cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The importance of domestic political institutions: Why and how Belgium and Italy qualified for EMU

Why and how did the two European Union countries with the worst debt levels and with yearly deficit levels double the Maastricht target in 1993 manage to get their financial affairs in shape to qualify for Economic and Monetary Union? This paper presents an explicitly institutional approach to the political economy of budget deficits. It discusses the role of one external actor, the European Union, in promoting tighter fiscal discipline in the two countries. The European Union provided an important stick for any failure not to make needed changes, namely exclusion from EMU. This stick alone, however, was not sufficient to promote change in both countries. Indeed, each state made fundamental institutional changes that put the fulfillment of the Maastricht criteria within reach. Consistent with their respective electoral systems and coalition structures, Italy delegated significant power on the making and the enforcement of the budget to a strong finance minister, while Belgium strengthened its High Council of Finance and resorted to budgetary targets in the form of fiscal contracts.
StarTrack next generation: a scalable infrastructure for track-based applications

StarTrack was the first service designed to manage tracks of GPS location coordinates obtained from mobile devices and to facilitate the construction of track-based applications. Our early attempts to build practical applications on StarTrack revealed substantial efficiency and scalability problems, including frequent client-server roundtrips, unnecessary data transfers, costly similarity comparisons involving thousands of tracks, and poor fault-tolerance. To remedy these limitations, we revised the overall system architecture, API, and implementation. The API was extended to operate on collections of tracks rather than individual tracks, delay query execution, and permit caching of query results. New data structures, namely track trees, were introduced to speed the common operation of searching for similar tracks. Map matching algorithms were adopted to convert each track into a more compact and canonical sequence of road segments. And the underlying track database was partitioned and replicated among multiple servers. Altogether, these changes not only simplified the construction of track-based applications, which we confirmed by building applications using our new API, but also resulted in considerable performance gains. Measurements of similarity queries, for example, show two to three orders of magnitude improvement in query times.
Robust Control of VO $_{\bf 2}$ -Coated Microbenders Using Self-Sensing Feedback

This paper presents the first studies on robust closed-loop deflection control of vanadium dioxide (VO $_{2}$ )-based microactuators using self-sensing. The deflection output of the microactuator is estimated by VO $_{2}$ resistance-based self-sensing through a high-order polynomial in order to eliminate the need for complicated external sensing mechanisms. An $H_\infty $ robust controller is designed and implemented for precision deflection control, where uncertainties produced by the hysteresis between the deflection and the temperature input and the error in the self-sensing model are accommodated. The performance of the robust controller is tested in experiments under step and multisinusoidal reference inputs and compared to that of a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller. The robust controller outperforms the PID controller with 36% and 18% less tracking error for the step and multisinusoidal reference responses, respectively. To further show the robust performance of the $H_\infty $ controller, a multisinusoidal reference tracking experiment with simulated white noise current signal is conducted, where the error using robust control is 34% less than that with PID control.
Reading risk: public response to print media accounts of technological risk:

Two clearly defined positions on the evaluation of technological risks have emerged in the scholarly literature in a variety of disciplines: a `rationalist' perspective and a `subjectivist' perspective. This paper argues from a subjectivist position that differences between scientific and lay responses to risk information (as presented in media accounts) are not necessarily generally attributable to `misinterpretations' by nonscientific readers, and that the process through which lay publics interpret mass media accounts of risk is worthy of more study. Data are presented from twenty focus group discussions, involving 114 student respondents, of a range of print media articles about risky technologies. The results suggest that lay publics work with an `expanded vocabulary of risk' that takes into account a variety of issues having to do with information, implementation, regulation, and ethical considerations, as well as the cost and benefit factors traditionally weighed by risk assessors. The scientific c...
Synthesis and Characterization of the New Selenometalate Anion [Ir(Se4)3]3−

The chemistry of the chalcogenometalate anions [M{sub x}Q{sub y}]{sup z{minus}}, Q = S, Se, Te, continues to expand rapidly. Although the metals M range over groups 5-14, and concentrate in groups 5-14, and concentrate in groups 10-12, it is curious that [Co{sub 3}(Se{sub 4}){sub 6}]{sup 3{minus}} is the only example from group 9. Whereas square-planar or tetrahedral anions of the type [M(Q{sub n}){sub 2}]{sup z{minus}} are common, with n most often 4, octahedral complexes of the type [M(Q{sub n}){sub 3}]{sup z{minus}} appear to be limited to [Pt(S{sub 5}){sub 3}]{sup 2{minus}}, [Pt(Se{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup 2{minus}}, and [Sn(Se{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup 2{minus}}. One would expect the [Ir(Se{sub 4}){sub 2}]{sup 3{minus}} anion to exist, as examples of known [M(Se{sub 4}){sub 2}]{sup z{minus}} anions include M = Mn, Ni, Pd, Pt, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb. In an attempt to synthesize the square-planar Ir(I) anion [Ir(Se{sub 4}){sub 2}]{sup 3{minus}}, the authors have instead synthesized the octahedral Ir(III) anion [Ir(Se{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup 3{minus}}, the second example of a chalcogenometalate of group 9.
A new physical model for calculating storage time in GTO thyristors

A two-dimensional analytical model, developed from first principles, to substantiate the dependence of storage time on the nature of the gate current ramp, anode current, and device geometry, as observed in experimental studies on single-element gate turn-off thyristors (GTOs), is discussed. The model originates in the solution of the continuity equation in the p base for evaluation of the plasma squeezing rate. It addresses realistic issues, such as high injection effects, variation in the base transport factors, and the physical basis for the minimum ON region dimension, that are not considered in any previous treatment. >
Against Simplicity, against Ethics: Analytics of Disruption as Quasi-Methodology.

Simplified understandings of qualitative inquiry as mere method overlook the complexity and nuance of qualitative practice. As is the call of this special issue, the author intervenes in the simpli...
Acid-fast-positive Legionella pneumophila: a possible pitfall in the cytologic diagnosis of mycobacterial infection in pulmonary specimens.

The acid-fast stain is commonly used in the rapid cytologic assessment of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid to detect pulmonary mycobacterial infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The identification of acid-fast, rod-shaped organisms may be taken as presumptive evidence of such an infection, in the appropriate clinical setting. However, this determination is made less specific by the occasional acid-fast positivity of microorganisms other than mycobacteria. We report on the occurrence of a fatal pneumonia caused by acid-fast positive Legionella pneumophila detected by BAL. This is a potential pitfall in the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary mycobacterial infections.
Continuous Flow Infrared Gas Analyzer Employing Interference Filters

A filter photometer for the continuous determination of a single component of a gaseous mixture is described. The instrument incorporates a combination of band pass and long wavelength pass filters of the interference type, designed to transmit in the near infrared. The analyzer has been calibrated to determine hydrocarbons in automotive exhaust by means of absorbance measurements at 3.43 microns.
Instantaneous measurement of the internal temperature in lithium-ion rechargeable cells

Abstract We demonstrate, in three different rechargeable lithium-ion cells, the existence of an intrinsic relationship between a cell's internal temperature and a readily measurable electrical parameter, namely the phase shift between an applied sinusoidal current and the resulting voltage. The temperature range examined spanned from −20 to 66 °C. The optimum single frequency for the phase measurement is in the 40–100 Hz range, allowing for a measurement time of much less than a second; the phase shift in this range depends predominantly on temperature, and is almost completely independent of the state-of-charge. Literature reports suggest that the observed dependence of the phase shift on temperature arises from the ionic conduction of the so-called solid-electrolyte-interphase layer between the graphite anode and the electrolyte. A meter measuring the phase shift across this interphase is analogous to a thermometer reporting the temperature, thereby providing feedback for rapid corrections of any operating conditions that might lead to the catastrophic destruction of the cell. This level of monitoring and control is distinctly different from the present safety-enabling mechanisms: typically positive thermal coefficient ceramics/plastics, or “shutdown” separators based on polyethylene that act to often permanently shut down current flow through the cell.
Cyclical coronary flow reductions in conscious dogs equipped with ameroid constrictors to produce severe coronary narrowing.

In conscious dogs equipped with ameroid constrictors to produce gradual coronary occlusion, coronary flow velocity was monitored prior to complete occlusion when coronary constriction was severe (resting flow velocity reduced by 10–50% from control recordings made 7–10 days after ameroid implantation). In six of the ten dogs, we observed spontaneous cyclical variations in coronary flow velocity, characterized by gradual reduction in flow followed by very abrupt restoration of flow. The cyclic coronary flow reductions were observed between 20 and 31 days after ameroid implantation. These changes in flow bear striking similarity to those observed by previous investigators using anesthetized, open-chest canine preparations, in which the role of platelets was clearly demonstrated. Consequently, we hypothesize that spontaneous platelet aggregation and de-aggregation within the severely narrowed coronary lumen (enclosed by the ameroid constrictors) could account for our observations.
Decreased carotenoid content in preaponeurotic orbital fat of patients with involutional ptosis.

Purpose The underlying cause of involutional blepharoptosis is unknown. The carotenoid content of preaponeurotic and nasal orbital fat among patients with and without involutional ptosis was evaluated to investigate the hypothesis that development of ptosis may be related to low carotenoid content of preaponeurotic orbital fat. Methods Through a case-control design, the carotenoid content of preaponeurotic and nasal fat of 10 patients with ptosis and 11 patients without ptosis was measured by spectrophotometry analysis. Differences in carotenoid content between patients with and without ptosis were evaluated in unadjusted analyses and in multivariate models adjusted for age, sex, race, and presence of thyroid eye disease as potential confounders. Results The total carotenoid content of the preaponeurotic fat of patients with ptosis was 59% lower than patients without ptosis (2.98 versus 7.26 absorbance/mg, p = 0.005). When adjustments were made for age, sex, race, and presence of thyroid eye disease, this difference was attenuated, but there was still a trend toward lower preaponeurotic fat carotenoid content among patients with ptosis (p = 0.09). The carotenoid content of the nasal fat was not significantly different among patients with and without ptosis (2.69 versus 3.40 absorbance/mg, p = 0.33). A lower ratio of preaponeurotic to nasal carotenoid content was demonstrated among patients with ptosis compared with patients without ptosis (1.4 versus 2.1; p = 0.06 unadjusted, p = 0.10 adjusted). Conclusions Patients with involutional ptosis show trends toward having lower carotenoid content in preaponeurotic fat. Further investigation of the potential role of orbital fat carotenoids in the development of involutional ptosis is warranted.
Nonadherence and the transition to adulthood

1. Rates of nonadherence among pediatric transplant recipients are as high as 50% to 65%, and this places adolescent transplant recipients at increased risk. 2. Adherence to immunosuppressant medications is a critical factor in the transition process as poor medication adherence is associated with an increased risk of poor long-term health outcomes. 3. Before transferring to adult-centered care, the pediatric transplant recipient should demonstrate adequate regimen knowledge and self-management skills. 4. Future research is needed to identify factors and interventions that affect long-term health outcomes in pediatric transplant recipients, including factors related to nonadherence and the successful transfer from pediatric care to adult-centered care.
Rapid gastric emptying in duodenal ulcer patients.

Isosmotic liquid peptone meals adjusted to pH 7, 3, and 1.5 were instilled on separate days into the stomachs of 8 duodenal ulcer patients and 7 healthy controls. Using a marker-dilution method, duodenal acid load (DAL) was measured as the amount of unbuffered hydrogen ions delivered to the duodenum per unit time. Gastric emptying was measured as the total volume of gastric contents, including meal plus gastric secretion, passing through the pylorus per unit time (VPP). Mean pentagastrin-stimulated acid output was not significantly different between the two groups. However, after all three test meals, mean DAL was significantly greater in duodenal ulcer than in normal subjects in both hours of the test, and VPP was significantly greater in ulcer than in normal subjects in the first 40 min. In both groups, following peptone meals of pH 7 and 3, the volume of gastric contents delivered through the pylorus decreased as the amount of free hydrogen ions entering the duodenum increased, but a given load of acid was less effective in slowing emptying in duodenal ulcer patients than in controls. These studies indicate that duodenal ulcer patients empty liquid meals more rapidly than do normal subjects, independent of the initial pH of the meals, and that, in addition, acid inhibition of gastric emptying is defective in duodenal ulcer.
Characteristics of fatty acid esterification by homogenates of bovine mammary tissue.

Fatty acid esterifying activity of homogenates of bovine mammary tissue was associated with the particulate fraction of the cell, was strongly dependent upon ATP, CoA,d,l-glycerol-3-phosphate, and Mg2+, and was stimulated by NaF, dithiothreitol and bovine serum albumin. The system made phospholipids, mono-, di- and triglycerides but did not esterify butyrate. The inability to form greater than 58% triglyceride suggested some factor(s) was limiting the acylation of di-to triglyceride. The results were consistent with glyceride synthesis by the α-glycerophosphate pathway.
Low-weight Channel Codes for Error Prevention in Electromagnetic Nanonetworks in the Terahertz Band

Nanonetworks consist of nano-sized communicating devices which can perform simple tasks at the nanoscale. Nanonetworks are the enabling technology for long-awaited applications in the biomedical, industrial and military fields. In this paper, the use of low-weight channel codes is proposed as a mechanism to prevent channel errors in nanonetworks. Rather than utilizing channel codes only to detect and correct transmission errors, it is shown that, by appropriately choosing the code weight, both molecular absorption noise and multi-user interference can be mitigated and, ultimately, the number of channel errors can be reduced beforehand. The performance of the proposed scheme is analytically and numerically investigated in terms of achievable information rate after coding and Codeword Error Rate (CER). An accurate Terahertz Band channel model, validated by COMSOL simulation, is used, and novel stochastic models for the molecular absorption noise in the Terahertz Band and for the multi-user interference in pulse-based Terahertz Band communication are developed. The results show that low-weight channel codes can be used to reduce the CER without compromising the achievable information rate. Moreover, it is shown that there is an optimal code weight, which depends on the network conditions, for which the information rate is maximized.
Long‐term survival with diaphanospondylodysostosis (DSD): Survival to 5 years and further phenotypic characteristics

We report on the natural history of diaphanospondylodysostosis (DSD) in the longest known survivor. DSD is a rare form of autosomal recessive vertebral dysotosis recently identified to be caused by a mutation in the BMPER gene. This condition is characterized by absent or severely delayed ossification of vertebral bodies, short broad thorax, short neck, protuberant abdomen, marked respiratory insufficiency, and normal appendicular skeleton. It is one of a number of spinal dysostoses, which are a heterogeneous group of axial skeletal malformations occurring during blastogenesis with continued evolution after birth. Significant medical intervention and at-home support contributed to the long-term survival of our patient. The patient had tracheomalacia, which resulted in respiratory insufficiency with thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS). Tracheostomy and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) insertion operations ameliorated his symptoms. In addition, comprehensive physical and occupational therapy was performed due to chronic hypotonia. A consistent feature of all described DSD cases thus far are renal findings of dysplasia, nephrogenic rests or nephroblastomatosis, and/or cysts. The patient's renal cysts were monitored with serial ultrasounds at approximately 6-month intervals. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral renal cysts by ultrasound as a neonate, with eventual diagnosis at approximately 20 months of age with nephroblastoma suggesting this maybe an intrinsic part of DSD. The lack of other cases with nephroblastoma is likely related to the previously reported short period of survival.
Gesture and Melody in Indian Vocal Music

The gestures that accompany improvisation in Indian vocal music, like the gestures that accompany speech, are closely co-ordinated with vocalization. Though linked to what is being sung, these movements are not determined by vocal action; nor are they taught explicitly, deliberately rehearsed, or tied to specific meanings. Students tend to gesture recognizably like their teachers, producing lineage-based gesture dialects, but the gestural repertoire of every vocalist is nonetheless idiosyncratic. This paper aims to trace a brief history of song gesture in India, and to show some of the links between gesture and vocalization. It also adapts Katharine Young’s theory of the “family body” to the transmission of gesture dialects through teaching lineages. Gesture and sound are taken to be parallel channels for the expression of melody.
A study of ventricular septal defect associated with aortic insufficiency

Abstract Clinical, electrocardiographic, radiographic, and hemodynamic findings in 12 children with the combination of a ventricular septal defect and aortic insufficiency are presented. The left-to-right shunt was determined to be small or moderate in all, and significant aortic insufficiency was documented by aortography in 11 patients. Clinical indication of aortic insufficiency as manifested by an aortic diastolic murmur first appeared at an average age of 6 years in 7 patients, with concomitant widening of the pulse pressure in 4. Progressive left ventricular hypertrophy was noted electrocardiographically, with progressive cardiac hypertrophy and aortic dilatation on x-ray examination in 2 patients. Progression of the hemodynamic disability does not appear to be common in childhood, however.
Role of Mechanotransduction in Cellular Processes

The role of mechanical properties of cells is gaining increasing attention due to the regulatory role that it plays in cellular processes. In particular the transduction of an applied force on the cell membrane through the cellular components can have significant influence on such phenomena as stochasticity in gene expression and cancer metastasis. We are currently investigating the effect of mechanical forces on the stochasticity of gene expression in E.coli cells and the adhesion and migration of prostate cells in various stages of metastasis. The effect of external forces on a synthetic gene network in E.coli is being studied to determine if they impact intrinsic or extrinsic stochasticity. The stochasticity is monitored through the expression of three different fluorescent proteins CFP, YFP, and RFP. The emission intensities as a function of applied force are monitored to discern the effect of applied force on gene stochasticity. The influence of mechanical stress on cancer metastasis is being investigated by determining the expression levels of membrane and cytoplasmic proteins as a function of applied force. Additionally the cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix adhesion, cell stiffness and elasticity, and expression levels of membrane proteins are determined by AFM. The AFM cantilever is employed to exert a local force and measure the response of the force in terms of the expression of adhesion proteins, and cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. Significant results of these studies will be presented.
Dynamics of submarine groundwater discharge and associated fluxes of dissolved nutrients, carbon, and trace gases to the coastal zone (Okatee River estuary, South Carolina)

Abstract Multiple techniques, including thermal infrared aerial remote sensing, geophysical and geological data, geochemical characterization and radium isotopes, were used to evaluate the role of groundwater as a source of dissolved nutrients, carbon, and trace gases to the Okatee River estuary, South Carolina. Thermal infrared aerial remote sensing surveys illustrated the presence of multiple submarine groundwater discharge sites in Okatee headwaters. Significant relationships were observed between groundwater geochemical constituents and 226 Ra activity in groundwater with higher 226 Ra activity correlated to higher concentrations of organics, dissolved inorganic carbon, nutrients, and trace gases to the Okatee system. A system-level radium mass balance confirmed a substantial submarine groundwater discharge contribution of these constituents to the Okatee River. Diffusive benthic flux measurements and potential denitrification rate assays tracked the fate of constituents in creek bank sediments. Diffusive benthic fluxes were substantially lower than calculated radium-based submarine groundwater discharge inputs, showing that advection of groundwater-derived nutrients dominated fluxes in the system. While a considerable potential for denitrification in tidal creek bank sediments was noted, in situ denitrification rates were nitrate-limited, making intertidal sediments an inefficient nitrogen sink in this system. Groundwater geochemical data indicated significant differences in groundwater chemical composition and radium activity ratios between the eastern and western sides of the river; these likely arose from the distinct hydrological regimes observed in each area. Groundwater from the western side of the Okatee headwaters was characterized by higher concentrations of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, inorganic nutrients and reduced metabolites and trace gases, i.e. methane and nitrous oxide, than groundwater from the eastern side. Differences in microbial sulfate reduction, organic matter supply, and/or groundwater residence time likely contributed to this pattern. The contrasting features of the east and west sub-marsh zones highlight the need for multiple techniques for characterization of submarine groundwater discharge sources and the impact of biogeochemical processes on the delivery of nutrients and carbon to coastal areas via submarine groundwater discharge.
Expectancies and evaluations of alcohol effects among college students: self-determination as a moderator.

Objective: This research examined individual differences in self-determination as moderators of both alcohol expectancies and of subjective evaluations of alcohol effects in college students. Previous work has shown lower levels of self-determination to be linked with drinking for more extrinsic reasons and as a means of regulating affect and social approval. We proposed that alcohol expectancies and subjective evaluations of alcohol effects would be more strongly linked to alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems among students who were more controlled and/or less autonomous. Method: Self-reported alcohol expectancies and subjective evaluations of alcohol effects and self-determination were assessed among 560 (347 women) college students, along with self-reported alcohol consumption and alcohol-related negative consequences. Results: Alcohol expectancies and subjective evaluation of alcohol effects were examined separately. A series of hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that positive alco...
The Chemical Nature of Aluminum Corrosion: I Corrosion of Aluminum Surfaces by Aluminum Salts

Abstract The corrosion of aluminum (alloys 1199-H14 and 7075-T6) by solutions of Al(NO3)3, AlBr3, AlCl3, Al2(SO4)3, Al(ClO4)3, All3 and NaCl of various concentrations has been measured. Experiments were also conducted in saturated solutions of aluminum acetate, benzoate, phosphate, chromate, and fluoride. The dissolution rate of the alloys varies considerably with the salt, the nitrate and iodide being most aggressive. The corrosion rate in sulfate solutions is much less than the rate in bromide, chloride, or perchlorate. The pH of the various salt solutions is not the determining parameter, but for a given salt (AlCl3) the corrosion rate increases with decrease in pH. The hydrolysis of the salts was considered from the viewpoint of assessing the significance of the hydrolysis reaction on aluminum corrosion. Salts such as AlCl3, Al(NO3)3, Al2(SO4)3, and AlBr3 are treated as the salts of the respective strong acid and the weak base Al(OH)++ with a pkb of 8.67. The conjugate acid of this weak base is the hy...
Mechanical damage to wheat seeds as affected by phosphorus and iron fertilisation rate

The effects of phosphorus and iron fertilisers on the mechanical damage to wheat seed are unclear. The objectives were to determine the effect of different levels of phosphorus and iron fertilisation on the mechanical damage to wheat seed under impact. Phosphorus and iron treatments were combinations of four phosphorus rates (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg/ha P2O5) and three foliar iron rates (0, 1.2 and 2 l/ha Fusin) at three replications. The harvested seeds were then subjected to impact energies of 0.1 and 0.2 J, at moisture contents of 8.5 to 25% (wet basis). Phosphorus and iron fertility levels and the interaction between two variables significantly influenced the mechanical damage to seeds (P<0.01). Resistance to breakage of wheat seeds increased following linear and polynomial relationships with increase in the phosphorus and iron rates, respectively. Increasing the rate of phosphorus from 0 to 225 kg/ha caused a significant decrease in the mean values of damage to seeds from 54.85 to 26.40% (by 2.07 times)...
Mathematic modeling to predict abruptio placentae

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to identify correlates of abruptio placentae and to develop a mathematic model for the prediction of abruptio placentae. Study Design: A total of 170,258 singleton birth records from 1991 to 1996 contained in the Schleswig-Holstein perinatal database were analyzed. Fifty-two recognized obstetric risk factors were subjected to univariate analysis. Correlates of abruptio placentae then underwent stepwise forward binary logistic regression. A constant value B 0 , coefficients B 1 through B p , an odds ratio, and a 95% confidence interval were calculated for individual correlates. Results: Abruptio placentae occurred in 874 of 170,258 singleton gestations (0.5%). Of the 52 risk factors 31 proved to be correlates of abruptio placentae, with 16 among primiparous women and 25 among multiparous women. Ten correlates for primiparous, women and 13 for multiparous women emerged from the linear regression, with 7 correlates being shared by both primiparous and multiparous women. Conclusion: The probability that abruptio placentae will occur (p) can be calculated according to the following expression: p = e z /(1 + e z ), where z = B 0 + B 1 ,…B p . For example, for a primiparous woman who smokes with bleeding at >28 weeks’ gestation and a male fetus in the breech position, the following calculation would yield the chance of abruptio placentae: z = –2.25 + 2.51 + 0.41 + 0.24 + 0.60 = 1.51; p = e 1.51 / (1 + e 1.51 ) = 4.53/5.53 = 0.82, or 82%. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:815-22.)
Biomechanics of the arterial wall under simulated flow conditions.

Abstract A perfusion apparatus is employed to reproduce quantifiable pulsatile hemodynamics within freshly excised canine carotid arteries. From measurements of pulsatile intraluminal and transmural pressure and the dynamic radial motion of the vessel wall, calculations are made of the vascular incremental modulus of elasticity and hoop, axial, and radial wall stresses. The results of this investigation suggest that an increase in transmural pressure from 120 80 to 240 120 mmHg produces a marked elevation in incremental modulus and arterial wall stress. These parameters are reduced when transmural pressure is lowered while maintaining intraluminal pressure at physiologic values.
Photophysics of segmented block PPV copolymer derivatives

Abstract The photophysics of the luminescent dimethoxy-substituted chromophore, [(2,6-dimethoxy-1,4 phenylene)-1,2 ethenylene-(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4 phenylene)-1,2 ethenylene-(3,5-dimethoxy-1,4 phenylene)] is studied in a series of segmented block copolymer, monomer, and polymer samples. Fluorescence lifetimes of the monomer and segmented block copolymer solution and thin film were determined over a temperature range from 77 to 298 K. Comparison of absorbance and emission spectra and time-resolved fluorescence studies indicate exciton confinement in the chromophore moities of the segmented block copolymer, leading to near unity quantum efficiency. Steady state absorption spectra show an increasing blue-shifted peak upon formation of the spin-coated thin film. Conformational geometry in the monomer thin film facilitates excimer formation, especially evident at low temperatures.
Double-balloon enteroscopy as a rescue technique for failed direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy when using conventional push enteroscopy (with video)

s A e D f z t t d i Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) tube placement is indicated in patients who require prolonged enteral feeding but are not suitable candidates for PEG or when attempted PEG placement fails. Although PEG with transgastric jejunal tube extension (PEG-J) is another option, the delivery rate of enteral feeds is limited by the narrowbore extension tube, which is also prone to frequent obstruction and migration back into the stomach. Furthermore, PEG-J may not decrease the risk of recurrent aspiration pneumonia as has been shown with DPEJ.3 However, DPEJ is technically challenging, with lower rates of successful placement than PEG. DPEJ is usually performed by using colonoscopes or push enteroscopes,
Plasmid-Encoded Pgp5 Is a Significant Contributor to Chlamydia muridarum Induction of Hydrosalpinx.

We have previously shown that the plasmid-encoded Pgp3 is a major virulence factor for C. muridarum induction of hydrosalpinx. We now report that Pgp5 also plays a significant role in the development of hydrosalpinx following C. muridarum induction. Pgp5 deficiency was introduced via either in-frame deletion (CM-Δpgp5) or premature stop codon installation (CM-pgp5S). Mice infected with either CM-Δpgp5 or CM-pgp5S developed hydrosalpinges at significantly reduced levels with an incidence rate of 3 when mice were infected with Pgp5-sufficient C. muridarum (plasmid-competent wild type or plasmid-free C. muridarum transformed with a full plasmid or depleted of pgp7 gene). The attenuated pathogenicity of the Pgp5-deficient C. muridarum correlated with a significantly reduced level of ascending infection in the oviduct tissue despite the similar overall shedding courses between mice infected with Pgp5-deficeint versus sufficient C. muridarum. Furthermore, in the oviducts of mice infected with Pgp5-deficient C. muridarum, significantly lower levels of inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine production were detected. Thus, Pgp5 is a significant plasmid-encoded virulence factor for C. muridarum pathogenicity in the upper genital tract.
Aging in the eye lens: Roles for proteolysis and nutrition in formation of cataract

Age-related eye lens opacification is one of the leading causes of blindess. Cataract afflicts a majority of persons over age 75, and costs associated with cataract treatment or extraction are the largest line-item in the Medicare budget. In the lesser-developed nations, the problem is more acute since cataract frequently occurs at younger ages, and there are insufficient numbers of ophthalmologists to perform lens extractions. In this paper, we examine causes of cataract and approaches to delay this debility.
The use of dopamine enhancing medications with children in low response states following brain injury

Primary objective : The study examines the possible relationship between dopamine-enhancing medications and improvement of arousal and awareness in children during persistent low response states (Rancho Los Amigos Levels I, II and III). Research design : A retrospective review was conducted of 10 children enrolled in an existing clinical protocol. The Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center (KCRC) low response protocol provides a double baseline serial measure (A, A, B, B, B) design. Scores on the Western NeuroSensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP) are the dependent variable. Methods and procedures : Ten children, mean age of 13.7 years low response state (30 days or more) who were treated with dopamine agonists. Co-morbid or iatrogenic influences were addressed or ruled out. Seven children had traumatic brain injury, one cerebral vascular accident, one anoxia and one encephalitis. Experimental intervention : On average, dopamine medications were started 52.9 days post-event. Main outcomes and results : Paire...
Ultra-high capacity transmission technologies for optical transport networks beyond 100G

This paper discusses the technologies need for 100-Tb/s-class ultra-high capacity optical transmission systems with channel rates of 400 Gb/s and above focusing on spectrally-efficient higher-order multi-level modulation with single-carrier frequency-division multiplexing.
Evaluating the technological characteristics and trust affecting mobile device usage

The Technology Acceptance Model was extended to explain the acceptance of mobile devices. The technological characteristics of mobile devices and trust were hypothesised as predictors of mobile device usage. The study of 212 mobile users indicate that device service reliability does influence perceived trust, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness, while device interface quality only predicts perceived trust and perceived ease of use. The findings suggest that trust and mobile device characteristics play essential roles in the acceptance of mobile device usage, and need to be incorporated into the design of future mobile commerce applications.
Cigarette Smoking Intentions and Obesity among High School Males

Since cigarette smoking is the largest preventable cause of premature death, illness, and disability in America, national efforts to control and extinguish the behavior are expanding. Studies conducted to determine the etiology and correlates of smoking have identified demographic, psychological, lifestyle, and societal factors of significance, but there is still much to be learned about the habit (NIDA, 1979). The present investigation was conducred to determine the role of obesity and body structure as antecedents of smoking within a teenage population, where the habit tends to be initiated. Specifically, data from 400 high school males were analyzed by analysis of variance for unbalanced groups to determine if smoking intentions differ significantly among ectomorphs, mesomorphs, or endomorphs. Intentions were assessed using a strategy similar to that suggested by Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) and the Perceived Sornatotype Scale (Tucker, 1982) and Quetelet's index of body mass (Worthingcon-Roberts, 1981) were employed to measure somatotype. Results showed that smoking intentions differed significantly among subjects classified according to perceived somatotype (F2.20, = 5.59, p = .004). Endomorphs ( n = 51) averaged 15.29 ( S D = 8.33) on the intentions inventory, which was significantly higher than the mean of the mesomorphs ( n = 189), 13.02 ( S D = 6.68), and the mean of the ectomorphs (n = 157) , 11.97 (SD = 4.59). Similarly, smoking intentions differed significantly among subjects differentiated according to Quetelet's index (F2.391 = 3.39, p = .04). Relatively obese boys ( n = 54) averaged 15.0 ( S D = 7.71) on the measure of smoking intentions, which was significantly higher than the means of the moderately built subjects ( n = 240). 12.75 ( S D = 6.13) and the lean males ( n = 106),'12.36 ( S D = 6.10). Apparently, high school boys who are self-perceived endomorphs or relatively obese have significantly stronger intentions of smoking cigarettes than do their counterparts. It is plausible that this association is mediated by several factors, such as self-esteem, anxiety, and physical fitness, all of which are relared to both smoking and obesity. Moreover, since the behavior of students is functionally related to the general social positions they occupy, including the nerwork of interpersonal relationships in the social structure (NIDA, 1979), the significant cigarette smoking intentions/obesity association of this study may be a function of peer acceptance and social status.
An evaluation of freeze fixation as a phytoplankton preservation method for microautoradiography1

Quantitative microautoradiography of marine and freshwater phytoplankton has been hampered by the fact that chemical techniques used to maintain structural integrity cause leakage of isotopically labeled cell constituents. Chemography, poor preservation of structural integrity, and leakage of cell constituents can all be avoided by quick-freezing filtered samples in liquid N/sub 2/ and then freeze-drying them before autoradiographic preparation. Leakage of fixed /sup 14/C and /sup 33/P and preservation of cell shapes and sizes by these preservation techniques are evaluated in diverse marine and freshwater phytoplankton communities.
Temporal Coding of Species Recognition Signals in an Electric Fish

An electric fish in the African family Mormyridae recognizes members of its own species by "listening" to electric organ discharges, which are species-specific signatures. Reactions of fish in the field and of individual electroreceptors to both normal and modified computer-synthesized discharges emphasize the importance of the waveform (time-domain cues) in species recognition.
Synthetic and Natural Vitamin Supplements for Corn and Soybean Oil Meal Chick Rations

Abstract DURING the past few years, experiments have been in progress at this Station to study the deficiencies of chick rations consisting largely of corn and soybean oil meal supplemented with minerals and vitamins A and D. Recent work by Berry et al. (1943), Marvel et al. (1945a), (1945b), and (1945c) has indicated that soybean oil meal is adequate in protein quality, but deficient in some of the vitamins supplied by animal products. In the early trials it was evident that the vitamin B complex deficiencies of corn and soybean oil meal are riboflavin, nicotinic acid, choline, pantothenic acid, and perhaps other unrecognized factors. Whey solubles, distillers’ dried solubles, and condensed fish press water (fish solubles) have been studied as vitamin supplements for the corn-soybean oil meal ration. Each of these may have a place in supplementing corn and soybean oil meal with the B complex vitamins, but no one is . . .
BIASED EVALUATIONS OF HIGHLY IDENTIFIED SPORT SPECTATORS: A RESPONSE TO HIRT AND RYALLS

In 1994 Wann and Dolan reported a bias among highly identified fans concerning estimates of past and future team performance. Hirt and Ryalls subsequently argued that this bias is limited to fans of successful teams. The current article presents data for 56 subjects supporting the results of Wann and Dolan for fans of unsuccessful teams.
Surface Stress and Reversing Size Effect in the Initial Yielding of Ultrathin Films

Very recent experiments indicate that in free-standing metallic films of constant grain size the initial yield stress increases as the film becomes thinner, it peaks for a thickness on the order of 100nm, and then starts to decrease. This reversing size effect poses two challenges: (1) It cannot be explained using currently available models and (2) it appears to contradict the classical experimental results due to J. W. Beams. Here we show that the reversing size effect can be explained and the contradiction dispelled by taking into account how the initial yielding is affected by the surface stress. We also predict that the mode of failure of a film changes from ductile to brittle for a thickness on the order of 100nm, in accord with experiments.
Risk factors associated with intravascular catheter infections in burned patients: a prospective, randomized study.

A prospective, controlled study of 101 intravascular catheter sites was undertaken to determine the importance of tubing manipulation and skin contamination in the etiology of catheter infection in burned patients. Catheters in place for 3 days were randomized to have the tubing changed every 24 or
Slow Light: What we have learned and where are we going

This tutorial will introduce slow light fundamentals and review numerous recent developments in the field. It will cover dispersion, Kramers-Kronig relations, and hallmark experiments in atomic, fiber, solid state, and semiconductor systems.
Host stress influences oviposition preference and performance of a pine sawfly

. 1 The effect of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Doug]. ex Laws) water stress, measured by xylem water potential, on oviposition preference and egg development of Neodiprion fulviceps was determined by two laboratory experiments in 1987 and 1988. 2 In the first experiment, adult females were allowed to choose between foliage from water-stressed, watered, and untreated control trees. 3 Significant differences were found between treatments in xylem water potential in 1987 but not in 1988. 4 Females chose water-stressed trees and a positive correlation was found between female preference and xylem water potential in 1987 but not in 1988. 5 In the second experiment, females were placed in globe cages with a single branch from each treatment and allowed to oviposit. 6 Significant differences were found among treatments in egg survival in 1987 but not in 1988. 7 These results indicate that sawflies can distinguish between stressed and non-stressed trees and that this behaviour is adaptive in that egg survival was greatest on the preferred treatment.
Modeling of Lake Ice Characteristics in North America Using Climate, Geography, and Lake Bathymetry

Ice cover records from 128 freshwater lakes in the United States and Canada were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression models, log-transform models, and a combination of the two (the “hybrid” form) were used to express ice-in date, ice-out date, and maximum ice thickness as functions of mean air temperature, latitude, average depth, elevation, and surface area of each lake. Mean air temperatures are for periods from September 1 to December 31 for ice-in dates, February 1 to June 30 for ice-out dates, and September 1 to June 30 for maximum ice thickness. Data for individual years as well as averages (over the record length) for each lake were analyzed. The log-transform formulas proved best for estimating ice-in date, while the hybrid form provided the best models of maximum ice thickness. The linear regression model estimated the ice-out date best. In most cases, mean air temperature and/or latitude were the most influential parameters, followed by elevation. Lake surface area and depth had a small or...
Eye movements and parafoveal preview of compound words: Does morpheme order matter?

Recently, there has been considerable debate about whether readers can identify multiple words in parallel or whether they are limited to a serial mode of word identification, processing one word at a time (see, e.g., Reichle, Liversedge, Pollatsek, & Rayner, 2009). Similar questions can be applied to bimorphemic compound words: Do readers identify all the constituents of a compound word in parallel, and does it matter which of the morphemes is identified first? We asked subjects to read compound words embedded in sentences while monitoring their eye movements. Using the boundary paradigm (Rayner, 1975), we manipulated the preview that subjects received of the compound word before they fixated it. In particular, the morpheme order of the preview was either normal (cowboy) or reversed (boycow). Additionally, we manipulated the preview availability for each of the morphemes separately. Preview was thus available for the first morpheme only (cowtxg), for the second morpheme only (enzboy), or for neither of t...
Medication safety messages for patients via the web portal: the MedCheck intervention.

Abstract Objective Communication failures account for many adverse drug events (ADEs) in adult primary care. Improving patient–physician communication may improve medication safety. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to learn whether electronic medication safety messages directed to patients can improve communication about medications and identify ADEs. Design We studied adult patients enrolled in a patient Internet portal at three primary care practices affiliated with a teaching hospital. MedCheck, a medication safety application, sent patients a secure electronic message 10 days after they received a new or changed prescription. MedCheck asked if the patient had filled the prescription or experienced medication-related problems, and then forwarded the patient's response to their primary care physician. Measurements We selected a stratified random sample of 267 subjects from 1821 patients who received and opened a MedCheck message from April 2001 to June 2002. We reviewed subjects’ medical records for three months following their first MedCheck message. We analyzed patient and clinician response rates and times, examined patient–clinician communication about medications, and identified ADEs. Results Patients opened 79% of MedCheck messages and responded to 12%; 77% responded within 1 day. Patients often identified problems filling their prescriptions (48%), problems with drug effectiveness (12%), and medication symptoms (10%). Clinicians responded to 68% of patients’ messages; 93% answered within 1 week. Clinicians often supplied or requested information (19%), or made multiple recommendations (15%). Patients experienced 21 total ADEs; they reported 17 electronically. Conclusion Patients and physicians responded promptly to patient-directed electronic medication messages, identifying and addressing medication-related problems including ADEs.