cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical and socioeconomic predispositions to complicated thyrotoxicosis: A predictable and preventable syndrome?

PURPOSE: To identify the clinical, demographic, and hormonal features that characterize and place patients at greater risk for complicated thyrotoxicosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with documented thyrotoxicosis complicated by cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal, or thermoregulatory dysfunction, were retrospectively identified among 498,000 hospital admissions between 1979 and 1992. Clinical, demographic, and hormonal information were obtained from these charts, as well as from the charts of 118 randomly selected thyrotoxic outpatients. RESULTS: Age distribution of complicated thyrotoxicosis patients was bimodal, with a median of 41 years. Forty-nine percent of patients had been previously diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis, but most had been noncompliant with prescribed medication. Cardiovascular complications were among the primary causes for admission in 46% of patients, followed by neuropsychiatric indications in 42%, fever in 34%, and gastrointestinal dysfunction in 17%. Only 8% had primary involvement of >2 organ systems. There was high correlation between organ systems with pre-existing dysfunction and those with a complication of thyrotoxicosis ( P 50 years old (OR, 1.93; 95% CI 1.23 to 3.03); and to have serum T 4 concentrations greater than twice the upper limit of normal (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.44). CONCLUSIONS: Certain thyrotoxic patients are at greater risk for developing complications. By addressing the medical needs of these patients, it may be possible to reduce the likelihood of complications requiring hospitalization.
Triazofenamide is a cellulose biosynthesis inhibitor

Abstract Triazofenamide is a triazole carboximide herbicide developed by Kureha. The carboximide triazole herbicides were previously thought to be microtubule polymerization inhibitors. The assignment of this mode of action to these compounds was recently shown to be incorrect. In this communication we demonstrate that triazofenamide is a powerful cellulose biosynthesis inhibitor. The similarity of whole plant symptoms generated by cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors and microtubule biosynthesis inhibitors likely contributed to the earlier, mistaken mode of action assignment for this class of chemistry. Arabidopsis mutants resistant to either of two other classes of cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors, isoxaben and dichlobenil, are not cross-resistant to triazofenamide.
A comparison of types of attorney representation for children in California juvenile court dependency cases

Abstract Objective The present study concerns types of attorney representation for maltreated children involved in juvenile court actions in the state of California. The aims of the research were to document the different types of representation used in dependency cases in 2000 (e.g., public defender, District Attorney, private firms) and to evaluate these types of representation with respect to children's experiences in foster care. Methods Every county in California was surveyed about the predominant type of legal representation used in their dependency court system. In addition, data on children's experiences in foster care were obtained from the Child Welfare System/Child Management System (CWS/CMS). Results Findings indicate that, in the majority of counties in California, children were represented by the public defender's office or by a panel of court-appointed attorneys. Approximately equal numbers of counties employed county-affiliated (i.e., District Attorney, public defender, county counsel) and independent (i.e., private firm, panel of court-appointed attorneys) types of representation (47% and 52%, respectively). Further analyses suggested that children in counties employing independent types of representation tended to experience fewer foster-care placements than did children in counties employing county-affiliated types of representation. This relation remained significant when potentially confounding variables were statistically controlled. Conclusion Results indicated that some types of representation, specifically, private firms and court-appointed attorneys, were associated with one better outcome for children.
Permutation codes for sources

Source encoding techniques based on permutation codes are investigated. For a broad class of distortion measures it is shown that optimum encoding of a source permutation code is easy to instrument even for very long block lengths. Also, the nonparametric nature of permutation encoding is well suited to situations involving unknown source statistics. For the squared-error distortion measure a procedure for generating good permutation codes of a given rate and block length is described. The performance of such codes for a memoryless Gaussian source is compared both with the rate-distortion function bound and with the performance of various quantization schemes. The comparison reveals that permutation codes are asymptotically ideal for small rates and perform as well as the best entropy-coded quantizers presently known for intermediate rates. They can be made to compare favorably at high rates, too, provided the coding delay associated with extremely long block lengths is tolerable.
Scheduling with slack time

We consider a scheduling problem concerning a set of jobs {J 1, J 2,..., J n } in which the job J i requests C i units of computation time every T i units of time periodically. These jobs are to be executed by a timeshared single-processor computing system. It is assumed that the requests for each job arrive at the system at the beginning of the request periods and that deadline for completion of the requested computation in each period coincides with the beginning of the next period. For a set of jobs that is schedulable by a certain algorithm, the time span between the completion of a request and its deadline is referred to as the slack time of the request. It is shown here that when the set of jobs is scheduled according to the rate monotonic algorithm, the slack time of the first request of any job is no larger than the slack time of any subsequent request of that job. This result enables us to determine lower bounds to slack times of all requests.
COMPARATIVE POLITICS: A HALF-CENTURY APPRAISAL*

IN THE BEGINNING was Comparison. Or in the words of our centenarian, Woodrow Wilson: "I believe that our own institutions can be understood and appreciated only by those who know somewhat familiarly other systems of government and the main facts of general institutional history. By the use of a thorough comparative and historical method, moreover, a general clarification of views may be obtained. . . Certainly it does not now have to be argued that the only thorough method of study in politics is the comparative and historical."' What has happened to comparative
Exploring Gluonic Matter with Electron–Ion Collisions

Abstract Light and heavy nuclei probed in deep inelastic scattering and diffractive processes in the high-energy regime open a new precision window into fundamental questions in QCD. The proposed Electron–Ion Collider (EIC) is a new high-energy and high-luminosity electron–ion machine. The design offers unprecedented access to explore the nature of QCD matter and strong color fields. In particular, the new collider will allow us to reach and explore the regime where the gluon density saturates, one of the fundamental outstanding questions in QCD, and test the validity of the Color Glass Condensate approach. Selected key measurements in electron–ion collisions with an emphasis on probing and characterizing the gluonic matter are discussed.
Shift of immunoglobulin phenotypes in B-cell precursor cell lines

Rearrangement of immunoglobulin chain genes is a hallmark of mammalian B cell development and differential expression of immunoglobulin chains has aided in the diagnosis and prognostication of patients with ALL. Matsu et al. describe two novel precursor B-cell lines with shift of expression of immunoglobulin phenotypes at diagnosis and relapse. The impact of this observation on diagnosis and the elucidation of the biology of the neoplastic cells will be discussed.
The OPCL control method for entrainment, model-resonance, and migration actions on multiple-attractor systems.

A survey is given of three different control objectives that can be achieved with the use of the Open-Plus-Closed-Loop (OPCL) control method, developed by Jackson and Grosu. For a system that can be characterized by N first-order ordinary differential equations, these objectives are: (1) the asymptotic entrainment of the system’s dynamics to a prescribed “goal” dynamics, g(t); (2) an experimental-search method to determine an approximate dynamic model; (3) the transferal of the system from one attractor to any “target” attractor. For one class of systems, this may be accomplished without a model, by using only a short-duration record of the natural dynamics in the target attractor, as demonstrated experimentally using the Chua system.
Human Resources Practices for Environmental Sustainability in Lodging Operations

As sustainability has increasingly become a critical global issue, attention has been focused on the lodging industry's efforts to minimize its environmental impact. This study investigates how hotels with an independently identified focus on sustainability address the human resources issues required for maintaining sound environmental practices. Hotels with Green Seal certification were surveyed about how they trained and motivated employees and, if necessary, enforced the policies. The findings suggest that virtually all the hotels conducted training for existing and new employees. However, some questions were raised about the depth of commitment, particularly in enforcement.
Overexpression of a soybean salicylic acid methyltransferase gene confers resistance to soybean cyst nematode

Salicylic acid plays a critical role in activating plant defence responses after pathogen attack. Salicylic acid methyltransferase (SAMT) modulates the level of salicylic acid by converting salicylic acid to methyl salicylate. Here, we report that a SAMT gene from soybean (GmSAMT1) plays a role in soybean defence against soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, SCN). GmSAMT1 was identified as a candidate SCN defence-related gene in our previous analysis of soybean defence against SCN using GeneChip microarray experiments. The current study started with the isolation of the full-length cDNAs of GmSAMT1 from a SCN-resistant soybean line and from a SCN-susceptible soybean line. The two cDNAs encode proteins of identical sequences. The GmSAMT1 cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli. Using in vitro enzyme assays, E. coli-expressed GmSAMT1 was confirmed to function as salicylic acid methyltransferase. The apparent Km value of GmSAMT1 for salicylic acid was approximately 46 μM. To determine the role of GmSAMT1 in soybean defence against SCN, transgenic hairy roots overexpressing GmSAMT1 were produced and tested for SCN resistance. Overexpression of GmSAMT1 in SCN-susceptible backgrounds significantly reduced the development of SCN, indicating that overexpression of GmSAMT1 in the transgenic hairy root system could confer resistance to SCN. Overexpression of GmSAMT1 in transgenic hairy roots was also found to affect the expression of selected genes involved in salicylic acid biosynthesis and salicylic acid signal transduction.
Highly sensitive single photon detection system for multi-lane DNA sequencer

A multichannel fluorescence detection system for multi-lane DNA sequencer based on single photon counting is presented. The problem of elimination of the lane cross-talk caused by both optical and electronic cross-talk between the detection lanes is discussed. A novel method for elimination of the channel cross-talk is proposed. The calibration procedure for a DNA sequencer with lane cross-talk cancellation is described. Improvement in sensitivity of a DNA sequencer setup by introducing wide collection angle optical system is discussed.
Hyperlipidemia versus Iron Overload and Coronary Artery Disease: Yet More Arguments on the Cholesterol Debate

Hyperlipidemia versus Iron Overload and Coronary Artery Disease: Yet More Arguments on the Cholesterol Debate William S. Weintruub,‘-3~* Nanette K. Wenger,’ Sum Purthasuruthy,4 and W. Virgil Brown5 ‘DIVISION OF CARDIOLOGY, 2C~~~~~ FOR CLINICAL EVALUATION SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, EMORY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, 3D~~~~~~~~~ OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, EMORY UNIVERWT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 4D~~~~~~~~~ OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, EMORY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, AND ‘DIVISION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND LIPID DISORDERS, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, EMORY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Learning from the East: Soviet Experts and India in the Era of Competitive Coexistence

Engerman’s essay examines Soviet encounters with India in the 1950s and 1960s, tracing the effects of such encounters on both nations. Using Soviet and Indian published as well as archival material, it pays special attention to the effects on Soviet and Indian economic ideas. Of particular interest is the emergence, in Soviet scholarly and foreign-policy discussions, of the “noncapitalist path” to socialism. This category owed much to the encounters of Soviet experts like M. I. Rubinshtein with India in the mid-1950s. The emergence of a concept of the noncapitalist path, in turn, underwrote the Soviet approach to a variety of underdeveloped nations in the 1950s and 1960s—as promoted vigorously by Nikita Khrushchev and apparatchiks in the Soviet Central Committee.
Evidence for olfactory function in utero

Pregnant rats received 2-[14C]deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) intravenously on the last day of gestation, and their fetuses were delivered 1 hour later by cesarean section. Fetal brains showed high 2DG uptake spread throughout the accessory olfactory bulb and little or no differential uptake in the main olfactory bulb. These findings demonstrate that functional activity occurs in the accessory olfactory bulb in utero and suggest that the accessory olfactory system may be the pathway by which fetal rats detect the odor quality of their intrauterine milieu.
Projections of Schottky Barrier source-drain Gallium Nitride MOSFET based on TCAD simulation and experimental results

This paper details the use of nickel Schottky barriers as the source and drain for a Schottky barrier GaN MOSFET (SB-MOSFET).
The variational iteration method for solving the Volterra integro-differential forms of the Lane–Emden equations of the first and the second kind

In this paper, we establish the Volterra integro-differential forms of the Lane–Emden equations. We use the variational iteration method (VIM) to effectively treat these forms. The Volterra integro-differential forms of the Lane–Emden equations overcome the singular behavior at the origin \(x=0\) and do not use a variety of Lagrange multipliers. Several numerical examples are examined to show the validity of the integro-differential forms.
Sign properties of Green's functions for disconjugate dynamic equations on time scales

This paper continues the development of disconjugacy of higher order dynamic equations on time scales. Two-point conjugate type boundary value problems for general disconjugate dynamic equations on time scales are studied and the sign properties of associated Green's functions are established. As expected, the results unify known results from the theories of ordinary differential equations and finite difference equations.
Monte Carlo simulation of the two-dimensional random ( ± J ) Ising model

A Monte Carlo simulation of the two-dimensional random ($\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}J$) Ising model has characterized the equilibrium and dynamic behavior of the model. The spin-glass correlation length diverges algebraically with absolute temperature. The equilibration time obeys an Arrhenius law at low temperature. There is a "phase transition at zero temperature" and a glass transition at finite temperature. In the spin-glass frequency ($f$) regime the noise power spectrum is proportional to $\frac{1}{{f}^{(1+\ensuremath{\alpha})}}$ with $\ensuremath{\alpha}=0.28$.
Functional and molecular characterization of multiple K-Cl cotransporter isoforms in corneal epithelial cells.

Abstract The dependence of regulatory volume decrease (RVD) activity on potassium-chloride cotransporter (KCC) isoform expression was characterized in corneal epithelial cells (CEC). During exposure to a 50% hypotonic challenge, the RVD response was larger in SV40-immortalized human CEC (HCEC) than in SV40-immortalized rabbit CEC (RCEC). A KCC inhibitor—[(dihydroindenyl)oxy] alkanoic acid (DIOA)—blocked RVD more in HCEC than RCEC. Under isotonic conditions, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) produced KCC activation and transient cell shrinkage. Both of these changes were greater in HCEC than in RCEC. Immunoblot analysis of HCEC, RCEC, primary human CEC (pHCEC), and primary bovine CEC (BCEC) plasma membrane enriched fractions revealed KCC1, KCC3, and KCC4 isoform expression, whereas KCC2 was undetectable. During a hypotonic challenge, KCC1 membrane content increased more rapidly in HCEC than in RCEC. Such a challenge induced a larger increase and more transient p44/42MAPK activation in HCEC than RCEC. On the other hand, HCEC and RCEC p38MAPK phosphorylation reached peak activations at 2.5 and 15 min, respectively. Only in HCEC, pharmacological manipulation of KCC activity modified the hypotonicity-induced activation of p44/42MAPK, whereas p38MAPK phosphorylation was insensitive to such procedures in both cell lines. Larger increases in HCEC KCC1 membrane protein content correlated with their ability to undergo faster and more complete RVD. Furthermore, pharmacological activation of KCC increased p44/42MAPK phosphorylation in HCEC but not in RCEC, presumably a reflection of low KCC1 membrane expression in RCEC. These findings suggest that KCC1 plays a role in (i) maintaining isotonic steady-state cell volume homeostasis, (ii) recovery of isotonic cell volume after a hypotonic challenge through RVD, and (iii) regulating hypotonicity-induced activation of the p44/42MAPK signaling pathway required for cell proliferation.
Synthesis of low polydispersity polybutadiene and polyethylene stars by convergent living anionic polymerization

Star-shaped polybutadiene stars were synthesized by a convergent coupling of polybutadienyllithium with 4-(chlorodimethylsilyl)styrene (CDMSS). CDMSS was added slowly and continuously to the living anionic chains until a stoichiometric equivalent was reached. Gel permeation chromatography-multi-angle laser light scattering (GPC-MALLS) was used to determine the molecular weights and molecular weight distribution of the polybutadiene polymers. The number of arms incorporated into the star depended on the molecular weight of the initial chains and the rate of addition of the CDMSS. Low molecular weight polybutadiene arms (M n = 640 g/mol) resulted in polybutadiene star polymers with an average of 12.6 arms, while higher molecular weight polybutadiene arms (M n = 16,000 g/mol) resulted in polybutadiene star polymers with an average of 5.3 arms. The polybutadiene star polymers exhibited high 1,4-polybutadiene microstructure (88.3-93.1%), and narrow molecular weight distributions (M w /M n = 1.11-1.20). Polybutadiene stars were subsequently hydrogenated by two methods, heterogeneous catalysis (catalytic hydrogenation using Pd/CaCO 3 ) or reaction with p-toluenesulfonhydrazide (TSH), to transform the polybutadiene stars into polyethylene stars. The hydrogenation of the polybutadiene stars was found to be close to quantitative by 1 H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy.
Longitudinal study of smoking patterns in relation to the development of smoking-related secondary primary tumors in patients with upper aerodigestive tract malignancies.

BACKGROUND The authors set out to assess the correlation between smoking-related second primary tumor (SPT) development and cigarette smoking habits after diagnosis and definitive treatment in patients with early-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who were enrolled in a placebo-controlled randomized chemoprevention trial of 13-cis-retinoic acid. METHODS Longitudinal data collected for 10 years after the index diagnosis are presented for 1190 patients. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the effects of changes in smoking behavior on smoking-related SPT development. RESULTS One-third of all patients who quit smoking within 12 months before randomization experienced recurrence, compared with 6.9% and 10.4% of all never-smokers and former smokers, respectively. Approximately 16% of all current smokers stopped smoking, and nearly 22% of current smokers developed SPTs, compared with 14.5%, 13.2%, and 8.8% of all recent smokers, former smokers, and never-smokers, respectively. The probability of developing a smoking-related SPT was highest among patients who were current smokers at randomization. These patients, regardless of whether they ceased smoking during follow-up, were nearly three times more likely than patients who had never smoked to develop a smoking-related SPT. In contrast, former smokers and recent quitters who continued to abstain from smoking during follow-up were approximately 1.5 times more likely to develop an SPT compared with patients who had never smoked. CONCLUSIONS Patients who continue to smoke after the successful treatment of their index head and neck malignancies have a substantially higher risk of developing smoking-related SPTs. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Primordial texts: An object relations approach to biblical hermeneutics

What is object relations theory? What is the place of an object relations perspective in biblical hermeneutics as a process? After briefly introducing object relations theory, this presentation discusses the place of an object relations perspective in the hermeneutical process by analyzing D. Winnicott's “squiggle” game with children as a hermeneutical paradigm, and by examining critical themes such as: subject-object relations or the relationship between text and the interpreter or interpreting community, transitional space, and the suspension of disbelief or the locus of illusion in hermeneutical understanding.
Serial assessment of circumferential regional left ventricular function following complete coronary occlusion

The effect of abrupt coronary artery occlusion on regional left ventricular (LV) function is well known, but serial changes in circumferential regional function over the first few hours have not been extensively investigated. Circumflex coronary artery occlusion was produced in nine closed-chest, conscious dogs and changes in LV circumferential function were assessed using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) performed in the short-axis projection at the mid-papillary muscle level. End-diastolic and end-systolic frames were manually digitized and regional area ejection fractions at 22.5-degree intervals were calculated using a fixed diastolic center of mass. Endocardial motion abnormality was measured from a circumferential regional ejection fraction map. The extent of wall motion abnormality was measured as that exceeding 95% confidence limits of normal controls; the degree of dyssynergy was measured as the planimetered area of the extent of wall motion abnormality. Following circumflex coronary artery occlusion, a wall motion abnormality was well defined with a minute of occlusion and its circumferential extent measured 146 +/- 16 degrees with 11 +/- 2 cm2 absolute degree of dyssynergy. These parameters did not change over the course of the coronary artery occlusion. We conclude that circumferential regional abnormalities produced by coronary occlusions are well defined early and do not change over the first 3 hours of acute ischemia and infarction.
Photofragment fluorescence polarization following laser-induced photodissociation of XeF2

Abstract The degree of polarization of XeF B → X fluorescence produced by photolysis of XeF2 using 193 nm linear polarized radiation was determined to be 11 = 2XXX. This suggests Σu+ symmetry for the XeF2 dissociative state. Collisional depolarizanon of XeF (B → X) emission by inert gases and the rate constant for electronic quenching of XeF(B) by Kr were also examined.
Decision Factors for the Adoption of an Online Payment System by Customers

Along with the exponential increase in online business transactions, the online payment system has gained in popularity because vendors and creditors realize its growing importance as a foundation to improve their information infrastructure and to achieve â€œpaperlessâ€ operating efficiency. However, due to per se different characteristics among customers and Web-systems, both sidesâ€™ perspectives and technology factors could cause a significant level of variation in customersâ€™ acceptance of online payment methods. Our research involving 148 subjects who participated in a field survey examined the impact of a series of possible decision factors including perceived risk, perceived benefits, vendorâ€™s system features, and customersâ€™ characteristics on the intention to use an online payment system by customers. Some significant associations are observed and their implications are discussed.
Assignment of the genes for triose phosphate isomerase to chromosome 6 and tripeptidase-1 to chromosome 10 in Mus musculus by somatic cell hybridization.

Evidence is presented for the assignment of the gene for triose phosphate isomerase toMus musculus chromosome 6 and tripeptidase-1 to chromosome 10 by synteny testing and chromosome assignment in Chinese hamster x mouse somatic cell hybrid clones. Neither TPI nor TRIP-1 were expressed concordantly with any known isozyme markers in 45 hybrid clones (13 primary and 32 secondary). Karyotypic analysis of 21 clones showed that the expression of TPI and chromosome 6 were concordant in all cases as was expressed of TRIP-1 and chromosome 10. Both chromosomes were previously unmarked by isozymes.
Homomorphisms of symbolic dynamical systems

The densities of finite blocks of symbols can be computed for points in any substitution minimal set arising from a substitution of constant length and also for points in any Sturmian minimal set. It follows from the computations that all Sturmian minimal sets and all substitution minimal sets are strictly ergodic and have topological entropy zero. It also follows that no Sturmian minimal set is the homomorphic image of a substitution minimal set. It can also be shown that no non-trivial substitution minimal set is powerfully (totally) minimal, and it follows that no non-trivial substitution minimal set is the homomorphic image of a Sturmian minimal set.
Effect of grain orientation on aluminum relocation at incipient melt conditions

Aluminum is commonly used for structural applications in the aerospace industry because of its high strength in relation to its weight. It is necessary to understand the mechanical response of aluminum structures at elevated temperatures such as those experienced in a fire. Additionally, aluminum alloys exhibit many complicated behaviors that require further research and understanding, such as aluminum combustion, oxide skin formation and creep behavior. This paper discusses the effect of grain orientation on aluminum deformation subjected to heating at incipient melt conditions. Experiments were conducted by applying a vertical compressive force to aluminum alloy 7075 block test specimens. Furthermore, compression testing was done on test specimens with the applied load on the long transverse and short transverse orientations. Our results showed that the grain orientation significantly influences aluminum’s strength and mode of failure.
PVT properties of water - VII. Vapour densities of light and heavy water from 150 to 500°C

The density of both H 2 O and D 2 O vapour has been measured to a precision of 0.1-0.3 mmol dm -3 or 2-6 μg cm -3 in the range 150-500°C by injecting known volumes of liquid water into a vessel of known volume. The maximum pressure was kept low enough at each temperature that neither adsorption nor capillary condensation in the screw threads of the pressure vessel contributed significantly to the measurements. The densities were analysed to determine the second and third virial coefficient by least squares. A more accurate estimate of the second virial coefficient was obtained by accepting the value of the third virial coefficient so obtained and extrapolating the apparent second virial coefficient, as obtained from the measured densities and the values of the third coefficient, to zero pressure. The second virial coefficient of D 2 O vapour is significantly less than that of H 2 O vapour, no doubt because of the differences of the nuclear zero-point and thermal energies.
Interfacial effects in solids-stabilized emulsions: Measurements of film tension and particle interaction energy

Abstract The extent of the stability of solids-stabilized emulsions depends on the resistance offered by the interfacial layer of particles to coalescence. An experimental technique is described to study the effect of interfacial layers of hydrophobic particles on the process of coalescence of a water drop at a planar oil/water interface. The influence of interfacial solids packing density on the film tension and particle interaction energy was investigated for two hydrophobic solids. Dust particles filtered from shale oil formed periodic structures at the interface and the film tension and particle interaction energy exhibited multiple maxima and minima. Spherical glass beads (4 μm diameter) coated with asphaltic matter, on the other hand, displayed a single maximum in particle interaction energy around monolayer coverage.
Role of benchmarking as a competitive strategy: the logistics experience

As companies strive to create better value for their customers in today’s competitive marketplace, managers are begining to realize the important role logistics plays. As they seek new ways to compete, one technique that has made headlines in the management community is benchmarking. Discusses the use of benchmarking in logistics in a few companies. Highlights the processes used, the obstacles faced and the gains made in these companies. Analyses the ways these obstacles were overcome. Based on these case studies, presents a generalized benchmarking process model and identifies and discusses the steps involved. Finally, provides practical suggestions for successful implementation of a benchmarking project.
Defect production in tungsten: A comparison between field-ion microscopy and molecular-dynamics simulations

Molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulations of 20 {endash} 30 keV self-ion bombardment of W were performed and compared to past field-ion microscopy (FIM) studies [M. I. Current {ital et al.}, Philos. Mag. A {bold 47}, 407 (1983)]. The simulations show that the unusually high defect production efficiencies obtained by FIM are a consequence of a surface effect, which greatly enhances defect production compared to that in the crystal interior. Comparison of clustering of vacancies and the formation of interstitial atoms found in the FIM experiments and MD simulations shows overall good agreement. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
A new expansion in ℏ: accurate calculations of Regge trajectories for singular potentials

Abstract An analytic method for computing Regge pole trajectories for potentials more singular than r−2 at the origin, is presented and a new expansion in ℏ is derived. To obtain results of higher accuracy, we use an appropriate accelerator of convergence applied to the expansion in ℏ, by building its continued fraction expansion. For the general (12,6) Lennard–Jones potential, we give an explicit analytic Regge trajectory formula that provides highly accurate results over a wide range of energies. For typical parameters used in the literature, the first continued fraction truncation gives at least five digits of accuracy, while higher approximations give more than 14 digits of accuracy.
Randomized controlled trial of vaginal misoprostol versus dinoprostone vaginal insert for labor induction.

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of vaginal misoprostol versus dinoprostone vaginal inserts for cervical ripening and labor induction. Methods: Two hundred singleton gestations with an indication for cervical ripening and induction of labor were randomized to receive either 50 μg of misoprostol intravaginally every 3 h or a 10-mg dinoprostone vaginal insert every 12 h for a maximum of 24 h. Statistical analysis included Student's t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 analysis and Fisher's exact test. Results: Ninety-seven women received vaginal misoprostol while 89 women received the dinoprostone vaginal insert. Fourteen women were removed from the study after randomization. The interval from start of induction to vaginal delivery (794.5 ± 408 min vs. 1005.3 ± 523 min; p < 0.02) was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group. Women receiving misoprostol were more likely to deliver vaginally both in < 12 h (44% vs. 12%; p < 0.0001) and < 24 h (68% vs. 38%; p < 0.001). A non-reassuring fetal ...
Artificial Intelligence: the key to the future?

This paper explores the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is a brand of computer science which deals with intelligent machines that can understand language, learn, perceive, see, plan, act and reason. In this paper the evolution of and components of this technology are discussed. Emphasis is placed on one branch of AI, known as Expert Systems, although all facets of AI are covered. The development of AI systems is discussed and several applications in the manufacturing industry are presented. Benefits and problems associated with AI and Expert Systems are delineated in this transcript, and future implications for the field are explored.
The complex crime of aggression under the rome statute

Four discrete issues demonstrate how complex the crime of aggression under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will be following the amendments approved in Kampala in June 2010. First, the absence of an explicit magnitude, or gravity, requirement for determining an act of aggression ignores the reality of how matters are referred to the ICC as well as how one first determines the existence of aggression. The gravity test of a crime of aggression is insufficient and misleading in arriving at a methodology for a logical determination of both acts and crimes of aggression. An agreed understanding in Kampala to resolve the dilemma is fraught with contradictions. Second, the amendments fail to address how the ICC should respond to a Security Council determination that an act of aggression has not occurred. Third, the lingering debate over how the Rome Statute should have been amended to activate the crime of aggression will burden the Assembly of States Parties, which should focus on arriving at a united interpretation of the procedures used to approve the Kampala amendments. Fourth, given the many permutations of how states will fall within or outside the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court regarding the crime of aggression, the resulting patchy landscape of coverage should surprise no one.
Does a negative refractive index always result in negative refraction? - Effect of loss

The phenomenon of negative refraction has been demonstrated experimentally and by numerical simulation assuming Drude and Lorentz models for the permittivity and permeability. It has been assumed that a negative refractive index results in negative refraction and hence will lead to a variety of exciting applications for metamaterials. Loss cannot be avoided in real metamaterials and in this paper, we analyze the effect of loss on negative refraction using experimentally extracted data for the permittivity, permeability and refractive index of a combined wire-Split Ring Resonator sample and for a sample with alternately oriented split ring resonators. Both samples are very lossy in the plasmonic resonance region and both display a negative refractive index. We show that obliquely incident waves on such samples may not always lead to negative refraction due to the effect of losses in the material.
Automatic datapath tile placement and routing

We report the very first fully automatic datapath tile layout flow. We subdivided the placement process into two steps: a global placement step using simulated annealing, and a new detailed placement step based on extensive modifications we made to the O-tree algorithm. The modifications have enabled the extended O-tree algorithm to handle the rectilinearly shaped transistor chains and gates common in datapath tile layout. We show that datapath tiles can be placed and routed automatically at the transistor level or at the mixed transistor/gate level, achieving results for the very first time that are competitive to those obtained manually by a skilled designer.
Purinergic responses in the feline pulmonary vascular bed

Adenosine and ATP produce dose-dependent, tone-dependent response in the pulmonary vascular (PV) bed, under conditions of controlled pulmonary blood flow and constant left atrial pressure in vivo in intact-chest, spontaneously breathing cats. At low, resting PV tone, adenosine produces dose-dependent vasoconstrictor responses by acting on “A1-like” adenosine receptors which activate a phospholipase and thromboxane release. ATP Produces dose-dependent vasoconstrictor responses, in part, following its metabolism to adenosine, by acting on “A1-like” adenosine receptors and by acting on P2x receptors. At elevated PV tone, data to date support that adenosine and ATP produce dose-dependent vasodilator responses by acting on A2 and P2Y receptors, respectively. Mechanisms to explain how a change in vascular tone alters the response of the vascular bed to a substance are not known. Moreover, the role of purinoceptors in pulmonary vascular disease is not known. Identification of selective pharmacological probes for purinoceptors in the pulmonary vascular bed is necessary to investigate their role in the development of pulmonary hypertension of acute and chronic lung disease. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Computer-assisted forensic imaging

Computer equipment originally designed to age progress photographs of missing persons is also being employed in cases requiring facial reproduction from skeletal remains. This process increases the interaction and communication between the artist and anthropologist to create rapid, realistic facial images and permits alternative images or modifications. Other uses, such as photographic superimposition, have been successful in comparing antemortem photographs with recovered crania and mandibles. Composite drawings from witness descriptions are also prepared or modified on the computer rapidly and accurately depending on the recall of the witness and the skill level of the artist interviewer.
A Human Thrifty Phenotype Associated With Less Weight Loss During Caloric Restriction

Successful weight loss is variable for reasons not fully elucidated. Whether effective weight loss results from smaller reductions in energy expenditure during caloric restriction is not known. We analyzed whether obese individuals with a “thrifty” phenotype, that is, greater reductions in 24-h energy expenditure during fasting and smaller increases with overfeeding, lose less weight during caloric restriction than those with a “spendthrift” phenotype. During a weight-maintaining period, 24-h energy expenditure responses to fasting and 200% overfeeding were measured in a whole-room indirect calorimeter. Volunteers then underwent 6 weeks of 50% caloric restriction. We calculated the daily energy deficit (kilocalories per day) during caloric restriction, incorporating energy intake and waste, energy expenditure, and daily activity. We found that a smaller reduction in 24-h energy expenditure during fasting and a larger response to overfeeding predicted more weight loss over 6 weeks, even after accounting for age, sex, race, and baseline weight, as well as a greater rate of energy deficit accumulation. The success of dietary weight loss efforts is influenced by the energy expenditure response to caloric restriction. Greater decreases in energy expenditure during caloric restriction predict less weight loss, indicating the presence of thrifty and spendthrift phenotypes in obese humans.
Structure and mechanism for DNA lesion recognition

A fundamental question in DNA repair is how a lesion is detected when embedded in millions to billions of normal base pairs. Extensive structural and functional studies reveal atomic details of DNA repair protein and nucleic acid interactions. This review summarizes seemingly diverse structural motifs used in lesion recognition and suggests a general mechanism to recognize DNA lesion by the poor base stacking. After initial recognition of this shared structural feature of lesions, different DNA repair pathways use unique verification mechanisms to ensure correct lesion identification and removal.
Perceptions of Victimization Risk and Fear of Crime Among Lesbians and Gay Men

Research on fear of crime has evolved to suggest the existence of a complex relationship between individual, lifestyle, and contextual factors. Past work generally focuses on predominantly heterosexual populations; this study examines correlates of fear of crime and perceptions of risk among a sample of 272 self-identified lesbians and gay men. Higher levels of perceived risk and fear of victimization were found among females, persons in neighborhoods characterized by incivility, and persons who had experienced previous victimization. Perceived risks of personal and property victimization were similar for males and females. Contrary to past research, women did not seem to view all types of potential victimization as opportunities for sexual assault. Instead, fear of victimization was offense specific--past personal victimization predicted fear of future personal victimization, and past property victimization predicted fear of future property victimization. Similarities and differences between current findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Facial Expression Recognition Using Dual Layer Hierarchical SVM Ensemble Classification

In this paper, we present our approach for automatic facial expression recognition. We use a feature extraction technique inspired by our empirical study on human recognition of facial expressions. We propose our dual-layer hierarchical SVM ensemble mechanism for classification. We also provide system architecture and system implementation details in this paper.
Monoclonal antibodies for copper-64 PET dosimetry and radioimmunotherapy

Background: We previously described a two-antibody model of 64Cu radioimmunotherapy to evaluate low-dose, solid-tumor response. This model was designed to test the hypothesis that cellular internalization is critical in causing tumor cell death by mechanisms in addition to radiation damage. The purpose of the present study was to estimate radiation dosimetry for both antibodies (mAbs) using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and evaluate the effect of internalization on tumor growth. Results: Dosimetry was similar between therapy groups. Median time to tumor progression to 1 g ranged from 7 to 12 days for control groups and was 32 days for both treatment groups (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference existed between any control group or between the treatment groups. Material and methods: In female nude mice bearing LS174T colon carcinoma xenografts, tumor dosimetry was calculated using serial PET images of three mice in each group of either internalizing 64Cu-labeled DOTA-cBR96 (...
Deus ex Machina Candidate Web Presence and the Presidential Nomination Campaign

Using data from the 2008 presidential nomination contest, we offer systematic tests of the relationships between traditional campaign factors, the Internet and campaign performance. We find that claims of the Internet’s relevance to modern campaigns are warranted, as it is a unique facet of campaigns and significantly improves candidates’ financial and electoral support. The Internet is especially helpful to candidates in generating small-donor contributions and in maximizing contributions after early primary victories. Overall, these findings suggest that the Internet offers a viable mechanism for long-shot candidates to overcome the resource demands of the current presidential nomination system.
Coma from wall suction-induced CSF leak complicating spinal surgery.

A 72-year-old woman was admitted for elective L4/L5 laminectomy. The operative procedure was extradural, and a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain was placed in the tissue bed and set to wall suction during skin closure. During closure, the patient developed a 15 s period of asystole. The patient was haemodynamically stable, but was comatose for 3 days postoperatively. Cardiac enzymes and EEG were unrevealing. Head CT showed traces of subarachnoid haemorrhage and signs suggestive of cerebral anoxia. JP drain at the incision produced 170–210 mL/day of fluid, positive for β-2 transferrin, indicating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The patient fully returned to baseline on hospital day 10. MRI on hospital day 8 normalised. The reversible coma and radiographic findings were most consistent with acute intracranial hypotension relating to acute loss of CSF. Because radiographic findings can mimic hypoxic-ischaemic injury, acute intracranial hypotension should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postoperative coma after cranial or spinal surgery.
A new family of G-protein regulators — the RGS proteins

Genetic experiments have recently been used to identify a family of 'regulator of G-protein signaling' (RGS) proteins, which downregulate signaling by heterotrimeric G proteins. The first biochemical studies of RGS proteins have shown that they accelerate the GTPase activities of G-protein alpha subunits, thus driving G proteins into their inactive GDP-bound forms. The physiological significance of the large number of different RGS proteins remains to be explored.
A new TBX gene linked to human disease

TBX15 mutations cause craniofacial dysmorphism, hypoplasia of scapula and pelvis, and short stature in Cousin syndrome Lausch et al. (2009) American Journal of Human Genetics 83(5): 649–655
The modeling, analysis, and design of filter-based parametric frequency dividers

A technique for the design of filter-based parametric frequency dividers is discussed. The technique combines basic divider analysis with modern nonlinear simulation techniques. In essence, the procedure allows the completion of a successful design that is based on computer simulations, but requires little or no nonlinear optimization. Specifically, divider modeling, threshold, and efficiency are investigated, and a straightforward design strategy is given. >
Rifampin: Spectrum of Antibacterial Activity

Rifampin was studied for determination of its spectrum of activity against many bacteria of clinical importance. Most of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by agar dilution but some were determined by broth microdilution. Staphylococci were the most susceptible, with mode MICs of 0.015 microgram/ml, but most streptococcal strains, except Streptococcus faecalis, had mode MICs less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml. Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Listeria monocytogenes were susceptible and had mode MICs of 1, 0.25, 0.03, and less than or equal to 0.12 microgram/ml, respectively. Legionella species had geometric mean MICs ranging from 0.027 to 0.25 microgram/ml. The rapidly growing mycobacteria, Mycobacterium chelonei and Mycobacterium fortuitum, were resistant, with mode of greater than 64 micrograms/ml. Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter species, and Pseudomonas species had mode MICs ranging from 4 to 64 micrograms/ml. Thus, the authors conclude that, on the basis of these in vitro data and an MIC breakpoint of less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml, gram-positive cocci (except for some enterococci), H. influenzae, N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, Legionella, and L. monocytogenes may be clinically susceptible to rifampin.