cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing general urban socio-economic conditions with conventional air photography

Abstract Conventional black-and-white photos have long played a significant role in urban-area analysis. However, little has been done with regard to the photo-sociometric value of such imagery in describing economic and social values of urban life. The Albany (N.Y.) urban area is used to examine the potential of 1:24,000 black-and-white photography in assessing socio-economic housing conditions. Regression analyses are employed to determine the reliability of using housing density as a surrogate for housing quality in single-family dwelling units. Based on results from a sample of three hundred and nineteen blocks, a linear relationship was found to exist between housing density and the following four-socio-economic variables: average house value, average contract rent, median family income, and average number of rooms per unit.
Communication about the risks and benefits of phase I pediatric oncology trials.

Introduction Phase 1 pediatric oncology trials offer only a small chance of direct benefit and may have significant risks and an impact on quality of life. To date, research has not examined discussions of risks and benefits during informed consent conferences for phase 1 pediatric oncology trials. The objective of the current study was to examine clinician and family communication about risks, benefits, and quality of life during informed consent conferences for phase 1 pediatric oncology trials.
Plant-like biosynthetic pathways in bacteria: from benzoic acid to chalcone.

Although phenylpropanoids and flavonoids are common plant natural products, these major classes of biologically active secondary metabolites are largely absent from bacteria. The ubiquitous plant e...
Reach Out and Eat Food and Beverages Depicted in Books for Preschoolers

Objective. To examine food and beverage depictions in books for preschoolers. Methods. Books for preschoolers from Reach Out and Read (ROR; n = 42), public library (n = 27), and Publisher’s Weekly booklists (n = 31) were examined for nutritive and empty-calorie food and beverage depictions. Results. It was found that 66% of books depicted at least 1 food or beverage. More books depicted nutritive items than empty-calorie items (87.5% vs 54.7%, P < .001). There was a trend toward fewer empty-calorie depictions in ROR books than in other booklists. Yet nearly half of ROR books depicted at least 1 empty-calorie item. ROR books also accounted for 5 of 10 books with the most empty-calorie item depictions and 3 of 4 books with branding. With regard to messaging, approximately a third of books with the most empty-calorie depictions promoted unhealthy foods. Conclusions. When selecting books for ROR, it may be important to consider food and beverage depictions and messages.
TUNABLE MID-INFRARED SOURCES USING SECOND-ORDER NONLINEARITIES

Tunable mid-infrared sources can be created using crystals having second-order non-linearities and solid-state lasers operating in the near infrared. Such devices have already demonstrated large tuning ranges and high efficiency. Performance of these devices as well as their potential for higher output energies and narrow spectral bandwidth operation are analyzed in terms of nonlinear crystal properties and solid-state laser requirements.
Elevated serum lactate following hyperventilation during glucose infusion in panic disorder

Early investigators reported that patients with anxiety syndromes associated with panic attacks produced more lactate during exercise than control subjects. These studies suggested a metabolic difference between patients and controls. However, the possibility that patients were simply less fit than controls could not be excluded. In this study, serum lactate was measured in panic disorder patients in response to a metabolic challenge not involving exercise. Voluntary hyperventilation during iatrogenic hyperglycemia led to an increase in serum lactate. The increase in serum lactate was significantly greater in panic disorder patients than in controls. Hyperventilation provoked panic attacks in 4 of 8 patients and none in 6 controls. There was no evidence of a relationship between the increase in lactate or the associated decrease in phosphate and the level of anxiety produced by this procedure.
The created relationship: Transference, countertransference and the therapeutic culture

The concepts of transference and countertransference are examined in the light of current knowledge about the unconscious. These are redefined as action patterns which are not conscious because they have not become integrated into the individual's meaning system. It is proposed that the process of therapy consists in part in a mutually interactive construction of the client's “reality”. In order for this construction to take place another construction, that of the therapeutic culture must come first.
Environmental tritium systematics of baseflow in Piedmont Province watersheds, Georgia (USA)

Abstract Environmental tritium ( 3 H) variation during the 1991 water year was investigated in three Piedmont streams within the Upper Ocmulgee basin of Georgia. Baseflow tritium concentrations typically varied between 20 and 30 TU; approximately twice that of weighted annual rainfall for the past 2 decades. Statistical treatment of these data indicated that the mean residence time of groundwater which comprises Piedmont Province baseflow is approximately 15–35 years. Annual tritium trends were similar in the three basins which varied over three orders of magnitude with respect to watershed area. The observed trends were not, however, directly coupled with rainfall and baseflow discharge rates. Tritium concentrations were highest at the beginning of the water year (24–31 TU) and were diluted by 17–22% during the fall, coincident with only a minor amount of rainfall. Concentrations declined by only a few tritium units during the wettest portion of the year. The 200–300% increase in baseflow which occurred as the result of above-normal rainfall was comprised essentially of ‘old’ water. At no time during the year did baseflow tritium concentrations approach values representative of recent rainfall. These data indicate baseflow discharge should be regarded as a dynamic mixture rather than as a static reservoir of water. The annual variation is, however, systematic which has important implications for future hydrographic and geochemical studies within this region.
Primary structural comparison of the preprohormones cholecystokinin and gastrin

Abstract The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of rat preprocholecystokinin and porcine preprogastrin have been aligned and their secondary structures predicted. Both precursors are predicted to be largely in turn and helical configurations. The sequence homology and position of an intron which splits the preprohormones suggest their evolution from a common ancestral protein. Preprohormone structure Cholecystokinin Gastrin
Calcific Mitral Stenosis

The mitral valve annulus is a complex structure that is an integral part of the mitral valve apparatus. The annulus plays an active role in mitral valve leaflet coaptation and in left atrial and ventricular function. The annulus is susceptible to disease processes that are distinct from those that affect the mitral valve leaflets. Advanced annular calcification may extend onto the mitral valve leaflets, thereby causing increased diastolic gradients across the mitral valve. This review highlights risk factors for mitral annular calcification, features of calcific mitral stenosis, differentiation from rheumatic mitral valve disease, and the echocardiographic approach to this disorder.
Homocysteine and MTHFR Mutations Relation to Thrombosis and Coronary Artery Disease

Homocysteine is a chemical in the blood that is produced when an amino acid (a building block of protein) called methionine is broken down in the body. We all have some homocysteine in our blood. Elevated homocysteine levels (also called hyperhomocysteinemia) may cause irritation of the blood vessels. Elevated levels of homocysteine show an increased risk for (1) hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which could eventually result in a heart attack and/or stroke, and (2) blood clots in the veins, referred to as venous thrombosis. The purpose of this Cardiology Patient Page is to explain the relation between elevated homocysteine levels and blood clots in the arteries and veins; to discuss the causes of elevated homocysteine levels, including common genetic variants in the MTHFR gene (see the “What Do I Need to Know About a Hereditary Predisposition?” section); and to describe ways to monitor and lower homocysteine levels to possibly improve health. In 1962, it was reported that people with a rare genetic condition called homocystinuria were prone to develop severe cardiovascular disease in their teens and 20s. In this condition, a defective enzyme causes an accumulation of homocysteine in the blood, resulting in very high levels. Studies of children with homocystinuria led to the discovery that elevated homocysteine levels are a risk factor for developing atherosclerosis and blood clots in the arteries and veins. Although homocystinuria is a rare disease (affecting about 1 in 200 000 people), many more people have mildly or moderately elevated homocysteine levels. Some people have elevated homocysteine levels (Table 1) caused by a deficiency of B vitamins and folate in their diets. High homocysteine levels are also seen in people with kidney disease, low levels of thyroid hormones, psoriasis, and with certain medications (such as antiepileptic drugs and methotrexate).1 It has been recognized …
Apparent Absence of Immunological Cross-reactivity between Human and Simian Gonadotropic Hormones as determined by Radioimmunoassay

IT has been reported that crude monkey luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) preparations cross-react immunologically with an anti-serum to human FSH as measured by the haemagglutination inhibition technique1. Professor Carl Gemzell (personal communication) was also able to show, using the same technique, that a partially purified rhesus monkey pituitary LH preparation, supplied by us, reacted with an antiserum to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This information, together with the well established immunological and physiological similarities between human and simian growth hormone2, prompted us to attempt the development of radioimmunoassays for the measurement of circulating LH and FSH in the rhesus monkey using the more readily available human gonadotropins as antigens.
Complete annular and partial oblique pulley release for pediatric locked trigger thumb

To report the surgical treatment outcome of pediatric locked trigger thumb by sequential release of the annular pulley and partial release of the oblique pulley. A retrospective review was undertaken on 28 operative thumbs in 24 patients with an average follow-up of 79 months. Intraoperative observations focused on the pathology of the pulley system. Surgical technique involved complete release of the annular pulley, which alone was insufficient in relieving the deformity, along with release of the proximal 50% of the oblique pulley in all patients. Postoperative parameters of bowstringing, resolution of Notta's node, thumb interphalangeal motion, and patient/parent satisfaction were assessed. The oblique pulley appeared stenotic, whereas the annular pulley was observed to be membranous and nearly indistinguishable from the tendon sheath. No patients had recurrence of thumb locking or triggering. No bowstringing was detected, and Notta’s node resolved fully in 19 of 20 thumbs. Five thumbs had an average of 12o less active IP joint motion without flexion contracture (i.e., less flexion). All patients or families expressed overall satisfaction with the procedure. The annular pulley was attenuated in the majority of cases and the proximal half of the oblique pulley was stenotic in all patients. Releasing 50% of the oblique pulley after complete annular pulley release was necessary in all thumbs to achieve full FPL excursion. Mistaking the constricted proximal oblique pulley for an annular pulley may encourage releasing the entire oblique pulley, leading to an adverse result. Satisfactory outcome was achieved after surgical treatment of pediatric locked trigger thumbs. Therapeutic IV.
Congenital Cardiac Lesions Involving Systolic Flow Abnormalities Are Associated With Platelet Dysfunction in Children

Background Shear stress-induced platelet dysfunction (PD) is prevalent among adults with aortic stenosis. Our aim was to determine whether abnormal platelet function was associated with specific congenital cardiac lesions in children. Methods The charts of 407 children who had undergone cardiopulmonary bypass and had preoperative platelet function analysis were evaluated. Patients were assigned to 1 of 11 different lesion categories. Platelet dysfunction (PD) was defined as prolonged closure time (CT) as measured with a platelet function analyzer. Odds ratio (OR) estimates for prolonged CT were calculated for each lesion category. Mean CTs were compared with Tukey-Kramer separated means testing. Analysis of variance modeling was used to determine association between hematocrit value and CT. Results CT in patients with ventricular septal defects (VSD) and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) lesions was prolonged. OR analysis found that patients with VSDs (OR, 2.46) or RVOTO (OR, 2.88) had at least a 95% probability of an abnormal CT. In contrast, patients with atrial septal defect (ASD), bidirectional Glenn procedure (BDG), and pulmonary insufficiency (PI) had a reduced probability of a prolonged CT ( p p Conclusions PD was common in children with congenital cardiac lesions involving systolic flow abnormalities and was uncommon among children with lesions having diastolic abnormalities. Lower preoperative hematocrit values were associated with prolonged CTs, suggesting subclinical bleeding secondary to excessive platelet shearing.
Fenofibrate is effective in treating hypertriglyceridemia associated with HIV lipodystrophy.

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the effectiveness of fenofibrate in treating hypertriglyceridemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy–associated HIV lipodystrophy syndrome (HLS). Methods The authors recruited from their HIV metabolic clinic 55 adult patients with anthropomorphic changes consistent with HLS together with hypertriglyceridemia. The patients had no prior history of taking lipid-lowering medications and were free of liver and renal disease. They were on various highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens, and these regimens were not altered during the course of the study. Fenofibrate was started at 54 mg a day and the dose increased every 2 weeks to a maximum of 162 mg/day. Fasting lipid concentrations were measured at baseline and 6 months after the intervention. Results At baseline, the fasting plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were 259 ± 11, 886 ± 172, and 35.7 ± 2.3 (mean ± SEM) mg/dL, respectively. After 6 months of fenofibrate treatment, the fasting plasma concentrations were as follows: total cholesterol, 243 ± 13; triglycerides, 552 ± 104, and HDL cholesterol, 35.7 ± 1.8 mg/dL. The decrease in fasting plasma triglyceride concentration was statistically significant (P 0.05). Fenofibrate was well tolerated, and no subjects dropped out of the study. Conclusion Fenofibrate is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for hypertriglyceridemia associated with HLS.
Some moment properties of skew-symmetric circular distributions

Many popular circular distributions, including the most commonly used von Mises distribution, are typically symmetric around a modal direction. To enlarge this class, the authors recently discussed families of skew-symmetric distributions, applying this idea to the von Mises model as an important special case. This paper explores further properties of these skew-symmetric families and their moments.
Shock-induced inorganic reactions and condensed phase detonations

Existing hugoniot calculations of inorganic chemical reactions in powder mixtures are found to contain errors and ambiguities. Most of the problems were caused by improper identification of the thermodynamic reference state. The derivations have been revised using two different integration paths: i) constant volume, and ii) constant pressure. Sample calculations with a Ni-Al system show that the two schemes yield close results. The constant pressure scheme presents the possibility of self-sustained chemical reactions (detonations) occurring in condensed phase. An example of such a detonation in the Ni-Al system is numerically demonstrated with hydrocode calculations.
Electrodeposition of cesium at mercury electrodes in the tri-1-butylmethylammonium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide room-temperature ionic liquid

Abstract The electrochemistry of cesium was investigated at mercury electrodes in the tri-1-butylmethylammonium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide (Bu3MeN+Tf2N−) room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) by using cyclic staircase voltammetry, rotating disk electrode voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. The reduction of cesium ions at mercury exhibits quasireversible behavior with k0 = 9.8 × 10−5 cm s−1 and α = 0.36. The diffusion coefficient of Cs+ in this RTIL was 1.04 × 10−8 cm2 s−1 at 303 K. Bulk deposition/stripping experiments conducted at a rotating mercury film electrode gave an average recovery of 97% of the electrodeposited Cs. The density, absolute viscosity, and equivalent conductance of Bu3MeN+Tf2N− were measured over the range of temperatures from 298 to 353 K. A polynomial equation describing the temperature dependence of the density is presented. Both the viscosity and conductance exhibited the non-Arrhenius temperature dependence typical of glass-forming liquids. The ideal glass transition temperature and the activation energies for viscosity and conductance were obtained by fitting the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher (VTF) equation to the experimental data for these transport properties.
Wettability phenomena at the CO2-brine-mineral interface: implications for geologic carbon sequestration.

Geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) in deep saline aquifers results in chemical and transport processes that are impacted by the wettability characteristics of formation solid phases in contact with connate brines and injected CO2. Here, the contact angle (θ) at the CO2–brine–mineral interface is studied for several representative solids including quartz, microcline, calcite, kaolinite, phlogopite, and illite under a range of GCS conditions. All were found to be water wetting (θ < 30°) with subtle but important differences in contact angles observed between the surfaces. Temperature and pressure conditions affected the results but did not produce discernible trends common to all surfaces. Brine composition, in terms of pH and ionic strength, was a better predictor of interfacial behavior. For the nonclays, the wettability is impacted by the pH at the point of zero charge of the solid. For the clays, the response was more complex. Under nonequilibrium conditions, hysteretic effects were observed when CO2 w...
Management of Ureteral Stent Discomfort in Contemporary Urology Practice

Abstract Introduction Ureteral stents are used ubiquitously in routine urological practice, and despite their long-standing clinical use, stent associated urinary symptoms and pain continue to be of significant concern for patients. Therefore, we reviewed contemporary randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses investigating the alleviation of urinary stent symptoms. Methods A thorough search of randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses of pharmacotherapeutic means of alleviating urinary stent symptoms was conducted and reviewed. Efforts were made to evaluate the quality of studies based on methodology and tools used to assess symptoms. Results Our search resulted in 16 published reports that fit our criteria. Of these randomized controlled trials 13 involved oral agents while 3 studies evaluated intravesical therapies. Specific pharmacological classes that were assessed included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anesthetics, alpha-antagonists, anticholinergics and paralytics. The majority of randomized controlled trials evaluated the role of alpha-antagonists, which ultimately produced the most compelling evidence of a reduction in stent associated lower urinary tract symptoms and pain. The randomized controlled trials involving anticholinergic agents have produced inconsistent results. Conclusions Stent associated symptoms are a significant source of dissatisfaction for patients undergoing urological procedures. Numerous agents have been studied and uroselective alpha-antagonists have most consistently demonstrated a significant reduction in symptoms.
EVIDENCE FOR BIOLOGICAL ACTION OF THE ANTIESTROGENS LY117018 AND TAMOXIFEN BY DIFFERENT MECHANISMS

The influence of LY117018 and tamoxifen on established uterotropic influence of estradiol was examined in immature ovariectomized rats. When LY117018 was introduced on the fourth day of estradiol treatment, it regressed the uterotropic effect of estradiol. However, tamoxifen did not attenuate estradiol activity under these conditions. Injection of estradiol, commencing on the fourth day of LY117018 treatment, elicited no increase in uterine weight, while tamoxifen caused substantial uterotropic action in the presence of established, continuous LY117018 treatment. The uterotropic influence of tamoxifen also occurred when it was administered concomitantly with LY117018, and a similar result was observed following the injection of 4-hydroxytamoxifen with LY117018. These observations demonstrate that LY117018 can block or regress uterotropic effects of estradiol, but it cannot antagonize the action of tamoxifen or its hydroxylated metabolite. This suggests that these antiestrogens might act at separate sites or by different molecular mechanisms.
Characterization of the Hamamatsu R11780 12 in. photomultiplier tube

Future large water Cherenkov and scintillator detectors have been proposed for measurements of long baseline neutrino oscillations, proton decay, supernova and solar neutrinos. To ensure cost-effectiveness and optimize scientific reach, one of the critical requirements for such detectors are large-area, high performance photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). One candidate for such a device is the Hamamatsu R11780, a 12 in. PMT that is available in both standard and high quantum efficiency versions. Measurements of the single photoelectron response characteristics, relative efficiencies of the standard and high quantum efficiency versions, a preliminary measurement of the absolute quantum efficiency of the standard quantum efficiency version, and a two-dimensional scan of the relative efficiency across the photocathode surface are presented in this paper. All single photoelectron investigations were made using a Cherenkov light source at room temperature at a gain of 1×107. These results show that the R11780 PMT is an excellent candidate for such large optical detectors.
On the inadequacy of VaR-based risk management: VaR, CVaR, and nonlinear interactions

In the financial industry, risk has been traditionally managed by the imposition of value-at-risk or VaR constraints on portfolio risk exposure. Motivated by recent events in the financial industry, we examine the role that risk-seeking traders play in the accumulation of large and possibly infinite risk. We proceed to show that when traders employ a conditional value-at-risk CVaR metric, much can be said by studying the interaction between value-at-risk VaR a non-coherent risk measure and CVaR a coherent risk measure based on VaR. Resolving this question requires characterizing the optimal value of the associated stochastic, and possibly nonconvex, optimization problem, often a challenging problem. Our study makes two sets of contributions. First, under general asset distributions on a compact support, traders accumulate finite risk with magnitude of the order of the upper bound of this support. Second, when the supports are unbounded, under relatively mild assumptions, such traders can take on an unbounded amount of risk despite abiding by this VaR threshold. In short, VaR thresholds may be inadequate in guarding against financial ruin.
Optimal Bounds on Effective Elastic Tensors for Orthotropic Composites

We consider the totality of orthotropic composites made from two isotropic linearly elastic components in fixed proportion. The elastic properties of orthotropic composites are characterized by nine independent moduli. We provide bounds for six of these, namely the three Youngs moduli and three in-plane shear moduli. The bounds are optimal and correlate the six moduli.
Production of mitogenic factor(s) by ovine corpora lutea throughout the estrous cycle.

To evaluate secretion of mitogenic factors by ovine corpora lutea (CL) at several stages of development, luteal explants from days 5 (n = 12 ewes), 10 (n = 6 ewes), and 15 (n = 6 ewes) of the estrous cycle were incubated in serum-free medium for 24 h. Luteal-conditioned media (LCM) were evaluated for their ability to stimulate proliferation of endothelial, BALB/3T3, and ovarian granulosa cells. After mitogenic activity of LCM from individual animals was evaluated, pools of LCM from each day of the estrous cycle were subjected to anion-exchange, cation-exchange, and heparin-affinity chromatography to characterize mitogenic activity. Pools of LCM also were utilized for ultrafiltration, heat-treatment, trypsin-treatment, and immunoneutralization studies. Results demonstrated that ovine CL secrete mitogenic activity that stimulates (P less than 0.01) proliferation of endothelial (135.7 +/- 5.3% of control) and granulosa cells (188.9 +/- 2.9%) but not 3T3 (103.2 +/- 2.5%) cells. Differences between stages of l...
Practical random field discretization in stochastic finite element analysis

Abstract Stochastic finite element-based reliability analysis is applied to structures with distributed parameters that can be modeled as random fields. In this method, reliability is estimated through analytical computation of the sensitivity of stochastic response to the basic random variables. The random fields are discretized into sets of correlated random variables using two methods of discretization. The sensitivity measures are further used to selectively consider only a few of the distributed parameters as random fields, to ensure computational efficiency. The issue of choosing the appropriate mesh for the discretization of the random field is addressed through mesh refinement studies. With the help of three numerical examples, the paper examines the effects of the correlation characteristics of the random field on discretization and reliability analysis, and develops guidelines for efficient application of stochastic finite element analysis to structures with distributed parameters.
β-endorphin: Effects on respiratory regulation

Abstract Intracisternal injection of 14.5 nmoles of human β-endorphin in lightly anesthetized dogs resulted in marked respiratory depression, manifested by diminished responses of ventilation and airway occlusion pressure to carbon dioxide rebreathing. These responses were temporarily reversed by intravenous injection of naloxone and attenuated following a second β-endorphin injection. Results in this study suggest a possible physiological role for endogenous opioid peptides in the regulation of respiration.
The effects of resuscitation with a blood substitute on vasomotor physiology in a swine model of arterial hemorrhage

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine if a hemoglobin based oxygen carrier, HBOC-201, alters endothelial function and nitric oxide (NO) physiology following hemorrhagic shock. Methods: Swine (Sus scrofa) underwent catheterization of the aorta and the femoral, circumflex iliac, and pulmonary arteries. Control animals (n = 3) underwent instrumentation only. Study animals underwent hemorrhage to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 30 ± 5 mmHg; maintained for 45 minutes; resuscitated to baseline MAP and maintained for 4 hours. Resuscitation fluids included: Lactated Ringers (LR) (n = 8), Shed Blood (SB) (n = 8), Lactated Ringers, 40 cc/kg plus Shed Blood (LRSB) (n = 8), and HBOC (n = 8). At baseline, one, and four hours after resuscitation, acetylcholine (Ach) was infused through the circumflex iliac artery and vasorelaxation measured by M-mode ultrasound. NO levels were determined by chemiluminescent assay. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc analysis. Values listed are ± SEM, p values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: All animals survived the experiment. HBOC, SB, and LRSB provided equivalent resuscitation. Animals receiving HBOC required the lowest resuscitation volume (HBOC – 14.6 ± 2.13 cc/kg; SB – 41.5 ± 3.49 cc/kg; LRSB – 76.4 ± 1.10 cc/kg p < 0.01). For all groups, the mean baseline diameter of the external iliac artery was 0.52 ± 0.01 cm. Maximal vessel contraction occurred at the completion of shock (mean 0.27 ± 0.01 cm). Vessel diameter (0.48 ± 0.01 cm) and response to acetylcholine (100% recovery of baseline diameter) was restored to normal in the SB and LRSB groups at the end of resuscitation. The HBOC group had persistent vasoconstriction (0.35 ± 0.02 cm) and diminished Ach response (21% recovery at end resuscitation, p < 0.01). No levels did not differ between study groups (p = 0.69). Conclusion: HBOC may be an alternative resuscitation agent in patients with hemorrhagic shock. Resuscitation with HBOC requires less volume than blood or crystalloid. These data suggest HBOC-201 has a vasoconstrictive effect without nitric oxide scavenging.
Phonon Response in the Infrared Region to Thickness of Oxide Films Formed by Atomic Layer Deposition

Experimental transmission infrared spectra of γ-Al2O3 and ZnO films are collected from heat-treated thin oxide films deposited with uniform thickness on Si(100) using atomic layer deposition. We show that the Berreman thickness, i.e. the upper limit for a linear relationship between oxide film thickness and phonon absorbance in the infrared region in transmission configuration, is a concept that applies to both transverse and longitudinal optical phonons. We find that for aluminum oxide films the Berreman thickness is 125 nm, and we estimate that it is around approximately 435 nm for zinc oxide films. Combining experiment and simulation, we also show that the Berreman thickness is the maximum distance allowed between interfaces for Snell's law and Fresnel's formulas to determine the optical properties in the infrared region and in transmission configuration for a layer system including an oxide film. Below the Berreman thickness, a Taylor series expansion of the absorbance coefficient determines the linear relationship between phonon absorbance and oxide film thickness t, so that as t → 0 absorption Ap ∞ 4πωpht, where ωph indicates optical phonon frequency. Above the Berreman thickness, field boundary conditions at the air/oxide film interface effectively contribute with a single interface in explaining optical phonon absorbance. Preliminary infrared spectra in reflection configuration for γ-Al2O3/Si(100) are discussed, and the obtained data support the conclusions reported for the transmission configuration.
Multichannel video software solution for an asynchronous multiprocessor system

Multichannel video usecases put considerable resource demands on the processing system. Software designed for single channel when extended to multichannel often does not exploit the capabilities of the system fully and limits the number of channels that can be processed simultaneously. In this paper, we discuss the performance constraints observed in an asynchronous multiprocessor system when extending a single channel codec software solution to a multichannel usecase. This is followed by a discussion on building a multichannel codec solution using the existing single channel framework by exploiting bunch submission and parallelizing the operations of different processing cores to maximize the system resource utilization. Upto 30% channel density gains are observed when migrating from the single channel to multichannel solution.
Local-dephasing-induced entanglement sudden death in two-component finite-dimensional systems

Entanglement sudden death (ESD), the complete loss of entanglement in finite time, is demonstrated to occur in a class of bipartite states of qu-d-it pairs of any finite dimension d > 2, when prepared in so-called ‘isotropic states’ and subject to multi-local dephasing noise alone. This extends previous results for qubit pairs [T. Yu, J. H. Eberly, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 140403 (2006)] to all qu-d-it pairs with d > 2.
Alterations in responsiveness to ethanol and neurotrophic substances in fetal septohippocampal neurons following chronic prenatal ethanol exposure

Abstract Pregnant Long-Evans rats were maintained on three diets: a liquid diet in which ethanol accounted for 35–39% of the total calories, a similar diet with the isocaloric substitution of sucrose for ethanol, and a lab chow control diet. At gestation day 18, the fetuses were taken and cultures of septal and hippocampal neurons prepared. Neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth were compared in cultures from the three diet groups, using the following media supplements: ethanol (1.2, 1.8 or 2.4 g/dl), neurotrophic factors (nerve growth factor [NGF] with the septal cultures, basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] with the hippocampal cultures), or ethanol plus neurotrophic factors. Both the septal and hippocampal neurons responded to ethanol in a dose-dependent manner. The neurons from both populations from fetuses which had been exposed prenatally to ethanol, however, tolerated considerably higher ethanol concentrations before decreases in survival or outgrowth were seen. These ethanol-exposed neuronal populations were also less responsive to neurotrophic factors: in hippocampal cultures, process outgrowth was significantly enhanced by bFGF in control but not ethanol-derived cultures, and in septal and hippocampal cultures, the neurotrophic factors significantly ameliorated ethanol neurotoxicity in control cultures, but not in those from the ethanol-exposed fetuses. The possible relevance of these observations to the fetal alcohol syndrome is discussed.
THE GONAD-STIMULATING POTENCY OF THE PITUITARY OF HYPOTHYROID YOUNG MALE RATS

THE EFFECT OF THYROIDECTOMY on the histological picture of the pituitary in mammals has been noted by various investigators. All agree that the eosinophiles become degranulated and decrease in number and that there is increased vacuolation in the cells of the gland. There have been differences of interpretation concerning the significance of the vacuolation, especially of the basophiles. Whether this change in the histological picture of the pituitary signifies a change in the gonadstimulating potency has been a contested point. Evans and Simpson (1) and Van Dyke and Ch'En (2) have produced evidence indicating impairment of the ovarianstimulating function of the pituitary following thyroidectomy. On the other hand Smith and Engle (3) Van Horn (4) and Smelser (5) have reported little if any change in gonad-Stimulating properties due to the operation.
The quest for magnets based upon S = 1/2 bis(maleonitriledithiolato)nickelate(III), {Ni[S2C2(CN)2]2}−, and bis(maleonitriledithiolato)metallate(IV), {M[S2C2(CN)2]2}2− (M = Co, Cu)

Abstract The reaction of V0(CO)6 and in situ electrochemically generated Ni[S2C2(CN)2]2, Ni(mnt)2, forms V{Ni[S2C2(CN)2]2}2 [νCN at 2202 cm−1], which exhibits antiferromagnetic coupling (θ ∼ −400 K) and does not magnetically order above 5 K. The reaction of [MII(NCMe)6]2+ (M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) and S = 1/2 [M(mnt)2] 2− (M′ = Co, Cu) forms MII′[M(mnt)2] that exhibit antiferromagnetic coupling and do not magnetically order above 5 K.
Morphine preference of alcohol-avoiding and alcohol-preferring C57BL mice.

C57BL/Uae inbred mice are similar to C57BL/6J and C57BL/10J mice in displaying a high preference for morphine presented in a saccharin vehicle. C57BL/Uae mice are unique among investigated C57BL lines in not showing a high preference for alcohol. This pattern of differences among closely related inbred strains could be useful in investigating commonalities of alcohol and morphine effects.
Exact formulae for areas, volumes and moments of polygons and polyhedra

On etablit des formules exactes pour les aires, les volumes et les moments des polygones et des polyedres
Seminormed possibility integrals for application oriented modelling

Abstract Semiconormed possibility integrals are proposed as a family of models for decision making, which have some special properties due to the non-normalized possibility measures. The semiconormed possibility integrals are developed from the semiconormed fuzzy integrals and the non-normalized possibility measures. The non-normalized possibility measures, induced from the fuzzy sets, have the property that the measure of the universe canbe less than equal to one. When the universe consists of a set of information sources, the possibility measure of a subset of information sources is considered as the credivility of the subset sources. The non-normalization is due to the fact that an information source in application introduces certainty during data acquisition, therefore, an information source in reality usually is not fully credible. To improve the precision of modelling, the credibility values of each information source are learned form training data. In term of learning computation, a non-normalized possibility measure is much simpler to construct than a fuzzy measure. Finally, two applications of the semiconormed possibility integrals are presented.
Owner's Risks versus Control in Transit Projects

This paper studies the characteristics of different project delivery methods in public transit projects with respect to the owner’s project control and its share in project risks. The most appropriate project delivery method is selected early in the project life cycle based on a number of objectives and criteria set forth by the owner. The ability to manage risk effectively and owner’s control over the project are among the most important factors for selecting the delivery method. These two factors are highly interrelated. This paper discusses the interaction of risk and control in the context of the project delivery method. Results of several interviews with transit authorities are used to ensure the validity of findings. This paper shows that higher control over the project is achieved only if the owner is willing to accept more risks. In other words, there is no delivery method that allows the owner to enjoy high levels of control and minimum risk simultaneously.
Large-scale DNS data analysis

DNS data is increasingly used in security analysis, intrusion detection, and research. Even small DNS collection systems can generate enormous amounts of DNS traffic, requiring tera-scale storage. As a result, researchers looking at DNS traffic must often develop real-time, in-line analysis tools.
Closing the hermeneutic circle? Photographic encounters with the other.

Abstract While considerable attention has been devoted to representation of destinations and hosts, less mention has been given to the ways tourists replicate and reinforce media depictions. Guided by postcolonial theory, this study analyzes photographs taken by participants in a study abroad program to determine whether they reveal the completion of a hermeneutic circle embedded with colonialist discourse, whose other component consists of representations of racial and cultural Others in Western tourism-related media. Five binaries of depiction are identified: traditional/modern, subject/object, master/servant, center/periphery, and devious-lazy/moral-industrious. The analyzed photographs are argued to complete a circle of representation that is inscribed with sociocultural ideologies of Western power and dominance.
Operating Room: Relational Spaces and Microinstitutional Change in Surgery

One of the great paradoxes of institutional change is that even when top managers in organizations provide support for change in response to new regulation, the employees whom new programs are designed to benefit often do not use them. This 15‐month ethnographic study of two hospitals responding to new regulation demonstrates that using these programs may require subordinate employees to challenge middle managers with opposing interests. The article argues that relational spaces—areas of isolation, interaction, and inclusion that allow middle‐manager reformers and subordinate employees to develop a cross‐position collective for change—are critical to the change process. These findings have implications for research on institutional change and social movements.
A DUAL‐BEAM SOURCE OF ACTINIC LIGHT FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH

Dual beam white or nearly monochromatic light source providing programmed repetitive sample illumination with variable intensity, pulse duration and sequence for photosynthesis research
A Monte Carlo approach to biomedicai time series search

Time series subsequence matching (or signal searching) has importance in a variety of areas in health care informatics. These areas include case-based diagnosis and treatment as well as the discovery of trends and correlations between data. Much of the traditional research in signal searching has focused on high dimensional A-NN matching. However, the results of A-NN are often small and yield minimal information gain; especially with higher dimensional data. This paper proposes a randomized Monte Carlo sampling method to broaden search criteria such that the query results are an accurate sampling of the complete result set. The proposed method is shown both theoretically and empirically to improve information gain. The number of query results are increased by several orders of magnitude over approximate exact matching schemes and fall within a Gaussian distribution. The proposed method also shows excellent performance as the majority of overhead added by sampling can be mitigated through parallelization. Experiments are run on both simulated and real-world biomedicai datasets.
Visually presented verbal stimuli by assembly language on the apple II computer

A method for programming real-time experiments employing visually presented verbal stimuli is described for the Apple II computer. Applesoft BASIC is used to load the stimuli and write the data file, but assembly language controls all aspects of the experimental trials. The method is illustrated for a lexical decision experiment; however, it readily extends to semantic priming, recognition, sentence verification, and single- or multiple-line reading experiments. The method maximizes both precision and stimulus capacity. Many experiments employing visually presented ver­ bal stimuli require precise control of a succession of events and accurate measurement of reaction times. Continuous lexical decision (Rubenstein, Garfield, & Millikan, 1970) and semantic priming (e.g., Neely, 1977) are two salient examples. In continuous lexical decision, the onset of the target stimulus marks the beginning of a latency­ measurement period that is terminated by the subject's response. The response marks the beginning of an inter­ stimulus interval (lSI) after which the next stimulus is presented. In semantic priming, the prime stimulus is presented first. After its offset, a blank-screen interval occurs. Following this, the target stimulus is presented. The interval between prime onset and target onset, the stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA), must be precisely con­ trolled. The need for precision, however, is not limited to these paradigms. Experiments in sentence verification (Collins & Quillian, 1969) and reading (e.g., Glanzer, Dorfman, & Kaplan, 1981) require accurate measurement of reac­ tion times and strict control of experimental events. Fi­ nally, recognition memory experiments (e.g., Hockley, 1982) often require exact pacing. In recent years, many of these experiments have been run on microcomputers. The objective has been to obtain millisecond accuracy both in latency measurement and in the control of experimental events. Two programming methods have been used. With the first method, all aspects of the experimental trial are conducted in a high-level 1an­ guage such as BASIC. The high-level program is run un­ der interpretation or compiled into machine code which is executed directly. Under interpretation, the execution time for a given program line can be quite long and vari­ able (Dlhopolsky, 1983). When a program is compiled,
An Open University for the Midlands: Why and For Whom?.

Characteristics of potential students for a multi-media off-campus approach to college education were determined. Key questions focused on unique student characteristics and needs which would influence course development. Responses from 4,000 adults and high school students were screened to develop a pool of “likely” clientele. This group proved to be significantly different from an uninterested group, but quite heterogeneous in age, education, and interests. Results indicate that planners of a program modeled after England's Open University must attend to individual differences much greater than those encountered in typical on-campus settings.
Linguistics: Deep relationships between languages

Tracing a common ancestry between languages becomes harder as the connection goes further back in time. A new test has revealed a surprisingly ancient relationship between a central Siberian and a North American language family.
Heterogeneity of astrocytes in human optic nerve head

Previous studies demonstrated regional differences in the synthesis of extracellular matrix by astrocytes during optic nerve head (ONH) maturation and in glaucomatous optic neuropathy, suggesting heterogeneity of astrocytes. To characterize different types of glial cells in human fetal and adult ONH, we used a variety of neural cell markers such as HNK-1/N-CAM, A2B5, galactocerebroside (GalC), myelin basic protein (MBP), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Cryostat or paraffin sections were prepared from fetal (16-25 weeks) and mature (8 months to 75 years old) ONH and processed for standard single/double immunocytochemistry. Two subpopulations of type 7 astrocytes were present in the mature prelaminar and laminar regions. Glial cells expressing only GFAP were identified as type 1A astrocytes at the edges of the cribriform plates. Cells forming the glial columns and lining the cribriform plates expressed both GFAP and HNK-1/N-CAM and were identified as type 1B astrocytes. In the myelinated nerve, type 1A astrocytes form the glial limiting membrane. Cells labeled with GFAP and A2B5 were identified as type 2 astrocytes, and GFAP-negative cells labeled with GalC, MBP, and HNK-1/N-CAM were identified as oligodendrocytes. In fetal ONH, all glial cells expressed HNK-1/N-CAM. In older fetal ONH, some glial cells also expressed GFAP. No type 2 astrocytes or oligodendrocytes were present in the fetal ONH. In conclusion, at least two subpopulations of type 1 astrocytes exist in human ONH: Type 1A astrocytes may serve as structural support for axons; type 1B astrocytes, which retain the developmental neural marker HNK-1/N-CAM, may have a more complex function by interfacing between blood vessels and other connective tissue surfaces. These findings demonstrate the heterogeneity of astrocytes in the human ONH and suggest differential regional responses to changes in their microenvironment.
On the occurrence of okay i n therapy

Within the training setting, supervisors may tell their apprentice clini cians not to use the word okay too often during therapy. While analysing two videorecorded, individualized therapy lessons involving an ASHA-certified speech-language clinician, okay was frequently found in the speech of the therapist. It was discovered that okay served a variety of releasing and evaluative functions, within various levels of the discourse, which appeared to manifest role differences between the therapy lesson participants.