cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Security Design with Correlated Hidden Cash Flows:The Optimality of Performance Pricing

This paper studies optimal security design in a dynamic setting with an agency problem that arises when an agent in charge of a project can divert cash flows for his own consumption at the expense of an outside investor. Cash flows are unobservable and unverifiable by the outside investor, who relies on the agent's reports, and has the right to liquidate the project. Unlike previous analyses, we allow cash flows to be correlated over time. We solve for the optimal contract and show that it can be implemented using a credit line with an interest rate that increases with the balance on the credit line. This finding is consistent with the fact that the majority of commercial loans are lines of credit with performance pricing. Thus, our model provides theoretical evidence that performance pricing is used to mitigate the agency cost. In addition, we develop a new recursive method to deal with a correlated privately observed variable in dynamic agency settings. It allows us to reduce the dimensionality of the problem and obtain a closed-form solution for the optimal contract.
Identification of putative internalization signals in prion proteins

Prion proteins were found to contain regions in their cytoplasmic domains that have significant structural homologies to molecular trafficking signals for internalization of membrane proteins. These regions may facilitate the endocytosis of prion proteins, which appears to be a first step in their conversion to the abnormal, amyloidogenic form.
Upper limit on turbulent electron temperature fluctuations in the core of Alcator C-Mod

Electron cyclotron emission correlation radiometry is used to measure the local turbulent electron temperature fluctuations in the plasma core of the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. Using standard analysis techniques, we see no evidence of the broadband fluctuations seen in other devices. From an analysis of the diagnostic resolution, coupled with these data, we can place an upper limit on the measurable fluctuation amplitude and set bounds for the wave number spectrum required for the electrostatic turbulence model of anomalous heat flux to be valid.
A New Era of Policing?: An Examination of Texas Police Chiefs' Perceptions of Homeland Security

Many claims have been made about how the events of September 11 have thrust American policing into a new era, one wherein homeland security is the dominant strategy. To examine the validity of such...
Hypersonic Flow on Yawed Wedges with Leading-Edge Bluntness and Viscous Interaction

A theoretical and experimental study of yawed two-dimensional bodies in a hypersonic stream, including the effects of leading-edge hluntness, viscous interaction, and small angle of attack, has been carried out. The theory due to Cheng et al., which was developed for the problem without yaw, is modified to treat the yawed case with the assumption that no gradients along the span exist in the flow over the body. The results of wind-tunnel tests, covering a wide range of Mach number'and Reynolds number conditions at yaw angles of 60° and 70°, show that this major assumption is valid and verify the modified theory. These tests include the measurement of pressure, heat transfer, and total force on the body.
Coaching Mothers of Children with Autism: A Qualitative Study for Occupational Therapy Practice

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participated in 10 one-hour coaching sessions. Coaching occurred between an occupational therapist and mother and consisted of information sharing, action, and reflection. Researchers asked 10 mothers six open-ended questions with follow-up probes related to their experiences with coaching. Themes were identified, labeled, and categorized. Themes emerged related to relationships, analysis, reflection, mindfulness, and self-efficacy. Findings indicate that parents perceive the therapist–parent relationship, along with analysis and reflection, as core features that facilitate increased mindfulness and self-efficacy. The findings suggest that how an intervention is provided can lead to positive outcomes, including increased mindfulness and self-efficacy.
Targeting TGF-β and the Extracellular Matrix in Marfan's Syndrome

Marfan's syndrome is a genetic disorder affecting connective tissues, and it can lead to death due to aortic defects if left untreated. β-blocker therapy has been used to slow the progression of this disease. Brooke et al. (2008) now report that combining angiotensin II receptor blockade by losartan with β-blocker treatment is an effective treatment combination therapy for this disorder.
Epidemiology, healthy policies and the pediatrician.

In this essay I have tried to show how sometimes, mundane clinical and laboratory observations lay foundations of epidemiological research, the latter make some profound statements about our collective behavior. Research could also reveal the effects of various socio-political phenomena or unearth the tragedies of bungling public policies.
A latent class segmentation analysis of e-shoppers

Abstract We apply a latent class modeling approach to segment web shoppers, based on their purchase behavior across several product categories. We then profile the segments along the twin dimensions of demographics and benefits sought. We show that benefits sought can provide more diagnostic information than mere descriptive demographic profiling. Our study has some interesting findings that shed light on consumer perceptions and behavior with respect to online commerce. First, consumers are more concerned about web attributes that are associated with perceived losses than with web attributes that consumers associate with gains. Second, compared to other online purchase-related attributes, getting the lowest price does not appear to be a very important attribute for web shoppers. This finding may also indicate that prices on web pages are somewhat similar, and consumers are moving on to other criteria to continue their evaluation process. Third, demographics do not discriminate between web buyers even though that has been the traditional focus with the Internet. Fourth, there is a large segment of web surfers who dislike buying on the Web; the predominant reason for this appears to be their perception about the security of sensitive information. This segment feels that not only is it the most important of all attributes for online commerce, but also that the Web does a very poor job on this attribute/benefit.
Survey of Potential ADS-B Benets for the Soaring Community

As part of the FAA’s plans for the modernization of the Air Trac Control (ATC) system, Automatic Dependent Surveillance { Broadcast (ADS-B) will be the basis of the future surveillance system in the US and other countries worldwide. Since the benet of ADS-B is co-dependent on the overall equipage of the nationwide eet of aircraft, creating incentives for aircraft operators to equip with ADS-B is crucial. Sailplanes are exempt from the US requirement to equip with ADS-B avionics by 2020. However, in light of recent mid-air collisions involving sailplanes, there is interest to determine how ADS-B could be used for the Soaring Community. In order to determine how ADS-B could be benecial to the Soaring Community, an internet based survey of US sailplane pilots was conducted. 272 participants ranked thirteen ADS-B applications as low, medium or high benet to the soaring community. The survey also collected information about the equipment currently present in sailplanes, the willingness to pay for new equipment and pilot background such as certication level and yearly hours own. All survey participants were sailplane pilots. Each of the 13 applications surveyed had at least 50% of the participants rank it as medium benet or higher. Trac informa
Effect of timing of measles vaccination on compliance with immunizations during the second year of life

In 1976 the recommended time for routine measles immunization was changed from 12 to ≥15 months of age. Because of the known decrease in compliance with immunizations given during the second year of life and the scheduling of an additional visit close to the time of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) booster immunization, the potential benefit from this change might be offset by a decrease in compliance in securing both measles vaccination and DTP booster immunization. A study of the change in immunization compliance was carried out in a county health facility and in a prepaid medical group practice. Charts of 795 infants (395 born before and 400 born after the change) were reviewed to assess the rates of compliance with measles and with DTP immunizations. Administration of measles vaccine at a scheduled time decreased by 10% (0.05
A Case Study of Energy Savings by using the Water-Side Economiser System in a Large Office Building in Montreal

This paper presents the feasibility study of the implementation of a water-side economizer system in a large existing office building in Montreal, for reducing the electricity consumption and the peak electric demand for chillers in winter. The evaluation was performed by computer simulation using the MICRO-DOE2 program. The study predicts, under conservative assumptions, energy savings of about 34,000 CAN$/year.
Motor and premotor cortices in subcortical stroke: proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy measures and arm motor impairment.

Background. Although functional imaging and neurophysiological approaches reveal alterations in motor and premotor areas after stroke, insights into neurobiological events underlying these alterati...
Reversal of murine alveolar macrophage-mediated suppression of plaque-forming cell response by sodium periodate

Murine alveolar macrophages (AM) have been shown to suppress the in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) response of spleen cells previously primed with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) in a dose-dependent manner. Mild oxidation of cell membranes on viable AM with sodium periodate resulted in total abrogation of AM-mediated suppression of the PFC response, while periodate treatment of spleen cells resulted only in partial reduction of the suppression. Pretreatment of AM with sodium periodate followed by addition of the aldehyde blocking agent, hydroxylamine, resulted in restoration of the PFC-suppressing activity of AM. Periodate treatment of AM also resulted in significantly increased macrophage-T-cell binding and cluster formation. These observations suggest that the generation of aldehyde moieties on AM membrane sialoglycoconjugates promotes positive macrophage-lymphocyte interactions, resulting in abrogation of AM-mediated suppression of the PFC response.
Uncertainty bound of sampled data systems

Abstract For a given continuous time system along with a bound on the model uncertainty, this note provides a tight upper bound on the model uncertainty of sampled data systems. The implication is that one can do robust control design in discrete time without any additional conservatism.
Editors Introduction to the Special Issue on International Developments in Family Therapy

The purpose of this special issue is to consider the current state of the field in as many areas of the world as possible. The first goal was to build connections between people. People who share some similar ideas about the importance of family therapy, family involvement in care, or systemic approaches to family support, could look in one location find others of similar interests. Our second goal was to satisfy a curiosity. We wondered about what is happening in places other than our own. My initial consultations with members of the CoFT Editorial Board confirmed that many of them shared a similar interest and many of them agreed to contribute to the project. The result is a remarkable collection of ideas, developments, and thinking about how the field ‘‘stands’’ in different places. Forty-seven authors representing four of the six continents (less Africa and Antarctica), who themselves identified nineteen unique (and sometimes overlapping) geographical areas all contributed to this ‘‘snapshot’’ of the field as it appears in the summer of 2013. The contributors were identified by consulting with members of the CoFT editorial board, gleaning names from the membership lists of different family-based professional organizations, examining the editorial boards of a range of professional journals, and then using the ‘‘snowball technique’’ to identify additional potential authors. The authors were asked to respond to a framework of topics that included: ‘‘1. History of family therapy in your area including such material as key ‘‘founders’’, or people who began to work in family therapy in your area. Where and how the early founders received training in family therapy. Key institutions that began providing services and/or training in family therapy. A timeline of key developments in your area. 2. How does family therapy fit into the current medical and or social services systems in your area?
Intravital molecular imaging of small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts in mice: a feasibility study.

Objectives: Creating functional small-diameter tissue-engineered blood vessels has not been successful to date. Moreover, the processes underlying the in vivo remodeling of these grafts and the fate of cells seeded onto scaffolds remain unclear. Here we addressed these unmet scientific needs by using intravital molecular imaging to monitor the development of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVG) implanted in mouse carotid artery. Methods and Results: Green fluorescent protein–labeled human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells and cord blood–derived endothelial progenitor cells were seeded on polyglycolic acid–poly-L-lactic acid scaffolds to construct small-caliber TEVG that were subsequently implanted in the carotid artery position of nude mice (n = 9). Mice were injected with near-infrared agents and imaged using intravital fluorescence microscope at 0, 7, and 35 days to validate in vivo the TEVG remodeling capability (Prosense680; VisEn, Woburn, MA) and patency (Angiosense750; VisEn). Imaging c...
The Optics of Urban Ruination Toward an Archaeological Approach to the Photography of the Japan Air Raids

World War II yielded many photographs of bombed-out cities. In this paper we telescope between two sets and scales of images that represent the principal frames through which the American and Japanese publics have memorialized the incendiary bombings that laid waste to urban Japan: aerial photographs taken by the US Army Air Forces during its wartime planning, prosecution, and assessment of the raids; and the ground-level images captured by Ishikawa Ko–yo–, a photographer working on behalf of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. By means of a detailed examination of the production, circulation, and consumption of these photographs—what some scholars have called an “archaeological approach” to images of ruination—we explore not only the visual rhetoric and reality of the destruction of Japan’s cities, but also how that destruction is situated in history, memory, and visual culture.
Clinical course of thrombocytopenia in patients treated with imatinib mesylate for accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia.

We studied 28 patients with accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who were enrolled on the Novartis expanded access study 114. Diagnosis of accelerated phase CML was based on karyotypic evolution (n = 9) and hematologic criteria (n = 18). All patients were begun on 600 mg/day of imatinib mesylate. Dose reductions to 400 mg/day and then 300 mg/day were prescribed for an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 20,000/microl after an average of 19.7 +/- 1.8 weeks. Patients who developed thrombocytopenia had a longer duration of disease (9.39 vs. 4.35 years; P < 0.01) and were more likely to be diagnosed with accelerated phase CML by hematologic criteria. Hematologic responses in patients with and without thrombocytopenia were comparable; however, 31.3% of patients without thrombocytopenia had a complete cytogenetic response compared to none of those with thrombocytopenia. Grade III-IV thrombocytopenia is common in accelerated phase CML and may be a marker for the inability to achieve cytogenetic response using single agent imatinib mesylate.
Pyrimidines. XIX. Pyrimido[4,5-e]dihydro-1,3-oxazines and related compounds

A number of 2-substituted 4,5-dihydroxy-6-(substituted aminomethyl)pyrimidines (VIII) were prepared from the corresponding 2-substituted 4,5-dihydroxypyrimidines (VII) by a new pyrimidine Mannich reaction. The structure of VIII was proved by an independent synthesis. Further study of this reaction led to the synthesis of a new class of compounds: the pyrimido[4,5-e]dihydro-1,3-oxazines (VI).
Types as Graphs: Continuations in Type Logical Grammar

Using the programming-language concept of continuations, we propose a new, multimodal analysis of quantification in Type Logical Grammar. Our approach provides a geometric view of in-situ quantification in terms of graphs, and motivates the limited use of empty antecedents in derivations. Just as continuations are the tool of choice for reasoning about evaluation order and side effects in programming languages, our system provides a principled, type-logical way to model evaluation order and side effects in natural language. We illustrate with an improved account of quantificational binding, weak crossover, wh-questions, superiority, and polarity licensing.
Lack of syringe toxicity to amniotic fluid cells in culture

Abstract Toxicity to amniotic fluid from many brands of syringes has been reported in the past few years. Thirty amniocentesis samples were exposed to Becton-Dickinson syringes for varying lengths of time and evaluated for growth rate. Six amniocentesis samples were exposed to the syringes for prolonged periods at varying temperatures and also evaluated for growth rate. No evidence of syringe toxicity was found for exposure periods up to 24 h, regardless of storage temperature.
Oleic acid distribution in small intestinal epithelial cells expressing intestinal-fatty acid binding protein

Intestinal-fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) has been proposed to target long chain fatty acids (LCFA) to triglyceride synthesis pathways in the intestinal epithelium. In the present studies hBRIE 380i cells, which endogenously express I-FABP only when fully differentiated, were used to investigate the role of I-FABP in LCFA incorporation and targeting by examining the relative distribution of [3H]-oleic acid in cellular lipids in these cells. [3H]-oleic acid incorporation into triglyceride was significantly higher in hBRIE 380i cells expressing I-FABP than in cells not expressing I-FABP. After 15 min, 1 and 4 h of incubation, cells expressing I-FABP incorporated 24.0%, 34.0% and 43.9% of [3H]-oleic acid into triglyceride, while newly confluent cells (no I-FABP expression) incorporated 15.6%, 18.3% and 31.9%. An I-FABP negative cell line, hBRIE 380i-neg cells, was stably transfected to investigate the effect of adding I-FABP to small intestinal epithelial cell lines. No measurable differences in [3H]-oleic acid incorporation into triglyceride was detected in these transfectants. Additionally I-FABP expression had no effect on [3H]-oleic acid incorporation or distribution within phospholipid subclasses in hBRIE 380i or transfected hBRIE 380i-neg fabpi cells. Our data from hBRIE 380i cells suggest that I-FABP can target LCFA to triglyceride synthesis pathway. However, endogenous I-FABP expression was also correlated to cellular differentiation and therefore raises the possibility that other differentiation-dependent factors may have a role in LCFA targeting. Because no effects of I-FABP were detected in the transfected hBRIE 380i-neg fabpi cells, it is concluded that factors in addition to I-FABP play a major role in determining the metabolic fate of LCFA in small intestinal epithelial cells. (c) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.
Magnetoreflection studies on the band structure of bismuth-antimony alloys☆

Abstract We present magnetoreflection results in the BiSb alloys which indicate that the bismuth L-point energy gap changes with alloying; these results suggest an experimentally consistent pattern for the variation of the energy bands at the L-and T-points in the Brillouin zone for the BiSbAs system in which spin-orbit interaction appears to be the primary variable.
Thin Layer and High Performance Column Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Selected Carboxylic Acids in Standards and from Helisoma trivolvis (Colorado Strain) Snails

Abstract Separations and detections of acetic, fumaric, lactic, malic, pyruvic, and succinic acid standards were compared using previously reported thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance TLC (HPTLC) systems, which consisted mainly of silica gel or cellulose layers and acid‐base indicator or aniline‐aldose detection reagents. The best results were obtained with an HPTLC cellulose layer, triple development with n‐propanol‐2 M ammonium hydroxide mobile phase, and aniline‐xylose reagent, but resolution and sensitivity were not adequate for determination of these acids in Helisoma trivolvis (Colorado strain) snails. Analysis of snail digestive gland‐gonad complex (DGG) samples was carried out using extraction with 50% Locke's solution, cleanup of the extract by anion exchange solid phase extraction (SPE), and ion exclusion high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Hemolymph was applied directly to the SPE column. Acetic, fumaric, malic, and pyruvic acids were detected at ...
Manufacturing issues of thin film NiTi microwrapper

Manufacturing issues related to a thin film NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) microactuator (i.e. microwrapper) have been investigated using both wet and dry etching techniques. Results show that wet etching the amorphous film produces a cleaner pattern than the crystallized film. Transformation temperatures are not affected by the pre-exposure of the NiTi film to air before crystallization. However, this process produces breakage in the NiTi film at sacrificial layer steps. This is believed to be due to residual stresses developed between the film and substrate during sputtering. The film breakage is overcome by dry etching the film with an ion-milling technique. Curvature in the microwrapper arms is induced using either a bi-layer material (i.e. polyimide and NiTi) or a functionally gradated NiTi film. Results show that when heated the microwrapper arms flatten due to shape memory effect and curl up to form a cage-like structure when cooled.
Synthesis of monoprotected derivatives of homo-bifunctional molecules

Selective derivatization of one of the two functional groups in a symmetrical homo-bifunctional molecule is always an uphill synthetic task. A novel method for synthesis of mono-protected homo-bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is described in this work. The methodology utilizes a combination of two protecting groups that are orthogonal to each other for the introduction of one of these groups into symmetrical homo-bifunctional PEG polymers. Different well-known protecting groups, namely the carbobenzyloxy (Z) and the t-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) groups, have been evaluated for this particular purpose. The approach appears to be straightforward in terms of separation of desired products from other non-desirable products or reactants. The methodology described here might be applicable to any symmetrical homo-bifunctional molecular substance and for synthesis of its corresponding monoprotected derivatives.
Androgen Binding in the Baboon Prostate

Androgen receptors were identified and partly characterized in cytosols of the caudal and cranial prostatic lobes of a 24-hr castrate baboon. Binding of cyproterone acetate (CA) to testosterone-binding globulin (TeBG) in baboon serum was negligible and therefore was an appropriate unlabeled competitor for distinguishing high-affinity binding of tritiated dihydrotestosterone (3H-DHT) to serum contaminants and receptors in cytosol preparations when multiple-point saturation analyses and removal of free steroid by charcoal adsorption were used. Specificity of androgen binding was demonstrated by the inability of diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic estrogen known to have low binding affinity for TeBG, to displace 3H-DHT from the receptor protein. The number of high-affinity binding sites and the dissociation constant of the androgen receptor calculated for the caudal lobe were 102 fmoles/mg cytosol protein and 4.0 × 10−9 M, respectively; corresponding values for the cranial lobe were 49 fmoles/mg and 1.3 × 10−9 M.
IL-4 production by human basophils found in the lung following segmental allergen challenge

Abstract Background: Human blood basophils secrete high levels of IL-4 following activation with specific allergen, yet their role as cytokine-producing cells in allergic lesions has not been described. Objective: Our objective was to investigate whether and under what conditions basophils infiltrating allergic lesions in the lung secrete IL-4 in vitro. Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were recovered 20 hours after segmental allergen challenge. Basophils were enriched with Percoll using a protocol commonly used for blood basophils. IL-4 and histamine were measured in culture supernatants following activation with a variety of stimuli. Two-color flow cytometry was performed to detect intracellular IL-4. Results: IL-4 protein was detected in all basophil culture supernatants following a 4- to 5-hour incubation in medium alone; the levels obtained did not significantly increase with the addition of anti-IgE. BAL basophils failed to release histamine in response to specific allergen but showed nearly 60% histamine release with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, suggesting that they were desensitized to IgE-mediated stimuli as a result of their activation in vivo. Using these same conditions, IL-4 was not detected in BAL cell fractions enriched for lymphocytes and eosinophils. Ionomycin induced IL-4 secretion by BAL basophils, and this response was reduced with the addition of phorbol myristate acetate. In contrast, phorbol myristate acetate promoted the secretion of IL-4 by BAL cells enriched for lymphocytes; both findings are identical to those reported for basophils and lymphocytes purified from blood. Flow cytometry confirmed the secretion of IL-4 by BAL basophils. Conclusions: These data suggest that basophils migrating to the lung following allergen challenge represent a major source of IL-4. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;107:265-71.)
Optimal artificial neural networks and tabulation methods for chemistry representation in LES of a bluff-body swirl-stabilized flame

Abstract Large-eddy simulations (LES) of the Sydney bluff-body swirl-stabilized methane–hydrogen flame are performed, employing two chemistry representation methods, namely a conventional structured tabulation technique and artificial neural networks (ANNs). A generalized method for the generation of optimal artificial networks (OANNs) has been proposed by Ihme et al. [M. Ihme, A.L. Marsden, H. Pitsch, Neural Comput. 20 (2) (2008) 573–601]. This method is, for the first time, applied in LES of turbulent reactive flows, guaranteeing an optimal chemistry representation with error control, which was previously not possible. The network performance with respect to accuracy, data retrieval time, and storage requirements is compared with the structured tabulation of increasing resolution, and effects of long-time error accumulation on the statistical results during a numerical simulation are discussed. Using the optimization algorithm, it is demonstrated that ANN accuracies can be achieved which are comparable with structured tables of moderate to fine resolution. Furthermore, it is shown that for a comparable number of synaptic weights, the network fitness increases with increasing number of hidden layers. Compared to the tabulation technique, data retrieval from the network is computationally more expensive; however, the additional overhead associated with the ANN evaluation remains acceptable in LES applications. Results for flow field statistics and scalar quantities which are obtained from LES are in good agreement with experimental data, and possible reasons for the differences between computed and measured temperature profiles near the bluff-body are discussed. The difference in the velocity statistics between simulations employing structured table and network representation are small, and deviations in the CO 2 profiles on the fuel-rich side of the flame are mainly attributed to the sensitivity of CO 2 with respect to changes in progress variable.
Ontogenic and Spatial Patterns in Diet and Growth of Lake Trout in Lake Michigan

Abstract Lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in nearshore waters of Lake Michigan grow faster than lake trout residing offshore on Sheboygan Reef, which is in midlake. We examined the stomachs of lake trout, spanning ages 1 through 16, caught in both nearshore and offshore environments of Lake Michigan during 1994 and 1995 to determine whether diet differences may be responsible for the difference in growth rate. A comparison of the diets, coupled with bioenergetics modeling, indicated that juvenile lake trout on Sheboygan Reef experienced slow growth due to low food availability rather than to cold water temperatures. The availability of appropriate-size prey appeared to regulate lake trout growth. Small prey fish were probably not readily available to small (200- to 399-mm total length) lake trout on Sheboygan Reef, a substantial portion of whose diet consisted of invertebrates; in contrast, nearshore juveniles had a nearly 100% fish diet. Growth rate on the reef remained slow through intermediate lake trou...
Derivation and use of a survivability criterion for DDP systems

With the advent of low cost compact computing systems, there has been a natural tendency to bring the computer to the job rather than the job to the computer. The geographical distribution of computing also leads to a necessity to interconnect installations so that they can share data, provide back up computing support, and permit rapid transfer of messages between sites. We are now seeing the emergence (1, 2) of networks of computers interconnected by communication facilities. There are numerous benefits to be achieved by this dispersal of computing facilities including more reliable overall operational capability, better overall service to geographically separated sites, and the advantages of being able to utilize a wide range of software and hardware facilities available through telecommunication systems.
Porohyperelastic Simulation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a progressive dilation of the infrarenal aorta and results in a significant alteration in local hemodynamic environment [1]. While an aneurysmal diameter of 5.5cm is typically classified as being of high risk, recent studies have demonstrated that maximum wall stress could be a better indicator of an AAA rupture than maximum diameter [2]. The wall stress is greatly influenced by the blood pressure, aneurysm diameter, shape, wall thickness and the presence of thrombus. The work done by Finol et al. suggested that hemodynamic pressure variations have an insignificant effect on AAA wall stress and that primarily the shape of the aneurysm determines the stress distribution. They noted that for peak wall stress studies the static pressure conditions would suffice as the in vivo conditions. Wang et al have developed an isotropic hyperelastic constitutive model for the intraluminal thrombus (ILT). Such models have been used to study the stress distributions in patient specific AAAs [3, 4].Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura: Responses to treatment with a recombinant antibody to lymphocyte membrane antigen CD20 (rituximab)

"Refractory" autoimmune thrombocytopenia represents a life-threatening condition, having failed to respond to a variety of therapeutic measures. We report a series of cases, all failing splenectomy and multiple therapeutic programs, including, in two patients, marrow transplant. Five of the six cases reported responded to a recombinant antibody to the lymphocyte membrane antigen CD20 (rituximab), an agent commonly employed in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Our experiences over a period of 4 years are documented. The results support the use of this product, rituximab, in the treatment of patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia who have not attained a hemostatically effective platelet count following splenectomy and require a continuing therapeutic management program.
Integration of Novel Capacitor Structure for High Density FeRAM With Barrier Metal TiAlN and (Bi,La)4Ti3O12

16M 1T1C ferroelectric random access memory was successfully integrated by newly proposed scheme named Recessed Open Barrier (ROB) structure with planar Pt/BLT/Pt/IrOx/Ir stacked capacitor. In conventional barrier metal scheme which bottom electrode was stacked, oxygen diffused through the bottom electrode interface formed during MTP structure integration, and oxidized the edge of barrier metal resulting compressive stress. The failure was accelerated by free oxygen diffusion as the stress built up to make the bottom electrode pop-up. In this paper, the barrier metal TiAlN was recessed and refilled by ALD Al2O3 after bottom electrode patterning. By this novel structure, oxidation resistance was greatly improved, because oxygen diffusion path to BM was much longer than conventional scheme. The contact resistance of storage node was below 10 kΩ/plug after all the thermal budget relevant to BLT capacitor.
Abdominal pain in neutropenic cancer patients

A review of 58 patients with malignancies (age range, 14-73 years), who required surgical consultation for acute abdominal pain in the setting of neutropenia (granulocyte count less than 1000/mm3) after chemotherapy was conducted. Ninety percent had fevers greater than 37.8 degrees C, 30% had diarrhea or melena, and 25% had diminished bowel sounds. Five of the 29 patients (17%) with localized pain had surgical intervention; 3 of 29 patients (10%) with generalized pain underwent operations (2 for x-ray findings). All eight of these surgically treated patients survived to leave the hospital. Eighteen of the 29 patients with generalized pain were believed to have a similar syndrome of diarrhea (occasionally heme positive) and diffuse abdominal tenderness (some with peritoneal signs and distension), which was termed "neutropenic enteropathy." Eleven of these 18 patients had their symptoms resolve with antibiotic therapy, aggressive fluid replacement, and a return of their granulocyte count to normal. The other seven died of pneumonia (two), unknown causes (one), and diffuse enterocolitis throughout the intestinal tract (four documented at autopsy). The overall 30-day mortality rate in this series was 34%. Several factors correlated significantly with mortality: hypotension at the onset of pain (80% mortality), bacteremia (63% mortality), and fungemia (100% mortality). Absolute leukocyte count and absolute platelet count did not correlate with mortality. This study reaffirms that patients with neutropenic enteropathy are best treated conservatively. Patients with surgically correctable disease were identified by specific focal findings on examination or x-ray.
Assessing the validity of secondary data proxies for marketing constructs

Abstract This paper outlines alternative methods for assessing the validity of secondary data proxies for marketing constructs. By employing secondary data proxies, researchers can avail themselves to new sources of data and can shed new light on or provide important corroborating evidence to established streams of research that have relied on a limited variety of methodological approaches. Still, secondary data proxies are not heavily used for marketing constructs, appearing especially infrequently as independent variables in the extant literature. A key issue that reduces their attractiveness appears to relate to construct validity [Rindfleisch and Heide, 1997]. Unlike multi-item scales, procedures for investigating the construct validity of a secondary data proxy are not well-defined or generally accepted. This paper argues that judicious selection of an appropriate proxy and careful assessment of the proxy's performance within a theoretically specified nomological network of constructs can provide compelling evidence of construct validity.
THE POLICE AND CHILD ABUSE: AN ANALYSIS OF POLICE DECISIONS TO REPORT ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR*

This research examines police decisions to report child abuse. A questionnaire was administered to 142 law enforcement officers at both municipal and county police agencies in a southern county. Vignettes were used to determine the response of police to several abuse events that differ in their nature and seriousness. Other items measured include dogmatism, knowledge of the reporting law, and experience reporting child abuse. The results indicate that the primary contributors to police decisions are definition of the behavior as serious, perception that the behavior is criminal, and race of the family. Conclusions and inferences are made regarding how these perceptions are formed and their impact on police discretion.
The effects of maternal strain, fetal strain, and mode of delivery on maternal responsiveness and offspring development

Abstract Wistar or Charles River CD fetuses were delivered normally or by cesarean section (at term) and given to either Wistar or Charles River CD foster mothers. The data indicate that Wistar mothers are slower to retrieve than CD mothers. In addition, offspring strain and mode of delivery interact to modify the pattern of retrieving latencies for consecutive pups. Cesarean delivered fetuses did not survive as well as normally delivered fetuses when the foster mother and the fetuses' strain were the same but no differences in survival were found between normal and cesarean delivered fetuses when the foster mother and fetal strain were different. Growth rates were faster for fetuses reared by CD mothers. No differences between the experimental groups were found among offspring on the reaction-to-handling (RTH) test or in plasma corticosterone concentration 15 min later although the RTH did result in an increase in corticosterone concentration.
The use of forward scatter to improve retinal vascular imaging with an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope

Retinal vascular diseases are a leading cause of blindness and visual disability. The advent of adaptive optics retinal imaging has enabled us to image the retinal vascular at cellular resolutions, but imaging of the vasculature can be difficult due to the complex nature of the images, including features of many other retinal structures, such as the nerve fiber layer, glial and other cells. In this paper we show that varying the size and centration of the confocal aperture of an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) can increase sensitivity to multiply scattered light, especially light forward scattered from the vasculature and erythrocytes. The resulting technique was tested by imaging regions with different retinal tissue reflectivities as well as within the optic nerve head.
Sulfatide synthesis in mice with defective synthesis of 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate

Abstract The regulation of sulfation of galactocerebroside was examined in several tissues from brachymorphic mice, including the central nervous system and kidney. These animals have an inherited defect in the enzymes which synthesize 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) resulting in decreased sulfation of glycosaminoglycans. In contrast, sulfation of galactocerebroside to form sulfatide (sulfogalactocerebroside) was normal in brachymorphic mice even in tissues with decreased ability to synthesize PAPS. This suggests that, unlike the regulation of glycosaminoglycan sulfation, the formation of sulfatide is not stringently regulated by tissue levels of PAPS.
Effects of Verapamil on Postextrasystolic Potentiation

To assess the effects of verapamil on postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP), contrast left ventriculography was performed in ten healthy anesthetized dogs before and after the intravenous administration of verapamil, 0.1 mg/kg. During the contrast ventriculography, a single atrial premature stimulus was introduced. Ejection fractions of a control beat and postpremature beat were measured before and after verapamil. Before verapamil, the mean ejection fractions of the control beat and the postpremature beat were 60 ±10 percent and 67 ±10 percent, respectively (p
Supporting image algebra in the C++ language

Image algebra has been implemented in a variety of programming languages designed specifically to support the development of image processing and computer vision programs. Our current work involves the implementation of a class library, iac++, that supports image algebra programming in C++. The paper discusses the relation of the iac++ class library to previous implementations of image algebra. The paper assumes a rudimentary knowledge of C++ and object oriented programming, but reviews the concepts critical to explanation of image algebra implementation issues. The image algebra is implemented by a group of C++ classes providing objects corresponding to points in n-dimensional Real And Integer Cartesian product spaces, homogeneous sets of points over these spaces, images over those point sets, and templates mapping points into images. Both point sets and images can comprise objects that are represented as data structures--the more common view--or as functions--which introduces a variety of capabilities unavailable with the data structure view. The paper also introduces the use of iterator classes for processing all elements of a point set or all pixels in an image or template.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
MEDIALIZATION LARYNGOPLASTY WITH GORE-TEX

Many techniques have been described to surgically treat symptomatic unilateral laryngeal paralysis through medialization laryngoplasty. A simplified approach that has consistently resulted in good vocal results is presented.
Media enquiries and nurses

In this article, the legal and professional implications surrounding 'confidentiality' and in particular confidentiality with regards to dealing with media enquiries are considered; and professional and legal responsibilities and problem areas for nurses are outlined. The use of specific policies which give instruction on dealing with media enquiries is also discussed.
Polarization of emission lines from relativistic accretion disk

Polarization of Emission Lines from Relativistic Accretion DiskKaiyou ChenInstitute for Theoretical PhysicsUniversity of CaliforniaSanta Barbara, CA 93106ABSTRACTBroad emission lines from many accretion powered sources have been observed. These include the UVand the optical lines from active galactic nuclei and broad X-ray lines from galactic black hole candidates.It has been demonstrated that the broad Balmer lines of two radio galaxies, Arp 102B and 3C 332, can befitted very well by the line profile from a relativistic Keplerian thin disk. The broad iron line of Cyg X-1can also be fitted reasonably well by the relativistic disk model although the X-ray resolution at present
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Regulates the Expression of Adherens Junction Protein E-Cadherin and Enhances Intestinal Epithelial Cell Barrier Function

Background The regulation of intestinal barrier permeability is important in the maintenance of normal intestinal physiology. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been shown to play a pivotal role in enhancing barrier function in several non-intestinal tissues. The current study determined whether S1P regulated function of the intestinal epithelial barrier by altering expression of E-cadherin, an important protein in adherens junctions.
The Way Things Move: Looking Under the Hood of Molecular Motor Proteins

The microtubule-based kinesin motors and actin-based myosin motors generate motions associated with intracellular trafficking, cell division, and muscle contraction. Early studies suggested that these molecular motors work by very different mechanisms. Recently, however, it has become clear that kinesin and myosin share a common core structure and convert energy from adenosine triphosphate into protein motion using a similar conformational change strategy. Many different types of mechanical amplifiers have evolved that operate in conjunction with the conserved core. This modular design has given rise to a remarkable diversity of kinesin and myosin motors whose motile properties are optimized for performing distinct biological functions.
Characterization of Wet-Heat Inactivation of Single Spores of Bacillus Species by Dual-Trap Raman Spectroscopy and Elastic Light Scattering

(i) After spores of all three species were added to water at 80 to 90°C, the level of the 1:1 complex of Ca 2 and dipicolinic acid (CaDPA; 25% of the dry weight of the spore core) in individual spores remained relatively constant during a highly variable lag time (Tlag), and then CaDPA was released within 1 to 2 min. (ii) The Tlag values prior to rapid CaDPA release and thus the times for wet-heat killing of individual spores of all three species were very heterogeneous. (iii) The heterogeneity in kinetics of wet-heat killing of individual spores was not due to differences in the microscopic physical environments during heat treatment. (iv) During the wet-heat treatment of spores of all three species, spore protein denaturation largely but not completely accompanied rapid CaDPA release, as some changes in protein structure preceded rapid CaDPA release. (v) Changes in the ELS from individual spores of all three species were strongly correlated with the release of CaDPA. The ELS intensities of B. cereus and B. megaterium spores decreased gradually and reached minima at T1 when 80% of spore CaDPA was released, then increased rapidly until T2 when full CaDPA release was complete, and then remained nearly constant. The ELS intensity of B. subtilis spores showed similar features, although the intensity changed minimally, if at all, prior to T1. (vi) Carotenoids in B. megaterium spores’ inner membranes exhibited two changes during heat treatment. First, the carotenoid’s two Raman bands at 1,155 and 1,516 cm 1 decreased rapidly to a low value and to zero, respectively, well before Tlag, and then the residual 1,155-cm 1 band disappeared, in parallel with the rapid CaDPA release beginning at Tlag.
Interstitial bone stress distributions accompanying ingrowth of a screen-like prosthesis anchorage layer.

Recent development of screen-like bonded weaves of titanium wire for orthopaedic implant anchorage affords a unique opportunity for analytic studies of porous ingrowth micromechanics. The regular geometry of individual wires and the periodicity of the mesh weave are exploited in a series of two-dimensional finite element models, mapping interstitial bone stress fields as a function of ingrowth depth and wire size, shape, and spacing. When the depth of bone ingrowth was less than one wire diameter, peak bone stresses always occurred at the leading (i.e. deepest) edge of bone ingrowth, immediately adjacent to the wire. As ingrowth depth approached a full wire diameter, peak local bone stresses were 2-9 times the nominal applied host bone stress, with greater stresses occurring for lower screen weave densities. Within multiple screen layers, the top layer consistently experienced the peak stress and transmitted most of the applied load, regardless of the number of underlying screen layers surrounded by bone. Neither wire size variations nor partial wire flattening substantially affected general trends in stress predictions.