cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary embolism in rehabilitation patients: relation to time before return to physical therapy after diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

Abstract Objective: There is increased risk of a pulmonary embolism (PE) after a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The effect of mobilizing the affected lower extremity has not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to detect any change in the rate of PE occurrence dependent on time to mobilization in patients diagnosed with a DVT in a rehabilitation hospital. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Setting: Urban rehabilitation hospital. Patients: Data were collected from charts of 190 patients with a discharge diagnosis of PE or DVT at an urban rehabilitation hospital from January 1991 to June 1995; 127 patients met inclusion criteria in the study. Interventions: Measurement of time to return to physical therapy after diagnosis of DVT. Main Outcome Measures: A DVT was diagnosed with either Doppler ultrasound or venogram testing, a PE by ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan, and time to mobilization in hours until return to physical therapy. Results: One hundred twenty-one patients had a DVT without a subsequent PE and a mean time of 123.2 hours until mobilization. Six patients had a subsequent PE and a mean time of 48.3 hours until mobilization ( p = .021). A Fischer exact test comparing patients with and without PE who were returned to therapy before 48 hours and after 48 hours ( p = .018), and before and after 72 hours ( p = .059), supports the hypothesis that patients who return to physical therapy earlier are more likely to develop a PE than patients who return later. Conclusions: It is imperative to prophylactically treat all patients at risk of a DVT with anticoagulation if possible. Once a DVT is diagnosed it is prudent to keep the affected limb immobilized for at least 48 to 72 hours while the patient is being anticoagulated. A large prospective cohort study is needed to answer the question of when to mobilize a patient after diagnosis of a DVT.
Support Effects on Water Activation and Oxygen Reduction over Au – SnO x Electrocatalysts Observed with X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Gold nanoparticles supported on hydrous tin oxide (Au-SnOx) and mixed with Vulcan carbon are active electrocatalysts for the four-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to water in acid electrolyte below 0.55 V vs a reversible hydrogen electrode. In comparison, gold on Vulcan carbon (Au/VC) is inactive for the ORR in acid and generates mostly peroxide (i.e., two-electron reduction). These results imply that the SnOx support imparts the ORR activity of the Au. We study this metal support interaction by in situ X-ray absorption fine structure and near edge spectroscopy at the Au L3 and Sn K edges in an electrochemical cell. The results for 10 wt % (2 nm) and 20 wt % (2.7 nm) Au nanoparticles supported on SnOx suggest that a bifunctional mechanism plays the dominant role in the ORR reaction below 0.55 V. O2 adsorbs and dissociates on the SnOx surface with apparent simultaneous electron transfer from the Au and then is reduced further to water by electron transfer from the Au. Enhanced O[H] adsorption occurs at potentials above 1.2 V on the Au-SnOx catalysts. This O[H] adsorption is enhanced through a ligand mechanism involving the SnOx support but has no apparent effect on the ORR.
Effects of endophytic fungi on the phenotypic plasticity of Lolium perenne (Poaceae)

The effects of high vs. low levels of endophytic fungi on the phenotypic plasticity of cloned genotypes were examined in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The objectives were to determine whether endophytic fungi influence plastic responses of host genotypes to variable soil nutrients and whether or not endophyte infection and host genotype interact to determine the extent of this plasticity. Twelve infected genotypes were cloned into ramets: half the ramets were treated with the systemic fungicide Benomyl to reduce or eliminate the endophyte, while the other half were untreated. Ramets of each genotype were subjected to high, medium, or low levels of nutrients in the greenhouse for 11 wk. Tiller number, leaf area, and leaf mass were determined after 11 and 25 wk. The fungicide significantly reduced the level of endophyte infection. Responses to nutrient conditions in relation to fungicide treatment were genotype specific: for some genotypes, high levels of endophytic fungi appeared to reduce plasticity, while for other genotypes the endophyte had no effect. The potential for microscopic symbionts to affect phenotypic plasticity in genetically variable populations has not often been recognized. However, the clandestine effects of symbionts on the plasticity of host genotypes could impact microevolutionary processes occurring within plant populations that occupy heterogeneous environments.
New York City Politics: Governing Gotham by Bruce F. Berg

Bruce F. Berg, New York City Politics: Governing Gotham (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2007).Bruce Berg convincingly develops three themes: that contemporary politics in New York Cit...
VOLATILE GROWTH INHIBITORS PRODUCED BY SALVIA LEUCOPHYLLA: EFFECTS ON SEEDLING ROOT TIP ULTRASTRUCTURE

Volatile monoterpenes emanating from leaves of Salvia leucophylla (Labiatae) are responsible for anatomical and physiological changes occurring in herb seedlings which were exposed to the vapors. Examination of treated root tip cells from Cucumis sativus by electron microscopy revealed widespread systemic disturbances. These included the accumulation of globules which appear to be lipid in nature in the cytoplasm, a drastic reduction in the number of a variety of intact organelles including mitochondria, and a disruption of membranes surrounding nuclei, mitochondria, and dictyosomes. These effects, coupled with the effects of environmental stress, may account for the failure of herb seedlings to survive in the areas adjacent to Salvia thickets.
Cloud Motion and Rainfall Statistics

Abstract This paper presents some of the results obtained from a new analysis of the data collected during 1968 and 1970 by EML in the Florida cumulus modification experiment (the “single cloud” experiment). The most important new element in this analysis is the stratification of the data into categories based on cloud motion. Category 1 days are those displaying significant, relatively uniform cloud motion throughout the day. Category 2 days are those displaying no such motion. First the rainfall data are analyzed without regard to motion categories, the log-normal model is introduced, and evidence for multiplicative seeding factor is adduced and its value estimated. The data are also analyzed on a pairwise basis. Next the data are stratified by motion categories and the analysis repeated with categories. It is shown that although a log-normal model can still be applied within categories, there is no basis for assuming a multiplicative seeding factor within categories. It is shown that category 1 clouds ...
Elastic scattering by spherically-symmetric r-2 and r-3 potentials

Abstract We examine the phase shifts due to scattering from spherically-symmetric r−2 and r−3 potentials, as obtained from Schrodinger theory on the one hand, and the Born approximation on the other.
ISOCAN Method and Device for Arthroscopic Suture Management

ISOCAN refers to a method and device that functionally isolates sutures within the working cannula during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, allowing passage of instruments through the same cannula through an instrument-passing quadrant. As sutures are passed, tension and orientation are maintained with each limb by parking each limb into a suture-holding slot. Suture tension prevents loops from forming and functionally isolates each limb. Attention to detail as the sutures are passed, keeping track of the cuff limb and the lateral limb, and parking them in sequence, prevents tangles. The instrument-passing quadrant is kept clear by parking sutures in only 3 of the 4 quadrants around the ISOCAN. Advantages extend beyond suture management and include the ability of an ISOCAN ring to hold reduction tension on the cuff edge, spreading the reduction force over multiple points of fixation, allowing individual suture pairs to be tied down without tension. This enhances knot security and loop security. The technique is especially helpful in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair but can be used wherever arthroscopic suture management is needed, including arthroscopic Bankart repairs and SLAP lesion repairs. A do-it-yourself ISOCAN may be constructed intraoperatively using an 8.25-mm Arthrex clear screw in cannula with a no-spray stopper (Arthrex, Naples, FL). Radial cuts can be made in the no-spray stopper to serve as ISOCAN suture parking slots. A metal ISOCAN ring prototype has been adapted to press-fit over this same cannula and has been used to great advantage in over 100 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs by the author.
Hearts Set to Obey

: Caught in the tension between the reality of our sin and the reality of God's forgiveness and grace, how are we to obey the commandments of God and strive for a holy life? Many have argued that the Lutheran tradition has undermined the ethical imperative of the Christian walk. While it is true that Lutheran theology in some modes has denied the sort of linear moral progress emphasized by some other traditions, it affirms the reality of genuine transformation in the Christian life, which moves us beyond the static Sisyphean tension in which we are simultaneously sinners and saints. Though emphasizing grace as pardon and righteousness as relational, Lutheran theology also has place for a grace that empowers believers for growth in discipleship. The terms ‘justification’ and ‘sanctification’ point not to different works of God but to two different angles—pardon and power—from which to describe the one work of God in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. In light of this, we need not sever ethics from theology to understand how our hearts may be set to obey the commandments of God.
Porcine leptin alters isolated adipocyte glucose and fatty acid metabolism.

Abstract This study examined if leptin can acutely affect glucose or fatty acid metabolism in pig adipocytes and whether leptin’s actions on lipogenesis are manifested through interaction with insulin or growth hormone. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from ∼55 kg crossbred barrows at the USDA abattoir. Isolated adipocytes were prepared using a collagenase procedure. Experiments assessed U- 14 C -glucose or 1- 14 C -palmitate metabolism in isolated adipocytes exposed to: basal medium (control), 100 nM insulin, 100 ng/ml porcine growth hormone, 100 ng/ml recombinant porcine leptin, and combinations of these hormones. Treatments were performed in triplicate and the experiment was repeated with adipocytes isolated from five different animals. Cell aliquots (250 μl) were added to 1 ml of incubation medium, then incubated for 2 h at 37 °C for measurement of glucose and palmitate oxidation or incorporation into lipid. Incubation of isolated adipocytes with insulin increased glucose oxidation rate by 18% (P 0.5). Total lipid synthesis from glucose was increased by approximately 25% by 100 nM insulin or insulin+growth hormone (P 0.05). Leptin reduced the esterification rate by 10% (P 0.05).
Like-Sign Dilepton Search for Chargino-Neutralino Production at CDF

We present new results from the like-sign dilepton search for chargino-neutralino production in collisions at , which complements the previously published trilepton search with the CDF detector using Fermilab Run IB data. Monte Carlo calculations of signal efficiency and backgrounds, as well as estimates of certain back grounds taken from Run IB data, indicate a significant increase in sensitivity to production compared to the traditional trilepton analysis alone.
The relation of student and teacher traits of authoritarianism to student achievement in English.

Abstract The study investigated the relationship of five selected traits of authoritarianism, possessed by both college freshmen and their instructors, to student achievement in freshman English when student verbal aptitude was not a factor. The results indicated that student achievement level was affected more by instructor traits than by traits of the students themselves, although student traits did serve to qualify the effect of instructor traits.
Thermal transport in a glassy polymer after being compressed at high pressure

The thermal conductivity of an amorphous polymer (Scotchcast-8) were measured in its densified and undensified states. The densified sample was compressed under a pressure of 15 GPa for 2 h at room temperature. The thermal conductivity of this densified sample displays a plateau at temperatures between 30 and 60 K. The magnitude of the thermal conductivity at and above the plateau is about three times higher than that of uncompressed samples. After the sample sits at room temperature for several weeks, its specific heat and thermal conductivity indicate that the sample was almost completely relaxed.
Late carpal instability associated with dorsal distal radial fracture.

Carpal instability has been recognized for two decades (Taleisnik, 1988). It is defined as a ‘carpal injury in which loss of normal alignment of the carpal bones develops early or late’. Four distinct patterns can be recognized, of which dorsiflexion intercalated segment instability (DISI) is the commonest. Although late development of the DISI deformity is well recognized, we present a case with radiological signs which have been hitherto unreported and may lead to earlier recognition of the patient at risk. A Lo-year-old man fell 2 m off a ladder onto both outstretched hands. He suffered a Barton’s fracture of the right radius and a small avulsion fracture of the dorsal aspect of the left radius, associated with two flake fractures which appear to have come from the dorsum of the capitate. The proximal fragment appears old with rounded edges. The age of the tiny distal fragment could not be determined. He denied any important trauma to the wrist in the past, but we also noted a probable old ulnar styloid fracture (Figure I). The right wrist was successfully fixed internally with a
Engineering risk and disaster: a special issue of Engineering Studies

Design and disaster were once thought to be separate spheres, one committed to the beauty and rationality of the planned and the other a realm of random accident and distress. This special issue of...
India Rising: What is New Delhi to Do?

At the end of the 1972 Hollywood political comedy The Candidate, Robert Redford—in the role of Bill McKay, the telegenic but politically vacuous senatorial candidate—turns to his campaign manager after winning a seat in the U.S. Senate and says, “What do we do now?” India’s situation is not entirely dissimilar. After having long campaigned to be taken seriously in the global order, India has finally arrived. Now its leadership is unclear about what exactly it wants from the world and what it needs to do going forward. However, unlike the comic hint of doom in McKay’s closing line, India’s elite are brimming with confidence, indeed almost hubris, about India’s economic accomplishments and future potential. According to Kamal Nath, India’s commerce and industry minister, “We no longer discuss the future of India: we say ‘the future is India.’” 1 This exaggerated self-confidence is largely a result of India’s booming economy. In recent months, Indian firms have made a number of high-profile, multi-billion dollar acquisitions in Europe and North America. In early 2007, Tata Steel acquired the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus and the Indian aluminum firm Hindalco acquired its U.S.-Canadian rival, Novelis. India’s auto industries are also making their global presence felt. Tata Motors has already acquired the South Korean firm Daewoo’s truck making unit and is now poised to expand into Latin America in partnership with Italy’s Fiat. Another Indian firm, Mahindra and Mahindra, is already selling tractors in Texas. India’s pharmaceutical firms have also embarked on an aggressive global expansion. Last year, Gurgaon-based Ranbaxy made a number of acquisitions in Europe, the United States, and Africa and is now eyeing Germany’s Merck Generics. Likewise, Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has already acquired the German drugmaker Betapharm. Indian pharmaceutical companies have more applications for patents pending with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration than any other country. India’s low-cost, but world-class, private medical facilities have already made it a preferred destination for high-end medical treatment. In 2004, India
Morphology and Electrochemistry of Ruthenium/Carbon Aerogel Nanostructures

The structure−property relationships of nanostructured Ru/carbon aerogel composite materials have been evaluated. These new materials were prepared via a novel two-step metal vapor impregnation method which enables one to control the Ru loading through repetition of the process. The resulting microstructure is characterized by highly dispersed Ru particles (≈20−30 A in diameter) attached to the carbon aerogel surface and distributed homogeneously throughout the material; the open pore structure of the carbon aerogels remains largely unaffected. Electrochemical characterization indicates that it is possible to increase the specific capacitance of the carbon aerogels in 1.0 M H2SO4 from ≈100 F/g to greater than 250 F/g for samples with >50 wt % Ru due to the pseudocapacitive properties of hydrous RuO2. A volumetric capacitance greater than 140 F/cm3 was observed for some samples. In addition, these materials show good cycling characteristics. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was unable to distinguish ...
Atrial contribution to ventricular filling in mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUNDThe importance of the contribution of atrial systole to ventricular filling in mitral stenosis is controversial. The cause of reduced cardiac output following the onset of atrial fibrillation may be due to an increased heart rate, a loss of booster pump function, or both.METHODS AND RESULTSWe studied the atrial contribution to filling under a variety of conditions by combining noninvasive studies of patients with computer modeling. Thirty patients in sinus rhythm with mild-to-severe stenosis were studied with two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography for measurement of mitral flow velocity and mitral valve area (MVA). The mean +/- SD atrial contribution to left ventricular filling volume was 18 +/- 10% and varied inversely with mitral resistance. Patients with mild mitral stenosis (MVA, 1.8 +/- 0.7 cm2) and severe mitral stenosis (MVA, 0.9 +/- 0.2 cm2) had atrial contributions of 29 +/- 4% and 9 +/- 5%, respectively. The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for these trends were further ...
Model-based near-wall reconstructions for immersed-boundary methods

In immersed-boundary methods, the cost of resolving the thin boundary layers on a solid boundary at high Reynolds numbers is prohibitive. In the present work, we propose a new model-based, near-wall reconstruction to account for the lack of resolution and provide the correct wall shear stress and hydrodynamic forces. The models are analytical versions of a generalized version of the two-layer model developed by Balaras et al. (AIAA J 34:1111–1119, 1996) for large-eddy simulations. We will present the results for the flow around a cylinder and a sphere, where we use Cartesian and cylindrical coordinate grids. We will demonstrate that the proposed treatment reproduces very accurately the wall stress on grids, which are one order of magnitude coarser compared to well-resolved simulations.
One-pot synthesis of highly mesoporous antimony-doped tin oxide from interpenetrating inorganic/organic networks

Highly mesoporous antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) materials with three-dimensionally connected textural pores were prepared by a convenient one-pot process by creating, drying and calcining hydrous ATO and resorcinol–formaldehyde composite gels. The synthesis is designed to form a hydrous ATO gel structure first at room temperature and upon subsequent heating at 70 °C the inorganic gel network catalyzes the full polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde. The resulting polymer network interpenetrates the inorganic gel network and serves as a hard template during drying and calcination. The final products show a good crystallinity and have high surface areas up to 100 m2 g−1 and high porosities up to 69%. The average pore sizes range from 7 to 33 nm, controlled mainly by varying the amount of the polymer component in the composite gels. The materials exhibit remarkably low resistivities (>0.14 Ω cm) for a mesoporous ATO material.
Two males and a chalimus 2 female of unknown species of pennellids (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida) parasitic on the gills of Japanese fishes.

[The males of two unknown species of pennellid copepods and the chalimus 2 female of one of these are described based on specimens parasitic on the gills of the Japanese fishes, Brotula multibarbata Temminck & Schlegel, 1846 and Pseudolabrus sieboldi Mabuchi & Nakabo, 1997. The males have well-developed maxillipeds and three functional pairs of swimming legs. Although pennellids with three pairs of legs are restricted to a few genera only, these males can not even be referred to a genus at present. Post-mating pennellid males presumably survive for a while on the intermediate host after the mated females have already left for their definitive host. Les mâles de deux especes inconnues de copepodes Pennellidae et le chalimus 2 femelle de l'une d'elles sont decrits a partir de specimens parasites fixes aux branchies des poissons japonais, Brotula multibarbata Temminck & Schlegel, 1846 et Pseudolabrus sieboldi Mabuchi & Nakabo, 1997. Les mâles possedent des maxillipedes bien developpes et trois paires de pattes natatoires fonctionnelles. Bien que le nombre de pennellides a trois paires de pattes se limite a quelques genres seulement, ces mâles ne peuvent pas, a ce jour, etre attribues a l'un de ces genres. Les mâles de pennellides sont supposes survivre, apres copulation, un certain temps sur l'hote intermediaire apres que les femelles fecondees soient deja parties vers leur hote definitif., The males of two unknown species of pennellid copepods and the chalimus 2 female of one of these are described based on specimens parasitic on the gills of the Japanese fishes, Brotula multibarbata Temminck & Schlegel, 1846 and Pseudolabrus sieboldi Mabuchi & Nakabo, 1997. The males have well-developed maxillipeds and three functional pairs of swimming legs. Although pennellids with three pairs of legs are restricted to a few genera only, these males can not even be referred to a genus at present. Post-mating pennellid males presumably survive for a while on the intermediate host after the mated females have already left for their definitive host. Les mâles de deux especes inconnues de copepodes Pennellidae et le chalimus 2 femelle de l'une d'elles sont decrits a partir de specimens parasites fixes aux branchies des poissons japonais, Brotula multibarbata Temminck & Schlegel, 1846 et Pseudolabrus sieboldi Mabuchi & Nakabo, 1997. Les mâles possedent des maxillipedes bien developpes et trois paires de pattes natatoires fonctionnelles. Bien que le nombre de pennellides a trois paires de pattes se limite a quelques genres seulement, ces mâles ne peuvent pas, a ce jour, etre attribues a l'un de ces genres. Les mâles de pennellides sont supposes survivre, apres copulation, un certain temps sur l'hote intermediaire apres que les femelles fecondees soient deja parties vers leur hote definitif.]
Tear film dynamics with evaporation, osmolarity and surfactant transport

Abstract In this article we develop a model for the evaporation and rupture of the tear film. The tear film is generally considered a multi-layer structure which we simplify to a single layer in our modeling. We examine how well the floating lipid layer can be approximated by a mobile insoluble surfactant monolayer in the context of lubrication theory with film rupture “breakup” in the tear film literature. This model includes the effects of surface tension, insoluble surfactant monolayer transport, solutal Marangoni effects, evaporation, osmolarity transport, osmosis and wettability of corneal surface. Evaporation is hypothesized to be dependent on pressure, temperature and surface concentration at the surface of the film. A focus of this paper is to study the competition between the effect of increasing surfactant concentration to (1) slowing down evaporation and (2) lowering surface tension. The solutal Marangoni effect, for local increases in surfactant concentration, can induce local thinning and this effect always seems to dominate the reduction in thinning rate due to evaporation in our model. It also seems to eliminate any localized area of increased evaporation due to reduced surfactant concentration. Osmolarity in the tear film increases because water lost to the average evaporation rate and to a lesser extent by flow inside the film. The presence of van der Waals conjoining pressure is only significant when osmosis is very small or absent. The model predicts that the Marangoni effect coupled with evaporation can determine the location of first breakup; it also agrees with another model of breakup that predicts elevated osmolarity when breakup occurs.
Equilibrating Temperaturelike Variables in Jammed Granular Subsystems

Although jammed granular systems are athermal, several thermodynamiclike descriptions have been proposed which make quantitative predictions about the distribution of volume and stress within a system and provide a corresponding temperaturelike variable. We perform experiments with an apparatus designed to generate a large number of independent, jammed, two-dimensional configurations. Each configuration consists of a single layer of photoelastic disks supported by a gentle layer of air. New configurations are generated by cyclically dilating, mixing, and then recompacting the system through a series of boundary displacements. Within each configuration, a bath of particles surrounds a smaller subsystem of particles with a different interparticle friction coefficient than the bath. The use of photoelastic particles permits us to find all particle positions as well as the vector forces at each interparticle contact. By comparing the temperaturelike quantities in both systems, we find compactivity (conjugate to the volume) does not equilibrate between the systems, while the angoricity (conjugate to the stress) does. Both independent components of the angoricity are linearly dependent on the hydrostatic pressure, in agreement with predictions of the stress ensemble.
Heterogeneity of human fibrinogen: Possible relation to proteolysis by thrombin and plasmin as studied by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of human fibrinogen or fibrin revealed two α-chain species which differed in molecular weight by 3000. With prolonged incubation, thrombin solutions proteolyzed fibrin by attack on α-chains to cause a molecular weight loss of 5000. The initial α-chain products were then further degraded. Purified plasmin digestion of fibrinogen differed in that the initial α-chain molecular weight loss was 3000. This may be responsible for the minor α (A)-chain component found in “native” fibrinogen. With plasmin, further α-chain degradation was followed by β-chain digestion with a molecular weight decrease of 4000. Neither intact α-chains nor intact β-chains were required for clotting of fibrinogen. Fibrinogen of high ethanol solubility lacked intact α-chains.
Intraoperative assessment of maxillary perfusion during Le Fort I osteotomy

Intraoperative maxillary blood flow was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in two groups of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. Group 1 (n = 14) consisted of patients undergoing Le Fort I osteotomy and group 2 (n = 8) consisted of patients undergoing isolated mandibular osteotomies. In group 1, the mean gingival blood flow (GBF) decreased significantly over time during the course of the operation from 29.5 mL/min/100 g of tissue to 13.2 mL/min/100 g of tissue (P = .0001). The mean GBF did not change significantly over time in group 2 (P = .39). The results of this study demonstrate that 1) LDF may be used to measure intraoperative GBF during Le Fort I osteotomy with an acceptable level of variability, and 2) maxillary GBF decreased significantly over time during Le Fort I osteotomy procedures.
Metabolic acidosis, prostaglandin E2 and insulin stimulates intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in isolated cells of toad urinary bladder.

Abstract It is well known that metabolic acidosis (MA), PGE2, and insulin stimulate H+ excretion in toad urinary bladder. In addition, PGE2 has been shown to increase in the toad bladder during MA. Our present experimental findings indicate that MA, PGE2 and insulin increase [Ca2+]i and this then may be the signal for stimulation of H+ excretion in this tissue. Isolated cells of the toad urinary bladder, obtained from toads in a chronic metabolic acidosis (MA) have a significantly higher intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) than similar cells obtained from toads in normal acid-base balance. Protaglandin E2 (PGE2) (10−5M) was found to stimulate [Ca2+]i, in the same normal toad bladder cells, as determined by the fluorescence ratio technique using FURA 2/AM (P
Preparation of Insoluble Cationic Starches and Their Use in Heavy Metal Anion Removal

A series of water-insoluble anion exchange starches were prepared by the the reaction of various cationic monomers with highly crosslinked starches. These starch products contain tertiary amine and quaternary ammonium functionalities which are effective in removing chromate, dichromate, ferrocyanide, ferricyanide, molybdate, permanganate, and other heavy metal anions from industrial waste effluents. The binding capacity of these anion exchange starches is similar to that of com­ mercial macroreticular resins.
Modulation of jejunal flow by solutions of varying osmolality and acidity in the intact canine jejunum

Because gastric emptying is modulated by the osmolality or hydrogen ion concentration of intraduodenal solutions, we hypothesized that similar mechanisms exist to regulate flow within the small intestine and that the altered flow is associated with changes in intestinal motility. Sodium chloride solutions with higher and lower osmolality than plasma and both isotonic and hypotonic hydrochloric acid solutions flowed more slowly into segments of jejunum in conscious dogs than isotonic neutral salt solutions. The altered flow was associated with increased frequency of spike bursts in the segment with the salt solutions of varied osmolality, but with only increased force of contractions with both isotonic and hypotonic acid solutions. Some evidence exists to suggest that the changes in motility are mediated by a neural mechanism. If similar mechanisms exist in the duodenum, they may play a role in the regulation of gastric emptying.
Evidence from 18S ribosomal RNA sequences that lampreys and hagfishes form a natural group

Lampreys and hagfishes (cyclostomes) traditionally were considered to be a natural (monophyletic) group. Recently, the consensus of opinion, based largely on morphological analyses, has shifted to a view that lampreys are more closely related to jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) than to hagfishes. Phylogenetic comparisons of 18S ribosomal RNA sequences from two hagfishes, two lampreys, a tunicate, a lancelet, and a number of gnathostomes support the monophyly of the cyclostomes. These data force a reassessment of several features of early vertebrate evolution.
Synthesis and Polymerization of Trimethyl Bicyclobutane‐1,2,2‐Tricarboxylate

Trimethyl bicyclobutane-1,2,2-tricarboxylate (2) was synthesized by a facile five-step route, beginning with the ferric chloride-catalyzed addition of chloroform to methyl acrylate to give methyl 2,4,4-trichlorobutyrate (3). Replacement of the 2-chloro group by iodide was followed by displacement with dimethyl malonate anion to give trimethyl 4,4-dichlorobutane-1,1,2-tricarboxylate (5a). Thermolysis of the corresponding sodium derivative 5b gave trimethyl cis, trans-3-chlorocyclobutane-1,2,2-tricarboxylate (6). Closure of the bicyclobutane ring to yield 2 was accomplished by potassium hydride in ether with methanol as catalyst. Bicyclobutane 2 polymerized under free radical initiation with breakage only of the 1,3-bond. The homopolymers, obtained in moderate yields, were of low molecular weight, probably owing to steric hindrance effects. Copolymerization occurred with vinyl monomers of varying polarity. The copolymers, obtained in moderate yields, had low molecular weights and consisted mostly of the vinyl comonomer units.
Important radionuclides in high level nuclear waste disposal: Determination using a comparison of the U.S. EPA and NRC regulations

Abstract The performance objective for the engineered barrier system given in the NRC regulations (10CFR60) is used to determine a maximum release rate for each significant radionuclide for a generic repository containing PWR spent fuel. This release rate, integrated over the times during which release would occur, is then compared to the U.S. EPA requirements on limitation of total releases to the accessible environment. The amount by which the releases allowed under the NRC regulations exceeds the U.S. EPA requirements is an indication of the importance of the radionuclide for performance assessment purposes. Nuclides for which NRC-allowed releases from the engineered barrier system greatly exceed those allowed by U.S. EPA to the accessible environment will need to be controlled either by limiting their release at the EBS boundary to values that are lower than the NRC requirements or by reducing the amounts of these nuclides that reach the environment by processes that occur during transport. The simplest case, which assumed only the minimum performance required in IOCFR60 on control of release rates, results in the identification of 17 chemical elements for which data on solubility and sorption would be needed for use in site performance assessment. Of these, americium and plutonium are by far the most important. The other actinides, carbon, and nickel are also important. If the assumption of congruent dissolution is imposed, with a 1% rapid release spike for cesium, iodine, carbon, and technetium, the list of elements reduces to 13, with iodine, cesium, selenium, and palladium being eliminated from the list. The importance of americium is greatly reduced in this case and plutonium becomes the most important element. A final analysis, which assumed a congruent dissolution rate of one part in 1,000,000 per year, results in a list of at most seven important elements. With reasonable assumptions the list can be narrowed to just americium and plutonium. All of the considerations point to the importance of understanding the behavior of americium and plutonium under conditions that are relevant to the waste form dissolution process and under processes that might pertain during transport from the repository to the accessible environment.
Bundle branch block as a predictor of long-term survival after acute myocardial infarction.

Using a community-based population of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we sought to: (1) determine the prevalence of bundle branch block (BBB) on the presenting electrocardiogram (ECG), (2) compare the clinical characteristics and the treatment administered to patients with and without BBB, and (3) determine the association of BBB with mortality. We analyzed the admission ECGs of 894 consecutive patients with AMI from Olmsted County, Minnesota, seen at our institution from January 1988 to March 1998. Of these, 53 had left BBB (LBBB) (5.9%) and 60 had right BBB (RBBB) (6.7%). Patients with BBB were more likely to be older, have a history of AMI or hypertension, and to be in Killip class >I at presentation. They were less likely to receive primary reperfusion therapy, β blockers, or heparin, but more likely to receive angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. They had lower mean predischarge ejection fractions (38 ± 16% vs 50 ± 15%, p <0.0001). In-hospital mortality was 13.3%, 17.0%, and 9.1% for patients with RBBB, LBBB, and no BBB, respectively (p = 0.11). Respective postdischarge survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 80%, 60%, and 50% in the RBBB group, 78%, 56%, and 51% in the LBBB group, and 92%, 85%, and 76% in the group without BBB (p <0.0001). Although BBB was not an independent predictor of mortality on multivariate analysis, the presence of transient or persistent BBB with AMI is an easily recognized clinical marker of increased mortality. Our conclusion from this study is that in a community-based population, patients who had LBBB or RBBB at the time of AMI had lower predischarge ejection fractions and higher in-hospital and long-term unadjusted mortality.
Using Observed Spatial Correlation Structures to Increase the Skill of Subseasonal Forecasts

Abstract Model deficiencies limit a subseasonal or seasonal forecast system’s ability to produce accurate predictions. In this paper, an approach for transforming the output of a forecast system into a revised forecast is presented; it is designed to correct for some of the deficiencies in the system (particularly those associated with the spatial correlation structures of the forecasted fields) and thereby increase forecast skill. The approach, based on the joint consideration of the correlation structures present in the observational record and the inherent potential predictability of the model, is tested on a preexisting subseasonal forecast experiment. It is shown to produce modest but significant increases in the accuracy of forecasted precipitation and near-surface air temperature at monthly time scales.
Near-field optical microscopy characterization of IC metrology

Images of a microlithographic sample obtained using a new near field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) that uses force regulation of the sample-tip separation are presented. The NSOM is a research instrument fitted with a metal covered glass tip probe that defines a small aperture at the sharp end. The aperture is estimated to be on the order of 100 nanometers in diameter resulting in a resolution exceeding that of diffraction limited systems. This form of microscopy can be done both in the transmission and the reflection modes. The force regulation mechanism produces a simultaneously obtained scanned force microscope image of the topography thus permitting correlative imaging of the sample. The samples are imaged in transmission and reflection near field optical format, with white light and with coherent light. The results are compared with other forms of IC imaging and characterization, namely scanned force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Database management in the undergraduate curriculum

The development of generalized database management capabilities has been one of the most dynamic areas of computer technology in recent years. It not only presents the computer specialists with a range of technical and theoretical problems of substantial interest, but has direct and visible impact upon the operations of organizations and upon the environment of the individual in an increasingly information oriented society. Accordingly, an introduction to the technology of database management is not only relevant for the computer scientist but to managers, administrators and everyone concerned with the problems of information processing.As a result, a very real question is where in the undergraduate curriculum is this introduction taking place. Are Computer Sciences Departments offering such courses? Business Schools? Both? A second question is what do the education groups of the two professional computer societies—ACM and IEEE—have to say about database management education. A third question then becomes, how closely do the courses being taught in this area today parallel what the education committees suggest.
The impact of trench width and barrier thickness on scaling of the electromigration short - Length effect in Cu / low-k interconnects

The mechanisms involved in the reduction of electromigration failure times of Cu/low - k interconnects with scaling depend on the conductor length. Long lengths are impacted primarily by changes in interconnect critical geometry and Cu microstructure. Short lengths exhibit an additional dependence on the mechanical properties of interconnects. Consequently, trench width and barrier thickness affect electromigration failure of short - length conductors by changing the critical current density, jc. With technology progression barrier thickness reduces faster than trench width, leading to an overall lowering of jc. Continued scaling will result in a faster rate of failure time reduction for short - lengths than long - lengths, diminishing improvements in circuit currents available at short lengths. Incorporation of ultra-thin (~10A) barriers furthers increase the rate of reduction of jc.
Fibers for Structurally Reliable Metal and Ceramic Composites

In their current state of development, commercially available reinforcing fibers fail to meet the requirements formulated for metal or ceramic matrix composites of sufficient strength and toughness. Attention is presently given to criteria for high strength and toughness in metal and ceramic matrix composites, as well as the approach adopted in fiber evaluation as a result of studies at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Two areas of special interest have been strength improvement in large diameter boron fibers for tough, impact-resistant boron/aluminum composites, and the evaluation of SiC fibers as reinforcement in tough ceramic-matrix composites with service temperatures of the order of 1400 C.
Whose Definition of Success? Identifying Factors That Affect English Language Learners' Access to Academic Success and Resources

* Ganda,1 a ninth grader from Nepal who was in the United States while his father completed a doctoral degree, and Nicholas, a ninth-grade immigrant from Ukraine, burst into the ESL room minutes after the seventh-period bell had rung. After checking out who was in the room and having a small conversation about the location of Kathmandu on one of the classroom maps, they sat down and attended to the task that had brought them to the ESL room. They told Judy, a volunteer tutor, that their science teacher had sent them there to get help completing their quizzes. One question read, 'You are at station two. Look at the model and describe the processes." Ganda and Nicholas were allowed to bring their quizzes but not the models to the ESL room, thus complicating how much help a tutor or teacher could offer. "What's happening in your science class now?" Judy asked. "Oh, the teacher is going over the quiz with the students. He's explaining the answers to them," Nicholas replied (field notes, October 22, 1998).
An Efficient and Anonymous Attribute-Based group setup scheme

In many secure application scenarios, establishing a temporary group without revealing group member information is difficult but desirable. Secure group communication can significantly reduce the computation and communication overhead. Traditional group key management schemes are based on a hierarchical tree. Any network entity who wants to set up a group needs to know the keys of the other group members, i.e., the group key establishment must be done before starting the group communication. As a result, the group needs the group formation beforehand. In this paper, we propose a secure grouping scheme providing anonymity for group members to outsiders. Our approach is based on Attribute Based Encryption (ABE) schemes. In our scheme, each network entity is assigned with a set of attributes. Each group is identified by a logical combination of attributes, i.e., the group access policies. The presented solution has an advantage that there is no need for any prior knowledge of other group members. Instead, the sender just needs to focus on the group access policies. Our scheme further preserves the group formation policies by using a gradual exposure method on attributes. Compared to existing hidden-policy schemes, our solution can greatly reduce the computation and communication overhead.
A Semantic Analysis Approach to Thin-shell Ceramic Fragment Classification

In this paper we introduce the Independence National Historical Park dataset, a freely-available collection of thin-shell ceramic fragments, images and metadata for these images. We describe the contents of this dataset and its possible uses in vessel and decorative pattern classification of thin-shell ceramic artifacts. We will employ computer vision algorithms to help automate the ceramic classifications used in archaeological vessel reconstructions. This methodology promises significant time and cost savings for the laboratory mending of ceramic objects, freeing scarce human resources to focus on the analyses of objects needed to produce new history insights. We propose a vector space model of pyramid histogram of visual words (PHOW) that can, in turn, be used by a supervised learning schema for decorative pattern classification. Inspired by explicit semantic analysis of textual documents using term frequency-inverse document frequency (tf-idf), a tf-idf model is proposed to represent thin-shell cerami...
Determinants of Casino Repeat Purchase Intentions

The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of gaming casino repeat purchase intentions. Specifically, this study examines the attributes thought to influence the likelihood of returning to gaming casinos located in Mississippi. Regression analysis is employed to investigate whether a group of attributes, which constitute six casino factors, exert a significant influence on casino repeat purchase intentions. The independent variables are the six linear combinations (i.e., factors) of the 27 casino attributes derived from Factor Analysis. Casino repeat purchase intention is found to be a function of the location of the casino, the physical attributes of the casino, the games offered at the casino, the extra amenities of the casino, hospitality attributes of the casino, and the attributes of the casino staff. As such, no one set of attributes can fully explain repeat purchase intentions. In other words, consumers utilize several attributes when deciding to return to a gaming casino.
Competence to Undergo Normal, Fertilization-Induced Cortical Activation Develops after Metaphase I of Meiosis in Mouse Oocytes

The purpose of this study was to determine at what stage of meiotic maturation mouse oocytes develop the ability to undergo sperm-induced activation, assayed by cortical granule (CG) release. Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), prometaphase I (proMI), metaphase I (MI), and metaphase II (MII, the normal stage at fertilization) stages were evaluated by quantitative image analysis. At 2 hr, fertilized MII eggs underwent a mean CG loss of 69%; loss was global--in the entire cortex occupied by CGs. In contrast, fertilized GVBD and proMI oocytes had no significant CG loss in the cortex after 2 hr. After 4 hr, 63, 67, and 88% of fertilized GVBD, proMI, and MI oocytes, respectively, had localized CG release only in the vicinity of the fertilizing sperm. At 4 hr, GVBD oocytes had small sperm-associated, CG-depleted domains, approximately 100 microns 2 (< 1% of the oocyte cortex), whereas those for proMI oocytes were approximately 2500 microns 2. The CG density was reduced by 90% in these domains, whereas the remaining cortex showed no evidence of CG loss. Both the extent and time course of CG loss were altered in oocytes fertilized before MII and were not significantly affected with 25 microM thimerosal, which sensitizes egg calcium stores. Unlike the ability to undergo CG release, the ability to initiate sperm chromatin decondensation was not stage specific and the extent of decondensation was cell cycle related. Competence to undergo CG loss develops in two phases: the ability to undergo localized CG release increases between the GV and MI stages, whereas the mechanism of propagating a normal wave of global CG loss from the site of sperm entry develops between MI and MII.