cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Emerging Role of Smoking in the Development of Pancreatitis

Background/Aims: Cigarette smoking has been linked to many diseases, including pancreatic cancer and more recently, pancreatitis. Methods: Electronic searches of primarily PubMed from 1990 to August 2011 were conducted and only articles published in English were reviewed. Original articles and reviews were selected based on screening of article abstracts and their relevance to tobacco smoking, its components, nicotine and its metabolites, and their effects particularly on the pancreas. Results: Smoking may affect the risk of developing chronic pancreatitis or its progression. Smoking may also affect the risk for developing acute pancreatitis. Its effects in pancreatitis appear to be dose dependent and its effects may be alcohol independent but synergize with alcohol. Conclusion: Specific constituents of cigarette smoke, including nicotine and its metabolites, could mediate effects on the pancreas.
A study of touch typing performance with keyclick feedback

The present study investigates the effect of haptic, auditory and visual keyclick feedback on touch typing performance using a zero-travel keyboard. We examine how local and global haptic keyclick feedback affect typing performance, and compare them with auditory keyclick feedback and visual feedback conditions. Our aim is to understand how sensory feedback during touch typing might improve user performance. Participants are asked to type required text shown on a computer screen and typing speed and error rates are recorded. The results show that the local haptic keyclick feedback condition leads to the highest typing speed with the lowest total error rate among all feedback conditions. We also find that the intensity of haptic feedback affects typing performance while the intensity of auditory feedback does not. Our findings provide useful design guidelines for improving touch typing performance on a zero-travel keyboard with sensory keyclick feedback information.
The effect of feedback inhibition on throughput properties of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

The effect of feedback inhibition from thalamic reticular cells on retinogeniculate transmission by thalamocortical neurons of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus is analyzed using a minimal integrate-and-fire-or-burst network model. Potassium leakage conductances control the neuromodulatory state of the network and eliminate rhythmic bursting in the presence of spontaneous input. During oscillatory full-field stimulation, feedback inhibition from thalamic reticular neurons leads to thalamocortical relay neuron burst responses. Depending on average input rate, contrast level, and temporal frequency of modulation, the response of the aroused network may or may not be phase-locked to the visual stimulus.
Improved adaptive video delivery system using a perceptual pre-processing filter

In this paper, we present an adaptive video delivery system that uses a perceptual pre-processing filter tuned to the viewing conditions of the receiver. The filter receives a number of parameters of the reproduction setup that includes viewing distance, display pixel density, ambient contrast, display peak luminance, etc. A model of visual contrast sensitivity is used in the filter design to remove spatial oscillations that are invisible under the specified viewing conditions. Removing such oscillations simplifies the video content leading to bitrate savings in the video encoding without causing any visible alterations of the content. Experiments demonstrate the bitrate savings our filter can yield compared to conventional encoding methods that are not tailored to specific viewing conditions. Subjective viewing tests confirm the bitrate savings come without reduction in visual quality.
Analyzing channel structures of business markets via the structure-output paradigm

Abstract While numerous conceptual ideas regarding distribution channel structures for industrial markets have been advanced in the marketing literature, there has been little integration of relevant theory and hardly any empirical testing of these ideas to confirm or define best managerial practice. We seek to integrate logistical and informational issues affecting channel structure into a single framework labeled as the Structure-Output Paradigm. This model regards the channel as the means by which services are provided to end-users and their needs as constituting the chief inputs into the channel design process. We test hypotheses derived from our framework using the PIMS database entailing businesses of major corporations serving both the European and North American markets. Our results provide strong empirical support for the influence of logistical and informational service outputs in industrial channel structures, and underscores the pivotal role of the end-user in designing industrial channels.
Anterograde labeling of ventrolateral funiculus pathways with spinal enlargement connections in the adult rat spinal cord

The ventrolateral funiculus in the spinal cord has been identified as containing important ascending and descending pathways related to locomotion and interlimb coordination. The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate the patterns of axon termination of long ascending and descending ventrolateral pathways within the cervical and lumbar enlargements of the adult rat spinal cord. To accomplish this, we made discrete unilateral injections of the tracer biotinylated dextran-amine (BDA) into the ventrolateral white matter at T9. Although some BDA-labeled axons with varicosities were found bilaterally at all cervical levels, particularly dense BDA labeling was observed in laminae VIII and IX ipsilaterally at the C6 and C8 levels. In the same animals, dense terminal labeling was found in the lumbar enlargement in medial lamina VII and ventromedial laminae VIII and IX contralaterally. This labeling was most apparent in the more rostral lumbar segments. These observations continue the characterization of inter-enlargement (long propriospinal) pathways, illustrating a substantial and largely reciprocal inter-enlargement network with large numbers of both ascending and descending ventrolateral commissural neurons. These pathways are anatomically well-suited to the task of interlimb coordination and to participate in the remarkable recovery of locomotor function seen in the rat following thoracic spinal cord injuries that spare as little as 20% of the total white matter cross sectional area.
Role of an environmental studies course on the formation of environmental worldviews: a case study of a core curriculum requirement using the NEP Scale

Many universities require coursework in environmental studies or science, with the goal of developing environmental literacy among their graduates. Does enrollment in an environmental issues course have an effect on an undergraduate’s environmental worldview? We assess the role of a required, core curriculum environmental issues course on the environmental worldview formation of undergraduates not majoring in environmental studies or science, using data collected at the University of New England (UNE), Maine, USA. Using a pre- and postcourse design, we administered the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) survey to all enrolled students over an eight-semester interval from 2006 to 2010 (N = 976 paired surveys). Precourse surveys demonstrated that UNE students began the course with a belief system that endorsed an ecological worldview, on average, and that was structured into five domains. Comparison of pre- and postcourse data revealed: (1) students’ level of environmental concern increased significantly in each of five worldview dimensions after taking the course, although effect size varied among the five areas; (2) endorsement of the NEP increased more among students with an initially low level of environmental concern than those with a high level; and (3) students who began the course unsure of their beliefs moved away from uncertainty, indicating worldview clarification through the course. Our results demonstrate that a required, introductory environmental studies course for nonmajors can effectively achieve affective learning goals and develop ecological awareness in a student body characterized by diverse professional objectives and belief systems.
Hybrid Course Linking Natural Hazards with Probability and Statistics

The incorporation of data from the physical environment allows a standard civil engineering probability and statistics course to double as an introduction to natural hazards. The requirement of a related term paper adds to the exposure. An established course, using such an arrangement, is described in this technical note.
Growth and yield traits of sorghum grown on acid soil at varied aluminum saturations

Genetic manipulation of crops to tolerate mineral stresses is a practical approach to improve productivity of tropical acid soils. Both acid soil tolerant (AS-T) and susceptible (AS-S) sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes were grown in the field on an acid ultisol at Quilichao, Colombia, South America at 60% (60-Al) and 40% (40-Al) Al saturation to evaluate plants for growth and yield traits.
Mass spectrometric determination of selenenylsulfide linkages in rat selenoprotein P

The reversible formation of a selenenylsulfide linkage in mammalian thioredoxin reductase was identified as having a key role in its activity. Identification of selenenylsulfide and/or diselenide linkages is therefore critical to the determination of the structure and function of selenoproteins. A selenopeptide, (298)SGSAITUQCAENLPSLCSUQGLFAEEK(324) (U=selenocysteine), was isolated from a tryptic digest of rat selenoprotein P. Its two cysteine residues and two selenocysteine (Sec) residues were determined to be present in oxidized form by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The selenopeptide was subjected to partial reduction by dithiothreitol with immediate alkylation by iodoacetamide. This process was monitored by MALDI-TOFMS to determine the number of alkylations that had taken place. The partially reduced and alkylated peptides were then analyzed by nano-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and the results indicated that selenenylsulfide linkages Sec304-Cys314 and Cys306-Sec316 were present. It is concluded that selenoprotein P contains these two selenenylsulfide bonds.
Relation of regional gray and white matter volumes to current BMI and future increases in BMI: a prospective MRI study

Relation of regional gray and white matter volumes to current BMI and future increases in BMI: a prospective MRI study
Distinctions Between Classes of Superconductors Involve Their Degree of Structural Connectivity

A distinction is made between extreme types, such as high T c cuprates and soft-metal superconductors concerning the extended, relatively exchange frustration-free covalent ring structures (eight-membered) in the former. Phenomenology indicates for cuprates that bond order (BO) effects within a given number of doped bonds can create real space organization of pairs around O super-exchange centers (trijugate position) within a mobile pair kernel. Indications for this postulated new quantum chemical principle have now been found in related electronic crystal behavior by STM. This situation creates small coherence lengths (∼4 atoms) and unusually high pair numbers. For optimal doping, all holes are converted into pairs and these pairs show trends to geometric checkerboard patterns due to characteristic charge-lattice lock-ins, such as configurations with configurations with hop = 0.25 or hop = 0.16. Period of BO and the degree of isolation of the planes determine T c. Doping curves reflect BO events and are roughly predictable from structural data alone. It is suggested that a variety of related materials with large member rings (e.g. C60) follow the relevant BO phenomenology. By contrast, soft metal superconductors (e.g. Pb) are based on 3D close packed structures with small triangular rings in which exchange interactions are frustrated and small. “Normal” BCS isotope effects suggest the operation of phonons in pair formation over extended coherence lengths (>100 atoms). Very small pair numbers are created through phonons.
Productivity and organic consumption in Cassiopea and Condylactus

Abstract Oxygen production and consumption was determined for Cassiopea and Condylactus containing symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae). 88 % of both animals produce more organic material than they consumed during a 12-h light period. It is suggested that zooxanthellae contribute a significant nutritional supplementation and a greater ecological efficiency to the host animals.
Age of Onset of Sexual Abuse: Relationship to Sexually Inappropriate Behaviors

ABSTRACT Objective To examine how the age of onset of sexual abuse predicted inappropriate sexual behaviors in a sample of seriously mentally ill youths. Method A retrospective chart review was completed for all youths treated from 1987 through 1992 at a tertiary care public sector psychiatric hospital ( n = 499). Subjects were grouped according to the age at which they were first sexually abused: no sexual abuse ( n = 226), 0 through 3 years ( n = 78), 4 through 6 years ( n = 105), 7 through 12 years ( n = 71), and 13 through 17 years ( n = 19). Results The rates of sexually inappropriate behaviors in subjects with sexual abuse histories were quite substantial, ranging from 79.5% of the 0− through 3-year group to 42.1% of the 13− through 17-year group. Subjects first abused during early childhood, especially during the ages 0 through 3 years, had significantly elevated rates of hypersexual, exposing, and victimizing sexual behaviors. They also were significantly younger at the time of admission, came from more disrupted family settings, and had significantly higher rates of physical abuse, neglect, chronic sexual abuse, sexual abuse by either parent/stepparent and a higher total number of victimizers. When logistic regression analyses were done to examine the predictive power of potential risk factors, early age of onset of sexual abuse was the most significant predictor of all three types of inappropriate sexual behaviors. Conclusions Onset of sexual abuse prior to 7 years of age was significantly associated with hypersexual, exposing, and victimizing sexual behaviors. Early sexual abuse is also associated with a number of other poor prognostic factors, and further research is needed to define how these variables interact.
Unavoidable doubly connected large graphs

Abstract A connected graph is doubly connected if its complement is also connected. The following Ramsey-type theorem is proved in this paper. There exists a function h ( n ), defined on the set of integers exceeding three, such that every doubly connected graph on at least h ( n ) vertices must contain, as an induced subgraph, a doubly connected graph, which is either one of the following graphs or the complement of one of the following graphs: (1) P n , a path on n vertices; (2) K 1, n s , the graph obtained from K 1, n by subdividing an edge once; (3) K 2, n ⧹ e , the graph obtained from K 2, n by deleting an edge; (4) K 2, n + , the graph obtained from K 2, n by adding an edge between the two degree- n vertices x 1 and x 2 , and a pendent edge at each x i . Two applications of this result are also discussed in the paper.
Rheology of low‐density polyethylene + Boehmite composites

Polyethylene is already one of the most commonly used polymers due to its solvent resistance and easy processing. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) also has excellent flexibility and resilience. However, the mechanical properties of LDPE are often poor. We added the inexpensive ceramic filler Boehmite to LDPE, simultaneously improving mechanical properties and reducing production cost—as Boehmite is cheap and abundant while the filler reduces the amount of petroleum-derived polymer per unit weights of product. Additionally, less environmental contamination results at the end of service life since the Boehmite need not undergo degradation as the LDPE does. To aid adhesion between the matrix and filler, we introduced silane coupling agents (SCAs) to bond the hydrophobic LDPE to the hydrophilic Boehmite. Furthermore, since fillers ordinarily increase viscosity, it was essential to maintain a low viscosity for easy processability. We evaluated by rheometry the effect of the Boehmite on the melt viscosity of the LDPE + Boehmite composites and determined that the addition of any type of Boehmite decreases the viscosity compared to that of neat LDPE. The effects were explained by fiber formation and enhanced rigidity while the allowance for a lower processing temperature results in further energy and therefore cost savings. We also show that high-temperature exposure of Boehmite during any part of the sample processing results in a decrease in the coupling efficiency of the matrix to filler and in a higher melt viscosity; yet the viscosity is still lower than for neat LDPE. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1909–1913, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Organometallic models of catalytic hydrodesulfurization: Re2(CO)10-promoted cleavage of C–S bonds in benzothiophene

Ultraviolet photolysis of hexanes solutions containing Re2(CO)10 and benzothiophene (BT) give the C–S cleavage product Re2(CO)7[η2(C2,C3)-μ2(C 2,S)-BT] 1 which reacts with PMe3 at room temperature to yield two phosphine-substituted products, 2 and 3, in which the fragmented BT ligand is partially displaced from the metals; molecular structures of 1, 2 and 3 are models for possible intermediates in the HDS of BT on catalyst surfaces.
Preparation of Monolayer Cell Cultures from Tissues of Some Lower Vertebrates

Cold trypsin dispersion at pH 7.2 was used to obtain cultivable cells and cell groups from tissues of six species of fresh-water bony fishes, a frog, and a turtle. The cells readily attached to glass and were capable of at least limfted, and in some cases extended, division in media consisting of commercially available components.
Cardiovascular effects of microinjections of adenosine analogs into the fourth ventricle of rats

Abstract Rats were implanted with chronic indwelling cannulae into the posterior region of the fourth ventricle. After recovery from surgery, acute experiments on blood pressure were conducted under urethane anesthesia. The blood pressure and heart rate responses following administration of two adenosine analogs, NECA and L-PIA were examined. Microinjections of both analogs produced dose-dependent reductions in blood pressure and heart rate. NECA was appoximately 20-fold more potent than L-PIA in reducing blood pressure and depressing heart rate. The cardiovascular effects of both analogs were antagonized by parenteral injections of caffeine. These findings show that microinjections of analogs of adenosine into the fourth ventricle can influence areas of the central nervous system involved in cardiovascular control.
Measurement of mass scaling and alternate materials on the NIST electronic kilogram system

A blind test was conducted with mass references of a 0.5 kg silicon and 1 kg each of steel and gold-plated copper, calibrated in vacuum at the NPL and measured with the watt balance at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The results were analyzed against a 1 kg PtIr mass calibrated at NIST. The results showed good and consistent agreement between the Si, steel, and PtIr masses. The Au-plated Cu mass was stable while being measured but may have shifted during the transfer.
St. Jude Medical Valve in Pulmonary Position: Anticoagulation and Thrombosis:

Between 1979 and 1985, 5 patients underwent pulmonary valve replacement with a St. Jude Medical valve. During follow-up ranging from 30 months to 18 years, there were 6 episodes of valve thrombosis in 4 patients. Three episodes were treated by thrombolysis. Reoperation was necessary in 3 patients. Although the St. Jude Medical valve in the pulmonary position can occasionally function long-term without anticoagulation, these cases show the high risk of thrombosis and need for anticoagulation.
Three new species of Spigelia (Strychnaceae) from Mexico

During a revisionary study ofSpigelia, three new species from Mexico were discovered. Two of these new species appear to be narrow endemics, one in the state of Chiapas and one in the state of Guerrero, and the third is more widespread in Mexico and Guatemala. These new species are described, illustrated, and distinguished from other North AmericanSpigelias.
Multigenic self incompatibility in hexaploid Chrysanthemum

Eleven garden chrysanthemum siblings obtained through two generations of single-plant selfpollination were selfed and crossed in a complete diallel. Outcrosses to unrelated individuals were performed to test for male and female fertility. Since eleven crossing patterns were found inthe diallel, at least three genes must be assumed. Our data suggest independent gene action with intragenic dominance. One inbred, 77-AM3-3, expressed a high level of pseudo-self-compatibility (PSC) by giving some very low cross seed sets along with high self seed set. This inbred also exhibited variable PSC from season to season.
Ventilatory responses to hypoxia nullify hypoxic trachel constriction in awake dogs

Abstract Three awake dogs with chronic tracheostomies were used to study the effects of hypoxia (12% O 2 ) on trachel smoth muscle tone. Pressure changes within a water-filled cuff in an isolated portion of the cervical trachea reflected changes in tracheal tone. During spontaneous ventilatino, hypoxia produced hyperventilation, but no significant change in trachel tone. If hypocapnia was prevented with inspired CO 2 during hypoxia, one of three dogs increased tracheal tone, and all dogs increased ventilatino beyong that measured with hypoxia alone. When the awake dogs were ventilated mechanically to prevent changes in ventilation, hypoxia always increased tracheal tone. We made independent changes in ventilation and CO 2 similar to the spontaneous responses to hypoxia to test these effects on tracheal tone. When the dogs were ventilated mechanically frist with 2% CO 2 , and then with no CO 2 , the resulting drop in end-tidal CO 2 always decreased tone. Then the tidal volume on the ventilator was increased under hyperoxic, isocapnic conditinos, tracheal tone always decreased. We conclude that the normal ventilatory response to hypoxia opposes the bronchoconstrictor effect of hypoxia, resulting in no net tracheal smooth muscle tone.
Androgen Receptor Activation by Gs Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells

The androgen receptor (AR) is activated in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen ablative therapy and mediates growth of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells, suggesting it is activated by nonandrogenic factors. We demonstrate that activated alpha subunit of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding G(s) protein activates the AR in prostate cancer cells and also synergizes with low concentration of androgen to more fully activate the AR. The G alpha(s) activates protein kinase A, which is required for the nuclear partition and activation of AR. These data suggest a role for G alpha(s) and PKA in the transactivation of AR in prostate cancer cells under the environment of reduced androgen levels.
Conceptual Priming Differences and Reading Ability

Based on current theories of memory and reading ability, we hypothesized that children's reading ability would be correlated with two forms of memory priming that reflect implicit memory processes. One memory measure reflected direct (repetition) priming, and the other represented indirect or semantic priming. We contrasted these relationships to that between explicit memory (i.e., episodic recognition performance) and reading. In a sample of 60 sixth graders, the indirect (semantic) priming measure accounted for 26% of the variance in Stanford Achievement Test Reading scores, while the episodic recognition measure accounted for 20% of the variance. The two memory measures had a modest intercorrelation, and in combination they accounted for 35% of the reading variance. The direct (repetition) priming measure did not correlate significantly with SAT Reading. These findings have relevance to reading theories that emphasize the role of automatic spreading activation in language comprehension.
The Relationship Between Ventilatory and Lactate Thresholds in Boys and Men

The relationship between ventilatory (VT) and lactate threshold (LT) in 8 boys (11.1 +/- 0.7 yrs) and 9 men (24.0 +/- 3.3 yrs) with similar peak VO(2) levels was assessed. Percent peak VO(2) at VT and LT were higher (P 0.05), respectively, in men. The mechanisms mediating VT and LT in children are not established fully and warrant further study.
CLADID CRINOID (ECHINODERMATA) ANAL CONDITIONS: A TERMINOLOGY PROBLEM AND PROPOSED SOLUTION

Abstract: Analysis of anal plates of type species of most cladid crinoid genera (excluding codiacrinid and some gasterocomacids) recognizes four catagories of anal plating conditions designated: Parioplax, Menoplax, Mesoplax and Opioplax. These four plating conditions are subdivided into 23 anal subconditions. These various anal conditions reflect recognized general evolutionary trends within all orders of the cladids. This corrects, describes more precisely, and replaces the widely used terms ‘primitive’ and ‘advanced’ to describe anal conditions, either of which can occur in older or younger cladid crinoids. The morphological terms primanal, secundanal and tertanal should be used in place of the terms radianal, anal X and right tube plate, respectively, in most cladid and flexible crinoids. Anal X should be used only for those genera for which it has been demonstrated that the primanal was resorbed or migrated out of the cup. In most genera having cups with a single anal this rectifies the misnomer of referring to the single anal as anal X when it is actually the primanal that has migrated into the position previously occupied by the secundanal, pushing the secundanal out of the cup. The origin of cladid anals is not considered homologous to camerate anals, but the use of similar terms for descriptive purposes is given precedence over use of a misnomer. Recognition of the anal-plate positions and clarification of anal-plate homologies are important in cladid phylogenetic analysis. Results of this study strongly support punctuated and mosaic evolution within the anal-plate series of cladid crinoids. Application of the new terminology further implies that the classification of some polyphyletic genera and families may be the result of convergence, wherein greater emphasis has been placed on the anal condition for genus or family assignment than has been placed on other equally significant morphological features.
How nonclinical are community samples

Mental health services are underutilized in our society by both adults and children. This finding presents a potential problem for researchers conducting community-based research. Previous studies have demonstrated that community-based researchers frequently do not screen participants for the presence of psychopathology nor do they ascertain whether therapeutic services are currently utilized. The present study explored the prevalence of psychopathology and treatment involvement in a sample of families recruited from the community. Results indicated that a fifth of the participants in this community-based sample met diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder or were in treatment for psychological difficulties at the time of recruitment for this study. Furthermore, mothers, fathers, and adolescents who met the criteria according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) for a psychological disorder had higher symptomatology than those who did not meet criteria. Methodological suggestions are provided. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The communication investigator: Teaching research methods to undergraduates

This essay explores the basic communication research course for undergraduates. Discussed are several key notions for making this course valuable to the undergraduate: the attitude of the instructor, the attitude of the students, course requirements and activities, and evaluation techniques.
Rough cut capacity planning in a learning environment

The area of capacity planning is receiving increased emphasis in the management of operations due to the financial benefits of efficiently utilizing capacity and to the importance of accurate capacity plans for use with material requirements planning (MRP) and other information-oriented planning systems. Most of the prior research in capacity planning has been limited to improving capacity management techniques that assume a constant level of productivity. But it has been shown in past empirical research that many firms exhibit productivity improvements, or learning, as more units are produced. These productivity improvements are usually associated with a learning process-human, technological, or organizational-and have been measured by logarithmic functions known as learning curves. When companies exhibit this learning process in the use of their capital or human resources, the capacity planning methodology used should consider the effects of future productivity improvements on capacity utilization. This paper presents an overview learning curve analysis (LCA) for rough-cut capacity planning and illustrates the effective use of learning curves for capacity planning through a comparison of traditional approaches with ones that incorporate the learning curve concept.
Intravascular ultrasound insights from the Cobalt Chromium Stent With Antiproliferative for Restenosis II (COSTAR II) trial comparing CoStar and Taxus paclitaxel-eluting stents.

Abstract Background Dedicated IVUS analyses of the second CObalt chromium STent with Antiproliferative for Restenosis (COSTAR II) trial have not been documented. We aim to compare IVUS findings between CoStar paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) and Taxus PES in patients enrolled in the COSTAR II trial. We also attempted to examine the possible regional impact of multiple stenting. Methods and materials Among the 1700 patients enrolled, 238 were assigned to an IVUS cohort including 168 patients treated by provisional multiple stenting. At 9 months, qualitative and quantitative IVUS observations including incomplete stent apposition (ISA) and neointimal proliferation (neointimal obstruction: neointimal volume/stent volume ×100) were compared between CoStar and Taxus PESs. Results In qualitative analysis, late-acquired ISA was observed in 1 patient treated by Taxus PES. Impaired strut continuity suggestive of stent fracture was observed in 2 out of 33 patients treated by multiple CoStar, and 4 out of 21 patients treated by multiple Taxus ( P =.14). No such findings were found in single-stented patients in either stent subset. Quantitative analysis showed greater neointimal obstruction in CoStar (19.7%±13.4%, n =52) than in Taxus (10.7%±9.9%, n =38), whereas no significant difference in neointimal obstruction was found between single and multiple stenting in either CoStar or Taxus PES. Conclusions The CoStar PES exhibits greater neointimal proliferation compared with Taxus PES at 9 months but with similar qualitative outcomes including late-acquired ISA. IVUS findings suggestive of stent fracture were found only in multiple-stenting cases irrespective of the stent used.
Fault Localization Using Passive End-to-End Measurements and Sequential Testing for Wireless Sensor Networks

Faulty components in a network need to be localized and repaired to sustain the health of the network. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that carefully combines active and passive measurements to localize faults in wireless sensor networks. More specifically, we formulate a problem of optimal sequential testing guided by end-to-end data. This problem determines an optimal testing sequence of network components based on end-to-end data in sensor networks to minimize expected testing cost. We prove that this problem is NP-hard, and propose a recursive approach to solve it. This approach leads to a polynomial-time optimal algorithm for line topologies while requiring exponential running time for general topologies. We further develop two polynomial-time heuristic schemes that are applicable to general topologies. Extensive simulation shows that our heuristic schemes only require testing a very small set of network components to localize and repair all faults in the network. Our approach is superior to using active and passive measurements in isolation. It also outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches that localize and repair all faults in a network.
Reading machine: From text to speech

A machine with unrestricted vocabulary, that is capable of converting printed text into connected speech in real time, would be extremely useful to blind people. The problems in implementing such a machine are mainly 1) character recognition, 2) conversion of the symbolic form of written language into a symbolic form of spoken language, and 3) synthesis of connected speech from the symbolic description. The character recognition must be highly accurate, although high speed is not necessary. The language in spoken form may be symbolically represented by strings of segmental phonemes, together with additional specifications at phrase and sentence or suprasegmental levels. The segmental phonemes characterize the basic speech sound elements, and the suprasegmental specifications characterize intonation, stress, and pauses. For a restricted vocabulary, a spelling to pronouncing dictionary indicating pronunciation, as well as spelling, can be used to obtain the segmental phonemes; however, for an unrestricted vocabulary in a language like English, a scheme employing a dictionary that indicates the elements of words (prefixes, suffixes, and roots), together with a set of rules for word formation, is necessary and more economical. Since suprasegmental specifications depend upon sentence structure, sentence analysis, or parsing, must be performed to identify essential groups. The construction of a speech synthesizer may be based on the terminal transfer characteristic of the human vocal tract as a whole, or it may be based on the transfer characteristics of a cascade of many sections of variable cross-section area acoustic tubes which simulate the vocal tract. Speech synthesis-by-rule is the generation, according to a set of predetermined rules, of the variable parameters of a speech synthesizer as functions of time from an input of segmental and suprasegmental specifications.
Thermodynamic constraints on effective energy and mass transfer and catchment function

Understanding how water, energy and carbon are partitioned to primary production and effective precipitation is central to quantifying the limits on critical zone evolu- tion. Recent work suggests quantifying energetic transfers to the critical zone in the form of effective precipitation and primary production provides a first order approximation of critical zone process and structural organization. However, explicit linkage of this effective energy and mass transfer (EEMT; W m 2 ) to critical zone state variables and well de- fined physical limits remains to be developed. The objective of this work was to place EEMT in the context of thermo- dynamic state variables of temperature and vapor pressure deficit, with explicit definition of EEMT physical limits us- ing a global climate dataset. The relation of EEMT to em- pirical measures of catchment function was also examined using a subset of the Model Parameter Estimation Experi- ment (MOPEX) catchments. The data demonstrated three physical limits for EEMT: (i) an absolute vapor pressure deficit threshold of 1200 Pa above which EEMT is zero; (ii) a temperature dependent vapor pressure deficit limit following the saturated vapor pressure function up to a temperature of 292 K; and (iii) a minimum precipitation threshold required from EEMT production at temperatures greater than 292 K. Within these limits, EEMT scales directly with precipitation, with increasing conversion of the precipitation to EEMT with increasing temperature. The state-space framework derived here presents a simplified framework with well-defined phys- ical limits that has the potential for directly integrating re- gional to pedon scale heterogeneity in effective energy and mass transfer relative to critical zone structure and function within a common thermodynamic framework.
An evaluation of information visualization in attention-limited environments

People often need to quickly access or maintain awareness of secondary information while busy with other primary tasks. Information visualizations provide rapid, effective access to information, but are generally designed to be examined by users as the primary focus of their attention. The goal of this research is to discover how to design information visualizations intended for the periphery and to understand how quickly and effectively people can interpret information visualizations while they are busily performing other tasks. We evaluated how several factors of a visualization (visual density, presence time, and secondary task type) impact people's abilities to continue with a primary task and to complete secondary tasks related to the visualization. Our results suggest that, with relaxed time pressure, reduced visual information density and a single well-defined secondary task, people can effectively interpret visualizations with minimal distraction to their primary task.
Developmental Program of Myxococcus xanthus

The myxobacteria are social organisms. Throughout their life cycles, individual bacteria maintain close contacts with each other. Although bacteria are capable of independent growth on an appropriate medium, they tend to aggregate into swarms and move as a group. Presumably, the swarm provides the critical cell mass needed by the myxobacteria to attack and digest other microorganisms or to degrade complex organic matter. One consequence of this sociability is that the myxobacteria show characteristic behaviors in response to certain stimuli. The most striking behaviors are associated with starvation. Outward movement of the swarms stops and cells begin a complicated series of interactions that result in cellular aggregation and sporulation. Profound changes in the metabolism, biochemistry, and ultimately the morphology of the cells occur. How are these changes triggered? How is the pattern of gene expression modified? What specific biochemical events occur? The developmental program of the myxobacteria is a fascinating subject for investigation. But research in this area has only recently begun. Since most of the investigations have been performed with Myxococcus xanthus, development in this organism will be the focus of this chapter.
Marination and packaging impact on textural properties of home-frozen broiler breast fillets

Abstract Different packaging is available to consumers, and marination is widely applied. However, their effects on the quality of broiler breast fillets during home freezing are not well known to consumers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of packaging materials on the quality of chicken breast fillets after 1, 3, and 6 wk storage at −18°C. A total of 256 fillet were randomly placed in tray packs, freezer bags, butcher paper, and nonpackaged controls. Samples were analyzed for raw pH, color, percent moisture content, and TBA reactive substances (TBARS) at d 0 (only nonpackaged controls), wk 1, 3, and 6, and cooked texture and sensory attributes at wk 1 and 6. There were differences (P
Notions of Relative Ubiquity for Invariant Sets of Relational Structures

Given a finite lexicon L of relational symbols and equality, one may view the collection of all L-structures on the set of natural numbers ω as a space in several different ways. We consider it as: (i) the space of outcomes of certain infinite two-person games; (ii) a compact metric space; and (iii) a probability measure space. For each of these viewpoints, we can give a notion of relative ubiquity, or largeness, for invariant sets of structures on ω. For example, in every sense of relative ubiquity considered here, the set of dense linear orderings on ω is ubiquitous in the set of linear orderings on ω.
Quantitative genetic variation in Daphnia: Temporal changes in genetic architecture

Nonadditive genetic variation and genetic disequilibrium are two important factors that influence the evo- lutionary trajectory of natural populations. We assayed quantitative genetic variation in a temporary-pond-dwelling population of Daphnia pulex over a full season to examine the role of nonadditive genetic variation and genetic disequilibrium in determining the short-term evolutionary trajectory of a cyclic parthenogen. Quantitative traits were influenced by three factors: (1) clonal selection significantly changed the population mean phenotype during the course of the growing season; (2) sexual reproduction and recombination led to significant changes in life-history trait means and the levels of expressed genetic variation, implying the presence of substantial nonadditive genetic variation and genetic disequilibrium; and (3) Egg-bank effects were found to be an important component of the realized year-to- year change. Additionally, we examined the impact of genetic disequilibria induced by clonal selection on the genetic (co)variance structure with a common principal components model. Clonal selection caused significant changes in the (co)variance structure that were eliminated by a single bout of random mating, suggesting that a build-up of disequilibria was the primary source of changes in the (co)variance structure. The results of this study highlight the complexity of natural selection operating on populations that undergo alternating phases of sexual and asexual reproduction.
Tea Consumption and Cancer Incidence in a Prospective Cohort Study of Postmenopausal Women

Tea has consistently been shown to inhibit the occurrence of tumors in experimental animals. The evidence for such a beneficial effect in humans, however, is limited. The authors examined the association between non-herbal tea consumption and cancer incidence in a prospective cohort study of 35,369 postmenopausal Iowa women. In this cohort, information on the frequency of tea drinking and other dietary and lifestyle factors was collected by mailed survey in 1986. After 8 years of follow-up, 2,936 incident non-skin cancer cases were ascertained in this cohort through the State Health Registry of Iowa. Proportional hazards regressions were used to derive adjusted relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for the association between tea consumption and cancer incidence. After controlling for confounding factors, the authors found that regular tea consumption was related to a slight, but not statistically significant, reduced incidence of all cancers combined. Inverse associations with increasing frequency of tea drinking were seen for cancers of the digestive tract (p for trend, 0.04) and the urinary tract (p for trend, 0.02). For women who reported drinking > or = 2 cups (474 ml) of tea per day, compared with those who never or occasionally drank tea, the relative risk for digestive tract cancers was 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.98) and for urinary tract cancers, 0.40 (95% CI 0.16-0.98). Similar inverse associations were seen for specific digestive and urinary tract cancers, although site-specific analyses were not statistically significant. No appreciable association of tea drinking was found with melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or cancers of the pancreas, lung, breast, uterine corpus, or ovary. This study suggests that tea, one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide, may protect against some cancers in postmenopausal women.
Recognition, Management, and Prevention of Hymenopteran Stings and Allergic Reactions in Travelers

Allergic reactions to insect bites and stings remain exceedingly common indications for urgent health care visits worldwide. Estimates of the worldwide annual incidence of immunologic reactions to hymenopteran stings in the world population range from 0.3% to 3.0% or nearly 100 million cases per year ranging from local wheal‐and‐flare reactions to deaths from anaphylactic shock.1–4 In the United States, the annual incidence of allergic reactions to hymenopteran stings ranges between 0.4% and 4.0%, with 40 to 50 deaths a year.1–6 These allergic reactions are mediated by immunoglobulins that target specific antigens in hymenopteran venoms.5 Hymenopterans are, therefore, among the most medically important arthropods, responsible for most cases of hypersensitivity reactions to insect stings.2–8 This article will review the descriptive epidemiology of hymenopteran stings and allergic reactions, risk stratified by severity and outcomes. In addition, this article will review current recommendations for the clinical assessment and management, immunoprophylaxis, and prevention of hymenopteran stings and allergic reactions in travelers. ### The Taxonomy of Hymenopterans The current taxonomy of the medically important hymenopterans is depicted in Table 1. View this table: Table 1 The taxonomy of hymenopterans (phylum: Arthropoda, class: Insecta, and order: Hymenoptera) ### The Mechanisms of Hymenopteran Envenoming Apids or bees inflict single stings as their stingers deeply embed in victims and detach in contiguity with the distal ends of their abdomens, whereas vespids or wasps often inflict multiple stings with stingers that have few barbs and can be easily withdrawn, usually without detaching. Formicids or ants first anchor to their victims by biting, then pivot around the bite site, stinging repeatedly in a circular pattern with modified ovipositors similar to vespid stingers. ### The Toxicology of Hymenopteran Venoms In general, hymenopteran venoms all exhibit the following physiochemical characteristics: (1) acidic, proteinaceous liquids with an aromatic odor and a sharp, bitter taste; (2) a slightly yellowish color; and (3) a dried residue also with a slightly yellowish color … Corresponding Author: James H. Diaz, MD, MPH&TM, DrPH, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, 1615 Poydras Street, Suite 1400, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. E‐mail: jdiaz{at}lsuhsc.edu
Arnold tongues and subharmonics in the forced oscillations of a mechanical clock

We consider a simple model of a mechanical clock and its response to periodic disturbances. The model consists of a damped linear oscillator subjected to impulses whenever the system achieves a prescribed state (position and velocity). The unforced system possesses a limit cycle which, due to the piecewise linear nature of the model, is known in an explicit form. The response of this system to periodic excitation depends in a delicate manner on the ratio of the limit cycle period to the forcing period. Arnold tongues emerge, as the driving amplitude is increased form zero, from points where this ratio is a rational number and correspond to the appearance of subharmonic motions. We present explicit formulae for some of these bifurcation curves and for some secondary bifurcation curves where the subharmonics lose their stability, these bifurcations are either period doubling or Hopf bifurcations.