cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
[(1,2,5,6-η)-1,5-Cyclo­octa­diene](1-isopropyl-3-methyl­imidazolin-2-yl­idene)(triphenyl­phosphine)iridium(I) tetra­fluorido­borate dichloro­methane solvate

In the title compound, [Ir(C8H12)(C7H12N2)(C18H15P)]BF4·CH2Cl2, the Ir(I) atom has a square-planar conformation with normal bond lengths. One of the phenyl rings, and the solvent dichloro­methane mol­ecule, were refined using separate two part disorder models, each in an approximately 1:1 ratio.
Efficacy and Safety of Low Molecular Weight Iron Dextran (LMWID) Vs. Ferumoxytol in Treating Iron Deficiency Anemia

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia and hematologic problem worldwide. Treatment options include oral or intravenous (IV) iron replacement. Although oral iron is commonly employed as first-line therapy, many studies suggest that IV iron more effective and associated with better quality of life when compared to oral iron. Yet, adverse infusion reactions are possible. Several forms of IV iron are used in clinical practice, including low molecular weight iron dextran (LMWID), ferumoxytol, ferric gluconate, iron sucrose, and ferric carboxymaltose. We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of LMWID and ferumoxytol, the two most frequently used products at our center. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using internal pharmacy records. Adults with an ICD-10 diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia treated with LMWID or ferumoxytol from 2018 to 2019 were identified. Records were reviewed for demographics, comorbidities, allergies, type and frequency of iron administered. Outcomes of interest were comparisons of baseline and post-treatment hemoglobin [Hgb] and ferritin levels and adverse events (AEs) following infusion. Results: In total 55 patients received one of the two included iron preparations. Of the 40 cases of iron deficiency treated with LMWID, only 4 patients (10%) received a second dose. Of the first LMWID infusions (dose of 1000 mg), all patients demonstrated an increase in Hgb from a mean of 12.21 to 13.15 within an average of 2.75 months. Mean ferritin levels went from 28.34 pre-treatment to 231.14 post-treatment, within an average of 3.26 months. 2 patients (5%) received premedication, one with diphenhydramine or promethazine, based on prior history of an AE. AEs were documented in 3 patients (7.5%) and included arm swelling, dysphagia with globus sensation, and nausea. No patients received premedication prior to ferumoxytol infusion. Those receiving ferumoxytol demonstrated an increase in hemoglobin from a mean of 10.25 to 12.17 within an average of 4.2 months. Ferritin increased from baseline 75.93 to 150.33 within 3 months. AE of diarrhea and nausea were reported in only one patient (6.67%) upon second infusion of ferumoxytol. No patient in either group experienced AEs requiring hospitalization, nor did any patient develop severe hypersensitivity reactions, hypotension, or hypophosphatemia. Discussion: In our retrospective cohort, LMWID or ferumoxytol for treatment of iron deficiency were well tolerated with minimal AEs, limited to arm swelling, dysphagia and nausea in 3 patients. Those treated with ferumoxytol experienced similarly few AEs, with only one patient developing transient diarrhea and nausea. Hesitancy to utilize IV iron has persisted due to concerns for potential side effects including anaphylaxis. Our encouraging results provide additional evidence for the efficacy and safety of LMWID and furomoxytol, and should help to assuage fears that IV iron might be poorly tolerated or ineffective. Disclosures Shatzel: Aronora, Inc.: Consultancy.
Determination of background doping polarity of unintentionally doped semiconductor layers

We present a method of determining the background doping type in semiconductors using capacitance–voltage measurements on overetched double mesa p–i–n or n–i–p structures. Unlike Hall measurements, this method is not limited by the conductivity of the substrate. By measuring the capacitance of devices with varying top and bottom mesa sizes, we were able to conclusively determine which mesa contained the p–n junction, revealing the polarity of the intrinsic layer. This method, when demonstrated on GaSb p–i–n and n–i–p structures, concluded that the material is residually doped p-type, which is well established by other sources. The method was then applied to a 10 monolayer InAs/10 monolayer AlSb superlattice, for which the doping polarity was unknown, and indicated that this material is also p-type.
DALI: An Agent-Plug-In System to "Smartify" Conventional Traffic Control Systems

The DALI system aims at making existing conventional traffic control systems autonomous and smart. We achieve this goal by plugging-in a software agent into each existing intersection controller which becomes "the brain" of the controller. The agents analyze the traffic data, communicate with each other directly, and collaborate to execute a timing strategy that improves traffic flow. DALI was thoroughly tested through simulation, then deployed on three major intersections in the City of Richardson (Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex), Texas. The data collected for a three week period shows that on average, DALI reduced delay by 40.12%.
Can Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Serve as an Imaging Biomarker for Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis?

Acute rhinosinusitis is defined as symptomatic inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses lasting less than four weeks. It is most commonly secondary to viral infection but is often challenging to distinguish from bacterial etiologies. Even with recommendations from several specialty societies, there continues to be a frequent practice of overprescribing oral antibiotics for acute rhinosinusitis, thus leading to multidrug-resistant organisms, and rendering oral medication useless when actually clinically warranted. We observed a potential non-invasive imaging biomarker that could predict which patients would benefit from anti-microbial therapy. Often computed tomography (CT) imaging is obtained by the provider before consultation with the otolaryngologist, sometimes leading to unnecessary radiation to the patient. In addition, there are no clear CT findings to make the diagnosis of acute rhinosinusitis. The diagnosis is challenging for all clinicians involved, and therefore, additional signs on other imaging modalities would be helpful. We present a series of four patients with incidentally discovered culture-positive acute rhinosinusitis. Patients with incidentally discovered culture-positive acute rhinosinusitis were found to also have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that showed corresponding restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). An imaging biomarker for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis may improve the appropriate use of antibiotic therapy. DWI MRI should be further investigated as a potential candidate screening modality.
Automatically Explaining Machine Learning Prediction Results on Asthma Hospital Visits in Patients With Asthma: Secondary Analysis.

Background: Asthma is a major chronic disease that poses a heavy burden on health care. To facilitate the allocation of care management resources aimed at improving outcomes for high-risk patients with asthma, we recently built a machine learning model to predict asthma hospital visits in the subsequent year in patients with asthma. Our model is more accurate than previous models. However, like most machine learning models, it offers no explanation of its prediction results. This creates a barrier for use in care management, where interpretability is desired. Objective: This study aims to develop a method to automatically explain the prediction results of the model and recommend tailored interventions without lowering the performance measures of the model. Methods: Our data were imbalanced, with only a small portion of data instances linking to future asthma hospital visits. To handle imbalanced data, we extended our previous method of automatically offering rule-formed explanations for the prediction results of any machine learning model on tabular data without lowering the model’s performance measures. In a secondary analysis of the 334,564 data instances from Intermountain Healthcare between 2005 and 2018 used to form our model, we employed the extended method to automatically explain the prediction results of our model and recommend tailored interventions. The patient cohort consisted of all patients with asthma who received care at Intermountain Healthcare between 2005 and 2018, and resided in Utah or Idaho as recorded at the visit. Results: Our method explained the prediction results for 89.7% (391/436) of the patients with asthma who, per our model’s correct prediction, were likely to incur asthma hospital visits in the subsequent year. Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of automatically offering rule-formed explanations for the prediction results of any machine learning model on imbalanced tabular data without lowering the performance measures of the model. After further improvement, our asthma outcome prediction model coupled with the automatic explanation function could be used by clinicians to guide the allocation of limited asthma care management resources and the identification of appropriate interventions.
Anesthesia for Surgical Procedures in Conjoined Twins

Surgical separation of conjoined twins is a multifaceted topic. Each case presents unique challenges of varying complexity depending on physiological variations encountered. The chapter sheds light on the numerous classes of conjoined twins based on point of fusion, shared versus distinct organs. These factors influence the degree of surgical difficulty and ultimate success in outcome. Classifications are illustrated in the epidemiology section. Separation of conjoined twins is a challenging and complex undertaking, requiring extensive and detailed, often lengthy planning by many teams consisting of experts in great many medical disciplines as well as in biomedical and information technologies. The chapter addresses state-of-the art imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging and angiography (MRI/MRA), dimensional 3D imaging and printing affording contextualization of anatomical features and their spatial arrangements. It also touches on access to simulation based in situ clinical rehearsals that can be repeated at will during the course of the perioperative-planning phase. From an anesthesia standpoint the most important difference from other complex surgeries is that two separate anesthesia teams, one for each patient, share a small space compounded with the presence of duplicate anesthesia work stations (AWS) and other patient dedicated equipment and separate drug supplies. To ensure patient safety and to avoid accidental mix-ups and confusion, color-coding specific to patients and their respective anesthesia team members and prerequisite equipment is implemented. The operating room should be equipped with dual networking capabilities to avoid data cross-over and ensure seamless data acquisition and management of electronic medical record data flow to both AWS’s.
Prenatal ethanol exposure impairs the conduction delay at the atrioventricular junction in the looping heart.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the impact of ethanol exposure on the early cardiac conduction system. Our results showed that ethanol-exposed embryos exhibited ...
Understanding measures of racial discrimination and microaggressions among American Indian and Alaska Native college students in the Southwest United States.

Racial discrimination, including microaggressions, contributes to health inequities, yet research on discrimination and microaggressions has focused on single measures without adequate psychometric evaluation. To address this gap, we examined the psychometric performance of three discrimination/microaggression measures among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) college students in a large Southwestern city. Students (N = 347; 65% female; ages 18–65) completed the revised-Everyday Discrimination Scale, Microaggressions Distress Scale, and Experiences of Discrimination measure. The psychometric performance of these measures was evaluated using item response theory and confirmatory factor analyses. Associations of these measures with age, gender, household income, substance use, and self-rated physical health were examined. Discrimination and microaggression items varied from infrequently to almost universally endorsed and each measure was unidimensional and moderately correlated with the other two measures. Most items contributed information about the overall severity of discrimination and collectively provided information across a continuum from everyday microaggressions to physical assault. Greater exposure to discrimination on each measure had small but significant associations with more substance use, lower income, and poorer self-rated physical health. The Experiences of Discrimination measure included more severe forms of discrimination, while the revised-Everyday Discrimination Scale and the Microaggressions Distress Scale represented a wider range of severity. In clinical practice, these measures can index varying levels of discrimination for AI/ANs, particularly for those in higher educational settings. This study also informs the measurement of racial discrimination and microaggressions more broadly.
Uncertainty of PIV/PTV based pressure, using velocity uncertainty

Pressure reconstruction from velocity measurements using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) has drawn significant attention as it can provide instantaneous pressure fields without altering the flow. Previous studies have found that the accuracy of the calcualted pressure field depends on several factors including the accuarcy of the velocity measurement, the spatiotemporal resolutions, the method for calculating pressure-gradient, the algorithm for pressure-gradient integration, the pressure boundary condition, etc. Therefore, it is critical and challenging to quantify the uncertainty of the reconstructed pressure field. The recent development of the uncertainty quantification algorithms for PIV and PTV allows for the local and instantaneous uncertainty estimation of velocity measurement, which can be used to infer the pressure uncertainty. In this study, we introduce a framework that propagates the standard velocity uncertainty defined as the standard deviation of the velocity error distribution through the pressure reconstruction process to obtain the uncertainty of the pressure field. The uncertainty propagations through the calculation of the pressure-gradient and the pressure-gradient integration were modeled as linear transformations, which can reproduce the effects of the spatiotemporal resolutions, the numerical schemes, the integration algorithms, and the pressure boundary condition on the accuracy of the resulting pressure fields. The proposed uncertainty estimation approach also considers the effect of the spatiotemporal and componentwise correlation of the velocity errors in common PIV/PTV measurements on the pressure uncertainty.
Recent Developments in Model Theory

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the model theory that deals with the properties of mathematical structures or the systems of mathematical structures that are given by the sets of axioms formulated frequently but not necessarily in the lower predicate calculus. From its inception, it is associated closely with algebra by virtue of the algebraic character of its methods and as algebra constitutes its most natural field of application. However, in recent years as set theory is investigated most frequently from a purely axiomatic point of view, it also has come within the scope of Model theory. As it happens quite frequently in mathematics, the germs of some of the fundamental ideas of Model theory go back beyond the beginnings of the subject. Therefore, some of the methods are used to prove the extended completeness theorem of the lower predicate calculus, the compactness theorem for arithmetical classes, (varieties) or the principle of localization, which in turn depends on a valuation.
Prioritizing the development of mouse models for childhood brain disorders

Mutations in hundreds of genes contribute to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction associated with developmental brain disorders (DBDs). Due to the sheer number of risk factors available for study combined with the cost of developing new animal models, it remains an open question how genes should be prioritized for in-depth neurobiological investigations. Recent reviews have argued that priority should be given to frequently mutated genes commonly found in sporadic DBD patients. Intrigued by this idea, we explored to what extent "high priority" risk factors have been studied in animals in an effort to assess their potential for generating valuable preclinical models capable of advancing the neurobiological understanding of DBDs. We found that in-depth whole animal studies are lacking for many high priority genes, with relatively few neurobiological studies performed in construct valid animal models aimed at understanding the pathological substrates associated with disease phenotypes. However, some high priority risk factors have been extensively studied in animal models and they have generated novel insights into DBD patho-neurobiology while also advancing early pre-clinical therapeutic treatment strategies. We suggest that prioritizing model development toward genes frequently mutated in non-specific DBD populations will accelerate the understanding of DBD patho-neurobiology and drive novel therapeutic strategies. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Synaptopathy--from Biology to Therapy'.
A computational algorithm for squaring-up. I. Zero input-output matrix

Some preliminary results on the problem of squaring-up a nonsquare linear multivariable system are presented. It is shown that, for the case considered here, the squaring-up problem can be transformed into a state feedback problem. The proposed approach ensures that the resulting squared system can retain the existing zeros where they were located and assign any additional zeros at desired locations. A numerical example is included to illustrate the results developed. >
Risk Assessment, Ecological

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by Steven Bartell, volume 3, pp 723–727, © 2005, Elsevier Inc.
Forced Sex, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Consent Among College Women

Paper Presentation Objective To explore the association between a history of forced sex and sexual consent awareness, attitudes, and beliefs and examine the relationship between alcohol use and misuse and history of forced sex. Design Cross‐sectional, web‐based survey. Setting A large public university in the Northeast United States. Sample Inclusion criteria included the following: college women age 18 to 25, enrolled full‐ or part‐time, currently or previously sexually active, and English speaking. The final sample included 972 women. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, an e‐mail invitation was sent to enrolled female students. A web link to the informed consent and inclusion criteria was provided. Students who met study criteria could proceed to the survey. Survey questions were guided by concepts from the theory of planned behavior, including sexual history questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption Items (AUDIT‐C), and the Sexual Consent Scale–Revised (SCS‐R). A history of forced sex was measured by a dichotomous (yes/no) response to the question, "Have you ever been forced to have sex when you didn't want to?" adapted from the Abuse Assessment Screen for violence. Completion of the survey implied consent. Results Forced sex was reported by 22% of participants. More than one half (59%) of participants reported alcohol use prior to sexual activity, and approximately 25% reported drinking two or three times per week. Women with greater awareness of sexual consent were significantly more likely to report a history of forced sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.553, p p = .002, CI [.537, .870]). Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice Communication of sexual consent between partners has the potential to be misinterpreted if not clear and direct. Concurrent alcohol use may lead to difficulty refusing sexual activity and a poorly communicated refusal that could be misinterpreted. Providers need to understand all characteristics that contribute to sexual risks and forced sex among college women and have individualized discussions about sexual risk behaviors that address coercion and violence.
Book Review - Soft Law and the Global Financial System: Rule-Making in the Twenty-First Century

In Soft Law and the Global Financial System: Rule-Making in the Twenty-First Century (2011), Christopher J. Brummer provides a detailed and informative analysis of the international regulatory response to the global financial crisis of 2008. This accomplishment alone warrants a close look at this book. But Professor Brummer goes further in this pivotal work on the law of international finance. He provides a persuasive theoretical account of international financial law. Soft Law and the Global Financial System not only describes the mechanisms of lawmaking and standard-setting for global financial markets, but also delivers a workable framework for prescribing and perhaps even perfecting the regulation of the world’s most vital and volatile economic institutions.
Are We Violating the Human Rights of the World’s Poor?

In this chapter I argue that we are violating the human rights of the world’s poor. To show this I proceed in two main steps. Section 2.1 sets forth a conception of what it means to violate a human right, arguing that ‘human rights violation’ is a relational predicate, involving right holders as well as duty bearers, with the latter playing an active role in causing the human rights of the former to be unfulfilled. Widely neglected is one very common kind of such violations involving the design and imposition of institutional arrangements that foreseeably and avoidably cause some human beings to lack secure access to the objects of their human rights. Just as one is actively harming people when one takes on the office of lifeguard and then fails to do one’s job, so we are actively harming people when we seize the authority to design and impose social institutions and then fail to shape them so that human rights are realized under them insofar as this is reasonably possible. By examining the empirical evidence then I argue in Sect. 2.2 that we violate the human rights of billions of poor people by collaborating in the imposition of a supranational institutional scheme that foreseeably produces massive and reasonably avoidable human rights deficits. In the concluding part of Sect. 2.2 and the subsequent conclusion I reflect on the moral consequences for citizens in the affluent countries and present some ideas how compensation might work.
Abstract 4796: Cancer stem cell vaccine inhibits metastases of primary tumors and induces humoral immune responses against cancer stem cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The inability to target cancer stem cells (CSC) may be a significant factor contributing to treatment failure. We have developed a strategy to target the CSC populations in melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma using CSC lysate-pulsed dendritic cells (DC). Using mouse models we demonstrate that DC pulsed with CSCs enriched by virtue of their expression of the CSC marker ALDH (CSC-DC) significantly reduced development of pulmonary metastases and prolonged survival. The effect was associated with down regulation of CCR7 and CCR10 in tumor cells and decreased CCL27 and CCL28 expression in lung tissue. CSC-DC vaccine significantly reduced ALDHhigh CSCs in the primary tumors. Direct targeting of CSCs was demonstrated by specific binding of IgG produced by ALDHhigh CSC-DC vaccine-primed B cells to ALDHhigh CSCs, resulting in lysis of these target cells in the presence of complement. When administered in the adjuvant setting after localized radiation therapy of established tumors, CSC-DC vaccine reduced development of local tumor growth as well as systemic disease and prolonged survival demonstrating the efficacy of this approach. These data suggest that the CSC-DC vaccine approach may be useful in the adjuvant setting where local and systemic relapse are high after conventional treatment of cancers. Citation Format: Lin Lu, Huimin Tao, Yang Xia, John Owen, Jeffrey S. Moyer, Mark E.P Prince, Alfred E. Chang, Max S. Wicha, Qiao Li. Cancer stem cell vaccine inhibits metastases of primary tumors and induces humoral immune responses against cancer stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4796. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4796
Multi-agent based wireless pyroelectric infrared sensor networks for multi-human tracking and self-calibration

This paper presents a multi-agent based wireless pyroelectric infrared sensor network for human tracking and self-calibration. The goal of this research is to achieve a scalable, reconfigurable multi-agent system (MAS), which consists of sensing, action, decision, and database agents, for human tracking and self-calibration. Sensing, action and decision agents can be developed from one uniform reconfigurable node. Sensing agents contain PIR sensors, a signal conditioning circuit, and programmable system on a chip (PSoC). Action agents contain a servo motor, a servo control circuit, and PSoC. Decision agents contain a field programmable gate array (FPGA) board, which can implement self-calibration algorithm. Database agents are developed using SUN MySQL platform, which contains situation and group information (e.g., number of targets, system geometric parameters, nodes positions and orientations). Initial experimental results illustrate the advantages of the proposed MAS based PIR sensor networks.
MEASUREMENT OF CONTACT ANGLE IN A CLEARANCE‐FIT PIN‐LOADED HOLE

A technique which measures load-contact variation in a clearance-fit, pin-loaded hole is presented in detail. A steel instrumented pin, which activates a make-or-break electrical circuit in the pin-hole contact region, was inserted into one aluminum and one polycarbonate specimen. The resulting load-contact variations are indicated schematically. The ability to accurately determine the arc of contact at any load was crucial to this measurement. It is noted that this simple experimental technique is applicable to both conducting and nonconducting materials.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR STAGHORN CALCULI

AbstractPurpose: The cost-effectiveness of shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and combined sandwich therapy in the treatment of staghorn calculi was examined.Materials and Methods: The cost-effective index, which estimates the average cost of making 1 patient stone-free, was computed for the various treatment options. Data for effectiveness of each therapy were used as available from the literature. Billing charges were used as cost data from University Hospital and the Kidney Stone Center.Results: Average charges for a single percutaneous nephrolithotomy were $26,622, of which 81 percent were facility charges and 7.9 percent urologist fees. Average charges for a single shock wave lithotripsy were $8,213, 60.3 percent of which were facility fees and 33.3 percent of which were urologist charges. Overall, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and combined sandwich therapy were more cost-effective than shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy. When the stone surface area was less than 500 mm.[...
Enhanced heme protein expression by ammonia-oxidizing communities acclimated to low dissolved oxygen conditions

This study has investigated the acclimation of ammonia-oxidizing communities (AOC) to low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. Under controlled laboratory conditions, two sequencing batch reactors seeded with activated sludge from the same source were operated at high DO (near saturation) and low DO (0.1 mg O₂/L) concentrations for a period of 220 days. The results demonstrated stable and complete nitrification at low DO conditions after an acclimation period of approximately 140 days. Acclimation brought about increased specific oxygen uptake rates and enhanced expression of a particular heme protein in the soluble fraction of the cells in the low DO reactor as compared to the high DO reactor. The induced protein was determined not to be any of the enzymes or electron carriers present in the conventional account of ammonia oxidation in ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). Further research is required to determine the specific nature of the heme protein detected; a preliminary assessment suggests either a type of hemoglobin protein or a lesser-known component of the energy-transducing pathways of AOB. The effect of DO on AOC dynamics was evaluated using the 16S rRNA gene as the basis for phylogenetic comparisons and organism quantification. Ammonium consumption by ammonia-oxidizing archaea and anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria was ruled out by fluorescent in situ hybridization in both reactors. Even though Nitrosomonas europaea was the dominant AOB lineage in both high and low DO sequencing batch reactors at the end of operation, this enrichment could not be linked in the low DO reactor to acclimation to oxygen-limited conditions.
Short term regulation of endothelial Na+-K+-pump activity by cGMP: A 133Cs magnetic resonance study

The effect of nitric oxide radicals (NO) on the activity of porcine aortic endothelial Na+-K+-ATPase is reported. Measurements were made using an in vitro cell system and 133Cs magnetic resonance (NMR). It is shown that NO, through stimulation of guanylate cyclase, results in a reduction of pump activity. Similar observations were made using 8-Br-cGMP. Measurement of the cytosolic volume indicated no changes in volume during incubation with 8-Br-cGMP. Our measurements indicate a continuous regulation of endothelial Na+-K+-ATPase activity by endogenous NO. This regulation could be removed by L-Name, resulting in a small increase in pump activity.
Investing in New Information Technology--The Role of Competitive Posture and Issue Diagnosis

This paper investigates the influence of competitive posture and strategic issue diagnosis on firms' investment in new information technology. We analyze responses to technological innovation of close to 300 tax-return preparation businesses confronted with the introduction of electronic filing in the market for tax-related services. Results of path analysis show that issue diagnosis indirectly provokes adoption of new technology by increasing the level of commitment to technological capabilities. Competitive posture, as reflected in firms' efficiency and quality orientations, influenced adoption of newly available technology both directly and indirectly through issue interpretation. These findings suggest that competitive postures influence investment in new technology primarily by establishing institutional rules for innovation rather than by conditioning the process of strategic issue diagnosis.
Melatonin and Seasonal Rhythms

The pineal hormone melatonin plays a ubiquitous role in biology as a chemical mediator of the effects of season on animal physiology and behavior. Seasonal changes in night length (scotoperiod) induce parallel changes in the duration of melatonin secretion (which occurs exclusively at night), so that it is longer in winter and shorter in summer. These changes in duration of nocturnal melatonin secretion, in turn, trigger seasonal changes in behavior. The retinohypothalamic-pineal (RHP) axis's responses to light are highly conserved in humans. Like other animals, humans secrete melatonin exclusively at night, and they interrupt its secretion when they are exposed to light during the nocturnal period of its secretion. In many individuals, the RHP axis also is capable of detecting changes in the length of the night and making proportional adjustments in the duration of nocturnal melatonin secretion, producing the type of melatonin message that animals use to trigger seasonal changes in their behavior. This h...
Substituted Cyclopropenium Salts as Photoinitiators for Cationic Polymerization of Glycidyl Phenyl Ether

A new series of triarylcyclopropenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)gallates (I) were synthesized by anion exchange. These salts are photoacid generators from which we have measured the rates of acid release using the indicator Quinaldine Red (QR). Electron-donating substituents on the aromatic ring slow the rate of photoacid release. Cationic photopolymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) was also examined. With 1 wt % triphenylcyclopropenium (TPCP) gallate, 90% of conversion of GPE was achieved within 20 min irradiation at 300 nm. The polymerization afforded polyGPE with Mw of 4100−8100. The initiating species was identified as a proton produced from photolysis of the triarylcyclopropenium cation.
Adaptive teaching strategy for online learning

Finding the optimal teaching strategy for an individual student is difficult even for an experienced teacher. Identifying and incorporating multiple optimal teaching strategies for different students in a class is even harder. This paper presents an Adaptive tutor for online Learning, AtoL, for Computer Science laboratories that identifies and applies the appropriate teaching strategies for students on an individual basis. The optimal strategy for a student is identified in two steps. First, a basic strategy for a student is identified using rules learned from a supervised learning system. Then the basic strategy is refined to better fit the student using models learned using an unsupervised learning system that takes into account the temporal nature of the problem solving process. The learning algorithms as well as the initial experimental results are presented.
Community-based Norms About Intimate Partner Violence: Putting Attributions of Fault and Responsibility into Context

Fault and responsibility are key concepts in understanding how victims and assailants are, or are not, held accountable by society. We used a fractional factorial vignette design with a community-residing sample of 3,679 adults to examine judgments about intimate partner violence (IPV). Although fault, or causal responsibility, was assigned most often to assailants (69%), respondents assigned solution responsibility most often to both persons (52%) or to the victim alone (31%): interpersonal communication for couples (38%) and self-protective actions for victims (i.e., engaging formal authorities [12%] and/or leaving the assailant [11%]) were the most frequent suggestions. Potential injury to the victim and gender/relationship-based norms had the greatest impact on judgments. Findings may inform strategies to alter social norms regarding IPV.
The region in the μ opioid receptor conferring selectivity for sufentanil over the δ receptor is different from that over the κ receptor

We determined the binding domains of sufentanil and lofentanil in the mu opioid receptor by comparing their binding affinities to seven mu/delta and six mu/kappa chimeric receptors with those to mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors. TMHs 6 and 7 and the e3 loop of the mu opioid receptor were important for selective binding of sufentanil and lofentanil to the mu over the kappa receptor. TMHs 1-3 and the e1 loop of the mu opioid receptor conferred binding selectivity for sufentanil over the delta receptor. Thus, the region that conferred binding selectivity for sufentanil differs, depending on chimeras used. In addition, the interaction TMHs 1-3 and TMHs 6-7 was crucial for the high affinity binding of these two ligands. These two regions are likely to contain sites of interaction with the ligands or to confer conformations specific to the mu receptor.
The Laryngeal Mask Airway: Prehospital and Emergency Department Use

The LMA now has a well-established role in airway management. There are several different types of LMAs to accommodate many different patient needs. The LMA has become one of the most important and versatile tools in the management of patients with difficult airways.
Personal Versus Vocational Focus in Career Counseling: A Retrospective Outcome Study.

In this archival study the authors sought to determine the relationship, if any, between counseling outcomes and the topical focus in career counseling. Twenty-two counselors saw 46 adult clients at a community-based clinic for an average of eight sessions. Counseling outcome and topical focus (the extent to which the actual content of counseling sessions reflected relatively more vocationally or personally focused topics) were assessed from follow-up questionnaires to former career clients and from trained raters' evaluations of the counselors' written progress notes. Results showed that, from the counselors' perspective, outcomes were better when the focus of the sessions was relatively more vocational than personal and when relatively more interviews were held. Client satisfaction, on the other hand, was predictable only from the counselor's level of experience. Satisfaction with occupational status was not associated with any of the client, counselor, or treatment factors. Discussion focuses on the contribution of the results to career counseling practice and on the feasibility and validity of retrospective, archival research.
Niemann-Pick C Proteins in Sterol Transport and Absorption: Flies in the Ointment

The Niemann-Pick C proteins have slowly emerged as regulators of subcellular lipid transport and sterol absorption at the small intestine. A recent article in Cell Metabolism suggests that in addition to their significant structural and sequence homology, these proteins may orchestrate their functions in a previously unappreciated fashion (Voght et al., 2007).
Systematic Method for Constructing Earth-Mars Cyclers Using Free-Return Trajectories

A procedure for constructing idealized Earth-Mars cycler orbits in a simple solar system is presented. Solutions from the multiple-revolution Lambert problem are utilized to find free-return Mars trajectories. Multiple combinations of these generic return orbits are patched to sequences of full and half-revolution return orbits with Earth-generated gravity-assisted maneuvers. An algorithm is developed to find all useful combinations of the defined free returns that have a combined period of any integer multiple of the synodic period. Given a sequence of free returns, a procedure is then developed to minimize the maximum of all of the turning angles associated with the flybys necessary to maintain and reinitiate the cycler. The method identifies 24 ballistic cyclers with periods of two to four synodic periods, 92 ballistic cyclers with periods of five or six synodic periods, and hundreds of near-ballistic cyclers, where a ballistic cycler is defined to be one that requires no powered maneuvers to maintain and has realistic turning angles with respect to the surface of the Earth. These resulting orbits have diverse characteristics that could benefit a variety of potential missions. Although the method finds several known idealized cyclers, most of the orbits presented are previously undocumented.
Electrophoretic measurement of lipoprotein(a) cholesterol in plasma with and without ultracentrifugation: comparison with an immunoturbidimetric lipoprotein(a) method

Abstract Objectives: Elevated plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a significant risk factor for vascular disease. Standardization of Lp(a) mass measurement is complicated by the heterogeneity of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)]. We investigated whether Lp(a) cholesterol measurement, which is not influenced by apo(a) size, is a viable alternative to measuring Lp(a) mass. Design and methods: Plasma Lp(a) cholesterol was measured electrophoretically, with and without ultracentrifugation, and results were compared to each other and to immunoturbidimetrically measured Lp(a) mass in 470 subjects. Results: Ultracentrifuged and whole plasma Lp(a) cholesterol levels demonstrated high correlation (R = 0.964). All samples with detectable (≥2.0 mg/dl) Lp(a) cholesterol had Lp(a) mass >30 mg/dl (the clinically relevant cutpoint), while 59 samples with Lp(a) mass >30 mg/dl did not have detectable Lp(a) cholesterol. Conclusions: Lp(a) cholesterol can be measured in whole plasma without interference from VLDL lipoproteins. The relative clinical merits of measuring Lp(a) cholesterol vs. Lp(a) mass or both in combination deserves investigation.
Range of environmentally responsive monooxygenase activities in human placental microsomes determined by direct fluorescence techniques

Abstract Two direct fluorometric assays of in vitro xenobiotic oxidation have been adapted for use with placental microsomes. A total of 103 placentas were studied. NADPH-dependent disappearance of benzo[a]pyrene was found in the majority of placental preparations from pregnancies in which maternal smoking had occurred, but was observed only rarely in its absence. O -Deethylation of 7-ethoxyresorufin (ERR) was demonstrable in all cases. O -Deethylase activity correlated positively with benzo[ a ]pyrene disappearance ( r = 0.87 ± 0.16) when mothers smoked cigarettes and was significantly higher than activity in preparations from nonsmokers. A shift in apparent K m toward ERR from 10 −5 M to 10 −7 M was observed as a consequence of maternal smoking. Addition of α-naphthoflavone markedly inhibited O -deethylation in induced placentas, whereas stimulation of in vitro metabolism occurred in noninduced placentas. These results establish operational definitions of induction in human placental monooxygenase systems and provide a basis for quantitative descriptions of fetal environmental responses.
Production of Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats

SummaryThe production of renal ischemia by molded gauzecollodion capsules, as demonstrated to us by Dr. John Williams, appears to be the most satisfactory method of producing cardiac hypertrophy in rats.
External doppler monitoring of free flaps through negative pressure dressings

The negative pressure dressing is a highly effective modality for coverage and bolstering of skin grafts in the early postoperative period. In the situation of a skin graft over a free flap, the surgeon might be inclined to avoid this modality out of concern that the dressing would deleteriously effect flap survival or impede flap monitoring. This case series supports the safety of the negative pressure dressing and demonstrates a technical modification that permits external Doppler monitoring of the flap through the dressing. Thus, this technique provides an ideal environment for skin graft healing while maintaining the ability to monitor the flap in a straightforward manner and also simplifies nursing care.
Practical design of active & intelligent energy-saving system with modules strategy

Owing to the storage capacity of oil on the earth at most last for 40 years and being in the situation of unbalance of necessity and consume, the oil price has crazily risen up and this situation indirectly caused economic decline, goods price unstable, all those condition gradually caused global economic crises. Every country was conscious of the energy of earth was almost consumption danger, thus they positively developed the new energy of next generation such nuclear energy, windpower generator, solar energy, biologic energy etc. Among those methods nuclear energy was the better strategy for producing energy for its economical benefits, but it would generate large amount emission of CO 2 , and finally leading to second pollution and ozonosphere broken to form greenhouse effect and cause gradual ecological damage. That's why all countries again developed all possible methods to conserve energy and decrease CO 2 emission and that meant not only regarded energy develop but also energy conserved. This research was mainly to meet with the government policy of energy saving which was positively promoted by Energy Bureau of Taiwan Economy Department and to use all brand-new technology of sensor and communication techniques to construct active intelligent energy-conserved system which was designed on the conception of module to correspond to different energy consumption condition. In this system “active” meant the system with auto-sensor and monitoring control techniques would detect the energy consumption conditions both in environmental factors and power system in addition to feedback control with optimal operating parameters such as voltage, current, power factor, harmony-wave factor that was arranged with intelligent agent technique. All those parameters in this system would be automatically detected by digital meters which was designed by researchers with DSP, high-speed A/D concerted card so as to real-time respond to system operation; as to recognition of objective environment such as persons, facilities, air conditioning, lights in the space would need to use RFID system; parameters would be transmitted to servo PC to be judged what's the best feedback control parameters so there would develop ZigBee wireless sensor network technique; the controlled facilities would use Bluetooth modules which was operating with high frequency, non-disturbed, low power-consumption, non-direction features; as to long distance far away main servo PC the transmission mechanism would use embedded system to construct middle-way real-time respond system; the rear terminal control would design with power PLC.
Enhancement of Laguerre-FDTD with Initial Conditions for Fast Transient EM/Circuit Simulation

In this paper, a companion model for the 3D FDTD grid, to perform transient simulation using Laguerre-polynomials, has been presented. The circuit model of the FDTD grid permits the problem to be solved in a modified nodal analysis (MNA) framework, making the matrix setup systematic and easier. In addition, companion models for an inductor, capacitor and mutual inductance have been derived. These models enable linear transient circuit simulation with Laguerre-polynomials using MNA analysis. Prior work in this topic has the limitation of being able to simulate only for a certain time-duration. An efficient solution has been proposed to overcome this limitation, so that simulation can be done for all time.
Comparison of the two types of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes in human blood with regard to capping and motility

Abstract Human blood lymphocytes contain two populations of immunoglobulin-bearing cells. One has passively acquired, labile IgG on its surface, is not phagocytic, and does not contain detectable peroxidase. It also does not show capping or stimulation of motility after binding anti-IgG antibody. The other population of true B cells has IgM and IgD on its surface, most cells having both. This population behaves as conventional B lymphocytes, showing capping and anti-immunoglobulin-stimulated motility. The capping is independent of cell motility and cannot be inhibited by colchicine. The effects of anti-IgM and anti-IgD on these cells are similar in that they both stimulate capping and motility to about the same extent and both cap to the same region of the cell surface.
A Significance Test for Multisample Sphericity.

The paper obtains a maximum likelihood criterion test for multisample sphericity. The test contains Mauchly's sphericity test as a special case.
Hypercube and shuffle-exchange algorithms for image component labeling

Abstract This paper presents O (log 2 N ) time algorithms for labeling the connected components of an N 1 2 × N 1 2 pixel binary image using an N processor hypercube or shuffle-exchange computer. The algorithms that are presented are the first to solve this problem in O (log 2 N ) time using the given models of parallel computers. The algorithms are based on a divide-and-conquer approach and use as a subroutine an O (log N ) time PRAM algorithm for labeling the connected components of a graph. The simulation of the PRAM by the hypercube and shuffle-exchange computers is particularly efficient because the PRAM that is being simulated has only O(N 3 4 ) processors and memory cells.