cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Directive teaching in the classroom

Behavior modification is often viewed by teachers in the narrow role of controlling disruptive students and reducing conduct problems. Yet there are many studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of behavioral approaches in accelerating academic and social learning as well. Both types of learning, social and academic, are based upon the same principles: (1) learning occurs as a result of events associated with or shortly following an act; and (2) if the consequences of an act are satisfying to learners, the behavior will continue; if they are dissatisfying to learners, the behavior will tend to disappear. The present writer uses directive teaching (Stephens, 1970 and 1974) for describing the use of behavioral technology in schools. In Directive Teaching, teachers aim their instruction toward specific outcomes. It relies upon operant conditioning, strategies for contingency contracting and social modeling in classroom. Directive teaching (D-T) is cyclical beginning with assessing of students' performances, designing and implementing instruction based upon the assessment information, and evaluating the effects of instruction. The process is repeated, using the evaluative results for determining where to begin teaching. Learning is most effective when three conditions are present. These are: 1. when opportunities for learning are provided;
Association of the tissue kallikrein gene promoter with ESRD and hypertension.

Association of the tissue kallikrein gene promoter with ESRD and hypertension. Background Kallikreins have long been implicated in human essential hypertension and associated complications. In particular, low urinary kallikrein excretion has been associated with hypertension and renal disease in African Americans. In an effort to identify the source of differential kallikrein excretion, we investigated the promoter of KLK1 , the tissue kallikrein gene. The KLK1 promoter is uniquely polymorphic with a poly-G length polymorphism coupled with multiple single base substitutions. In this report, we genetically evaluated the association of KLK1 gene promoter alleles with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in African Americans. Methods A total of 15 haplotypes were identified in the KLK1 promoter region through detailed DNA sequence analysis. This polymorphic region was then genetically evaluated for association with ESRD in African Americans with diabetic and non-diabetic etiologies of ESRD. Results The complex polymorphic nature of the promoter presents challenges to determining the alleles. We have redefined the region as six separate loci: five substitution loci and one length locus. The length locus was defined as G repeats starting at position -130 and ending at -121 on the gene. Among four relevant substitution loci for this study, one at position -131, just outside the G repeats, is an A-to-G substitution. The other three variant positions are -129, -128, and -127, all G-to-C substitutions within the G repeats. This region was genotyped in African American subjects with and without ESRD using semiautomated sequencing. Four different G repeat alleles ranging from 11.8% for 12 Gs to 52.3% for 10 Gs were observed in 86 control subjects. The C substitution of Gs ranges from 2.9% at position -127 to 8.2% at -129. When affected probands from each of 76 hypertensive ESRD families were genotyped, an association for the 12G allele, the longest of the length locus alleles, was detected (allele specific P = 0.004 and locus total P = 0.02). When all ESRD affected individuals with hypertension from each family (107 patients in total) were used in the analysis, an even stronger association was observed for this allele (allele specific P = 0.003, locus total P = 0.01). This allele was more frequent in the hypertensive (non-diabetic) patients (0.20 in probands and 0.19 in all ESRD cases) than in the controls (0.12). No evidence of association in diabetic ESRD patients was observed ( P = 0.93). Conclusions The KLK1 promoter is uniquely polymorphic. The observed genetic association suggests an etiologic effect of the KLK1 promoter on hypertension and/or hypertension associated ESRD.
Stereoselective synthesis of di- and trisubstituted alkenylstannanes and 2-(trimethylstannyl)-1,3-butadienes. conversion of the trisubstituted alkenylstannanes to the tetrasubstitdted alkenes

Abstract Di- and trisubscituted alkenylstannanes were synthesized by selective conversion of the dialkylboryl moiety of 3 to the alkenylcopper followed by treatment with methanol or alkyi halldes. By starting from conjugated terminal enynes to produce 3 , 2-(trlmethylstannyl)-1,3-butadlenes were similarly synthesized. The readily available trisubstituted alkenylstannanes are useful precursors for the synthesis of stereochemlcally defined tetrasubstltuted alkenes.
Kernel estimation in transect sampling without the shoulder condition

We consider the estiinution of wildlife population density based on line transect data. Nonparametric kernel method is employed, without the usual assumption that the detection curve has a shoulder at distance zero, with the help of a special class of kernels called boundary kernels. Asymptotic distribution results are included. It is pointed out that the boundery kernel of Zhang and Karunamuni (1998) (see also Muller and Wang (1994)) performs better (for asmyptotic mean square error consideration) than that of the boundary kernel of M¨ller (1991). But both of these kernels are clearly superior to the half-nonnal and one-sided Epanechnikov kernel when the shoulder condition fails to hold. In practice, however, for small to moderate sample sizes, caution should be exercised in using bounrlary kernels in that the density estimate might become negative. A Monte Carlo study is also presented, comparing the performance of four kernels applied to detection data, with and without the shoulder condition, Two bund...
Variations in blood pressure and lipid goal attainment in primary care.

AbstractBackground:Hypertension and dyslipidemia are the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors. Blood pressure (BP) and lipid levels are modifiable and yet most patients fail to achieve their recommended target goals. The objective of this review was to examine the variations in achievement of optimal BP and lipid levels in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors or cardiovascular disease at a primary care level.Scope:A comprehensive literature review and evaluation was conducted from January 2000 to June 2012 using electronic databases. The search was limited to studies reported in English language, published between January 2000 to June 2012 and those conducted in the US adult population (≥18 years). The inclusion of articles was limited to populations with cardiovascular risk factors or any cardiovascular disease.Findings:The review identified a total of 32 studies that assessed variations in attainment of BP or lipid goals. The demographic factors (age, sex, and race) and clinical factors (o...
Monolithic semiconductor antennas for millimeter wave Si and GaAs integrated circuit technologies

It has been reported that the radiation characteristics of semiconductor antennas can be controlled by modulating their conductivity during fabrication and/or operation. This paper describes novel physical layouts integrating these versatile antennas with other components used in the realization of millimeter wave systems. The monolithic integration is discussed for GaAs as well as Si IC technologies.
Using semi-analytic solutions to approximate the area of potential impact for carbon dioxide injection

Abstract This study examines using the threshold critical pressure increase and the extent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) plume to delineate the area of potential impact (AoPI) for geologic CO2 storage projects. The combined area covering both the CO2 plume and the region where the pressure is greater than the threshold critical pressure increase is defined as the AoPI. The threshold critical pressure increase is defined as the pressure needed to lift formation brine up the length of an unplugged well to an underground source of drinking water. Using parameter values based on existing and planned CO2 injection sites, in combination with a simple conceptual model, semi-analytic solutions are used to find the radial pressure response and spread of the CO2 plume. A set of sensitivity analyses investigates the parameters that have the strongest impact on the size of the AoPI. The sensitivity analyses show that the injection formation salinity and the vertical distance between injection formation and drinking water source have a strong impact on the threshold critical pressure increase. In addition, the formation permeability has a strong impact on the radius at which the threshold critical pressure is reached, as does the amount of diffuse leakage into neighboring formations. The radius of the CO2 plume is mainly impacted by the available storage space (thickness and porosity), the formation permeability and the injection rate. The radius of the AoPI is determined by the threshold critical pressure increase in about half of 1458 sensitivity cases, the rest are determined by the maximum extent of the free phase CO2 plume. When brine leakage into and through the cap rock is considered, the size of the AoPI is determined by the threshold critical pressure increase for only about 29% of the cases.
Role of body temperature in the onset of, and recovery from, hypothermia-induced anterograde amnesia

The onset of, and recovery from, hypothermia-induced anterograde amnesia in rats was examined in two experiments. The first experiment demonstrated that recooling subjects shortly prior to testing alleviated anterograde amnesia. However, this recovery of memory was found to be temperature dependent: Subjects recooled and tested at 29δC, the temperature at training, demonstrated recovery, whereas subjects allowed to rewarm to 33δ did not. The role of core body temperature in the onset of anterograde amnesia was examined in Experiment 2. Animals were tested 30, 120, 360, or 1,440 min after one-trial punishment training. Subjects tested after 30 min were significantly cooler than the other subjects and exhibited good retention, whereas subjects tested after 360 or 1,440 min did not. Thus, although the onset of hypothermia-induced retrograde amnesia has been found to be temperature independent, onset of anterograde amnesia appears to be more closely linked to the subject’s temperature. The similarity between anterograde amnesia and the more traditional state-dependent retention paradigm is discussed.
Secondary conditions of the musculoskeletal system in adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disability that affects individuals throughout their lifespan. Adolescents and adults with CP are at risk for many secondary conditions that cause a loss of function and deterioration of quality of life. This article presents a review of the literature of musculoskeletal conditions of people with CP that can develop or worsenacross the lifespan as a consequence of the primary neuromotor impairments. Health care behaviors of adolescents and adults with CP are discussed and their impact on secondary conditions is examined. Suggestions for how pediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists can assist children and adolescents to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing are presented. Lastly, occupational therapists and physical therapists are encouraged to take responsibility for treating musculoskeletal impairments and disabilities in adults with CP.
Xinjiang’s Production and Construction Corps, and the Sinification of Eastern Turkestan

A major institution for the ethnic Han (Chinese) colonisation of Xinjiang is the Production and Construction Corps. Although quasi-military in origin, its military role is now eclipsed by its economic role. Traditionally it was primarily a collection of state farms, but in recent years its industrial enterprises have expanded. It has also played a role in imprisoning convicts from eastern China. Largely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, it was actually abolished for a few years beginning in 1975. But the perceived need to project Chinese influence into the area, and to protect against ethnic unrest and Soviet pressures, persuaded the authorities that the Corps should be revived. Today the Corps has 2.8 million members, or 14 percent of Xinjiang’s population, and plays a significant role in the region’s economy.
CD34 affinity pheresis attenuates a surge among circulating progenitor cells following vascular injury.

Background Intimal hyperplasia (restenosis) is an exaggerated healing response leading to failure of half of vascular interventions. Increasing evidence suggests that circulating progenitor cells contribute to intimal pathology, and clinical studies have demonstrated a correlation between progenitor cells and the incidence of restenosis after cardiovascular interventions. The aims of this study were to characterize the temporal response of CD34+ progenitors following vascular injury in an ovine model and to evaluate an affinity pheresis approach to attenuate this response. Methods An ovine model underwent either operative vascular injury or a nonvascular surgery (n = 3 per group). Blood was examined perioperatively over 2 weeks by flow cytometry. Next, an affinity pheresis approach to mediate systemic depletion of CD34 progenitors was designed. Custom agarose pheresis matrix with antibody affinity toward CD34 or an isotype control was evaluated in vitro. Next, following vascular injury, sheep underwent perioperative whole blood volume pheresis toward either the progenitor cell marker CD34 (n = 3) or an isotype control (n = 4) for 14 days. Animals were monitored by physical exam as well as complete blood counts. Cells recovered by pheresis were eluted and examined by flow cytometry. Results Flow cytometry revealed a focal surge of circulating CD34 cells after vascular injury but not among surgical controls ( P = .05). Toward the goal of an approach to attenuate the surge of CD34 progenitors, an evaluation of high-flow affinity matrix revealed efficacy in removal of progenitors from ovine blood in vitro. Next, a separate group of animals undergoing affinity pheresis after vascular injury was evaluated to mediate systemic depletion of CD34+ cells. Again, a surge of CD34+ cells was observed among isotype pheresis animals following vascular intervention but was attenuated over 20-fold by a CD34 pheresis approach ( P = .029). Furthermore, an average of 77 million CD34-positive cells were eluted from the CD34 pheresis matrix. Despite multiple sessions of pheresis, complete blood counts remained essentially unchanged over 2 weeks. Conclusions Despite evidence suggesting a role for CD34+ circulating progenitor cells in restenotic pathology, the temporal pattern of CD34 progenitors after vascular injury has not been previously defined. We have demonstrated a surge among circulating CD34+ cells that appears confined to procedures involving vascular injury and that this event seems to occur early after vascular injury. We further conclude that CD34 affinity pheresis attenuates the surge. This approach for direct depletion of progenitors may have important implications for the study of progenitors in vascular restenosis.
Serial Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of an acutely thrombosed mitral valve prosthesis during thrombolytic therapy.

Despite advances in prosthetic heart valve design, thromboembolic complications remain a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Massive valve thrombosis is a lifethreatening emergency requiring early diagnosis and treatment.’ M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography provide limited qualitative information about prosthetic valve function.2 Doppler echocardiography supplements this information with quantitative characterization of prosthetic valve hemodynamics. We describe a patient with an acutely thrombosed St. Jude Medical mitral valve prosthesis in whom Doppler echocardiography docu-
Approaches to New Dideoxynucleosides

Abstract The syntheses of novel analogues of purine dl deoxynucleos ides of anti-HIV potential are described. The synthetic approach involved strategic modification of both the carbohydrate and base components of natural and synthetic ribonucleosides.
Overlapping spheres multiple scattering Xα calculations of the ionization potentials and electron affinities of nitrogen oxides

Abstract The ionization potentials and electron affinities of a series of nitrogen oxygen compounds have been calculated by the overlapping spheres MS Xα method to assess its applicability on a series for which good experimental data is available. The results for the ionization potentials were satisfactory although a straightforward matching of calculated and experimental IP's without consideration of other criterion would have led to some misassignments. The results for the electron affinities are in excellent agreement with experiment.
Analysis of Clonality in Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma and Associated Diseases

The T cell receptor (TCR) is the antigen-specific receptor for T cells. During its differentiation, each T cell undergoes rearrangement of its TCR genes. This results in novel nucleotide sequences that constitute a unique signature or fingerprint for each T cell and all its clonal progeny. Analysis of TCR gene rearrangements in cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) has lead to several findings concerning CTCL tumor biology. First, like most other lymphomas, CTCL is a monoclonal lymphoproliferative disorder. Second, rather than being truly a cutaneous lymphoma, CTCL is actually a lymphoma of the skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT). Even when disease appears confined to the skin clinically, there can be low-level trafficking of tumor cells through the peripheral lymph nodes via the lymphatics and blood vessels. Furthermore, CTCL is a mature SALT lymphoma capable of trafficking to sites of cutaneous inflammation analogous to normal SALT T cells. Third, the earliest manifestation of CTCL may be "clonal dermatitis." This is a form of chronic dermatitis that harbors a dominant T cell clone but lacks histologic features diagnostic for CTCL. About 25% of clonal dermatitis cases progress to overt CTCL within five years. Fourth, other lymphoproliferative disorders that are associated with CTCL share the same TCR gene rearrangements and therefore arise as subclones of the original tumor. These include lymphomatoid papulosis, large-cell lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease.
Rapid vegetation redistribution in Southern California during the early 2000s drought

Climate change in semi-arid, midlatitude mountain environments is expected to shift the spatial patterns of temperature, water availability, and vegetation upslope. Vegetation growing near its low-elevation range limit may prove especially vulnerable to mortality and decline. We investigated the altitudinal pattern of conifer mortality that occurred from 2002 to 2004 in Southern California's San Jacinto Mountains. We found that conifer mortality was focused in the lower portion of the midmontane conifer range, which drove the midmontane conifer distribution upslope. We investigated past reports of conifer mortality in Southern California by searching historical newspaper accounts. We found evidence of previous episodes of conifer mortality that coincided with past droughts, and which may have caused vegetation redistribution in the past. We interpret the early 2000s mortality and associated vegetation redistribution as a response to natural decadal to centennial climate variability. Moreover, we hypothesize this response mode will dominate the early impact of global climate change on semi-arid forest, which, in turn, may complicate efforts to distinguish between ecological changes attributable to natural climate variability and those attributable to global climate change.
Spinal epidural abscess after cervical pharyngoesophageal dilation.

Background. Esophageal perforation is an uncom- mon but known complication of esophageal dilation. Abscess after esophageal tear is rare, especially in the spinal epidural space. This is one case report of such an abscess. Methods. We present a case of a spinal epidural abscess after cervical pharyngoesophageal dilation. Results. After surgical decompression and abscess drain- age, long-term intravenous antibiotics, and physical therapy, the patient has regained some functional use of her left up- per extremity. Conclusions. Early diagnosis with a gadolinium-enhanced MRI and aggressive surgical treatment are keys to successful management with a good functional outcome after this unfortu- nate complication. A 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: 543-548, 2005
Surveying the extraction of cesium nitrate by 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene crown-6 ethers in 1,2-dichloroethane

ABSTRACT The extraction of cesium nitrate from a mixture of alkali metal nitrates by calix7lsqb;4]arene crown-6 ethers in 1,2-dichloroethane diluent has been surveyed at 25 °C. The results reveal that smaller substituents (but larger than C2,) at the phenolic positions of the calixarene opposite the crown ether increase both the extraction efficiency and the cesium selectivity. Benzo substituents on the crown ether tend to decrease extraction strength while increasing cesium-to-sodium selectivity. Conversely, a cyclohexano group on the crown ether has a negative impact on both extraction strength and selectivity.
Leukotriene C4 from vascular endothelium enhances neutrophil adhesiveness

We have examined the synthesis of leukotriene C4 from bovine aortic and pulmonary artery endothelium. Under basal conditions, neither aortic nor pulmonary artery endothelium revealed significant amounts of hydroxy fatty acids. Following incubation with ionophore A23187, several peaks including one which co-migrated with authentic LTC4 could be demonstrated from both aortic and pulmonary endothelium. LTC4 production was maximal after 30 min incubation, was inhibitable by the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguairetic acid, and was synthesized by bovine endothelium from tritiated arachidonic acid substrate. The putative LTC4 from endothelium was shown to be identical to authentic LTC4 by chromatography and scanning UV spectroscopy. Endothelial-derived LTC4 increased the adherence of bovine aortic endothelium for neutrophils in a concentration dependent pattern similar to authentic LTC4. These data suggest that vascular endothelium may influence leukocyte-endothelial interactions through synthesis of biologically active arachidonic acid metabolites such as LTC4.
Design-process integration and shared red bricks

This paper discusses the relationships between the design technology industry and other semiconductor supplier industries, against the backdrop of the semiconductor industry's overall technology requirements. The central claim is that 'design-process integration' is by no means blocked by lack of awareness of important problems; the key problems are well known. Rather, design technology currently faces too many more processing demands relative to its limited resources. This situation can improve only when the semiconductor industry and its supplier industries together adopt the perspective of 'sharing red bricks' i.e., identifying the most cost-effective and synergetic solutions to technology requirements form principle d analyses of cost and returns on investment.
Toward Distinguishing Recurrent Tumor from Radiation Necrosis: DWI and MTC in a Gamma Knife® Irradiated Mouse Glioma Model

Purpose Accurate noninvasive diagnosis is vital for effective treatment planning. Presently, standard anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is incapable of differentiating recurring tumor from delayed radiation injury, as both lesions are hyperintense in both postcontrast T1- and T2-weighted images. Further studies are therefore necessary to identify an MRI paradigm that can differentially diagnose these pathologies. Mouse glioma and radiation injury models provide a powerful platform for this purpose. Methods and Materials Two MRI contrasts that are widely used in the clinic were chosen for application to a glioma/radiation-injury model: diffusion weighted imaging, from which the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is obtained, and magnetization transfer contrast, from which the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) is obtained. These metrics were evaluated longitudinally, first in each lesion type alone–glioma versus irradiation – and then in a combined irradiated glioma model. Results MTR was found to be consistently decreased in all lesions compared to nonlesion brain tissue (contralateral hemisphere), with limited specificity between lesion types. In contrast, ADC, though less sensitive to the presence of pathology, was increased in radiation injury and decreased in tumors. In the irradiated glioma model, ADC also increased immediately after irradiation, but decreased as the tumor regrew. Conclusions ADC is a better metric than MTR for differentiating glioma from radiation injury. However, MTR was more sensitive to both tumor and radiation injury than ADC, suggesting a possible role in detecting lesions that do not enhance strongly on T1-weighted images.
EFFECT OF CHRONIC PRESSURE AND VOLUME OVERLOAD ON LEFT HEART VOLUMES IN SUBJECTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE.

Left heart volumes were determined angiographically in 50 subjects of whom 18 had no abnormality of the left heart, 12 had lesions causing pressure overload of the left ventricle, and 20 had lesions causing volume overload of the left ventricle. The left heart volumes were in the normal range in the presence of pressure overload, but, with volume overload, end-diastolic, end-systolic, and atrial volumes were in excess of normal. A linear relationship was demonstrated between end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, regardless of the pressure load on the ventricle. Thus, for all but one of the cases studied, total left ventricular ejection volume formed a nearly constant proportion of end-diastolic volume.
Immunohistochemical Identification of a Novel Substance with Human Growth Hormone-Like Immunoreactivity in Rat Brain*

Through use of an antiserum directed against hGH, an immunpreactive hGH-like material has been identified in the rat brain by peroxidase immunohistochemistry. Peroxidase-positive material was found in beaded, neuronal fibers in the external zone of the median eminence, lateral septum, and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and was unaffected by prior hypophysectomy. After pretreatment with intraventricular colchicine, numerous immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies were visualized within the parvocellular medial division of the paraventricular nucleus, periventricular nucleus, dorsomedial nucleus, lateral hypothalamus, and preoptic area. Immunohistochemical staining was completely abolished by preincubation of the antiserum with 10-6 M hGH, the 20,000 mol wt variant of hGH, hGH dimer, core peptide 20–64/135–167, proteolytically derived hGH fragments 1–134 and 147–191, and human placental lactogen. There was no diminution in staining after pfeincubation with hGH N-terminal fragment 1–43, hGH C-termin...
Magnetic hardening and coercivity mechanisms in L10 ordered FePd ferromagnets

Abstract The tetragonal L10 family of ferromagnets including the Co-Pt, Fe-Pt, Fe-Pd and Mn-Al alloy systems exhibits high, uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropies with first anisotropy constants K1 ~ 107–108 ergs/cm3. The domain parameters of these materials are similar to the rare earth permanent magnets and the defect structure is dominated by planar faults such as APB's, stacking faults, and twins. In this study the micromagnetic analysis of Kronmuller has been applied to elucidate the mechanism of coercivity controlling the hysteresis of the polytwinned L10 FePd equiatomic alloy and the results are consistent with pinning control involving atomically thick, planar defects. Also, Lorentz microscopy has been used to observe the interaction of magnetic domain walls with the planar faults characteristic of these materials. Finally, a thermomechanical treatment involving concomitant ordering and recrystallization is shown to eliminate the well-known polytwinned structures which generally evolve during the formation of the L10 phase leading to enhanced coercivities. The fundamental structure-property relationships involved are discussed.
Opportunities and challenges in plant chemical biology

Chemical biology is beginning to enhance our understanding of diverse cellular processes in plants, including endomembrane trafficking, hormone transport and cell wall biosynthesis. To reach its potential requires the development of a community-wide infrastructure of technology and expertise. We present some of the opportunities and challenges in this emerging branch of plant biology and offer some suggestions for enhancing the approach to the benefit of the community at large.
Studying developers for fun and profit: (Keynote abstract)

Summary form only given. NCsoft Corporation is a leading global developer and publisher of online games. Founded in 1997 by Taek Jin Kim, NCsoft is home to the critically acclaimed Aion, Lineage, Guild Wars, City of Heroes franchises and numerous Casual Games. With offices in North America, United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, NCsoft aims at providing fun to everyone, everywhere in the world. With over 3,600 employees around the world, NCsoft develops and publishes games of diverse genres for global gamers. Using high quality game scenarios and outstanding technology gained through continuous research and development, NCsoft is creating some of the world's finest games. In this session, the audience will hear about the corporate details of NCsoft and the major titles developed or under development by the company.
Some observations on the life history of the amphipod crustacean,Hyale nilssoni (Rathke), in New Hampshire

Hyale nilssoni is an intertidal amphipod at open coastal and estuarine habitats in New Hampshire. Two juvenile recruitment peaks occurred during the year (spring and summerfall), with these peaks occurring earlier in the estuary. The spring peak coincided with increasing water temperature at both locations. Body sizes at the two habitats tended to be inversely related to water temperature resulting in a greater body size on the open coast. Energy demands on the animal associated with the fluctuating water temperatures and salinities likely attributed to the smaller body size of the animal in the estuarine population.
Nucleation theory and domain states in multidomain magnetic material

Abstract Calculations are made to determine the number of domains that can exist in a given size grain. The nucleation of domain walls at grain boundaries is investigated for materials free of crystalline defects. Owing to the energy required to nucleate domain walls a much larger range of grain sizes can have the same number of domains than indicated by considering lowest energy domain states alone.
Understanding sales force automation outcomes: A managerial perspective

Abstract Despite the growing importance and potential of sales force automation (SFA), failure rates for SFA implementations have been reported to be as high as 55–80%. Given the growth of SFA programs, the potential effectiveness and efficiency SFA can bring to the sales force, and the magnitude of SFA failures, it is surprising that relatively few studies have addressed this important and timely topic. Many of the early studies have focused on the adoption and diffusion/infusion of SFA programs from an information technology perspective. The results of these studies have been inconclusive in explaining SFA implementation failures. The purpose of this study is to add to our understanding of SFA failures by investigating a broader set of implementation factors than those typically included in acceptance of technology studies. We conducted in-depth personal interviews with executives from three global organizations who were responsible for SFA initiatives in their firm. Results from the in-depth analyses yield recommendations and a proposed model to assist managers in the implementation of their SFA as well as getting their salespeople to “buy-in” to the SFA, and ultimately reduce SFA failures.
Video Modeling by Spatio-Temporal Resampling and Bayesian Fusion

In this paper, we propose an empirical Bayesian approach toward video modeling and demonstrate its application in multiframe image restoration. Based on our previous work on spatio-temporall adaptive localized learning (STALL), we introduce a new concept of spatio-temporal resampling to facilitate the task of video modeling. Resampling produces a redundant representation of video signals with distributed spatio-temporal characteristics. When combined with STALL model, we show how to probabilistically combine the linear regression results of resampled video signals under a Bayesian framework. Such empirical Bayesian approach opens the door to develop a whole new class of video processing algorithms without explicit motion estimation or segmentation. The potential of our distributed video model is justified by considering its application into two multiframe image restoration tasks: repair damaged blocks and remove impulse noise.
A MultiScale Gibbs-Helmholtz Constrained Cubic Equation of State

This paper presents a radically new approach to cubic equations of state (EOS) in which the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation is used to constrain the attraction or energy parameter, a. The resulting expressions for 𝑎(𝑇,𝑝) for pure components and 𝑎(𝑇,𝑝,𝑥) for mixtures contain internal energy departure functions and completely avoid the need to use empirical expressions like the Soave alpha function. Our approach also provides a novel and thermodynamically rigorous mixing rule for 𝑎(𝑇,𝑝,𝑥). When the internal energy departure function is computed using Monte Carlo or molecular dynamics simulations as a function of current bulk phase conditions, the resulting EOS is a multiscale equation of state. The proposed new Gibbs-Helmholtz constrained (GHC) cubic equation of state is used to predict liquid densities at high pressure and validated using experimental data from literature. Numerical results clearly show that the GHC EOS provides fast and accurate computation of liquid densities at high pressure, which are needed in the determination of gas hydrate equilibria.
Multidisciplinary Teamwork and Communication Training

Every delivery is a multidisciplinary event, involving nursing, obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians. Patients are often in labor across multiple provider shifts, necessitating numerous handoffs between teams. Each handoff provides an opportunity for errors. Although a traditional approach to improving patient outcomes has been to address individual knowledge and skills, it is now recognized that a significant number of complications result from team, rather than individual, failures. In 2004, a Sentinel Alert issued by the Joint Commission revealed that most cases of perinatal death and injury are caused by problems with an organization's culture and communication failures. It was recommended that hospitals implement teamwork training programs in an effort to improve outcomes. Instituting a multidisciplinary teamwork training program that uses simulation offers a risk-free environment to practice skills, including communication, role clarification, and mutual support. This experience should improve patient safety and outcomes, as well as enhance employee morale.
Extramedullary ependymoma near the conus medullaris with lumbar nerve root attachment: case report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Ependymomas are the most common primary spinal cord tumor, most frequently located near the cauda equina and conus medullaris. We believe that this is the first reported case of a low-grade, nonmyxopapillary (World Health Organization grade 2), intradural, extramedullary ependymoma involving a spinal nerve root. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: An 87-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of acute onset of severe right hip and lateral thigh pain without midline back pain. She had baseline chronic bladder dysfunction, which remained unchanged. Her physical examination was significant for 4/5 strength in her right hip flexion (possibly related to pain), and 5 beats of clonus bilaterally. She had no point tenderness at the level of her compression fracture. Computed tomography of the patient's lumbar spine revealed a well-corticated, chronic compression fracture of the L3 vertebral body. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated an ovoid-shaped, 1.5 × 1-cm, well-circumscribed, intradural, extramedullary lesion at the conus medullaris. The patient underwent an L1-3 laminectomy with intradural resection of the mass, which was found to be intricately involved with a single nerve root. The nerve root was coagulated and sectioned, and a gross total resection of the tumor was achieved. CONCLUSION: The patient tolerated the procedure well, with no complications or any postoperative neurological deficit. Her right-sided pain immediately resolved after surgery. Her strength and ambulation were normal after surgery. No adjuvant radiotherapy was offered to the patient. This case illustrates a unique tumor presentation and the successful surgical treatment of the condition.
Moonlighting is mainstream: paradigm adjustment required.

Moonlighting – the performance of more than one function by a single protein – is becoming recognized as a common phenomenon with important implications for systems biology and human health. The different functions of a moonlighting protein may use different regions of the protein structure, or alternative structures that occur due to post-translational modifications and/or differences in binding partners. Often the different functions of moonlighting proteins are used at different times or in different places. The existence of moonlighting functions complicates efforts to understand metabolic and regulatory networks, as well as physiological and pathological processes in organisms. Because moonlighting functions can play important roles in disease processes, an improved understanding of moonlighting proteins will provide new opportunities for pharmacological manipulations that specifically target a function involved in pathology while sparing physiologically important functions.
Left ventricular performance and clinical outcome after repeat balloon aortic valvuloplasty

Excerpt The detailed baseline and acute changes in left ventricular performance characteristics during repeat balloon aortic valvuloplasty have not been evaluated relative to the initial procedure....
Effects of temperature and non-aqueous solvent changes on silver dithizonate extractions

Summary The extraction of 10 −7 M silver ion from aqueous solutions into non-aqueous solvents containing dithizone has been investigated. The effects caused by changing the temperature and non-aqueous solvent were studied. Values of the extraction constant for extractions into chloroform and carbon tetrachloride were obtained as a function of temperature. Plots of the logarithm of the constants versus the reciprocal of the absolute temperature were straight lines. A linear relation was found between the extraction constant and the ratio of the solubilities of silver dithizonate and dithizone in the non-aqueous solvent. This relation was found to hold for extractions in which the nonaqueous phase was dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, benzene and chlorobenzene.
Medical and Clinical Pathology Pre-Screening Visit and Enrolment Seasonal Variability in Healthy Volunteers

In the pharmaceutical industry, selection of healthy volunteers is one of the foundations in phase I clinical trials and is a difficult and costly process. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the seasonal variability in recruiting healthy volunteers and examine the value of utilizing a pre-screen visit for healthy volunteers to generate a database pool that will be used in the routine screening process of phase I clinical research studies. We retrospectively studied a total of 1115 male and female volunteers who were scheduled for a medical and clinical pathology pre-screen visit over a one year period. Written consents were obtained from all individuals who participated in the study. Medical pre-screen visit included a full medical history and examination and electrocardiogram and clinical pathology (clinical chemistry, hematology and urinalysis). There was apparent seasonal variability in the participation of individuals in the pre-screen visit. Increased values of clinical chemistry values such as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase accounted for the majority of the clinically relevant increased values. Increased values of WBCâ€™s and both platelets and mean corpuscular volume accounted for the lowest values. In urinalysis, the most prevalent abnormal values were increased WBCâ€™s and red blood cells. No apparent differences were seen between sexes. Conducting medical and clinical pathology pre-screening visit is important as a source for healthy volunteer database pool to participate in phase I trials.
Predictors of 4-Year Retention Among African American and White Community-Dwelling Participants in the UAB Study of Aging

Purpose: To identify racial/ethnic differences in retention of older adults at 3 levels of participation in a prospective observational study: telephone, in-home assessments, and home visits followed by blood draws. Design and Methods: A prospective study of 1,000 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older included a baseline in-home assessment and telephone follow-up calls at 6-month intervals; at 4 years, participants were asked to complete an additional in-home assessment and have blood drawn. Results: After 4 years, 21.7% died and 0.7% withdrew, leaving 776 participants eligible for follow-up (49% African American; 46% male; 51% rural). Retention for telephone follow-up was 94.5% (N = 733/776); 624/733 (85.1%) had home interviews, and 408/624 (65.4%) had a nurse come to the home for the blood draw. African American race was an independent predictor of participation in in-home assessments, but African American race and rural residence were independent predictors of not participating in a blood draw. Implications: Recruitment efforts designed to demonstrate respect for all research participants, home visits, and telephone follow-up interviews facilitate high retention rates for both African American and White older adults; however, additional efforts are required to enhance participation of African American and rural participants in research requiring blood draws.
Probable Rare Case of Cholecystitis After Exposure to Supratherapeutic Doses of Hydralazine

Objective: To report a rare case of cholecystitis in a patient who received supratherapeutic doses of hydralazine for 1 month. Case Summary: A 79-year-old woman was admitted with severe right upper...
Inter-calibration of the CMS barrel electromagnetic calorimeter using π 0 → γ decays

Precise calibration of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter must be performed in situ at the LHC in order to fully exploit the physics reach of the CMS experiment. Achieving the design-goal calibration precision of 0.5 % will be particularly important for a discovery of the Higgs boson in the two-photon decay channel. In this paper we evaluate the potential of a novel calibration technique that makes use of photon pairs produced in neutral pion decays, pi0rarrgammagamma. Such photon pairs will be selected from the QCD events accepted by the level l triggers using an online filter farm. Assuming a level l trigger rate of 10 kHz, the rate of suitable neutral pions is found to be as high as 1 kHz. We show that 95% of the barrel electromagnetic calorimeter can be calibrated to at least a 1% (0.5%) precision after several days (weeks) of data-taking in the low-luminosity scenario of LHC, L = 2ldr1033, cm-2 s-1. The challenges of rapid data transfer and analysis on the filter farm are also discussed. In addition, we report on the successful tests of the pi0 reconstruction and calibration algorithms that were carried out using pi0rarrgammagamma decays produced in pi- test beams in November 2006.
DVSleak: combining leakage reduction and voltage scaling in feedback EDF scheduling

Recent trends in CMOS fabrication have the demand to conserve power of processors. While dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) is effective in reducing dynamic power, microprocessors produced in ever smaller fabrication processes are increasingly dominated bystatic power. For such processors, voltage/frequency pairs below acritical speed result in higher energy per cycle than entering a processor sleep mode. Yet, computational demand above this critical speed is best met by DVS techniques while still conserving power.We develop a novel combined leakage and DVS scheduling algorithm forreal-time systems, DVS leak, based on earliest-deadline-first scheduling (EDF). Our method trades off DVS with leakage, where the former slows down execution while the latter intelligently defers dispatching of jobs when sleeping is beneficial. We further capitalize on feedback knowledge about actual execution times to anticipate computational demands without sacrificing deadline guarantees. As such, we contribute a novel feedback delay policy for leakage awareness, which addresses structural limitations of prior approaches. Experiments show that this combined DVS/leakage algorithm results in an average of (a) 50% additional energy savings over a leakage-oblivious DVS algorithm, (b) 20% more energy savings over a more simplistic combination of DVS and sleep policies and (c) 8.5% or more over dynamic slack reclamation with procrastination. Particularly task sets with periods shorter than ten milliseconds profit from our approach with 15% energy savings over best prior schemes. This makes DVS leak the best combined DVS/leakage regulation approach for real-time systems that we know of.
Total or Neonatal Bilirubin Assays in the Vitros 5,1 FS: Hemoglobin Interference, Hemolysis, Icterus Index

We evaluated hemoglobin (Hb) interference in the total bilirubin (TBIL) and neonatal bilirubin (NBIL) [the sum of unconjugated (Bu) and conjugated (Bc) bilirubins] methods on the Vitros 5,1 FS analyzer and assessed the reliability of the analyzer’s hemolysis and icterus index values by comparing them to measured concentrations of bilirubin and Hb in test specimens. We also compared TBIL with NBIL values in specimens from neonates 1–14 days old and obtained estimates of the extent of hemolysis in these specimens. We prepared a hemolysate from EDTA blood drawn from volunteers. After centrifugation, the cells were washed 5 times with physiologic saline, diluted with deionized water, and stored at −20 °C overnight. After thawing, the hemolysate was centrifuged to remove the stroma. The Hb concentration was measured with the CELL-DYN 4000 analyzer. We prepared a stock solution of Bu (NIST SRM 916) in pooled human serum samples from healthy volunteers as described previously (1); dilutions were made with the same pooled sera. A solution …
Genetics of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and its implications for management

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a bilateral hereditary eye disorder affecting full-term children. It is characterized by the premature arrest of vascularization of peripheral retina. The condition has a highly variable expressivity, even between members of the same family. Its clinical presentations are similar to those of retinopathy of prematurity. However, FEVR patients are full-term children who do not have oxygen therapy. FEVR can be inherited as an autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked recessive disorder. These three forms of FEVR are now found to be associated with mutations in a group of genes (NDP, FZD4, LRP5 and TSPAN12) that are involved in the specific branch of the Wnt-signaling pathway. The phenotypes associated with all of the above mutant genes show great variations between different individuals within a family and even between two eyes in a patient. The availability of animal models for all four FEVR-causing mutant genes may provide opportunities for further ...
Case Study: Chemical Screening at Eastman Kodak Company

This case study is the final installment in a four-part series profiling environmental decision making at leading companies. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.