels to volume of tissue. Shorter sinusoidal pathways in weanling livers also decreases sinusoidal resistance 1.3-fold relative to that in the adult, countering the approximately 1.5 times increase in resistance due to the smaller caliber of sinusoidal vessels so that overall sinusoidal resistance is not age-dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mature murine B lymphocytes immortalized by Kirsten sarcoma virus.

Clonal, antigen-specific, functionally responsive cell populations have proved critical for the analysis of the activation and regulation of lymphocytes. Such studies with B lymphocytes, the precursors of antibody-secreting cells, are hampered by the difficulty in generating phenotypically mature, antigen-reactive lines from defined cell populations. One method is to use acutely transforming retro-viruses, which can transform B-lineage lymphocytes in vitro. However, Abelson murine leukaemia virus (A-MuLV) infection of murine bone marrow cells in vitro yields mostly immature B-cell lines1–5, and infection of murine bone marrow cells with murine sarcoma viruses carrying ras related genes produces only immature lymphoid cell lines6. Retroviruses which contain ras can immortalize nonlymphoid cells without causing loss of mature phenotypic characteristics7. We used ras-containing Kirsten sarcoma virus (KiSV) pseudotyped with an amphotropic MuLV helper virus, to infect a purified population of mature, hapten-binding murine splenic B lymphocytes, aiming to generate mature B-cell lines to use as models for the study of B-cell growth and differentiation physiology. Immortalized B-cell lines which retain the same mature phenotype as the starting population, including hapten-specific binding, were produced. This is the first demonstration of a method for immortalizing selected antigen-binding B lymphocytes, and the first example of immortalization of mature B cells in vitro with an acutely transforming ras-containing retrovirus.
Variation in acid resistance among enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli in a simulated gastric environment.

Aims: To compare survival of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains of two clonal groups in a simulated gastric environment and to quantify the effect of storage in an acidic food, apple juice, on subsequent survival of EHEC in the simulated gastric environment. Methods and Results: To characterize acid resistance of EHEC under conditions simulating the gastric environment, survival was measured in a model stomach system (MSS) for two clonal groups of EHEC: 14 EHEC 1 strains of serotype O157:H7 and 12 EHEC 2 strains of serotypes O26:H11 and O111:H8. There were significant differences between the two EHEC groups, with the average survival rate of O157 strains in the MSS twice as great as the O26/O111 strains. Strains of the two groups also differed in the quantity of injured cells in MSS and in the transcript levels of the glutamate decarboxylase genes (measured by quantitative PCR) in stationary phase before cultures entered the MSS. Conclusions: The results indicate that E. coli O157:H7 strains have superior ability to survive simulated gastric acidity compared with the non-O157 EHEC. Significance and Impact of the Study: E. coli O157:H7 becomes acid resistant rapidly upon entry into stationary phase, which may underlie the low infectious dose of this pathogen.
Apparent rotation in three-dimensional space: effects of temporal, spatial, and structural factors.

Several experiments were performed in an effort to determine the different combinations of display parameters that can reliably elicit a perceptually compelling impression of a solid object rotating rigidly in three-dimensional space. All of the displays were computer-generated simulations of rigid objects rotating in depth under parallel projection. The parameters investigated included the number of frames in the apparent motion sequence, the temporal and spatial displacements between frames, the number of elements in the depicted object, and the structural organization of those elements. The results indicated that there are large interactions among these different parameters in their effects on the perception of structure from motion.
Virtual inertial measurements for motion inference in wireless health

Human motion monitoring with inertial sensors plays an important role in many medical applications. But, acquiring robust inference of human motion trajectory via low-cost noisy inertial sensors remains challenging. Sensor noise and drift, sensor placement errors and variation of activity over the population all lead to the necessity of a large amount of data collection. In this paper, a new virtual inertial measurement platform is proposed. With this platform, we are able to convert 3D camera data into noiseless and error-free inertial sensor measurements, thus permitting a large reduction in the quantity of expensive ground truth that would otherwise need to be collected.
Perilous Glory: The Rise of Western Military Power. By John France. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2011. Pp. 438. $35.00.)

The author of this study has produced a truly comprehensive and authentic summary of warfare. His work serves both scholars and general readers as a concise encyclopedia of tactics, strategy, weapo...
Allocation of jobs and identical resources with two pooling centers

We examine the resource allocation problem of partitioning identical servers into two parallel pooling centers, and simultaneously assigning job types to pooling centers. Each job type has a distinct Poisson arrival rate and a distinct holding cost per unit time. Each pooling center becomes a queueing system with an exponential service time distribution. The goal is to minimize the total holding cost. The problem is shown to be polynomial if a job type can be divided between the pooling centers, and NP-hard if dividing job types is not possible. When there are two servers and jobs cannot be divided, we demonstrate that the two pooling center configuration is rarely optimal. A heuristic which checks the single pooling center has an upper bound on the relative error of 4/3. The heuristic is extended for the multiple server problem, where relative error is bounded above by the number of servers.
A seasonal study of microsomal mixed-function oxidase components in insecticide-resistant and susceptible mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis.

Abstract The mixed-function oxidase components which are involved in xenobiotic hydroxylations were studied in liver microsomes from two populations of mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis ) for 26 months. One population is highly resistant to organochlorine insecticides and is exposed periodically to agricultural chemical contamination; the other population is susceptible to these chemicals and is not exposed to such pollutants. The following parameters were measured: cytochromes P -450 and b 5 ; NADPH-cytochrome c , NADPH-dichloroindophenol, NADH-cytochrome c , and NADH-cytochrome b 5 reductases; liver weight to body weight ratios; and microsomal protein. Most parameters demonstrated seasonal cycles with the highest values occurring during the late fall and winter. The cyclic nature of the parameters investigated may be the result of the relative magnitude of microsomal hydroxylations during the year in relationship to other microsomal processes such as biosynthesis. The range of concentrations or specific activities of most of the components was about the same for both fish populations, although the resistant fish possessed relatively larger livers and, therefore, greater amounts of these microsomal components than the susceptible fish. The results suggest the induction of these microsomal oxidase components in the resistant population during their annual exposure to environmental pollutants in the agricultural runoff.
Conductive Polymer Switch For Controlling Superconductivity

Electrochemical techniques are exploited to fabricate conductive polymer/high-Tc superconductor sandwich structures. In such hybrid polymer/superconductor systems, it is found that when the polymer is oxidized to its conductive state, the transition temperature (Tc) and critical current (Jc) of the underlying superconductor film are suppressed. Reversible modulations in the values of the transition temperatures up to 50 k are noted for these structures. Upon reduction of the conductive polymer layer back to its non-conductive form, Tc is found to return to values close to those acquired for the underivatized YBa2Cu3O7-δ film. Thus, the principle of a molecular/superconductor switch for controlling superconductivity is demonstrated.
Knock-in of the Oas1b(r) allele into a flavivirus-induced disease susceptible mouse generates the resistant phenotype.

Abstract Inheritance patterns in mice suggested that resistance to flavivirus-induced disease was conferred by a single autosomal dominant allele (Flvr). A positional cloning strategy followed by comparison of Flv interval gene sequences from congenic resistant C3H.PRI-Flvr and susceptible C3H/He mouse strains identified the 2′–5′-oligoadenylate synthetase 1b (Oas1b) gene as Flv. However, since these mouse strains differ by a 31 cM region, the possible involvement of differences in other linked genes in the resistant phenotype could not be absolutely ruled out. Knock-in of the Oas1b resistance allele into a susceptible mouse strain produced mice with the flavivirus resistance phenotype, confirming that this phenotype is mediated by a single gene.
Angiographic follow-up after suture-mediated femoral artery closure

PURPOSE Percutaneous closure devices are used in as many as 30% of all endovascular studies. Despite widespread use of these devices, only limited imaging has been performed after percutaneous closure. In this study, arteriograms of patients who had undergone suture-mediated closure with the Perclose device were reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between June 1998 and November 2001, 31 patients who had previously undergone closure with use of the Perclose device at our institution returned for additional angiographic procedures. Twenty-one patients underwent closure with use of the Perclose device after embolization, including hepatic artery chemoembolization ( n = 18), treatment of hypervascular sacral metastases ( n = 2), and bronchial artery embolization ( n = 1). Nineteen of these patients had thrombocytopenia. Ten patients underwent closure with use of the Perclose device after diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular disease. RESULTS Of 31 patients, 28 had normal follow-up studies, including one patient who underwent four previous closures. These 28 patients all had normal femoral artery caliber at initial angiography and a platelet count of more than 18,000/mm 3 . Two patients with preexisting atherosclerotic change had progression of disease at the puncture site and a third with severe thrombocytopenia developed a small asymptomatic posterolateral pseudoaneurysm. CONCLUSION In patients with normal femoral arteries, the long-term effects of closure with use of the Perclose device, even performed multiple times, appears to be minimal.
A trigonal planar network in hydrogenated epitaxial graphene: a ferromagnetic semiconductor

Hydrogenated epitaxial graphene has distinctive electronic properties compared to the two-sided hydrogenated graphene referred to as graphane. Of particular interest is the experimentally observed room-temperature ferromagnetic semiconducting property, which has remained elusive to theoretical interpretation. Here, we present results of a density functional theory investigation into various hydrogenation patterns. Our results indicate that the stability of a given hydrogenation pattern is strongly influenced by the amount of sp2-hybridized bonding in the structures. A hydrogenation pattern with a trigonal planar network is identified as an intrinsic ferromagnetic semiconductor, which is in very good conformity with experimental observations. Our results provide insight into the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of hydrogenated epitaxial graphene.
MODULARITY AND RULE-BASED PROGRAMMING

In this paper we describe a purely declarative method for introducing modularity into forward-chaining, rule-based languages. The method is enforced by the syntax of the language and includes the ability to parameterize the rule groups. We also describe the Venus programming environment, which implements the presented ideas. Drawing from two of three Venus applications developed to date, we illustrate how this form of modularity contributes directly to the resolution of certain software engineering problems associated with rule languages. We also discuss key implementation details and present performance data.
Asthma in Children and Adolescents: A Comprehensive Approach to Diagnosis and Management

Asthma is a chronic disease that has a significant impact on quality of life and is particularly important in children and adolescents, in part due to the higher incidence of allergies in children. The incidence of asthma has increased dramatically during this time period, with the highest increases in the urban areas of developed countries. It seems that the incidence in developing countries may follow this trend as well. While our knowledge of the pathophysiology of asthma and the available of newer, safer medication have both improved, the mortality of the disease has undergone an overall increase in the past 30 years. Asthma treatment goals in children include decreasing mortality and improving quality of life. Specific treatment goals include but are not limited to decreasing inflammation, improving lung function, decreasing clinical symptoms, reducing hospital stays and emergency department visits, reducing work or school absences, and reducing the need for rescue medications. Non-pharmacological management strategies include allergen avoidance, environmental evaluation for allergens and irritants, patient education, allergy testing, regular monitoring of lung function, and the use of asthma management plans, asthma control tests, peak flow meters, and asthma diaries. Achieving asthma treatment goals reduces direct and indirect costs of asthma and is economically cost-effective. Treatment in children presents unique challenges in diagnosis and management. Challenges in diagnosis include consideration of other diseases such as viral respiratory illnesses or vocal cord dysfunction. Challenges in management include evaluation of the child's ability to use inhalers and peak flow meters and the management of exercise-induced asthma.
Development of new reference materials for the determination of cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead in polycarbonate.

Abstract Reference materials for quantitative determination of Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in polycarbonate were developed. Reference materials with two concentration level of elements were prepared by adding appropriate amounts of chemicals to a blank polycarbonate base material. It was shown that ten bottles with triplicate analysis are enough to demonstrate the homogeneity of these candidate reference materials. The statistical results also showed no significant trends in both short-term stability test for four weeks and long-term stability test for twelve months. The certification of the four elements was carried out by isotope-dilution-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS) with microwave-assisted digestion. Certification of candidate reference materials in a single laboratory was confirmed with interlaboratory comparison participated by a certain number of well-recognized testing laboratories in Korea. The certified values and expanded uncertainties (k = 2) for the candidate reference material with low level and the one with high level were (51.7 ± 2.1) mg kg−1 Cd, (103.8 ± 2.9) mg kg−1 Cd, (98.8 ± 4.5) mg kg−1 Cr, (1004 ± 49.8) mg kg−1 Cr, (107.4 ± 4.6) mg kg−1 Hg, (1133 ± 50.7) mg kg−1 Hg, (94.8 ± 3.7) mg kg−1 Pb and (988.4 ± 53.6) mg kg−1 Pb, respectively. The reference materials developed in this study demonstrated their suitability for the quality assurance in Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb analysis for the implementation of RoHS Directive.
Comparative Study of Static and Dynamic Falling Weight Deflectometer Back-Calculations Using Probabilistic Approach

The falling weight deflectometer (FWD) test is the most widely accepted and used technique for nondestructive evaluation of pavements. In this test, the pavement response to the impulse load of a falling weight is analyzed or back-calculated to evaluate the in situ pavement layer moduli. FWD back-calculation is mathematically an inverse problem that can be approached deterministically or probabilistically. In this paper, the probabilistic approach to FWD back-calculation is used as a tool to investigate the reliability of different dynamic and static back-calculation procedures. The probabilistic approach to FWD back-calculation, a relatively new approach, is initially introduced and a brief overview of its numerical implementation is presented. The approach is then applied to back-calculate moduli from a set of synthetic FWD data using different back-calculation procedures, such as static and dynamic deflection bowl or dynamic time history procedures. Based on the probabilistic solution for back-calculated moduli from each procedure, the reliability of each procedure is then compared to the others. It is shown that, although widely used, the static FWD back-calculation procedures fail to capture the essential dynamic nature of the test and consequently cannot be relied upon to correctly back-calculate the layer moduli. It is also demonstrated that there is little redundancy in the dynamic deflection bowl back-calculation procedures, potentially producing relatively large uncertainties in the obtained back-calculation results. Finally, it is shown that the dynamic deflection time history back-calculation is the most reliable approach for FWD back-calculation. Using the back-calculated moduli from different procedures, effect of different back-calculation approaches on the pavement life is illustrated.
Stochastic specification and estimation of share equation systems

Abstract This paper discusses a theoretical justification for the stochastic specification of singular share equation systems commonly used in the analysis of producer and consumer behavior, which is based on the use of a random objective function. The restrictions on the share equations that are implied by this formulation are derived. In addition, it is shown that in this context additive error terms in share equation models generally can be expected to be heteroskedastic. The issue of invariance of a minimum distance estimator to the equation dropped is also explored.
Ultrahigh-performance optical servo system using an electro-optic beam scanner

The Electrooptic Beam Scanner is a solid state device developed at Carnegie Mellon's Data Storage Systems Center (DSSC) that is capable of scanning a laser beam approximately +/- 1 - 3 degree(s) at frequencies of at least 200 kHz. The optical group of the DSSC is currently employing the scanner as a fine actuator for high performance optical data storage systems. This paper discusses several aspects of that research, including multi-track scanning for increased data rate, controller for two stage actuator systems, and feedforward control for ultra-fast seeks.
Strain hardening and softening in nanotwinned Cu

Nanotwinned Cu foils with about 99% coherent twin boundaries (TBs) among all the boundaries were made. These coherent TBs, with an average spacing of 25 nm, were engineered approximately parallel to foil surfaces. Low plane-strain deformation enhances the hardness by refining microstructure and introducing dislocations. High plane-strain deformation results in crystallographic lattice rotation and reaction between dislocations and coherent TBs, and induces incoherent TBs, thus twin coarsening and even diminishing of nanotwins accompanied by recovery and recrystallization, which cause softening.
A Novel Maternal mRNA Storage Compartment in Mouse Oocytes

Differentiation of a mouse oocyte into a two cell mouse embryo is controlled by the regulated translation of maternal mRNAs [1]. These mRNAs must be stored in the oocyte and then activated at the proper time in development. While advances in our understanding of mRNA storage and metabolism in somatic cells have been made, how mouse oocytes store and active maternal mRNAs is not well understood. In the current issue of Biology of Reproduction, Flemr and colleagues [2] address this issue and identify a new mRNA storage region in mouse oocytes called the subcortical RNP domain (SCRD).
Preparation and Properties of 8-Chlorotheophylline Salts of Some Nitrogen Bases

The 8-chlorotheophylline salts of three narcotic nitrogen bases were prepared. Some of their physical and chemical properties were determined including infrared spectra and titration curves. Optical crystallographic properties were investigated in two of the new derivatives.
Powdered Red Yeast Rice and Plant Stanols and Sterols to Lower Cholesterol

Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is estimated that 42% of females and 34% of males in the USA have elevated total cholesterol. The current mainstay of lipid-lowering therapy utilizes 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (i.e., statin) medications that lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by an average of 20% and 28%, respectively. However, due to the significant side effects of statin medications, many patients seek alternative therapies to help manage their hypercholesterolemia. Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) has been used as a food and as an herbal medication in China for centuries. Phytosterols are foods that are similar in structure and function to animal cholesterol. Both of these compounds have been shown in clinical studies to significantly lower LDL cholesterol. We report on a case series of 18 patients with hypercholesterolemia despite therapeutic lifestyle change through diet and exercise who took a proprietary product combining red yeast rice and phytosterols as a powdered shake in an effort to improve their cholesterol indices. Statistically significant reduction (p < .05) in the following mean variables was seen: total cholesterol 19% (46 mg/dL) and LDL 33% (53 mg/dL) after 6 weeks using the blend. There was no significant difference in body mass index (BMI), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, or systolic and diastolic blood pressure over the same period. This magnitude of reduction in LDL cholesterol is significantly greater than the 28% reduction observed in the 1999 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) meta-analysis on the average effectiveness of statin medications in lowering cholesterol levels. None of the participants in our study reported any muscle pains, and no abnormal liver function tests were seen while taking the product. Though this case series is limited by small sample size, study duration, and lack of control group, the product's significant reduction in LDL cholesterol without severe side effects indicates that this product may be a clinically effective and well tolerated alternative treatment to using statin medications to treat hypercholesterolemia.
An Estimate of the Absorption of Air in the Extreme Ultraviolet

Quantitative measurements on the absorption coefficient of air have been made for about three hundred and fifty points between 380 and 1600A. Because of difficulties in maintaining a constant intensity with extreme ultraviolet light sources, it was necessary to use a many-line spark source rather than a continuous spectrum, with the result that much of the fine structure of the absorption bands has been lost. Photographic measurements with oiled plates show strong absorption between 1600A and 1300A, a quite transparent region between 1300A and 1000A, and a very highly absorbing group of bands at the shorter wave-lengths. Although these bands below 1000A are poorly resolved, a wealth of fine structure is evident.