cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal design of container inspection strategies considering multiple objectives via an evolutionary approach

The size and complexity of containerized shipping across the globe has increased the vulnerability of seaports to the attack of terrorist networks and contraband smuggling. As a result, the creation of inspection strategies to check incoming containers at ports-of-entry has been necessary to enable the detection of containers carrying prohibited items. However, since costs and tardiness considerations related to the inspection process prevent all cargo to be manually checked, including different non-intrusive screening technologies as part of the inspection strategies is essential to optimize inspection needs. In this paper, inspection strategies are represented as decision-tree structures where each node illustrates a screening device, and links represent the two possible classifications a screened container can get (i.e. suspicious or unsuspicious). Based on such classification, one of three actions is taken: to continue screening, release or physically check the container. The contribution of this paper is a mathematical framework that provides an approximation to the Pareto optimal solutions (i.e. inspection strategies) that enable decision-makers to: (1) identify tradeoffs among vulnerability, inspection cost, and tardiness for different inspection strategies, and based on this (2) find the strategy that best suits current inspection needs. The mathematical framework includes: (1) a multi-objective optimization model that concurrently minimizes vulnerability, cost, and tardiness while determining screening device allocation and threshold settings, as well as, (2) an evolutionary approach used to solve the optimization model.
Earthquake preparedness: Not just a California concern

For many Americans today, the mention of earthquakes conjures up vivid memories of the damage and destruction wreaked by the recent Loma Prieta earthquake in the San Francisco area or the utter devastation caused by the Mexico City or the Armenian earthquakes. But for many Americans, these televised scenes of earthquake damage seem more threatening to Californians rather than residents of midwestern states such as Missouri, until recently, that is.
A Flexible Multistage Demand System Based on Indirect Separability

The notion of indirect separability is exploited to derive a new multistage demand system. The model allows a consistent parameterization of demand relations at various budgeting stages and it fulfills the requirement of flexibility while satisfying separability globally. Two propositions are derived to characterize flexible and separable functional forms, which lead to the specification of a flexible and separable translog (FAST) demand system. The model is particularly attractive for modeling large complete demand systems and is illustrated with an application
We also need bold experiments: a response to Starfield's "Commentary: Pathways of influence on equity in health".

Barbara Starfield’s paper on Pathways of Influence on Equity in Health (Starfield, 2007) is a timely call to scholars to consider the intricate webs of societal-level causal factors that can act independently and in concert to produce health inequality. The paper makes a persuasive case for avoiding simplistic, one-dimensional explanations for phenomena that are likely to be complex. The author presents a diagram reflecting the complexity of the conceptual framework, depicting multiple factors interacting with each other and across different levels of influence leading to inequality in health. I will comment here on just two of the many issues raised by this thought-provoking paper. Firstly, Starfield’s figure 1 is useful in calling attention to several different kinds of societal influences and to factors interacting within and across levels of influence. Another diagram depicting multiple levels of influence leading to social inequality in health was developed by Diderichsen and Hallqvist. The Diderichsen diagram depicts a cycle beginning with differences in social position, also referred to as social stratification—which I will define here as the categorization of people into different relative places in social hierarchies determined by economic resources, power/influence, prestige, and social inclusion. Examples of categorization by social position would include grouping
Differential gene expression in multilocus isozyme systems of the developing green sunfish

The patterns of expression of eight multilocous isozyme systems were investigated in the differentiated adult tissues and the early embryonic stages (0-210 hours after fertilization) of the green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus. Enzymes encoded by approximately 23 gene loci were resolved by starch-gel electrophoresis and detected by specific histochemical staining. The developmental patterns of these isozyme systems appear to be the result of the diffential expression of the multiple gene loci. Isozymic forms of glucoseophosphate isomerase (GPI-A2), malate dehydrogenase (MDH-A2), and creatine kinase (CK-C2) were present in most differentiated tissues, in the unfertilized eggs, and in all stages of embryonic development. Closely homologous forms of these isozymes (GPI-B2, MDH-B2, and CK-A2) were expressed predominantly in skeletal muscle and were first detected at around the time of hatching (38-42 hours). The similar temporal and spatial patterns of gene expressions for the GPI, LDH, MDH, and CK loci suggest that the duplicates loci encoding enzymes, diverged in their regulation to patterns of differential gene expression which are similar for each enzyme system.
Projection method for flows with large local density gradients: Application to dendritic solidification

Numerical models of solidification including a mushy zone are notoriously inefficient; most of them are based on formulations that require the coupled solution to the velocity components in the momentum equation greatly restricting the range of applicability of the models. Initial attempts at modeling directional solidification in the presence of a developing mushy zone using a projection formulation encountered difficulties once solidification starts, which were traced to the inability of the method to deal with large local density differences in the vicinity of the fluid-mush interface. A modified formulation of the projection method has been developed that maintains the coupling between the body force and the pressure gradient and is presented in this work. This formulation is shown to be robust and extremely efficient; reducing very significantly the necessary storage and the computational time required for the simulation of problems involving very large meshes when compared with previously published data. This is illustrated in this work through its application to simulations involving a Pb-Sn alloy.
Structural characterization of a tetranuclear tungsten carbide cluster formed by the reductive cleavage of carbon monoxide: W4(μ4-C)(OCH2-c-C5H9)14

Abstract From the reaction between W4(OCH2-c-C5H9)12 and CO (1 equiv.) in hydrocarbon solvents at room temperature, the tetranuclear carbido cluster W4(μ4-C)(OCH2-c-C5H9)14 has been isolated and structurally characterized. There is a central W4(μ4-C) moiety typical of that seen in carbonyl supported M4(μ4-C) containing compounds. Five WW distances span the range 2.78 to 2.86 A and the carbido—tungsten distances fall into two groups: 1.92 and 1.98 A to the wingtip tungsten atoms and 2.27 and 2.28 A to the backbone W atoms. The presence of 14 supporting alkoxide ligands allows three of the four tungsten atoms to attain a pseudo-octahedral geometry while the fourth tungsten atom is in a square pyramidal environment. The use of 13CO in the preparation of W4(μ4-C)(OCH2-c-C5H9)14 reliably establishes that the carbido carbon atom originates from carbon monoxide. The fate of the carbonyl oxygen atom is unknown.
Fecundity of the Chinese mystery snail in a Nebraska reservoir

The Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis) is a non-indigenous, invasive species in freshwater ecosystems of North America. We provide fecundity estimates for a population of these snails in a Nebraska reservoir. We dissected 70 snails, of which 29 were females. Nearly all female snails contained developing young, with an average of 25 young per female. Annual fecundity was estimated at between 27.2 and 33.3 young per female per year. Based on an estimated adult population and the calculated fecundity, the annual production for this reservoir was between 2.2 and 3.7 million young.
Throwing Pots and Commitments for 2008

IT’S that time of year again when, in a spurt of optimism, many of us make great promises to ourselves about a fresh start in the New Year, when we will do the right things. Let’s be honest, most of the time those commitments are forgotten after few days. Well, this year I’m going to do something different! Instead of making commitments that can easily be broken, I want to daydream about a better future for geriatric medicine and aging research. Dear Reader, below I share my musings for 2008 with the hope that you can help me bring them to fruition.
Human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus inhibit oral bacteria-induced macrophage activation and phagocytosis.

Lin Y-L, Li M. Human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus inhibit oral bacteria-induced macrophage activation and phagocytosis. Oral Microbiol Immunol 2009: 24: 243-248. � 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Introduction: Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition caused by periodontal microorganisms. Viruses such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are associated with certain types of periodontal disease, but their roles in promoting the disease are unclear. Because both viruses infect human macrophages, cells which play key roles in the clearance of pathogenic bacteria, it is likely that the viruses alter the functional capacity of macrophages by inhibiting their defense mechanisms against invading pathogens. Methods: Macrophages preinfected with HCMV or EBV were evaluated following stimulation by selected oral bacteria. Bacteria-induced macrophage activation was assayed by measuring the levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) produced in the media, and phagocytic activity was analysed by a phagocytosis assay with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bacteria. The virus-infected macrophages were also subjected to semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of toll-like receptor 9, which is involved in the activation of phagocytosis-related pathways. Results: Both HCMV and EBV significantly diminished the TNF-a production typically induced by oral bacteria, inhibited the phagocytic activity of macrophages, and downregulated the expression of toll-like receptor 9. Conclusion: Infection by HCMV or EBV inhibits the functional ability of macrophages to respond to bacterial challenge, thereby suggesting their pathogenic role in the development of periodontal disease.
Use of Computer Decision Support in an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP)

Objective: Document information needs, gaps within the current electronic applications and reports, and workflow interruptions requiring manual information searches that decreased the ability of our antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) at Intermountain Healthcare (IH) to prospectively audit and provide feedback to clinicians to improve antimicrobial use. Methods: A framework was used to provide access to patient information contained in the electronic medical record, the enterprise-wide data warehouse, the data-driven alert file and the enterprise-wide encounter file to generate alerts and reports via pagers, emails and through the Centers for Diseases and Control’s National Healthcare Surveillance Network. Results: Four new applications were developed and used by ASPs at Intermountain Medical Center (IMC) and Primary Children’s Hospital (PCH) based on the design and input from the pharmacists and infectious diseases physicians and the new Center for Diseases Control and Prevention/ National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) antibiotic utilization specifications. Data from IMC and PCH now show a general decrease in the use of drugs initially targeted by the ASP at both facilities. Conclusions: To be effective, ASPs need an enormous amount of “timely” information. Members of the ASP at IH report these new applications help them improve antibiotic use by allowing efficient, timely review and effective prioritization of patients receiving antimicrobials in order to optimize patient care. Citation: Evans RS, Olson JA, Stenehjem E, Buckel WR, Thorell EA, Howe S, Wu X, Jones PS, Lloyd JF. Use of computer decision support in an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP). Appl Clin Inf 2015; 6: 120–135 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-11-RA-0102
Testing the ecological stability of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis: effects of heat, ash and mycorrhizal colonization on Pinus muricata seedling performance.

Understanding how abiotic conditions mediate the outcome of biotic interactions is a key question in community ecology. This is particularly interesting in the case of mutualisms because changing environmental conditions may be a source of evolutionary or ecological instability in the relationship between symbiotic partners. For the mycorrhizal symbiosis, elevated nutrient levels may make the carbon cost to plants of supporting mycorrhizal fungi outweigh the benefits of mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition. In this study, we simulated the effects of post-fire nutrient enrichment on the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis between Rhizopogon occidentalis and Pinus muricata by using factorial combinations of soil heating, ash addition and mycorrhizal colonization. In general, the presence of R. occidentalis and the heat and ash treatments increased growth of P. muricata seedlings. However, significant interactions between the treatments indicated that there were context-dependent effects on seedling growth. Soil heating increased soil mineral nitrogen content, but did not decrease the benefit of mycorrhizal colonization relative to unheated controls. This appeared to be driven by a decrease in the proportion of the root system occupied by R. occidentalis, indicating that host-plants can optimize colonization in a way that maximizes growth. Because seedlings in heat-treated soils were larger than unheated controls, reduced percent colonization did not cause any decrease in fungal biomass in heat-treated soils. Since there was no decrease in the performance of either partner, our results show that, in this system, ectomycorrhizal mutualisms are likely robust within the natural degree of environmental variability caused by moderate intensity wildfires.
Buyer experimentation and introductory pricing

We study the pricing decisions of a monopolist seller in a two-period model in which buyers and the seller are all uncertain about a good’s quality. We assume that buyers not only learn from experience, but also may experiment, that is, increase the amount of information by consuming more. We define an introductory price to be a first period equilibrium price lower than that which maximizes period 1 profit. The motivation for introductory pricing is that, under certain conditions, the seller prefers its buyers to be better informed about quality. A lower initial price increases consumption and hence information. We consider two versions of the model: identical buyers with a public signal of quality; heterogeneous buyers who each receive a private quality signal. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Why calcium-stimulated adenylyl cyclases?

The Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclases, AC1 and AC8, play a critical role in several forms of neuroplasticity, including long-lasting long-term potentiation (L-LTP) and long-term memory (...
The thermodynamics of flavin binding to the apoflavodoxin from Azotobacter vinelandii

Abstract A thermodynamic study of the binding of flavins (FMN, FAD, 8-carboxylic acid-riboflavin) to the purified apoflavodoxin from Azotobacter vinelandii has been conducted. The binding of FMN was studied at a number of temperatures (10,15, 20, 25, and 30 °C), pH's (6.0, 7.4, and 9.0), and buffer conditions. The binding of FAD was studied at pH 7.4 and 25 °C under a number of buffer conditions. The binding of 8-carboxylic acid-riboflavin to the apoflavodoxin and the binding of FMN to the dimeric form of the apoflavodoxin were investigated at pH 7.4 and 25 °C. Enthalpies of binding for FMN, FAD, and 8-carboxylic- acid-riboflavin were −28.3, −16.6, and −14.0 kcal mol −1 , respectively. The enthalpy of binding of FMN to the dimeric form of the apoflavodoxin was −22.2 kcal mol of binding sites −1 . Binding constants of about 10 8 ,10 6 , and 10 6 were obtained for the binding of FMN, FAD, and 8-carboxylic acid-riboflavin, respectively. Using established thermodynamic relationships free energy and entropy changes were calculated. The entropy data indicate that a large degree of ordering of the system occurs upon flavin binding. The pH data suggest that FMN may bind in both the mono-and dianion forms, and that binding doesn't change the p K a of any functional group in the system. It appears that the phosphate group is probably responsible for approximately half the binding enthalpy observed for the binding of FMN. The temperature-dependence data over the temperature range studied is biphasic, centered at 20 °C, indicating that flavin binding occurs to the protein in two thermodynamic states corresponding to the two heat capacities observed. These findings are used to discuss a model for flavin binding.
Centriolin Anchoring of Exocyst and SNARE Complexes at the Midbody Is Required for Secretory-Vesicle-Mediated Abscission

The terminal step in cytokinesis, called abscission, requires resolution of the membrane connection between two prospective daughter cells. Our previous studies demonstrated that the coiled-coil protein centriolin localized to the midbody during cytokinesis and was required for abscission. Here we show that centriolin interacts with proteins of vesicle-targeting exocyst complexes and vesicle-fusion SNARE complexes. These complexes require centriolin for localization to a unique midbody-ring structure, and disruption of either complex inhibits abscission. Exocyst disruption induces accumulation of v-SNARE-containing vesicles at the midbody ring. In control cells, these v-SNARE vesicles colocalize with a GFP-tagged secreted polypeptide. The vesicles move to the midbody ring asymmetrically from one prospective daughter cell; the GFP signal is rapidly lost, suggesting membrane fusion; and subsequently the cell cleaves at the site of vesicle delivery/fusion. We propose that centriolin anchors protein complexes required for vesicle targeting and fusion and integrates membrane-vesicle fusion with abscission.
Immunopathologic features of Staphylococcus epidermidis-induced endophthalmitis in the rat.

PURPOSE. To investigate the clinical, histopathologic and immunologic responses to Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis in a rat model. METHODS. Experimental rats received an intravitreal injection of viable S. epidermidis (7000 organisms), while control rats received sterile saline. The clinical scores, cellular infiltrate in vitreous, and levels of serum and vitreous IgM, IgG and IgA to glycerol teichoic acid (GTA), the major antigenic determinant of S. epidermidis cell wall, were all measured from day 1 to day 30 after injection. RESULTS. The ocular inflammation was largely resolved by day 14. The red reflex was abolished in 50% of rats between days 3 and 10. The bacteria were cleared from the vitreous by day 7. In vitreous, the neutrophils peaked at day 1 and decreased by day 7, and plasma cells were seen between days 1 and 3. Presence of B cells (CD45+/CD3-) was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis of pooled vitreous humor. IgM and IgG but not IgA antibodies to GTA were found in vitreous of in...
An adoption study of drug abuse/dependency in females.

Abstract In a sample of 102 women who had been adopted at birth, drug abuse/dependency was found by log-linear analyses to have a major pathway of genetic etiology that started with a biologic parent with antisocial personality and led to an adoptee with conduct disorder and then through aggressivity to drug abuse/dependency, as well as from conduct disorder directly to drug abuse. This result was similar to findings from a male sample collected from the same agencies and at the same time, wherein antisocial biologic parents produced aggressive and conduct-disordered offspring, who in turn became drug abusers/dependents as adults. Results are compatible with family studies demonstrating that female drug abusers stem from deviant families and themselves demonstrate socially deviant behavior early in life. The present study shows that one element of familial factors is genetic, and that, in addition, the family environment directly affects behavior (aggressivity) that leads to drug abuse/dependency.
Global molecular analyses of methane metabolism in methanotrophic Alphaproteobacterium, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. Part II. metabolomics and 13C-labeling study

In this work we use metabolomics and (13)C-labeling data to refine central metabolic pathways for methane utilization in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, a model alphaproteobacterial methanotrophic bacterium. We demonstrate here that similar to non-methane utilizing methylotrophic alphaproteobacteria the core metabolism of the microbe is represented by several tightly connected metabolic cycles, such as the serine pathway, the ethylmalonyl-CoA (EMC) pathway, and the citric acid (TCA) cycle. Both in silico estimations and stable isotope labeling experiments combined with single cell (NanoSIMS) and bulk biomass analyses indicate that a significantly larger portion of the cell carbon (over 60%) is derived from CO2 in this methanotroph. Our(13) C-labeling studies revealed an unusual topology of the assimilatory network in which phosph(enol) pyruvate/pyruvate interconversions are key metabolic switches. A set of additional pathways for carbon fixation are identified and discussed.
Retrieving clinically relevant diabetic retinopathy images using a multi-class multiple-instance framework

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a vision-threatening complication from diabetes mellitus, a medical condition that is rising globally. Unfortunately, many patients are unaware of this complication because of absence of symptoms. Regular screening of DR is necessary to detect the condition for timely treatment. Content-based image retrieval, using archived and diagnosed fundus (retinal) camera DR images can improve screening efficiency of DR. This content-based image retrieval study focuses on two DR clinical findings, microaneurysm and neovascularization, which are clinical signs of non-proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The authors propose a multi-class multiple-instance image retrieval framework which deploys a modified color correlogram and statistics of steerable Gaussian Filter responses, for retrieving clinically relevant images from a database of DR fundus image database.
An efficient route to C-4 linked imidazole nucleosides: synthesis of 2-carbamoyl-4-(2′-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranosyl)imidazole

The first synthesis of an imidazole C-nucleoside linked through C-4, 2-carbamoyl-4-(2′-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranosyl)imidazole was achieved by way of a nine-step sequence starting from 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride.
Steps Toward Unmasking Secure Communications

This work tests the level of security in secure communication systems based on nonlinear dynamics (NLD), or chaos. In these systems, a chaotic carrier signal is used in a type of spread-spectrum signaling system, with the added benefit that the hidden information signal is buried at something of the order of −30 dB with respect to the chaotic carrier. To investigate the level of security in such systems, an examination was conducted on a test set of chaotic carriers and hidden information signals prepared by the NLD research group at the Naval Research Lab. The hidden signals included a triangle wave, a period doubled signal, and a chaotic signal that was different from the chaotic carrier. The analysis process was to use NLD forecasting to predict the carrier dynamics, and then subtract away the predicted values to reveal the hidden signal or at least increase its signal-to-noise ratio with respect to the carrier. In each case, it was a simple task to determine the power spectrum of the hidden signal once the prediction of the carrier was removed. This was then used to create a “comb” filter to extract the correct frequencies from the FFT of the first two signals. When this was done, the hidden signals were recreated with almost perfect accuracy. In the third case, the hidden chaotic signal had a broadband component, so the spectrum was used to develop a Weiner filter which enabled the hidden signal to be reconstructed with only moderate accuracy, where the overall structure of the hidden chaotic signal was preserved, but the fine structure was lost. As a further test, the processing approach was applied to a voice signal hidden in one-dimensional Lorenz data at −35 dB. After subtracting away the carrier model, the voice signal was reconstructed with reasonable accuracy, and had the same characteristic structure. In this case, no secondary filtering was applied. The forecasting approach was then extended to allow for dynamic signal estimation using threshold detection, so that whenever a signal was detected, multiple predictions of the carrier behavior were made into the future. This was tested on a square wave embedded at −42 dB in Lorenz data. The extended approach was able to reveal the square wave with almost perfect precision, except in a few regions where it temporarily lost synchrony with the carrier. This allowed for the elimination of the secondary filtering requirement entirely. The final conclusion is that the secure communications systems based on chaotic carriers may be useful to increase privacy, but are not yet capable of providing a high level of security. The paper concludes with a discussion of measures which may be taken to improve the security of such systems so that they may be applicable to areas where higher security is required.
Mediation of smoking-associated postoperative mortality by perioperative complications in veterans undergoing elective surgery: data from Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP)—a cohort study

Objective: To assess the mediation of smokingassociated postoperative mortality by postoperative complications. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Using data from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Surgical Quality Improvement Programme, a quality assurance programme for major surgical procedures in the VA healthcare system, we assessed the association of current smoking at the time of the surgery with 6-month and 1-year mortality. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Using mediation analyses, we calculated the relative contribution of each smoking-associated complication
Evaluating the effect of partial contributing storage on the storage-discharge function from recession analysis

Abstract. Hydrograph recession during dry periods has been used to construct water storage–discharge relationships and to quantify storage dynamics and evaporation when streamflow data is available. However, variable hydrologic connectivity among hillslope–riparian–stream zones may affect the lumped storage–discharge relationship, and as a result, affect the estimation of evaporation and storage change. Given observations of rainfall and runoff, and remote-sensing-based observations of evaporation, the ratio (α) between estimated daily evaporation from recession analysis and observed evaporation, and the ratio (β) between estimated contributing storage and total watershed storage are computed for 9 watersheds located in different climate regions. Both evaporation and storage change estimation from recession analysis are underestimated due to the effect of partial contributing storage, particularly when the discharge is low. It was found that the values of α decrease significantly during individual recession events, while the values of β are relatively stable during a recession event. The values of β are negatively correlated with the water table depth and vary significantly among recession events. The partial contributing storage effect is one possible cause for the multi-valued storage–discharge relationship.
The Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Psychology Faculty Experience: A Concept Map:

Self-identified gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) graduate faculty (N = 39) in psychology-related fields responded with multiple phrases to a phenomenological probe, asking “What it's like to be a gay/lesbian/bisexual faculty member.” A research team qualitatively reduced the responses to 61 representative items and returned them to respondents who (a) sorted items according to which ones went together and (b) rated items according to how well they described the respondent's own experience. The result was a 2-dimensional concept map, suggesting that the experience may be understood as having both positive and negative aspects and being both internally and externally mediated. Respondents typically indicated that the positive experiences associated with being a GLB faculty member were more salient for them than were the negative experiences.
Worries with the Web: A Look at Student Use of Web Resources

The purpose of this research project was to determine whether students are using unauthenticated resources, whether they are evaluating their resources, and whether there is a gap between the quality of resources expected by instructors and the quality of resources used by students. Using case study methodology, the authors interviewed instructors and students and analyzed Web resources cited in research papers in two English composition classes. The findings show that students are using unevaluated resources and that there is a gap between what instructors expect students to use and what students actually use. Ways to alleviate “worries with the Web” are discussed.
Inapparent Double Puncture of the Femoral Artery and Vein An Important Complication of Temporary Cardiac Pacing by the Transf emoral Approach

An important complication of temporary cardiac pacing by the transfemoral approach. This report describes three cases of inapparent double puncture of the femoral artery and vein as a complication of the transfemoral approach for temporary cardiac pacing. This complication may lead to the passage of a pacing catheter to the right ventricle by way of the femoral artery and vein and may remain undiagnosed until the rigid outer sheath of the introducer set is withdrawn over the pacing catheter. Therefore, we recommend immediate withdrawal of the rigid outer sheath as soon as the catheter lies freely in the iliac vein or the inferior vena cava. If double puncture has occurred, arterial blood will leak around the pacing catheter. Control of arterial bleeding by local compression should not be attempted without removal of the pacing catheter.
U.S. MOBILE SOURCE EMISSIONS REGULATION: THE PROBLEMS OF IMPLEMENTATION

The U. S. federal government’s efforts to control emissions from mobile sources (cars, trucks, and buses) have now encompassed a fourteen-year period. Much of the discussion of the program has focused on the appropriate levels of the standards and on broad strategies, e.g., direct regulatory requirements versus effluent fees (e.g., Jacoby et al., 1973; Dewees, 1974, 1978; NAS-NAE, 1974; Grad, et al., 1975; Mills and White, 1978; White, 1982; for a review of the reviews, see White, 1980). This chapter instead will focus on implementation questions. But implementation will be interpreted broadly and so, perforce, we will also touch on the questions of appropriate levels and of broad strategies.
Dialectical Contradictions in Relationship Development

Three fundamental contradictions were examined in the stages of development identified retrospectively by 106 romantic relationship parties: autonomy-connection, openness-closedness, and predictability-novelty. The contradictions were reported to be present in approximately three-quarters of all identified stages. The openness closedness contradiction was more likely than the other two contradictions to be reported during the initial stage of development; autonomy connection and predictability-novelty contradictions were reported with increased frequency in subsequent developmental stages. Relationship parties reported that they managed the contradictions with six basic types of responses. These response forms were not reported with equal frequency across the contradictions and the stages of development. Current relationship satisfaction did not correlate significantly with the reported presence of the contradictions but did correlate with the ways in which the contradictions were managed.
CT-SCAN REVEALS NEW CRANIAL FEATURES IN DEVONIAN CHONDRICHTHYAN “CLADODUS” WILDUNGENSIS

(2001). CT-scan reveals new cranial features in Devonian chondrichthyan “Cladodus” wildungensis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 807-810.
Static Analysis of Non-interference in Expressive Low-Level Languages

Early work in implicit information flow detection applied only to flat, procedureless languages with structured control-flow (e.g., if statements, while loops). These techniques have yet to be adequately extended and generalized to expressive languages with interprocedural, exceptional and irregular control-flow behavior. We present an implicit information flow analysis suitable for languages with conditional jumps, dynamically dispatched methods, and exceptions. We implement this analysis for the Dalvik bytecode format, the substrate for Android. In order to capture information flows across interprocedural and exceptional boundaries, this analysis uses a projection of a small-step abstract interpreter’s rich state graph instead of the control-flow graph typically used for such purposes in weaker linguistic settings. We present a proof of termination-insensitive non-interference. To our knowledge, it is the first analysis capable of proving non-trivial non-interference in a language with this combination of features.
Interruptible rendering

Interruptible rendering is a novel approach to the fidelity-versus-performance tradeoff ubiquitous in real-time rendering. Interruptible rendering unifies spatial error caused by rendering coarse approximations for speed and temporal error caused by the delay imposed by rendering into a single image-space error measure. The heart of this approach is a progressive rendering framework that renders a coarse image into the back buffer and continuously refines it while monitoring temporal error. When temporal error exceeds the spatial error caused by coarse rendering, further refinement is pointless, and the image is displayed. We discuss how to adapt different rendering algorithms for interruptible use and present implementations based on polygonal rendering and ray casting. Interruptible rendering provides a low-latency, self-tuning approach to interactive rendering. To evaluate our results we introduce a "gold standard" approach that measures dynamic visual error against a hypothetical perfect rendering and show that interruptible rendering is more accurate than standard fidelity-versus-performance schemes. This improved accuracy enables better interactive rendering, both for complex models and complex rendering modalities such as ray casting.
Male reproductive system

The adult structure of the male opossum reproductive system has been described in detail (Cowper 1704; Leydig 1850; Disselhorst 1904; van den Brock 1910; de Burlet 1921; Chase 1939; Ladman 1967; Martan et al. 1967; Martan 1983). Although generally similar to most eutherian mammals, the reproductive system of Didelphis differs in several respects, and these unusual features are briefly presented (Fig. 13). The scrotum of Didelphis is prepenial and attached to the body wall by a narrow stalk, and is separated into two distinct compartments by an internal connective tissue septum. Carbohydrate histochemistry of the scrotal skin of Didelphis demonstrated that small tubular apocrine glands associated with the epidermis of this area contain neutral, as well as acidic, mucus glycoproteins and small amounts of sialic acid (Tsukise et al. 1985). These mucus glycoproteins accumulate on the epidermal surface, and may prevent the proliferation of microorganisms and/or release odorous substances. The high content of neutral glycoproteins in the secretion also suggests that they may be important in the binding of water at the skin surface to aid in cooling of the testis. Each testis is contained within a highly pigmented tunica vaginalis. A basal lamina separates it from an underlying thick tunica albuginea, which consists of a dense fibroelastic connective tissue. Septula testes form connective tissue partitions which subdivide the testis into numerous compartments, the lobuli testis. The contained seminiferous tubules are typical and enveloped by a delicate interstitial tissue. The interstitial tissue of Didelphis is of large volume and highly cellular (Fawcett et al. 1973).
Consumer Store Images and Store Loyalties

This study examines the relationships which exist between measures of store image and store loyalty. Encouraged by the relationships found, store loyalty is predicted from store image information. ...
Hierarchical Modeling and Trade-Off Studies in Design of Thermal Interface Materials

Particle laden polymer composites are widely used as thermal interface materials in the electronics cooling industry. The projected small chip-sizes and high power applications in the near future demand higher values of effective thermal conductivity of the thermal interface materials (TIMs) used between the chip and the heat-spreader and the heat-spreader and heat-sink. However, over two decades of research has not yielded materials with significantly improved effective thermal conductivities. A critical need in developing these TIMs is apriori modeling using fundamental physical principles to predict the effect of particle volume fraction and arrangements on effective behavior. Such a model will enable one to optimize the structure and arrangement of the material. The existing analytical descriptions of thermal transport in particulate systems under predict (as compared to the experimentally observed values) the effective thermal conductivity since these models do not accurately account for the effect of inter-particle interactions, especially when particle volume fractions approach the percolation limits of approximately 60%. Most existing theories are observed to be accurate when filler material volume fractions are less than 30–35%. In this paper, we present a hierarchical, meshless, computational procedure for creating complex microstructures, explicitly analyzing their effective thermal behavior, and mathematically optimizing particle sizes and arrangements. A newly developed object-oriented symbolic, java language framework termed jNURBS implementing the developed procedure is used to generate and analyze representative random microstructures of the TIMs.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Stochastic Computing by a New Polynomial Dimensional Decomposition Method

This article presents a new polynomial dimensional decomposition method for solving stochastic problems commonly encountered in engineering disciplines and applied sciences. The method involves a hierarchical decomposition of a multivariate response function in terms of variables with increasing dimensions, a broad range of orthonormal polynomial bases consistent with the probability measure for Fourier-polynomial expansion of component functions, and an innovative dimension-reduction integration for calculating the coefficients of the expansion. The new decomposition method does not require sample points as in the previous version, yet it generates a convergent sequence of lower-variate estimates of the probabilistic characteristics of a generic stochastic response. The results of two numerical examples indicate that the proposed decomposition method provides accurate, convergent, and computationally efficient estimates of the tail probability of random mathematical functions or the reliability of mechanical systems.
Reports of the death of aspiration have been indeed much exaggerated

In their recent article, Williams and Gantt (2013) make the provocative claim that the only way to account for human aspiration is to recognize the existence of an eternal soul. Although it is possible to argue for such a position, their exposition is plagued by unsubstantiated assertions, false dichotomies, straw-person arguments, appeals to authority, and disregard for large psychological literatures related to their claims. These problematic forms of argumentation are inadequate to the task that these authors set for themselves and show insufficient respect for many potential interlocutors. In their apparent eagerness to discuss their eternal soul thesis, Williams and Gantt dismiss the work of scholars in positive psychology, virtue ethics, and “mainstream psychology” with whom they share extensive common ground, thereby neglecting the richness and fruitfulness of these scholars’ contributions to the topic of human aspiration.
Design of a Remote Data Monitoring System for a Solar and Wind Based Renewable Energy Power Source: Application to a Water Delivery Project in a Rural Community

A large number of projects including analysis and design of renewable energy sources have been reported by several institutions. Particularly, solar and wind energy based power sources have resulted in a variety of interesting projects, including automatic control of solar tracking photovoltaic panels and solar wind combination sources for various applications. The current work illustrates the design of a computer controlled system for monitoring the power generated by a renewable energy power system under a recorded local weather condition. The monitoring system includes a web-based Labview power measurement apparatus as well as a complete wireless weather station. The power system consists of a solar tracking photovoltaic (PV) system and a Whisper H80 wind turbine. The power system generates up to 2KW of electrical power. The remote data monitoring system provides a round the clock information on the generated power, the wind speed, humidity, rain water level, outside temperature etc... The system is programmed to provide data logging for an assessment of the correlation between the local weather condition and the electric power generation. The remote system will also be equipped with a provision for switching to net-metering with an interface to the local utility company. The remote monitoring system is scheduled to equip a similar solar/wind hybrid power station recently inaugurated in rural Ethiopia.
Understanding racial disparities in hypertension control: intensity of hypertension medication treatment in the REGARDS study.

OBJECTIVES African Americans (AA) suffer excess hypertension-related health outcomes and their blood pressures (BPs) are widely reported to be less controlled than European Americans (EA). Intensity of hypertension treatment may play a role. We examined whether AA with treated hypertension received less-intense medication regimens than EA, as reflected in the number of antihypertensive medication classes. DESIGN Cross-sectional observation of baseline information from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke cohort. Participants were recruited by telephone in 2003-2005, completed a telephone survey, and had BP measured and medications recorded during an in-home visit. The study's outcome was the number of classes of antihypertensive medications. SETTING U.S. national cohort study with oversampling from high stroke mortality regions. Participants were self-identified AA or EA, > or =45 years old, living in the community, and balanced on AA race and sex by design. PARTICIPANTS 8960 individuals with treated hypertension. RESULTS Mean age was 68.0 +/- 8.6 years. AA were poorer and less educated than EA, and had worse BP control (63.5% BP or =3 classes, vs. 16.9%, P < .01). AA were taking an average of 0.138 more antihypertensive medication classes than otherwise similar EA (P < .01). More intense treatment persisted across all age, sex, education, income and BP groups. CONCLUSIONS AA were more intensely treated for hypertension than EA. Further study to identify action strategies to eliminate racial differences in hypertension outcomes is warranted.
Application of chemical ionization mass spectrometry and stable isotopes in studies of α-methyldopa metabolism

Following the definitive clinical studies of Oates and co-workers (Oates et al.,1960) on the antihypertensive properties of α-methyldopa (I), a number of investigators have attempted to establish the mechanistic features underlying the pharmacological properties of this clinically useful drug. The most widely accepted theory was advanced a few years ago by Henning (1968), who proposed that α-methyldopa is transported into the brain, where it undergoes metabolism to α-methyldopamine (II) which is subsequently converted to α-methylnorepinephrine (III). The α-methylnorepinephrine and/or α-methyldopamine displace the endogenous central catecholamines dopamine (IV) and norepinephrine (V) and act as ‘false neurotransmitters’, leading to the attenuation of sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system and to a decrease in blood pressure. A number of key experiments have contributed to the development of this theory and include the observations that the antihypertensive properties of α-methyldopa are associated exclusively with the S-enantiomer (S-I) (Gillespie et al., 1962) and that peripheral decarboxylase inhibitors do not block the antihypertensive effects of the drug whereas central decarboxylase inhibitors do (Jaju, Tangri and Bhargava, 1966).
Pseudotumor Cerebri: Epidemiology

The population-based incidence rates and clinical features of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are reported from the Mayo Clinic.
A meeting of science and politics

For many years my parents' basement was filled with no-longer-functioning remains of clock radios, garage-door openers and other electronic devices. Like many other experimental physicists, I suspect, I wanted to know what made those mysterious black boxes work. Over time I learned not only how to put them back together but also how to change the way they functioned – sometimes even for the better.
Role of Mucosal Healing

Mucosal healing (MH), defined by the complete endoscopic healing of all inflammatory lesions, has become a relevant measure of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) status and an important treatment goal. Endoscopy is the gold standard to evaluate MH and treatment response. In this chapter we review the significance of MH in the two main types of IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), the various endoscopic scoring systems for each, and clinical applications of MH for the care of IBD patients.