cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental Manipulation of Psychological Involvement with Media

The study evaluates the effectiveness of experimental manipulations of transportation, immersion, spatial presence, character identification, and perceived similarity. The meta-analysis reveals that only about half the studies reported significant group differences in the predicted direction. On average, manipulations had a small to medium effect. Certain manipulations were more likely to influence some types of involvement than others. Transportation was impacted by distraction, perspective taking instructions, and meta-narrative information. Manipulation of literary qualities that had a large effect on character identification had no effect on transportation. Stimulus display characteristics had the strongest effect on immersion, whereas manipulations of the media world qualities had a larger effect on presence. Demographic similarity enhanced perceived similarity but not identification. Effect sizes were larger for advertising than for entertainment. Print and videogame stimuli yielded larger effects t...
The Dynamic Response of Cylindrical and Conical Panels

The dynamic response of cylindrical and conical panels subjected to arbitrary time-varying load distributions is studied and appropriate equations are presented. Convenient trigonometric series are used, in conjunction with finite-difference methods, to reduce the governing equations to sets of matrix equations. The numerical solution procedure involves time integration, using an unconditionally stable implicit (Houbolt) scheme, together with a Gaussian elimination technique particularly suited to the banded matrices involved. Calculated results treat the effects of conicity and various support conditions on the structural response. Individual cases show quantitatively how cylindrical panel response is more sensitive than that of conical panels to changes in edge restraint.
Health Care through a Six Sigma Lens

A General Electric executive discusses the “Six Sigma” model for quality that was initiated by the manufacturing sector.
Spontaneous mesenteric fibromatosis in Gardner's syndrome

Mesenteric fibromatosis has been reported in frequent association with familial polyposis and with Gardner's syndrome. This vague "benign" process has been characterized as a postsurgical phenomenon with low morbidity. Two cases of spontaneous mesenteric fibromatosis, noted at the time of original laparotomy for colectomy in Gardner's syndrome patients, are reported. No history of abdominal trauma was present, and both have well-documented Gardner's findings. A 32% incidence of desmoid reaction is reported among affected members of the original Gardner's syndrome Kindred 109; five or 55% of these patients had the mesenteric form of the process. The potential fatal course of the mesenteric disease is emphasized.
Compactness in the ∂¯-Neumann problem, magnetic Schrödinger operators, and the Aharonov–Bohm effect

Abstract Compactness of the Neumann operator in the ∂ ¯ -Neumann problem is studied for weakly pseudoconvex bounded Hartogs domains in two dimensions. A nonsmooth domain is constructed for which condition (P) fails to hold, yet the Kohn Laplacian still has compact resolvent. The main result, in contrast, is that for smoothly bounded Hartogs domains, the well-known sufficient condition (P) is equivalent to compactness. The analyses of compactness and condition (P) boil down to the asymptotic behavior of the lowest eigenvalues of two related sequences of Schrodinger operators, one with a magnetic field and one without, parametrized by a Fourier variable resulting from the Hartogs symmetry. The nonsmooth example is based on the Aharonov–Bohm phenomenon of quantum physics. For smooth domains not satisfying (P), we prove that there always exists an exceptional sequence of Fourier variables for which the Aharonov–Bohm effect is weak and thence that compactness fails to hold. This sequence can be very sparse, so that the lack of compactness is due to a rather subtle effect.
Increasing prevalence of gastroschis repairs in the United States: 1996-2003

Abstract Purpose Local and state registries have shown recent increases in the prevalence of gastroschisis in the United States and abroad. The purpose of this study was to use a nationally representative database to identify national trends in the prevalence of gastroschisis repairs. Methods Records of infants undergoing gastroschisis repair were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1996 to 2003. Birth data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics and used to calculate the rate of procedures/live births stratified by US census region. Survey statistics were used to account for the sampling design of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. Results Between 1996 and 2003, a total of 9459 gastroschisis repairs were performed in the United States (3 procedures for every 10,000 births). A significant increase in the population-based rate of these procedures was observed in each census regions and nationwide. A twofold higher procedure rate was observed in 2003 than in 1996 (rate ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.9; P Conclusions The population-based rate of gastroschisis repairs significantly increased regionally and nationwide between 1996 and 2003, paralleling recent trends described at the local and state level.
MicroRNA therapy for the failing heart.

Heart failure (HF) may result from diverse pathological processes leading to progressive organ decompensation. Improper functionality of the calcium-handling machinery is a frequent component of the pathobiology underlying this debilitating process. Case in point, loss of intracellular calcium homeostasis because of decreased function of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) is characteristic of HF, and restoration of SERCA2a function through gene therapy results in improved cardiac performance.1 MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a new family of fine-tuning molecules involved in tight regulation of physiological and pathological processes. In fact, the identity and the level of miRNAs expressed at the systemic and organ levels change with disease. Wahlquist et al2 hypothesize that miRNAs capable of repressing contractility might be involved in HF and could, therefore, be used as therapeutic targets. Specifically, the authors focus their efforts on miRNAs involved in calcium dynamics regulation. To search for miRNAs capable of downregulating SERCA2a, a whole-genome collection of miRNAs was tested on Human Embryonic Kidney 293 cells cotransfected with an enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter fused to the 3′ untranslated region of the SERCA2A gene, enabling functional detection of miRNAs capable of decreasing SERCA2a through a fluorescence (enhanced green …
Spaces of ambivalence: Qualitative mathematics in the modelling of complex fluid phenomena

AbstractThis paper sketches two classes of mathematical models. Both treat ambivalence and attentiveness as undefined terms. The first class, ambivalence-generated models, is finitistic and requires no ontological commitment to any mathematical construction as sophisticated as ‘real numbers’. The intended semantics suggests the axiom underlying topologists’ well-understood theory of finite simplicial complexes (FSCs). Semantically reinterpreted within psychology, this theory yields concrete, empirically testable hypotheses about human behaviour, which in turn suggest further axiomatic restrictions on the models. The second class of models treats attentiveness as a Morse function on some differential manifold, and uses its gradient flow to construct a lower-dimensional spine. Both classes of models have potential to capture much of the flexibility and concreteness that are attractive in qualitative methodologies, while retaining (by application of mathematical analysis) the formality of quantitative method...
Predicted CO2 emissions from maceral concentrates of high volatile bituminous Kentucky and Illinois coals

Abstract A large collection of well-characterized coals, documented in the Center for Applied Energy Research's (CAER) database, was used to estimate the CO 2 content of maceral concentrates from Kentucky and Illinois high volatile bituminous coals. The data showed no correlation between CO 2 versus coal ranks and between CO 2 versus maceral content. Subsequently, eight sets of low-ash density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) maceral concentrates from five coal beds were examined, spanning in the high volatile rank range. Heating value was not determined on the concentrates, but instead was calculated using the Mott–Spooner formula. There was a good correlation between predicted CO 2 and maceral content for the individual iso-rank (based on vitrinite reflectance, analyzed on whole (parent) coal) sets. In general, the predicted CO 2 increases from liptinite-rich through vitrinite-rich to inertinite-rich concentrates (note: no “concentrates” are absolutely monomaceral).
Donor cardiac troponin T: a marker to predict heart transplant rejection

Abstract Background . Noninvasive methodologies have shown poor sensitivity in predicting rejection when compared to serial endomyocardial biopsies. We studied the potential role of donor blood troponin T (Tn-T) as a marker for predicting heart transplant rejection. Methods . Blood cardiac Tn-T was measured from 16 heart donors. Transplant rejection and cardiac function in the recipients were monitored for 1 year. Results . When data were analyzed based on donor blood Tn-T levels, 6 patients who received hearts from donors with low Tn-T ( Conclusions . The quality of the donor heart is an important prognostic factor in heart transplantation. It may be possible to identify severely damaged donor organs before transplantation and avoid their use or to develop more aggressive strategies for reducing recurrent acute rejection episodes in high-risk patients.
Nonrandom patterns of simple and cryptic triplet repeats in coding and noncoding sequences

Abstract Triplet repeats of the sequence purine, purine, and pyrimidine [RRY(i)] are frequent and often polymorphic in humans. Some RRY(i) are composed predominantly of a continuous repeat of one sequence [simple RRY(i)], but the majority are cryptic RRY(i) that are not obvious until the bases are classified into R or Y before the full extent of the repeat becomes apparent. RRY(i) can be divided into 18 classes based on predominant nucleotides. These classes are highly nonrandom in abundance and in location within genes. In humans, simple or cryptic RRY(i), in which AAT or AAC triplets predominate, are preferentially located 3′ of Alu repeats. RRY(i) with a predominance of AGC or GGC show a dramatic enrichment in coding sequence, and GGC also shows a dramatic enrichment in 5′ untranslated regions of genes. Characterization of RRY(i) present in coding regions identify 10 protein motifs (A n , D n , H n , P n , Q n , T n , G n S 0–3 G m , (G/S) n , (S/G/N) n , and (L/P) n ). Six of the protein motifs appear predominantly in DNA-binding proteins/transcription factors. Alignment of homologous protein sequences from other mammals reveals that both simple and cryptic RRY(i) are a major source of deletions or insertions in the genes that contain them. Cryptic RRY(i) may be candidates for triplet repeat genetic diseases and, when mutated in somatic cells, may contribute to carcinogenesis.
The inside story: Quasilocal tachyons and black holes

We analyze the fate of excitations in regions of closed string tachyon condensate, a question crucial for understanding unitarity in a class of black holes in string theory. First we introduce a simple new example of quasilocal tachyon condensation in a globally stable AdS/CFT background, and review tachyons' appearance in black hole physics. Then we calculate forces on particles and fields in a tachyon phase using a field theoretic model with spatially localized exponentially growing time-dependent masses. This model reveals two features, both supporting unitary evolution in the bulk of spacetime. First, the growing energy of fields sourced by sets of (real and virtual) particles in the tachyon phase yields outward forces on them, leaving behind only combinations which do not source any fields. Secondly, requiring the consistency of perturbative string theory imposes cancellation of a BRST anomaly, which also yields a restricted set of states. Each of these effects supports the notion of a black hole final state arising from string-theoretic dynamics replacing the black hole singularity.
Inhibiting growth of the Au 0.5 Ni 0.5 Sn 4 intermetallic layer in Pb-Sn solder joints reflowed on Au/Ni metallization

Au/Ni metallization has become increasingly common in microelectronic packaging when Cu pads are joined with Pb-Sn solder. Recent work has shown that a ternary compound with stoichiometry Au0.5Ni0.5Sn4 redeposits onto the interface during aging, compromising the strength of the joint. In the present work the growth of the Au0.5Ni0.5Sn4 layer is documented and methods for inhibiting its growth were investigated. It was determined that multiple reflows, both with and without additional aging, can substantially limit the thickness of the ternary layer.
Surface-preconditioned AIM-accelerated surface-volume integral equation solution for bioelectromagnetics

The adaptive integral method (AIM) is used to accelerate the iterative method-of-moments (MOM) solution of the frequency-domain surface-volume electric-field integral equation pertinent to the analysis of antennas near realistic human models. The iterative solution convergence is improved by using a block diagonal preconditioner: One block of the preconditioner contains the full inverse of the surface-tested portion of the MOM impedance matrix; the other block contains the diagonal inverse of the volume-tested portion. Various antenna-body configurations are simulated.
Immunoaffinity liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry detection of nitrotyrosine in biological fluids: Development of a clinically translatable biomarker

Measurement of nitrotyrosine levels in biological fluids can serve as a biomarker for oxidative/nitrative damage arising from formation of reactive nitrogen species, including peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite is formed by the reaction of the superoxide radical (O2.-) with the nitric oxide radical (.NO) that is generated by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). This article describes an immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to measure 3-nitrotyrosine at very low (picomolar) levels. Incorporation of a pronase digestion step prior to the immunoaffinity LC-MS/MS allowed for measuring not only free amino acid but also protein 3-nitrotyrosine in biological fluids. The use of an in-line antibody column allowed for increased specificity as compared with previously reported assays. The assay is linear over a range of 5 to 500 pg/ml (0.022-2.20 nM, r(2)=0.9987), with the lower detection limit being 5 pg/ml. In addition to its increased sensitivity and specificity, this assay showed great nitrotyrosine recovery from biological fluids when either nitrotyrosine or nitrotyrosine-containing peptides were added exogenously. The utility of this assay for nitrotyrosine as a clinically translatable biomarker was demonstrated by quantifying both free and total nitrotyrosine levels in various biological fluids, including urine, plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and synovial fluid (SF) from both preclinical species and human subjects. Thus, whether in an animal model of human disease or in a clinical setting, the quantification of nitrotyrosine levels should provide support for NOS-driven pathology and its blockade following therapeutic intervention.
Acidic analogs of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and conformational aspects for activity

[Gly1a]-LHRH acid (<Glu-Gly-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-OH), [Gly2a]-LHRH acid (<Glu-His-Gly-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-OH), and [Tyr3, Trp5]-LHRH acid (<Glu-His-Tyr-Ser-Trp-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-OH), were synthesized; they released LH with potencies of <0.0003, 0.0003, and 0.0003%, respectively, that of LHRH, but did not act as inhibitors up to a 30,000-fold relative dosage. Absence in these analogs of “conformational components” involving a hydrogen bond between the <Glu1 and Ser4 as proposed for LHRH and/or the proposed parallel planarity of the Trp-Tyr aromatic nuclei, and other effects including that of a C-terminal acid, could explain the observed data.
Measuring the educational outcomes of gifted programs

Evaluating programs for the gifted should be based on changes in learner behavior or performance through the use of measures which are designed to assess the explicit objectives of the program.
A device that provides an eye-to-eye video perspective for interactive television

A device that allows individuals to engage in eye contact while interacting over two-way television is described. The apparatus consists of a television monitor and low light-level television camera housed within a cabinet containing a mirror system that resembles a combination beam splitter and periscope. Through the mirror system, the pick-up camera captures a reflected full-face eye-level image of the television viewer as he or she attends to the display monitor. The device is particularly useful for studying the nonverbal communication patterns of individuals engaged in social interaction.
Variability of malate dehydrogenase among cotton cultivars with differing fiber traits

Little is understood about the biochemical basis of differences in quantitative traits of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber. Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) is implicated as an enzyme that may have and effect on extension growth during the development of cotton fiber. Our objectives were, first, to determine if variability among cultivars exists for MDH, and, second, to determine if variability in MDH can be correlated with quantitative traits of fiber. Twenty-four cultivars G. hirsutum were chosen (...)
Electroless deposition of Au onto Si(111) studied by surface second harmonic generation

Electroless deposition of Au onto hydrogen-terminated Si(111) from aqueous HF solutions has been studied by Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and in situ surface second harmonic (SH) generation. The SH signal as a function of time goes through a maximum which becomes stronger and occurs at shorter times as the HF concentration is increased. This can be explained through resonant enhancement of the SH signal by the surface plasmon of Au nanoclusters which nucleate at defect sites following deposition and surface diffusion. The initial Au deposition is kinetically limited by diffusion, but growth of Au clusters is kinetically limited by a surface reaction involving a fluoride species. This suggests that Au may be deposited initially in a relatively mobile state which is only partially discharged.
Rapid Membrane Effects of Steroids in Neuroblastoma Cells: Effects of Estrogen on Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Signalling Cascade and c-fos Immediate Early Gene Transcription

Rapid effects of steroid hormones have been observed in neuronal cells for many years. We show here, that in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH, the membrane impermeable conjugated 17beta-estradiol (E2BSA) activates mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK or MEK) and induces the phosphorylation and activation of both ERK-1 and ERK-2 (mitogen activated protein kinase or MAPK). Additionally, E2BSA induces the transcription of a reporter gene construct driven by the promoter of the mouse c-fos proto-oncogene. The effects of this membrane impermeable estrogen on c-fos transcription are not inhibited by the estrogen receptor antagonists Tamoxifen or ICI 182,780, further excluding the involvement of the intracellular estrogen receptor. This is also illustrated by the observation that E2BSA does not activate estrogen response element (ERE) mediated transcription. This is the first report of rapid membrane effects of 17beta-estradiol on growth factor related signalling pathways in neuronal cells, and indicates a potential mechanism by which 17beta-estradiol might affect the expression of genes whose promoters do not contain EREs but are responsive to factors acting through other response elements such as AP-1 and SRE sites.
A method for canine nasal mucosa superfusion, in vivo; evidence that pseudomonas‐induced neutrophil migration is inhibited by α2‐adrenoceptor agonist

Summary Methods and Results A method for isolating and superfusing a segment of the nasal cavity in the anaesthetized dog was developed. Introduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa supernatant (PA), which is known to induce IL-8 release, resulted in a marked time-dependent exponential increase in neutrophil recruitment to the nasal chamber. When oxymetazoline (final concentration. 10-5 M), was added to the superfusate, the PA induced-neutrophil migration was inhibited; the addition of benzalchoniul chloride to the superfusate had no effect on the PA induced-neutrophil migration. Conclusion We conclude that a α2 adrenoceptor agonist profoundly inhibits neutrophil migration in response to bacterial products. Our novel method allows continuous introduction of stimuli and monitoring of responses in the nasal mucosa.
Vibrational spectroscopy studies of cobalt and rhodium carbonyls covalently anchored to inorganic oxides

Abstract Laser Raman, FTIR and photoacoustic/FTIR spectroscopies have been used to study cobalt and rhodium carbonyls immobilized on derivatized inorganic oxide surfaces. Differences in the CO stretching bands of Co2(CO)8 covalently attached to phosphinated alumina, phosphinated magnesia, aminated silica gel, aminated magnesium oxide and dicyclohexyl phosphinated silica gel indicate that the structures and the CO stretching bands of covalently attached cobalt carbonyl species are dependent on both the complexing ligands and the supports employed in the synthesis thereof. The CO stretching bands of [RhCl(CO)2]2 covalently attached to inorganic oxides functionalized with different lengths and coverages of anchoring ligands indicate that long flexible ligands favor the maintenance of a dinuclear rhodium structure, while short stiff ligands favor the conversion to a mononuclear rhodium carbonyl compound on the surface of the inorganic oxide. Interactions between the attached phosphine or amine compound and the oxide surfaces were reflected in shifts of the characteristic vibrational bands of these compounds.
Are there benefits of antihypertensive therapy beyond blood pressure lowering

Meta-analyses strongly suggest that the primary preventive benefit of antihypertensive therapy in uncomplicated individuals is the direct result of the lower blood pressure (BP) rather than the choice of agents. In contrast, when comorbidities are present, therapeutic benefit is governed primarily by the appropriateness of the drug class for the comorbidity profile. As progressively lower BP levels are studied, conflicting results and uncertainties continue to emerge. Given the geometric nature of the BP-risk relationship, it is to be expected that benefits will be less dramatic at lower levels of BP. Conflicting results may emerge from intrinsic problems with clinical trials, including uncertainties related to confounded composite end points, interactions of comorbidities, selection bias from the heterogeneous population with hypertension, interindividual response differences, BP variation and measurement artifacts, multiple mechanisms of antihypertensive drugs, and other deficiencies in study design. The mandate for BP reduction remains strong in virtually all clinical situations. Because of clinical heterogeneity, however, no single drug class is preferred in all circumstances.
America's Changing Attitudes Toward Black-White Relations, 1958–2001

Abstract National public opinion polls conducted from 1958 to 2001 found that Americans' attitudes toward Black-White relations in the United States had evolved, although some traditional attitudes remained the same. This article examines Black-White opinions regarding four contemporary issues. Respondents were asked to report their attitude toward job satisfaction, willingness to vote for a Black president, satisfaction with their standard of living, and whether Black and White populations are treated the same in their local communities. The findings reveal that, without exception, Black respondents held a less favorable view about their treatment in society than did White respondents. Studies indicate that even though many Americans embrace cultural diversity, sharp differences in attitudes between Blacks and White populations remain.
Sensitivity of Mixed Subsonic-Supersonic Turbulent Mixing Layers

for several different convective Mach numbers (MC =0.2, 0.5, and 0.7 ), and the computed results (mixing layer thickness, mean velocity, and turbulence parameters ) were compared with experiments to benchmark the code. Following this qualie cation procedure, the sensitivity of the MC =0.7 case to disturbances was further investigated by introducing small perturbations to the boundary conditions and recomputing the mixing layer. Specie cally, effects of perturbations to the secondary stream stagnation pressure and test section wall adjustment angle were investigated. Itwasfound thatthecompressiblemixing layergrowth ratewassignie cantly altered by small changes (<4%)in thesecondary stream stagnation pressure. In addition, divergence orconvergence ofthetest section walls oflessthan3degresultedinappreciablechangesinthestreamwisepressuregradientandmixinglayerdevelopment.
Helical order and its onset at the Lifshitz point

We study the helical phase and the Lifshitz point for a model system with competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions by using high-temperature series techniques. We locate the Lifshitz point, and we find the exponent that characterizes the vanishing of the wave vector ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}}_{0}$ associated with the helical phase as the Lifshitz point is approached. In the helical phase we determine the dependence of ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}}_{0}$ on the competing interactions, and we estimate the structure factor exponent.
CREEP CRACK GROWTH WITH SMALL SCALE BRIDGING IN CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

Time-dependent crack growth in ceramic matrix composites with linearly creeping fibers in an elastic matrix is predicted for bridged regions that are much smaller than the crack length. The relationship between crack openings and bridging tractions was modeled previously and accounts for the mechanics of fiber pull-out while fibers are creeping. The length of the bridged zone is determined by a fiber failure criterion and the condition that the stress intensity factor at the crack tip equals the matrix toughness. Solutions that relate constant crack velocities to applied stress intensity factors are presented. Two fiber failure criteria are considered: a critical crack opening and a critical total strain in the fiber at the crack plane. When fiber failure is governed by a critical crack opening, bridging lengths will decrease with increasing velocity. For the case of a critical strain, the steady-state bridge length will increase with increasing velocity. Asymptotic analytical solutions are presented for cases where the crack velocity is small.
Guadalupan Devotion in Mexico: A Historiographical Consideration

The scholarly attention to devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico has shifted, from the 1970s on, from struggles over whether or not she actually appeared in 1531 to discussions of the nature of that devotion in two ways in which it has taken on personal, religious, and national significance: that is, the ways in which individuals and Mexican society have reacted and interacted with this most important figure.
SURFACE STRUCTURE OF O/Cu(104) FACETS DETERMINED BY X-RAY DIFFRACTION

We have determined the surface structure of O/Cu(104) using X-ray diffraction. This surface was prepared by dosing Cu(115) with oxygen, transforming the clean surface into facets with {104} and {113} orientations. This method of preparation, in essence, naturally grows the (104)-oriented substrate concurrent with the O-covered surface, resulting in O/Cu(104) facets which are smooth and highly ordered. Our results indicate that the top three atomic rows significantly expand away from the bulk, but no Cu rows are missing. The Cu–O structures of this surface are similar to those present on other O on Cu surface reconstructions, but the adsorbed O inhabits two adsorption sites with notably distinct geometries. The relationship between the O/Cu(104) and O/Cu(001) structures, in particular, is discussed.
Mapping the Risk of Yellow Fever Infection

The World Health Organization coordinated a comprehensive, systematic review of the countries and areas at risk for yellow fever (YF) virus transmission. The review applied the following evidence to each country and area considered: human and non-human YF cases, human serology for anti-YF antibody obtained prior to widespread YF vaccination, altitude, vegetation, and vector distribution. The result was the categorization of countries or areas as endemic, transitional, low potential for infection, or no risk. This information was adapted to create a map that defined the areas where vaccination against YF may be recommended. Travel health professionals, countries, and public health bodies can use this information as they determine recommendations and requirements for vaccination. This paper reviews the process and outcomes of the review of YF risk, and places it in the context of providing YF vaccination.
Analysis of sense and naturally occurring antisense transcripts of myosin heavy chain in the human myocardium.

Naturally occurring antisense RNA has the potential to form a duplex with its complementary sense mRNA, thereby regulating protein expression. Previously, we demonstrated considerable amounts of endogenous antisense RNA for both alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chain (MHC) in rat heart suggesting a role in posttranscriptional MHC-regulation (Luther et al. [1997] J Mol Cell Cardiol 29(1):27-35). To evaluate whether antisense RNA is also involved in MHC regulation in human heart we analyzed ventricular myocardium transcripts in nonfailing hearts (n=3) and hearts from patients undergoing heart transplantation (n=5). Investigation of RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected an antisense RNA transcript for beta-MHC but none for alpha-MHC. Northern blot analysis of normal and failing hearts detected sense mRNA for beta-MHC, but not alpha-MHC suggesting no functionally relevant levels of alpha-MHC mRNA exist in the human ventricle. The results describe-for the first time-the existence of endogenous polyadenylated MHC antisense transcripts in the human heart. The potential effect of attenuating translation was shown in an in vitro translation assay using a synthetic antisense-oligonucleotide derived from the sequence of the naturally occurring antisense RNA.
A National Survey of Pediatric Cardiologists Regarding Clinical Management of Kawasaki Disease in the USA

To compare the current practice of US Pediatric Cardiologists with the 1994 guidelines of the American Heart Association (94-AHA) in the management of Kawasaki disease (KD), a multiple-choice survey was sent to those practicing in US fellowship programs. Opinions of 97/350 (28%) physicians practicing in 29/40 (73%) programs are summarized: Years of practice in pediatric cardiology (average±SD) was 13.2±10 for respondents vs. 13.6±10.5 for non-respondents (p=0.69). In contrast to 94-AHA guidelines, 10% of respondents use low- or moderate-dose Aspirin in the acute phase of KD and another 12% are aware of colleagues who do so. Another 50% who use high-dose, recommend clinical trials to evaluate Aspirin dose recommendation. Clinical criteria (validated in Japan) for patient selection to administer IVIG are followed by 3% of the respondents, and another 18% feel that similar criteria need to be evaluated for use in the US. In contrast to 94-AHA recommendations, 70% advise follow-up for risk-level I patients. For risk-level II, only 20% follow the 94-AHA no-follow-up option while 80% provide regular follow-up, 34% utilizing advanced diagnostic testing. For risk-level IV patients, 84% prefer periodic stress-echo (45%) or stress-perfusion scan (40%) vs 15% who prefer periodic echo at rest or stress ECG (94-AHA does not provide clear recommendation). For asymptomatic patients, 24% do not council for healthy lifestyle habits unless patients have persistent coronary aneurysms or other known coronary risk factors. For persistent coronary aneurysms 36% perform cardiac catheterization periodically, the others catheterize in presence of coronary symptoms (9%), abnormal stress echo (20%), or abnormal stress myocardial perfusion (18%). Conclusion: The respondents' opinion was in concert with data from the most recent literature, but in contrast with many 94-AHA recommendations. The current trend in KD cardiovascular management in US teaching institutions suggests a need for an update in the current official guidelines.
Leakage current in low standby power and high performance devices: trends and challenges

IC technology is continuing to scale according to Moore's Law, with the overall chip circuit requirements driving the MOSFET device and process integration requirements and optimal choices. In the 2001 International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) [1] the driver for the high performance logic is maximizing MOSFET intrinsic speed, while the driver for low standby power logic is minimizing MOSFET leakage current. Total leakage current of a MOSFET consists of three components: off-state sub-threshold leakage current, gate direct tunneling leakage current and source/drain junction leakage current. In this paper, trends and challenges for each leakage current component in low standby power and high performance devices are discussed from the perspective of the 2001 ITRS and recently reported literatures.
YM461, a PAF antagonist, blocks antigen-induced late airway responses and airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic sheep

Abstract We examined the effect of an orally active antagonist, YM461, of platelet activating factor (PAF) on antigen-induced early and late airway responses and on the development of airway hyperresponsivenss 24 h after challenge in allergic sheep. Early and late airway responses were determined by measuring specific lung resistance (SRL) before and periodically after challenge. Airway responsiveness was determined from the slopes of dose-response curves of SRL vs. increasing doses of carbachol aerosol. The sheep were challenged with Ascaris suum antigen once after vehicle treatment (control) and once 1 h after oral administration of 3 or 10 mg/kg YM461 (each trial was ⩾ 14 days apart). Airway responsiveness to carbachol was determined 1–3 days prior to and 24 h after antigen challenge. In control 1 and control 2 trials antigen challenge caused significant peak early (288 and 292%, respectively) and peak late (103 and 124%, respectively) increases over baseline in SRL. SRL returned to baseline 24 h after challenge but the sheep developed airway hyperresponsiveness as indicated by the 2.6-fold increases in the slopes of the carbachol dose-response curves in the control trials. YM461, 3 and 10 mg/kg p.o., significantly inhibited the late responses (66 and 82%, respectively) and blocked the development of airway hyperresponsiveness at 24 h. The early responses were not significantly reduced in either trial. These results suggest that PAF contributes to the antigen-induced late airway responses and associated airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic sheep.
FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN SAURURUS CERNUUS (SAURURACEAE). 2. CARPEL INITIATION AND FLORAL VASCULATURE

A B S T R A C T Paired initiation of stamens and carpels on the apical meristem and bilateral symmetry of the flower are shown to prevail in Saururus cernuus. The carpels are initiated in two successive pairs of two members each, in a decussate arrangement. The floral apex shows plastochronic expansion in area between initiation of the last stamens and the first carpels, and also a less marked expansion between the two pairs of carpels. Vascularization appears to be whorled, with all carpels being supplied at once and at the same level. The vasculature of the flower is basically four-stranded, such that each strand supplies a carpel and one, two, or three stamens. Carpels of a flower become unequal in size and level of attachment through post-initiatory changes; these changes obscure the paired, decussate sequence of initiation. Phylogenetic conclusions about Saururus based on its supposedly spiral initiation of parts are in need of reexamination; Saururus exhibits a highly specialized pattem of paired organ initiation which is bilaterally organized, rather than radial and helical as in most primitive angiosperms. Vasculature of the flower involves divergence of appendage traces at approximately the same time for all stamens, and simultaneously for all carpels, contrary to previous reports that divergence is helical or spiral in succession. All carpel bundles diverge from sympodia which supply at least one stamen, also contrary to previous descriptions. FLORAL ONTOGENY of a member of the Saurura
The nucleation of dislocation loops from vacancies

The nucleation of various aggregates of vacancies is considered. It is concluded that there is not sufficient supersaturation of vacancies during crystal growth from the melt to nucleate dislocatio...
Through the patient's eyes: the value of a comprehensive brain tumor center.

Since the founding of the Tumor Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 1984 much in neurosurgical oncology has changed. More than 40,000 papers have been published on glioma since the arrival of the AANS/CNS Tumor Section. Increasingly, research is focusing on more patient-centered care and quality of life. Preliminary work suggests that a greater emphasis on the patient and caregiver’s experience of disease is crucial. Also, the provision of hope and appropriate information and communication with health care providers helps to lessen anxiety and promote improved quality of life. Lastly, our patients need a mechanism for continued symptom control and psychosocial support throughout their experience of this disease. An excellent venue for providing these facets of neurooncological patient care is the multidisciplinary brain tumor board and symptom management team. Herein, we present the philosophy and practice of the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at the Henry Ford Health System as one type of approach to caring for the patient with a malignant glioma. The authors are aware of several brain tumor centers that share our philosophy and approach to patient care. Our comments are not meant to be exclusive to our experience and should be interpreted as representative of the growing movement in neurosurgery to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary, patient-centered care.
Ultrastructure of the Giant Amoeba Pelomyxa palustris

SYNOPSIS. The ultrastructure of the herbivorous amoeba Pelomyxapalustris was studied. Nuclear division is not understood in this amoeba, and evidence for the method of nuclear division was sought. This species typically has many spheroidal nuclei which are similar within a given cell. However, some amoebae from our collections differed from this common type in both the number and structure of their nuclei. This suggested stages associated with nuclear division. One current hypothesis of nuclear division in this organism is that of nuclear budding. Our evidence is more in accord with this method than with mitosis. The cytoplasm contained no mitochondria, Golgi bodies, contractile vacuoles or crystals. Most amoebae had 2 types of bacteria (bacteroids or endosymbionts) in their cytoplasm; a separate vesicle enclosed each of these. Characteristically, only 1 type of bacterium (Bn) surrounded the nucleus. Another type (B) was found elsewhere in the cytoplasm. Also in the cytoplasm were the following: food vacuoles enclosing various algae, relatively clear vacuoles and vesicles, glycogen, various electron-opaque particles, and occasional microtubules. The plasmalemma was smooth, lacking the external fringe which characterizes other large fresh-water amoebae.
Some similar effects after large doses of catecholamines and myocardial infarction in dogs.

Abstract In dogs, both myocardial infarction and administration of large doses of catecholamines produce sustained ventricular hypersensitivity, as indicated by exaggerated ectopic responses to administration of small doses of norepinephrine. This hypersensitivity is associated with myocardial fatty changes. The triglyceride content of the heart is elevated the day after an infusion of a large amount of norepinephrine. Both myocardial infarction and administration of large doses of catecholamines cause marked elevations in serum glutamic oxalacetic and glutamic pyruvic transaminases, lactic dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. The adrenergic blocking agent, phenoxybenzamine, prevents the triglyceride deposition in the heart, the prolonged ventricular hypersensitivity and the elevations in serum transaminases and lactic dehydrogenase after large doses of catecholamines; it does not prevent these changes, however, after coronary occlusion.
Proofs from Tests

We present an algorithm DASH to check if a program P satisfies a safety property φ. The unique feature of this algorithm is that it uses only test generation operations, and it refines and maintains a sound program abstraction as a consequence of failed test generation operations. Thus, each iteration of the algorithm is inexpensive, and can be implemented without any global may-alias information. In particular, we introduce a new refinement operator WPα that uses only the alias information obtained by symbolically executing a test to refine abstractions in a sound manner. We present a full exposition of the DASH algorithm and its theoretical properties. We have implemented DASH in a tool called YOGI that plugs into Microsoft's Static Driver Verifier framework. We have used this framework to run YOGI on 69 Windows Vista drivers with 85 properties and find that YOGI scales much better than SLAM, the current engine driving Microsoft's Static Driver Verifier.
Involvement of cortical and thalamic auditory regions in retention of differential bradycardiac conditioning to acoustic conditioned stimuli in rabbits

Abstract Our previous findings indicate that lesions in the medial division of the medial geniculate nucleus (mMGN) prevent the acquisition of differential conditioning of bradycardia to acoustic stimuli in rabbits. In the present experiment, the effect of lesions in mMGN on retention of differential bradycardiac conditioning was examined. In addition, the possible involvement of auditory cortex in differential conditioning was investigated. Electrodes were chronically implanted in mMGN, the ventral division of the medial geniculate nucleus (vMGN), or auditory cortex. After 7 days of recovery, animals received one differential Pavlovian conditioning session. At the end of the session, lesions were produced through the implanted electrodes. All animals demonstrated differential bradycardiac conditioning during the prelesion session. Animals with vMGN lesions also demonstrated differential conditioning during the postlesion session. However, mMGN and auditory cortex lesion animals failed to demonstrate differential conditioning during the postlesion session due to an increased response magnitude to the unpaired tone (CS−). These data support the hypothesis that mMGN plays a role in differential conditioning of bradycardia to tonal stimuli. In addition, these findings suggest that a possible corticothalamic pathway may be involved in the inhibition of the response to the CS−.
Multi-linear stress–strain and closed-form moment curvature response of epoxy resin materials

Abstract A simplified multi-linear stress–strain approach has been used to obtain the closed form nonlinear moment curvature response for epoxy resin materials. The model consists of constant plastic flow in tension and compression. The multi-linear stress–strain model is described by two main parameters in addition to four non-dimensional tensile and six non-dimensional compressive parameters. The main parameters are modulus of elasticity in tension and strain at the proportional elastic limit point in tension. The ten non-dimensional parameters are strain at the ultimate tensile stress, maximum strain, post elastic proportionality stiffness, and post peak strength in the tension model and strain at the proportionality elastic limit, strain at yield strength point, maximum strain, initial elastic stiffness, post elastic proportionality stiffness, and post peak strength in the compression model. Explicit expressions are derived for the stress–strain behavior of the epoxy resins. Closed form equations for moment curvature relationship are presented. The results of tension, compression, and bending tests using digital image correlation technique are presented. Load deflection response of flexural three point bending (3PB) samples could be predicted using the moment curvature equations, crack localization rules, and fundamental static equations. The simulations and experiments reveal that the direct use of uniaxial tensile and compressive stress–strain curves underestimates the flexural response. This model gives an upper bound estimate for flexural over-strength factor.
Compositional modeling: finding the right model for the job

Abstract To represent an engineer's knowledge will require domain theories that are orders of magnitude larger than today's theories, describe phenomena at several levels of granularity, and incorporate multiple perspectives. To build and use such theories effectively requires strategies for organizing domain models and techniques for determining which subset of knowledge to apply for a given task. This paper describes compositional modeling , a technique that addresses these issues. Compositional modeling uses explicit modeling assumptions to decompose domain knowledge into semi-independent model fragments, each describing various aspects of objects and physical processes. We describe an implemented algorithm for model composition . That is, given a general domain theory, a structural description of a specific system, and a query about the system's behavior, the algorithm composes a model which suffices to answer the query while minimizing extraneous detail. We illustrate the utility of compositional modeling by outlining the organization of a large-scale, multi-grain, multi-perspective model we have built for engineering thermodynamics, and showing how the model composition algorithm can be used to automatically select the appropriate knowledge to answer questions in a tutorial setting.
Aggregation and Two Moral Methods

I begin by reconsidering the arguments of John Taurek and Elizabeth Anscombe on whether the number of people we can help counts morally. I then consider arguments that numbers should count given by F. M. Kamm and Thomas Scanlon, and criticism of them by Michael Otsuka. I examine how different conceptions of the moral method known as pairwise comparison are at work in these different arguments and what the ideas of balancing and tie-breaking signify for decision-making in various types of cases. I conclude by considering how another moral method that I call virtual divisibility functions and what it helps reveal about an argument by Otsuka against those who do not think numbers count.
Backscattering for circular polarisation

Equations are given that express scattering for transmitting and receiving circularly polarised waves in terms of the characteristics for linear polarisation. Special cases are discussed, for which it is possible to estimate the radar cross-section for one polarisation based on data for other polarisations. Knowledge of polarisation characteristics is sometimes helpful for acquiring insight into the scattering mechanisms of complex surfaces.