cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Who Helps? Coping with the Unexpected Outcomes of Pregnancy

Death in our obstetric and neonatal units causes grief, not only to the families of the patient, but to the nursing and medical std. It is a primary duty of hospital administrators and nursing leaders to assist the staff to resolve their grief processes in order that they can more effectively support the bereaved. This article explores some effective means of providing such support to staff members through self-awareness and group sessions.
Chaos Theory and Organizational Crisis: A Theoretical Analysis of the Challenges Faced by the New Orleans Police Department During Hurricane Katrina

The Hurricane Katrina disaster presented the first responder agencies of New Orleans with an extraordinary set of circumstances. Although all first responder operations were hampered by the disaster, the police department’s struggles were made most visible in the media. This article examines the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the organizational functions of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) during and immediately after the disaster using chaos theory as a model for analyzing the crisis faced by the department. Chaos theory has implications for a variety of features that are essential to organizational functions and management behavior that are relevant to first responder agencies. Review of the challenges faced by NOPD has implications for preparedness plans for other first responder agencies.
White Mutants in Mice Shedding Light on Humans

In this article we describe the rapid advances made in the molecular genetics of three inherited pigmentation disorders: albinism, piebaldism, and vitiligo, all of which throw light on normal pigment cell function. The focus is on studies in mice, with comparison of data in humans. The critical role of tyrosinase ( c -locus or human tyrosinase protein) in normal pigmentation and albinism has been reinforced by the cloning and identification of mutations in tyrosinase and two other melanocyte-specific oxidoreductases structurally related to but functionally different from tyrosinase: the (b) brown -locus protein/gp75/catalase B and dopachrome tauto-merase. Each possesses a distinct enzyme activity and yet the three share homology in strategic regions. Most of the point mutations that reduce or abrogate the respective enzyme activities are located in those regions. Tyrosinase-negative albinism is caused only by defects in tyrosinase. A locus for human tyrosinase-positive albinism has been recently mapped to chromosome 15q11.2 → q12, at a gene identified in mice as pink-eyed dilution . On the other hand, several genes encoding proteins critical for the proliferation of melanocytes are known to control the piebald phenotype. So far identified are two membrane-receptor tyrosine kinases, c-Kit and PDGF-R/α, and the ligand for c-kit , MGF (mast-cell growth factor, also known as stem-cell factor, c-Rit-ligand, or steel factor). Mutations in W/ c-kit (white spotting), Ph/ Pdgfr/a (patch) , and Sl/MGF (steel) , lead to a reduction in receptor kinase activity and failure of melanocytes to thrive and reach the skin during embryogenesis. Finally, mouse mutant models suggest at least two possible causes for vitiligo, a progressive loss of pigmentation that occurs after birth. In one mutant, the Blt (light) mouse, the cyclic death of hair melanocytes may be due to the toxicity of intermediates and byproducts of melanogenesis in the presence of a dysfunctional b -locus protein. In the other model, the "vitiligo mouse," in which the allele vit has been assigned to the microphthalmia (mi) locus, the loss of melanocytes may be caused by defective signal transduction, because in addition to vitiligo mi vit /mi vit mice have extensive piebaldism.
Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome in 15 foals

Summary Reasons for performing study: Few reports exist in the veterinary medical literature describing clinical and pathological findings resembling conditions described as (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in man. Objectives: To document history, clinical, laboratory and diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome of foals age 1–12 months diagnosed with ALI/ARDS at a referral hospital. Methods: Medical records, including radiographic, cytological, microbiological, serological and post mortem findings, were reviewed in a retrospective manner to identify foals with acute onset of respiratory distress, a partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) to fraction of oxygen in inspired gases (FiO2) ratio of ≤300 mmHg, pulmonary infiltrates on thoracic radiographs or post mortem findings consistent with ALI/ARDS. Results: Fifteen foals age 1.5–8 months were included in the study. Seven foals had previously been treated for respiratory disease, and all foals developed acute respiratory distress < 48 h prior to presentation. Findings on presentation included tachycardia and tachypnoea in all foals, with fever recorded in 8 cases. Eight cases met the criteria for ALI and 7 for ARDS. Radiographic findings demonstrated diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern with focal to coalescing alveolar radiopacities. An aetiological agent was identified in foals ante mortem (n = 6) and post mortem (n = 4). All foals were treated with intranasal oxygen and antimicrobial drugs; 13 received corticosteroids. Nine patients survived, 4 died due to respiratory failure and 2 were subjected to euthanasia in a moribund state. Follow-up was available for 7 foals; all performed as well as age mates or siblings, and one was racing successfully. Conclusions: A condition closely meeting the human criteria for ALI/ARDS exists in foals age 1–12 months and may be identical to previously described acute bronchointerstitial pneumonia in young horses. Potential relevance: ALI/ARDS should be suspected in foals with acute severe respiratory distress and hypoxaemia that is minimally responsive to intranasal oxygen therapy. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids, intranasal oxygen and antimicrobials may be beneficial in foals with clinical signs compatible with ALI/ARDS.
Determination of Urinary Creatinine in Washington State Residents via Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A viable, quick, and reliable method for determining urinary creatinine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was developed and used to evaluate spot urine samples collected for the Washington Environmental Biomonitoring Survey (WEBS): part of the Washington State Department of Health, Public Health Laboratories (PHL). 50 µL of urine was mixed with a 1 : 1 acetonitrile/water solution containing deuterated creatinine as the internal standard and then analyzed by LC/MS/MS. Utilizing electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive mode, the transition ions for creatinine and creatinine-d3 were determined to be 114.0 to 44.1 (quantifier), 114.0 to 86.1 (qualifier), and 117.0 to 47.1 (creatinine-d3). The retention time for creatinine was 0.85 minutes. The linear calibration range was 20–4000 mg/L, with a limit of detection at 1.77 mg/L and a limit of quantitation at 5.91 mg/L. LC/MS/MS and the colorimetric Jaffe reaction were associated significantly (Pearson and , ). The LC/MS/MS method developed at the PHL to determine creatinine in the spot urine samples had shorter retention times, and was more sensitive, reliable, reproducible, and safer than other LC/MS/MS or commercial methods such as the Jaffe reaction or modified versions thereof.
Toxic effects of zinc on fathead minnows Pimephales promelas in soft water

A fathead minnow life-cycle exposure to various zinc concentrations demonstrated that the most sensitive indicators of zinc toxicity were egg adhesiveness and fragility, which were significantly affected at 145 μg Zn 1−1 and above, but were not affected at 78 μg Zn 1−1 and below. These effects occurred shortly after the eggs were spawned (during water hardening) and therefore were not related to effects on the parental fish. Hatchability and survival of larvae were significantly reduced, and deformities at hatching were significantly increased at 295 ug Zn 1−1 and above. Acclimated and unacclimated groups of larvae exposed to identical zinc concentrations for 8 weeks after hatch showed only slight differences in sensitivity.
Collective guarantee structures

Abstract We re-examine the problem of fair division in situations when the number of individuals involved may increase but the resources at their disposal remain fixed. We introduce the notion of collective guarantee structure to measure the protection offered to initial groups in such circumstances. We show that the Nash solution offers better protection than any weakly Pareto-optimal and anonymous solution.
Isolated Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the infundibulum presenting with fulminant diabetes insipidus

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (histiocytosis X) is a rare disorder that can manifest with solitary bony lesions or disseminated disease in various tissues. A common manifestation of the disease is diabetes insipidus even in the absence of neural involvement. Disseminated disease often involves the central nervous system, but only six isolated lesions in the infundibulum have been reported. An 18-year-old male had failed to develop secondary sexual characteristics. He also had diabetes insipidus for more than 1 year. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a 1-cm homogeneously enhancing mass in the region of the infundibulum. No other lesions were found in other organ systems. The patient underwent an orbitozygomatic osteotomy and pterional craniotomy. The lesion, which was adherent to the infundibulum, was partially resected. Microscopic analysis showed multiple lymphocytes and eosinophils with Langerhans cells that stained positive for S-100. Langerhans cell histiocytosis was diagnosed, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 6 with no neurological deficits. His diabetes insipidus persisted, and he underwent intensity-modulated radiation therapy to the sellar region. Isolated Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the infundibulum is rare. The usual presentation is hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction and diabetes insipidus. Patients with diabetes insipidus of unknown origin should undergo MRI of the sellar region to rule out infundibular abnormalities.
Iterative development and commercial tools in an undergraduate software engineering course

Many undergraduate software engineering courses combine team projects with discussion of development cycle concepts. It can be difficult to connect these elements in a coherent way, especially when the lecture is a broad survey and the project is sharply focused on meeting the needs of a client.This paper describes one attempt to bridge this gap, by incorporating the iterative development of a classroom example and an object-oriented process based on two commercial software tools. Although the course time frame (an academic quarter) is too short for significant iteration on the team project, students can participate in an accelerated version of the process by making a small increment to the non-trivial example.This approach retains the benefits of a realistic, client-centered team development project, while providing experience in a contemporary software development process based on commercial CASE tools.
Strong interaction and mass measurements using antiprotonic atoms

X-ray transition energies of antiprotonic atoms formed in targets of $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$, C, Si, P, Fe, Y, Zr, Cs, and Yb have been measured. Level shifts and widths due to the strong interaction were determined. A phenomenological fit to the data using an optical-model potential proportional to the nuclear matter density and to an effective $\overline{p}$-nucleus $s$-wave scattering length yielded [$(0.85\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.38)+i(2.66\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.28)$] fm for the effective scattering length. In addition, the mass of the antiproton was determined to be 938.229 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.049 MeV from the observed energies of the $\overline{p}$ x-ray transitions unperturbed by the strong interaction.NUCLEAR REACTIONS, hadronic atoms. Measured antiprotonic atom x-ray transition energies; determined strong interaction shifts and widths; deduced effective scattering length; deduced antiproton mass.
Career mentoring for women: New horizons/Expanded methods

Abstract Although women make up nearly half of the workforce in the United States, the number of women who hold senior management positions in large U.S. firms continues to be disproportionately low. This fact raises concerns about individual fairness and equality of opportunity. Herein, we demonstrate that the use of strong mentoring programs holds great promise as a way to increase the number of women in senior management roles. An extensive study supports the mentoring program recommendation, as do examples of foreign firms which far more readily employ women in executive positions than do U.S. firms.
Magical thinking by inpatient staff members.

Magical thinking is a primitve form of mental activity which, nevertheless, the author contends, is common among mental health professionals. Four examples of magical thinking by inpatient staff members are presented and briefly explored, in order to shed light on our work and ourselves.
Curve denoising by multiscale singularity detection and geometric shrinkage

We propose a method for denoising piecewise smooth curves, given a number of noisy sample points. Using geometric variants of wavelet shrinkage methods, our algorithm preserves corners while enforcing that the smoothed arcs lie in an L2 Sobolev space Hα of order α chosen by the operator. The reconstruction is scale-invariant when using the Sobolev space H3/2, adapts to the local noise level, and is essentially free of tuning parameters. In particular, our noise-adaptivity ensures that there is no arbitrarily-chosen “diffusion time” parameter in the denoising. Further, in cases where the distinction between signal and noise is unclear, we show how statistics gathered from the curve can be used to identify a finite number of “good” choices for the denoising.
Observation of single-quantum relaxation processes in a type-I superconductor

Abstract Rf-induced voltage steps at integral multiples of the Josephson frequency have been observed in constricted, type-I superconducting lead films indicating a single-flux-quantum relaxation process.
Central and South America GPS geodesy - CASA Uno

In January 1988, scientists from over 25 organizations in 13 countries and territories cooperated in the largest GPS campaign in the world to date. A total of 43 GPS receivers collected approximately 590 station-days of data in American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Sweden, United States, West Germany, and Venezuela. The experiment was entitled CASA Uno. Scientific goals of the project include measurements of strain in the northern Andes, subduction rates for the Cocos and Nazca plates beneath Central and South America, and relative motion between the Caribbean plate and South America. A second set of measurements are planned in 1991 and should provide preliminary estimates of crustal deformation and plate motion rates in the region.
Amphetamine depression of a multiple CRF-EXT operant schedule: A sex comparison

Amphetamine, 0.5 mg/kg administered on five successive trials, significantly depressed the operant performance of both male and female rats maintained on a multiple CRF-EXT schedule. That the depression of behavior was due to the drug was indicated by the recovery of performance in both sexes on two subsequent distilled water injection trials. Some basic sex differences in reaction to the reinforcement schedule also were observed on all trials of the study.
Update on esophagitis: controversial and underdiagnosed causes.

Abstract Context.—Esophagitis is a common cause of symptoms for which patients seek the advice of a physician. Esophagitis of differing etiologies often demonstrate overlapping histopathologic features, making their distinction difficult. This is especially true in esophageal disorders associated with increased numbers of intraepithelial eosinophils, some of which have just recently been recognized. Objective.—This review discusses the important clinical and pathologic features of the 2 most common disorders associated with esophageal eosinophilic infiltrates—reflux esophagitis and eosinophilic esophagitis—with special emphasis on features that allow the surgical pathologist to distinguish between these disorders. The various forms of drug-induced esophagitis are also discussed because these are frequently underrecognized by pathologists. Data Sources.—Data were extracted from articles identified through PubMed-based research. Histologic figures have been taken from the personal case collection of the aut...
Is the hypertriglyceridemia associated with insulin deficiency caused by decreased lipoprotein lipase activity

Questions have been raised as to whether reduced lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity can account for the defect in plasma removal of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) associated with insulin deficiency. In order to study this issue, streptozotocin-induced insulin deficiency was produced in 2-mo-old rats. Three groups of rats were studied: control, moderate diabetes (glucose > 200 350 mg/dl). One week later food was withdrawn at 8 a.m., and the following measurements made at 2 p.m. (6 h after removal of food): (1) plasma glucose, insulin, and triglyceride (TG) levels; (2) VLDL-TG secretion rate; and (3) adipose tissue and skeletal muscle LPL activity. Rats with moderate diabetes had higher glucose and lower insulin levels than did control rats, and these differences were accentuated in rats with severe diabetes. Plasma TG levels were elevated ( P P P
A possible connection of Caspian Sea level fluctuations with meteorological factors and seismicity

Abstract The Caspian Sea has exhibited significant, wide-range fluctuations that have been traditionally attributed to variations in climatic agents. The objective of this research is to estimate the hydrologic budget and sea surface heights of the Caspian Sea from 1998 to 2005 to assess the contribution of meteorological and geological process to the Caspian Sea level variations. The water budget of the Caspian Sea from 1998 to 2005 was calculated using the state-of-the-art remote sensing techniques and ground-truth data. The Sea Surface heights of the Caspian Sea were constructed from the refined Topex/Poseidon altimetry data. The National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy Reanalysis 2 meteorological data provided all the variables necessary for the Penman method to estimate evaporation over the Caspian Sea. The data of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission were utilized to estimate precipitation onto the Caspian Sea. A strong agreement between the water budget residuals and Caspian Sea level variations signifies that Caspian Sea level oscillations for this time window are essentially controlled by climate-related factors. On the other hand, the relatively larger gaps between the water balance residuals and Caspian Sea level heights during 2000 and 2001 may indicate an impact of seismicity on Caspian Sea level oscillations as a result of two major earthquakes on November 25, 2000.
Communication Networks in Intermediate Markets

Most commodities move from points of production through successive stages of processing or manufacture and further stages of intermediate distribution before reaching points of final purchase. The final value of a commodity, in fact, is often analyzed by observing the amounts of labor and capital services that are added to it at each of these stages by the firm which owns it at each stage. The setting of the problem is this. Successive stages of dealing in a commodity are in general required on account of any of the following considerations: a an activity may need to be undertaken at a different scale---i.e., plant size---than that at which a preceding or a succeeding activity needs to be conducted; b changes in the combinations of commodities may be required from one stage to another; or c information and contacts need to be mobilized in order to connect disparate groups of actors in the complex of activities.
Frequency-domain Digital Filtering Techniques For Selective Noise Elimination In Biomedical Signalprocessing

Two frequency-domain digital filtering methods are presented for the selective elimination of noise in biomedical signals. The first method is based on an iterative division or multiplication of a set of frequencies centered around the noise spectrum. The second uses a basic property of the natural logarithm to smooth the noise in the frequency spectrum. For illustration, both methods are applied to Electrocardiographic (ECG) data with 60Hertz noise, and the results are compared to a fixed recursive notch digital filter. The performance of each method is measured by a squared difference between the original noise-free signal and the filtered noisy signal. Since the two methods are iterative processes, comparison of their rate of convergence to a pre-defined noise reduction level is also considered.
Age-related differences in guessing on free and forced recall tests

This study examined possible age-related differences in recall, guessing, and metacognition on free recall tests and forced recall tests. Participants studied categorised and unrelated word lists and were asked to recall the items under one of the following test conditions: standard free recall, free recall with a penalty for guessing, free recall with no penalty for guessing, or forced recall. The results demonstrated interesting age differences regarding the impact of liberal test instructions (i.e., forced recall and no penalty) relative to more conservative test instructions (i.e., standard free recall and penalty) on memory performance. Specifically, once guessing was controlled, younger adults' recall of categorised lists varied in accordance with test instructions while older adults' recall of categorised lists did not differ between conservative and liberal test instructions, presumably because older adults approach standard free recall tests of categorised lists with a greater propensity towards guessing than young adults.
Temperament and Parenting Antecedents of Individual Differences in Three-Year-Old Boys' Pride and Shame Reactions

To examine individual differences in pride and shame reactions of 3-year-olds and their temperamental and parenting antecedents, 110 boys were studied at ages 36 and 37 months in a "rigged" achievement situation. After being trained to complete explicitly stipulated "easy" and "difficult" tasks before a buzzer sounded, success and failure were manipulated by artificially "rigging" how much time the child had to work on these tasks. Children's facial, verbal, and postural reactions to success and failure were composited to create pride scores following success and shame scores following failure. As expected, pride reactions were greater following success on the difficult than on the easy task, and shame reactions were greater following failure on the easy than on the difficult task. Early temperament (at 12/13 months) proved unrelated to pride and shame. With respect to parenting, measurements composited across 15, 21, 27, and 33 months showed that mothers and fathers who were more positive in their parenting had children who displayed less pride, and that children whose parents (especially mothers) were more negative in their parenting evinced less shame. These counterintuitive findings are discussed in terms of differences between assessments of parenting obtained in this investigation of parenting antecedents and those obtained in other studies of parental responses in the achievement situation itself. Directions for future research are outlined.
Convergence Analysis of Hirschman Optimal Transform (HOT) LMS Adaptive Filter

We present a general convergence analysis of the recently introduced HOT LMS Adaptive filter and show that the autocorrelation matrix in the HOT domain is asymptotically Block diagonal and the HOT LMS adjusts the learning rate of each block to improve the convergence speed of the adaptive filter as compared to LMS. The theoretical findings were verified through numerical calculations and simulations.
Crafting the Greenbook : Framers Reflect on the Vision, Process, and Lessons Learned

Guided by research and the experiences of judges nationwide, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges made a commitment in 1998 to improve community response to families experiencing domestic violence and child maltreatment. A year later, the council's work culminated in a set of recommendations commonly called the Greenbook, which summoned child welfare agencies, domestic violence service providers, and dependency courts to implement internal changes and collaborate to address co-occurring domestic violence and child maltreatment. In 2000, the federal government funded six community-based demonstration programs to implement the Greenbook recommendations. As part of the evaluation of the Greenbook initiative, the evaluation team asked the national experts who helped frame the Greenbook to reflect on the processes used and the decisions that shaped the document. In addition, the experts were asked to describe their expectations for the systems and communities that implemented the recommendations, including anticipated challenges.
Chief Merchants and the European Enclaves of Seventeenth-Century Coromandel

European enclaves were a characteristic feature of the sixteenth and seventeenth-century European presence in Asia, serving as centers of trade and European society far beyond the frontiers of metropolitan Europe. Yet to consider them as phenomena belonging only to the history of European Asia would be a mistake. Despite the protection of fortifications and control of the sea, the enclaves could never be completely isolated from their hinterlands, for not only did they receive their trade goods from the interior, but the changing local political stituation frequently threatened their survival. Moreover, the enclaves themselves had their definite non-European character, a population of local merchants, artisans and laborers which outnumbered the Europeans. These resident Asians provided goods, services and often capital for European trade; they were, as Holden Furber has observed, partners in European enterprise.
Building a Better America—One Wealth Quintile at a Time:

Disagreements about the optimal level of wealth inequality underlie policy debates ranging from taxation to welfare. We attempt to insert the desires of "regular" Americans into these debates, by asking a nationally representative online panel to estimate the current distribution of wealth in the United States and to "build a better America" by constructing distributions with their ideal level of inequality. First, respondents dramatically underestimated the current level of wealth inequality. Second, respondents constructed ideal wealth distributions that were far more equitable than even their erroneously low estimates of the actual distribution. Most important from a policy perspective, we observed a surprising level of consensus: All demographic groups-even those not usually associated with wealth redistribution such as Republicans and the wealthy-desired a more equal distribution of wealth than the status quo.
Photoinactivation of Mycobacteria In Vitro and in a New Murine Model of Localized Mycobacterium bovis BCG-Induced Granulomatous Infection

Treatment of tuberculosis is currently hindered by prolonged antibiotic regimens and the emergence of significant drug resistance. Alternatives and adjuncts to standard antimycobacterial agents are needed. We propose that a direct attack utilizing photosensitizers and light-based treatments may be effective in curtailing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in discrete anatomical sites in the most infectious phase of pulmonary tuberculosis. To demonstrate experimental proof of principle, we have applied established photodynamic therapy (PDT) technology to in vitro cultures and an in vivo mouse model using Mycobacterium bovis BCG. We report here in vitro and in vivo PDT efficacy studies and the use of a three-dimensional collagen gel as a delivery vehicle for BCG, subcutaneously inserted, to induce specifically localized granuloma-like lesions in mice. When a benzoporphyrin derivative was utilized as the photosensitive agent, exposure to light killed extracellular and intracellular BCG in significant numbers. Collagen scaffolds containing BCG inserted in situ in BALB/c mice for 3 months mimicked granulomatous lesions and demonstrated a marked cellular infiltration upon histological examination, with evidence of caseating necrosis and fibrous capsule formation. When 10(5) BCG were present in the in vivo-induced granulomas, a significant reduction in viable mycobacterial cells was demonstrated in PDT-treated granulomas compared to those of controls. We conclude that PDT has potential in the treatment of localized mycobacterial infections, such as pulmonary granulomas and cavities.
Randomized trials published in the journal of dental research are cited more often compared with those in other top-tier non-specialty-specific dental journals.

Background and Aim Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are viewed as the gold standard for clinical research. Oftentimes the citation counts serve as an important measure for assessing the significance of an RCT to promote the dissemination of science. This study attempts to identify the factors associated with the number of times RCTs are cited within the first 24 months since publication. Materials and Methods RCTs published between January 1, 2002, and November 30, 2006, in 4 journals ( Journal of Dental Research , European Journal of Oral Sciences , Journal of Dentistry , and Clinical Oral Investigations ) were selected for analysis. Citation counts of RCTs in the first 24 months since publication was the outcome variable. The independent variables included journal of publication, geographic region of origin of study, number of authors, financial support, number of references, presentation of a statistically significant result, and if the study was conducted on animals. Bivariate associations between the outcome and independent variables were examined by Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman rank correlations where appropriate. A multivariable negative binomial regression model was also built to examine the association. Results A total of 163 RCTs were selected for analysis. The mean citation count for the first 24 months count was 2.61. Close to 20% of RCTs were not cited even once in this observation period. RCTs published in the highest impact factor journal ( Journal of Dental Research ) tended to be cited most often ( P Conclusion Based on our initial analysis of 4 journals, publishing randomized trials in high-impact journals will likely provide better dissemination of research findings.
PSO-based Evolutionary Optimization for Parameter Identification of an Induction Motor

In this paper a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with a constriction factor is applied to identify the parameters of an induction motor. The variables used to estimate electrical and mechanical parameters are the measured stator currents and voltages. Performance of the identification scheme is demonstrated through simulation and compared with parameters obtained with a nonlinear least square technique. The estimated parameters compare well with the actual parameters.
Coherent optical array receiver for PPM signals under atmospheric turbulence

Abstract Adaptive combining of experimentally obtained heterodyned pulse position modulated (PPM) signals with pulse-to-pulse coherence, in the presence of simulated spatial distortions resembling atmospheric turbulence, is demonstrated. The adaptively combined PPM signals are phased up via an least-mean-square algorithm suitably optimized to operate with PPM in the presence of additive shot noise. A convergence analysis of the algorithm is presented, and results with both computer simulated and experimentally obtained PPM signals are analyzed.
Human-Robot Interactions: Creating Synergistic Cyber Forces

Human-robot interaction for mobile robots is still in its infancy. As robots increase in capabilities and are able to perform more tasks in an autonomous manner we need to think about the interactions that humans will have with robots and what software architecture and user interface designs can accommodate the human-in -the loop. This paper outlines a theory of human-robot interaction and proposes information needed for maintaining the user’s situational awareness.
Antigen-unspecific B Cells and Lymphoid Dendritic Cells Both Show Extensive Surface Expression of Processed Antigen–Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Complexes after Soluble Protein Exposure In Vivo or In Vitro

Intravenous (i.v.) injection of high amounts of soluble proteins often results in the induction of antigen-specific tolerance or deviation to helper rather than inflammatory T cell immunity. It has been proposed that this outcome may be due to antigen presentation to T cells by a large cohort of poorly costimulatory or IL-12-deficient resting B cells lacking specific immunoglobulin receptors for the protein. However, previous studies using T cell activation in vitro to assess antigen display have failed to support this idea, showing evidence of specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II ligand only on purified dendritic cells (DC) or antigen-specific B cells isolated from protein injected mice. Here we reexamine this question using a recently derived monoclonal antibody specific for the T cell receptor (TCR) ligand formed by the association of the 46-61 determinant of hen egg lysozyme (HEL) and the mouse MHC class II molecule I-Ak. In striking contrast to conclusions drawn from indirect T cell activation studies, this direct method of TCR ligand analysis shows that i.v. administration of HEL protein results in nearly all B cells in lymphoid tissues having substantial levels of HEL 46-61-Ak complexes on their surface. DC readily isolated from spleen also display this TCR ligand on their surface. Although the absolute number of displayed ligands is greater on such DC, the relative specific ligand expression compared to total MHC class II levels is similar or greater on B cells. These results demonstrate that in the absence of activating stimuli, both lymphoid DC and antigen-unspecific B cells present to a similar extent class II-associated peptides derived from soluble proteins in extracellular fluid. The numerical advantage of the TCR ligand-bearing B cells may permit them to interact first or more often with naive antigen-specific T cells, contributing to the induction of high-dose T cell tolerance or immune deviation.
Software forensics: Can we track code to its authors?

Viruses, worms, trojan horses and crackers all exist and threaten the security of our computer systems. Often, we are aware of an intrusion only after it has occured. On some occasions, we may have a fragment of code left behind-used by an adversary to gain access or to damage the system. A natural question to ask is ''Can we use this remnant of code to identify the culprit or gain clues as to his identity?rd In this paper, we define the study of features of code remnants that might be analyzed to identify their authors. We further outline some of the difficulties involved in tracing an intruder by analyzing code. We conclude by discussing some future work that needs to be done before this approach can be more formally applied. We refer to our process as software forensics, similar to medical forensics: we are examining the remains to obtain evidence about the actors involved.
Does duration of donor brain injury affect outcome after orthotopic pediatric heart transplantation

Objective We tested the hypothesis that duration of donor brain injury and death would have an adverse effect on recipient rejection and mortality in pediatric heart transplantation. Methods Ninety-three cardiac transplants were performed at our center from July 1, 1997, through June 30, 2003. The primary study end points were the number of rejection episodes and the time to first rejection. Secondary outcomes were early and late mortality. Results Among 88 recipients of 93 cardiac allografts, 5 (6%) and 1 (1%) received second and third allografts, respectively. Overall patient mortality (3 early and 2 late) was 6% (5/88), and overall graft loss was 6% (6/93). Median time from donor brain injury to declaration of brain death (brain injury interval), time from brain death to donor cardiectomy (brain death interval), and graft ischemia time were 38, 24, and 3.3 hours, respectively. Cox regression analysis (adjusting for United Network for Organ Sharing status, ventilator dependence, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ventricular-assist device status, diagnosis of congenital heart disease, sex and cytomegalovirus mismatches, and type of immunosuppression) demonstrated that recipients of donor hearts with relatively long periods from brain injury to death declaration or from death to organ removal had significantly improved rejection-free survival (hazard ratios 0.3, P = .01, and 0.5, P = .05, for brain injury and brain death times, respectively). Prolonged donor heart ischemia did not impact rejection rate. Increasing brain injury interval, brain death interval, and graft ischemia time had no significant effect on mortality. Conclusion Longer brain injury and death intervals correlated with improved freedom from rejection but had no effect on mortality.
Computational Identification of Plant MicroRNAs and Their Targets, Including a Stress-Induced miRNA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 21-nucleotide RNAs, some of which have been shown to play important gene-regulatory roles during plant development. We developed comparative genomic approaches to systematically identify both miRNAs and their targets that are conserved in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa). Twenty-three miRNA candidates, representing seven newly identified gene families, were experimentally validated in Arabidopsis, bringing the total number of reported miRNA genes to 92, representing 22 families. Nineteen newly identified target candidates were confirmed by detecting mRNA fragments diagnostic of miRNA-directed cleavage in plants. Overall, plant miRNAs have a strong propensity to target genes controlling development, particularly those of transcription factors and F-box proteins. However, plant miRNAs have conserved regulatory functions extending beyond development, in that they also target superoxide dismutases, laccases, and ATP sulfurylases. The expression of miR395, the sulfurylase-targeting miRNA, increases upon sulfate starvation, showing that miRNAs can be induced by environmental stress.
A biomechanical comparison of the Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) tibial nail with the standard hollow nail.

Objective: In developing countries, tibial shaft fractures are frequently stabilised using Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) nails. Despite widespread use throughout the world, little is known regarding their biomechanical properties. This study aimed to compare the mechanical stiffness of the SIGN tibial nail with a standard hollow tibial nail. Methods: A fracture gap model was created to simulate a comminuted mid-shaft tibia fracture (AO/ OTA42-C3) using synthetic composite bones. The constructs were stabilised with either a 9 mm solid SIGN nail or a 10 mm hollow Russell–Taylor nail. Both nail systems were interlocked proximally and distally. Following fixation, the specimens were loaded in axial, torsional, and cyclical axial modes to calculate construct stiffness and irreversible (plastic) deformation. Results: The mean axial stiffness for the SIGN nail constructs was 47% higher than mean stiffness for the RT nail constructs (p < 0.001). The difference in torsional stiffness was not statistically significant. However, the SIGN group demonstrated 159% more irreversible deformation than the Russell–Taylor group (p = 0.006) for the loading parameters studied. Conclusion: The SIGN tibial nail, despite its slightly smaller diameter, can provide similar construct stiffness and stability, when compared to a larger hollow nail for stabilisation of tibial shaft fractures.
Kinetics of Helix‐Coil Transitions for Large Perturbations According to the Zimm‐Bragg Model

We use our previously described expansion method to carry out systematic numerical calculations of the reduced mean relaxation time for large perturbations applied to cooperative helix coil transitions in linear macromolecules of infinite chain length. The kinetic process under consideration is described in terms of triplet concentrations and it may proceed from any initial to any final Zimm-Bragg equilibrium state for a number of representative values of the cooperativity parameter σ. A striking dependence of the reduced mean relaxation time upon perturbation size is observed particularly for kinetic processes starting at the extremes of the equilibrium transition curve. This dependence is discussed as a function of the cooperativity of the transition, initial and final equilibrium states and the direction of the applied perturbation. Irreversible processes have also been calculated. All kinetic curves are virtually exponential with the exception of very large perturbations approaching unity where sigmoidal behavior is observed. Unter Zuhilfenahme unserer fruher beschriebenen Expansionsmethode berichten wir hier uber systematische numerische Berechnungen der reduzierten mittleren Relaxationszeit fur grose Storungen von kooperativen Helix-Knauel-Ubergangen unendlich langer, linearer Makromolekule. Die kinetischen Prozesse, die von einem Anfangs- zu einem End-Zimm-Braggschen Gleichgewichtszustand verlaufen, werden mit Hilfe von Triplettkonzentrationen fur eine Reihe reprasentativer Werte des Kooperativititsparameters CT berechnet. Die reduzierte mittlere Relaxationszeit zeigt eine starke Abhangigkeit von der Grose der Storung hauptsachlich fur Reaktionen, die im Extremteil der Gleichgewichtskurve beginnen. Diese Abhangigkeit wird als Funktion der Kooperativitat des Ubergangs, des Anfangs- und Endzustands und der Richtung der Storung diskutiert. Irreversible Prozesse werden ebenfalls berechnet. Alle kinetischen Kurven sind nahezu exponentiell mit Ausnahme f¨r sehr grose Storungen, fur die sigmoide Kinetik beobachtet wird.
Approximate Model Identification via Set-Theoretic Estimation

The performance achievable with a model-based process control strategy increases with the fidelity of the model used, but so do the cost and complexity of these models. This trade-off has led Prater to propose the "principle of optimum sloppiness"--make the model only as detailed as necessary to minimize cost and complexity. But model accuracy is difficult to quantify a priori, especially for simplified models of complex processes. This paper considers the "parameter uncertainty intervals" described by Milanese and Belforte as a method of determining model uncertainty and develops a simple recursive algorithm for evaluating these parameter bounds. A numerical example is included to illustrate the utility of the method, and its application to the problem of approximate process modeling is discussed.
Performance Measures and Management Control in New Product Development

An exploratory study was conducted to examine management control issues in new product development (NPD). The study focused on three management control aspects that NPD managers considered important: (1) position of NPD in the firm's organizational structure; (2) NPD process; and (3) NPD performance measures. Primary data were collected from NPD managers via interviews, workshops, and a questionnaire. For each management‐control aspect studied, we examined current practice, recent changes, and how the control links to strategy. The NPD function reported fairly high in the organization. The need to integrate NPD and strategy encouraged higher reporting levels, and shifts in reporting from engineering to marketing. The need to integrate NPD and strategy also drove the addition of NPD/strategy steps into already well‐defined, phased NPD processes. However, NPD/strategy integration was not well reflected in performance measures. The firms studied used varied financial and nonfinancial performance measures, ye...
Assessing scrub buckwheat population viability in relation to fire using multiple modeling techniques

We used a variety of modeling approaches to assess the effects of fire on the demography and population viability of scrub buckwheat (Eriogonum longifoliumvar. gna- phalifolium), a threatened herb endemic to periodically burned xeric uplands in central Florida, USA. We compared the management implications of different approaches. Using demographic data from ten years including five fires, we constructed Lefkovitch matrix models of scrub buckwheat populations in unburned habitats for populations experiencing a burn and for populations one year after burning. Deterministic analysis of the unburned matrices predicted relatively stable populations in unburned habitats using optimistic fertility estimates ( l5 1.002, 95% CI 0.975-1.033), but almost certain decline given pessimistic fertility estimates ( l5 0.981, 0.962-1.003). Burned populations are always predicted to increase (CI on l. 1.08). Numerical calculations of single-year growth rates based on the expected stable stage distribution of an unburned population yielded positive, but lower, growth rates. The l's calculated for periodically burned populations had confidence intervals entirely above 1 for fire return intervals shorter than 20 yr (optimistic) or 5 yr (pessimistic). Stochastic simulations yielded highly uncertain estimates of the probability of quasi-extinction over 250 yr, with only fire return intervals shorter than 20 yr (optimistic) or 5 yr (pessimistic) yielding quasi- extinction confidence intervals entirely below 1. Population growth rates in partially burned areas increased linearly with the proportion burned. The results of these density-independent simulations remained virtually unchanged (maximum difference of 5.2%) by introducing plausible population ceilings. Regression and stasis transitions had the highest elasticities for unburned populations, while fecundity elasticities were relatively greater for burn years. Transient elasticity analysis on total population size of simulated single-year post-fire growth and on the population vector five years in the future showed broadly similar patterns to standard elasticities, although the standard analysis assigned higher elasticity values to tran- sitions contributing to future reproductive potential. Fire management is important to en- couraging viable populations. Our analysis suggests minimum fire return intervals of 20 yr (optimistic) or 5 yr (pessimistic). These fire return intervals are consistent with those often used in the sandhill and oak-hickory scrub habitats of scrub buckwheat.
Osteocalcin Effect on Human β-Cells Mass and Function

The osteoblast-specific hormone osteocalcin (OC) was found to regulate glucose metabolism, fat mass, and β-cell proliferation in mice. Here, we investigate the effect of decarboxylated OC (D-OC) on human β-cell function and mass in culture and in vivo using a Nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model. We found that D-OC at dose ranges from 1.0 to 15 ng/mL significantly augmented insulin content and enhanced human β-cell proliferation of cultured human islets. This was paralleled by increased expression of sulfonylurea receptor protein; a marker of β-cell differentiation and a component of the insulin-secretory apparatus. Moreover, in a Nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model, systemic administration of D-OC at 4.5-ng/h significantly augmented production of human insulin and C-peptide from the grafted human islets. Finally, histological staining of the human islet grafts showed that the improvement in the β-cell function was attributable to an increase in β-cell ...