cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capaciflector collision avoidance sensors for robots

Abstract A state-of-the-art capacitive proximity sensor is being developed by NASA for robot collision-avoidance. The “Capaciflector” (Capacitive Reflector) uses a simple extension of an instrumentation technique for controlling stray capacitance. In this instance a capacitive sensing element, backed by a reflector driven at the same voltage as, and in phase with, the sensor, is used to reflect the field lines away from the grounded robot arm towards the intruding object, thus dramatically increasing range (greater than 12 in. with the reflector/one without) and sensitivity. The stand-off distance of this system from the grounded robot arm is essentially zero. In this paper the present status of sensor development is described to include the basic workings of the sensor charges and fields, the electronic circuitry and mathematical modeling. Test results are given.
FORMATION OF PURINE PHOTOPRODUCTS IN A DEFINED HUMAN DNA SEQUENCE

The formation of DNA base damages by broad spectrum ultraviolet irradiation (250-400 nm) was investigated using a defined sequence of human DNA. The irradiated, 92 base pair, 3'-end of the human alphoid segment was incubated with an enzyme fraction purified from bacteriophage T4-infected E. coli. As previously reported, analysis of reaction products by sequencing gels showed enzymic incision of purine-containing photoproducts as well as pyrimidine cyclobutane photodimers. The purine-incising activity does not require metal ions and was unaffected by beta-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol. The formation of the purine photoproducts is independent of buffer; these lesions are produced by irradiation of DNA in Tris, Hepes or phosphate buffers. They are produced at biologically significant wavelengths between 260 to 300 nm. Only low levels were detected above or below this range. The formation of purine photoproducts is dose dependent with similar yields at some specific loci to pyrimidine dimers. These results suggest that purine-containing photoproducts could be of consequence in ultraviolet carcinogenesis.
Diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-mediated acquired polyneuropathy that may lead to disability. CIDP is characterized by an autoimmune attack against peripheral nervous system myelin, by cellular and humoral mechanisms. Early diagnosis and treatment may yield better functional recovery, probably by minimizing secondary axonal loss from a primary demyelinating insult. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis are considered standard-of-care therapy in CIDP, based on randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled evidence. Corticosteroids, despite less robust evidence, are also considered standard therapy for CIDP. Other nonstandard therapies may work in refractory patients. These include azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine A, etanercept, interferon-α 2a, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. Emerging therapies include interferon-β 1a, rituximab, and high-dose cyclophosphamide without stem-cell rescue. Because most patients will require prolonged therapy, long-term side effects are important considerations.
Potential influences of exergaming on self-efficacy for physical activity and sport.

Screen time, including video gaming, has been perceived to be a major catalyst for the lack of physical activity among youth. However, exergaming has pierced the technology and physical activity scenes with a twist, and happens to be redefining how technology and “screen time” are now being viewed as catalysts for increasing physical activity. Exergames can provide physical education, after-school, recreation, and other programs an opportunity to get young people physically active and potentially interested in a variety of sports and activities. They can help to replace sedentary screen-time activities while also contributing to the recommended daily dose of physical activity. It is clear that exergaming is gaining popularity among many groups. It is thus important to understand how exergaming could affect future physical activity and sport involvement.
A Contextual Approach for Understanding Individual Autonomy in Managed Community Long-Term Care

This article develops a framework for identifying community long-term care program and policy features that support or hinder client autonomy. After introducing the topic, the authors develop a contextual approach for understanding individual autonomy and discuss its relevance to community long-term care. They also illustrate how current financing, organization, and delivery of community long-term care provide clients with opportunities for meaningful choice. The authors summarize the implications that a contextual autonomy approach has for both community long-term care policy and program features and make specific policy recommendations.
Knowledge and information sharing improved by simulation technology: A quantitative study

While research continues to grow in the area of facilitation, engineers continue to focus on enhancing their technical knowledge base. Training is seldom directed at increasing non-technical skills. We investigate the use of virtual facilitation based on the facilitation framework of Chris Argyris to determine if its use leads to acceptable solutions and increased trust. Simulation technology is widely used by the military. Instead of using multi-million dollar pieces of equipment to practice flight maneuvering, simulation technology is used as a substitute. Whether internal or external to the engineering arena, simulation technology can be an innovative educational tool. If simulation technology can be used to enhance the quality of decision-making in human beings, there also exists the ability to process information quickly, utilize comparable and visual processing techniques, and improve data organization, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. This study furthers research into virtual facilitation as an aid in enhancing knowledge and information sharing by improving participants' openness and interdependence.
Inference from Accelerated Degradation and Failure Data Based on Gaussian Process Models

An important problem in reliability and survival analysis is that of modeling degradation together with any observed failures in a life test. Here, based on a continuous cumulative damage approach with a Gaussian process describing degradation, a general accelerated test model is presented in which failure times and degradation measures can be combined for inference about system lifetime. Some specific models when the drift of the Gaussian process depends on the acceleration variable are discussed in detail. Illustrative examples using simulated data as well as degradation data observed in carbon-film resistors are presented.
Ultrastructure of Met5-enkephalin terminals in the caudate-putamen nuclei of adult rats receiving neonatal intranigral 6-hydroxydopamine

Destruction of dopamine neurons of the nigrostriatal pathway in the early postnatal rat enhances the levels of Met5-enkephalin in the adult dorsal striatum (caudate-putamen nuclei) and may contribute to the abnormal self-injurious behavior seen in humans with Lesch-Nyhan disease. We examined whether there were ultrastructural changes in Met5-enkephalin immunoreactive terminals in the rat model that might reflect cellular sites for enhanced activity of these opioid neurons. At 3 days postnatal, 10-20 nl injections of a 1% solution of the dopamine neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), or vehicle were placed unilaterally in the region of the substantia nigra of 25 litters of male rat pups. In adulthood (72-80 days postnatal), the brains of these animals were fixed by vascular perfusion with an aldehyde solution. Met5-enkephalin immunolabeling was examined in coronal sections at three rostrocaudal levels through the caudate-putamen nuclei of control (ipsilateral and contralateral to vehicle and contralateral to 6-OHDA) and experimental (ipsilateral to 6-OHDA) groups. In selectively lesioned animals, there was a significant increase in the relative optical density of immunoautoradiographic labeling for enkephalin throughout the rostrocaudal striatum ipsilateral to 6-OHDA as compared to control groups. Electron microscopy revealed immunoperoxidase labeling for enkephalin in axon terminals and more rarely in soma and dendrites irrespective of drug treatment. In both experimental and control striatal tissues, the enkephalin immunoreactive terminals formed primarily symmetric synapses with unlabeled dendrites or spines. However, ipsilateral to 6-OHDA injections there was a small (5.4%), but significant increase in the proportion of enkephalin immunoreactive terminals contacting dendritic spines, the known targets of dopamine terminals. Appositions were commonly detected between enkephalin immunoreactive terminals and other morphologically heterogeneous axons in the striatum ipsilateral to 6-OHDA and in control tissues. Met5-enkephalin immunoreactive terminals in adult striatum ipsilateral to 6-OHDA injections showed a 214% increase in volume as compared to vehicle-injected controls. Concurrently, there was a small (13%), but significant increase in the numerical density (number/volume) of enkephalin-labeled terminals both contralateral and ipsilateral to 6-OHDA injections. These results suggest that a change in bouton size is the major mechanism by which striatal enkephalin neurons alter their synaptic efficacy and target associations to compensate for damage to the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons.
Role of nitric oxide in the local regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance in humans.

Background Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) may be an important mediator of vascular resistance in the pulmonary circulation. We tested the hypotheses that in conscious adults the endothelium, through NO production, is important in maintaining basal pulmonary vascular resistance and that it can increase NO production further in response to receptor-mediated stimulation, leading to further vasodilation. Methods and Results Pulmonary arterial resistance vessel function was studied within the distribution of a segmental lower lobe pulmonary artery in eight conscious adults 37 to 76 years old who were undergoing cardiac catheterization. Segmental blood flow was determined with use of a Doppler-tip guide wire and quantitative angiography. Drugs were administered locally within the segmental artery through an infusion catheter. NG-Monomethyl-l-arginine (L-NMMA) was used as a specific inhibitor of NO production, whereas acetylcholine (ACh) was used to test receptor-mediated vasodilation. To demonstrate that...
Use of partial knowledge of the potential in the phase problem of inverse scattering

Abstract We consider the problem of determining a potential V(x) in the one-dimensional Schrodinger equation, given as data the reflectivity r(k) = | R(k) | 2 , where R(k) denotes the usual quantum mechanical reflection coefficient. It is well known that in the absence of phase information, there can be a considerable degree of nonuniqueness, which is closely connected to the presence of zeros of R(k) in the upper half of the complex plane. Some earlier work of the authors showed that this ambiguity can be resolved by providing a small amount of extra information about the potential. In this article we develop a computational technique, based on an optimization approach to the problem of locating the zeros of R(k) . Some numerical examples are given.
Signal processing considerations for liquid ionization calorimeters in a high rate environment

Abstract We present the results of a study of the effects of thermal and pileup noise in liquid ionization calorimeters operating in a high luminosity environment. The method of optimal filtering of multiply-sampled signals to obtain timing and amplitude from calorimeter signals is described. This method has some advantages over the traditional method of sampling the peak of a shaped signal, which include a reduced sensitivity to channel-to-channel variations in the pre-filter shaping parameters and good performance over a wide range of operating conditions. Analytic expressions for the variance of amplitude and timing measurements are found through a frequency domain approach. Implications for the choice of pre-filter shaping time, number and position of the samples, and digitization accuracy are discussed.
Disorienting patterns of motion

Abstract The spatial orientations of a biological organism can be identified with the elements of its rotation group. By physically realizing a group-invariant integration scheme described in this article, the growth of the organism can be made orientation independent. The integration was effected by means of a path in the group, ergodic with respect to the invariant probability distribution. The simply connected covering group, furnished with its invariant metric, is isometric to the hypersurface of a hypersphere in Euclidean four-space. The path was approximated by a mesh of points uniformly distributed on the hypersurface. Regular four-dimensional polytopes were used to construct meshes of arbitrary fineness, and graph theory was used to find the desired Hamiltonian paths. A magnetic tape was programmed to direct servo-controlled gimbals realizing the path as continuous motion of the organism.
Biochemical and genetic analysis of an RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase‐deficient mutant and revertants of Chlamydomonas reinhardii

RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39) is a chloroplast localized enzyme consisting of 2 nonidentical subunits, each present in 8 copies [ 11. The large subunit is coded by a chloroplast gene in Chlamydomonas reinhardii [2,3] and contains the active site of the enzyme [4]. The function of the nuclear-encoded [5] small subunit remains unknown. The gaseous substrates of the enzyme, CO2 and 02, compete at the same active site [6]. Carboxylation of RuBP initiates C3 photosynthesis. Oxygenation of RuBP yields phosphoglycolate, which leads to the release of CO2 via photorespiration. Enhanced rates of CO2 fixation may be achieved if oxygenase activity could be reduced or eliminated [7]. The function of photorespiration is unknown. However, mutants of Arabidopsis that lack photorespiration have been recovered as COz-requiring strains [8]. These mutants demonstrate that photorespiration is not essential, and indicate that attempts to abolish photorespiration at ambient levels of CO2 must focus on reducing the oxygenase activity of RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase. The ratio of carboxylase to oxygenase activity varies in phylogenetically diverse species, apparently increasing during evolution 191. This observation suggests that the ratio of the two activities may be amenable to genetic alteration within a species. In [lo], a light-sensitive, acetate-requiring chloroplast mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardii was described that lacks RuBP carboxylase activity and produces an enzyme with an altered large subunit isoelectric point. Here, we describe the isolation of photosynthetically competent revertants of this mutant in studies designed to explore the possibility of recovering enzymes with altered ratios of carboxylase/oxygenase activity. All revertants possess an enzyme restored to wild-type function. These results show that the defective RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase protein can be changed back to its original state, indicating that genetic approaches to modifying the enzyme are feasible.
Quickbird satellite and ground-based multispectral data correlations with agronomic parameters of irrigated maize grown in small plots

Satellite remote sensing has not been practical for agronomic research conducted using small plots due to spatial resolution issues. The objectives were to determine, (1) the potential use of QuickBird high resolution multispectral images for estimating available nitrogen (N) at planting, leaf N content at the tassel (VT) growth stage, and yield (biomass and grain) of irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) grown in research size plots and (2), if image digital number (DN) values were adequate for assessing these agronomic parameters. Conventionally-tilled plots 21.3 m × 21.6 m, 10.7 m × 43.3 m, and 10.7 m × 21.6 m were used. QuickBird images (2.5 m pixel resolution) were obtained at the VT growth stage for two growing seasons along with ground-based reflectance for one growing season. Multispectral data [blue (450–520), green (520–600), red (630–690), and near-infrared (760–900 nm)] was acquired by both sources. Relative green (G) waveband DN had the highest correlations with available N at planting (r2 = 0.91), relative grain yield (r2 = 0.81) and relative total biomass (r2 = 0.59) than any of the other indices investigated. Relative spectral indices containing G and near-infrared (NIR) wavebands, i.e., the green normalised difference vegetation index (GNDVI), the NIR/G ratio and the chlorophyll index ((NIR/G)−1) produced good correlations with leaf N content at VT (r2 > 0.7). Regression parameters (slopes and intercepts) of the normalised (NIR/G)−1 index calculated from satellite DN values and ground-based reflectance versus leaf N content were not significantly different (α = 0.01). Results indicate that QuickBird multispectral images show promise for estimating agronomic parameters from small plot research. Additional research is required to expand the results to more maize growth stages and other crops.
Tel2 Regulates the Stability of PI3K-Related Protein Kinases

We report an unexpected role for Tel2 in the expression of all mammalian phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKKs). Although Tel2 was identified as a budding yeast gene required for the telomere length maintenance, we found no obvious telomeric function for mammalian Tel2. Targeted gene deletion showed that mouse Tel2 is essential in embryonic development, embryonic stem (ES) cells, and embryonic fibroblasts. Conditional deletion of Tel2 from embryonic fibroblasts compromised their response to IR and UV, diminishing the activation of checkpoint kinases and their downstream effectors. The effects of Tel2 deletion correlated with significantly reduced protein levels for the PI3K-related kinases ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ATM and Rad3 related (ATR), DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit ataxia (DNA-PKcs). Tel2 deletion also elicited specific depletion of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), suppressor with morphological effect on genitalia 1 (SMG1), and transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP), and curbed mTOR signaling, indicating that Tel2 affects all six mammalian PIKKs. While Tel2 deletion did not alter PIKK mRNA levels, in vivo pulse labeling experiments showed that Tel2 controls the stability of ATM and mTOR. Each of the PIKK family members associated with Tel2 in vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that Tel2 binds to part of the HEAT repeat segments of ATM and mTOR. These data identify Tel2 as a highly conserved regulator of PIKK stability.
Raloxifene and estrogen effects on quality of life in healthy postmenopausal women: a placebo-controlled randomized trial.

Abstract Objective: To assess the effects of raloxifene, estrogen, and placebo on quality of life in healthy, asymptomatic, postmenopausal women. Methods: In a multicenter, double-blind, 12-month study, 398 women were assigned randomly to one of four groups: raloxifene HCl, 60 (n = 97) or 150 mg/day (n = 100); conjugated equine estrogens, 0.625 mg/day (n = 96); or placebo (n = 105). The Women’s Health Questionnaire, a validated quality-of-life instrument for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, was administered at baseline and 3-month intervals. Results: Overall, quality of life from baseline to end point was preserved equally in all treatment groups. Six domains (depressed mood, somatic symptoms, memory/concentration, sexual behavior, sleep problems, and perceived attractiveness) were unchanged in all groups. Three domains (menstrual symptoms, vasomotor symptoms, and anxiety/fears) were statistically significantly different among groups. Mean scores for menstrual symptoms significantly worsened and vasomotor symptoms significantly improved from baseline to end point in the estrogen group. Mean scores for vasomotor symptoms did not worsen at any point in the raloxifene 60 mg/day group. Mean anxiety/fears scores improved significantly during raloxifene 60 mg/day administration throughout treatment (P Conclusion: Most quality-of-life domains were not affected by treatment with estrogen or raloxifene. Estrogen provided relief from vasomotor symptoms but caused menstrual symptoms. Raloxifene 60 mg/day improved anxiety levels in postmenopausal women.
85 CARDIOVASCULAR AND RENAL EFFECTS OF INDOMETHACIN IN NEWBORN DOGS

The cardiovascular effects of indomethacin were studied acutely in 9 newborn dogs (2-32 days) using the radioactive microsphere reference organ technique. Indomethacin, 0.3 mg/kg intravenously, produced a 22% drop in cardiac output (CO) from 224±31* to 175±26 ml/kg/min (p<.05). Renal blood flow fell slightly from 1.6±.2* to 1.3±.2 ml/gm/min (p<.05). Renal inner cortical (IC) and outer cortical (OC) blood flow both fell (p<.01), but did so proportionately with no resultant change in IC/OC ratio. There were no changes in blood flow to the GI tract, heart or lungs. Of particular interest is that although in animals over 7 days (n=5) indomethacin produced no change in cerebral blood flow (CBF), in 2-day-old puppies (n=3) it produced a 47% fall in CBF (p<.05). Indomethacin produced no significant changes in glomerular filtration rate or potassium excretion, but there was a transient drop in tubular sodium reabsorption (p<.01) which rapidly returned to control values after 1½ hours. In summary, indomethacin in a dose currently being used clinically causes small, but statistically significant decreases in CO and renal blood flow, with minimal changes in renal function. However, in very young animals, this dose of indomethacin results in a marked drop in cerebral blood flow not found in older animals.
TL1A Is a TNF-like Ligand for DR3 and TR6/DcR3 and Functions as a T Cell Costimulator

DR3 is a death domain-containing receptor that is upregulated during T cell activation and whose overexpression induces apoptosis and NF-kappaB activation in cell lines. Here we show that an endothelial cell-derived TNF-like factor, TL1A, is a ligand for DR3 and decoy receptor TR6/DcR3 and that its expression is inducible by TNF and IL-1alpha. TL1A induces NF-kappaB activation and apoptosis in DR3-expressing cell lines, while TR6-Fc protein antagonizes these signaling events. Interestingly, in T cells, TL1A acts as a costimulator that increases IL-2 responsiveness and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that interaction of TL1A with DR3 promotes T cell expansion during an immune response, whereas TR6 has an opposing effect.
Trace formula for almost Lie algebra of operators

In this present paper, the almost Lie algebra of operators is introduced. By a natural homomorphism, this almost Lie algebra of operators is mapped to a Lie algebra. By choosing a basis in this Lie algebra, a bilinear functional on the enveloping algebra of this Lie algebra is defined through the trace of some operators which are related to the communtators. A general trace formula is obtained by means of the partial derivatives and symmetric operation in the enveloping algebra. More concrete formula is also obtained in terms of a linear functional on the commutators in some special cases.
Learning refinement types

We propose the integration of a random test generation system (capable of discovering program bugs) and a refinement type system (capable of expressing and verifying program invariants), for higher-order functional programs, using a novel lightweight learning algorithm as an effective intermediary between the two. Our approach is based on the well-understood intuition that useful, but difficult to infer, program properties can often be observed from concrete program states generated by tests; these properties act as likely invariants, which if used to refine simple types, can have their validity checked by a refinement type checker. We describe an implementation of our technique for a variety of benchmarks written in ML, and demonstrate its effectiveness in inferring and proving useful invariants for programs that express complex higher-order control and dataflow.
Redox regulation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mediated endothelial barrier dysfunction by focal adhesion, adherens, and tight junction proteins.

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), one of the major biologically active aldehydes formed during inflammation and oxidative stress, has been implicated in a number of cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. 4-HNE has been shown to increase vascular endothelial permeability; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Hence, in the current study, we tested our hypothesis that 4-HNE-induced changes in cellular thiol redox status may contribute to modulation of cell signaling pathways that lead to endothelial barrier dysfunction. Exposure of bovine lung microvascular endothelial cells (BLMVECs) to 4-HNE induced reactive oxygen species generation, depleted intracellular glutathione, and altered cell-cell adhesion as measured by transendothelial electrical resistance. Pretreatment of BLM-VECs with thiol protectants, N-acetylcysteine and mercaptopropionyl glycine, attenuated 4-HNE-induced decrease in transendothelial electrical resistance, reactive oxygen species generation, Michael protein adduct formation, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, activation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and actin cytoskeletal rearrangement. Treatment of BLMVECs with 4-HNE resulted in the redistribution of FAK, paxillin, VE-cadherin, β-catenin, and ZO-1, and intercellular gap formation. Western blot analyses confirmed the formation of 4-HNE-derived Michael adducts with the focal adhesion and adherens junction proteins. Also, 4-HNE decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK without affecting total cellular FAK contents, suggesting the modification of integrins, which are natural FAK receptors. 4-HNE caused a decrease in the surface integrin in a time-dependent manner without altering total α5 and β3 integrins. These results, for the first time, revealed that 4-HNE in redox-dependent fashion affected endothelial cell permeability by modulating cell-cell adhesion through focal adhesion, adherens, and tight junction proteins as well as integrin signal transduction that may lead dramatic alteration in endothelial cell barrier dysfunction during heart infarction, brain stroke, and lung diseases.
New Method of Describing and Measuring the Granularity of Photographic Materials

The thesis of this paper is that the only fully adequate way to describe the granularity of photographic materials is by means of a film noise spectrum. The film noise spectrum bears the same relation to granularity that the power spectrum (of electrical circuit theory) bears to electrical noise. The film noise spectrum includes all of the information in the previous granularity measures and readily interrelates them. It goes beyond the previous measures in that it leads to the solution of many of the signal-to-noise problems that arise in connection with the detection of target images on photographic materials.The film noise spectrum is defined and discussed in Parts 2 and 3. Its relation to the older methods of description involving granularity coefficients, both ordinary and syzygetic, is the subject of Part 4. The superiority of the new method is explained in detail in Part 5. Part 6 employs the film noise spectrum to derive the relation between ordinary granularity and syzygetic granularity. Part 7 discusses photoelectric scanning of the film and derives general expressions for the signal and for the noise. These expressions are used in Parts 8 and 9 to derive a particularly convenient method for the measurement of the film noise spectrum, and to solve the general problem of maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio in the detection of target images. Part 10 discusses the film noise spectrum of Super-XX film.
Spi-B can functionally replace PU.1 in myeloid but not lymphoid development

Mature macrophages, neutrophils and lymphoid cells do not develop in PU.1(-/-) mice. In contrast, mice lacking the highly related protein Spi-B generate all hematopoietic lineages but display a B-cell receptor signaling defect. These distinct phenotypes could result from functional differences between PU.1 and Spi-B or their unique temporal and tissue-specific expression (PU.1: myeloid and B cells; Spi-B: B cells only). To address this question, we introduced the Spi-B cDNA into the murine PU.1 locus by homologous recombination. In the absence of PU.1, Spi-B rescued macrophage and granulocyte development when assayed by in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells. Adherent, CD11b(+)/F4/80(+) cells capable of phagocytosis were detected in PU.1(Spi-B/Spi-B) embryoid bodies, and myeloid colonies were present in hematopoietic progenitor assays. Despite its ability to rescue myeloid differentiation, Spi-B did not rescue lymphoid development in a RAG-2(-/-) complementation assay. These results demonstrate an important difference between PU.1 and Spi-B. Careful comparison of these Ets factors will delineate important functional domains of PU.1 involved in lymphocyte lineage commitment and/or maturation.
The effect of the social organization of work on the voluntary turnover rate of hospital nurses in the United States

In light of current concerns over nursing shortages and productivity, voluntary turnover among hospital nurses in the United States has assumed renewed importance as a managerial issue. This study examines the thesis that the social organization of work in hospitals is an important determinant of the voluntary turnover rate among registered nurses. This perspective differs from previous work in this area in that both turnover and its determinants are conceptualized at the organizational rather than individual level, thus opening the way for administrative intervention to reduce turnover. The conceptual model is tested using multiple regression techniques on a sample of 435 hospitals. Results suggest that organizational characteristics and environmental conditions are important contributors to turnover. Organizational characteristics are stronger predictors of turnover than are economic factors.
Exchange contributions to the internal rotation barrier of o-xylene

The various contributions arising from a perturbation theory which includes overlap and intermolecular potential are examined for the interaction of two methyl groups in o-xylene. The barrier to internal rotation is dominated by exchange interactions. The ground and excited electronic state barriers are calculated and the potential surface is examined to show the non-validity of the independent oscillator model. Torsional frequencies are calculated and shown to agree reasonably well with the hot bands observed in the ultra-violet spectrum. The entropy and heat capacity at constant pressure have also been evaluated using calculated energy levels and are in reasonable agreement with the published values.
Planning-Constrained Destination Choice in Activity-Based Model: Agent-Based Dynamic Activity Planning and Travel Scheduling

This paper describes a destination choice model estimated for Chicago, Illinois, with the use of a recent survey and a previously developed model of activity planning decision timing. The travel survey data are used to estimate a standard multinomial destination choice model and a model in which the choice set is constrained by what has already been planned in the schedule. The performance of each model is evaluated, as is the effect that using the planning-constrained model in place of the standard model has on the accuracy of the results. Using a model in which the destination choices are conditioned on what has been previously planned improves the accuracy. This improvement is true for correctly predicted location choices, especially for overall trip length distributions in which more realistic distributions are observed when decisions are constrained.
ATP masks stretch activation of epithelial sodium channels in A6 distal nephron cells.

The mechanosensitivity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is controversial. Using cell-attached patch-clamp techniques, we found that mechanical stretch stimulated ENaC in A6 distal nephron ce...
Development of a Quantitative Model Incorporating Key Events in a Hepatotoxic Mode of Action to Predict Tumor Incidence

Biologically based dose-response (BBDR) modeling of environmental pollutants can be utilized to inform the mode of action (MOA) by which compounds elicit adverse health effects. Chemicals that produce tumors are typically labeled as either genotoxic or nongenotoxic. Though both the genotoxic and the nongenotoxic MOA may be operative as a function of dose, it is important to note that the label informs but does not define a MOA. One commonly proposed MOA for nongenotoxic carcinogens is characterized by the key events cytotoxicity and regenerative proliferation. The increased division rate associated with such proliferation can cause an increase in the probability of mutations, which may result in tumor formation. We included these steps in a generalized computational pharmacodynamic (PD) model incorporating cytotoxicity as a MOA for three carcinogens (chloroform, CHCl(3); carbon tetrachloride, CCL(4); and N,N-dimethylformamide, DMF). For each compound, the BBDR model is composed of a chemical-specific physiologically based pharmacokinetic model linked to a PD model of cytotoxicity and cellular proliferation. The rate of proliferation is then linked to a clonal growth model to predict tumor incidences. Comparisons of the BBDR simulations and parameterizations across chemicals suggested that significant variation among the models for the three chemicals arises in a few parameters expected to be chemical specific (such as metabolism and cellular injury rate constants). Optimization of model parameters to tumor data for CCL(4) and DMF resulted in similar estimates for all parameters related to cytotoxicity and tumor incidences. However, optimization of the CHCl(3) data resulted in a higher estimate for one parameter (BD) related to death of initiated cells. This implies that additional steps beyond cytotoxicity leading to induced cellular proliferation can be quantitatively different among chemicals that share cytotoxicity as a hypothesized carcinogenic MOA.
A Classroom-Based Intervention to Reduce Disruptive Behaviors

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the effectiveness of an intervention comprising posted classroom rules, token economy, response cost, and mystery motivators in reducing disruptive classroom behavior. Participants were three male second grade students identified as having oppositional defiant disorder. To serve as an additional control, a class composite was formed using five male classmates whose behavior was judged appropriate. The study employed a multiple baseline across subjects design. Results showed an immediate and pronounced decrease in disruptive behaviors for all three students. Furthermore, their rates of disruptive behaviors were consistently below that of the class composite control. This decrease in inappropriate classroom behavior continued during follow-up. The teacher reported that the intervention was relatively easy to implement, and together with its effectiveness in reducing disruptive behaviors, functioned to reinforce her willingness to incorporate the intervention into dail...
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy by a Family Physician: A Case Series Demonstrating Health Care Savings

ABSTRACT Rural Army community hospitals without gastroenterologists require civilian referrals for esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs). The goal was to determine whether an endoscopy-trained, military family physician saved health care dollars at an Army community hospital by decreasing outside referrals. We presenta chart review of all 95 EGDs performed by a family physician at an Army community hospital between September 2003 and May 2005. The total facility cost was determined by using the cost of personnel, lost clinic hours, equipment, supplies, medications, continuing medical education, missed diagnoses, procedure complications, and need for additional referrals. The potential referral cost was determined by using local civilian endoscopy billing codes and TRICARE reimbursement rates for 2004. The total facility cost was $22,655.65 ($238.48 per EGD). The total referral cost would have been $55,614.95 ($585.42 per EGD). Using a family physician saved the hospital $32,959.30 ($346.94 per EGD). An endo...
The development of reading impairment: a cognitive neuroscience model.

This review discusses recent cognitive neuroscience investigations into the biological bases of developmental dyslexia, a common disorder impacting approximately 5 to 17 percent of the population [Stanovich, 1986, Matthew effects in reading: Some consequences of individual differences in the acquisition of literacy. Reading Research Quarterly 21: 360 – 407]. Our aim is to summarize central findings from several lines of evidence that converge on pivotal aspects of the brain bases of developmental dyslexia. We highlight ways in which the approaches and methodologies of developmental cognitive neuroscience that are addressed in this special issue—including neuroimaging, human genetics, refinement of cognitive and biological phenotypes, neural plasticity and computational models— can be employed in uncovering the biological bases of this disorder. Taking a developmental perspective on the biological bases of dyslexia, we propose a simple cascading model for the developmental progression of this disorder, in which individual differences in brain areas associated with phonological processing influence the specialization of visual areas involved in the rapid processing of written words. We also discuss recent efforts to understand the impact of successful reading interventions in terms of changes within cortical circuits associated with reading ability.
Tapping Mindfulness to Shape Hotel Guests’ Sustainable Behavior

The characteristic of mindfulness is ascribed to people who have a relatively greater awareness of their surroundings and of other people. This study finds that assessing guests’ mindfulness helps hoteliers make those guests aware of and responsive to hotels’ sustainability practices. This process invokes specific elements of mindfulness, including guests’ concern for society and others, their preferences for mindful information services, the benefits they seek from a hotel experience, and their demographic characteristics. This study indicated that highly mindful individuals were more concerned for others and society as a whole and search for products and services that have high emotional and environmental benefits. By understanding guests’ mindfulness, hotel managers may help guests to respond to hotels’ careful stewardship of the environment by engaging in sustainable consumerism.
The 24 Hours before Hospitalization: Factors Related to Suicide Attempting

Fifty-nine psychiatric inpatients were interviewed concerning the psychological and environmental events that occurred in the 24 hours prior to their hospitalization. Independent raters then performed a content evaluation of these accounts, allowing for comparisons among patients admitted for a suicide attempt, suicide ideation, or non-suicide-related complaints. Results showed that suicide attempters were more likely to have used alcohol or marijuana and less likely to have contacted a health care professional than suicide ideators, even when past history of suicide behavior was controlled for. Suicide ideators were more likely to have contacted a mental health professional. Implications for suicide risk assessment and intervention are discussed.
Principal Components Regression in Exploratory Statistical Research

Abstract Regression upon principal components of the percentage points of the income and education distributions for 1950 census tracts in the city of Chicago led to the estimation of “beta coefficient profiles” for television receiver and refrigerator ownership, for central heating system usage, and for a measure of dwelling unit overcrowding. The betas are standardized coefficients of regression of a dependent variable upon the proportions of families in the classes of the marginal income and education distributions. They measure the relative contribution of families in these classes to the over-all per cent saturation of the dependent variable in the tract. The coefficients were estimated by techniques developed in the first portion of the paper; estimation by classical regression methods would have been impossible because of multicollinearity. The empirical results are in substantial agreement with findings from regressions of the dependent variables upon the mean values of income and education, and t...
Single-Detector Simultaneous Optical Mapping of V m and [Ca 2+ ] i in Cardiac Monolayers

Simultaneous mapping of transmembrane voltage (V(m)) and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration (Ca(i)) has been used for studies of normal and abnormal impulse propagation in cardiac tissues. Existing dual mapping systems typically utilize one excitation and two emission bandwidths, requiring two photodetectors with precise pixel registration. In this study we describe a novel, single-detector mapping system that utilizes two excitation and one emission band for the simultaneous recording of action potentials and calcium transients in monolayers of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Cells stained with the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye X-Rhod-1 and the voltage-sensitive dye Di-4-ANEPPS were illuminated by a programmable, multicolor LED matrix. Blue and green LED pulses were flashed 180° out of phase at a rate of 488.3 Hz using a custom-built dual bandpass excitation filter that transmitted blue (482 ± 6 nm) and green (577 ± 31 nm) light. A long-pass emission filter (>605 nm) and a 504-channel photodiode array were used to record combined signals from cardiomyocytes. Green excitation yielded Ca(i) transients without significant crosstalk from V(m). Crosstalk present in V(m) signals obtained with blue excitation was removed by subtracting an appropriately scaled version of the Ca(i) transient. This method was applied to study delay between onsets of action potentials and Ca(i) transients in anisotropic cardiac monolayers.
A novel package electrical characterization process-application on plastic BGA packages

A novel approach to a complete package electrical characterization process is presented. Two different plastic BGA packages are analyzed to illustrate this. The process begins by selecting a suitable electrical circuit model for study of the signal propagation path. Once the model is selected, the values for each of the circuit elements are computed using commercially available software (Ansoft/sup (R)/ & Pacific Numerix/sup (R)/). The electrical circuit model is used for preliminary product simulation and as a method to check for supplier conformity to package specification through verification using actual measurements. Package measurement using TDR and S-parameter techniques are carried out once the package is taped out. These measurement results are compared to those from modeling for validation. Corrections and adjustments are made to the package model for more accurate future package performance prediction. Finally, the limitations of the plastic BGA packages are summarized.
The new institutional economics and the theory of the firm

Abstract Concepts of importance in the literature of the New Institutional Economics, such as transaction costs and bounded rationality, have been used to extend the standard neoclassical model of the firm, but the hybrid models created have failed to provide adequate explanations of enterprise behavior. An alternative, “neoinstitutional,” model of the firm is developed in the paper that differs from the pure neoclassical model and hybrid models in respect to both the nature of the solution it yields and the process by which it reaches a solution. The neoinstitutional firm cannot be expected to achieve either the hypothetical allocative efficiency promised by the frictionless neoclassical model, or the relatively efficient (constrained Pareto optimal) solutions predicted by the largely frictionless hybrid models. The orthodox marginal rules of neoclassicism can only be used to solve lower-level problems that appear within the firm.
Democracy's Performance

McKenzie asks, “If the ancient Greeks invented democracy in the form of the city-state, and colonial North Americans reinvented it in the nation-state, what democratic forms might the world create in the age of global performance?” He explores this question in relation to the thought of Nietzsche and Marcuse—and in terms of “dissatisfied democrats”: people who strongly believe in democracy but are unhappy with its particular embodiments. Could it be that democracy is an inherently incomplete project, one that is always “to come,” always being invented, always being tested and contested, always being asked to perform? The Electronic Disturbance Theater demonstrates how the Internet can be used to facilitate social and political engagement and protest. Dubbed “virtual Zapatistas” because of its strong support for the liberation movement in Mexico and throughout Latin America, EDT's actions combine the political struggle for indigenous self-determination with a critique of neoliberalism aka globalization. In...
Issues in the Design of Flexible and Dynamic Service-Oriented Systems

Due to the use of the concepts embedded in Service- Oriented Architecture (SOA), software design, now more than ever, involves the use of incomplete information. Applications that utilizeWeb Services are also highly impacted by the problem of deployment and subsequent undeployment of services. Specifically, there is a level of uncertainty caused by the potential for services to become unavailable (either temporarily or permanently). In a scenario where an application must switch from one service to another due to the undeployment problem, the client application may require that new or different handlers be used to cope with the properties of the alternative service. In this current development climate, the design issues become clear: there is a need to reason about how a design is impacted by discovered services, design analysis must consider the transaction and event properties of discovered services, and design of systems must incorporate fault tolerance and high-integrity issues to cope with the dynamic landscape caused by the uncertainty associated with using services.
Instruction scheduling for the HP PA-8000

The PA-8000 is capable of reordering independent operations at run time, a task normally performed only by the instruction scheduler in the compiler. This paper presents some of the unique issues faced by an instruction scheduler for the PA-8000. Several features of the micro-architecture are presented along with the heuristics used in the production compiler to model that feature. These features include latency, resource constraints, instruction polarity cache interfaces, and memory dependences. The performance results in the paper show that instruction scheduling remains an important compiler optimization, even for out of order machines.
Splitting manifold approximate fibrations

Abstract Suppose M is a topological m -manifold, X is a generalized n -manifold satisfying the disjoint disks property (DDP), m > n ⩾5, f : M→X is an approximate fibration, with fiber the shape of a closed topological manifold F , and Y is a closed, 1-LCC, codimension three subset of X . We examine conditions under which f is controlled homeomorphic to an approximate fibration g : M→X such that g|g −1 (Y) : g −1 (Y)→Y is, in some sense, an improvement of f | f −1 ( Y ). One of the main results is that if Y is a generalized manifold, and if f|f −1 (Y) : f −1 (Y)→Y is fiberwise shape equivalent to a manifold approximate fibration p : E→Y , and Wh(π 1 (F)× Z k )=0 , k =0,1,…, then f is controlled homeomorphic to a manifold approximation g : M→X such that g|g −1 (Y) : g −1 (Y)→Y controlled homeomorphic to p : E→Y .