cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scalable load balancing for mapreduce-based record linkage

Recent research has introduced load balancing schemes that are aware of the input data distribution (i.e., data profile) to mitigate data skew and fully exploit the parallel capability of the MapReduce framework to support record linkage. However, existing solutions face a significant scalability issue when applied to massive data sets with millions or billions of blocks (a basic unit in record linkage) because their data profiles can not be maintained precisely in an efficient manner. The goal of this paper is to introduce a profiling method based on the notion of a sketch, which allows for a compact scalable solution for maintaining block size statistics. In addition, we propose two load balancing algorithms to work over sketch-based profiles while solving the data skew problem associated with record linkage. We provide an analytical analysis and extensive experiments (using Hadoop), with real and controlled synthetic data sets, to illustrate the effectiveness of our solution. The experimental results show that our load balancing algorithms can decrease the overall job completion time by 71.56% and 70.73% of the default settings in Hadoop using a set of DBLP data sets, which have 2.5 to 50.4 million records.
Associative and nonassociative tolerance: the effects of dose and interdose interval

Two experiments examined the effects of dose and interdose interval (IDI) on associative and nonassociative tolerance to morphine analgesia in rats. Associative contingencies were manipulated by administering low (5 mg/kg) or high (20 mg/kg) doses of morphine explicitly paired or unpaired with a distinctive context. Nonassociative processes were manipulated by administering morphine at a short (6-h) or long (96-h) IDI. Tolerance was assessed as shifts in morphine dose-response curves on the tail-flick test. Animals in the long IDI conditions showed considerable context-specific tolerance. Tolerance in the short IDI conditions was not influenced by contextual contingencies at the immediate test (Experiment 1) and showed no retention over a 30-day interval (Experiment 2), suggesting this tolerance was nonassociative. The impact of massed exposure to morphine and context on the disruption of learning at the short IDI is discussed.
Inhalation Studies: Foundations and Techniques

1. Aerosols and Gases. Introduction. Direct Observation of Aerosol Particles. Cigarette Smoke: A Familiar Aerosol System. Particle Size. Size Distributions. Aerosol Properties. Aerosol Dynamics. Particle Size and Toxicity. Properties of Gases. 2.The Respiratory Tract. Introduction. Postnatal Development. Compartments. Gross Anatomy. Cells and Tissues. Ventilation. Deposition of Inhaled Particles. Uptake of Inhaled Gases. Defenses. 3. Establishing and Controlling Exposures. Introduction. Cleaning and Conditioning. Throughput Air. Aerosol Generation. Gas Generation. Mixed Aerosols and Gases. Principles for Stabilizing the Exposure Atmosphere. 4. Characterizing Exposures. Introduction. The Breathing Zone. What should be Measured? Instrumentation. Eliminating Measurement Interferences. Sampling Protocols. 5. Methods for Exposing Subjects. Introduction. Basic Types of Exposure Systems. Aging the Atmosphere. Ammonia as a Contaminant. Determination of the Inhaled Dose. Ethical Responsibilities of the Investigators. 6 Testing for Toxicity. Introduction. Qantitation. Anatomical Considerations. Morphometry. Pulmonary Function. Other Endpoints. Controls. Batteries of Endpoints. 7. Experimental Designs. Introduction. Basic Statistical Considerations. Examples of Common Designs. Multicomponent Atmospheres. 8. Facilities and Support Considerations. Introduction. Facilities Components. Facilities Location. 9. Animal Models. Introduction. Extrapolation from Laboratory Animals to Humans. Comparative Dose Distribution. Comparative Physiology and Anatomy. Common Laboratory Animal Models. 10. Regulations and Guidelines. Introduction. Guidelines vs. Regulations. Protection of Laboratory Personnel. Protection of Research Subjects. Inhalation Toxicity Testing Guidelines.
Cellular Organization in Rat Somatosensory Cortex: Effects of Sex and Laterality

Layer IV of rodent somatosensory cortex contains distinct arrangements of cells characterized as barrels. When barrels first form in rats, each barrel consists of a cell-dense "wall" and a cell-sparse "hollow." With age, the distinction of the boundary between barrel walls and hollows diminishes. Cellular arrangements within barrels were quantified to test whether the barrels are influenced by sex and laterality during cortical development. A computer-assisted method was developed to measure cell densities in relation to barrel boundaries. The boundaries between barrel walls and hollows were determined in tissue double-stained for Nissl substance and cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. The distinction between barrel walls and hollows revealed by Nissl stains differed significantly between anterior and posterior barrels. This distinction declined significantly in anterior barrels from Postnatal Day 10 (P10) to P30. The area of cortex containing barrels was estimated from composites of Nissl-stained sections. At P20 the detectable barrel cortex area was larger on the right in females and on the left in males resulting in a significant sex difference in barrel cortex asymmetry. This sex difference in barrel cortex laterality was detected only in Nissl-stained tissue; there were no differences attributable to sex or side in barrel cortex area analyzed for cytochrome oxidase reactivity. We hypothesize that sex-dependent differences in barrel cortex structure result from lateralized differences in cellular organization.
Synaptic pathology in Alzheimer's disease: a review of ultrastructural studies.

Morphologic studies of the neuropathology in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have demonstrated significant loss of synaptic connectivity in many regions of the neocortex and hippocampus. The strongest correlation with cognitive decline in AD is with the synaptic density. This article discusses the ultrastructural studies that have documented changes in synaptic numbers in many areas of association cortex and in the hippocampal dentate gyrus molecular layer. Changes in the synaptic complex are discussed as a possible compensatory mechanism in response to synapse loss and a model is proposed to help relate the significance of these synaptic changes. Comparisons are made between results observed with ultrastructural technique and those utilizing immunohistochemistry to assess changes in synaptic pathology. Possible reasons underlying the synaptic neuropathology are discussed.
Efficient Syntheses of Thiadiazole Peptides

Novel N-(Cbz-aminoacyl)thiosemicarbazides 3a−c were cyclized by treatment with sulfuric acid to give 1,3,4-thiadiazoles 4a−c. Compounds 4a−c reacted with N-(Cbz-aminoacyl)- and -dipeptidoylbenzotriazoles to afford chirally pure 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl-substituted amino acids 6a−c and dipeptides 7a−c.
Raised plasma catecholamines in old and young patients with disproportionate systolic hypertension.

Sympathetic nerve tonicity was assessed in hypertensives with either proportionate or disproportionate elevation of systolic blood pressure: patients were segregated into two groups, age less than 40 years and age 40 years and greater. Plasma catecholamines of sixty patients with proportionate hypertension and thirty five with disproportionate hypertension were compared with those of sixty one age matched normotensive volunteers. Disproportionate patients were younger than proportionate hypertensives in the age group less than 40 years (p <.01) and were older than proportionate in the 40 years and older group (p <.01). The youngest and oldest patients with disproportionate systolic hypertension tended to have normal diastolic blood pressure. Total plasma catecholamines were increased in both groups of hypertensives, whether young or old. However, only values in male hypertensives were increased significantly when compared with normotensives (p <.01). Enhanced sympathetic nervous system tonicity appears to...
Toward the Next-Generation Drug Delivery Vehicle: Synthesis of a Dendrimer with Four Orthogonally Reactive Groups

The synthesis of a dendrimer based on melamine that displays multiple copies of four orthogonally reactive groups, three on the surface and one on the interior, is described. The three groups on the surface are nucleophilic and include four free hydroxyl groups, four hydroxyl groups masked as tert-butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) ethers, and 16 amines masked as tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC) groups. The core of the dendrimer displays two electrophilic monochlorotriazines. The dendrimer is available in seven linear steps (eight total steps) at 55% overall yield for the longest linear sequence. Keywords: Dendrimer; drug delivery
Computer simulations of the motion and decay of global strings

Abstract Computer simulations have been carried out of the motion and decay of global strings, including spectrum analysis of the energy stored in the scalar field which describes the global string and the radiated Nambu-Goldstone bosons. We simulated relaxing pieces of bent string and collapsing circular loops. We find, for the string sizes investigated, that the spectrum of field energy hardens rather than softens while the string decays into Nambu-Goldstone radiation. We argue on theoretical grounds that this is indeed the most plausible general behaviour.
A transformative decision-making process for mammography screening among rural, low-income women.

Objective The study objective was to expand theoretical knowledge of the mammography-screening decision-making process. The purpose of this article was to report the decision-making process of participants who moved from nonscreening to screening. Design and Sample Grounded theory methodology was used. Seventeen rural, low-income women aged 46–64 years were recruited. Measures In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Semi-structured questions focused on decision making, readiness for change, and health care experiences. Results Two phases of decision making were identified. Phase I, A Dormant Period of Nonscreening Behavior, is an inactive screening period characterized by (a) knowledge deficits, (b) unengaged cognition, and (c) misleading perceptions. Phase II, A Transformative Learning Process Resulting in Screening Behavior, is characterized by (a) aroused affective responses, (b) awakened cognitive responses, (c) new knowledge construction, and (d) changed perceptual responses. A catalytic event provides the stimulus to move from Phase I to Phase II. Transformative learning emerged as the central conceptual category underlying the decision to obtain screening. Transformative learning includes a triggering event that facilitates questioning previously held assumptions about mammography. Conclusion Participants demonstrated a transformative process resulting in movement from nonscreening to screening. Further study is needed regarding nursing interventions that serve as catalysts for transformation and subsequent screening.
Distinct Value Signals in Anterior and Posterior Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex

The core feature of an economic exchange is a decision to trade one good for another, based on a comparison of relative value. Economists have long recognized, however, that the value an individual ascribes to a good during decision making (i.e., their relative willingness to trade for that good) does not always map onto the reward they actually experience. Here, we show that experienced value and decision value are represented in distinct regions of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) during the passive consumption of rewards. Participants viewed two categories of rewards-images of faces that varied in their attractiveness and monetary gains and losses-while being scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging. An independent market task, in which participants exchanged some of the money that they had earned for brief views of attractive faces, determined the relative decision value associated with each category. We found that activation of anterior VMPFC increased with increasing experienced value, but not decision value, for both reward categories. In contrast, activation of posterior VMPFC predicted each individual's relative decision value for face and monetary stimuli. These results indicate not only that experienced value and decision value are represented in distinct regions of VMPFC, but also that decision value signals are evident even in the absence of an overt choice task. We conclude that decisions are made by comparing neural representations of the value of different goods encoded in posterior VMPFC in a common, relative currency.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE UPTAKE OF TRITIATED THYMIDINE IN THE PRONUCLEI OF FERTILIZED SAND DOLLAR EMBRYOS

Following fertilization of the egg of the sand dollar Echinarachnius parma, tritiated thymidine (H(3)TDR) was taken up independently by the male and female pronuclei beginning within about 15 to 20 minutes, and the labeled pronuclei fused at about 30 to 40 minutes. At cleavage 90 minutes later the labeled nuclear material was distributed to both daughter cells. Unfertilized eggs and sperm exposed to H(3)TDR did not show nuclear localization of thymidine. DNA replication, thus, is initiated in the haploid pronuclei shortly after fertilization and prior to fusion. The major portion of DNA synthesis, as evidenced by thymidine uptake, appears to be during a 20 to 30 minute period after fertilization. Fertilization is associated with the activation of a mechanism which initiates early and independent replication of DNA in both the male and female pronuclei.
A random choice method with application to reaction-diffusion systems in combustion

Abstract A random choice method is introduced for the one-dimensional reaction-diffusion model of laminar flame propagation in premixed gases. The method uses piecewise steady flames to calculate the general unsteady flowfields. An advantage of this method is that the effects of reaction and diffusion remain coupled. The validity of the method is established and applications to time-dependent flame propagation are carried out.
Fluorimetry of haemolyis of red blood cells by catalytic reaction of leaked haemoglobin: Application to homoegeneous fluorescence immunoassay

A novel method was developed for the homogeneous fluorescence immunoassay using complement-mediated haemolysis of sheep red blood cells. Fluorescent substrates of peroxidase, 4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (HPPA) or fluorescin were catalysed by haemoglobins leaked from haemolysed red blood cells. Non-haemolysed cells showed no enzymatic activity and only haemoglobins released from the cells showed catalytic activity. The extent of hemolysis could therefore be measured without separating haemolysed and non-haemolysed cells. The immunological binding of antibodies with the antigens on the cell membrane activates the complement system and the cell is finally lysed. Homogeneous fluorescence immunoassay was performed by combining the complement-mediated haemolysis technique and the fluorimetry of haemolysis. The immunoassay was done for the immunoagents; complement and bovine serum alubmin (BSA). The sensitivity was 0.051 CH50 unit ml−1for complement and < 1.0 μg ml−1 of BSA.
Land use changes and northern hemisphere cooling

Recent reconstructions of Northern Hemisphere mean temperatures over the past millennium show a long-term cooling of about 0.25K between 1000 and 1900 AD, prior to the 20th century's warming. In this paper, we present the results of equilibrium climate model simulations that indicate that the land-use change occurring over this period may largely explain this observed cooling, although other factors also could have played a significant role. The simulated annual mean cooling due to land-use change is 0.25K globally and 0.37 K for the Northern Hemisphere, suggesting that the cooling of the prior centuries could have been largely the result of anthropogenic interference in the climate system.
Alterations of vasomotor regulation in atherosclerosis

The vascular endothelium modulates vasomotor tone by the release of several vasoactive substances, predominantly nitric oxide or a closely related compound. This role of the endothelium is altered by several common disease states, as extensively studied in both animal models and humans with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Although several mechanisms may underlie this pathophysiologic phenomenon, increased destruction of the endothelium-derived nitric oxide seems very important in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Hypercholesterolemia also alters endothelial regulation of vasomotor tone in the microcirculation, which may in turn affect neurohumoral regulation of tissue perfusion. While endothelial release of nitric oxide is important in modulating vasomotor tone, it also likely decreases platelet adhesion, vascular smooth muscle growth, and adhesion of inflammatory cells to the vessel wall. Thus, impaired production and release of nitric oxide in hypercholesterolemia may contribute to the atherosclerotic process.
Strophanthidin-Sensitive Transport of Cesium and Sodium in Muscle Cells

In the paper "Strophanthidin-sensitive transport of cesium and sodium in muscle cells," by R. A. Sjodin and L. A. Beauge [ Science 156, 1248 (2 June 1967)] line 10 of the legend to Fig. 2 should show that 25 m M of cesium, rather than 25 m M of potassium, was present in the Ringer fluid.
Business Ethics: A Literature Review with a Focus on Marketing Ethics

In recent years, the business ethics literature has exploded in both volume and importance. Because of the sheer volume and diversity of this literature, a review article was deemed necessary to provide focus and clarity to the area. The present paper reviews the literature on business ethics with a special focus in marketing ethics. The literature is divided into normative and empirical sections, with more emphasis given to the latter. Even though the majority of the articles deal with the American reality, most of the knowledge gained is easily transferable to other nations.
Isopiestic studies of aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures VII. MgSO4 and NiSO4

Isopiestic measurements have been made on MgSO4(aq) and NiSO4(aq) at 383.14 K with NaCl(aq) serving as the reference electrolyte. Irreversible solubility effects prevented successful measurements at higher temperatures. Osmotic coefficients at 383.14 K are smaller and less dependent on molality than at 298.15 K. The ion interaction model, as modified for 2-2 electrolytes, was fitted to the osmotic coefficients. Only three of the four parameters of the model could be evaluated, thereby precluding the direct calculation of activity coefficients from the isopiestic results. Combination of the present results with published freezing temperatures and enthalpies does permit the computation of activity coefficients in the case of MgSO4(aq). At 383.15 K the activity coefficient of MgSO4(aq) becomes quite small (<0.05) at very moderate molalities (0.5 mol·kg−1). Because of uncertainties in the calculations only general observations concerning trends in the activity coefficient at elevated temperatures and high molalities are warranted.
Effect of volume fraction on granular avalanche dynamics

We study the evolution and failure of a granular slope as a function of prepared volume fraction, ϕ_{0}. We rotated an initially horizontal layer of granular material (0.3-mm-diam glass spheres) to a 45^{∘} angle while we monitor the motion of grains from the side and top with high-speed video cameras. The dynamics of grain motion during the tilt process depended sensitively on ϕ_{0}∈[0.58-0.63] and differed above or below the granular critical state, ϕ_{c}, defined as the onset of dilation as a function of increasing volume fraction. For ϕ_{0}-ϕ_{c}0 did not experience precursor compaction prior to avalanche flow, and instead experienced a single dilational motion at θ_{0}=32.1±1.5^{∘} prior to the onset of an avalanche at θ_{m}=35.9±0.7^{∘}. Both θ_{0} and θ_{m} increased with ϕ_{0} and approached the same value in the limit of random close packing. The angle at which avalanching grains came to rest, θ_{R}=22±2^{∘}, was independent of ϕ_{0}. From side-view high-speed video, we measured the velocity field of intermittent and avalanching flow. We found that flow direction, depth, and duration were affected by ϕ_{0}, with ϕ_{0}-ϕ_{c}0. Our study elucidates how initial conditions-including volume fraction-are important determinants of granular slope stability and the onset of avalanches. Language: en
Idols of Our Tribes? Relativism, Truth and Falsity in Ethnographic Fieldwork and Cross-cultural Interaction

This article discusses relativism and the evaluation of belief in contemporary ethnography. Various examples of conflicting beliefs are described, as well as the author's experience of a disagreeme...
Radiant Fin Performance Using Fractal-like Geometries

The results of a computational study into the thermal performance of thermally radiating fractal-like fins are presented. Previous experimental studies have shown that fractal patterns increase the heat transfer surface area while simultaneously reducing mass. Two fractal patterns were used for comparison, the modified Koch snowflake and the Sierpinski carpet. For an isothermal base fin radiating to free space, the fin effectiveness and fin efficiency are presented for the zeroth and first four fractal iterations in order to quantify the performance. Emissivity, width/thickness ratio, base temperature, and fin material were varied to better understand their impact on the performance of fractal-like fins. Based upon the observed results, fractal-like fins greatly improve the fin effectiveness per unit mass. In certain cases, fin effectiveness per unit mass was found to increase by up to 46%. As the cost of access to space is significant, this reduction in mass could lead to savings for spacecraft thermal management applications.
Electric Motor Modeling for Conceptual Aircraft Design

Electric motors have achieved very high efficiency and reliability; and in some cases, very high specific power. As the energy storage capabilities of batteries and fuel cells advance, these technologies are increasingly being considered for aircraft primary propulsion. In order to design electric aircraft, aircraft designers must be able to understand and model the performance characteristics of electric motors. Most electric machine modeling techniques either ignore potentially important phenomena or require an extreme level of detail undesirable for conceptual aircraft design. In this paper, a compromise approach is proposed which can capture the salient details of motor performance without requiring intricate modeling of the electric machine.
The autocatalytic decomposition of acetic acid on Ni(110)

The flash decomposition of CH3COOH was studied on a clean nickel (110) surface following adsorption at 30° C in order to access the applicability of chemical reaction rate theory to a homologous series of reactants on a well-defined surface. As was observed for formic acid, acetic acid adsorbed at 30° C to yield gaseous H2O and to form islands of adsorbed anhydride intermediates; the decomposition proceeded by a two-dimensional auto-catalytic mechanism to form H2, CO2, Co and surface carbon. The decomposition of the anhydride was rate determining for the formation of CO2 and H2. The rate of decomposition was well described by the equation governing the formic acid decomposition on the same surface. The activation energy for this first order decomposition was determined to be 28.2 kcalgmol and the pre-exponential factor, v, was found to be 6.4 × 1014 s−1 with a fraction of initiation sites of 0.004. These values were nearly the same as those observed for the decomposition of HCOOH, suggesting identical intramolecular mechanisms for the unimolecular decomposition of the adsorbed intermediates. The relative values of v for the decomposition of HCOOH, DCOOH and CH3COOH indicated that the motion of the H, D or CH3 group was involved in the rate-limiting step.
The speciation of natural tissues by electrospray-mass spectrometry. I: Biosynthesized species, As and Se

The interest in natural tissues and their accumulation or bio-induction abilities with respect to toxic or non-essential metals is the focal point for many current speciation studies. This bibliographical review outlines the applications of, and developments in, electrospray-mass spectrometry (ES-MS) for biological tissues that are at the forefront of current biochemical speciation analysis. The application of soft-ionization techniques coupled to MS for speciation of trace elements falls into two main categories: naturally induced organometallics; and, anthropogenic environmental contaminants. Part I of this review is intended as a biographical source for the application of ES-MS as a tool for the speciation of biosynthesized metal-containing species in natural tissues. The categories have been chosen with respect to the elements, and each section includes information on the tissues that have been investigated to date, the analytical procedures used to purify and isolate the species and the interpretation of mass spectra for identification. Part II, to be published later, will deal with bioinduced ligands and exogenous contaminants.
Vibrational spectroscopy and the improper phase transition in nickel bromide and copper chloride boracite

Abstract The infrared and far-infrared (20–4000 cm−1) reflectivities of single crystals of nickel bromide and copper-chloride boracite have been measured in the ferroelectric and paraelectric phases. The spectral features of the boracites above 200 cm−1 are very similar and can be associated with the internal vibrational modes of the boron-oxygen framework. In the ferroelectric phase, an anomalous increase of the line-width of a low-frequency band in the Ni-Br boracite is observed near the transition temperature. A similar temperature dependence is also seen in the line-width of the anti-symmetric stretch mode of the BO3 group in both boracites. This behavior is interpreted as the result of an enhanced coupling to a low frequency soft mode. Comparison of values of the static dielectric constants calculated from the Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relation with those obtained from capacitance measurements shows that ϵ (cap) of both boracites in the paraelectric phase is 1.5–2.0 times larger than ϵ(LST). These observations support the current understanding of the improper ferroelectric phase transition in these materials as both of an order-disorder and displacive nature.
On the existence, uniqueness, and stability behavior of a random solution to a nonlinear perturbed stochastic integro-differential equation

The purpose of the present paper is to study a perturbed nonlinear stochastic integro-differential equation of the form x ′ ( t ; ω ) = h ( t , x ( t ; ω ) ) − ∫ 0 t k 1 ( t , τ ; ω ) f 1 ( τ , x ( τ ; ω ) ) d τ + ∫ 0 t k 2 ( t , τ ; ω ) f 2 x ( τ ; ω ) ) d β ( τ ; ω ) , t ⩾ 0 , , where ′ denotes the sample path derivitive; w , the sample point of a complete probability measure space ( ω, A, P ) and β ( t ; ω ), a martingale adapted to an increasing family of sub- σ -algebras A t in A . Conditions which guarantee the existence and uniqueness of a random solution are obtained using functional analytic techniques. Also, the stability and boundedness of the second moments of the random solution are discussed, along with an application to a stochastic feedback system.
Culture, society and gender in depression

The dilemmas inherent in the inclusion of the sociocultural variables in the assessment and treatment of depression are multifold. In this article, three broad themes are selected for discussion: (I) the challenge of cultural translation of mainstream professional definitions of depression to culturally diverse groups; (2) sociopolitical discourses and power differentials regarding gender, class and race and their possible contributions to depression; and (3) the impact of migration, cultural change and generational conflict on manifestations of depression.
Determination of iodine in common salt by an automatic reaction-rate method

Abstract An automatic reaction-rate method is described for the ultramicro determination of iodine in common salt. The method utilizes the acceleration of the reaction between ceric sulfate and arsenious acid by iodine. The time required for the reaction to consume a fixed amount of ceric ions is measured automatically and related directly to the iodine concentration. Measurements btained in salt samples containing 3 to 7500 μg of iodine per 100g were precise to within 2% or 0.3 μg of iodine, whichever is larger. Measurement times varied from a few sec to about 2min.
Photochemical Reactions on Semiconductor Particles for Organic Synthesis

This chapter provides an overview on the factors that significantly influence the efficiency of a semiconductor-mediated photocatalytic process. Representative organic functional group transformations that have synthetic importance will be reviewed in the order of oxidative, reductive, and combined redox transformations. Photochemical reactions on semiconductor particles can be divided into two categories: semiconductor-mediated photocatalysis and direct photolytic transformation of substrates adsorbed on semiconductor particles. Semiconductor photocatalysis begins with photoexcitation of semiconductor particles, whereas direct photolytic reactions start with excitation of the organic substrate. A semiconductor system such as a carefully designed dye sensitization or composite semiconductor system that retains the redox desired potentials may tolerate a higher reactant concentration. Semiconductor modifications also may have surface properties for selective adsorption of the target reactant and/or intermediates. Overall, there are tremendous challenges and opportunities for research and development in the area of nanocrystalline semiconductor particles for organic synthesis.
Stability of the cervical spine under tension

Abstract A carefully done in vitro study is presented on the sagittal plane motion patterns of the human cervical spine as the various components (ligaments, disc and facet joints) are sequentially transected, and as an axial tensile load is applied in increments until the spine fails. Sound practices regarding preservation and maintenance of the physiological environment were utilized. A simple roentgenographic measuring echnique, using steel pins and needles as markers, provided reliable information about the displacement patterns of vertebrae. The results indicate that failure of the spine takes place when at least all the anterior or all the posterior plus two anterior components, have been transected. Also presented are the results of motion pattern changes, and their significance for developing a safe clinical test for evaluating spine injury.
Total variation and level set methods in image science

We review level set methods and the related techniques that are common in many PDE-based image models. Many of these techniques involve minimizing the total variation of the solution and admit regularizations on the curvature of its level sets. We examine the scope of these techniques in image science, in particular in image segmentation, interpolation, and decomposition, and introduce some relevant level set techniques that are useful for this class of applications. Many of the standard problems are formulated as variational models. We observe increasing synergistic progression of new tools and ideas between the inverse problem community and the ‘imagers’. We show that image science demands multi-disciplinary knowledge and flexible, but still robust methods. That is why the level set method and total variation methods have become thriving techniques in this field.
Throughput-optimal wireless scheduling with regulated inter-service times

Motivated by the low-jitter requirements of streaming multi-media traffic, we focus on the development of scheduling strategies under fading conditions that not only maximize throughput performance but also provide regular inter-service times to users. Since the service regularity of the traffic is related to the higher-order statistics of the arrival process and the policy operation, it is highly challenging to characterize and analyze directly. We overcome this obstacle by introducing a new quantity, namely the time-since-last-service, which has a unique evolution different from a tradition queue. By combining it with the queue-length in the weight, we propose a novel maximum-weight type scheduling policy that is proven to be throughput-optimal and also provides provable service regularity guarantees. In particular, our algorithm can achieve a degree of service regularity within a constant factor of a fundamental lower bound we derive. This constant is independent of the higher-order statistics of the arrival process and can be as low as two. Our results, both analytical and numerical, exhibit significant service regularity improvements over the traditional throughput-optimal policies, which reveals the importance of incorporating the metric of time-since-last-service into the scheduling policy for providing regulated service.
Dense two-dimensional classical Coulomb gas on a triangular lattice.

We carry out Monte Carlo simulations of the two-dimensional netural Coulomb gas of integer charges on a triangular lattice, as a function of temperature and chemical potential, and find rich critical behavior. We find transitions which do not seem to follow the expectations of a symmetry analysis, and nonuniversal jumps in the inverse dielectric constant.
Electoral Governance Matters Explaining the Quality of Elections in Contemporary Latin America

This article provides a systematic cross-national analysis of the role of electoral administration in explaining acceptable democratic presidential elections in 19 countries in Latin America since the year 1980 or the first pivotal, transitional election. The authors provide two alternative measures of election administration, one focused on the degree of partisanship or professional independence and another on formal—legal institutional independence, as well as on other key factors, to test partial proportional odds-ordered logit models predicting the probability of an acceptable, flawed, or failed electoral process. The results show an important positive role for professional, independent electoral commissions on electoral outcomes in Latin America, controlling for other socioeconomic and political factors; formal-legal independence matters when the rules of the game are likely to be respected. In addition, low-quality elections are found disproportionately where incumbents seek reelection and where vic...
Adeno-Associated Viral-Mediated Gene Transfer to Hepatoma: Thymidine Kinase/Interleukin 2 Is More Effective in Tumor Killing in Non-Ganciclovir (GCV)-Treated Than in GCV-Treated Animals

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) enhancement of herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV)-induced tumor killing was studied by cloning the human interleukin 2 gene into an HSV-TK-bearing adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector (TK/IL-2). The mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hepa 1-6 was used as a model in this study. We found that TK/IL-2-transduced Hepa 1-6 cells were more susceptible to ganciclovir treatment than tumor cells transduced with only TK in both nude mice and immunocompetent C57L/J mice. TK/IL-2-transduced tumors also showed shrinkage without GCV treatment. The tumor-killing effect of AAV-mediated TK/IL-2 gene transfer was further studied by inoculating animals with TK/IL-2- or TK-transduced tumor cells mixed with unmodified cells with or without GCV treatment. Although tumor growth in each group was inhibited, the best result was obtained from the TK/IL-2-transduced group without GCV treatment. In this group, 10% of the transduced tumor cells could eradicate the whole tumor in 50% of the animals tested as well as provide long-term protection against tumor cell rechallenge. When this group was treated with GCV, the antitumor effect of TK/IL-2 was reduced. We attribute this to the early ablation of transgene-bearing tumor cells by GCV treatment, which thus reduces the duration of IL-2 expression. We conclude that (i) TK/IL-2 plus GCV treatment generates a stronger tumor-killing effect than HSV-TK plus GCV and (ii) tumor killing of TK/IL-2 is more effective in non-GCV-treated animals than in GCV-treated animals.
New enzyme electrode probes for D-amino acids and asparagine.

Abstract Enzyme electrode probes suitable for the assay of D-phenylalanine, D-alanine, D-valine, D-methionine, D-leucine, D-norleucine, D-isoleucine and asparagine are described. These electrodes are prepared by covering a Beckman cation-sensitive glass electrode with a layer of insolubilized D-amino acid oxidase or asparaginase. The electrodes are stable for at least 1 month. Various parameters affecting the stability and sensitivity of the electrode are discussed as are the effect of pH, temperature, oxygen, enzyme and substrate on the response of the probe.
Notes on the generic status of chamaecrista moench (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

Review of the history and gross morphology ofChamaecrista, a long controversial segregate fromCassia Linn., reveals behind specious arguments presented in the past a strong theoretical case for generic status; but only in such case that the concept ofChamaecrista be expanded to equivalence with the subgenusLasiorhegma Benth., of which it has been considered a part.
Redox activity of urban quasi-ultrafine particles from primary and secondary sources

Abstract To characterize the redox activity profiles of atmospheric aerosols from primary (traffic) and secondary photochemical sources, ambient quasi-ultrafine particles were collected near downtown Los Angeles in two different time periods – morning (6:00–9:00 PDT) and afternoon (11:00–14:00 PDT) in the summer of 2008. Detailed chemical analysis of the collected samples, including water-soluble elements, inorganic ions, organic species and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was conducted and redox activity of the samples was measured by two different assays: the dithiothreitol (DTT) and the macrophage reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. Tracers of secondary photochemical reactions, such as sulfate and organic acids were higher (2.1 ± 0.6 times for sulfate, and up to 3 times for the organic acids) in the afternoon period. WSOC was also elevated by 2.5 ± 0.9 times in the afternoon period due to photo-oxidation of primary particles during atmospheric aging. Redox activity measured by the DTT assay was considerably higher for the samples collected during the afternoon; on the other hand, diurnal trends in the ROS-based activity were not consistent between the morning and afternoon periods. A linear regression between redox activity and various PM chemical constituents showed that the DTT assay was highly correlated with WSOC (R2 = 0.80), while ROS activity was associated mostly with water soluble transition metals (Vanadium, Nickel and Cadmium; R2 > 0.70). The DTT and ROS assays, which are based on the generation of different oxidizing species by chemical PM constituents, provide important information for elucidating the health risks related to PM exposure from different sources. Thus, both primary and secondary particles possess high redox activity; however, photochemical transformations of primary emissions with atmospheric aging enhance the toxicological potency of primary particles in terms of generating oxidative stress and leading to subsequent damage in cells.
The relationship between leaf water status, gas exchange, and spectral reflectance in cotton leaves

Measurements of leaf spectral reflectance, the components of water potential, and leaf gas exchanges as a function of leaf water content were made to evaluate the use of NIR reflectance as an indicator of plant water status. Significant correlations were determined between spectral reflectance at 810 nm, 1665 nm, and 2210 nm and leaf relative water content, total water potential, and turgor pressure. However, the slopes of these relationships were relatively shallow and, when evaluated over the range of leaf water contents in which physiological activity occurs (e.g., photosynthesis), had lower r-squared values, and some relationships were not statistically significant. NIR reflectance varied primarily as a function of leaf water content, and not independently as a function of turgor pressure, which is a sensitive indicator of leaf water status. The limitations of this approach to measuring plant water stress are discussed.
A model of the volumetrically-controlled hemodialysis circuit.

A model of the volumetrically-controlled hemodialysis circuit. We developed a model that predicts the hemodynamics of the volumetrically-controlled circuit used to administer high flux hemodialysis. The equations simulate the entire blood side of the circuit so that blood and dialysate pressures can be predicted from a knowledge of circuit component and patient characteristics. An alternative method of computation has also been devised which permits measured circuit pressures to be used to predict patient blood access pressure, dialyzer resistance to flow and membrane hydraulic conductivity. Success of the model was evaluated by measuring both circuit pressure and component characteristics. The model successfully predicted circuit pressures when measured component characteristics were employed as model inputs. Conversely, the model accurately predicted circuit component characteristics when measured pressures were employed as inputs (8 patients, 30 dialyses). Specific predictions of the model include the following. Elevations of patient blood access pressure will cause blood and dialysate pressures to rise equivalently without affecting the rate of backfiltration or location of pressure equilibrium along the dialyzer axis. Elevated hematocrit is predicted to increase circuit pressures to a degree that is similar to a poorly functioning blood access, however, high hematocrit markedly augments backfiltration and moves the point of pressure equilibrium toward the dialyzer entrance. We conclude that the model provides a predictive tool that can be used to optimize circuit design. Alternatively, the model can be used to separate the influence of a poorly functioning patient access from other factors which can elevate circuit pressures.
Flexural strength of an infused ceramic, glass ceramic, and feldspathic porcelain

In-Ceram material is a relatively new all-ceramic restorative material with improved properties that require research. The clinical selection of restorative materials is based on a number of parameters such as esthetics, fit, and strength. This study determined the flexural strength of In-Ceram system components and compared the core material with conventional feldspathic ceramics and with Dicor all-ceramic restorative material. Four-point flexural strength values of bend bars of each ceramic were 18.39±5.00 MPa for In-Ceram sintered alumina, 76.53±15.23 MPa for In-Ceram infusion glass, and 236.15±21.94 MPa for In-Ceram infused alumina core. Flexural strength of self-glazed feldspathic porcelain was 69.74±5.47 MPa, as-cast Dicor ceramic 71.48±7.17 MPa, and polished Dicor ceramic was 107.78±8.45 MPa.
Human versus bovine endothelial cell culture on glass and tissue-culture plastic

This work demonstrates that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs; Passages 1 and 5) attach to and grow on glass poorly in comparison to bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs; Passage 5). Seventeen hours after seeding passage 5 cells, there are 6.0±0.1 × 103 HUVECs/cm2 (mean±SE,n=12) on gelatin-coated glass, vs. 29.3±1.5 × 103 BAECs/cm2. This poor attachment and growth is due to a dependence of HUVECs on surface charge and preadsorbed fibronectin not shared by BAECs, because both cell types proliferate on tissue culture plastic and HUVECs can be made to grow comparably well on gelatin-coated glass by the further addition of poly-l-lysine and fibronectin. These data indicate the existence of a human-bovine species difference with respect to endothelial cell adhesion to and growth on glass.
The Benefits of Non-Library Professional Organization Membership for Liaison Librarians

ABSTRACT Although liaison librarians have two important professional identities – librarian and subject specialist – the library literature has paid scant attention to their membership and participation in non-library professional organizations. This article analyzes a study of ten librarians who joined non-library associations and concludes that membership in such organizations has significant benefits.
Noninvasive Intracranial Pressure Assessment Based on a Data-Mining Approach Using a Nonlinear Mapping Function

The current gold standard to determine intracranial pressure (ICP) involves an invasive procedure for direct access to the intracranial compartment. The risks associated with this invasive procedure include intracerebral hemorrhage, infection, and discomfort. We previously proposed an innovative data-mining framework of noninvasive ICP (NICP) assessment. The performance of the proposed framework relies on designing a good mapping function. We attempt to achieve performance gain by adopting various linear and nonlinear mapping functions. Our results demonstrate that a nonlinear mapping function based on the kernel spectral regression technique significantly improves the performance of the proposed data-mining framework for NICP assessment in comparison to other linear mapping functions.
Interobserver variability in medical record review: an epidemiological study of asthma.

Abstract Interobserver variability during the data collection for a large retrospective study of asthma was assessed. After extensive training by three physician investigators, two nurses collected study data from existing medical records using an explicit protocol. At four time intervals, samples of records already abstracted by one nurse were reviewed and re-abstracted by another nurse assigned to the project. The unweighted kappa coefficient was used to evaluate observer reliability. Most of the kappa coefficients were ⩾0.6, suggesting good to excellent agreement. Agreement was highest for demographic, clinical and medication variables, while judgement variables had the lowest kappa coefficients. The well known dependence of kappa on the prevalence of the variable studied was evident in these data. We strongly recommend periodic monitoring of observer reliability in any study using more than one individual to collect data to ensure reliable data collection.