cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An adaptive delivery strategy for teaching software testing and maintenance

Today's classroom and learner cohorts are supported by new and innovative technology in an unprecedented manner. The pace of technological advancements however does present challenges to educators in keeping abreast of the state of the art while concurrently facilitating a learner-certered approach. Topics within software engineering are especially susceptible to this phenomena and demands a more individualized adaptive model to support significant learning. Although there is an abundance of sound theoretical models which may address the challenge, the literature is sparse as to contextualization, application or concrete operation. Within a blended classroom, we have implemented an adaptive approach to address the pace of technology advancements with consideration for the skillsets and declarative knowledge of the learner. In this paper we present our approach within a software testing and maintenance course and discuss the lessons learnt. We have based our approach on the scientific grounding of Vygotsky's zone of proximal development and discuss the necessary scaffolding, inherent challenges and present an evaluation based on pre/post testing.
Simultaneous heuristic search for conjunctive subgoals

We study the problem of building effective heuristics for achieving cunjunctive goals from heuristics for individual goals. We consider a straightforward method for building conjunctive heuristics that smoothly trades off between previous common methods. In addition to first explicitly formulating the problem of designing conjunctive heuristics. our major contribution is the discovery that this straightforward method substantially outperforms previously used methods across a wide range of domains. Based on a single positive real parameter k, our heuristic measure sums the individual heuristic values for the subgoal conjuncts, each raised to the k'th power. Varying k allows loose approximation and combination of the previous min, max. and sum approaches, while mitigating some of the weaknesses in those approaches. Our empirical work shows that for many benchmark planning domains there exist fixed parameter values that perform well-- we give evidence that these values can be found automatically by training. Our method, applied to top-level conjunctive goals, shows dramatic improvements over the heuristic used in the FF planner across a wide range of planning competition benchmarks. Also, our heuristic, without computing landmarks, consistently improves upon the success ratio of a recently published landmark-based planner FF-L.
Aldosterone Blockade in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

To the Editor: In Dr Bertram Pitt’s excellent editorial, “Aldosterone blockade in patients with acute myocardial infarction,”1 the first word in the next-to-last line of the left column on page 2525 should, I believe, read “hyperkalemia” rather than “hypokalemia.” In addition, in discussing the possible …
Layered design of CORBA audio/video streaming service in a distributed Java ORB middleware multimedia platform

The present work practices a previously published layered middleware design architecture that can integrate a rich set of Java APIs into the OMG CORBA audio/video streaming framework. In this design, JMF, CORBA audio/video streaming service, CORBA, and JRE are functioned as a programming language domain-specific middleware, a common middleware service, a distribution middleware, and a host infrastructure middleware layers, respectively. The current work utilizes the OMG audio/video stream binding mechanism in order to provide a standardized interoperability of streams between CORBA and JMF environments. Through a generalized mapping, CORBA objects could directly manipulate JMF classes. Although the current high level layered design work is only applicable to OMG compliant Java ORBs, this design concept could be extended into other language specific ORBs by utilizing other programming language domain specific service layers, i.e., other programming language APIs.
Testing evolutionary constraint hypotheses with early Paleozoic gastropods

The evolution of higher taxa among early Paleozoic gastropods is similar to that among early metazoans as a whole, as higher taxa diversified rapidly and early. There are two issues pertinent to this pattern. First, were greater morphologic changes concentrated in the early phases of evolution? Second, does the pattern better fit models of increasing phylogenetic constraints or increasing ecologic restrictions? This paper presents a phylogeny-based method designed to test whether amounts of morphologic evolution decreased over time. It also explores whether the data better fits models of increasing phylogenetic (i.e., developmental or genetic) constraint or increasing ecologic restriction. Two metrics of morphologic separation (i.e., the morphologic difference between sister-species) are used: (1) Euclidean distance in morphospace and (2) transition magnitude. The latter metric is calculated by a multivariate analysis of sister-species contrasts, which determines both types and magnitudes of morphologic transitions. The advantage of using transition magni- tudes is that it balances the effects of transitions that either affect more morphometric characters or occur more frequently. Both metrics indicate that larger morphologic separations between sister- species were concentrated early in gastropod evolution. Among gastropods, gross shell morphology often reflects basic trophic strategy and function whereas basic internal anatomy does not. Transition magnitudes can be broken down into transitions associated with differences in basic trophic strat- egies and shell functional biology ("external"), and those associated with differences in basic internal anatomy ("internal"). Internal transition magnitudes show a highly significant decrease over time (p < 10-04) whereas external transition magnitudes show a much less significant decrease over time (p < 0.10) and no significant decrease after the earliest Ordovician (p _ 0.50). The results therefore suggest that increasing phylogenetic constraints played a greater role in the early evolution of gastropods than did increasing ecologic ones.
Designing the user in user interfaces

In the good old days, the human was here, the computer there, and a good living was to be made by designing ways to interface between the two. Now we find ourselves unthinkingly pinching to zoom in on a picture in a paper magazine. User interfaces are changing instinctual human behavior and instinctual human behavior is changing user interfaces. We point or look left in the "virtual" world just as we point or look left in the physical.It is clear that nothing is clear anymore: the need for "interface" vanishes when the boundaries between the physical and the virtual disappear. We are at a watershed moment when to experience being human means to experience being machine. When there is not a user interface - it is just what you do. When instinct supplants mice and menus and the interface insinuates itself into the human psyche.We are redefining and creating what it means to be human in this new physical/virtual integrated reality - we are not just designing user interfaces, we are designing users.
The Cost of Good Intentions: Thermal Discomfort in Traditional Public Housing Units With Preset Thermostats

Cold and hot housing environments are known correlates of physical and psychological health conditions, decreased productivity, and issues with quality of life. The purpose of this study is to establish whether the use of preset thermostats creates disproportionate thermal discomfort (a housing unit feeling hot or cold) for people in older housing (n = 296). In-depth qualitative interviews (n = 25) elaborate on resident experiences. Implications for evaluation, practice, and policy are discussed.
Sensor Integration by Joint PDF Construction using the Exponential Family

We investigate the problem of sensor integration to combine all the available information in a multi-sensor setting from a statistical standpoint. Specifically, we propose a novel method of constructing the joint probability density function (pdf) of the measurements from all the sensors based on the exponential family and small signal assumption. The constructed pdf only requires knowledge of the joint pdf under a reference hypothesis and, hence, is useful in many practical cases. Examples and simulation results show that our method requires less information compared with existing methods but attains comparable detection/classification performance.
Reversing excess atmospheric CO2.

In their Perspective “Irreversible does not mean unavoidable” (26 April, p. [438][1], published online 28 March), H. D. Matthews and S. Solomon state that the effects of past anthropogenic CO2 emissions are “irreversible on a time scale of at least 1000 years.” Recent research suggests that
Interactions between Essential Nutrients with Platinum Group Metals in Submerged Aquatic and Emergent Plants

Increasing environmental concentrations of platinum group metals (PGMs), in particular platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh) and palladium (Pd), from catalytic converters has been reported worldwide. The impact of these three metals on the uptake and use of essential mineral nutrients was examined using two plant models: the submerged aquatic plant, Elodea canadensis, and the terrestrial emergent plant, Peltandra virginica. Plants were grown for 2 weeks in nutrient solutions with either Pt4+ at concentrations between 0.05 and 5 mg/L, or a 0.1 mg/L Pt4+, Rh3+, Pd2+ mixture. Some treatments received additional Ca2+, Zn2+, or humic acid (with varying pH) to study how these conditions affected PGM uptake. Metal concentration analyses were conducted using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS) or an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP). Growth response was assessed through total chlorophyll content. There was significant Pt accumulation in plant tissues, from 55 to 326 times the concentration in nutrient solution. At pH 8, the addition of humic acid doubled Pt accumulation in comparison to the control. Additional exogenous minerals did not significantly affect PGM uptake, nor did the uptake of PGMs interfere with the uptake of Ca, Fe or Cu. Synthesis of chlorophyll in new shoots was not affected by Pt accumulation; however, visible chlorosis was observed in older shoots at 5 ppm Pt. Roadside Daucus carota samples from four heavy traffic locations in Dutchess County (New York) were also assessed for PGM content. Pt, Pd and Rh concentrations averaged 14.6, 10.2, and 0.7 μg/g, respectively.
Running just to stand still

Sensory deprivation can result in impaired perception in most sensory modalities owing to experience-dependent changes in neural processing. Odor perception, however, appears to be relatively immune to periods of deprivation. Work in humans now suggests that this stability may be due to robust, reversible, compensatory plasticity in cortex.
A theory of electronic conduction through membranes, and of active transport of ions, based on redox transmembrane potentials☆

Abstract It is proposed that the Lund theory that transmembrane potentials are primarily oxidation-reduction potentials be reinterpreted in terms of modern theories of electron transport in organic compounds so as to include electron flow through the lipoid substances of the membrane. It is assumed that two oxidation-reduction enzyme systems on either side of cell membranes are connected by transmembrane lipoid substances with conjugated bonds, and that electrons are transported by resonance under electronic pressure from the reactions of these enzyme systems. On the assumption that this is the primary source of electromotive force, it is then possible to explain the apparent rapid transport of H ions as being brought about by proton charge transfer through small pores filled or lined with a continuous water lattice. The less rapid transport of chloride can then be explained as resulting from electrostatic forces and taking place through other pores of a given size most selective for chloride transfer but without a continuous water lattice. Similarly, if we assume pores of a size most selective for sodium and also without a continuous water lattice, we can explain the movement of both sodium and chloride in the same direction. Whether the movement is to the positive or negative side of the membrane will depend on how closely the pores fit those ions for which they are most selective. One advantage of this theory is that it does not postulate a 1 to 1 correlation between the number of ions transported and the number of electrons produced, but only enough electromotive force to overcome friction of the ions in the pores.
The Role of Slow-Wave Electroencephalographic Activity in Reading

Background. Although slow-wave EEG activity has traditionally been associated with either deep sleep or brain pathology, recent studies have revealed a relationship between this neuronal activity and cognitive functions. The present study explored the slow-wave EEG amplitude differences between resting and reading states in a group of 19 non-clinical young adults. Methods. EEG was recorded during an eyes-open resting baseline, and three different reading tasks selectively engaging the visual, phonetic, and semantic reading modalities. Frequency spectra between 1 and 8 Hz were analyzed in two frequency bands, 1-4 Hz (delta) and 4-8 Hz (theta). Results. Multiple t-test analyses comparing the three reading tasks with the baseline showed significant amplitude increases during reading mostly in the 1-4 Hz and some in the 4-8 Hz band. These changes were topographically different among the three reading tasks. During visual reading, amplitude increased at C3, C4, T3, T4, and T5 for the 1-4 Hz band, and at T5 and T6 for the 4-8 Hz band. During phonetic reading, amplitude increased at T3, T4, F3 and F7 for the 1-4 Hz band, and at T5 and FP1 for the 4-8 Hz band. During semantic reading, amplitude increased at T3, T4, C3, C4, F3, F7, F8, CZ and FZ for the 1-4 Hz band and at T5 for the 4-8 Hz band. Conclusions. Amplitude increases in slow-wave EEG are part of the normal reading process and it appears at scalp electrodes close to cortical areas expected to be involved according to different reading modalities. Implications for neurofeedback involve tentative models for cognitive processes.
Aircraft Engine Performance Study Using Flight Data Recorder Archives

Aircraft emissions are a significant source of pollution and are closely related to engine fuel burn. The onboard Flight Data Recorder (FDR) is an accurate source of information as it logs operational aircraft data in situ. The main objective of this paper is the visualization and exploration of data from the FDR. The Airbus A330 223 is used to study the variation of normalized engine performance parameters with the altitude profile in all the phases of flight. A turbofan performance analysis model is employed to calculate the theoretical thrust and it is shown to be a good qualitative match to the FDR reported thrust. The operational thrust settings and the times in mode are found to differ significantly from the ICAO standard values in the LTO cycle. This difference can lead to errors in the calculation of aircraft emission inventories. This paper is the first step towards the accurate estimation of engine performance and emissions for different aircraft and engine types, given the trajectory of an aircraft.
Automated Fixture Design for Concurrent Manufacturing Planning

This paper describes an approach to automated fixture design that will enable fixture design to take place concurrently with process planning. Data needs, reasoning models, and functional requireme...
GNE mutations in an American family with quadriceps-sparing IBM and lack of mutations in s-IBM

Analysis for GNE mutations was performed in an American, non-Iranian Jewish, family with quadriceps-sparing inclusion body myopathy (QS-IBM) and in 11 patients with sporadic IBM (s-IBM). Two novel nonallosteric site missense mutations were found in the QS-IBM kinship. No mutations were identified in s-IBM patients. After 8 years of follow-up and severe disease progression, the quadriceps muscle in the QS-IBM patient remains strong despite subclinical involvement documented with repeat MRI and muscle biopsy.
Nonlinear optical pulse propagation in a semiconductor medium in the transient regime. I. Temporal and spectral effects

The propagation of optical pulses in a semiconductor medium is modeled in the limit where the optical pulse width is assumed to be shorter than the interband recombination time of the semiconductor. Intense pulses cause saturation of the optical transitions, leading to transient changes in absorption and refractive index of the semiconductor. The changes in absorption and refractive index lead to distortions in the spectra of the pulses. >
Geometric Constraints In Stereo Vision

The correspondence problem, matching the same feature in two views, is a central problem of stereo vision. We examine geometric constraints on stereo correspondence and describe progress toward formulation from first principles of an evaluation function for selection of the best among alternative correspondences. Within a surface interpretation, conditions on correspondence of edges and surface intervals are shown. These conditions are useful with wide angle stereo and provide particularly tight constraints for narrow angle stereo. We invoke the general assumption that edge and surface orientations are not related to observer position. We are combining these general constraints with ongoing work in scene modeling of known regularities which include distributions with respect to the gravity vector (horizontal and vertical edges and surfaces), parallelism and alignment with local coordinate systems, and orthogonal corners. We will use them to calculate a likelihood measure for correspondences.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An analysis of information science programs

Preliminary analysis of information science curricula and courses of 57 institutions of higher education, emphasizing discussion of their structure and areas of concentration is reported. The objective of the study is to identify, by computer indexing and factor analysis programs, the basic concepts present in existing programs and the trends in their structure. Final results of this study will be published as a sequel to this paper.
Electron-Transfer Photochemistry of cis - and trans -1,2-Diphenylcyclopropane with Singlet Acceptors: Recombination of Radical Ion Pairs of Singlet and Triplet Multiplicity

Radical ion pairs generated by photoinduced electron transfer from cis- and trans-1,2-diphenylcyclopropane to various singlet or triplet acceptors may undergo back electron transfer in pairs of singlet as well as triplet multiplicity. The pair energy relative to the reactant ground states and an accessible triplet state, respectively, determines whether this process is competitive. For the cis isomer, cis-1•+, an additional reaction, o,o‘ coupling, generating 9-methylanthracene, 4, competes with singlet and triplet back electron transfer. This reaction is not accessible in the chloranil reaction for energetic reasons or from the trans isomer on steric grounds.
Dynamic life cycle assessment: framework and application to an institutional building

This paper uses a dynamic life cycle assessment (DLCA) approach and illustrates the potential importance of the method using a simplified case study of an institutional building. Previous life cycle assessment (LCA) studies have consistently found that energy consumption in the use phase of a building is dominant in most environmental impact categories. Due to the long life span of buildings and potential for changes in usage patterns over time, a shift toward DLCA has been suggested. We define DLCA as an approach to LCA which explicitly incorporates dynamic process modeling in the context of temporal and spatial variations in the surrounding industrial and environmental systems. A simplified mathematical model is used to incorporate dynamic information from the case study building, temporally explicit sources of life cycle inventory data and temporally explicit life cycle impact assessment characterization factors, where available. The DLCA model was evaluated for the historical and projected future environmental impacts of an existing institutional building, with additional scenario development for sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of future impacts. Results showed that overall life cycle impacts varied greatly in some categories when compared to static LCA results, generated from the temporal perspective of either the building's initial construction or its recent renovation. From the initial construction perspective, impacts in categories related to criteria air pollutants were reduced by more than 50 % when compared to a static LCA, even though nonrenewable energy use increased by 15 %. Pollution controls were a major reason for these reductions. In the future scenario analysis, the baseline DLCA scenario showed a decrease in all impact categories compared with the static LCA. The outer bounds of the sensitivity analysis varied from slightly higher to strongly lower than the static results, indicating the general robustness of the decline across the scenarios. These findings support the use of dynamic modeling in life cycle assessment to increase the relevance of results. In some cases, decision making related to building design and operations may be affected by considering the interaction of temporally explicit information in multiple steps of the LCA. The DLCA results suggest that in some cases, changes during a building's lifetime can influence the LCA results to a greater degree than the material and construction phases. Adapting LCA to a more dynamic approach may increase the usefulness of the method in assessing the performance of buildings and other complex systems in the built environment.
Anti-C3d antiglobulin reagents. II. Preparation of an antiglobulin serum monospecific for C3d.

Three approaches are described to the preparation of a potent antiglobulin reagent monospecific for the C3d component of C3: 1) attempts to absorb out the anti-C3c component of a bisperific anti-C3c, C3d serum, 2) attempts to isolate by affinity chromatography purified C3d to be used for animal immunization, 3) animal immunization with a relatively crude filtration fraction of aged serum which contained C3d but lacked C3c. Problems encountered with the first two approaches are described and discussed. Preparation of a potent anti-C3d serum by the third approach is documented, as are methods employed to assess the specificity and potency of the reagent.
Laser induced implosion and thermonuclear burn

In high density laser induced fusion, the key idea is laser implosion of hydrogen isotope microspheres to approximately 10,000 times liquid density in order to initiate efficient thermonuclear burningl. Fusion yields 50–100 times larger than the laser energy for laser energies of 105–106 joules have been achieved in sophisticated computer simulation calculations. Most of the dense pellet is isentropically compressed to a high density Fermi-degenerate state, while thermonuclear burn is initiated in the central region. A thermonuclear burn front propagates radially outward from the central region heating and igniting the dense fuel.
Assessment for Eligibility Under IDEIA and the 2006 Regulations

In this article, the authors briefly examine the legal requirements for assessing students' eligibility for special education services. They then analyze the major changes regarding assessment for ...
Egg hatching inhibition: field evidence for population regulation in a treehole mosquito

. 1. We investigated the influence of larval density on egg hatching in the treehole mosquito, Aedes triseriatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) by submerging laboratory-produced egg batches in natural habitats stocked with fixed densities of larvae. 2. We found a significant decrease in hatching rate as larval density increased. The results suggest that inhibited eggs refrain from hatching into environments in which competitive effects of large larvae are potentially severe, and in which cannibalism may occur. 3. The amount of time the egg batches were exposed to experimental conditions (between 2 and 16 days) had no significant influence on hatch rate.
Biosynthesis of δ-aminolevulinic acid from glutamate by Sulfolobus solfataricus

The extremely thermophilic, obligately aerobic bacterium Sulfolobus solfataricus forms the tetrapyrrole precursor, δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), from glutamate by the tRNA-dependent five-carbon pathway. This pathway has been previously shown to occur in plants, algae, and most prokaryotes with the exception of the α-group of proteobacteria (purple bacteria). An alternative mode of ALA formation by condensation of glycine and succinyl-CoA occurs in animals, yeasts, fungi, and the α-proteobacteria. Sulfolobus and several other thermophilic, sulfur-dependent bacteria, have been variously placed within a subgroup of archaea (archaebacteria) named crenarchaeotes, or have been proposed to comprise a distinct prokaryotic group designated eocytes. On the basis of ribosomal structure and certain other criteria, eocytes have been proposed as predecessors of the nuclear-cytoplasmic descent line of eukaryotes. Because aplastidic eukaryotes differ from most prokaryotes in their mode of ALA formation, and in view of the proposed affiliation of eocytes to eukaryotes, it was of interest to determine how eocytes form ALA. Sulfolobus extracts were able to incorporate label from [1-14C]glutamate, but not from [2-14C]glycine, into ALA. Glutamate incorporation was abolished by preincubation of the extract with RNase. Sulfolobus extracts contained glutamate-1-semialdehyde aminotransferase activity, which is indicative of the five-carbon pathway. Growth of Sulfolobus was inhibited by gabaculine, a mechanism-based inhibitor of glutamate-1-semialdehyde aminotransferase, an enzyme of the five-carbon ALA biosynthetic pathway. These results indicate that Sulfolobus uses the five-carbon pathway for ALA formation.
Cis-acting elements involved in the regulated expression of a human hsp70 gene

Expression of reporter genes under the control of upstream sequences of a human hsp70 gene was examined in microinjected Xenopus oocytes, transfected monkey COS and human HeLa cells. The genes were strictly heat-regulated in all three cell systems. A 69 nucleotide long segment of hsp70 5′ non-transcribed sequence that included at least one functional heat shock regulation sequence was sufficient for heat-controlled expression in Xenopus and monkey cells but not in human HeLa cells. An additional segment of about 200 nucleotides in length was required for optimal activity. This segment contains two heat shock regulation elements, each of which appears to contribute to the overall activity in heat-treated human cells. Upstream non-transcribed sequences of the human hsp70 gene are capable of conferring heat regulation on a heterologous promoter. The potential roles in transcription regulation of a bending center in the TATA box region, a CCAAT-like sequence and some of many potential Sp1 binding sites in the hsp70 5′ non-transcribed region were investigated.
Skewed Sex Ratios and Criminal Victimization in India

Although substantial research has explored the causes of India’s excessively masculine population sex ratio, few studies have examined the consequences of this surplus of males. We merge individual-level data from the 2004–2005 India Human Development Survey with data from the 2001 India population census to examine the association between the district-level male-to-female sex ratio at ages 15 to 39 and self-reports of victimization by theft, breaking and entering, and assault. Multilevel logistic regression analyses reveal positive and statistically significant albeit substantively modest effects of the district-level sex ratio on all three victimization risks. We also find that higher male-to-female sex ratios are associated with the perception that young unmarried women in the local community are frequently harassed. Household-level indicators of family structure, socioeconomic status, and caste, as well as areal indicators of women’s empowerment and collective efficacy, also emerge as significant predictors of self-reported criminal victimization and the perceived harassment of young women. The implications of these findings for India’s growing sex ratio imbalance are discussed.
Increased sensitivity to killing by restriction enzymes in the XR-1 DNA double-strand break repair-deficient mutant

Abstract Repair or misrepair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is critical in determining cellular survival after γ-irradation. In this report, wer focus on the cellular and biochemical consequences of restriction enzyme induced DSBs in wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHP) cells and the DNA DSB repair-defective mutant XR-1. We find that XR-1 possess reduced cellular survival after the induction of restriction enzymes that produce either cohesive or blunt ends. XT-1's sensitivity to killing by restriction enzymes strongly mimics to its response to γ-rays. Using pulsed field electrophoresis, we find that for each enzyme, similar numbers of DNA DSBs are being intorduced in both cell lines. The simplest explanation for the increased sensitivity to restriction enzymes in the mutant is that the biochemical defect in XR-1 is not confined to the repair of ionizing radiation induced ends, but extends to DSBs that possess ligatable 3′-hydroxyl and 5′-phosphate ends as well.
Antemortem diagnosis and short-term survival of a patient with Wilson's disease presenting as fulminant hepatic failure

When Wilson's disease presents as fulminant hepatic failure, it may be extremely difficult to differentiate from other causes of hepatic insufficiency. A recently described diagnostic biochemical profile (elevated serum and urine copper levels, mild transaminase elevation, very high bilirubin levels, and low hemoglobin with intravascular hemolysis) was employed to diagnose this form of Wilson's disease prior to death in a young woman without Kayer-Fleischer rings and with a normal serum ceruloplasmin level. Since hepatic transplantation now offers a possible cure for this previously uniformly fatal form of Wilson's disease, it should be considered the treatment of choice for this disease entity. Combined with the availability of hepatic transplantation, this patient's temporary improvement and unusually long survival of four months further emphasizes the importance of this diagnostic profile in recognizing Wilson's disease quickly and accurately when it presents as fulminant hepatic failure.
HAGR: Hole Aware Greedy Routing for Geometric Ad Hoc Networks

In geometric ad hoc networks, mobile nodes' locations facilitate greedy routing algorithms to discover the optimal or shortest paths. When void zones (holes) present, greedy routing algorithms could fail due to the local minimum problem. To solve this problem, existing geographic routing algorithms use face routing strategies based on the planarization of the underlying network topology. We notice that during the planarization process, some single-hop links are removed from the network, which implies that some packets have to be delivered around faces even if a single-hop link is available. To solve this problem, we present Hole Aware Greedy Routing (HAGR), a novel routing protocol for geometric ad hoc networks in this paper. First, we define the concept of hole and formulate the problem resulting from the planarization process. Next, we propose the hole detection algorithm and hole advertisement algorithm. Then, we propose the greedy routing algorithm which uses the hole information. Finally, by analysis, we conclude that the HAGR protocol can increase the greedy algorithm's efficiency without high overhead and complexity.
Inhibition of Mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger Prevents Stress-Induced Arrhythmia in the Isolated Guinea Pig Failing Heart

The rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patient with heart failure (HF) is about 9 times higher than that in the general population; however, the mechanisms of HF-associated SCD are poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that stress (isoproterenol chanllenge) induced a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in association with delayed afterdepolarizations (DAD) in isolated failing cardiomyocytes, and inhibition of mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (mNCE) prevented ROS production and DAD. Here, we tested the hypothesis that isoproterenol challenge induces arrhythmias in the failing heart and that the mNCE inhibitor, CGP-37157 (CGP), has anti-arrhythmic effect. The guinea pig HF model, ACi, was produced with aorta constriction combined with daily isoproterenol injection for 4 weeks. Perfused shami (sham with daily isoproterenol injection), ACi, and ACi+CGP hearts were subjected to the following electrocardiographic recording protocol: 10-minute baseline, 15-minute with 10 μM isoproterenol, and 20-minute after washout of isoproterenol (post-iso). In ACi+CGP group, 1 μM CGP was added to the buffer at the beginning of baseline recording. Arrhythmias were evaluated with heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Isolated ACi hearts did not show significant arrhythmia at baseline. Surprisingly, isoproterenol challenge did not induce overt arrhythmias during the period of maximum LVPD in either group. However, HRV was dramatically increased during post-iso state in ACi heart. SDNN (standard deviation of the normal beat RR interval), RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences in RR), and non-linear parameters, SD1 and SD2 during post-iso was 42.08±8.51, 65.60±15.60, 46.418±11.048, and 36.542±6.167 in ACi, respectively, whereas they were 3.85±1.39, 0.88±0.29, 0.626±0.207, 5.394±1.968 in shami, respecitively, p≤0.05. CGP-37157 treatment prevented HRV increase in ACi heart during post-iso. Our results suggest that mNCE is an important therapeutic target for HF-associated ventricular arrhythmia and SCD.
Hormone-like herbicides in weed control

The hormone-like herbicides such as 2, 4-D, 2,4,5-T, dicamba, and picloram provide essential tools for modern farming for control of undesirable vegetation on grazing land, in crop, and non-crop lands. When used as recommended, these herbicides pose little or no hazard to the natural environment or man. They are used to improve the quality of the environment. Physiologically, these hormone-like compounds (in minute amounts) behave and promote responses similar to naturally occurring plant auxins. In excess (but small amounts) they are effective in altering metabolic processes in many plants to produce herbicidal action. Most grass crops are tolerant to these herbicides, but some precautions are necessary when these herbicides are used adjacent to sensitive crops. Picloram is probably most phytotoxic to crops, such as tobacco, beans, and potatoes, and may persist for one year or less in the environment. However, the continuing presence of picloram in the soil makes it effective for perennial weed control. Disappearance of 2,4-D from the environment is rapid. Degradation of 2,4,5-T and dicamba is slower but is similar to 2,4-D.
Investigating electromagnetic susceptibility of cables and electronics enclosed within a complex platform

Summary form only given. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)/electromagnetic interference (EMI) of external energy pulse and its impact on a multi-scale and complex system. The system includes electrically large metallic platform, as well as electrically small cable-interconnected antennas and shielding enclosures. In addition, multiple antennas are mounted on the platform for wireless communication.
There is modest evidence that systemic acyclovir or valacyclovir prevents recurrent herpes labialis.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Effectiveness of antiviral agents for the prevention of recurrent herpes labialis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rahimi H, Mara T, Costella J, Speechley M, Bohay R. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012 May;113(5):618-27. Reviewer Sung-Kiang Chuang, DMD, MD, DMSc Purpose/Question To investigate the effectiveness of antiviral agents in the prevention of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Systematic review with meta-analysis of data Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade B: Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence
A broadband compound waveguide lens

A broadband compound waveguide lens which is the analog of the optical achromatic doublet is described and analyzed for its phase error characteristics. The bandwidth over which the aperture phase error remains less than \pi/4 is shown to vary from 40 to 20 percent for lens diameters varying from 20 to 100 wavelengths. This is an order of magnitude greater than the bandwidth heretofore obtainable with conventional waveguide lenses.
Behavioral and neurochemical effect of daily injection with neurotensin into the ventral tegmental area.

Many lines of evidence indicate an excitatory role by neurotensin (NT) on mesolimbic dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In support of this postulate, NT microinjection into the VTA of rats produces a dopamine-dependent increase in spontaneous motor activity that is associated with an increase in dopamine metabolism in the nucleus accumbens. In this study it was found that after daily intra-VTA injection with NT, both the motor hyperactivity and increase in dopamine metabolism were significantly enhanced. Further, the increased motor response to NT was present after 7 days without daily administration. While the augmented motor response could be produced with the car☐y-terminal fragment NT8−13, the NH2-terminal fragment, NT1−8, was ineffective. The enhancement of motor activity was only produced by NT injection into the A10 dopamine region and not adjacent nuclei. These results suggest that daily administration with NT into the VTA will potentiate the responsiveness of mesolimbic dopamine neurons to subsequent injection with NT.
An Ultrasonic Standing-Wave-Actuated Nano- Positioning Walking Robot: Piezoelectric-Metal Composite Beam Modeling

This paper proposes a design for a precision positioning miniature walking robot using piezoelectric unimorph actuators. The theoretical working equations of a uniform piezoelectric unimorph beam are derived based on the linear piezoelectric relations, Hamilton’s principle, and Euler-Bernoulli beam equation. Themodal superposition method is used to determine the response of the forced transverse vibration of the beam under the effect of electrical signal inputs to the patterned piezoelectric element. Two standing waves corresponding to the third and fourth bending vibration modes are utilized to achieve the bi-directional walking mechanism for a miniature positioning robot. Design strategies and the fabrication method for the proposed walking robot are introduced. Preliminary performance tests of the robot prototype are carried out successfully, and the robot achieves speeds of 5.86 cm/sec and 3.37 cm/sec in forward and backward motion, respectively.
Properties of two urate oxidases modified by the covalent attachment of poly(ethylene glycol)

Poly(ethylene glycol) of 5 000 daltons has been attached covalently to preparations of urate oxidase (urate: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.7.3.3) from hog liver and Candida utilis. Attachment of sufficient poly(ethylene glycol) to either urate oxidase renders the enzyme incapable of eliciting antibody production in mice, or of reacting with antibodies to the unmodified enzyme. The poly(ethylene glycol) : urate oxidase conjugates exhibit higher Km and lower V values than the unmodified urate oxidases. Optimal pH values are increased for the poly(ethylene glycol) : urate oxidases, and optimal temperatures are decreased. The blood circulating lives of the modified urate oxidases following intravenous injection are much longer than those of the unmodified urate oxidases: repetitive injections over a period of 90 days dd not alter the blood circulating lives of the poly(ethylene glycol) : urate oxidases. The unmodified enzymes, on the other hand, were cleared from the blood with extreme rapidity after a few intravenous injections.
Eigenanalysis of recent United States sea levels

Abstract Spatial and temporal patterns of recent sea-level rise along the United States coastline have been examined to ascertain rates of rise, and possible causes for high-frequency fluctuations in sea level. Eigenanalysis identified several distinct coastal compartments within each of which sea-level behavior is consistent. The United States east coast has three of these compartments: one north of Cape Cod, where sea-level rise increases with distance to the north; one between Cape Cod and Cape Hatteras where sea-level rise increases to the south; and the third from Cape Hatteras south to Pensacola, where sea-level rise decreases to the south. The western gulf coast represents another compartment (poorly sampled in this study), where subsidence is partly due to compaction. The final compartment is along the United States west coast, where poor spatial sampling produces a highly spatially variable sea-level record that has some temporal uniformity. Spectral analysis shows a dominant time scale of six years for sea-level variability, with different coastal compartments responding relatively in or out of phase. No evidence for increased rates of sea-level rise over the past 10 years was found. This objective statistical technique is a valuable tool for identifying spatial and temporal sea-level trends in the United States. It may later prove useful for identifying elusive world-wide trends of sea level, related to glacial melting, glacial rebound, tectonism, and volcanic activity.
Cefoperazone versus cefamandole in the treatment of acute bacterial lower respiratory tract infections

In a randomized comparative study, 113 patients were treated with cefoperazone or cefamandole for acute bacterial lower respiratory tract infections. Most patients had Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae infections, although five patients in the cefoperazone group had infections caused by other Gram-negative bacilli (two with Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The clinical responses and adverse effects were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Satisfactory clinical responses occurred in 36/39 (92%) of evaluable patients in the cefoperazone group and 33/34 (97%) of evaluable patients treated with cefamandole. Two failures in the cefoperazone group were secondary to superinfection (Acinetobacter and Ps. aeruginosa). Bacteriological and symptomatic failure occurred in one patient with Ps. aeruginosa lung abscess treated with cefoperazone and in one patient with a polymicrobial empyema treated with cefamandole. The results of this study indicate that cefoperazone is safe and effective in the therapy of acute bacterial lower respiratory tract infections.
Blood lymphocytes of autoimmune disease patients receiving FK506 exhibit normal ex vivo cytokine gene expression and proliferative responses

It is well recognized that FK506 (Tacrolimus) is a powerful inhibitor of CD4+ T-cell activation and proliferation in vitro. In this study, immunophenotypic and functional analyses were performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a total of 30 patients with various autoimmune disorders before and whilst the patients were receiving systemic FK506 therapy. The expression of cell surface IL-2R alpha and -beta on CD4+ and CD8+ cells, cytokine message (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10) and the proliferative activity of lymphocytes in response to rIL-2 were examined. Despite plasma levels of FK506 compatible with the blockade of IL-2 production by stimulated T cells in vitro, cells from patients on FK506 treatment cultured ex vivo with either ConA or IL-2 did not differ from normal cells in their expression of cytokine mRNA or their proliferative responses. These data indicate that the presumed in vivo suppression of T-cell function by FK506 is rapidly reversible ex vivo. Alternatively/additionally, they suggest that FK506 may mediate its in vivo action primarily by mechanisms other than blockade of T-cell function.
Reverse Auctions: Controversial Bidding Practice

Although reverse auctions have been utilized in the procurement of goods for many years, the availability and widespread use of the Internet has recently lead to a dramatic increase in its employment. Reverse auctions have recently found their way to a new market: procurement of construction services. As business and commerce have moved toward e-business and e-commerce, construction is drawn into such new practices. There is an ongoing debate as to whether reverse auctions are suitable equally for the procurement of both goods and services. Some contractors are concerned that reverse auctions are just another form of bid shopping. It is necessary for the construction industry to understand and evaluate the pros and cons of reverse auctions. This article discusses the procedures involved in conducting online reverse auctions and describes reverse auction practices, their advantages, and disadvantages. It also examines the legal principles of reverse auctions, potential problems, and challenges to its use.
THE STANDARD OF CARE DEBATE: CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATIONS

In the June issue of the Journal, Wendler et al. discuss the standard of care for research in developing countries and propose a valuable set of criteria.1 However, there are conceptual issues with important implications for this debate that require clarification. Wendler et al. assert that “inequalities in health care have contributed to significant inequalities in health.”1 Lack of access to and poor quality of health care are neither the most important nor the primary reasons for health inequalities. The social determinants of health, including poverty, status of women, and social vulnerability, are more important.2 This premise is critical, as it frames the context within which people live in the developing world. The authors propose focusing on “methods that communities can implement, if proved successful.”1 This concept has been debated within health systems and health research.3 What information is required to determine which intervention can be implemented? What level of evidence should be required from researchers? Wendler et al. do not operationalize this concept, leaving it a theoretical construct—which does not further the debate from previous discussions. The example of the Glaser Foundation is misplaced, since health care allocations are fundamentally different from decisions within health research. The foundation was maximizing benefit per unit of investment—one rational way of resource allocation for health services. The same type of clinical example for research appears in Wendler et al.’s discussion of Niverapine.1 Health research does not (and should not) have a primary aim of provision of health services, and thus cannot be held to principles of health care distribution. Wendler et al. define a ceiling by calling for defense of any standard of care less than the best in the world. A complementary approach is needed to define the floor, by proposing national standards as the minimum for research studies, even if they can defend the use of a standard less than the world’s best. This would prevent the exploitation of the most disadvantaged groups within developing countries (the worst off). Wendler et al.’s article has important implications for ethics committees in the developing world, in terms of their strengthening and their dialogue with those in the developed world.4 For example, what are the competencies required for making such decisions in institutional review boards? In externally funded projects, which committee has precedence—sponsoring country or host country? Finally, there is a need for greater participation of developing-country researchers, ethicists, and health professionals in this debate.