cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CAN-Bus Signal Analysis Using Stochastic Methods and Pattern Recognition in Time Series for Active Safety

In the development of driver-adaptive and context-aware active safety applications, CAN-Bus signals play a central role. Modern vehicles are equipped with several sensors and ECU (electronic control unit) to provide measurements for internal combustion engine and several active vehicle safety systems, such as ABS (anti-lock brake system) and ESP (electronic stability program). The entire communication between sensors, ECU, and actuators in a modern automobile is performed via the CAN-Bus. However, the long-term history and trends in the CAN-Bus signals, which contain important information on driving patterns and driver characteristics, has not been widely explored. The traditional engine and active safety systems use a very small time window (t < 2s) of the CAN-Bus to operate. On the contrary, the implementation of driver-adaptive and context-aware systems requires longer time windows and different methods for analysis. In this chapter, a summary of systems that can be built on this type of analysis is presented. The CAN-Bus signals are used to recognize the patterns in long-term representing driving subtasks, maneuvers, and routes. Based on the analysis results, quantitative metrics/feature vectors are suggested that can be used in many ways, with two prospects considered here: (1) CAN-Bus signals can be presented in a way to distinguish distracted/impaired driver behavior from normal/safe and (2) driver characteristics and control strategies can be quantitatively identified so that active safety controllers can be adapted accordingly to obtain the best driver–vehicle response for safe systems. In other words, an optimal human–machine cooperative system can be designed to achieve improved overall safety.
The characterization of the pathway of maltose utilization by Escherichia coli. I. Purification and physical chemical properties of the enzyme amylomaltase.

A method for the purification of amylomaltase, an inducible enzyme of E. coli, has been presented. The enzyme sediments as a single symmetrical peak and was found to have a molecular weight of 124,000. The absorption spectrum, solubility and immunochemical properties of the enzyme are described.
Method for selection of transposable DNA and characterization of a new insertion sequence, IS493, from Streptomyces lividans.

Abstract A method to select for transposable elements from Streptomyces spp. by using insertional inactivation of a repressor gene that functions in Escherichia coli was developed. Plasmid pCZA126, which can replicate in Streptomyces spp. or E. coli, contains a gene coding for the lambda cI857 repressor and a gene, under repressor control, coding for apramycin resistance. E. coli cells containing the plasmid are apramycin sensitive but become apramycin resistant if the cI857 repressor gene is disrupted. Plasmids propagated in Streptomyces spp. can be screened for transposable elements that have disrupted the cI857 gene by transforming E. coli cells to apramycin resistance. This method was used to isolate a new 1.6-kilobase insertion sequence, IS493, from Streptomyces lividans CT2. IS493 duplicated host DNA at the target site, had inverted repeats at its ends, and contained two tandem open reading frames on each strand. IS493 was present in three copies in the same genomic locations in several S. lividans strains. Two of the copies appeared to be present in regions of similar DNA context that extended at least 11.5 kilobases. Several other Streptomyces spp. did not appear to contain copies of IS493.
Using Filtered Cartesian Flattening and Microrebooting to Build Enterprise Applications with Self-adaptive Healing

Building enterprise applications that can self-adapt to eliminate component failures is hard. Existing approaches for building adaptive applications exhibit significant limitations, such as requiring developers to manually handle healing side-effects, such as lock release, thread synchronization, and transaction cancellation. Moreover, these techniques require developers to write the complex recovery logic needed to self-adapt without exceeding resource constraints. This paper provides two contributions to R&D on self-adaptive applications. First, it describes a microrebooting technique called Refresh that uses (1) feature models and a heuristic algorithm to derive a new and correct application configuration that meets resource constraints and (2) an application's component container to shutdown the failed subsystems and reboot the subsystem with the new component configuration. Second, we present results from experiments that evaluate how fast Refresh can adapt an enterprise application to eliminate failed components. These results show that Refresh can reconfigure and reboot failed application subsystems in approximately 150ms. This level of performance enables Refresh to significantly improve enterprise application recovery time compared to standard system or application container rebooting.
Enabling autonomic grid applications: requirements, models and infrastructure

The increasing complexity, heterogeneity and dynamism of emerging pervasive Grid environments and applications has necessitated the development of autonomic self-managing solutions, which are based on strategies used by biological systems to deal with similar challenges of complexity, heterogeneity, and uncertainty. This paper introduces Project AutoMate and describes its key components. The overall goal of Project Automate is to investigate conceptual models and implementation architectures that can enable the development and execution of such self-managing Grid applications. Two applications enabled by AutoMate are also described.
The role of the sociologist as mitigation expert in a sentencing hearing

This paper examines Louisiana’s habitual offender statute and the role of a sociologist as a mitigation expert/criminologist in a specific case. The paper includes a summary of the habitual offender statute; the literature/theories used by the sociologist in his testimony; the trial judge’s decision; and the decision of the three-judge panel of the appellant court, particularly the minority opinion. The case has been returned to the district court for re-sentencing and the trial judge is under no obligation to accept the panel’s decision; but in practice must justify any lenient sentence. The use of sociology as mitigation in criminal cases generally is discussed. The author has worked in over 300 criminal cases since 1988, most of which were capital murder, but also include second-degree murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, rape, and habitual offender hearings.
Medical information systems: characterization and challenges

This paper examines the characteristics and challenges presented by medical databases and medical information systems. It begins with a survey of medical databases/information systems. This is followed by a list of challenges for database management systems generated by the needs of these systems. It concludes with a look at some systems which address these challenges. In the context of this background information, the database community is asked to consider whether the results of database research are reaching those who are making day-to-day decisions regarding design and implementation of medical information systems.
Electrochemical Enzyme Immunoassays on Microchip Platforms

A microfluidic device for conducting electrochemical enzyme immunoassays is described. The new "lab-on-a-chip" protocol integrates precolumn reactions of alkaline phosphatase-labeled antibody (anti-mouse IgG) with the antigen (mouse IgG), followed by electrophoretic separation of the free antibody and antibody-antigen complex. The separation is followed by a postcolumn reaction of the enzyme tracer with the 4-aminophenyl phosphate substrate and a downstream amperometric detection of the liberated 4-aminophenol product Factors influencing the reaction, separation, and detection processes were optimized, and the analytical performance was characterized. An applied field strength of 256 V/cm results in free antibody and antibody-antigen complex migration times of 125 and 340 s, respectively. A remarkably low detection limit of 2.5 x 10(-16) g/mL (1.7 x 10(-18) M) is obtained for the mouse IgG model analyte. Such combination of a complete integrated immunoassay, an attractive analytical performance, and the distinct miniaturization/portability advantages of electrochemical microsystems offers considerable promise for designing self-contained and disposable chips for decentralized clinical diagnostics or on-site environmental testing.
Argo and Zero Dark Thirty: Film, Government, and Audiences

With the prevalence and accessibility of film today, we must wonder how film affects its audience. In particular, how does film influence an audience’s perceptions of the government? Regardless of the content, research demonstrates that film has the power to shape perceptions of its moviegoers on a range of subjects. In this study, two recent films, Argo and Zero Dark Thirty, were chosen as case studies to explore how Hollywood portrays the intelligence community in film and shapes opinions about the government more broadly. This research found that about 25% of viewers of the two films changed their opinion about the government after watching one of the movies. Additionally, many of those changes are reflected in an improvement in the sentiments about the government and its institutions. This exploratory research provokes interesting discussions about the ability of film to influence the perceptions of an audience.
Effect of 9-β-d-Arabinofuranosyladenine 5′-Monophosphate and 9-β-d-Arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5′-Monophosphate on Experimental Herpes Simplex Keratitis

Treatment of established experimental keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus with 9-beta-d-arabinofuranosyladenine 5'-monophosphate (Ara-AMP) or 9-beta-d-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5'-monophosphate (Ara-HxMP) showed that the Ara-AMP, in a concentration of 2 or 20%, had a significant effect on the keratitis but that 0.4% Ara-HxMP showed only minimal activity. Ara-AMP was also effective in the treatment of idoxuridine-resistant keratitis. No local toxicity with a high concentration (20%) of Ara-AMP was seen, but the duration of therapy was brief.
Spin angular momentum transfer in a current-perpendicular spin-valve nanomagnet

Spin-angular momentum transfer (or spin-transfer for short) describes the angular momentum exchange between a spin-polarized current and a ferromagnetic conductor. When the conductor dimensions are reduced to around 100nm or below, the spin-angular momentum transfer effect becomes significant compared to the current-induced magnetic field. This paper describes some recent spin-transfer experimental findings in sub-100nm current-perpendicular spin-valve systems consisting of Co-Cu-Co nanopillars. The spin-transfer current is shown to cause a magnetic reversal of the thinner magnetic layer inside the nanopillar. The reversal is experimentally shown to reach sub-nanosecond speed. The effect of spin-transfer is best understood in terms of its modification to the effective Landau-Lifshiz-Gilbert damping coefficient, either increasing or decreasing its value depending on the direction and magnitude of the spin-polarized current. For sufficiently large spin-current, the net damping coefficient may change sign, resulting in amplification of magnetic precession, leading to a magnetic reversal. At finite temperatures, the effect of spin-transfer is to either increase or decrease the thermal agitation of the nanomagnet. A quantitative model is developed that adequately describes the finite temperature experimental observations of the dynamic spin-transfer effect.
HE4 (WFDC2) gene overexpression promotes ovarian tumor growth

Selective overexpression of Human epididymal secretory protein E4 (HE4) points to a role in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis but little is known about the role the HE4 gene or the gene product plays. Here we show that elevated HE4 serum levels correlate with chemoresistance and decreased survival rates in EOC patients. HE4 overexpression promoted xenograft tumor growth and chemoresistance against cisplatin in an animal model resulting in reduced survival rates. HE4 displayed responses to tumor microenvironment constituents and presented increased expression as well as nuclear translocation upon EGF, VEGF and Insulin treatment and nucleolar localization with Insulin treatment. HE4 interacts with EGFR, IGF1R and transcription factor HIF1α. Constructs of antisense phosphorothio-oligonucleotides targeting HE4 arrested tumor growth in nude mice. Collectively these findings implicate increased HE4 expression as a molecular factor in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis. Selective targeting directed towards the HE4 protein demonstrates therapeutic benefits for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Synchronization of Nonlinear Oscillators in an LTI Electrical Power Network

Sufficient conditions are derived for the global asymptotic synchronization of a class of identical nonlinear oscillators coupled through a linear time-invariant network. In particular, we focus on systems where oscillators are connected to a common node through identical branch impedances. For such networks, it is shown that the synchronization condition is independent of the number of oscillators and the value of the load impedance connected to the common node. Theoretical findings are then leveraged to control a system of parallel single-phase voltage source inverters serving an impedance load in an islanded microgrid application. The ensuing paradigm: i) does not necessitate communication between inverters, ii) is independent of system load, and iii) facilitates a modular design approach because the synchronization condition is independent of the number of oscillators. We present both simulation and experimental case studies to validate the analytical results and demonstrate the proposed application.
Effect of Displacement-Dependent Membrane Stresses on the Axisymmetric Configuration of a Spinning Flexible Disk

A flexible elastic disk is rotating at constant angular velocity in close proximity to a stationary baseplate. Such a configuration can be used to stabilize the flexible medium in magnetic and/or optical recording applications. The influence of coupling between in-plane displacements and transverse deflections is investigated. The effects of bending stiffness and of the air flow between the disk and the backplate are also included. Solutions of the nonlinear differential equations are obtained using finite difference approximations and an iterative approach. The results for this reference configuration are the transverse deflections, the air film pressure, and the displacement-induced membrane state. The significance of coupling is assessed. The governing equations of the disk and of the air film are then linearized about the reference configuration and a measure of the disk stiffness is determined. Comparisons are made with another model which uses an elastic foundation parameter in order to represent th...
Inorganic and protein crystal growth - similarities and differences

Transport and interface kinetic concepts for the design and control of inorganic crystal growth experiments are reviewed, and their applications and limitations in protein crystal growth are considered. It is suggested that the interfacial concentration gradients are steeper for faster crystallization, and that the interfacial concentration distributions for the protein and the precipitant can differ significantly. Results show that uniformity in crystal composition and steady-state conditions in growth kinetics are favored by larger sample size, since surface-tension gradients drive strong in microgravity experiments and in small samples on earth.
High-performance operating system primitives for robotics and real-time control systems

To increase speed and reliability of operation, multiple computers are replacing uniprocessors and wired-logic controllers in modern robots and industrial control systems. However, performance increases are not attained by such hardware alone. The operating software controlling the robots or control systems must exploit the possible parallelism of various control tasks in order to perform the necessary computations within given real-time and reliability constraints. Such software consists of both control programs written by application programmers and operating system software offering means of task scheduling, intertask communication, and device control.The Generalized Executive for real-time Multiprocessor applications (GEM) is an operating system that addresses several requirements of operating software. First, when using GEM, programmers can select one of two different types of tasks differing in size, called processes and microprocesses. Second, the scheduling calls offered by GEM permit the implementation of several models of task interaction. Third, GEM supports multiple models of communication with a parameterized communication mechanism. Fourth, GEM is closely coupled to prototype real-time programming environments that provide programming support for the models of computation offered by the operating system. GEM is being used on a multiprocessor with robotics application software of substantial size and complexity.
RNA polymerase-associated transcription specificity factor encoded by vaccinia virus.

Abstract Vaccinia virus encodes a multisubunit DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) that is packaged in the infectious virus particle. This polymerase was found to contain a submolar polypeptide of approximately 85 kDa in addition to the core subunits, which consist of two larger and several smaller polypeptides. The polymerase containing the 85-kDa polypeptide was separated from the core polymerase by column chromatography. Although the core polymerase actively transcribed heterologous single-stranded DNA, only the form with the associated 85-kDa polypeptide could act in conjunction with an early stage-specific factor to transcribe double-stranded DNA containing a vaccinia virus early promoter. Peptide sequencing established that the RNA polymerase-associated 85-kDa protein was derived from the vaccinia virus H4L open reading frame, which encodes a 94-kDa polypeptide that we named RAP94. RAP94 is not closely related to prokaryotic sigma 70 or eukaryotic RAP30 RNA polymerase-binding proteins, although there are short regions of sequence similarity. The specific association of RAP94 with viral RNA polymerase was corroborated with antibody raised to a recombinant fusion protein. Unlike the previously defined subunits of vaccinia virus RNA polymerase, RAP94 is synthesized exclusively late in infection, and synthesis could be prevented by a DNA replication inhibitor. The role of RAP94 in mediating specific transcription was demonstrated by using an extract from cells in which the H4L open reading frame had been transiently expressed.
Effect of novel proteasome and immunoproteasome inhibitors on dendritic cell maturation, function, and expression of IκB and NFκB

Abstract Dendritic cells (DC) play a central role in the pathophysiology of graft versus host disease (GvHD). Their antigen presenting capacity is nuclear factor κB- (NF-κB) dependent. Consequently, DC have emerged as a potential target for the prevention of GvHD and clinical trials with bortezomib are underway. We explored the activity of novel proteasome and immunoproteasome inhibitors on healthy volunteer peripheral blood DC. After incubation with the drug or drug combination, DC were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, stained for maturation surface markers and then analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that the different molecule(s) inhibited DC maturation marker expression to variable degrees, with the constitutive proteasome-selective agent being the least active. In a DC and allogeneic CD4 + mixed lymphocyte reaction, DC incubation with the studied proteasome and immunoproteasome inhibitor(s), impeded T cell proliferation as measured by BrDU incorporation. Finally, we found that DC incubation with the drug(s) enhanced IκB expression and that oprozomib inhibited NF-κB expression. We concluded that based on its activity and oral bioavailability, oprozomib merits further investigation in an animal GvHD prevention model. We also suggest that altering IκB and NF-κB expressions may, in DC, represent a new mechanism of action of proteasome and immunoproteasome inhibitors.
The kinetics of the CS2OD+O2 reaction

Abstract Rate coefficients for the CS2OH and CS2OD+O2 reactions were measured by monitoring OH and OD in excess CS2 as a function of [O2] and time. The rate coefficient for CS2OD+O2 was (2.3 ± 0.4) × 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 in 50 Torr He at 273 K. No kinetic isotope effect was observed ( k H k D =1.05 ± 0.18) suggesting that the reaction mechanism is not direct H atom abstraction by O2. Rate coefficients for OH and OD (A 2Σ+) + CS2 were also measured and found to be equal.
The market for street crime: An economic analysis of victim-offender interaction

Abstract This paper views the economic explanation of crime rates from a new perspective by explicitly deriving an economic model of the behavior of potential victims and considering the interaction of the behavior of potential victims with the behavior of offenders. Crime is produced through offenders supplying time in search of victims and victims demanding to expose themselves to the environment. A model is set up in which the crime rate, the probability of being a victim per unit of exposure time, and the probability of finding a victim per unit of offenders' search time are simultaneously determined. The model leads us to distinguish the “real” crime rate (the probability of being a victim per unit of exposure time) from the “nominal” crime rate (the number of crimes per capita). The nominal crime rate can be inversely related to the real crime rate.
Twyman effect mechanics in grinding and microgrinding

In the Twyman effect (1905), when one side of a thin plate with both sides polished is ground, the plate bends: The ground side becomes convex and is in a state of compressive residual stress, described in terms of force per unit length (Newtons per meter) induced by grinding, the stress (Newtons per square meter) induced by grinding, and the depth of the compressive layer (micrometers). We describe and correlate experiments on optical glasses from the literature in conditions of loose abrasive grinding (lapping at fixed nominal pressure, with abrasives 4–400 μm in size) and deterministic microgrinding experiments (at a fixed infeed rate) conducted at the Center for Optics Manufacturing with bound diamond abrasive tools (with a diamond size of 3–40 μm, embedded in metallic bond) and loose abrasive microgrinding (abrasives of less than 3 μm in size). In brittle grinding conditions, the grinding force and the depth of the compressive layer correlate well with glass mechanical properties describing the fracture process, such as indentation crack size. The maximum surface residual compressive stress decreases, and the depth of the compressive layer increases with increasing abrasive size. In lapping conditions the depth of the abrasive grain penetration into the glass surface scales with the surface roughness, and both are determined primarily by glass hardness and secondarily by Young’s modulus for various abrasive sizes and coolants. In the limit of small abrasive size (ductile-mode grinding), the maximum surface compressive stress achieved is near the yield stress of the glass, in agreement with finite-element simulations of indentation in elastic–plastic solids.
Investigation of the influence of nephropathy on monoclonal antibody disposition: a pharmacokinetic study in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy

This study employed a mouse model to evaluate the effects of diabetic nephropathy on the pharmacokinetics of 8C2, a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb). Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered to mice to induce diabetic nephropathy (125 mg/kg/day × 2). Mice were grouped (n = 8–10) based on time after STZ-treatment (control, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 weeks), and injected intravenously with 10 mg/kg 8C2. Blood samples were collected up to 7 days, and 8C2 plasma concentrations were determined via immunoassay. Inulin clearance and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE) were determined to assess renal function. UAE, inulin clearance, and 8C2 clearance increased significantly following STZ. Comparing control and 6 week STZ-treatment groups, UAE and inulin clearance increased from 25.7 ± 3.3 to 99.3 ± 13.7 μg/day, and from 421 ± 31 to 584 ± 78 μl/min. 8C2 clearance increased from 121 ± 12.5 to 228 ± 61 μl/hr/kg (p < 0.01). 8C2 clearance was highly correlated with UAE (r2: 0.731). Inclusion of UAE as a covariate in population modeling explained significant residual variability in 8C2 clearance. The clearance of 8C2 increased significantly in STZ-treated mice. Population pharmacokinetic modeling suggests that UAE has potential for use in predicting mAb clearance in subjects with diabetic nephropathy, possibly assisting in the individualization of mAb dosing.
Association of Medicare Part D Medication Out-of-Pocket Costs with Utilization of Statin Medications

Objectives To examine the association between statin out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and utilization among the Medicare Part D population. Data Sources/Study Setting 2006–2008 administrative claims and enrollment data for the 5 percent Medicare sample. Study Design Sample included 346,583 beneficiary-year observations of statin users enrolled in stand-alone prescription drug plans, excluding low-income subsidy recipients. We estimated the association between a plan's OOP statin costs and statin utilization using an instrumental variable approach to account for potential bias due to plan selection. Adherence was defined as percentage of days covered (PDC) of at least 80 percent. Plan OOP costs were constructed for a representative market basket of statin medications. Analyses controlled for demographic characteristics, cardiovascular disease risk, co-morbidity presence, and regional characteristics. Principal Findings About 67 percent of the sample had a PDC of at least 80 percent. An increase in annual statin OOP from $200 (50th percentile) to $240 (75th percentile) was associated with a reduction in the rate of adherent beneficiaries from 67 percent to 56 percent (p < .001). Conclusions Greater OOP costs for statins are associated with reductions in statin utilization.
Young Stars Associated with the Reflection Nebula NGC 2626

We have conducted a search for Hα emission‐line stars within the field containing the reflection nebula NGC 2626 and the associated dark cloud DC 259.9−0.0. Thirty‐two Hα stars, most of them newly discovered, have been identified. Magnitudes and colors for these stars are listed. Some are found to be variable and are possible T Tauri stars. Changes between 1991 and 1999 in the brightness and appearance of a small reflection nebula in the region are shown. These are caused by an unevenly obscured young stellar object which is the probable source of IRAS 08337−4028 and the Herbig‐Haro object HH 132. The overall morphology of the small nebula is strikingly similar to that of the well‐studied HH 46–47 configuration, but the NGC 2626 region is at about twice the distance.
Bcl-2 overexpression disrupts the morphology of PC12 cells through reduced ERK activation

Bcl-2 has been hypothesized to regulate many cellular functions in addition to its well-characterized role in the prevention of programmed cell death. To understand the role of Bcl-2 in regulating cell morphology and to explore the mechanism of this effect, we examined the effects of Bcl-2 overexpression on the morphology of PC12 cells in culture. We demonstrate that the overexpression of Bcl-2 in PC12 cells results in altered cell morphology and reduced actin expression. Analysis of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation reveals that the morphological changes seen after bcl-2 transfection are associated with reduced ERK activation. Treatment of control (mock-transfected) PC12 cells with the mitogen-activated ERK-activating kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 converts their flat, process-bearing morphology into the rounded, process-free morphology of bcl-2-transfected cells, further confirming the association of ERK activation with altered cell shape. In conclusion, the present study describes a novel function of Bcl-2 in regulating cell shape through reduced ERK activation.
A macro-economic analysis of the effect of offshoring and rehiring on the US economy☆☆☆

Offshore labor outsourcing (“offshoring”) is a process in which US companies set up overseas production facilities, employing local workers, simultaneously curtailing their production on US soil and laying off part of their US workforce. This is followed by (is intertwined with) rehiring a part of the laid-off workers, usually by other companies, to boost production for domestic consumption and/or export. We present a mathematical analysis of the effects of these processes, on such measures as the personal, corporate, government and foreign balances (income minus expenditures). We use an input–output model of the US economy, calibrated to data from government databases, as a reference, and investigate the effects of offshoring and rehiring by mathematical extrapolation. Various rehiring strategies are explored. The analysis is then extended to the effect of cheaper goods and services, arising from splitting the offshoring-generated savings between profit and price reduction. In the latter framework, equilibrium pricing is also investigated. The essence of our findings has been: 1. Primary offshoring results in decreasing (negative) government, personal and foreign balances, and leads to a shifting of private income from payrolls to corporate assets and dividends. 2. Any rehiring is advantageous to the government balance. 3. Rehiring to boost domestic consumption, without profit split, is further decreasing the foreign balance. It also erodes the personal balance because part of the incremental income is offset by taxes and lost social income, and because the growth of personal income is outpaced by the growth of personal consumption. 4. Rehiring to boost exports is advantageous to all three balances but just to break even (pay for the foreign cost of offshoring), the export increment has to exceed, by far, the total foreign payroll. 5. A coordinated expansion to keep the foreign balance in check would be very desirable but requires strong government incentives. 6. Price reduction by profit split obviously improves the personal balance and decreases the corporate profit and balance. The foreign balance may improve, due to a growth of export. 7. When production is increased by rehiring, while maintaining the present ratio between manufacturing and services outputs, equilibrium pricing may only be achieved by decreasing corporate profit and balance as the volume of production grows. More work is needed to introduce dynamics into the model. An extension of this study would then aim at the analysis of how various taxation and regulatory strategies would affect the offshoring and rehiring process.
Dedicated Retinal Examination in Children Evaluated for Physical Abuse without Radiographically Identified Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective To determine the rate of retinal hemorrhages in children evaluated for physical abuse without traumatic brain injury (TBI) by diagnostic imaging. Study design This study was a prospectively planned, secondary analysis of the Examining Siblings to Recognize Abuse (ExSTRA) research network, and included only index children who presented with concerns for abuse. Subjects were eligible for the parent study if they were less than 10 years old and evaluated by a Child Abuse Physician for concerns of physical abuse. Child Abuse Physicians recorded results of all screening testing and determination of the likelihood of abuse in each case. For this analysis, we examined the results of dedicated retinal examinations for children with neuroimaging that showed no TBI. Isolated skull fractures were not considered to be TBI. Results The original ExSTRA sample included 2890 index children evaluated for physical abuse. Of this group, 1692 underwent neuroimaging and 1122 had no TBI. Of these 1122 children, 352 had a dedicated retinal examination. Retinal hemorrhages were identified in 2 (0.6%) children. In both cases, there were few (defined as 3-10) hemorrhages isolated to the posterior poles; neither was diagnosed with physical abuse. The presence of facial bruising, altered mental status, or complex skull fractures was neither sensitive nor specific for retinal hemorrhage identification. Conclusions Forensically significant retinal hemorrhages are unlikely to be found in children evaluated for physical abuse without TBI on neuroimaging, and such children may not require routine dedicated retinal examination.
A review of current methods for assessing hemostasis in vivo and introduction to a potential alternative approach

A validated method for assessing hemostasis in vivo is critical for testing the hemostatic efficacy of therapeutic agents in preclinical animal models and in patients with inherited bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease (VWD) and hemophilia A, or with acquired bleeding disorders such as those resulting from medications or disease processes. In this review, we discuss current methods for assessing hemostasis in vivo and the associated challenges. We also present ARFI-Monitored Hemostatic Challenge; a new, potentially alternate method for in vivo hemostasis monitoring that is in development by our group.
Relative magnitudes of singlet and triplet state dipole moments: the lowest nπ* excited states of p-methylbenzaldehyde and p-chlorobenzaldehyde

Abstract The molecular dipole moment changes upon 1nπ* and 3nπ* excitation of p-methylbenzaldehyde and p-chlorobenzaldehyde isolated in p-dimethoxybenzene host crystals have been determined from measurements of the Stark splittings in phosphorescence excitation and phosphorescence spectra. Within the experimental uncertainty, the changes are identical for the corresponding triplet and singlet states. This result contrasts with similar determinations for formaldehyde, benzophenone, and 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone and with predictions based on simple molecular orbital and electron correlation arguments. The result is considered to be a consequence of a relatively large mixing of 3nμ* and 3μμ* states.
Some aspects of artificial thawing of frozen soils

Abstract Despite its important practical value the problem of artificial thawing of frozen soils by the vertical, cylindrical defreezer-pipe method has been studied only comparatively recently. To facilitate excavation and/or foundation work in frozen soil in seasonally freezing and/or permafrost regions, the frozen soil can be loosened up, among other methods, by artificial thawing. For this purpose it is necessary to evaluate the amount of thermal energy needed to bring about the desired thawing. Such an evaluation involves consideration of the relationships between the frozen and thawed soil properties; temperature of the defrosting agent; the size and spacing of the defreezer pipes; and the time required to thaw a certain amount of frozen soil. Although in practice several methods are used for artificial thawing, in this paper, discussion on and calculations for defrosting of frozen soil are presented relative only to thawing by means of vertically installed defreezer pipes.
Assessing the Reliability of Beck Depression Inventory Scores: Reliability Generalization across Studies

The reliability estimates for the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores across studies were accumulated and summarized in a meta-analysis. Only 7.5% of the articles reviewed reported meaningful reliability estimates, indicating that the logic of “test score reliability” generally has not prevailed in clinical psychology regarding application of BDI. Analyses revealed that for BDI, the measurement error due to time sampling as captured by test-retest reliability estimate is considerably larger than the measurement error due to item heterogeneity and content sampling as captured by internal consistency reliability estimate. Also, reliability estimates involving substance addicts were consistently lower than reliability estimates involving normal subjects, possibly due to restriction of range problems. Correlation analyses revealed that standard errors of measurement (SEMs) were not correlated with reliability estimates but were substantially related to standard deviations of BDI scores, suggesting that SEM...
A new calorimeter for measuring rapidly the thermal conductivity of liquids

Abstract A new calorimeter for measuring the thermal conductivity of liquids has been constructed. It is a totally automatic instrument utilizing computer control. The time of measurement is 1 s and the temperature rise due to heating is within 1°C. The instrument has been calibrated at 25°C using six reference liquids. The accuracy is better than 1% and the precision is about 0.2%. The thermal conductivities of nine normal alcohols were measured at 25°C and the results are satisfactory.
Analysis of Sniffing of the Albino Rat 1)

Sniffing behavior of albino rats was photographed on movie film at 30, 32, or 64 frames per sec. The ontogenetic development of sniffing was studied and the component movements were described. The effects of olfactory, somatic, visual, and auditory stimuli, and of certain drugs, nerve sections, and cerebral ablations upon sniffing were examined. The following results were obtained: "Sniffing" by rats consists of an integrated and precisely timed movement sequence in which four distinct synergistic muscle groups participate to produce: (a) bursts of polypnea, (b) recurrent protraction and retraction of mystacial vibrissae, (c) repetitive retraction and protraction of the tip of the snout, and (d) a rapid series of discrete head movements and fixations. These four component movements occur at rates between 5-11/sec. in bursts of varying duration (1-10 sec.). Some of these movements may occur independently of the others, but when they all occur together, which is more common, they blend at the same rate and in a fixed temporal pattern with respect to one another. The sniffing bursts are brought into play when the animal is aroused to explore by olfactory, visual, auditory, or tactile stimulation. Sniffing actions are not dependent on olfactory or tactile vibrissae input for their initiation or synchronous patterning despite the fact that the main adaptive values of these actions would seem to be those of olfactory and somatic sensory perception. In normal rats, olfactory input affects sniffing activities by regulating the degree of their persistence; the duration being affected by the character of the olfactory stimuli encountered. Thus, aversive stimuli are contacted only briefly, whereas, preferred stimuli elicit prolonged bursts of sniffing. Each of the four component movements of the sniffing sequence emerge at different times during ontogeny. This suggests that separate neural centers driving them also mature at different times. As each type of movement appears, it swings into synchrony with those actions already present. Interruption of olfactory input does not alter the normal rate of sniffing. Interruption of somatic sensory input from vibrissae may reduce the overall sniffing rate slightly. Bilateral ablation of neocortex drastically interferes with the sniffing sequences. In the decorticate rat these actions were elicited only with difficulty; the sharpness of the individual movements was blurred, and their magnitude and rate were diminished. The possibility that these effects are not directly related to cortical control of sniffing patterns is suggested. The various lines of evidence indicate that sniffing is a fixed and stable response pattern that is relatively independent of age and of long or short term experiential factors.
An examination of cirrus cloud characteristics using data from millimeter wave radar and lidar: The 24 April SUCCESS Case Study

We examine the characteristics of a cirrus system that moved over north central Oklahoma on 24 April 1996 during the Subsonic Aircraft: Contrail and Cloud Effects Speical Study. This system was probed by aircraft and several surface-based active and passive remote sensors located at the Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement faclity. Several layers of cirrus were identified and tended to be organized in bands that were maintained by turbulent motions associated with unstable lapse rates. The microphysical properties of two events sampled by a cloud radar were quite different with the earlier event composed, on average, of larger particles and lower concentrations than the later event.
Evidence for immiscibility in majorite garnet from experiments at 13–15 GPa

Abstract The compositions of coexisting aluminous garnet, clinoenstatite and either jadeitic clinopyroxene or a second (silica-rich) garnet were experimentally determined in the system Na2O-CaO-FeO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 at 1450–1650°C and 13–15 GPa, using a split-sphere anvil apparatus (USSA-2000). The pyroxene content of the aluminous garnet increases from 50% at 13 GPa to 100% at 15 GPa. For bulk compositions with a high Na/Ca ratio, the trends of the observed variation in the compositions of both garnet and clinopyroxene exhibit a major change with increasing pressure at 14 GPa. This is consistent with the stabilization of a second, silica-rich garnet, which replaces jadeitic clinopyroxene in the assemblage with aluminous garnet and clinoenstatite. The transformation from clinopyroxene to silica-rich garnet is almost isochemical and occurs near the composition Na0.8Ca0.3(Fe,Mg)2.25Al0.5Si4.15O12. Due to the observed immiscibility in the garnet solution, the transformation from pyroxene to garnet could produce a sharp seismic discontinuity in the Earth’s mantle at 400 km depth.
Xanthogranulomatous mastitis: Clinicopathology and pathological implications

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is an uncommon finding in the breast. Sixteen cases of xanthogranulomatous mastitis were reviewed to determine the characteristic clinicopathological features. Xanthogranulomatous mastitis involved foamy histiocyte clusters interspersed with inflammatory cells. Foamy histiocytes were bland with small pyknotic nuclei. Xanthogranulomatous mastitis was associated with fat necrosis in five cases (31%), multinucleated giant-cell reactions in six cases (38%), and cholesterol crystals in five cases (31%). In three cases (19%), xanthogranulomatous mastitis coincided with ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive ductal carcinoma. Duct ectasia with foamy histiocyte aggregates were noted in five cases (31%). It is suggested that the etiology of xanthogranulomatous mastitis is obstruction and rupture of the ectatic duct with foamy histiocyte aggregates. In breast core biopsy, granular cell tumor and invasive carcinoma such as histiocytoid carcinoma and lipid-rich carcinoma could demonstrate similar pathological features to xanthogranulomatous mastitis. In conclusion, xanthogranulomatous mastitis could be encountered in breast core biopsy and surgical excision tissue. Diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous mastitis can be made by excluding other diseases that elicit xanthogranulomatous inflammation in the breast. In breast core biopsy, xanthogranulomatous mastitis could be distinguished from granular cell tumor, histiocytoid carcinoma and lipid-rich carcinoma by using cytokeratin and histiocytic marker such as alpha1-anti-trypsin and CD68 stain.
Circumcision in Children With Penile Block Alone

ABSTRACTSurgical procedures in children are usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia. For circumcision an additional dorsal penile nerve block is used for postoperative analgesia. We retrospectively evaluated dorsal penile nerve block as the only analgesic technique for the relief of intraoperative pain in children undergoing circumcision. For 6 months dorsal penile nerve block was performed in 454 children 3 to 11 years old (mean 8.15 +-/2.08 years) as the sole preoperative anesthesia. All boys were considered to have had good preoperative analgesia. No major complications were reported. Block related hematoma was noted in 12 patients (2.6%) and mild local edema occurred in 83 (18.3%). There was no excessive bleeding and hemostasis was easily achieved. The overall average operating time was 7.2 +-/2.6 minutes (range 6 to 25).General anesthesia was added in 13 patients, representing a dorsal penile nerve block failure rate of 2.9%. Four boys suffered from erratic pain, while no objectiv...
Sex dimorphism in the syrinx of the fowl

This study concerns the voice box or syrinx of the fowl in its possible relation to sex. Although neither hens nor capons crow, ovariotomized hens have been known to do so. It appears that a slight sexual dimporphism exists in the syrinx of certain fowls, and it was thought that a particular form might be essential to the act of crowing. However, no sexual dimorphism is apparent in the syrinx of the Brown Leghorn fowl. The syringeal structures of crowing birds (cocks and ovariotomized females) contain no features which cannot be demonstrated in normal females. Variations were found in the syrinx in this breed and in other breeds, but they had nothing to do with sex. There is a gradual ossification with increasing age and size. It may be concluded that there is no apparent reason why the female fowl should not crow, provided it had the instinct to do so properly developed. The sex hormones, if they act in voice production, must act entirely through the conditioning of the central nervous system.
Temporal and Spatial Origin of Hot Ions in Turbulent Heating of a Plasma

Plasma heating by turbulent current flow has been studied by means of particle analysis. The spatial and temporal origin of hot ions is determined and compared with the temporal change of the resistivity and the amplitudes of the high- and low-frequency fluctuations in the plasma.
Satellite Observations of Smoke from Oil Fires in Kuwait

Extensive dark smoke clouds associated with burning oil wells in Kuwait have been seen in data from weather satellites since early February 1991. The smoke is dispersed over a wide area. Variable and strong low level winds have held most of the smoke plume below 3 to 5 kilometers within a few hundred kilometers of the source. Thin veils of smoke have been detected in METEOSAT data as far away as 2000 kilometers east of Kuwait, over southwestern Pakistan at heights between 6 and 7 kilometers. The occasional presence of convective clouds over the fires indicates that some scavenging of the smoke is taking place.
Researching the robot revolution

Considering a program for cross-disciplinary research between computer scientists and economists studying the effects of computers on work.
Bendamustine in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: The Double-Agent that Came from the Cold War

Bendamustine was first synthesized in the early 1960s at the Institute for Microbiology and Experimental Therapy in Jena, East Germany by Ozegowski and Krebs. The molecule, originally termed IMET 3393 (4-[5-(bis[2-chloroethyl]amino)-1-methyl-2-benzimidazolyl] butyric acid), was intended to be a "bi-functional" molecule with alkylator and antimetabolite properties. Extensive studies were conducted using this compound over a 20-year period in East Germany, and it became a highly used chemotherapeutic agent in the eastern block before the fall of the iron curtain. After its licensing in Europe in the mid 1990s, more than 18,000 patients were studied using this compound, principally in Germany. Over the past decade, significant interest has been generated as a result of ongoing studies that have demonstrated the unique antitumor properties of this compound as a single agent and in different combinations. This article provides a review of studies using bendamustine in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphomas.