cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does Abciximab Promote Coronary Artery Remodeling in Patients With Kawasaki Disease

Standard therapy, consisting of intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin, reduces, but does not eliminate, coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) in patients with Kawasaki disease. Large CAAs can persist or undergo varying degrees of regression. The treatment of large CAAs using abciximab has been associated with short-term regression; however, longer term data are unavailable. We sought to obtain longer term follow-up data regarding the changes in the diameters of large CAAs in patients receiving both abciximab and standard therapy and to compare these changes to those of a similar group receiving standard therapy alone. All patients with Kawasaki disease and large CAAs (diameter >5 mm or Z score >10) treated from 1986 to 2007 were identified and divided into 2 groups. The abciximab group received abciximab plus standard therapy and the no-abciximab group received standard therapy alone. The maximum diameters of the proximal right and left anterior descending CAAs were obtained from echocardiograms. The Z scores were calculated for 3 points: the acute/subacute phase (
Underpotential deposition of copper and silver on single crystal surfaces of rhodium

A brief review of the field of underpotential deposition (UPD) processes in the theory/modeling perspective is given, and new insights into the UPD of copper and silver on Rh(1 1 1) and Rh(1 0 0) in perchloric and sulfuric acid media are reported. Voltammetric results show a clear dependence of the UPD shift on Rh substrate geometry and on the type of the electrolyte used. For copper, we identified one peak on Rh(1 0 0) and two peaks on Rh(1 1 1), separated by 210 and 350 mV in perchloric and sulfuric electrolytes, respectively. Preliminary XPS experiments were performed to investigate some specific aspects of copper deposition processes. Overall, we report a strong effect of the anion adsorption on positions of Cu UPD peaks, with the effect being more noticeable on Rh(1 1 1) than on Rh(1 0 0). In the experiments with silver on Rh(1 1 1), multiple peaks were obtained, whereas no Ag UPD peak was found either on Rh(1 0 0) or on polycrystalline Rh. In addition, we found that the Ag UPD process on Rh(1 1 1) is dependent on silver concentration. As indicated in the paper Tables, except for Cu UPD on Rh(1 0 0), there is a major deviation from the linear relationship between the UPD shift and the difference between the work function of the substrate and that for the underpotentially deposited adatoms.
Condensation Effects in a Fibrous Insulation Slab

Etude detaillee de l'interaction entre la vitesse de condensation, la temperature, le contenu de liquide et les champs de densite de vapeur
Rates of Harvest and Compliance with Regulations in Natural Populations of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.)

ABSTRACT: Thirty natural populations of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) were censused twice annually for five to 11 years to monitor the rate, frequency, and intensity of root harvest. Over this period, 43% of populations were harvested and ca.10% of plants was removed by harvesters. On an annual basis, 15% of populations were harvested and 1.3% of individuals were confirmed harvested. Both rates are likely underestimates of actual rates since we used conservative criteria to recognize harvest. Nearly half of the harvested populations were harvested more than once. Harvesters removed a small proportion of plants from populations; however, they frequently took non-reproductive and small plants, making the effect of harvest more destructive. In addition, violations of regulations regarding season, location, and plant size were common (20%, 65%, and 82% of events, respectively). Only 6% of harvest events were legal and 1.4% of plants were legally harvested in all three respects at the study sites. ...
On displacement methods in planar anisotropic elasticity

Abstract Two displacement formulation methods are presented for problems of planar anisotropic elasticity. The first displacement method is based on solving the two governing partial differential equations simultaneously/ This method is a recapitulation of the orignal work of Eshelby, Read and Shockley [7] on generalized plane deformations of anisotropic elastic materials in the context of planar anisotropic elasticity. The second displacement method is based on solving the two governing equations separately. This formulation introduces a displacement function, which satisfies a fourth-order partial differential equation that is identical in the form to the one given by Lekhnitskii [6] for monoclinic materials using a stress function. Moreover, this method parallels the traditional Airy stress function method and thus the Lekhnitskii method for pure plane problems. Both the new approach and the Airy stress function method start with the equilibrium equations and use the same extended version of Green's theorem (Chou and Pagano [13], p. 114; Gao [11]) to derive the expressions for stress or displacement components in terms of a potential (stress or displacement) function (see also Gao [10, 11]). It is therefore anticipated that the displacement function involved in this new method could also be evaluated from measured data, as was done by Lin and Rowlands [17] to determine the Airy stress function experimentally. The two different displacement methods lead to two general solutions for problems of planar anisotropic elasticity. Although the two solutions differ in expressions, both of the depend on the complex roots of the same characteristic equation. Furthermore, this characteristic equation is identical to that obtained by Lekhnitskii [6] using a stress formulation. It is therefore concluded that the two displacement methods and Lekhnitskii's stress method are all equivalent for problems of planar anisotropic elasticity (see Gao and Rowlands [8] for detailed discussions).
O 2 binding properties of the product of the central exon of β -globin gene

The hypothesis that the exons of eukaryotic structural genes code for functional domains and that the partitioned arrangement of coding information may thus serve to mediate the rapid evolution of new and unique proteins from pre-existing exons1–3 is also supported by our recent studies which demonstrate that the product of the central exon of the human β-globin gene is a complete functional domain capable of binding haem tightly and specifically4,5. Moreover, an analysis of the structure/function changes induced by mutations in different parts of the haemoglobin molecule suggests that each of the three exon-encoded segments is primarily associated with different functions of haemoglobin (for example, haem-binding, haem–haem interaction)6. We have now extended our studies to determine whether the central fragment is sufficient for maintenance of a stable complex of ferrous haem with molecular oxygen and, if not, what are the minimal requirements for the expression of this activity. The results of our reconstitution experiments indicate that the isolated central exon peptide is unable to maintain a ferrous haem–dioxygen complex unless the side exon products and the complementary haem-containing subunit are present. A conformational change which accompanies the noncovalent association of fragments may account for the restoration of reversible oxygen binding.
Lactose Intolerance in Pregnant African-American Women

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To state the prevalence and effects of lactose intolerance in pregnant African-American women Objective: To determine the prevalence of lactose intolerance in pregnant African-American women, any change in tolerance that may occur and reported symptoms after consuming 240 ml of 1% milk. Design: This longitudinal study compared lactose status: 1) prior to 16 weeks gestation, 2) between the 30th and 35th week and 3) at 8 weeks post-partum. Similar non-pregnant control women were independently studied at one point. Subjects: 148 pregnant and 101 non-pregnant African-American women were randomly selected from 4 clinics. Subjects were free of metabolic disease, intestinal disease, eligible for the WIC program and free of obstetric complications. Control women met all study criteria. Main outcome measures: Breath hydrogen was collected hourly for 8 hours following ingestion of 240 ml of 1% milk. A breath hydrogen rise of > 20 ppm indicated lactose intolerance. Symptoms of flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating were continuously monitored and reported during the 8 hours. Statistical analysis: Results were analyzed using two-tailed t tests and x 2 test. Results: Prevalence of lactose intolerance was 80.2% in the control women, 66.4% in early pregnancy, 68.8% during late pregnancy and 75.3% at post-partum. There was no statistically significant change in lactose digestion during pregnancy. Control women reported significantly more symptoms than the pregnant women. An increase in intestinal transit time was evidenced by breath hydrogen peak at 5 hours during early and late pregnancy and at 4 hours post-partum and for controls. Conclusions: Prevalence of lactose intolerance in pregnant African-American women is similar to non-pregnant African-American women. There appears to be no physiologic adaptation to lactose during pregnancy; as previously reported in the literature. Symptoms caused by milk may be lessened during pregnancy due to increased intestinal transit time. Pregnant African-American women need nutrition counseling which considers this information and informs their decision regarding milk or alternative sources of protein and calcium.
A Quantitative Approach to the Study of Railroads in American Economic Growth: A Report of Some Preliminary Findings

Leland Jenks's article describing the pervasive impact of the railroad on the American economy first as an idea, then as a construction enterprise, and finally as a purveyor of cheap transportation, has become a classic of economic history. The particular contribution of the Jenks article was not the novelty of its viewpoint, but the neat way in which it summarized the conclusions both of those who lived during the “railroad revolution” and those who later analyzed it through the lens of elapsed time. Out of this summary the railroad emerges as the most important innovation of the last two thirds of the nineteenth century. It appears as the sine qua non of American economic growth, the prime force behind the westward movement of agriculture, the rise of the corporation, the rapid growth of modern manufacturing industry, the regional location of industry, the pattern of urbanization, and die structure of interregional trade.
Hypothalamic control of gonadotropin release in amphibia: evidence from studies of gonadotropin release in vitro and in vivo.

Homogenates of frog (Rana pipiens) hypothalami stimulated in vitro release of bioassayable LH-like gonadotropin from frog hemipituitaries. In the first of two experiments gonadotropin release was significantly increased 3.7 times by 3.6 hypothalami/ml. In the second experiment 3.6 hypothalami/ml doubled the rate of gonadotropin release, but this increase was not statistically significant. A homogenate of frog neural and intermediate lobes did not increase the rate of gonadotropin release. Frog hypothalamic extract alone had no effect in the bioassay. Synthetic GnRH (Abbott), tested in vitro at 10 and 100 ng/ml each in two experiments, increased the release of gonadotropin between 2.6 and 10 times. Synthetic TRH did not stimulate in vitro release of gonadotropin. One microgram of GnRH injected into the dorsal lymph sac of PMS-pretreated Xenopus laevis caused ovulation in two out of four toads, while 1 μg of GnRH injected three times daily for 4 days into Xenopus with initially regressed ovaries had initiated vitellogenesis in one of two toads when the ovaries were examined after 8 days. In the absence of Ca2+ in the incubation medium, no stimulatory action of hypothalamic extract or GnRH on gonadotropin release was observed, and in this respect the action of releasing factors on frog gonadotropin release is similar to that on LH release in mammals. High potassium ion levels (5 times normal) stimulated in vitro release of gonadotropin 5.8 times over controls, another observation similar to experimence with mammals. It is concluded that the frog hypothalamus contains a factor capable of causing in vitro release of LH-like gonadotropin from the frog pituitary and that this factor may be similar in nature and mechanism of action to mammalian GnRH, which in frogs is active in vivo and in vitro.
The Molecular and Mathematical Basis of Waddington's Epigenetic Landscape: A Framework for post-Darwinian Biology?

The Neo-Darwinian concept of natural selection is plausible when one assumes a straightforward causation of phenotype by genotype. However, such simple 1:1 mapping must now give place to the modern concepts of gene regulatory networks and gene expression noise. Both can, in the absence of genetic mutations, jointly generate a diversity of inheritable randomly occupied phenotypic states that could also serve as a substrate for natural selection. This form of epigenetic dynamics challenges Neo-Darwinism. It needs to incorporate the non-linear, stochastic dynamics of gene networks. A first step is to consider the mathematical correspondence between gene regulatory networks and Waddington's metaphoric 'epigenetic landscape', which actually represents the quasi-potential function of global network dynamics. It explains the coexistence of multiple stable phenotypes within one genotype. The landscape's topography with its attractors is shaped by evolution through mutational re-wiring of regulatory interactions - offering a link between genetic mutation and sudden, broad evolutionary changes.
Age-related changes in growth hormone in non-diabetic women.

: In non-obese women with unimpaired glucose tolerance (1,185 oral glucose tolerance tests) the serum level of growth hormone (GH) in the fifth and sixth age decades was below that in the third and fourth decades. Although obesity was associated with serum GH levels below those characteristic of non-obese women, there was no evidence of a further age-related decrease of the type observed in the non-obese subjects. The lower serum GH level in women of the later age decades may well be related to the menopause with its decrease in the serum level of estrogen. Since there is no further age-related decline in GH in obesity, it would appear that in obese premenopausal females, estrogen does not exert its usual GH-enhancing effects.
Epitaxial growth of metals by sputter deposition

Abstract Results are presented detailing the crystallographic quality of a number of metal films deposited by epitaxial sputter deposition. Such films have single-orientation f.c.c., h.c.p., b.c.c. and hybrid crystals structures, and include the elements Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Rh, Ru, Pd and V. The crystal structure was characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis.
Salmonella flagellin, a microbial target of the innate and adaptive immune system

Bacterial flagellins are important components of the motility apparatus used by many microbial pathogens. These proteins are also targets of the innate and adaptive immune response of the host during infection and autoimmune disease. Flagellin interacts with TLR-5 and leads to the generation of a pro-inflammatory response and activation of host dendritic cells in vivo. Furthermore, flagellin is recognized by antibody and CD4 T cells responses during Salmonella infection. Here, we review recent developments in the understanding of flagellin interactions with the host immune system.
Social psychology as a natural kind

Although typically defined as the study of how people and groups interact, the field of social psychology comprises several disparate domains that make only indirect contributions to understanding interpersonal interaction, such as emotion, attitudes and the self. Although these various phenomena seem to have little in common, recent evidence indicates that the topics at the core of social psychology form a natural group of domains with a common functional neuroanatomy, centered on the medial prefrontal cortex. That self-referential, attitudinal, affective and other social phenomena converge on this region might reflect their shared reliance on inexact and internally generated estimates that differ from the more precise representations underlying other psychological phenomena.
A cure analysis for axisymmetric composites

Abstract An analysis based on the finite element technique was developed to simulate the curing process of axisymmetric composites. The analysis relates the cure temperature, applied at the boundaries of the composite case, to the thermal, chemical and physical processes occurring in the composite during cure. Included in the analysis are the effects of material anisotropy due to fibre orientation and heat generation due to exothermic chemical reactions. For a specified cure cycle, the model can be used to calculate the temperature distribution, the degree of cure of the resin and the resin viscosity inside the composite case. A computer code based on the finite element code was developed to obtain numerical solutions of the thermochemical cure model. Cure simulations of a 146 mm (5.75 in) diameter graphite/epoxy test bottle were performed using the model. Results of the simulations were compared with temperature data measured during cure. Agreement between the results of the model and data was excellent.
Reaction of carotenoids and ferric chloride: Equilibria, isomerization, and products

In the oxidation of carotenoids, ethyl all-trans-8‘-apo-β-caroten-8‘-oate and all-trans-β-carotene, with ferric chloride, several equilibria occur between Fe3+, Fe2+, Cl-, the neutral carotenoid, and its radical cation and dication. The radical cation and dication were found to abstract an electron from Fe2+. Isomerization of carotenoids occurs during the oxidation. In the presence of air, a stable product is formed in high yield during the oxidation. 1H NMR, LC-MS, and optical studies show that this product is the 5,8-peroxide of the starting material. A mechanism for the formation of this compound is proposed.
k-furcus semigroups

A bifurcus semigroup is a semigroup in which every nonunit nonatom can be written as the product of exactly two atoms. We generalize this notion to k-furcus semigroups: every element that can be factored as the product of at least k nonunits can be factored as the product of exactly k atoms. We compute some factorization-theoretic invariants of k-furcus semigroups that generalize the bifurcus results. We then define two variations on the k-furcus property, one stronger (presumabaly strictly) and the other strictly weaker than the k-furcus property.
A multilevel intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening among community health center patients: results of a pilot study

Colorectal cancer screening rates are low among poor and disadvantaged patients. Patient navigation has been shown to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates, but few studies have looked at the potential of patient navigation to increase colorectal cancer screening rates. The objective was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a patient navigator-based intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in community health centers. Patients at the intervention health center who had not been screened for colorectal cancer and were designated as "appropriate for outreach" by their primary care providers received a letter from their provider about the need to be screened and a brochure about colorectal cancer screening. Patient navigators then called patients to discuss screening and to assist patients in obtaining screening. Patients at a demographically similar control health center received usual care. Thirty-one percent of intervention patients were screened at six months, versus nine percent of control patients (p < .001). A patient navigator-based intervention, in combination with a letter from the patient's primary care provider, was associated with an increased rate of colorectal cancer screening at one health center as compared to a demographically similar control health center. Our study adds to an emerging literature supporting the use of patient navigators to increase colorectal cancer screening in diverse populations served by urban health centers.
Communication Assessment of the Most Frequented Breast Cancer Websites: Evaluation of Design and Theoretical Criteria.

The internet is a prominent source of health information for the public. This research evaluated both basic use and design tenets and the presence of theoretical components to motivate healthy breast cancer behavior for users of the most frequented breast cancer websites. Methodology: Each website was evaluated with 2 sets of questions. The first attends to the basic use and design tenets of the website. The second coding form assessed the websites use of 3 behavior change theories. Results: The majority of the websites fared well with regards to their use of basic tenet and design principles. Theoretical components were used sparingly on the majority of websites. Discussion: The most frequented breast cancer websites are currently well equipped with basic use and design tenets. However, their lack of behavioral change components is likely to impede users’ motivations to protect themselves against breast cancer.
Univariate Ostrowski Inequalities, Revisited

New very general univariate Ostrowski-type inequalities are established, involving the \(\) and \(\), \(\), norms of the engaged nth order derivative, \(\). In establishing them, several important new univariate identities of Montgomery type are developed and presented for the first time.
Reduced anesthetic requirements in aged rats: Association with altered brain synaptic plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase pump and phospholipid methyltransferase I activities

Abstract Aging is associated with a decrease in anesthetic requirements. Animal models of aging manifest alteration of brain Ca2+ homeostasis and increased methyltransferase I (PLMTI) activity. In this study we evaluated concurrently anesthetic requirements and brain plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) and PLMTI activities in young and aged rats. Halothane, desflurane, isoflurane and xenon MEDs (lowest partial pressures that suppress a pain response) were measured in 2 and 25 month old, male Fisher-344 rats. Halothane MED was also measured in 2 and 30 month old F344 BNF1 rats, a strain that undergoes aging with less debilitation. PMCA pumping and PLMTI activities were measured in synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) prepared from the cortex and diencephalon-mesencephalon (DM). For aged Fisher-344 rats, MEDs for halothane, desflurane, isoflurane and xenon were reduced to 81%, 82%, 67% and 86%, respectively, of young controls; PMCA activity was diminished to 91% in cortical SPM and 82% in DM SPM; and cortical and DM PLMTI activities were increased to 131% and 114% of young control. For F344 BNF1 rats, MED for halothane was reduced to 87%, PMCA activity was diminished to 90% in cortical SPM and 72% DM SPM, and PLMTI activity was increased to 133% in cortical SPM and 112%in DM SPM. The strong association between age and reduced anesthetic requirements for inhalational agents on the one hand and altered PMCA and PLMTI activity on the other lends support to the underlying hypothesis that PMCA and PLMTI may be involved in the production of the anesthetic state.
Subdivision Schemes and Refinement Equations with Nonnegative Masks

We consider the two-scale refinement equation f(x)=@?^N"n"="0c"nf(2x-n) with @?"nc"2"n=@?"nc"2"n"+"1=1 where c"0, c"N 0 and the corresponding subdivision scheme. We study the convergence of the subdivision scheme and the cascade algorithm when all c"n>=0. It has long been conjectured that under such an assumption the subdivision algorithm converge, and the cascade algorithm converge uniformly to a continuous function, if and only if only if 00} is 1. We prove the conjecture for a large class of refinement equations.
Risk Factors Affecting Dental Implant Survival

Abstract Given the predictability of dental implant success, the attention of the scientific community is moving from descriptions of implant success toward a more detailed analysis of factors associated with implant failure. The purposes of this study were (1) to estimate the 1- and 5-year survival of Bicon® dental implants and (2) to identify risk factors associated with implant failure in an objective, statistically valid manner. To address the research purposes, we used a retrospective cohort study design and a study sample composed of patients who had one or more implants placed. The predictor variables were grouped into the following categories: demographic, health status, anatomic, implant fixture-specific, prosthetic, perioperative, and ancillary variables. The major outcome variable of interest was implant failure defined as implant removal. Overall implant survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier analysis. Risk factors for implant failure were identified using the Cox proportional hazard re...
Responses to infant-directed singing in infants of mothers with depressive symptoms

Abstract This study explored responses to infant-directed (ID) singing in infants of mothers with and without depressive symptoms under two conditions: mother sings to infant, and stranger sings to infant. Sixteen, 3–9-month-old infants of mothers with depression were matched by age and gender to sixteen infants of mothers without depression. Infant gaze responses toward each singer were coded from video and ranged from most negative to most positive, in the order of roaming, averted, neutral, intermittent and sustained. Mothers’ depression status had no effect on infant gaze response toward ID singing from mother or stranger. During ID singing from mother, infants displayed high levels of either neutral or sustained gaze. In response to ID singing from strangers, infants demonstrated sustained gazes more than any other gaze type. Infants also showed significantly more roaming and neutral gaze toward mother than stranger, and used significantly more averted and sustained gaze with stranger than mother. Findings indicate that infants of depressed mothers did not display a depressed interaction style with their mother or with a stranger during ID singing. Additionally, infants in both groups appeared capable of discriminating their mother from a stranger. ID singing appears to enhance face-to-face interaction such that infants can experience self-regulation, even when mothers have depression. Findings support the idea of combining ID singing and interaction coaching as a therapeutic intervention for mothers with depression and their infants.
Global surgery opportunities for United States surgical residents: a plea for centralization

Global surgery opportunities for United States surgical residents: a plea for centralization Mary M Knudson, MD, FACS, Margaret Tarpley, MLS, Catherine J Juillard, MD, MPH, Patricia J Numann, MD, FACS Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN and the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY and San Francisco General Hospital and University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Size and charge of soot particles in rich premixed ethylene flames

Abstract A nano differential mobility analyzer (DMA) is used to measure both the size and electrical charge distributions of soot particles generated during rich premixed combustion. The size distributions are bimodal. One mode peaks at diameters below the 3 nm lower limit of the nano DMA and falls off nearly exponentially with increasing particle diameter. The intensity of this mode persists with increasing height above the burner suggesting that it represents the continued formation of new particles. The second mode is lognormal in shape. Its intensity decreases and the mean diameter increases with increasing height above the burner due to coagulation and surface growth as the particles rise in the flame. The DMA measurements show that a substantial fraction of the soot particles are electrically charged in the flame, predominantly with a single charge per particle and with essentially equal numbers of positive and negative particles. These charged particles belong solely to the upper mode, whereas the lower mode remains charge neutral, suggesting that ions do not act as soot nuclei. Following soot inception, the fraction of charged particles quickly increases with height above the burner and stabilizes at ∼30% of the upper mode for each polarity.
Stercoraceous ulcerations and perforations of the colon: report of cases and survey of the literature.

The cases of two patients who had stercoraceous perforations of the colon are reported and the literature is reviewed. The disease is not as rare as was commonly thought. Diagnosis of the condition is made during operation or at autopsy. These patients are often seriously ill, and the mortality rate is relatively high. Awareness of the existence of the disease is essential for making a proper diagnosis.
Transaction costs, behavior modes, and Chinese reform

In the new institutional economics of Commons,‘3’ Coase,‘2) and Williamson,c2) transaction costs and behavior modes have been used to explain the emergence and development of firms and other institutions in a capitalist economy. This paper extends their work and applies these two tenets to shed light on the recent socialist reform in China. A simple framework is developed to bind behavioral modes to transaction costs. Coupled with a utility function to represent the interests of the authority in a socialist regime, the framework is used to derive an explanation of the causes and directions of institutional change in a socialist economy. The key insight of the new institutional economics is its recognition of the vital role of transaction costs in determining the emergence of new institutions. Under division of labor, each utility seeking individual with given endowments of resources or products, tries to improve his utility by locating the best transaction opportunity. He is confronted with a trade-off between the potential gains from a more advantageous bargain and the transaction costs to consummate itj9’ He stands ready to use a new institution if it tips the balance in his favor. In response to this demand springs the supply of new institutions which can lower transaction costs. In contrast, productive and allocative efficiencies are largely derived properties characterizing a configuration of existing institutions. The contribution of Coase and Williamson is their demonstration that institutions in capitalist economies -such as firms and contracts-largely
Uniform 20x20 bottom-emitting 850nm VCSEL arrays

Uniform bottom-emitting 20×20 Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) arrays bonded to sapphire have been realized. The average external quantum efficiency ηex is 42.2% with the standard deviation 2.6% and average threshold current Ith is 491µA with the standard deviation 116 µA.
The oral tradition: reflections in the Spoken Word

The telling of stories provides rich information about organizations, groups, and cultures as well as about the teller of the tale. Although written traditions tend to fossilize stories and legends, the oral tradition keeps these tales vital and relevant. A method for the analysis of this fantasy material is presented, and several examples relating to the organizational context are discussed. Martins, Feldman, Hatch, and Sitkin's (1983) organizational stories from their Administrative Science Quarterly article are reanalyzed via this new technique, and several versions of the Lewin story concerning the origin of T Groups are compared. Suggestions are made concerning intervention in organizations at the levels of myth, legend, and story.
Laterally converging flow. Part 2. Temporal wall shear stress

Instantaneous measurements of the wall shear stress were made in the laterally converging duct also used for mean measurements in part 1 and were analysed by conditional sampling and by conditional averaging. The sidewalls of the duct were adjusted to provide (i) a straight duct of constant rectangular cross-section and (ii) laterally (spanwise) converging ducts resulting in streamwise acceleration of the flow. The Reynolds number varied from 7600 to 47 200 and the dimensionless acceleration parameter Kv = (ν/V2)dV/dx ranged from 0 to 3·4 × 10−6, yielding a variation of the flow regime from fully turbulent to nearly laminar. The typical burst pattern, or conditionally averaged time history of the wall shear stress, resembled the time history of the streamwise velocity component deduced at y+ = 15 by Blackwelder and Kaplan using the same general technique. For fully developed flows, inner or wall scaling of the bursting frequency was found to be less dependent upon Reynolds number than outer scaling; other characteristics examined varied with both inner and outer scaling. For converging flows measurements of bursting characteristics essentially confirmed the indicated flow regimes deduced in part 1 and showed that the measured characteristic that was most affected by acceleration was the bursting frequency. All characteristics varied with acceleration, but the variation was generally less when normalized by wall variables rather than when normalized by outer variables.
Multiple endotherm melting behavior in relation to polymer morphology

The two endotherms found during DSC analysis of annealed or drawn poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, are discussed in greater. detail. Earlier workers proposed that the endotherms were the result of separate morphologies, i.e., extended-chain and folded-chain crystals, but more recently Roberts and others have presented data on the effect of DSC heating rate on annealed PET endotherm areas which indicate that the higher temperature endotherm is the result of recrystallization in the DSC. The present work explains the reasons for recrystallization, and presents data showing that samples cooled at various rates from the melt also exhibit recrystallization in the DSC, in much the same manner as samples annealed for different lengths of time. Further, by prolonged annealing before analysis, part of the recrystallization exotherm can be observed in the DSC scan. Drawn nylon 66 also exhibits recrystallization in the DSC, in a manner similar to annealed or slowly crystallized PET. The amount of material that recrystallizes is determined by the time and supercooling available between first melting and the ultimate recrystallization temperature, i.e., a temperature at which there is too little time and temperature driving force for further recrystallization to occur. Infrared absorption data show an increase in “regular” fold content during prolonged annealing of PET, while dynamic mechanical data show a marked decrease in a dispersion that is likely associated with the looser fold crystal morphologies. Annealed PET does superheat in the DSC, leaving unanswered the question as to whether any partially extended material is present along with the regular-fold material. For cold-drawn PET, the infrared data indicate disappearance of regular folds and the dynamic mechanical data indicate disappearance of the looser folds. Cold-drawn PET also superheats. These data indicate a likelihood of at least partially extended morphologies in cold-drawn PET; these observations do not apply to PET drawn at high temperatures or to polyethylene.
Thin gate oxide damage due to plasma processing

Plasma processes cause current to flow through the thin oxide and the resultant plasma-induced damage can be simulated and modelled as damage produced by constant-current (or voltage) electrical stress. Plasma processing causes MOSFET parameter degradation, from which one can deduce the plasma charging current. Since the scattering of post-damage device parameters is due to a reproducible variation of stress current across the wafer, one can easily analyse the effect of device geometry on damage by comparing test structures in the same die rather than the averages over a wafer. We have developed a quantitative model for thin oxide plasma charging damage by examining the oxide thickness dependence of the charging current. The model successfully predicts the oxide thickness dependence of plasma charging. It is shown that plasma acting on a very thin oxide during processing may be modelled essentially as a current source. Thus the damage will not be greatly exacerbated as the oxide thickness is further reduced in the future. Although annealing in forming gas can passivate the traps generated during plasma etching, subsequent Fowler-Nordheim stressing causes more traps to be generated in these devices than in devices that have not been through plasma etching. The protection diode should be forward biased during processing to safely protect the gate oxide. In CMOS circuits, the drains of the driver circuit can generally act as adequate protection diodes for the oxide regardless of N or P substrate and the polarity of the plasma charging current. The plasma stress current can be reduced by reducing the ion density, which is unfortunately linked to the etch rate or directionality, or by reducing the electron temperature. Maintaining a very uniform plasma over the surface of the wafer, reducing the plasma charging current during the over-etch time and judicious use of protection diode and antenna design rules will reduce plasma damage to an acceptable level for ULSI production even for very thin gate oxides.
The role of parental immigration status in Latino families' child care selection

Abstract Prior studies that have investigated child care arrangements among Latino immigrant families have often overlooked the role of parental immigration status and neighborhood factors in shaping child care selection. Thus, this study considers the effects of parental immigration status and neighborhood contexts, on child care selection among Latino immigrant families using a sample of 862 young children (ages 0–5) from the 2001 Los Angeles Families and Neighborhood Survey. Results from a hierarchical multinomial regression model suggest that, irrespective of immigration status, children of Latina mothers were significantly less likely to use center-based care than parental care, but the relationship was stronger for the children of undocumented Latina mothers. The findings also indicate that children living in poor neighborhoods were less likely to use formal center-based care, all else equal.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Addition of Arylboronic Acids to in situ Generated N‐Boc Arylimines. Preparation of (S)‐tert‐Butyl (4‐Chlorophenyl)(Thiophen‐2‐Yl)Methylcarbamate

Tert-Butyl phenylsulfonyl(thiphen-2-yl)methylcarbamate Tert-Butyl carbamate 2-Thiophene carboxaldehdye Benzensulfinic acid sodium salt [RhCl(cod)]2 (R,R)-degusPHOS 4-Chlorophenylboronic acid Keywords: addition; arylboronic acids; rhodium catalyst; N-boc amines; cannulation; schlenk techniques; alpha-carbamoyl sulfones; waste disposal
Production of Glucaric Acid from a Synthetic Pathway in Recombinant Escherichia coli

A synthetic pathway has been constructed for the production of glucuronic and glucaric acids from glucose in Escherichia coli. Coexpression of the genes encoding myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (Ino1) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) from mice led to production of glucuronic acid through the intermediate myo-inositol. Glucuronic acid concentrations up to 0.3 g/liter were measured in the culture broth. The activity of MIOX was rate limiting, resulting in the accumulation of both myo-inositol and glucuronic acid as final products, in approximately equal concentrations. Inclusion of a third enzyme, uronate dehydrogenase (Udh) from Pseudomonas syringae, facilitated the conversion of glucuronic acid to glucaric acid. The activity of this recombinant enzyme was more than 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of Ino1 and MIOX and increased overall flux through the pathway such that glucaric acid concentrations in excess of 1 g/liter were observed. This represents a novel microbial system for the biological production of glucaric acid, a "top value-added chemical" from biomass.
Intelligent signal segment fault detection using fuzzy logic

In this paper, we describe a fuzzy logic system used in a signal diagnostic agent (SDA) for signal segment fault diagnosis. A SDA is trained to detection the fault of a signal. The SDA provides two levels of decisions, the signal segment level and signal level, using fuzzy logic. At the signal segment level, we developed a fuzzy learning algorithm that learns from good vehicle signals only. The fuzzy learning algorithm was implemented in the framework of a SDA, and the experiments using engine electronic control unit signals are presented and discussed in the paper.
Preparation and Characterization of Low Temperature Silicon Dioxide Thin Films Using Tetramethylsilane (TMS) for Microfabrication Applications

Low temperature silicon dioxide depositions have been carried out by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using TMS as the Si precursor at 100-200°C at the pressure of 2-8 Torr. An RF power of 40 W and a TMS:O2 gas flow rate ratio of 1:500 without inert gas dilution were used in the depositions. It was found that the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of as-deposited oxide films improved as the substrate temperature increased or deposition pressure decreased. Oxide films deposited at 2-3 Torr exhibited typical Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling characteristics and breakdown voltages greater than 8 MV/cm. The best capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics, giving a small flat band voltage shift, a small amount of positive oxide charge, a small hysteresis in bi-directional C-V sweep, and a low interface trap density, were obtained at 3 Torr. Post-deposition annealing in forming gas at the deposition temperature was performed and proved to be an effective approach for improving the electrical properties of the deposited oxide films without compromising the low temperature aspect of the process. By annealing at 200°C, the F-N tunneling barrier height increased by as much as 0.6 eV, the flat-band voltage and the hysteresis in C-V sweep were reduced by 0.74 V and 0.08 V, respectively. In addition, hydrogen was found to play a key role in the annealing treatment and its mechanisms were discussed.
Relation of ramet size to acorn production in five oak species of xeric upland habitats in south-central Florida

This study examined variation in two components of acorn production. Percentage of bearing ramets (stems) and number of acorns per bearing ramet were examined in five clonal oaks in three xeric habitats of south-central peninsular Florida in relation to ramet size within and between species and vegetative associations. Counts of acorns on two white oaks (Quercus chapmanii and Q. geminata) and three red oaks (Q. inopina, Q. laevis, and Q. myrtifolia) were conducted annually from 1969 to 1996 (except in 1991) on permanent grids in southern ridge sandhill, sand pine scrub, and scrubby flatwoods associations at the Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA. Percentage of bearing individuals and mean number of acorns per bearing individual increased with increasing ramet size for all species across all vegetation associations. However, in Q. geminata and Q. myrtifolia, acorn production declined in the largest size class (>3.2 m), implying that larger individuals of these clonal species may become senescent. All oak species in sand pine scrub, which had a nearly closed overstory, had lower frequencies of bearing oaks and mean numbers of acorns compared with similar-sized individuals of the same species in the more open-canopied southern ridge sandhill and scrubby flatwoods associations, suggesting light limitation. The annual production of acorns by a given oak species was correlated across vegetative associations and annual acorn production of oak species was correlated for species within the same section. Intermediate-size class oaks contributed the most acorns per unit area, suggesting that stands managed with short fire-return times will provide fewer acorns to wildlife than stands managed to produce more variable distributions of oak size classes. However, our study suggests that long-unburned stands, such as those studied here, will maintain relatively constant levels of acorn production as a consequence of ramet replacement within the clones of these shrubby oaks to create a variable distribution of size classes. Of the oak species studied, Q. myrtifolia had the highest acorn production and the smallest acorns, while Q. laevis had the lowest acorn production and the largest acorns, suggesting an allocation trade-off between acorn numbers and size.
Object-oriented database support for hierarchical performance modeling of real-time distributed software systems

A hierarchical modeling framework for designing a real-time parallel distributed software system is presented. The focus is on the integration of a variety of modeling techniques to represent different aspects of software performance. It provides a richer software development environment to support the designer to coping with the different modeling and analysis methods during different stages of the design and development process. The difference parameters and attributes of the various models extant are identified, the relationships between the models and their attributes are defined, and these relationships are used to build an object-oriented database system. This database is the core component of a complete computer-aided performance evaluation (CAPE) environment that supports the designer during the development process. >
Acute isovolemic anemia impairs central processing as determined by P300 latency.

Abstract Objective Acute anemia slows the responses to clinical tests of cognitive function. We tested the hypothesis that these slowed responses during acute severe isovolemic anemia in healthy unmedicated humans result from impaired central processing. Methods A blinded operator measured the latency of the P300 peak in nine healthy volunteers at each volunteer's baseline hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and again after isovolemic hemodilution to Hb 5g/dL. At both Hb concentrations, the P300 latency was measured twice: with the blinded subject breathing air or 100% oxygen, administered in random order. Results Anemia increased P300 latency significantly from baseline values ( P P =0.5) or oxygen ( P =0.8). Conclusions Impaired central processing is, at least in part, responsible for the slowed responses and deficits of cognitive function that occur during acute isovolemic anemia at Hb 5–6g/dL. Significance The P300 latency appears to be a potential measure of inadequate central oxygenation. In healthy young adults with acute anemia, erythrocytes should be transfused to produce Hb>5–6g/dL. As a temporizing measure, administration of oxygen can reverse the cognitive deficits and impaired central processing associated with acute anemia.
Production of eco-friendly bricks from copper mine tailings through geopolymerization

Abstract This paper studies the feasibility of utilizing copper mine tailings for production of eco-friendly bricks based on the geopolymerization technology. The procedure for producing the bricks simply includes mixing the tailings with an alkaline solution, forming the brick by compressing the mixture within a mold under a specified pressure, and curing the brick at a slightly elevated temperature. Unlike the conventional method for producing bricks, the new procedure neither uses clay and shale nor requires high temperature kiln firing, having significant environmental and ecological benefits. In this study, the effects of four major factors, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution concentration (10 and 15 M), water content (8–18%), forming pressure (0–35 MPa), and curing temperature (60–120 °C), on the physical and mechanical properties of copper mine tailings-based geopolymer bricks are investigated using water absorption and unconfined compression tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis are also performed to investigate the microstructure and phase composition of the mine tailings-based geopolymer bricks prepared at different conditions. The results show that copper mine tailings can be used to produce eco-friendly bricks based on the geopolymerization technology to meet the ASTM requirements.