cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mechanism of a phosphazene-phosphazane rearrangement.

The phosphazene–phosphazane rearrangement of N3P3Cl5O(CH2)2OC(O)CMeCH2 (8) has been examined in detail using one and two dimensional NMR (31P, 1H) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The mixed phosphazene–phosphazane [NPCl2]2[N((CH2)2OC(O)CMeCH2)P(O)Cl] (14), [NPCl2]2[NHP(O)Cl] (13) and a two ring assembly [NPCl2]2[NP(O{(NPCl2)2(N((CH2)2OC(O)CMeCH2)P(O)}] (15) have all been detected in the product mixture. The rate of the rearrangement has been measured at five temperatures by 31P and 1H NMR. The reaction is first order in 8 (T1/2 at 111° is 4.65 hours). The activation enthalpy is positive and the activation entropy is negative. A mechanism involving competing intra and inter molecular processes which fits the product distribution and kinetic data has been proposed. Several other methyacrylphosphazenes were examined under the same thermolysis conditions. The rearrangement was observed and the rates obtained in cases where the (CH2)2 spacer unit of the methacrylate was replaced by linear and branched propyl units. The rearrangement was not observed when the methacrylate was appended to a spirocyclic unit, the spacer unit was extended to the n-butyl group and when the methacrylate unit was replaced by a methoxy group. These results are all consistent with the proposed mechanism. This investigation resolves conflicting results previous reported for the rearrangement.
A parameterized index-generator for the multi-dimensional interleaving optimization

The novel optimization technique for the design of application specific integrated circuits of multi-dimensional problems, called multi-dimensional interleaving consists of an expansion and compression of the iteration space. It guarantees that all functional elements of a circuitry can be executed simultaneously, and no additional memory queues proportional to the problem size are required. Such technique, that considers the parallelism inherent to multi-dimensional problems, depend on loop transformations that require a new execution sequence of the loop. This study presents a new approach on synthesizing multidimensional (nested) loops, where pre-processor tools can rewrite the instructions in such a way to accommodate the required changes in the optimized design. This new approach is expected to improve the design cycle by including multidimensional signal processing and other common applications in the scope of the synthesis tools.
Unidirectional calcium and nucleotide fluxes in sarcoplasmic reticulum. I. Interpretation of flux ratios for different reaction schemes

The relation between unidirectional calcium and nucleotide fluxes was examined for different ATPase reaction schemes of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The schemes considered differed in the order of sorption and desorption of calcium, ATP, and ADP. The results suggest that the theoretical relation between calcium and nucleotide fluxes depends on the reaction scheme and that experimental measurements can distinguish among them. The results obtained are generally valid and do not depend on assumptions of equilibrium or pseudoequilibrium between intermediate states of the pump.
Alcohols, ethers, carbohydrates, and related compounds. III. The 1,2-dimethoxyethane system.

Ethylene glycol, its dimethyl ether, and some related compounds have been studied using the MM4 molecular mechanics force field. The MM4 calculated structural and energetic results have been brought into satisfactory agreement with a considerable number of experimental data and MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) ab initio calculations. The heats of formation of these compounds are also well calculated. The MM4 ethylene glycol conformations in particular are in good agreement, both geometrically and in terms of energy, with those from the ab initio calculations. The corresponding dimethyl ether is of special interest, because it has been suggested that the trans-gauche conformation is unusually stable due to the hydrogen bonding of a hydrogen on a methyl group with the more distant oxygen. It is shown in the present work that while this conformation is more stable than might have been expected, the energy is adequately calculated by MM4 without using any hydrogen bonding between the CH bond and the oxygen. If such hydrogen bonding occurs, it amounts to no more than about 0.5 kcal/mol in energy, and is too small to detect with certainty. Additionally, energetic relationships in trans-1,2-dimethoxycyclohexane, 1,3,5,7-tetraoxadecalin, and 3-methoxytetrahydropyran have been studied, and the calculated results are compared with experimental information, which is adequately reproduced. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 24: 1490–1503, 2003
Critical Legal Studies and Argumentation Theory

Critical Legal Studies poses a direct and expressed challenge to the basic tenets of American legal education and scholarship. Critical Legal Studies postulates that law is not a scientific exercise involving the application of objective principles, but rather a creative process involving the selection of conflicting rules which has the effect of reinforcing the existing political order. In an effort to explain the contribution of Critical Legal Studies to argumentation theory, this essay briefly discusses the role of legal reasoning in the American legal system, describes and critiques Legal Positivism, lays the intellectual foundation for Critical Legal Studies, and considers the implications that this conception of jurisprudence has for argumentation theory.
Left ventricular systolic response to exercise in patients with systemic hypertension without left ventricular hypertrophy.

Abstract Supine exercise radionuclide angiography was performed in 367 men to assess left ventricular (LV) systolic response to exercise; 58 had systemic hypertension without LV hypertrophy on a resting electrocardiogram and 309 were normotensive. All patients met the following criteria defining a low pretest likelihood of coronary artery disease: age 120 beats/min. Patients taking β-receptor blockers were excluded. There were no significant differences between hypertensive and normotensive groups in peak exercise heart rate, workload or exercise duration. However, hypertensive patients had significantly higher peak exercise systolic blood pressures and peak exercise rate-pressure products. There were no differences between patients with and without hypertension in resting ejection fraction, peak exercise ejection fraction (hypertensive patients 0.71 ± 0.01, normotensive patients 0.70 ± 0.05) or change in ejection fraction at peak exercise (hypertensive patients 0.07 ± 0.01, normotensive patients 0.07 ± 0.04). Diastolic and systolic ventricular volumes tended to be smaller in the hypertensive patients, but the difference was not statistically significant. The change in systolic volume with exercise was similar in the 2 groups (hypertensive -10 ± 3 ml/m 2 , normotensive -10 ± 1 ml/m 2 ). In the absence of electrocardiographic evidence of LV hypertrophy, systemic hypertension does not influence LV systolic response to exercise.
Fucosylation of Disaccharide Precursors of Sialyl LewisX Inhibit Selectin-mediated Cell Adhesion *

We showed previously that HL-60 and F9 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells will take up and deblock peracetylated Galβ1–4GlcNAcβ-O-naphthalenemethanol (Galβ1–4GlcNAc-NM) and use the disaccharide as a primer of oligosaccharide chains (Sarkar, A. K., Fritz, T. A., Taylor, W. H., and Esko, J. D. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 92, 3323–3327). We now report that another disaccharide, acetylated GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-naphthalenemethanol (GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-NM), has even greater potency and that both compounds will inhibit sialyl LewisX(sLex)-dependent cell adhesion. When fed to U937 cells, acetylated forms of Galβ1–4GlcNAc-NM and GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-NM primed oligosaccharides in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of compounds assembled on Galβ1–4GlcNAc-NM showed only one product, namely Galβ1–4(Fucα1–3)GlcNAc-NM. In contrast, GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-NM generated Galβ1–4GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-NM, Galβ1–4(Fucα1–3)GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-NM, NeuAcα2–3Galβ1–4GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-NM, and NeuAcα2–3Galβ1–4(Fucα1–3)GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-NM. Both compounds decreased the incorporation of [3H]fucose into cellular glycoconjugates, without affecting the incorporation of [3H]mannosamine, a precursor of sialic acid residues. Moreover, the overall extent of sialylation was not affected based on the reactivity of cells to fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Maackia amurensis lectin. Priming inhibited expression of sLex on cell surface glycoconjugates, which reduced E-selectin-dependent cell adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-α-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-NM and Galβ1–4GlcNAc-NM represent starting points for making enzyme-specific, site-directed inhibitors of glycosyltransferases that could act in living cells.
The effect of sample preparation on the thermal decomposition of CaCO3

Abstract It is pointed out that many of the thermal analysis techniques commonly utilized to measure the rates of thermal decomposition reactions are plagued with problems of mass and energy transport limitations. Because the technique employed here, dynamic X-ray diffraction (DXRD), allows for in situ observations of the solid reactants, intermediates, and products, and for better control of the heat and mass transfer resistance, most of these problems are obviated. Results are presented which not only compare the dramatic differences in global reaction rates between TGA and DXRD experiments, but also demonstrate the effects of sample preparation on calcite decomposition. Specifically, it is shown that sample cleaning, which tends to remove nucleation sites, as well as sample de-gassing, which probably removes water vapor, can lead to very different calcite decomposition rates.
Adaptive partitioning strategies for ternary tree structures

Test results of three adaptive partition strategies for constructing multidimensional ternary trees are presented. Such trees can be used to efficiently identify correlated measurements with error bounds that can be represented as finite volumes.
Spirituality and Religion among HIV-Infected Individuals

Spirituality and religion are important to many people living with HIV (PLWH). Recent research has focused on special populations (ethnic-minorities, women, and youth), spirituality/religion measurement, mediating/moderating mechanisms, and individual and community-level interventions. Spirituality/religion in PLWH has been refined as a multidimensional phenomenon, which improves health/quality of life directly and through mediating factors (healthy behaviors, optimism, social support). Spirituality/religion helps people to cope with stressors, especially stigma/discrimination. Spiritual interventions utilizing the power of prayer and meditation and addressing spiritual struggle are under way. Faith-based community interventions have focused on stigma and could improve individual outcomes through access to spiritual/social support and care/treatment for PLWA. Community engagement is necessary to design/implement effective and sustainable programs. Future efforts should focus on vulnerable populations; utilize state-of-the-art methods (randomized clinical trials, community-based participatory research); and, address population-specific interventions at individual and community levels. Clinical and policy implications across geographic settings also need attention.
Coma morphology and dust-emission pattern of periodic Comet Halley. IV - Spin vector refinement and map of discrete dust sources for 1910

A hypothetical continuous ejection of dust from discrete emission sources on the sunlit hemisphere of a rotating comet nucleus is tested against 34 digitally processed plates of Comet Halley over the May 5-June 6, 1910 period, as well as the reported projected lengths of six antisunward jets observed between May 14 and June 6, 1910. A map of the comet's nucleus is presented of whose 13 discrete dust sources only two can be modeled as point-like regions. Attention is given to curious cases of 'chain' activation in which the sources that intersect one another on the surface emit dust sequentially, in successive rotations.
CONTACT ANGLES OF DROPLETS DURING SPREAD AND RECOIL AFTER IMPINGING ON A HEATED SURFACE

The contact angle of a droplet impinging upon a hot surface undergoes changes as the drop spreads and recoils. The motion of the liquid and the effect of evaporation from the edges of the drop affect the contact angle. The changes in the contact angle during spreading affect the spreading characteristics of the droplet upon impact. However, the models available in literature for the maximum spreading ratio (maximum spread diameter divided by the initial droplet diameter) do not include this effect. In addition, the actual area of contact of a droplet is needed in the heat transfer studies. The present work reports an experimental study conducted to characterize the contact angle variation as a function of the heater surface finish, heater material, and heater surface temperature prior to impact. It is seen that the dynamic advancing contact angle extends beyond the equilibrium advancing and receding contact angles during the motion of the interface. Since the droplet spreading is influenced by the dynamic advancing contact angle, it is proposed to use the dynamic contact angle measurements in the available models for maximum spreading ratio. The experimental results obtained on the maximum spreading diameter indicate the validity of this approach.
Partial acetylation of lysine residues improves intraprotein cross-linking

Intramolecular cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometric identification of cross-linked amino acids is a rapid method for elucidating low-resolution protein tertiary structures or fold families. However, previous cross-linking studies on model proteins, such as cytochrome c and ribonuclease A, identified a limited number of peptide cross-links that are biased toward only a few of the potentially reactive lysine residues. Here, we report an approach to improve the diversity of intramolecular protein cross-linking starting with a systematic quantitation of the reactivity of lysine residues of a model protein, bovine cytochrome c. Relative lysine reactivities among the 18 lysine residues of cytochrome c were determined by the ratio of d0 and acetyl-d3 groups at each lysine after partial acetylation with sulfosuccinimidyl acetate followed by denaturation and quantitative acetylation of remaining unmodified lysines with acetic-d6 anhydride. These lysine reactivities were then compared with theoretically de...
Daptomycin-induced hyperkalemia in a patient with normal renal function

Purpose A case of episodic hyperkalemia associated with daptomycin administration is reported. Summary A 46-year-old African-American woman was hospitalized for treatment of a shoulder abscess. Initially treated with i.v. vancomycin, the patient was switched to daptomycin 9 mg/kg i.v. (500 mg daily) after three days. On day 10 of daptomycin therapy, she was noted to have a serum potassium concentration of 5.4 meq/L, with an increase to 6.1 meq/L on day 11. Reversal of hyperkalemia was achieved with oral sodium polystyrene sulfonate and other agents, and daptomycin was withheld for one day, during which time the patient’s serum potassium level normalized. One day after daptomycin therapy was resumed at a lower dose (7 mg/kg), the potassium concentration increased again (to 5.5 meq/L). With a further dosage reduction and continued administration of sodium polystyrene sulfonate, the patient completed the full course of daptomycin therapy. There was a close temporal relationship between daptomycin administrations and the serum potassium fluctuations; other potential causes of hyperkalemia were ruled out. Evaluation of this case using the algorithm of Naranjo et al. yielded a score of 6, indicating that the serum potassium elevations probably constituted an adverse reaction to daptomycin. A literature search identified no other reports of hyperkalemia associated with daptomycin use in a patient with normal renal function. Conclusion A 46-year-old women with normal renal function developed hyperkalemia after receiving high-dose daptomycin therapy. The potassium levels normalized when daptomycin was withheld but increased again when the patient was rechallenged with the drug.
Addition of Platinum and Palladium Tri-tert-butyl Phosphine Groups to Open Pt−Fe and Pt−Ru Metal Carbonyl Clusters

Two series of new compounds, Pt3Fe3(CO)15[M(PBut3)] (M = Pt, 12; M = Pd, 14) and Pt3Fe2(CO)12[M(PBut3)]2 (M = Pt, 13; M = Pd, 15), were synthesized from the reactions of Pt(PBut3)2 and Pd(PBut3)2 with Pt3Fe3(CO)15, 9. All new compounds were characterized crystallographically. Compounds 12 and 14 are structurally similar and contain a M(PBut3) group bridging a triangular Pt2Fe group of the starting complex 9. These compounds can be viewed as adducts of 9 because there was no loss of carbonyl ligands during the course of the addition reaction. Compounds 13 and 15 are also structurally similar and contain two mutually bonded M(PBut3) groups. These metal atoms are part of a Pt2M2 tetrahedron that also contains an edge-bridging platinum atom and two Fe(CO)4 groups that bridge the Pt−Pt bonds to this edge-bridging platinum. These compounds can be formed from 12 and 14 by replacement of one Fe(CO)3 group with a M(PBut3) group. The M−M bond is stabilized by a bridging carbonyl ligand. The reaction of Pt(PBut3)2 w...
Effect of Glucose-Insulin-Potassium Infusion on Myocardial Infarction following Experimental Coronary Artery Occlusion

The effects of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) infusion and glucose (G) infusion started 30 min after experimental coronary occlusion and the combination of GIK and propranolol (P) started 3 hours after coronary occlusion on the development of myocardial infarction were studied in 37 dogs. Fifteen minutes after the coronary occlusion, epicardial electrocardiograms were recorded at 10-15 sites; 24 hours later transmural specimens were obtained from the same sites for determination of myocardial creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and the evaluation of morphologic changes. In the control group (normal saline infusion) the relationship between S-T-segment elevation (mv) 15 min after occlusion and CPK activity (IU/mg of protein) 24 hours later was: log CPK = –0.064 S-T + 1.24; r = 0.81. In the GIK group, the infusion was begun 15 min following epicardial mapping, and sites with the same S-T-segment elevations showed less CPK depression than did the control group: log CPK = –0.022 S-T + 1.25. The G group als...
Use of Small-Angle Neutron Scattering To Study Tubulin Polymers

Small-angle neutron scattering has been used to examine taxol-stabilized microtubules and other tubulin samples in both H2O and D2O buffers. Measurements were made at pH/pD values between 6.0 and 7.8, and observed scattered intensities, I(Q), have been interpreted in terms of multicomponent models of microtubules and related tubulin polymers. A semiquantitative curve fitting procedure has been used to estimate the relative amounts of the supramolecular components of the samples. At both pH and pD 7.0 and above, the tubulin polymers are seen to be predominantly microtubules. Although in H2O buffer the polymer distribution is little changed as the pH varies, when pD is lowered the samples appear to contain an appreciable amount of sheetlike structures and the average microtubule protofilament number increases from ca. 12.5 at pD ≥ ≈7.0 to ca. 14 at pD ≈ 6.0. Such structural change indicates that analysis of microtubule solutions based on H2O/D2O contrast variation must be performed with caution, especially ...
Developing a valuable tool for IT staff: increasing efficiency and communication with an intranet

During the summer of 2002, Information Services & Resources (ISR) created a departmental web team with the goal of redesigning the ISR website. The team completed a successful (and SIGUCCS award winning) redesign, but in the process discovered a need for an organized website for the IT staff. At the same time our department's organizational development team was looking for a way to distribute their materials to staff over the web and build an online community. We decided to combine efforts and develop a valuable tool for our department by creating the ISR Intranet.The Intranet was designed to:Create a single place for IT staff to access forms, tools and resources.Create an online community to foster communication and sharing among staff.Provide easy access to strategic planning, performance planning and organizational development materials..Our paper will explore the different sections of the website, the technology employed in developing the site and its various components. We will also discuss staff reactions, lessons learned and our thoughts on the overall success of the site.The intended audience for this paper includes IT leaders, IT departmental webmasters and others who are interested in developing an intranet.
Directions And Development In Optical Interconnect Technology

Optical interconnects have the potential to increase the throughput of future computing systems. Development of optical interconnects at a larger scale for telecommunications and local area networks have demonstrated the capabilities of optical interconnects. To incorporate this technology in computing environments, further development is required in four areas - optoelectronic devices, routing and switching mechanisms, packaging, and architecture development. In this paper, we will discuss specific directions for the development and give examples of research directed toward the insertion of optical interconnects into high throughput computing systems.
Density Functional Theory Studies of Chemisorption and Diffusion Properties of Ni and Ni−Thiophene Complexes on the MoS2 Basal Plane

First principles calculations based on spin-polarized density functional theory and the generalized gradient approximation have been used to study the chemisorption and diffusion of Ni atoms and clusters and a Ni−thiophene complex on defect-free MoS2(0001). The calculations employ slab geometry and periodic boundary conditions. We have identified several possible adsorption configurations of Ni atoms on the surface. The most stable configuration corresponds to adsorption at 3-fold hollow sites. By increasing the Ni coverage, several types of clusters can be formed that have a lower binding energy per Ni atom than single adsorbed Ni atoms. Minimum energy pathways for the diffusion of Ni atoms between selected pairs of local minima have been determined. The results indicate the existence of relatively large barriers for hopping with values between 20 and 44 kcal/mol. Additional calculations have been performed to analyze the adsorption of the thiophene molecule on bare and Ni-covered MoS2 basal planes. Ni a...
Social skills training: Alive and well?

Social skills training is one of the oldest and widely studied approaches to psychiatric rehabilitation, with a history dating back over 40 years. Social skills training involves the systematic tea...
Direct Chemical Measurement of the λ of the Lumped Constant of the [14C]Deoxyglucose Method in Rat Brain: Effects of Arterial Plasma Glucose Level on the Distribution Spaces of [14C]Deoxyglucose and Glucose and on λ

The lumped constant in the operational equation of the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose (DG) method contains the factor λ that represents the ratio of the steady-state tissue distribution spaces for [14C]DG and glucose. The lumped constant has been shown to vary with arterial plasma glucose concentration. Predictions based mainly on theoretical grounds have suggested that disproportionate changes in the distribution spaces for [14C]DG and glucose and in the value of λ are responsible for these variations in the lumped constant. The influence of arterial plasma glucose concentration on the distribution spaces for DG and glucose and on λ were, therefore, determined in the present studies by direct chemical measurements. The brain was maintained in steady states of delivery and metabolism of DG and glucose by programmed intravenous infusions of both hexoses designed to produce and maintain constant arterial concentrations. Hexose concentrations were assayed in acid extracts of arterial plasma and freeze-blown brain. Grad...
Late holocene fluctuations of Mono Lake, eastern California

Abstract While long recognized as important sources of information on sub-millenial-to millenial-scale changes in climate, hydrographically closed lakes have seldom been used to illuminate past climatic vicissitudes in the sub-century-to centuries time frame. Mono Lake, an artificially depressed, hydrographically closed water body that abuts the eastern escarpment of California's Sierra Nevada, is well-suited for this type of detailed, high-resolution paleoclimatic reconstruction. Streamcuts through the deltas of the main feeder streams reveal lake-transgressive and -regressive sedimentary sequences with intervening soils, as well as an abundance of datable materials and tephra layers. The expansiveness and clarity of these exposures make it possible to trace individual transgressive and regressive units landward from the lake for as much as 1000 m, enabling the elevations of past high stands and low stands to be defined with a high degree of precision. Twenty-five radiocarbon dates, many of them on the remains of vegetation killed during the lake transgressions, together with 4 tephra units of known age, provide chronometric control for the fluctuation curve. The deltaic sequences, in combination with sedimentary, geomorphic, biotic, tephrostatigraphic, and historic evidence, indicate that during the past 3800 years Mono Lake has fluctuated over a vertical range of 40 m in response to changes in inflow and evaporation. Approximately 3770 cal B.P. thelake reached the Dechambeau Ranch High Stand at ∼1980.8 m, a level that it had not occupied for perhaps 7000 years, and that it has not attained since. By ∼1807 cal B.P. the lake had declined to an extreme low stand (the Marina Low Stand) at 1940.9 m. Over the ensuing six centuries it fluctuated little, remaining within an elevation interval (1945–1952 m) which is low by historic standards. The past 1200 years has been a period of rapid and large-scale fluctuations. During this interval Mono Lake has alternated between high stands (the Post Office, Rush Delta, Danberg Beach, Clover Ranch, and Historic high stands) of up to 1967.7 m, and low stabds (the Lee Vining Delta, Simis Ranch, Navy Beach, Rush Delta, and Pre-Historic low stands) as low as ∼1941 m. The water balance model for the Mono Basin developed by Vorster (1985) was used to assess the changes in hydroclimatic conditions necessary to account for the reconstructed lake behavior. The model indicates that, on the sub-century to centuries time scale, effective inflow to the Mono groundwater basin over the past 3800 years has varied from greater than 134% to less than 68% of the modern (1937–1979) mean value. For the past 2 millennia the lake fluctuations seem to correspond in time to de Vries-type variations in solar activity.
Assessment of microelectronics interconnect reliability - current practice and trends

When it comes to the long-term reliability of the most common microelectronics interconnects, too little effort is spent on investigating important aspects while a significant amount of day-to-day reliability testing may be more or less wasted. This would seem to be at least partially so because reliability managers often fail to ask themselves what it is that they really want to know. Notably, while rarely explicitly recognized even ongoing ‘engineering tests’ will usually be meaningless unless they reveal something about relative performance in service. This requires a model or at least a quantitative mechanistic understanding.
Perioperative strategies for third molar surgery.

The removal of third molar teeth is one of the most common procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Third molar extraction is associated with undesirable sequelae and complication. Morbidity is related to pain, swelling, trismus, infection, alveolar osteitis, bleeding, nerve injury, dental injury, jaw fracture, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, lost workdays, and general inconvenience. Many factors and strategies have been studied to minimize the morbidity associated with third molar removal. This article focuses on perioperative strategies that have been suggested to influence the postoperative course after third molar extraction. These include the effect of smoking, chlorhexidine rinses, topical and systemic antibiotic use, and preemptive pharmacotherapies, including corticosteroids, analgesics, and muscle relaxants. Additional factors that may play a role, such as microbial contamination, surgical difficulty, surgeon experience, flap design, extent and closure, presurgical pathology, age, gender, and oral contraceptive use, are not addressed.
Misplaced marketing: Mismanagement of misfocused trade association leaders

Focuses on the mismanagement by trade association leaders who focus on wrong areas. Suggests that they would do well to remember their experience as a member rather than as a leader in order for them to maintain their marketing perspective.
A seminar series in applied biostatistics for clinical research fellows, faculty and staff.

Familiarity with experimental design and statistical analysis techniques is necessary for investigators to conduct state-of-the-art research in clinical medicine. A wide range of options for biostatistical training is available. These include formal academic courses for credit, one-on-one education offered under the guise of consultation, self-paced textbook or computer learning, intensive short courses, portions of extended courses spanning an assortment of other subjects, and a continuing series of seminars or lectures covering selected topics in statistics. The latter structure is described in this article. We offered an eight-week lecture series focusing on a new topic in biostatistics each week. The course targeted clinical faculty, postdoctoral fellows, residents, and other interested research staff at a large medical research institution. The series focused on interpretation of medical journal articles with regard to statistical issues. Another objective was to provide information to increase a participant's expertise in the design of research studies. Guidance was offered for effective communication with collaborating biostatisticians. The format and contents of the seminar series are described. Aspects of the course that proved to be successful are discussed.
Dynamic patient grouping and prioritization: a new approach to emergency department flow improvement

The demand on emergency departments (ED) is variable and ever increasing, often leaving them overcrowded. Many hospitals are utilizing triage algorithms to rapidly sort and classify patients based on the severity of their injury or illness, however, most current triage methods are prone to over- or under-triage. In this paper, the group technology (GT) concept is applied to the triage process to develop a dynamic grouping and prioritization (DGP) algorithm. This algorithm identifies most appropriate patient groups and prioritizes them according to patient- and system-related information. Discrete event simulation (DES) has been implemented to investigate the impact of the DGP algorithm on the performance measures of the ED system. The impact was studied in comparison with the currently used triage algorithm, i.e., emergency severity index (ESI). The DGP algorithm outperforms the ESI algorithm by shortening patients' average length of stay (LOS), average time to bed (TTB), time in emergency room, and lowering the percentage of tardy patients and their associated risk in the system.
The synthesis–diffusion–degradation model explains Bicoid gradient formation in unfertilized eggs

Precise formation of morphogen gradients is essential to the establishment of reproducible pattern in development. Mechanisms proposed for obtaining the requisite precision range from simple models with few parameters to more complex models involving many regulated quantities. The synthesis–diffusion–degradation (SDD) model is a relatively simple model explaining the formation of the Bicoid gradient in Drosophila melanogaster, in which the steady-state characteristic length of the gradient is determined solely by the rates of diffusion and degradation of the morphogen. In this work, we test the SDD model in unfertilized D. melanogaster eggs, which contain a single female pronucleus and lack the nuclear division cycles and other zygotic regulatory processes seen in fertilized eggs. Using two-photon live imaging as well as a novel method for quantitative imaging based on decorrelation of photoswitching waveforms, we find that the Bicoid gradient is longer and shallower in unfertilized eggs as compared to the gradient at the same time points in fertilized eggs. Using a means of measuring the Bicoid lifetime by conjugation to a photoconvertible fluorophore, we find that the lifetime is correspondingly longer in unfertilized eggs, providing qualitative and quantitative agreement with the predictions of the SDD model.
Inhibition of Histamine Release by Histamine controlled by H2 Receptor

AGENTS which increase the intracellular level of adenosine 3′-5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in human leukocyte preparations such as the catecholamines, methylxanthines and prostaglandins, inhibit the antigen induced, IgE antibody mediated release of histamine from human leukocytes (basophils)1–3. Not only are the dose response relationships for increased cyclic AMP levels and the inhibition of histamine release similar, but the kinetics of the two events are also parallel and it is accepted as a working hypothesis that changes in the cyclic AMP level of human basophils (and mast cells) modulate the in vitro allergic response4–6. Recently, we showed that exogenous histamine could increase the cyclic AMP level of human leukocyte preparations and stop the release of endogenous histamine. This occurred at concentrations of histamine (about 10−6 M) which are present in the cell suspension under study7. For this reason we suggested that histamine could “feedback” to control the spread of an allergic response by decreasing the response of other target cells (tissue mast cells, blood basophils) to an allergenic challenge. No clear effect of antihistamines on the inhibition of histamine release by histamine was observed: concentrations up to 10−3 M to 10−4 M of several antihistamines had little effect and higher concentrations of these drugs either caused inhibition of histamine release themselves or were cytotoxic2,7.
h-gamma: an RC delay metric based on a gamma distribution approximation of the homogeneous response

Recently a probability interpretation of moments was proposed as a compromise between the Elmore delay and higher order moment matching for RC timing estimation (Kay and Pileggi, 1998). By modeling RC impulses as time-shifted incomplete gamma distribution function, the delays could be obtained via table lookup using a gamma integral table and the first three moments of the impulse response. However, while this approximation works well for many examples, it struggles with responses when the metal resistance becomes dominant, and produces results with impractical time shift values In this paper the probability interpretation is extended to the circuit homogeneous response, without requiring the time shift parameter. The gamma distribution is used to characterize the normalized homogeneous portion of the step response. For a generalized RC interconnect model (RC tree or mesh), the stability of the homogeneous-gamma distribution model is guaranteed. It is demonstrated that when a table model is carefully constructed, the h-gamma approximation provides for excellent improvement over the Elmore delay in terms of accuracy, with very little additional cost in terms of CPU time.
Leveraging concepts of Knowledge Management with Total Quality Management: case studies in the service sector

The exponential growth of Knowledge Management (KM) and Total Quality Management (TQM) methods are studied within modern service-based organisations in the Pittsburgh area to examine their means for arriving at sustainable competitive advantage. Specific case studies of relatively large service companies were selected due in part to their special features of knowledge-based TQM initiatives and implementations. A combination of personal interviews of middle-to-upper management and employees was used to gather perceptions of recent KM and TQM-based initiatives. Examples of tools and practices on managing knowledge workers and applying technological tools to assist with quality-assurance strategies were discussed.
Effects of processing parameters in P/M steel forging on part properties: A review part III analysis methods

In the last decade, powder metallurgy (P/M) technology has made marked advances in competitive manufacturing. P/M offers design opportunities that are not possible with other methods, as well as significant cost savings. The processing parameters, material characteristics, individual stages of parts production, deformation and densification mechanics and tooling, and preform design influence the properties of the P/M part and related economics. Therefore, a review of the various parameters involved in the different stages of P/M steel forging in net-shape manufacturing and their implications on resulting properties of P/M parts is presented in a three-part review. Part I discusses the stages of preparing a sintered compact, and Part II identifies key parameters in forging the sintered compact that influence the properties of the powder forged part. Part III reviews the different analysis methods available to study P/M processing.
Domino Heck–Aza-Michael Reactions: A One-Pot, Sequential Three-Component Approach to 1,1-Dioxido-1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-acetic Acid

The development of a new method for the synthesis of 1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-acetic acid by a domino process is reported whereby a classical Heck reaction is coupled to an intramolecular aza-Michael reaction. Ultimately, this method has been expanded to a one-pot, sequential three-component protocol to generate diverse benzofused γ-sultams from a range of commercially available α-bromobenzenesulfonyl chlorides, amines and Michael acceptors.
Effect of estrogen on the expression of a cell-surface antigen associated with rat anterior pituitary somatotrophs

Abstract The long-term in vivo effect of diethylstilbestrol (DES) on the expression of a cell-surface antigen associated with the anterior pituitary somatotroph was studied in two strains of female rats using double immunofluorescence techniques. Mab WHC-1, a recently generated and characterized monoclonal antibody, was used to detect the antigen associated with somatotrophs, whereas rabbit anti-rat prolactin (rPRL) and anti-human growth hormone (hGH) antisera were used to identify mammotrophs and somatotrophs, respectively. In F344 rats, Mab WHC-1-positive cells increased from 13.8 ± 0.5% of total pituitary cells in normal anterior pituitaries to 34.2 ± 4.0% in DES-induced pituitary tumors. The number of mammotrophs also increased significantly from 58.0 ± 3.2% in controls to 75.9 ± 2.2% in tumors. On the other hand, somatotrophs decreased significantly in number following ovariectomy (OVX) and DES implantation (19.7 ± 0.5% vs. 6.1 ± 1.2%). Based on double immunofluorescence, the percentage of Mab WHC-1-positive cells, which were somatotrophs, decreased from 85.5 ± 2.7% in normal controls to 6.7 ± 1.5% in DES-induced tumors. On the other hand, the percentage of Mab WHC-1-positive cells which were mammotrophs increased significantly from 14.0 ± 1.4% to 86.1 ± 1.8% following OVX and DES implantation. A similar change was found in the number of somatotrophs and mammotrophs following the same treatment in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats which did not develop pituitary tumors. In contrast to F344 rats, the number of Mab WHC-1-positive cells in SD rats decreased significantly from 32.4 ± 2.8% in sham-operated controls to 19.3 ± 2.9% in OVX + DES-implanted rats. Significant strain differences were found in the relative population of Mab WHC-1-positive cells, somatotrophs and mammotrophs. The results indicate a shift in the expression of Mab WHC-1-defined cell-surface antigens from the majority of somatotrophs to an increasing number of mammotrophs following long-term treatment of estrogen.
Effects of molecular mass on the diffusion coefficient in a multiphase lattice Boltzmann model

We introduce a simplified expression for the diffusion coefficient (D) of a multicomponent Lattice Boltzmann model. For dilute solutions, this expression is reduced to have dependence only on the molecular mass and relaxation time of the solute. By altering the molecular mass, the value of D can be varied by several orders of magnitude, thus, providing an additional parameter for use in tuning LB model values to physical systems. The ability to adjust the values of molecular mass can also be used to decrease simulation times. This is advantageous as it allows application of the LB model to solve problems that previously required prohibitive computational resources. The capability to model a wide range of diffusion coefficients and decrease simulation times is illustrated in a simple case study.
Redox evolution of silicic magmas: Insights from XANES measurements of Ce valence in Bishop Tuff zircons

The potential for zircon to record continuous and evolving magmatic redox conditions is investigated by quantifying Ce valence in natural and synthetic crystals by X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES). Valence was determined at high spatial resolution (2 × 4 μm) by analysis of the Ce L3 edge for synthetic zircons and crystals from the Bishop Tuff Ig2E sequence; analyses included both core-to-rim and cross-sector measurements. Core-to-rim zonation among natural grains reveals a systematic increase in Ce4 +/ΣCe, with core regions that range from ~ 0.4 to 0.6 Ce4 +/ΣCe (i.e., ~ 40–60% Ce4 +), while zircon rims range from ~ 0.7 to 1.0 Ce4 +/ΣCe (i.e., ~ 70–100% Ce4 +). Repeat analysis on an individual point suggests, on average, a Ce4 +/ΣCe reproducibility at the 5% level or less. Changes in spectral features with grain orientation were also investigated by rotating and analyzing synthetic zircons every 45o. This resulted in changes to the calculated Ce valence of < 5%, which is much smaller than the range observed in natural samples. The core-to-rim increase in Ce4 +/ΣCe of Bishop Tuff samples may indicate a continuous crystal-melt evolution to more oxidizing conditions prior to eruption, but this cannot be uniquely decoupled from other effects that may influence Ce valence in zircon, which potentially include temperature changes or kinetic processes related to the mineral growth surface. Cathodoluminescence imaging couples with XANES spectra for Bishop Tuff samples reveal that different sectors yield notably different Ce4 +/ΣCe, implying anisotropic decoupling of Ce3 + and Ce4 + in the zircon near-surface during crystallization. Broadly correlative (albeit with lower spatial resolution) Ti-thermometry and light rare earth element LA-ICP-MS data are also reported for zircon grains; there is no correlation between measured Ce anomalies and Ce4 +/ΣCe. Cerium valence measurements of zircon may be able to constrain magma redox evolution with time, without relying on the nearly ubiquitous low concentrations of La and Pr, which are classically used to calculate Ce anomalies.
Shift in visual laterality within blocks of trials

Abstract Single random polygons were briefly presented for subsequent recognition in either the left or the right visual half-field, randomized within each of three blocks of 40 trials. No overall perceptual asymmetry was found, but the distribution of correct recognitions within a block showed a shift in favor of the right visual field for later as compared to early trials (experiment 1). The shift was due to a systematic improvement of right visual field performance within blocks, left visual field performance remaining unchanged. This effect was replicated in experiment 2 and in the control condition of experiment 3. It was not caused by increasing familiarity of the stimulus material (experiment 2). When an unrelated auditory verbal task was given before each visual trial, an overall right half-field superiority was found, evenly distributed across trials (experiment 3). Thus extraexperimental subverbalization could have primed the left hemisphere in terminal subblocks in the earlier experiments. However, neither of two manipulations designed to preclude subverbalization yielded an overall left half-field superiority (experiment 4). Indeed, precluding subverbalization seemed to improve left hemisphere performance in the present task, in which verbal coding is not useful. Difficulty in demonstrating reliable left visual field superiority for relatively nonverbal stimuli thus does not necessarily reflect weak or unstable specialized processing by the right hemisphere. The same outcome can result from gradual gains in left hemisphere performance within a block of trials. In the present task, for which there is relative right hemisphere specialization, the left hemisphere has the potential to match right hemisphere performance.
Stress patterns in an interplate shear zone: an effective anisotropic model and implications for the transverse ranges, California

The pervasive Quaternary strike-slip (or wrench) structure that occurs in southern California is analyzed by solving a series of planar, linear elastic boundary value problems of tractional type that assume pure shear forces at infinity. It is concluded that the cross-cutting tectonic fabric of the Transverse Ranges in southern California causes the Ranges to act as a stress concentrator. In addition, it is found that rigid rotation of the Transverse Ranges is mechanically supported by an asymmetric distribution of stress and elastic strain encircling it. It is noted that for Quaternary tectonic orientation, a clockwise sense to this rotation is expected.
Glutamate and the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

public health problem. Patients suffering from OCD have distressing obsessions and compulsions that impair their daily functioning. This severe and chronically debilitating disorder affects more than 3 million people in the United States. Estimates of the lifetime prevalence of OCD in pediatric and adult populations range from 1% to 3%. According to the World Health Organization, OCD is among the 10 most disabling medical conditions worldwide. Among anxiety disorders, the National Comorbidity Survey Replication states that OCD has the highest percentage (50.6%) of serious cases. The clinical phenomenology and nosology of pediatric OCD are well described. This makes OCD a leading candidate for innovative developmental neurobiological study. In contrast to major depression and bipolar disorder, the clinical presentation in childhood and adulthood is similar, making findings more applicable across the age span. The two reasons to focus our study and attention on pediatric OCD are: