cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polybenzoxazine-Core Shell Rubber-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

This study investigated the effects of adding nano-fillers, including core shell rubber (CSR), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the simultaneous addition of CSR and CNT (CSR–CNT) on the curing behavior and material properties of the benzoxazine–epoxy–phenolic (BEP) ternary system. The addition of CSR and/or CNT decreased the activation energy of the BEP system and slightly increased the glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the filled systems. The addition of CNT and CSR nano-fillers increased the average toughness value of the BEP system by 14% and 61%, respectively. Moreover, the simultaneous addition of CSR and CNT further improved the toughness and flexural strength of the BEP system by 160% and 30%, respectively. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis was performed to study the fracture surface and the morphology of the base BEP and its nanocomposites. The thermal stability and thermal expansion of the BEP-based nanocomposites were also investigated.
Organochlorine pesticide residues in rice paddies in Malaysia, 1981

Rice and fish are common staple foods in many parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The cultivation of fish in paddy fields has proven to be highly productive. Simultaneous rice and fish cultures can be accomplished with little extra effort and is economically feasible and practical. Fish enhance rice yield through predation of insect pests, reduce aquatic vascular plant and algal growth, and add nutrients through deposition of fecal matter (TAN et al. 1973). However, the present use of persistent and toxic pesticides in paddy fields may not only destroy the ecological relationship between rice and fish, but may even prove deleterious to the consumers. In order to assess the potential health implications to paddy farmers, this study was conducted to determine the indigenous concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in the paddy fish, sediment, and water.
Numerical method for generating orthogonal curvilinear Meshes

Abstract The method is based on conformal mapping of the boundary of a closed two-dimensional region on the perimeter of a rectangular polygon in which is inscribed an orthogonal rectilinear grid. Features of the method and the associated numerical analysis are described. A numerical scheme for interpolating lines between the orthogonal curvilinear mesh lines in order to match lines to specified points on the boundary is presented. Examples of orthogonal meshes inscribed in various geometrical figures are included.
PREPARE: seeking systemic solutions for technological crisis management

America's private sector faces an unprecedented challenge in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. For the first time in the nation's history, its business assets, workers, and critical infrastructures are on the front lines of the battlefield—key targets, and possibly pathways, for future attacks. With terrorism, unconventional declaration of war can be waged, chaos created, and borders crossed by attacking our information highways. Although the catastrophic 9/11 attacks shifted our attention to the United States, the fact remains that Internet attacks against private and public organizations around the world leapt 28% in the 6 months after 9/11. These attacks targeted technology, financial services, and power companies. In order to ‘seek to understand our enemies’, the PREPARE Model of Technological Crisis Management (TCM) along with the application of the Johari Window psychology model will offer business leaders techniques to increase awareness of potential threats to their businesses. The best practice TCM model, a model of continuous process and analysis, takes business cyber-security to a new level, not only identifying the risks and threats to businesses, but also assessing and creating systemic plans to respond to those risks. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclostratigraphic analysis of pelagic carbonates at Monte dei Corvi (Ancona, Italy) and astronomical correlation of the Serravallian-Tortonian boundary

Cyclostratigraphic analysis of pelagic carbonates at Monte dei Corvi (Ancona, Italy) and astronomical correlation of the Serravallian-Tortonian boundary Spectral analysis of high-resolution calcium carbonate data from a 2-m.y.-long section from the upper Miocene pelagic limestone-marl sequence at Monte dei Corvi, Italy, indicates orbital forcing of depositional cycles at frequencies corresponding to eccentricity, obliquity, and precessional cycles. Identification of these Milankovitch cycles, dated by 4 0 Ar/ 3 9 Ar ages from two biotite-rich volcanic-ash layers within the section, allows us to correlate this section with the astronomical time scale by matching low-frequency variations in calcium carbonate content with the orbital eccentricity. This correlation yields precise numerical ages for any stratigraphic level within the analyzed section, including the two volcanic-ash layers and the Serravallian-Tortonian boundary, dated here as 11.32 Ma. The eccentricity-based correlation also allows us to tune the data, resulting in enhanced power in the obliquity and precessional frequencies, supporting the initial hypothesis of orbital control of these lithologic cycles.
Petroleum hydrocarbon toxicity studies: III. Animal and human response to vapors of Stoddard Solvent

Abstract The suggested hygienic standard for inhalation of Stoddard Solvent for man is 1.2 mg/liter (200 ppm) based upon the results of inhalation studies with rats and dogs and sensory response of human subjects. Inhalation of 8.2 mg/liter (1400 ppm), substantial saturation at 25°C, caused the death of 1 of 15 rats at the termination of 8 hr. Beagle dogs had clonic spasms in 5 hr and cats died between 2.5 and 7.5 hr in roughly equivalent concentrations after signs indicative of central nervous system effect. There were no statistically significant differences between the controls and groups of beagle dogs that inhaled 1.9 mg/liter (330 ppm), 1.1 mg/liter (190 ppm) and 0.48 mg/liter (84 ppm) 6 hr daily, 5 days/wk for 13 wk or 65 exposure days in any of the criteria used for hematology, clinical chemistry, and histopathology. However, rats exposed to 1.9 mg/liter (330 ppm) level for 65 days exhibited slight pathological changes in the kidney, which were related at least in part to the inherent murine nephrosis of the Harlan-Wistar rats employed. The odor threshold as determined in a sniff test by six people is below 0.005 mg/liter (0.9 ppm). In a 15-min inhalation period only slight eye irritation was reported by one of six persons at 0.85 mg/liter (150 ppm). Olfactory fatigue occurred in a short time but 10 min in fresh air restored acuity.
XXX.—Development of the lungs of spiders

(1894). XXX.—Development of the lungs of spiders. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 14, No. 81, pp. 210-221.
Float-to-fixed and fixed-to-float hardware converters for rapid hardware/software partitioning of floating point software applications to static and dynamic fixed point coprocessors

While hardware/software partitioning has been shown to provide significant performance gains, most hardware/software partitioning approaches are limited to partitioning computational kernels utilizing integers or fixed point implementations. Software developers often initially develop an application using floating point representations built-in to most programming languages and later convert the application to a fixed point representation--a potentially time consuming process. In this paper, we present the Arizona Float ? Fixed Hardware Library (AFFHL) consisting of efficient, configurable floating point to fixed point and fixed point to floating point hardware converters. By utilizing these converters, a system's hardware/software implementation can be separated into a floating point domain consisting of the microprocessor and memory subsystem and a fixed point domain consisting of one or more partitioned hardware coprocessors. This separation enables a rapid hardware/software partitioning approach in which floating point software kernels can be implemented using fixed point hardware coprocessors without the need for application developers to first rewrite software applications as fixed point implementations. We further present an overview of a basic hardware/software partitioning methodology for rapidly partitioning computational kernels within floating point software application to either statically determined fixed point hardware coprocessors or dynamically adaptable fixed point hardware coprocessors in which the required fixed point representation can be dynamically determined and adjusted at runtime.
Cognitive impairment and the use of health services in an elderly rural population : the MoVIES project

Objective: To describe the patterns of use of health and human services by elderly rural individuals and to determine whether cognitively impaired persons had a distinctive pattern of service utilization. Design: An epidemiological survey and cognitive screening of an age-stratified random community sample. Setting: The mid-Monongahela Valley, a rural community in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Participants: 1366 non-institutionalized persons aged 65 years and older, fluent in English, and with at least a sixth grade education. Measurements: We administered a battery of cognitive screening tests (the Mini-Mental State Examination; Immediate and Delayed Recall of a Story; Immediate and Delayed Recall of a Word List; CERAD modification of the Boston Naming Test; Verbal Fluency for initial letters P and S and for names of Fruits and Animals; Temporal Orientation; Praxis; Clock Drawing; and Trailmaking Tests A and B.) We also obtained basic demographic information and enquired about the use of health and human services in the previous year. Results: Approximately 10% of the sample was classified (by operational criteria) as cognitively impaired. In univariate analyses, cognitive impairment was found to be significantly associated with the use of certain health services: hospitalization in the previous 6 months (odds ratio, OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.3, 3.3), previous nursing home use (OR = 9.3; 95% CI = 3.8, 22.9), home health care (OR = 4.6; 95% CI = 2.7, 8.0), social services (OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 3.4, 12.4), mental health services (OR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.2, 6.2), and the regular use of prescription medications (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.3, 3.2). Visits to physicians were not significantly different between the impaired and unimpaired groups. In a multiple regression model, which included age and educational level, the use of home health care (OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.8, 6.4) and social services (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1, 4.9) remained significantly associated with cognitive impairment. Conclusions: The association of cognitive impairment with the use of these health and human services underscores the general frailty of the impaired group. These findings also point to potential target groups in the community for further evaluation and services for dementia. The findings support the need for education regarding cognitive impairment and dementia to be made available to providers of these services, particularly informal social services such as those provided by church groups.
Surface relief produced by diffusion induced boundary migration in Cu-Zn

Experimental observations are presented that demonstrate that diffusion induced grain boundary migration in copper foils exposed to zinc vapor, from a Cu-15 pct Zn alloy, can be studied directly after treatment without etching. The general characteristics of migration are in accord with previous investigations, but novel changes in the surface topography are described. Pits were formed on the surface of areas swept by boundary migration; also, the surface was often converted into a series of corrugations. The formation of pits suggests that the grain boundary diffusivity of zinc exceeds that of copper. The corrugations are believed to indicate that boundaries sometimes move in an intermittent manner.
Tacrolimus-based triple-drug immunosuppression minimizes serum lipid elevations in pediatric cardiac transplant recipients

Abstract Background: Immunosuppression with corticosteroids and cyclosporine has been associated with hyperlipidemia, a risk factor for post-transplant coronary artery disease. The recent development of tacrolimus has created an alternative to cyclosporine-based triple drug immunotherapy. One potential benefit that has been reported in patients receiving tacrolimus is a minimization of elevation of both total and LDL cholesterol, compared to those increases observed in patients receiving cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. It is unclear in previous studies whether this beneficial effect is related to tacrolimus directly or to its corticosteroid sparing potential. To study this relationship, we compared lipid profiles from pediatric cardiac transplant recipients treated with corticosteroids, and either cyclosporine or tacrolimus. Methods The study group consisted of 23 patients (mean age = 12.3 years) with pre-transplant and serial post-transplant determinations of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Patients were separated into 4 study groups, defined by immunosuppressive regimen (cyclosporine vs. tacrolimus) and prednisone dose (>0.10 mg/kg/day vs ≤0.10 mg/kg/day). Results Patients who received cyclosporine and higher doses of prednisone experienced a mean 74 mg/dl increase from baseline in total cholesterol ( p = .0001). None of the other 3 treatment groups demonstrated a statistically significant elevation. Similar trends were observed in LDL and triglyceride alterations between the 4 study groups. Interestingly, patients treated with tacrolimus and higher doses of prednisone demonstrated a significant rise in HDL from baseline ( p = .0001), although those who received cyclosporine and higher dose prednisone failed to exhibit this rise. Conclusion The minimal degree of lipid alteration seen in patients receiving tacrolimus and higher doses of prednisone indicates that this effect was not solely based upon the steroid-sparing properties of tacrolimus therapy. The data also suggests a possible synergistic effect between cyclosporine and higher doses of prednisone on hyperlipidemia. Therefore, in pediatric patients requiring higher corticosteroid doses late after transplantation, use of tacrolimus rather than cyclosporine may lead to more favorable lipid profiles and help minimize the risk of post-transplant coronary arteriopathy.
Counseling and the psychology of communication

The psychology of communication can bring to counseling greater clarification of verbal and nonverbal interview interactions. Various communication channels are discussed, including language and nonlanguage forms. It is suggested that each message conveys both content and a definition of relationship. Communication does not function in a linear manner but in a system of feedback loops, each of which is comparable to a stimulus-response-reinforcement sequence. Examples of communication patterns are given to illustrate the kinds of messages conveyed in language and nonlanguage channels. All communication modalities should be taken into consideration in studies of counseling interactions, and training programs should make counselors more sensitive communication participants.
938-54 Echocardlographic Assessment of Myocardial Viability After Reperfusion: Contractile or Microvascular Reserve, which is Better?

The non-infarcted region within the reperfused myocardium has both contractile and microvascular reserve, which form the basis for the assessment of myocardial viability: the former for dobutamine echocardiography (DE) and the latter for myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE), The purpose of this study was to evaluate which of the two, DE or MCE, is better for the assessment of myocardial viability after reperfusion, Accordingly, 15 openchest dogs underwent 3–6 hr of coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion, DE (using 15 μg/kg/min of dobutamine) and MCE (using an aortic root injection of 1–5 ml of Albunex®) were performed during reperfusion both in the absence and presence of a critical stenosis supplying the reperfused myocardium, Infarct size was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). During reperfusion, in the absence of dobutamine, there was a poor correlation between infarct size and percent wall thickening (r = -0.49, P = 0.07). However, the relation between infarct size and size of perfusion defect on MCE was good (r = 0.82, P l 0.01). When no coronary stenosis was present, a close inverse relation between infarct size and percent wall thickening was observed in the presence of 15 μg/kg/min of dobutamine (r = -0.92, P l 0.01). In the presence of a critical stenosis, however, when 15 μg/kg/min of dobutamine was infused, although the relation between infarct size and perfusion defect on MCE remained good (r = 0.80, P l 0.01), that between infarct size and wall thickening deteriorated significantly (r = 0.22, P = 0.49). We conclude that both contractile and microvascular reserve provide an excellent assessment of the extent of myocardial viability after reperfusion as long as there is no residual coronary stenosis. In the presence of a residual critical coronary stenosis, whereas contractile reserve may be exhausted, the spatial extent of perfusion abnormality still predicts the extent of myocardial salvage.
Self‐leadership: a cross‐cultural perspective

Purpose – This paper seeks to address the question: what is the relationship of culture to self‐leadership?Design/methodology/approach – In an exploratory study, 74 US and 44 Chinese undergraduates rated their cultural beliefs and self‐leadership strategies. After four‐weeks in which a self‐leadership intervention was utilized, respondents contrasted positive aspects of their professional objectives with obstacles that impeded the realization of their goals.Findings – The intervention did not influence participants' self‐leadership strategies, as measured two weeks after the intervention (p > 0.11). Repeated MANOVA measures revealed that the US group expressed higher levels of self‐leadership than the Chinese group during the three phases of the study (p < 0.001). Surprisingly, Chinese students held higher individualistic characteristics than the US group (p=0.009).Research limitations/implications – This research provides some insight into the similarities and differences between people from different cu...
Regional and socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms in the USA: 2000–2010

Background The Institute of Medicine called attention to the pervasive differences in treatments and outcomes between ethnic groups. We sought to highlight the geographic and racial disparities in access to treatment for unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study involving patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms from 2000 to 2010, registered in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Primary outcomes were those patients receiving treatment and the ratio of untreated to treated aneurysms per state. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were geographic and racial disparities in access to treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms based on the NIS. Logistic regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques were used. Results There were 57 418 patients diagnosed with unruptured aneurysms (mean age 61.4 years, 70.5% females), with 18 231 undergoing treatment. Males (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.71, p Conclusions Based on the NIS database, the rate of treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms varies according to sex, race, and region.
The relationship of logistics to supply chain management: developing a common industry definition

Over the past few years there has been confusion and disagreement among general business practitioners and operations professionals concerning the terms “logistics” and “supply chain management”. Various formal definitions have been offered for both terms. In addition, the common usage of each term in industry varies. Business terms are often defined over time, by the common use or application of the term. Examines the historical definitions of both terms, looks at current practitioner views of the terms, and proposes a hierarchy for the relationship between logistics and supply chain management.
Algorithms for LU decomposition on a shared memory multiprocessor

Abstract In this paper we propose an improved algorithm for the parallel LU decomposition of an (m + 1)-banded upper Hessenberg matrix on a shared memory multi-processor, which requires O(2nm2/p) parallel operations, where n is the dimension of the matrix and p is the number of processors. We show that for the special case of tridiagonal matrices this algorithms has a lower operation count than those in the literature and yields the best existing algorithm for the solution of tridiagonal systems of equations.
Understanding the Formation of Circular Ring Defects in Post-CMP Cleaning

Ring type defects are considered to come from scratches by large particles or agglomerated particles during brush scrubbing process on wafers in Post Cu CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) cleaning [1]. However, the mechanism for circular ring defects to appear on wafers still remains a puzzle. Our studies indicated that pH variation during the PCMP process might have a significant effect on altering the surface charge and triggering particle agglomeration. The extent and distribution of particle agglomeration were theoretically and experimentally investigated by zeta potential and particle size analyzer. The results from these studies can provide framework for formulation development to reduce or eliminate ring type defects after PCMP process and improve device yield and performance.
Enhancing children's decoding of facial expression

A procedure for improving children's skill in decoding facial expressions of emotion was studied in this experiment. In the first phase of the study, thirty-six fifth and sixth grade children watched video segments showing facial expressions of stimulus persons experiencing happiness, sadness, or fear and tried to identify each stimulus person's emotion. Subjects assigned to the feedback condition were given the correct answer for each segment, and subjects assigned to the no feedback condition received no information. Results for the second phase of the experiment, in which subjects' decoding skills were assessed, showed that the feedback method was effective in improving general decoding abilities. Furthermore, differences between subjects in the feedback and no feedback conditions were affected by subjects' sex and the specific emotion being decoded.
Role of the Nodulation Restrictive Allele Rj4, in Soybean Evolution

Summary The symbiosis of legumes with rhizobia has been subject to the selection pressures of 200 million years of evolution. Evidence from soybean of ecogeographic distribution of nodulation compatibilities with specific Rhizobium strains indicates that the coevolution of host and microsymbiont has played a role in the evolution of compatibilities. Some strains of bradyrhizobia that nodulate soybean also produce a substance called rhizobitoxine that interferes with chlorophyll synthesis. The Rj 4 allele in soybean conditions an ineffective nodulation response with specific strains of bradyrhizobia while the rj 4 allele permits normal nodulation with these strains. Two near isogenic soybean lines (99.95 % genetically identical) differing specifically in the Rj 4 vs. 774 alleles have been synthesized and used to test an array of chlorosis-inducing and non-chlorosis-inducing bradyrhizobia for response with the Rj 4 allele. The Rj 4 allele was found to interdict nodulation with 33.3 % of the chlorosis inducing rhizobia and only 2.7 % of the nonchlorosis inducing rhizobia. Thus, the Rj 4 allele may have a positive value to the host plant in areas with significant populations of chlorosis-inducing rhizobia by protecting the plant from nodulation with some of these rhizobia. The frequency of ineffective nodulation with the chlorosis-inducing strain USDA61 shows a progressive loss with domestication from the wild species Glycine soja (63 %) to the Asiatic plant introductions of G. max (26 %), and with selection for agronomic types in North America as demonstrated by the preliminary test lines (13.7 %) and the more highly selected uniform test lines (8.5 %). This may be an example of the loss of rhizobial specificity in a plant species occurring in historic time.
Temporally Graded Requirement for Protein Synthesis following Memory Reactivation

Learning of new information is transformed into long-lasting memory through a process known as consolidation, which requires protein synthesis. Classical theory held that once consolidated, memory was insensitive to disruption. However, old memories that are insensitive to protein synthesis inhibitors can become vulnerable if they are recalled (reactivated). These findings led to a new hypothesis that when an old memory is reactivated, it again becomes labile and, similar to a newly formed memory, requires a process of reconsolidation in order to be maintained. Here, we show that the requirement for protein synthesis of a reactivated memory is evident only when the memory is recent. In fact, memory vulnerability decreases as the time between the original training and the recall increases.
The theoretical polarization of pure scattering axisymmetric circumstellar envelopes

The Sobolev approach to the scattering of starlight through a pure scattering circumstellar envelope is developed. The theoretical polarization due to electron scattering in Be star envelopes is calculated for two geometries (an equatorially enhanced envelope and a spheroidal envelope). Only the disk-type envelope is found to yield a maximum polarization consistent with the observed range for Be stars. A lower limit, analytical approximation to the theoretical polarization from a pure scattering envelope is obtained.
System and energy dependence of strange and non-strange particle correlations in STAR at RHIC

Two-particle high- p T triggered correlations in Cu + Cu and Au + Au collisions at √s NN = 62 GeV and √s NN = 200 GeV in STAR at RHIC are presented. The N part , p associated T and p trigger T dependence of the yield per trigger in the jet and ridge components of the near side is investigated for h, K 0 S , A and Ξ trigger and associated particles. The system and energy dependence of these components is a potentially powerful tool to distinguish between models used to describe their production.
‘Why can’t we just all get along?’ The concepts that divide academics, policymakers and citizens related to the Muslim ethnic minorities in Europe

The oft-quoted phrase, ‘why can’t we just all get along?’ is a cynical reference to seemingly intractable conflicts of all kinds. Implied in the question is the idea that people stake out positions that can never be sufficiently modified to reach the goal of ‘getting along’. The impreciseness of definition and use of certain terms in discourse related to European ethnic minorities has resulted in a polarization of positions by academic researchers, policymakers and the general public. This concept explication addresses the multiple definitions and use of terms and shifts in policies in Europe and calls for renewed efforts to understand differing points of view.
Urban Middle School Students' Perceptions of Bullying, Cyberbullying, and School Safety

This study examined 427 urban middle school students' perceptions of bullying, cyberbullying, and school safety utilizing the Student Survey of Bullying Behavior-Revised 2 (Varjas, Meyers, & Hunt, 2006). A unique finding is that cyberbullying may represent a unique modality of victimization and bullying compared with other school-based modalities. Cyberbullying and relational bullying were not associated with perceived school safety. Males reported more physical victimization, verbal victimization, and verbal bullying, and less relational victimization. Males and older students reported feeling safer at school. Older students reported less physical, verbal, and relational victimization, and less physical and verbal bullying. Importantly, physical, verbal, and relational bullying and victimization may represent more general underlying constructs of bullying and victimization, calling into question the distinctiveness of individual forms.
A Methodology for Measuring Response to Media Effects

A stochastic model has been recently developed which dynamically examines changes in purchase response behaviour as a function of specific advertising exposures, past brand purchase experiences and interpurchase timing behaviour. A minimum chi-square methodology is proposed to estimate the parameters of this model. A non-linear programming method allows the evaluation of the impact of past media exposures and brand choice experiences upon both individual consumer and aggregate market response. Simulated data are used for illustration.
Perfusion‐fixation of the brain with chrome‐osmium solutions for the rapid Golgi method

The characteristics of rapid Golgi impregnations of neurons in the brains of opossums, rats, rabbits, chinchillas, and cats, obtained with a method employing intracardiac perfusion with osmium tetroxide-dichromate fixatives, are reported. Observations on all subdivisions of the brain were compared with immersion-fixed Golgi preparations and formalin-perfused brains prepared by Nissl or reduced silver methods. Perfusion-fixation yielded more uniform and extensive Golgi impregnations, which were more representative of the varieties of neural structures than in immersion-fixed preparations. The morphological details of fine neuronal processes, delicate dendritic branchlets and spines, and fine elements of the axonal plexuses were more clearly and consistently demonstrable. Observations with the polarizing microscope suggested that the Golgi impregnations contained silver dichromate and/or silver monochromate. The procedures and the predictability, nature, and histological reliability of the rapid Golgi method are discussed.
A critical period in the development of tectal neurons in the chick, as revealed by early enucleation.

To further study the existence of a critical trophic period in the development of the chick optic tectum17, during which the presence of retinal synapses is essential to the continued growth of tectal neurons, we have unilaterally enucleated embryos between stages 14–20 and allowed survival until stages 35–43. If the critical trophic period is between stages 40–44, as previously reported17, then we reasoned that early removal of the eye might not have any effect on tectal development until the critical period. We assessed tectal neuron survival by staining for degeneration in the efferent projections of tectal neurons. In early enucleates, degeneration was present from stages 37–43, and the severity of the degeneration was much reduced in comparison to animals enucleated during the critical period. These findings substantiate the proposition that there is a critical period late in chick tectal development. However, because the degeneration in tectal projections is less intense than in animals enucleated during the critical period, we suggest that the early enucleation has permitted axons from the remaining eye to be routed to the deafferented tectum, where they may help to sustain a portion of the tectal neurons through the critical period. Moreover, the somewhat earlier appearance of degeneration in tectal efferent pathways of early enucleates suggests that a subtle trophic relationship between retina and tectum may exist prior to stage 40, even though this relationship is not revealed when enucleations are performed later, as between stages 35–40 (ref. 17).
High temperature lubrication of various ceramics and metal alloys via directed hydrocarbon feed gases

Abstract High temperature lubrication via the in situ deposition of lubricous carbon surface films from the pyrolytic decomposition of hydrocarbon feed gas has been confirmed on a variety of self-mated ceramic and metal alloy sliding contacts. Pin-on-disk tests were performed at 520°C in an atmosphere purged with nitrogen at 31/min, with a directed acetylene admixture supplied at 0.21/min, and compared to tests in nitrogen alone or air. Friction coefficients of less than μ ≈ 0.08 were recorded for all metal alloys tested — AISI M50, 52100, 440C and 1018 steel, as well as K-Monel (500) and Hastalloy C276. Friction coefficients of less than μ ≈ 0.10 were found for alumina, silicon nitride, tungsten carbide, and zirconia. Only soda lime glass showed no friction coefficient reduction upon acetylene admixture. In general, acetylene admixture also significantly reduced wear volume, with wear reductions of multiple orders of magnitude in many instances.
Phase II trial of tirilazad in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. A report of the Cooperative Aneurysm Study.

✓ Tirilazad mesylate, a 21-aminosteroid free-radical scavenger, has been shown to ameliorate cerebral vasospasm and reduce infarct size in animal models of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and focal cerebral ischemia. In preparation for performing large-scale clinical trials in humans with aneurysmal SAH, the safety of varying doses of tirilazad was tested in a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, sequential dose-escalation study at 12 Canadian neurosurgical centers. Two hundred forty-five patients with an aneurysmal SAH documented by angiography were enrolled in the study sequentially within 72 hours of hemorrhage. The patients were assigned to one of three dosage tiers: receiving 0.6 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, or 6 mg/kg tirilazad or vehicle per day intravenously in divided doses through Day 10 following the SAH. All patients also received oral nimodipine. No serious side effects of tirilazad treatment were identified at any of the three doses, despite close monitoring of hepatic and cardiac toxicity. A tren...
Paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions related to bee-sting allergy

Patients with a history of bee-sting allergy may have a higher risk of a hypersensitivity reaction with paclitaxel treatment. We suggest careful screening of patients for allergies.
Real-Time Control of an Autonomous Control System Based on Feasibility Analysis

This paper presents a general framework to derive conditions for the existence of feasible solutions for a nonlinear control system comprising of a team of mobile agents having to satisfy actuator and inter-agent constraints. We consider a difficult control problem involving a team of cooperating mobile agents for which an algorithm suitable for generating trajectories online and in real-time, was developed earlier. We show that the results developed in here validates simulation results of this algorithm which was based on a similar but only an approximate feasibility analysis. We give a rigorous treatment of the example problem which includes results on its accessibility, feasibility, local asymptotic straightening of trajectories and a limited result on system controllability.
Response to “Berger in retrospect: effect of varied weight training programmes on strength”

I would not have believed in 1962 that my study1 would have created such a brouhaha in the 21st century. Dr Carpinelli’s paper2 credits my study as “the genesis of the unsubstantiated belief that multiple sets are required for optimal gains in strength”. His opinion is complimentary in one respect, but I cannot take full credit for it. Most professionals in the fields of athletics and therapy have added credence and support to these words by employing multiple sets in their practice and research. In my opinion, most professionals train others with multiple sets because they have experientially discovered that multiple sets are more effective than one set. Some early research studies have compared different weight training programmes, but in practically all studies multiple sets were used in training.3–7 I am hardly the “genesis” of an “unsubstantiated belief”. Historically the medical applications of strength …
Efficient,and scalable IEEE 802.11 ad-hoc-mode timing synchronization function

The IEEE 802.11 standards support the peer-to-peer mode independent basic service set (IBSS), which is an ad hoc network with all its stations within each other's transmission range. In an IBSS, it is important that all stations are synchronized to a common clock. Synchronization is needed for frequency hopping and power saving. The synchronization mechanism specified in the IEEE 802.11 standards has a severe scalability problem. The probability that stations may get out of synchronization is pretty high in large IBSS. A new synchronization algorithm has been proposed for large-scale ad hoc networks. We propose a more efficient algorithm in this paper that synchronizes the clock more accurately. We are able to synchronize the clock within 100 /spl mu/s when the number of stations is more than 300. This is a big improvement over the current best algorithm and the 802.11 specified protocol. To our best knowledge, the current best algorithm can synchronize the clock within 550 /spl mu/s for a 300-station network. The 802.11 standard protocol can have clock drift over 5000 /spl mu/s for the same network.
Insulin Secretion in vitro by Pancreatic Tissue from Normal, Adrenalectomized, and Cortisol-Treated Rats.

SummaryInsulin secretion provoked by glucose in the pancreas of the rat is not modified by addition of methylprednisolone to the incubation medium. Secretion by pancreatic tissue of the normal rat is reduced (to 60%) by prior adrenalectomy and increased (by 50%) after treatment with cortisol for 2 or 5 days. Treatment with cortisol for 3 days prevents the effect of adrenalectomy. These alterations are not associated with significant changes in the insulin content of the pancreas, and suggest that gluco-corticoids increase the sensitivity of the insulin secretory mechanism of the beta cells to glucose either directly or indirectly in a chronic process.
The battle of the sexes in sports.

Sir—The historical sporting event in 1973, in which Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in a tennis match called a battle of the sexes, stirred a debate among scientists as to whether female athletes could outperform male counterparts in a physically demanding athletic event. Male athletes are generally assumed to dominate female athletes in all sporting events that require a substantial degree of physical exertion. We collected athletic-performance data for various sporting events and assessed differences between the sexes in each sport. In most events (eg, running, ice skating, bicycling), sexrelated differences were sufficient to suggest men would be expected to outperform women by a large margin. However, when we analysed the fastest swimming times in various distances using the database compiled by the World Swimming Association, the US Masters Swimming, and the Ironman Triathlon Championships, sex differences were greatest in the shorter events and became progressively smaller with increasing distance. We did not see this kind of distancedependent or exercise-durationdependent trend in running or other sports. One physiological explanation for a smaller sex difference with increasing swimming distance is that the oxygen cost of swimming is lower (ie, more economical) in women than in men. Women may, therefore, have a greater capability to conserve the energy for swimming events of longer duration. The higher swimming economy of women has been attributed to smaller body size, lower body density, higher proportion of body fat, and shorter legs than men, resulting in less body drag, greater buoyancy, and a more horizontal streamlined position. Ironically, these are physiological factors that prevent women from excelling over men in other sporting events. It is tempting to postulate that the sex difference may continue to become smaller as the swim distance increases further. Based on the extrapolation of the regression line, the projected swim distance at which women may surpass men is around 25 km. In this context, three important facts support our hypothesis. First, in latest Ironman triathlon championship, sex difference in swimming performance was less than 1% (in running and cycling, it was >10%). Second, the fastest time to swim across the English Channel had been held by a woman for many years. Third, the Guinness record for the longest non-stop ocean swim is currently held by an Australian female swimmer, who swam 196 km in 38 h 33 min. In the battle of the sexes tennis match, King was in her prime at age 29 years, whereas Riggs was aged 55 years. In marathon swimming, women might be able to outperform male counterparts who are in their prime. The battle of the sexes needs to be reassessed in marathon swimming. Hirofumi Tanaka
Interval modulation coding

We propose a new modulation scheme and a new architecture for the design of communication and storage systems. The modulation scheme is based on modulating pulse width and the architecture is based on time measurement circuitry.
Functional paleontology: the evolution of user-visible system services

It has long been accepted that requirements analysis should precede architectural design and implementation, but in software evolution and reverse engineering this concern with black-box analysis of function has necessarily been de-emphasized in favor of code-based analysis and designer-oriented interpretation. In this paper, we redress this balance by describing "functional paleontology," an approach to analyzing the evolution of user-visible features or services independent of architecture and design intent. We classify the benefits and burdens of interpersonal communication services into core and peripheral categories and investigate the telephony services available to domestic subscribers over a 50-year period. We report that services were introduced in discrete bursts, each of which emphasized different benefits and burdens. We discuss the general patterns of functional evolution that this "fossil record" illustrates and conclude by discussing their implications for forward engineering of software products.
Coupling between slotlines through a conductor backing

Leakage phenomena possible in conductor-backed slotlines were investigated through an analysis of coupled lines. Coupling between two slotlines with a finite width of conductor backing was examined. The propagation constants obtained for two modes of the coupled slotline confirm that coupling is caused by leakage through the conductor backing. >
A human endeavor. Lessons from Shakespeare and beyond

Nontechnical classes have much to offer today's security students. In addition to satisfying most colleges' general education requirements, such classes provide core background material that explains aspects of computer security that most technical courses overlook. In this article, we highlight important noncomputer disciplines that modern undergraduate or graduate technology students' education often neglects.
Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations After the Superior Cavopulmonary Shunt: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Children with functional single ventricle heart disease are commonly palliated down a staged clinical pathway toward a Fontan completion procedure (total cavopulmonary connection). The Fontan physiology is fraught with long-term complications associated with lower body systemic venous hypertension, eventually resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The bidirectional Glenn shunt or superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC) is commonly the transitional stage in single ventricle surgical management and provides excellent palliation. Some studies have demonstrated lower morbidity and mortality with the SCPC when compared with the Fontan. Unfortunately the durability of the SCPC is significantly limited by the development of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) which have been commonly attributed to the absence of hepatic venous blood flow and the lack of pulsatile flow to the affected lungs. Abnormal angiogenesis has been suggested as a final common pathway to PAVM development. Understanding these fundamental mechanisms through the investigation of angiogenic pathways associated with the pathogenesis of PAVMs would help to develop medical therapies that could prevent or reverse this complication following SCPC. Such therapies could improve the longevity of the SCPC, potentially eliminate or significantly postpone the Fontan completion with its associated complications, and improve long-term survival in children with single ventricle disease.
Genomics: global views of leukaemia.

Genomic characterization of a type of leukaemia has resulted in the identification of common genetic abnormalities that underlie the disease. The results constitute an advance on several fronts.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Serine-Arginine-Rich Splicing Regulatory Protein

We have identified an 86-kDa protein containing a single amino-terminal RNA recognition motif and two carboxy-terminal domains rich in serine-arginine (SR) dipeptides. Despite structural similarity to members of the SR protein family, p86 is clearly unique. It is not found in standard SR protein preparations, does not precipitate in the presence of high magnesium concentrations, is not recognized by antibodies specific for SR proteins, and cannot complement splicing-defective S100 extracts. However, we have found that p86 can inhibit the ability of purified SR proteins to activate splicing in S100 extracts and can even inhibit the in vitro and in vivo activation of specific splice sites by a subset of SR proteins, including ASF/SF2, SC35, and SRp55. In contrast, p86 activates splicing in the presence of SRp20. Thus, it appears that pairwise combination of p86 with specific SR proteins leads to altered splicing efficiency and differential splice site selection. In all cases, such regulation requires the presence of the two RS domains and a unique intervening EK-rich region, which appear to mediate direct protein-protein contact between these family members. Full-length p86, but not a mutant lacking the RS-EK-RS domains, was found to preferentially interact with itself, SRp20, ASF/SF2, SRp55, and, to a slightly lesser extent, SC35. Because of the primary sequence and unique properties of p86, we have named this protein SRrp86 for SR-related protein of 86 kDa.