cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On mechanics of crack growth and its effects on the overall response of brittle porous solids

Abstract This paper is concerned with crack growth in brittle porous solids under compression and its effects on the overall response of the material. As a mathematical model, we consider an elastic solid containing a zig-zag array of circular holes with a pair of edge cracks (two-dimensional problem), and solve this problem by using a theory which gives numerical results as accurate as desired. Based on the analytical results, we discuss the crack growth process and estimate the effective Young's moduli as well as the stress-strain relation for porous solids. Our computations show that the cracks emanating from the poles of the circular holes extend in the axial direction and grow—in most cases in a stable manner, but for certain cases in an unstable manner during an intermediate loading state—as the overall applied uniaxial compression increases, reaching a certain limiting maximum length. This maximum crack length strongly depends on the ratio of the hole radius to the hole spacing in the loading direction. The effective Young's modulus in the direction of the crack growth is basically determined by the initial porosity, and is little affected by the crack length or its growth regime, i.e. whether stable or unstable. We find that the overall axial stress-strain curve remains monotonie, exhibiting no peak stress or strain softening, as cracks extend in the axial direction and reach their limiting length with increasing axial stress.
Ring-Down Absorption Spectroscopy in an Integrating Cavity

A new diffuse reflector has been developed whose reflectivity in the 250 nm to 1 micron spectral region is so high that ring-down spectroscopy of scattering aerosols in an integrating cavity is now possible.
The Case for Reactive Crystallization at Mid-Ocean Ridges

Evidence from abyssal peridotites suggests that significant chemical reaction with peridotite can occur during the early stages of cooling and crystallization of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) magmas. We evaluate the hypothesis that reactive crystallization (crystallization influenced by such melt^rock reaction) could cause magma compositions to evolve along a different chemical trajectory than expected for fractional crystallization, and that reactive crystallization might be common in MORB petrogenesis. If correct, this hypothesis implies that a component of major element variability in fractionation-corrected MORB, commonly interpreted solely in terms of mantle source composition and potential temperature, could reflect reactive crystallization. The compositional evolution of MORB magmas undergoing reactive crystallization is predicted using thermodynamic calculations.We find that the decreasing melt MgO content during reactive crystallization is accompanied by nearly constant Mg-number [defined as molar MgO/ (MgOþFeO)], whereas melt SiO2 and Na2O contents evolve to higher values than in fractional crystallization. However, the extent of crystallization as a function of temperature is essentially identical during the initial 30^40% of both fractional and reactive crystallization. Comparison of melt transport and reaction timescales in a 1-D, steady-state, porous flow column shows that melt migration via grain-scale porous flow at the transition from melting to crystallization beneath ocean ridges will most probably give rise to reactive crystallization, whereas melt transport through the thermal boundary layer in larger conduits (dikes) will lead to fractional crystallization. Scatter in fractionation-corrected major element compositions could therefore reflect sample-to-sample variations in melt transport dynamics. Using a global compilation of MORB glass compositions, we show that 40^70% of the variability in fractionation-corrected MgO contents observed worldwide is also typically present in groups of samples collected from within 30 km of each other. Such short length-scale variability in MgO, and hence in the temperature of primitive magmas, cannot be due to variability in mantle potential temperature. There is a negative correlation in the variability of fractionation-corrected MgO (and most other compositional variables) with spreading rate.We infer that this negative correlation reflects a greater role for reactive crystallization in the thicker thermal boundary layers present beneath slow-spreading ridges. We demonstrate the ability of combined reactive and fractional crystallization to account for major element variability at several case-study locations, and argue that reactive crystallization can explain many observations of 30 km scale variability. Interpreted in terms of reactive crystallization, fractionation-corrected MgO variability could potentially bound geodynamic parameters such as the depth of onset of diking and the fraction of gabbro emplaced into residual mantle peridotite beneath the igneous crust.
Plug-and-play fluorophores extend the spectral properties of Spinach.

Spinach and Spinach2 are RNA aptamers that can be used for the genetic encoding of fluorescent RNA. Spinach2 binds and activates the fluorescence of (Z)-4-(3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one (DFHBI), allowing the dynamic localizations of Spinach2-tagged RNAs to be imaged in live cells. The spectral properties of Spinach2 are limited by DFHBI, which produces fluorescence that is bluish-green and is not optimized for filters commonly used in fluorescence microscopes. Here we characterize the structural features that are required for fluorophore binding to Spinach2 and describe novel fluorophores that bind and are switched to a fluorescent state by Spinach2. These diverse Spinach2–fluorophore complexes exhibit fluorescence that is more compatible with existing microscopy filter sets and allows Spinach2-tagged constructs to be imaged with either GFP or YFP filter cubes. Thus, these “plug-and-play” fluorophores allow the spectral properties of Spinach2 to be altered on the ba...
Case report of the relief of frontal headaches associated with the presence of a malposed supernumerary tooth and two apical granulomas.

Abstract A young man was referred for dental consultation with the complaint of persistent frontal headaches. After the removal of a malposed supernumerary tooth and root resections of both maxillary lateral incisors, the headaches disappeared. The headaches, which ceased after the operation, could have been due to the chronic pulpitis in the two lateral incisors and also might have been caused by the supernumerary tooth which, in an attempt to erupt, might have produced pressure on the branches of the dental nerve plexus. During the surgical procedure, the apex of the maxillary incisor tooth was interfered with and gave a nonvital response to the Kriser pulp tester. After fifteen months, however, this tooth gave a vital response, and we can assume that there must have been some regeneration of nerve tissue.
Modeling the bonding changes in chlorophyll cation radicals: resonance Raman spectroscopy of nickel(II) methyl pyropheophorbide a

Abstract Electrochemistry, UV-Vis absorption and resonance Raman (RR) spectra are reported for nickel methyl pyropheophorbide a (NiMPPh) and its cation radical, in order to help understand the structural changes upon oxidation in chlorophyll cation radicals. RR band shifts, and also the oxidation potential, are consistent with the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of NiMPPh being an A1u-like orbital, which interacts with the keto-carbonyl group on the isocyclic ring. Of particular interest is the upshift of the keto-carbonyl stretching mode in the NiMPPh cation radical. The strengthening of the carbonyl bond upon oxidation is consistent with the expected anti-bonding character of the A1u-like orbital with respect to the keto CO bond.
A comparison of podocyturia, albuminuria and nephrinuria in predicting the development of preeclampsia: a prospective study.

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive multisystem disease that complicates 5–8% of all pregnancy, is a major cause for maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. The disease is associated with increased spontaneous and evoked preterm birth and remote cardio-renal disorders in the mother and offspring. Thus the ability to predict the disease should lead to earlier care and decreased morbidity. This has led to fervent attempts to identify early predictive biomarkers and research endeavors that have expanded as we learn more regarding possible causes of the disease. As preeclampsia is associated with specific renal pathology including podocyte injury, early urinary podocyte (podocyturia), or the podocyte specific proteinuria nephrin in the urine (nephrinuria), as well as the more easily measured urinary albumin (albuminuria), have all been suggested as predictive markers. We performed a prospective study recruiting 91 pregnant women (78 of whom were high risk) and studied the predictive ability of these three urinary biomarkers. The subjects were recruited between 15–38 weeks of gestation. Fourteen patients, all in the high-risk obstetric group, developed preeclampsia. The levels of podocyturia, nephrinuria, and albuminuria were variably higher in the high-risk pregnant patients who developed preeclampsia. The sensitivities and specificities for podocyturia were 70% and 43%, for albuminuria were 36% and 96%, and for nephrinuria were 57% and 58%, respectively. Also, abnormal nephrinuria (69%) and podocyturia (38%) were detected in low risk women who had uncomplicated gestations; none of these women exhibited albuminuria. In our study, none of the three urinary markers achieved the minimum predictive values required for clinical testing. The lack of excessive albuminuria, however, may indicate a preeclampsia-free gestation. Given a discrepant literature, further studies with larger sample size should be considered.
Micro-reaction engineering applications of reaction engineering to processing of electronic and photonic materials

Abstract Processing of electronic materials for electronic and opto-electronic devices combines a facinating variety of physical transport processes and chemical reactions that raise new challenges to chemical reaction engineering. These are reviewed along with recent examples of applications of chemical reaction engineering to microelectronic processing. Chemical vapor deposition and plasma processing of thin films are emphasized as areas where chemical reaction engineering could have a significant impact. Other thin film processes, e.g. physical vapor deposition and oxidation, are surveyed briefly. Bulk crystal growth analysis is included to demonstrate recent advances in detailed modelling of physical transport processes of interest to reactor modelling. Finally, common challenges, including micro/macroscopic modelling, large scale computing and fundamental physicochemical phenomena are discussed.
The Hedging Zone Policy for Real-Time Scheduling of Sequence-Dependent Setups

Abstract A new control policy for scheduling sequence-dependent setups on a flexible machine is proposed. The policy admits a prioritization of part types and it is of the hedging type, i.e., production of each part type occurs at full capacity until its corresponding surplus reaches a predetermined target level. In order to deal with possibly lengthy and dissimilar setup times, two surplus bounds are defined for each part type: an upper bound that acts as the hedging point or production target, and a lower bound that provides hysteresis to the system by signaling when a part type should be considered for a new production run. During periods of time when all part types are within their upper and lower surplus bounds, the machine keeps producing its current setup at the demand rate. The intuitive nature of this policy and its simplicity make it amenable to implementation in manufacturing environments, while its performance and responsiveness to random disturbances may be effectively tuned by adjusting its parameters. Understanding the relationship between the surplus bounds and the dynamic behavior of the system is essential for this task, and presents interesting challenges. Some insight is provided through simulation experiments, while preliminary results concerning sufficient stability conditions are presented.
Industrial Restructuring and Regional Household Income Growth

NEGREY C., ZICKEL M. B. and FENN J. M. (1998) Industrial restructuring and regional household income growth, Reg. Studies 32 , 103-111. In this study industry and place intersect in a systematic examination of the effects of industrial restructuring on men's and women's personal income and married-couple and female-headed household income. We analyse income trends from 1969-89 in relationship to shifts in employment in: manufacturing; finance, insurance and real estate; wholesale and retail trade; and services in 140 US metropolitan areas, grouped into six types. Improvements in women's income appear to have offset men's losses in all six area types, given increases in average median married-couple household income in each area type during the 20-year period. Our most provocative finding is the average decrease in median female-headed household income in the 19 classic deindustrializing centres while female-headed household income actually increased on average in the five other area types. This finding ha...
Water embodied in bioethanol in the United States.

Prior studies have estimated that a liter of bioethanol requires 263−784 L of water from corn farm to fuel pump, but these estimates have failed to account for the widely varied regional irrigation practices. By using regional time-series agricultural and ethanol production data in the U.S., this paper estimates the state-level field-to-pump water requirement of bioethanol across the nation. The results indicate that bioethanol’s water requirements can range from 5 to 2138 L per liter of ethanol depending on regional irrigation practices. The results also show that as the ethanol industry expands to areas that apply more irrigated water than others, consumptive water appropriation by bioethanol in the U.S. has increased 246% from 1.9 to 6.1 trillion liters between 2005 and 2008, whereas U.S. bioethanol production has increased only 133% from 15 to 34 billion liters during the same period. The results highlight the need to take regional specifics into account when implementing biofuel mandates.
Subjects' initial therapeutic expectancies towards systematic desensitization as a function of varied instructional sets*

A questionnaire containing a procedural description of systematic desensitization was distributed to 803 undergraduates. Instructional sets were varied within a 2×3 factorial design to provide subjects with a therapeutically or experimentally oriented rationale that was accompanied by either an additional positive expectancy set, an additional negative expectancy set, or no additional expectancy set. Analyses revealed that varied instructional sets can lead to empirically observed effects that ordinarily would not be expected. Researchers are cautioned to assess the effects of their instructional manipulations when studying subjects' therapeutic expectancies.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for existence and uniqueness of weak qualitative probability structures

Abstract This paper provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of a weak qualitative probability representation of an arbitrary qualitative probability space. Should a weak probability representation exist, necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for each weak probability representation to also strongly represent the qualitative probability space. These are equivalent to the Archimedean conditions of P. Suppes and M. Zanotti (1976, Journal of Philosophical Logic , 5 , 431–438). In addition, upper and lower bounds for the probability of a specific set consistent with a given qualitative probability relation are obtained. These results are obtained by embedding the qualitative probability space in an ordered vector space and studying the properties of positive linear functionals on this space. It is shown that if a weak qualitative probability representation of an arbitrary space is unique, then the set of weak probability representations of finite subalgebras weakly converge to the representation of the entire space. We briefly study uniqueness of finite qualitative probability spaces. For this case, uniqueness is entirely determined by the equivalences of the system.
Solute transport in open channel flows and porous streambeds

Pore-water flow inside river sediment beds resulting from water flow in the overlying river channel can strongly affect the mass and momentum transfer processes across the channel-bed interface. An analytical model for transport in porous beds, with a two-layer, coupled transport across the interface is presented. Flow and transport in the porous bed and open channel are diffusion and advection driven. The variation in the velocity profile across the flow depth, in both open channel and porous bed, is consistent with experimental studies. A slip velocity at the interface links a parabolic velocity profile in the open channel with an exponentially decaying velocity profile in the porous bed. The contaminant exchange along the interface is accounted through the imposed boundary conditions of concentration and flux continuity. The initial conditions allow the presence of solute in either or both parts of the flow domain, in order to study the transfer of solute across the interface. The Aris' method of moments is used to derive analytical expressions for the zeroth and first moments of concentration and for the velocity and effective dispersion of the solute cloud. The role of dispersion in the bed relative to dispersion in the channel was found to greatly influence the transport characteristics in the river channel-bed interface. The depth of the porous bed relative to the depth of the open channel showed a strong effect on the mean velocity of the solutes particles and the effective dispersion of the solute cloud was found to be sensitive to the flow velocity profile in the open channel in a counter-intuitive way since the transport equations are expressed in terms of axes moving with the mean particle velocity. Finally, the model was validated against experimental data from A.H. Elliott and N.H. Brooks [Water Resour. Res. 33 (1997) 123, 137].
Racial and Gender Disparities in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Placement: Are They Due to Overuse or Underuse?

Previous studies documented racial and gender disparities in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement. The authors examined whether racial and gender disparities in ICD placement are due to underutilization or overutilization. Among 1,054 adults hospitalized from 2001 to 2004 with ventricular arrhythmias in a large academic hospital, the study found that 17% of patients had clinical indicators concordant with ICD placement criteria. Among those, Blacks were less likely than Whites to receive an ICD (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.08-0.71). Among the 83% who were discordant with ICD placement criteria, Blacks (adjusted OR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.18-0.52) and Hispanics (adjusted OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.10-0.57) were less likely than Whites, and women less likely than men, to receive an ICD (adjusted OR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.34-0.67). In this cohort, these differences appear related to overutilization among men and Whites who are discordant with ICD placement criteria in addition to underutilization among Blacks concordant with placement criteria.
WebMate: a personal agent for browsing and searching

z Searching enhancement y Parallel search, searching keywords refinement, relevant feedback z Browsing assistant y Learning, Recommending, Alias, Monitoring bookmarks, More like, Sending page to friends, Prefetching hiperlinks z Offline browsing y downloading following pages, getting references and printing it out z Filtering HTTP header, cookie, block animation to speed up z Checking html page : error finding, dead links, z Dynamically setting up : search engines, dictionary z Programming in java WebMate architecture
The Association Between Mental Health, Stress, and Coping Supports in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be a stressful experience for parents. When left unmanaged, high stress levels can lead to the development of depressive symptomatology, highlighting the importance of coping supports. The current paper examined the stress level and psychological wellbeing of mothers with a child with ASD in a national survey. After adjusting for child, mother and family level characteristics, it was determined that mothers of children with ASDs were at greater risk for poor mental health and high stress levels compared to mothers of children without ASDs. The presence of maternal coping strategies, in the form of emotional and neighborhood social supports, as well as strong coping skills, reduced these risks between models.
Proconvulsant effect of morphine on seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol in the rat

Abstract The chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) was administered by a variety of routes to rats pretreated with morphine (10–50 mg/kg s.c.). In a naloxone-reversible, dose-dependent manner, morphine decreased the threshold for seizures induced by the slow intravenous infusion of PTZ. In addition, morphine increased the severity of seizures induced by the intravenous, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes of administration of PTZ. Morphine also caused an increased incidence of multiple seizures following subcutaneous administration of PTZ. These results demonstrate that morphine has a proconvulsant effect on PTZ-induced seizures in the rat.
Feasibility of enzymatic hydrolysis and alcoholic fermentation of starch contained in buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) roots.

The suitability of using annually grown, carrot-sized buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) roots as a feedstock for alcoholic fermentation was explored. Roots grown in 1982 and 1983 were slurried, dextrinized and saccharified using Takatherm and Diazyme (commercial enzymes manufactured by Miles Laboratories), and fermented by the action of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These processes were monitored in detail and results were compared with those displayed by controls formulated using potato tubers. The preparation of gourd root slurries with suitable viscosity characteristics for enzymatic digestion required the addition of water (at least 50% by weight) which reduced the proportion of fermentable sugars in the resulting saccharified suspensions. The resulting slurries were well-suited to enzymatic conversion of starch to sugar. Estimates of enzymatic efficiency in gourd root suspensions did not suggest the presence of naturally occurring amylase or glucosidase inhibitors in these plant materials. Saccharified gourd root mashes supported yeast growth well and produced ethanol yields at 82.2-86.5% of the theoretically maximum efficiency. 23 references.
Identification of potential physiological and behavioral indicators of postoperative pain in horses after exploratory celiotomy for colic

Abstract Physiological and behavioral parameters were determined in 27 horses to identify potential indicators of postoperative pain following exploratory celiotomy for colic. Experimental groups were 10 horses that received no treatment (Control), 10 horses anesthetized for a non-painful procedure (Anesthesia), and 7 horses that presented for emergency surgery for acute gastrointestinal disease (Surgery). Physiological and behavioral data were collected on the horses 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24–30 h after entry into a stall in the equine intensive care unit of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Washington State University. Physiological data included: heart rate, respiratory rate, and plasma cortisol concentration. For the entire period of observation the surgery group had significantly higher plasma cortisol concentration and significantly elevated heart rate compared to the Control and Anesthesia groups, which did not differ for either variable. A numerical rating scale (NRS) of behavior was used to visually score the horses at the same time physiological data were collected. In addition, time budgets of behavior were calculated from 1 h segments of real-time video recording beginning at the 0, 4, 8 or 12 h, and 20 or 24–30 h time points. Time budgets for the Control and Anesthesia groups did not differ in the time spent in locomotor activities and both groups spent significantly more time in locomotion than the Surgery group. The Surgery group spent significantly more time displaying painful behavior compared to the Control and Anesthesia groups; however, the amount of time the Surgery group displayed painful behavior was small compared to the amount of time with no movement. The NRS scores substantiated the video taped behavioral data with significantly different scores for the Surgery group versus the Control and Anesthesia groups for multi-factor ratings of body posture and response to stimuli. We conclude that reduced locomotion, elevated plasma cortisol concentration, and elevated heart rate are potential indicators of postoperative pain in horses.
The clash of the Titans: How preferential attachment helps the survival of the smallest

We examine the effects of preferential attachment on a model of competing clusters. In the original model, cluster masses grow at the expense of their neighbours; on a lattice, this is known to result in the asymptotic survival and indefinite growth of clusters which are isolated from each other. The presence of preferential attachment results in an inhomogeneous topology, where hubs monopolise the connections, while most other nodes are sparsely connected. Interestingly, this results in the protection of the less massive clusters from annihilation, to which the hubs are doomed.
The traY Gene Product and Integration Host Factor Stimulate Escherichia coli DNA Helicase I-catalyzed Nicking at the F Plasmid oriT

F plasmid conjugative transfer is initiated by the introduction of a site- and strand-specific nick within the plasmid origin of transfer (oriT). Genetic studies have shown nick formation to be dependent on both the traI and traY genes. However, highly purified TraIp, the traI gene product, nicks oriT in a site- and strand-specific manner in the absence of the traY gene product (TraYp) in vitro (Matson, S. W., and Morton, B. S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 16232-16237). Analysis of the oriT region has revealed binding sites for TraYp and the host protein integration host factor (IHF). To explore possible interactions occurring at oriT, highly purified TraIp, TraYp, and IHF were incubated with a supercoiled oriT-containing DNA substrate. A marked enhancement of the nicking reaction catalyzed by TraIp was observed in a reaction that required both TraYp and IHF. In addition, TraIp was able to nick a linear oriT-containing double-stranded DNA substrate when IHF and TraYp were present in the reaction; such a substrate is not nicked by TraIp alone. Individual protein concentration requirements for the supercoiled and linear nicking reactions were similar, and the reactions occurred at equal velocity, suggesting that they are biochemically identical. Concentrations of TraYp and IHF that yield half-maximal activity in the nicking assays compare well with the reported KD values for the IHF and TraYp binding sites in oriT. These data, coupled with data presented in the accompanying report, suggest that TraYp and IHF bind independent of one another, forming a nucleo-protein complex with oriT that can be recognized and nicked by TraIp.
SEIZURES PRESENTING AS INCESSANT LAUGHTER: A CASE OF GELASTIC EPILEPSY

Abstract Background Gelastic seizures are defined as seizure activity manifesting as laughter inappropriate to the situation, with supporting evidence on electroencephalogram or magnetic resonance imaging. Gelastic seizures are most commonly reported in patients with hypothalamic hamartomas causing precocious puberty. The differential diagnosis of incessant laughter is important to recognize in the Emergency Department, as some conditions warrant immediate treatment and others require further diagnostic work-up with implications for the entire family. Objectives The background and pathophysiology of gelastic epilepsy will be discussed. Case Report The case of a previously healthy girl with acute onset of incessant laughter is reported. This patient was diagnosed with a clinical case of gelastic seizures. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing this form of seizures for accurate treatment and follow-up. Conclusion This case report illustrates the importance of a broad differential for a patient presenting emergently with uncontrollable laughter. Gelastic epilepsy is relatively rare but requires further work-up and often may require chronic therapy.
Adapting consumer products to lesser-developed markets

Abstract Different types of modern consumer products require substantially different amounts and types of adaptation in preparing them for marketing in Lesser-Developed Countries (LDCs). This study reports conclusions drawn from an empirical study of 174 products marketed by 61 subsidiaries of multinational corporations operating in 22 different LDCs. Some product categories, such as foods and drinks, require adapting to fit them more appropriately for LDC marketing conditions. Other categories, such as cosmetics, undergo few adaptations, as their makers seek to reap the benefit of their products' established images in LDCs. Still other categories, such as pharmaceuticals, undergo minimal adaptations, because of the substantial advantages their makers attach to global standardization.
Quantitative ultrasound predicts hip and non-spine fracture in men: the MrOS study.

Summary Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is associated with fracture risk in women, but there are few data in men. We studied 5,607 older men and found that QUS predicts hip and any non-spine fracture risk nearly as well as BMD. Combined measurements of QUS and BMD are not superior to either measurement alone.
Laser-assisted real-time and scaled telerobotic control of a manipulator for defense and security applications

In this paper, we present a novel concept of shared autonomous and teleoperation control of a remote manipulator with a laser-based assistance in a hard real-time environment for defense and security applications. The laser pointer enables the user to make high-level decisions, such as target object selection, and it enables the system to generate trajectories and virtual constraints to be used for autonomous motion or scaled teleoperation. Autonomous, position-teleoperation and velocity-teleoperation control methods have been implemented in the control code. Scaling and virtual fixtures have been used in the teleoperation-based control, depending on the user preference, for faster and easier target locking and task execution. A real-time QNX operating system has been used to remotely control a PUMA 560 robotic arm using a Phantom Omni haptic device as a master through a TCP/IP port. The system was implemented with different control modes, and human subjects were trained to use the system to execute several tasks. Examples of defense and security applications were explored and presented.
Mirabilin, an Antitumor Macrolide Lactam from the Marine Sponge Siliquariaspongia mirabilis†

A new highly unsaturated macrolide lactam, termed mirabilin ( 1), was isolated from the aqueous extract of the marine sponge Siliquariaspongia mirabilis. Mirabilin is characterized by the presence of a 35-membered macrolide lactam ring bearing a pentadiene conjugated system and a tetrasubstituted tetrahydropyran ring. A linear polyketide moiety is attached to the macrocyclic ring through an amide linkage. The structure of mirabilin was determined using extensive 2D NMR and ESIMS and tandem MS techniques. Mirabilin inhibits the growth of the tumor cell line HCT-116 with an IC 50 value of 0.27 +/- 0.09 microM and is noncytotoxic to several other cell lines.
Laser operation by dissociation of metal complexes: New transitions in As, Bi, Ga, Ge, Hg, In, Pb, Sb, and Tl

New laser transitions at 24 wavelengths from 1.152–12.02 μ have been observed from nine metal atoms. Pulsed discharges have been employed for the production of the metal atoms by dissociation of metal halides, hydrides, and alkyls. This technique shows promise for application for pulsed chemical lasers based on electronic transitions in diatomic metal oxides and halides.
"What is the History of Books?" Revisited

Having accepted the invitation to revisit my essay of 1982, “What Is the History of Books?”, I find that I can do it only in the first person singular and therefore must ask to be excused for indulging in some autobiographical detail. I would also like to make a disclaimer: in proposing a model for studying the history of books twenty-four years ago, I did not mean to tell book historians how they ought to do their jobs. I hoped that the model might be useful in a heuristic way and never thought of it as comparable to the models favored by economists, the kind in which you insert data, work it over, and arrive at a bottom line. (I do not believe that bottom lines exist in history.) It seemed to me in 1982 that the history of books was suffering from fissiparousness: experts were pursuing such specialized studies that they were losing contact with one another. The esoteric elements of book history needed to be integrated into an overview that would show how the parts could connect to form a whole—or what I characterized as a communications circuit. The tendency toward fragmentation and specialization still exists.
Real-time visualization of cell cycle-dependent changes in microtubule dynamics in cytoplasmic extracts

Using Xenopus egg extracts arrested in interphase or mitosis, we directly observed differences in microtubule dynamics at different stages of the cell cycle. Interphase extracts were prepared from eggs in the first interphase after meiosis. Mitotic extracts were prepared by addition of purified cyclin to interphase extracts. Microtubules were nucleated by the addition of centrosomes and visualized by fluorescence video-microscopy in extracts to which rhodamine-labeled tubulin had been added. We found a striking difference in microtubule dynamics in mitotic versus interphase extracts. Quantitative analysis revealed that the rates of polymerization and depolymerization are similar in interphase and mitosis and that within the spatial and temporal resolution of our experiments the difference in dynamics is due almost entirely to an increase in the frequency of transition from growing to shrinking (catastrophe frequency) in the mitotic extracts.
A NOTE ON THE BEHAVIOR OF SECURITY RETURNS: A TEST OF STOCK MARKET OVERREACTION AND EFFICIENCY

Researchers have debated stock market efficiency for years and have found several apparent anomalies, among them the overreaction investment strategy. In a sample of virtually all AMEX and NYSE stocks over twenty-one years, it is demonstrated that abnormal returns earned in one year are positively related to the abnormal returns earned in the next year. This evidence is contrary to the overreaction investment philosophy.
Basic life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) represents the primary intervention used during cardiac arrest for maintaining perfusion and extending the potential resuscitation period; however, effective CPR requires careful attention to detail by the resuscitation team, including (1) effective control of the airway using manual maneuvers or airway adjuncts, (2) delivery of effective ventilation that ensures adequate oxygenation while reducing the chance for gastric inflation, and (3) chest compressions delivered at the appropriate depth using a duty cycle of 50% compression and 50% release. During the resuscitation effort, team leaders should closely monitor the performance of CPR, rotate rescuers frequently to avoid fatigue, and provide continuous feedback based on direct (transmitted pulse, chest rise) and indirect (end-tidal CO 2 ) measures of effectiveness. A careful and measured approach to CPR performance, combined with a strong chain of survival, provides victims of cardiac arrest the best chance for survival.
Successful Business Planning for New Programs in Health Care Organizations

Health care organizations implement business strategies through programs and services, and success depends on careful program design and execution. A conscientious design requires thorough efforts in organizing the planning process, conducting the decision analysis, and obtaining approval for a program. Weak methods and processes in the management of these efforts can result in faulty assumptions and costly errors in the development of new health care ventures, thus preventing the achievement of financial and operating goals. This article reviews the stages of business planning, and the points at which success may be impaired.
Renormings of ℓ1 and C0 and Fixed Point Properties

As has been noted in previous chapters, there are many geometric conditions on a Banach space strong enough to imply that the Banach space has the fixed point property. Geometric conditions such as uniform rotundity, uniform smoothness, or normal structure together with reflexivity are sufficient to imply the fixed point property. Each of these conditions also implies (or assumes in the last case) that the Banach space is reflexive.
Inducible direct plant defense against insect herbivores: A review

Plants respond to insect herbivory with responses broadly known as direct defenses, indirect defenses, and tolerance. Direct defenses include all plant traits that affect susceptibility of host plants by themselves. Overall categories of direct plant defenses against insect herbivores include limiting food supply, reducing nutrient value, reducing preference, disrupting physical structures, and inhibiting chemical pathways of the attacking insect. Major known defense chemicals include plant secondary metabolites, protein inhibitors of insect digestive enzymes, proteases, lectins, amino acid deaminases and oxidases. Multiple factors with additive or even synergistic impact are usually involved in defense against a specific insect species, and factors of major importance to one insect species may only be of secondary importance or not effective at all against another insect species. Extensive qualitative and quantitative high throughput analyses of temporal and spatial variations in gene expression, protein level and activity, and metabolite concentration will accelerate not only the understanding of the overall mechanisms of direct defense, but also accelerate the identification of specific targets for enhancement of plant resistance for agriculture.
Environmental barriers and supports to the health, function, and participation of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities: Report from the State of the Science in Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference

Abstract Background This article summarizes the proceedings of the Environmental Barriers and Supports to Health, Function and Participation Work Group that was part of the “State of the Science in Aging with Developmental Disabilities: Charting Lifespan Trajectories and Supportive Environments for Healthy Living” symposium. The aim was to provide a research and policy agenda targeting the assessment and evaluation of environmental factors influencing the health, function, and participation of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities (I/DD). Methods Key environmental areas addressed were (1) the built environment including homes and communities; (2) assistive and information technology design and use; (3) social environment factors and interventions; and (4) environmental access and participation policies, legislation, and system change implications. Results The group identified gaps in knowledge and priorities for future research, including (1) multivariate analyses of attributes of the built environment; (2) large-scale intervention trials of assistive and information technology use with people with cognitive disabilities; (3) development and testing of social, peer-mentoring, and self-management interventions as applied to people with I/DD; (4) incorporation of environmental health research methodologies, such as GIS mapping into I/DD research; (5) participatory action approaches that actively include people with I/DD in the research process; and (6) rigorous examination of the impact of legislative and policy initiatives related to least restrictive community living and participation with people with I/DD. Conclusion Future research and policy initiatives should focus on examining how the environment (build, technological, social, and system level) influence community living and participation of people with intellectual disabilities.
Using Importance-Performance Analysis to Evaluate E-Business Strategies among Small Businesses

Contrary to early predictions, the evidence suggests that e-business has had limited impact on small organizations. One of the key reasons is a lack of understanding of these firms motivations for engaging in e-business. Given that the vast majority of businesses are defined as small, it is important to understand what drives adoption of e-business applications. Importance-Performance analysis (IPA) offers a simple, yet useful method for simultaneously considering both the importance and performance dimensions when evaluating or defining strategy. This technique has been successfully used in a variety of settings to define priorities and guide resource allocation decisions. This study uses IPA to evaluate e-business strategies among small organizations and to make resource allocation recommendations. The results indicate that small organizations are in the early stages of implementing e-business, primarily for customer-focused reasons, while recognizing the potential for more sophisticated uses.
PGAGENE: integrating quantitative gene-specific results from the NHLBI programs for genomic applications.

Summary: PGAGENE is a web-based gene-specific genomic data search engine, which allows users to search over 5.9 million pieces of collective genetic and genomic data from the NHLBI supported Programs for Genomic Applications. This data includes microarray measurements, SNPs, and mutations, and data may be found using symbols, parts of gene names or products, Affymetrix probe IDs, GenBank accession numbers, UniGene IDs, dbSNP IDs, and others. The PGAGENE indexing agent periodically maps all publicly available gene-specific PGA data onto LocusLink using dynamically generated cross-referencing tables. Availability: http://pgagene.chip.org
Fault diagnosis of Li-Ion batteries using multiple-model adaptive estimation

In this paper a battery fault detection unit is developed using multiple model adaptive estimation technique. Impedance spectroscopy data from Li-ion cell is used along with the equivalent circuit methodology to construct the battery models. Battery faults such as over charge and over discharge cause significant model parameter variation and can be considered as separate models. Kalman filters are used to estimate the parameters of each model and to generate the residual signal. These residuals are used in the multiple model adaptive estimation technique to detect battery faults. Simulation results show that using this method the stated battery faults can be detected in real-time, thus providing an effective way of diagnosing Li-Ion battery failure.
Internetworking through Milstar

The use of the Milstar satellite system for LAN/WAN extension can provide worldwide, secure, reliable data links for US tactical warfighters and other military uses. The paper describes such an integrated system of LANs and Milstar satellites and terminals. IT addresses design considerations for LAN to Milstar system interface in terms of bandwidth mismatch, delay, and bit error rate.
Drilling under threat: An experimental assessment of the drilling behavior of Nucella lamellosa in the presence of a predator

Using the drilling muricid, Nucella lamellosa (Gmelin 1791) and its prey, the mussel Mytilus trossulus (Gould 1850), the impact of a secondary predator, the crab Cancer gracilis, on drilling was investigated experimentally. The frequency of incomplete holes was compared under two conditions: (1) when the gastropod's natural predator, C. gracilis, was present and (2) when it was absent. The results indicate that the presence of a secondary predator can affect drilling activity, leading to a significant increase in the frequency of incomplete drill holes. The introduction of a secondary predator can also decrease the overall drilling frequency. The size distributions of completely and incompletely drilled mussels suggest that in the presence of the secondary predator the decision by the gastropod to either abandon or continue drilling its prey might be influenced by how much time it has already invested into drilling or the size of the prey item. These results are important for the ecological and evolutionary implications of incomplete drill holes frequencies, especially with regard for their use as proxies for evolutionary prey improvement.
Magnetic resonance imaging of central nervous system lesions in patients with lupus erythematosus. Correlation with clinical remission and antineurofilament and anticardiolipin antibody titers

Clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and serologic studies were performed on 11 patients with diffuse central nervous system (CNS) systemic lupus erythematosus and 8 patients with focal CNS lupus. MRI of patients with diffuse clinical disease showed symmetrically distributed areas of increased signal intensity in the subcortical white matter; these resolved after treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone. These patients' sera contained elevated levels of antineurofilament antibodies. Patients with focal CNS lupus had areas of increased signal intensity and atrophic changes in regions corresponding to the major cerebral vessels. These MRI abnormalities did not improve after treatment with high-dose steroids. The sera of patients with focal CNS lupus had elevated levels of cardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant but normal levels of antineurofilament antibody. Our findings suggest that results of a combined clinical, MRI, and serologic evaluation of patients with CNS lupus may predict the response of patients to high-dose steroid therapy.
The traditional narrator and the ‘I heard’ formulas in Old English poetry

In the process of literary interpretation no critic can afford to overlook the role of the poetic narrator. While poetic and narrative statements (as it is commonly argued) designate their meaning largely in accordance with the conventions of language and literary discourse, linguistic criteria alone cannot determine the attitude of the speaker towards what he says; and this attitude constitutes a crucial element in the meaning of the statement as a speech act or utterance. Indeed, as users of language, all of us habitually include considerations of speaker intentions in our standard operations of interpreting as well as producing discourse. Can the speaker be trusted? Does he speak ironically or sincerely? Is he trying to achieve some aim in relation to the hearer other than that which his act of communication ostensibly purports? Entailed in any act of communication, this dimension of interplay between speaker and statement is inevitably involved in literary discourse as well, since obviously we do not always take literary statements at face value. One of the primary tasks confronting the literary critic, then, in Old English poetry or any other body of work, lies in determining the character of the narrator and the parameters of his functioning.