cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hemodynamic and regional blood flow response to milrinone in patients with severe congestive heart failure: a dose-ranging study.

Abstract This study was undertaken to assess the hemodynamic efficacy, changes in regional blood flow, and safety of milrinone over a range of intravenous bolus injections (12.5 to 125 μg/kg), a continuous 18-hour infusion (0.2 to 0.7 μg/kg/min), and following oral administration. All eighteen patients with New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure demonstrated hemodynamic improvement following intravenous bolus therapy. Dose-related increases in cardiac index occurred, ranging from a 12 ± 6% increase following a 12.5 μg/kg bolus to a 37 ± 10% increase after 75 μg/kg. Pulmonary wedge pressure fell 17 ± 5% following 12.5 μg/kg and 28 ± 9% following 75 μg/kg. Little change was apparent during the continuous infusion except for a late increase in cardiac index, but similar changes occurred in response to a single oral dose. Forearm blood flow increased significantly after 3 hours in the two higher infusion groups, but there was no consistent change in hepatic blood flow. We conclude that hemodynamic parameters and forearm blood flow are improved in patients with severe congestive heart failure following intravenous and short-term oral milrinone therapy.
16-bit operating systems standards and MS-DOS

Abstract The design philosophy behind the 16-bit operating system, MS-D05 2.0, supplied by Microsoft, is outlined. MS-DOS has grown in strength since it was launched on the market in 1981, to the point where it is now possibly the most widely used 8086-based operating system in the world. The reasons behind its success, and the facilities it can offer the applications developer are also covered in this article.
Tracheal-Innominate Artery Fistula due to Tracheostomy

Six cases of massive late bleeding following tracheostomy, diagnosed clinically as tracheal-innominate artery fistula, are presented. This entity is discussed from the point of view of causes, factors such as low placement of the tracheostomy tube below the third tracheal ring, utilization of a mobile ill-fitting tube with an anterior angulation of 90 degrees, use of high-pressure cuffs on metal tubes rather than high-volume low-pressure cuffs on plastic tubes, and hyperextension of the head. Suggested diagnostic measures include fiberoptic bronchoscopy and arteriography if there is enough time. If not, management involves digital compression of the innominate artery against the sternum through the tracheal stoma followed by immediate surgical intervention via median sternotomy, with ligation or resection, or both, of the innominate artery. Prognosis of tracheal-innominate artery fistula is poor, but aggressive management may save many patients.
Doxazos1n in physiologically and pharmacologically normotensive men with benign prostat1c hyperplasia

Abstract Objectives To compare the effects of doxazosin on blood pressure when used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men who are either physiologically or pharmacologically normotensive. Methods Sixty-three men with BPH were enrolled in two open-label, parallel, randomized studies. Thirtyone were physiologically normotensive and 32 had hypertension controlled by antihypertensive therapy (pharmacologically 3normotensive). Of these, 17 were taking calcium channel blockers; 6, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; and 9, beta blockers. After a 3-week titration period, patients from one study received doxazosin (4 mg/day) for 3 months, given as a single dose in either the morning or evening, and in the second study patients were randomized to receive either 4 mg or 8 mg daily, either in the morning or evening. Effects on blood pressure, maximum uroflow, and the Boyarsky symptom score were measured. Results Doxazosin produced statistically significant but clinically unimportant reductions in blood pressure in both physiologically and pharmacologically normotensive groups. Statistically and clinically significant improvements in BPH symptoms and maximal perfusion occurred in both groups within 1 month, and further improvements were observed after 3 months. These effects were evident whether doxazosin was administered in the morning or evening. Doxazosin was well tolerated, the only adverse events being dizziness in 5 patients and fatigue in 4. By protocol, all patients reporting adverse events were required to be discontinued from the study. Adverse events did not differ between the groups. There was some indication that patients experiencing adverse events also experienced greater reductions in blood pressure. Conclusions Doxazosin may be introduced for the treatment of BPH in hypertensive men whose blood pressure is already controlled by another antihypertensive agent, without a further clinical reduction in blood pressure. It is effective and well tolerated as a once-daily dose given in the morning or evening.
Unidimensional chromatographic separation of dansyl catecholamines.

Abstract Catecholamines were separated by chromatographing their dansyl derivatives. Unidimensional ascending paper chromatography was used for the separation of DNS-dopamine, DNS-epinephrine, and DNS-norepinephrine. Using the alumina adsorption method, catecholamines were extracted from rat adrenal glands and norepinephrine and epinephrine separated by the dansylation method.
Hepatic vascular isolation and perfusion for patients with progressive unresectable liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma refractory to previous systemic and regional chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Many patients with colorectal carcinoma develop unresectable metastases confined to the liver that remain the life-limiting component of disease despite best available systemic or regional chemotherapy. In the current study, the authors present their results using vascular isolation and perfusion of the liver for individuals with progressive, unresectable liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma that were refractory to both previous systemic and regional chemotherapy. METHODS Seven patients with refractory, progressive, unresectable colorectal carcinoma metastases confined to the liver underwent a 60-minute hyperthermic (39–40 °C) isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) and were followed for toxicity, response, and survival. RESULTS There was no surgical- or treatment-related mortality; all patients experienced transient Grade 3–4 (according to National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria) hepatic toxicity. At a median potential follow-up of 16 months, the overall objective radiographic response rate (all partial responses) was 71% (5 of 7 assessable patients). It is interesting to note that two patients who were treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alone demonstrated no response to therapy compared with all five patients who were treated with melphalan and TNF (three patients) or melphalan alone (two patients). For the 5 patients who responded to treatment, the median duration of response was 10 months (range, 10–13 months) and in all 7 patients the mean overall survival was 19.7 months (range, 2–33 months), including 5 months and 7.5 months, respectively, for the 2 patients treated with TNF alone. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study demonstrate that IHP using melphalan with or without TNF has significant antitumor activity in this patient population. IHP deserves continued clinical evaluation as a therapeutic modality for patients with unresectable colorectal carcinoma metastases to the liver. Cancer 2002;95:730–6. Published 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10686
The influence of amobarbital and ouabain on calcium binding to phospholipids isolated from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract Calcium binding to phospholipid, prepared from isolated canine myocardial sareoplasmic reticulum, was facilitated by amobarbital and unaltered by ouabain. Ouabain, however, did antagonize the amobarbital facilitation of calcium uptake. These results indicate that amobarbital reacts chemically with phospholipids and that ouabain antagonizes this reaction. The negative inotropic action of barbiturates may thus be explained by their interaction with phospholipids, perhaps those of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The ouabain reversal of barbiturate depression of the myocardium could, in part, be explained by its ability to antagonize this barbiturate-phospholipid interaction.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Bone Disease

This article reviews the risks of osteoporosis and osteonecrosis associated with glucocorticoid use, which are present even in the absence of low bone mineral density, and discusses strategies to reduce the risk of fractures and the data to support the strategies.
Biomimetic chemical signaling across synthetic microcapsule arrays

Using theory and simulation, we design a system of interacting microcapsules that effectively act like a relay: receiving a chemical signal from one capsule and transmitting this signal to another, so that a “message” is propagated over macroscopic distances. We utilize two types of capsules, which are localized on an adhesive surface in solution. The “signaling” capsules release inducer molecules (IM), which trigger the “target” capsules to release nanoparticles. The released nanoparticles can bind to the surface and thus, create adhesion gradients, which propel the signaling capsules to shuttle between neighboring targets. Using simulations based on the lattice Boltzmann method, we first show how steady activation of one target can lead to periodic activation of the neighboring target. Using an approximate numerical model for the system, we also study the effect of a non-steady, periodic activation of the first column of target capsules on the propagation of the signal. We demonstrate that under certain conditions, the signal in the second column of target capsules reproduces the signal in the first target column. The latter result can potentially be utilized to transmit a chemical wave across long, linear arrays of synthetic microcapsules.
Development and Implementation of The Dispersant Observation Job Aid

ABSTRACT The Job Aid is a field guide for dispersant observers after formal training. Individuals are prepared to observe applications by different platforms and able to competently describe their ...
Hemagglutinin responses of chickens, Japanese quail and chukars to xenogenic red blood cell antigens.

Mercaptoethanol (ME) assays were performed on serum from quail immunized with chukar, sheep, turkey or pheasant red blood cell antigen. Absolute ME-resistant and ME-sensitive titers were highest in the chukar red blood cell (CRBC) injected group, but the relative percentages of total titers which were ME-resistant were similar in all four groups. A comparative study of antibody titers in chickens immunized with CRBC or sheep red blood cell antigen (SRBC) demonstrated that chickens responded with higher antibody titers to SRBC than to CRBC. In addition, immune responses of the chukar to SRBC, Japanese quail or chicken red blood cell antigen (JQRBC and ChRBC, respectively) were investigated. Adequate hemagglutinin titers were produced by the chukar to SRBC and JQRBC, but anti-ChRBC titers were very low. Thus, the Japanese quail anti-CRBC response was due to an increased production of both ME-sensitive and ME-resistant antibodies, and CRBC is an antigen of choice in Japanese quail, but is not superior to SRBC in-chickens.
Alternative (muscle-sparing) incisions in thoracic surgery

The technique, advantages, and disadvantages of a vertical axillary thoracotomy are discussed. This is a total muscle-sparing incision that allows adequate exposure of all intrathoracic structures. Postoperatively, there is excellent cosmetic healing and full shoulder girdle movement. The postthoracotomy pain also appears to be less. I prefer this approach for most routine thoracotomies, although I do not use it when chest wall resections or extremely difficult hilar dissections are anticipated.
The Streitz perspective: computation is ubiquitous, yet must be designed for human use (a festschrift for Norbert Streitz)

In many ways, embedded computation—the increasingly common way of adding computers into everyday life and everyday artifacts—is a natural outgrowth of technology trends over the past two decades. Adding computation is an easy way to increase the range of affordances and capabilities of devices, adding the ability to sense, cooperate, and support extended work practices and leisure activities. However, as Norbert Streitz has illustrated throughout his career, just adding computation to systems does not guarantee a successful or useful merging of capabilities. As this special issue points out (and as Streitz has argued many times), ubiquitous/pervasive/ambient computation must be carefully designed, with particular attention paid to the multiple and overlapping domains of human interest (cognitive, social, collaborative, and architectural). It is only by designing such systems with an eye toward actual use patterns, with an eye toward the behaviors of people who would use, inhabit and move through work and play, data and artifacts, that a clear “design for humans” trend become clear.
Mechanisms of Disease: roles of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in delayed cerebral vasospasm produced by aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Molecular biologic investigations in the past decades have begun to unravel the intracellular mechanisms involved in vasomotor regulation of cerebral blood vessels and their failure in delayed cerebral vasospasm produced by aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Progress in deciphering macrovascular regulatory mechanisms and their failure in delayed cerebral vasospasm induced by aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage have revealed that there are at least two important vasoactive substances-nitric oxide and endothelin-1-that play important roles in the clinical manifestations of subarachnoid-hemorrhage-induced cerebral vasospasm. Nitric oxide is a cell-membrane-permeable free radical gas that accounts for the phenomenon of vasodilatation by a variety of vasodilator agents. Endothelin-1, a 21 amino acid peptide, is one of the most potent constricting factors. Cerebral vasospasm is thought to represent a disturbance in the cerebral vasomotor equilibrium for which these two physiologically antagonistic compounds are at least partly responsible. Advances in our understanding of the molecular responses of the cerebral vasculature to subarachnoid hemorrhage should lead to more comprehensive management as knowledge becomes translated into development of effective pharmacologic agents to reverse or prevent cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
An apparent polar wander path from the Tarim Block, China

Abstract The apparent polar wander (APW) path from the Tarim Block consists of Devonian (λ = 16°N, φ = 165°E, A95= 4°), Late Carboniferous (λ = 41°N, φ = 160°E, A95 = 4°), Permian (λ = 61°N, φ = 177°E, A95= 9°), Early Triassic (λ = 69°N, φ = 183°E, A95 = 11°) and Jurassic/Cretaceous (λ = 65°N, φ = 214°E, A95 = 6°) poles. On the basis of this APW path, we conclude that Tarim rode on a plate subducting under the Kazakhstan plate between Devonian and Permian times. By the end of the Permian, subduction had almost finished. Early Triassic poles from Tarim, Siberia, North China and South China are discordant, indicating post-Early Triassic relative motions among them. Cretaceous paleomagnetic poles from Tarim, North China and South China, however, are consistent, suggesting that China has been a coherent tectonic unit since Cretaceous time. The shape of the APW path from Tarim is similar to that of Siberia, except that Tarim's APW path is systematically displaced to the east. A 26° clockwise rotation of Tarim's APW path about the Euler pole λ = 60°N and φ =14°E reconciles these two APW paths. Tarim has moved northeastward some 2000 km relative to a fixed Siberia since the Cretaceous. This northeastward motion of Tarim with respect to Siberia agrees well with the overall Cenozoic tectonic style of Asia. Most of southern China has been pushed eastward to give way to the penetrating Indian continent. East-west- and northeast-trending left-lateral strike-slip faults north of the Tarim Block have been documented; however, the exact amounts of displacement along these faults are not well known. Using paleomagnetic data from Tarim, we will also discuss the tectonic evolution of terranes in central Asia and the amount of continental shortening in the Tibetan plateau.
Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Cotton in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas: Species Composition, Seasonal Abundance, Damage, and Control

Abstract. Species, seasonal abundance, damage, control, and predaceous natural enemies of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., were determined at two sites from 2005 to 2007 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Thrips can stunt growth and reduce yield potential. Seven species of thrips were found. When the cotton field was 0.5 km from commercial onion, Allium cepa L., the predominant species were western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (61.7%) and onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (27.2%). A cotton field 50 km from a commercial onion-growing area was infested with western flower thrips (68.5%) and bean thrips, Caliothrips fasciatus (Pergande) (29.2%). At both fields, cotton seedlings from the cotyledon to 3-4-true leaf stages were most susceptible to onion thrips. Western flower thrips and bean thrips were found predominantly on 5- to 6-true-leaf stage and older cotton. Thrips were found in cotton at the beginning of the growing season and increase...
A national survey of emergency department chest pain centers in the United States.

Abstract Although chest pain centers are promoted as improving emergency cardiac care, no data exist on their structure and processes. This national study determines the 1995 prevalence rate for emergency department (ED)–based chest pain centers in the United States and compares organizational differences of EDs with and without such centers. A mail survey was directed to 476 EDs randomly selected from the American Hospital Association’s database of metropolitan hospitals (n = 2,309); the response rate was 63%. The prevalence of chest pain centers was 22.5% (95% confidence interval 18% to 27%), which yielded a projection of 520 centers in the United States in 1995. EDs with centers had higher overall patient volumes, greater use of high-technology testing, lower treatment times for thrombolytic therapy, and more advertising (all p
Feedback Processes in Sensitivity Training Groups

Characteristics of interpersonal feedback and responses to feedback, as a function of time (early versus later sessions), sender (trainers, male members, female members), and individual group, were studied in four NTL Bethel Tgroups. Over time, member feedback became more expressive and less focused upon here-and-now events, while trainer feedback became more nondirective. During early sessions, trainer feedback was less expressive, less focused upon self-other relationships, less here-and-now, more negative and confronting, more abstract, and more interpretive than member feedback, although these differences diminished by later sessions. No significant differences were apparent between male and female senders. Group differences outweighed their similarities. Acceptance versus rejection of member feedback was related only to the extent to which feedback was positive and supportive.
Evolution of the Quasi 2-Day Wave During January 2006

[1] We examine the evolution of the quasi 2-day wave in the middle atmosphere during the period from 5 January to 5 February 2006 using global synoptic meteorological fields from the high-altitude Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System Advanced Level Physics, High Altitude (NOGAPS-ALPHA) forecast-assimilation system. This period is characterized by a high level of planetary wave activity in the Northern Hemisphere (winter) extratropical stratosphere prior to a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) on 20 January 2006. Space-time spectral analysis of 6-hourly NOGAPS-ALPHA fields finds the largest quasi 2-day wave amplitudes in the Southern Hemisphere (summer) extratropical upper mesosphere. Eliassen-Palm flux diagnostics indicate that this extratropical quasi 2-day wave is related to baroclinic instability along the equatorward flank of the summer easterly jet. The quasi 2-day wave is also evident in NOGAPS-ALPHA water vapor fields near the tropical stratopause and is related to barotropic instability. We find that the strong planetary wave activity leading up to the SSW produced an enhanced northward component of the residual meridional circulation that influenced the background zonal winds and, by extension, the quasi 2-day wave forcing in both the tropical and extratropical regions. In the tropical region, the combination of enhanced horizontal momentum advection by the residual meridional circulation and inertially unstable circulations related to planetary wave breaking in the subtropics produced conditions favoring barotropic instability. In the extratropical region, the enhanced residual meridional circulation altered the zonal wind tendency through increased Coriolis torque.
Ecology of the Patagonia puma Felis concolor patagonica in southern Chile

The ecology of the Patagonia puma was studied in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Thirteen pumas were captured from 1986 to 1989 and equipped with radio transmitters. During the winter of 1988 there was one puma per 17 km 2 in the 200 km 2 study area. Home ranges varied from 24 to 107 km 2 . Female home ranges overlapped with those of other males and females extensively, but male ranges overlapped each other for only short time periods. Seven adult pumas had home ranges extending outside the park boundaries and at least three preyed on sheep. Guanacos Lama guanicoe, especially young animals, were the puma’s most important prey item by biomass, but European hares Lepus capensis were preyed upon more than expected relative to available biomass. Of 731 guanaco skulls collected from 1979 to 1988, 33% showed clear evidence of having been killed by pumas. Over the past decade puma numbers are believed to have increased in the park, perhaps in response to an increase in guanaco numbers and continued protection. With decreased hunting pressure and harassment by horses and dogs, pumas have habituated to people and are being observed more often by park visitors. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Correlation coefficients between stocks and those distributions of returns in the Tokyo Stock Exchange

The daily stock price distributions of the Tokyo Stock Exchange from 1990 to 1999 and those correlation coefficients between stocks were calculated. The result showed that correlation the distribution of correlation coefficients can be described Gaussian function, the period, which was decreasing stocks price, the mean value of the correlation coefficients has higher than other period.
Closing the Loop in Assurance of Learning Programs: Current Practices and Future Challenges

Although it has been 5 years since the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) expressed the expectation that schools should be demonstrating a high level of maturity implementing their assurance of learning programs, the authors’ results indicate that most accredited programs are in the early stages of developing their closing-the-loop practices. Among assurance of learning leaders there is disagreement as to what constitutes a closing-the-loop activity and there are serious challenges to systematically implementing curricular responses including the time necessary to develop, initiate, and then reevaluate effectiveness. Faculty ownership, a crucial feature of the assurance of learning process, is reported as the number one challenge confronting accredited programs.
Prospects and Problems in Modeling Group Decisions

This paper summarizes some of the major issues related to group decision modeling. We briefly review the existing work on group choice models in marketing and consumer research. We draw some generalizations about which models work well when and use those generalizations to provide guidelines for future research. Groups pervade virtually every aspect of our lives. We belong to families, work cohorts, clubs, church groups, and professional organizations among others. We do many things in groups too. We make decisions; we travel; we play games; we work; we consume. In the early 1970s researchers in marketing and consumer decision making realized through studying families and organizational buying centers that the group was an important unit of analysis (Davis 1970, 1976; Webster and Wind 1972). It was not until almost a decade later that we, as a discipline, started to propose and test formal models of group decision making. This paper summarizes some major issues related to group decision modeling. The major questions addressed include “What have we done,” “What have we learned?” “ What do we need to do to learn more?” and “How do we go about learning?” In the past decade or so a fair amount of effort has been exerted in the proposal and empirical testing of group choice models. By and large, each model worked quite well in the setting in which it was tested. However, it seems that no single class of models is appropriate for all problems. “What we have done” then is propose and test a wide variety of group choice models. “What we have learned” is that each mode1 seems to work well in the setting for which it was
Permanent transvenous atrial pacing. An experimental and clinical study.

Abstract A J-shaped electrode catheter designed to fit in the right atrial appendage has been studied in the dog and in man. Catheter stability with occasional fixation may be expected in man. Displaced electrode catheters are easily replaced. Atrial stimulating thresholds were found to be higher than ventricular thresholds in the dog and in man. The P wave potentials were found to be low in man. Preoperative demonstration of normal atrioventricular (AV) conduction is essential before initiating atrial pacing. The P-S (P-wave-stimulated) standby principle simplifies the postoperative study of AV conduction by the use of external (indirect) overdrive to establish the rate at which AV block begins.
Effects of various grain structure and sizes on the thermal conductivity of Ti-based half-Heusler alloys

Half-Heusler alloys with the general formula TiNiSn/sub 1-X/Sb/sub X/ are currently being investigated for their potential as thermoelectric (TE) materials. These materials exhibit high thermopower (40-250 /spl mu/V/K) and low electrical resistivity values (0.1-8 m/spl Omega/-cm) which yields a relatively large power factor (/spl alpha//sup 2//spl sigma/T) of 0.2-1.0 W/m/sup ./K at room temperature. For these materials to be used in thermoelectric applications, the relatively high thermal conductivity (/spl lambda//spl ap/10 W/m/sup ./K) that is evident in these materials must be reduced. We have investigated the effect of Sb-doping on the Sn site and Zr doping on the Ti site on the electrical and thermal transport of TiNiSn. As expected, it is observed that large concentrations of Zr-doping on Ti-site reduce the lattice thermal conductivity as compared to the parent compounds. However an unusual result is observed with Sb-doping. The lattice thermal conductivity increases somewhat randomly with small amounts (< 5%) of Sb-doping at the Sn-site. This doping should have little effect on the thermal conductivity. A systematic investigation of grain structure in these Sb-doped materials has been performed as an attempt to explain the anomalous behavior of thermal conductivity due to Sb-doping. In addition, effects of grain size reduction on the thermal conductivity in ball milled and shock compressed samples have been investigated in hopes of reducing the lattice thermal conductivity.
Osteoblast maturation occurs in overlapping proximal-distal compartments during fin regeneration in zebrafish

During fin regeneration, osteoblasts must continually differentiate for outgrowth of the bony fin rays. Bone maturity increases in a distal-proximal manner, and osteoblast maturation can be detected similarly when following gene expression. We find that early markers for osteoblast differentiation are expressed in a discrete domain at the distal end of the fin, just proximal to the adjacent germinal compartment of dividing cells. Matrix genes, required at later stages developmentally, are expressed in a population of cells proximally to the early genes. A marker for mature osteoblasts is expressed in cells further proximal. These domains of gene expression are partially overlapping, perhaps revealing additional levels of osteoblast maturity. We suggest a model for growth where new cells are continually added to the distal-most osteoblast compartment, while osteoblasts in more proximal locations differentiate, thus translating developmental time to location on the proximal-distal axis.
Overview of the Focused Isoprene eXperiment at the California Institute of Technology (FIXCIT): mechanistic chamber studies on the oxidation of biogenic compounds

Abstract. The Focused Isoprene eXperiment at the California Institute of Technology (FIXCIT) was a collaborative atmospheric chamber campaign that occurred during January 2014. FIXCIT is the laboratory component of a synergistic field and laboratory effort aimed toward (1) better understanding the chemical details behind ambient observations relevant to the southeastern United States, (2) advancing the knowledge of atmospheric oxidation mechanisms of important biogenic hydrocarbons, and (3) characterizing the behavior of field instrumentation using authentic standards. Approximately 20 principal scientists from 14 academic and government institutions performed parallel measurements at a forested site in Alabama and at the atmospheric chambers at Caltech. During the 4 week campaign period, a series of chamber experiments was conducted to investigate the dark- and photo-induced oxidation of isoprene, α-pinene, methacrolein, pinonaldehyde, acylperoxy nitrates, isoprene hydroxy nitrates (ISOPN), isoprene hydroxy hydroperoxides (ISOPOOH), and isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) in a highly controlled and atmospherically relevant manner. Pinonaldehyde and isomer-specific standards of ISOPN, ISOPOOH, and IEPOX were synthesized and contributed by campaign participants, which enabled explicit exploration into the oxidation mechanisms and instrument responses for these important atmospheric compounds. The present overview describes the goals, experimental design, instrumental techniques, and preliminary observations from the campaign. This work provides context for forthcoming publications affiliated with the FIXCIT campaign. Insights from FIXCIT are anticipated to aid significantly in interpretation of field data and the revision of mechanisms currently implemented in regional and global atmospheric models.
Captured by True Crime: Why Are Women Drawn to Tales of Rape, Murder, and Serial Killers?

The true crime genre, which consists of nonfiction books based on gruesome topics such as rape and murder, has amassed an extensive audience. Many people might assume that men, being the more aggressive sex, would be most likely to find such gory topics interesting. But a perusal of published reader reviews suggests that women enjoy these kinds of books more so than do men. The purpose of this research was to shed light on this apparent paradox. In Studies 1 and 2, the authors conducted a study of reader reviews and a study of book choices that demonstrated that, in fact, women are more drawn to true crime stories whereas men are more attracted to other violent genres. In Studies 3 to 5, the authors manipulated various characteristics of true crime stories to determine which features women find appealing. The authors discuss the findings in light of contemporary evolutionary perspectives on aggression and murder.
Quantitative x‐ray studies of order in amorphous and crystalline polymers. Quantitative x‐ray determination of crystallinity in polyethylene

Various quantitative scattering relationships for polymers have been examined experimentally in order to test their validity as assumptions in the x-ray determination of crystallinity. These are (a) the proportionality between the scattered intensity and the pt value of the specimen (p is the density and t the thickness of the material), (b) the relationship between equal pt values for two different specimens of the same material and the corresponding scattering masses in the beam, (c) the scattering from equal masses of a polymer in the amorphous or crystalline states, and (d) the values of the total scattered intensity from equal masses of different polymers. It has been demonstrated, at least in the case of polyethylene, that the percentage of crystalline material in a polycrystalline polymer can be determined quantitatively by means of x-ray diffraction methods. The method used in this study, viz., a comparison of the amorphous scattering from the sample with that from a completely amorphous sample, has been applied to an investigation of the temperature variation of crystallinity in unstretched and stretched polyethylene. The comparison between the x-ray and density results for the case of the unstretched material has been pointed out. The technique has also permitted a determination of the orientation of the crystallites. By means of these methods, it has been shown that the x-ray diffraction results are in essential agreement with previous stress-birefringence data on stretched polyethylene; and that the nature of the stretchng process is different at high and at low elongations.
Diagnostic performance of high-sensitivity troponin T, myeloperoxidase, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A assays for triage of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Early diagnosis is the cornerstone of management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) with myeloperoxidase (MPO) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) for early diagnosis of AMI in patients at the time of presentation to the emergency department (ED). Methods: We enrolled 289 patients who presented at the ED of the National Institute of Heart Disease (NIHD) Rawalpindi, Pakistan, within 4 hr of onset of chest pain. Clinical assessment, electrocardiography (ECG), and angiography were carried out. Blood samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, and 12 hr. Analyses of plasma hs-cTnT, MPO, and PAPP-A were carried out using commercial kits. Results: Out of 289 subjects who presented to the ED, we diagnosed 180 patients with coronary heart disease as having AMI (N = 61) and 119 as without AMI (stable coronary artery disease, N = 61; unstable angina, N = 58). Compared to non-AMI patients, the patients with AMI had significantly higher levels (represented here as median [inter quartile range]) of plasma hs-cTnT (136 [39-370] vs. 12 [7-21] ng/L), MPO (906 [564-1,631] vs. 786 [351-1,299] pmol/L) and PAPP-A (5.78 [2.67-13.4] vs. 2.8 [1.8-4.9] mIU/L). Receiver operator characteristic curves (95% CI) for hs-cTnT (0.952 [0.909-0.978]) were significantly higher ( P < 0.001) than those for MPO (0.886 [0.830-0.929]) and PAPP-A (0.797 [0.730-0.854]), with AMI sensitivity and specificity percentages of 87% and 98% (hs-cTnT), 82% and 84% (MPO), and 65% and 87% (PAPP-A), respectively. Conclusions: The diagnostic performance of hs-cTnT was superior to that of MPO and PAPP-A for early triage and diagnosis of AMI among patients of coronary heart disease presenting with chest pain to the ED.
Improved time-frequency representation of multicomponent signals using exponential kernels

The authors introduce a time-frequency distribution of L. Cohen's (1966) class and examines its properties. This distribution is called exponential distribution (ED) after its exponential kernel function. First, the authors interpret the ED from the spectral-density-estimation point of view. They then show how the exponential kernel controls the cross terms as represented in the generalized ambiguity function domain, and they analyze the ED for two specific types of multicomponent signals: sinusoidal signals and chirp signals. Next, they define the ED for discrete-time signals and the running windowed exponential distribution (RWED), which is computationally efficient. Finally, the authors present numerical examples of the RWED using the synthetically generated signals. It is found that the ED is very effective in diminishing the effects of cross terms while retaining most of the properties which are useful for a time-frequency distribution. >
Molecular rearrangement and cluster formation in the secondary ion mass spectra (SIMS) of fluoride salts

Abstract Secondary ion clusters with mass greater than 700 amu, e.g., K(KF) 12 + and up to 27 atoms, e.g., Na(NaF) 13 + , have been observed in the static SIMS spectra of MF (M = Li, Na, K), NaBF 4 , and KPF 6 . The long series of detected cluster ions of the type M(MF) n + indicates that there is a high degree of stability associated with these clusters. The observation of such clusters in the NaBF 4 and KPF 6 spectra suggest that there is significant molecular rearrangement occurring in the secondary ion emission process from such salts. The secondary ion Intensities provide a crude fit to the Saha-Eggert equation, yielding an electron temperature of ~12,000 K. The data are consistent with the plasma model of surface ionization in which rearrangement and cluster formation occur in the plasma.
A novel 3-D magnetic field sensor in standard CMOS technology

The authors present a 3-D magnetic field sensor in a standard 2 mu m CMOS technology. The sensor uses two CMOS compatible 1-D vertical magnetotransistors positioned at a right angle to each other to measure two field components, and a MAGFET and/or a lateral bipolar transistor is used to measure the third component. The two base contacts minimize the offset due to asymmetry during fabrication. The MOS device controls the base surface potential and thereby improves the sensitivity and the noise performances and minimizes the cross-sensitivity in the lateral device. Simulations were performed to study the electrical characteristics and to determine the optimized geometry for achieving high current gain by using the 2-D device simulation software PISCES-IIB. The device shows a relative sensitivity of S/sub rx/=1.05/T, S/sub ry/=0.75/T, and S/sub rz/=0.25/T in X-, Y-, and Z-directions, respectively, to the applied magnetic field. >
Impacts of Radio Access Protocols on Cooperative Vehicle Collision Avoidance in Urban Traffic Intersections

This paper p resents the design of a Cooperative Collision Avoidance application, and evaluates its performance with DSRC-recommended 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) and with a novel Vehicular Self-Organizing MAC (VeSOMAC) protocol. VeSOMAC is designed as a fully distributed TDMA protocol that relies on an in-band control exchange technique for autonomous TDMA slot allocation among vehicle-mounted wireless communication modules. A hybrid traffic and wireless network simulator has been developed for evaluating both network level and application level performance in the presence of different wireless access protocols. Detailed network and vehicular traffic simulation models have also been developed for evaluating a Cooperative Collision Control (CCA) application, operating in urban traffic intersection scenarios. Simulation results demonstrate that unlike the 802.11 style contention based protocols, a schedule based protocol such as VeSOMAC can offer better vehicle safety performance through smaller and bounded packet latency in vehicular ad hoc networks.
Evolution of the core and pan-genome of Streptococcus : positive selection, recombination, and genome composition

The genus Streptococcus is one of the most diverse and important human and agricultural pathogens. This study employs comparative evolutionary analyses of 26 Streptococcus genomes to yield an improved understanding of the relative roles of recombination and positive selection in pathogen adaptation to their hosts. Streptococcus genomes exhibit extreme levels of evolutionary plasticity, with high levels of gene gain and loss during species and strain evolution. S. agalactiae has a large pan-genome, with little recombination in its core-genome, while S. pyogenes has a smaller pan-genome and much more recombination of its core-genome, perhaps reflecting the greater habitat, and gene pool, diversity for S. agalactiae compared to S. pyogenes. Core-genome recombination was evident in all lineages (18% to 37% of the core-genome judged to be recombinant), while positive selection was mainly observed during species differentiation (from 11% to 34% of the core-genome). Positive selection pressure was unevenly distributed across lineages and biochemical main role categories. S. suis was the lineage with the greatest level of positive selection pressure, the largest number of unique loci selected, and the largest amount of gene gain and loss. Recombination is an important evolutionary force in shaping Streptococcus genomes, not only in the acquisition of significant portions of the genome as lineage specific loci, but also in facilitating rapid evolution of the core-genome. Positive selection, although undoubtedly a slower process, has nonetheless played an important role in adaptation of the core-genome of different Streptococcus species to different hosts.
Capital Market Liberalization, Economic Growth, and Instability

Summary. — This paper reviews briefly the arguments for capital market liberalization, and identifies their theoretical and empirical weaknesses. This provides the foundations for the argument for intervention in short-term capital flows. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the various ways in which such interventions may be implemented. ” 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Extraction, identification, and quantification of flavonoids and phenolic acids in electron beam-irradiated almond skin powder.

ABSTRACT: The effect of electron beam irradiation doses from 0 to 30 kGy on extraction yield and phenolic compounds was evaluated in almond skin phenolic extracts (ASPE). Total soluble phenols and distribution of phenolic compounds from acidified methanol ASPE and 52% methanol ASPE were quantified using Folin–Ciocalteau method, liquid chromatography with diode array and fluorescence detection, and negative ion electrospray-mass spectrometry. Electron beam irradiation increased extraction yield by as much as 23%, with the greatest increase observed in the acidified methanol ASPE. Irradiated samples extracted with acidified methanol also exhibited an increase in extractable phenols (Folin–Ciocalteau) and total HPLC-resolved phenolics at all irradiation doses. Samples extracted with 52% methanol exhibited an increase at 10 and 20 kGy, but a 31% decrease at 30 kGy. An increase in aglycones respective to their glycosides was not observed with irradiation. Therefore, the increase in phenolics was attributed to release of phenolics from their cellular matrix.
The structure of authority: why security is not a separable concern

Common programming practice grants excess authority for the sake of functionality; programming principles require least authority for the sake of security. If we practice our principles, we could have both security and functionality. Treating security as a separate concern has not succeeded in bridging the gap between principle and practice, because it operates without knowledge of what constitutes least authority. Only when requests are made – whether by humans acting through a user interface, or by one object invoking another – can we determine how much authority is adequate. Without this knowledge, we must provide programs with enough authority to do anything they might be requested to do. We examine the practice of least authority at four major layers of abstraction – from humans in an organization down to individual objects within a programming language. We explain the special role of object-capability languages – such as E or the proposed Oz-E – in supporting practical least authority.
Secret-key sharing based on layered broadcast coding over fading channels

A secret-key sharing strategy based on layered broadcast coding is introduced for slow fading channels. In the model considered, Alice wants to share a key with Bob while keeping the key secret from a passive eavesdropper, Eve. Both Alice-Bob and Alice-Eve channels are assumed to undergo slow fading, and perfect channel state information (CSI) is assumed to be known only at the receivers during the transmission. Layered coding facilitates adapting the reliably decoded rate at Bob to the actual channel state without CSI available at Alice. The index of a reliably decoded layer is sent back to Alice via a public and error-free channel, which is exploited by Alice and Bob to generate the secret key. In this paper, the secrecy key rate is derived. In addition, the optimal power distribution over coded layers is characterized. It is shown that layered coding can increase the secrecy key rate significantly compared with single-level coding.
Pulmonary function in obstructive sleep apnea. Relationships to pharyngeal resistance and cross-sectional area.

Reduction in the size of the pharynx and increased pharyngeal airflow resistance have been demonstrated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We evaluated 15 men with severe OSA and 10 nonapneic control subjects matched for age and weight in order to determine if PCSA, inspiratory pharyngeal airflow resistance, and abnormal breathing events during sleep were associated with alterations in the flow-volume relationship and other awake PFTs. Pharyngeal cross-sectional area was determined by CT, and pharyngeal resistance between choanae and epiglottis was measured during quiet awake breathing. In patients with OSA, there was an inverse relationship between the mean cross-sectional area of the oropharynx and the ratio of FEF50%/FTF50% (rs=-0.54; p=0.03). In all subjects, pharyngeal resistance was inversely related to percentage of predicted values for FEF25–75% (rs= -0.56; p=0.01). The frequency of apneas during sleep was significantly (p (Chest 1990; 97:302–07)
Inmate Assaults on Prison Staff A Multilevel Examination of an Overlooked Form of Prison Violence

Most of the extant literature on prison violence has explored inmate-on-inmate assaultive behaviors rather than inmate-on-staff assaults. In addition, the bulk of this past literature considered only one level of an analysis, the inmate or the prison, while ignoring the importance of prison context on inmate behavior. This study enhances past research by combining both inmate- and prison-level data into a multilevel model predicting the likelihood of inmate-on-staff assaults. Self-report data from more than 1,000 inmates and 30 prisons revealed that, at the inmate level, age and aggression were the most robust predictors of inmate-on-staff assaults. In terms of contextual effects, inmates housed in prisons with a greater proportion of non-White inmates and a larger staff-to-inmate ratio were more likely to assault prison staff members. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.