cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An ethical analysis of withdrawal of therapy in patients with implantable cardiac electronic devices: Application of a novel decision algorithm

Patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), which include pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), may request deactivation of their devices as they approach the end of life. The Heart Rhythm Society (2010) has stated that “ethically, and legally, there are no differences between refusing CIED therapy and requesting withdrawal of CIED therapy.” On the basis of the principle that there is no ethical distinction between withholding and withdrawing treatment, this professional organization has suggested that both the antibradycardia and antitachycardia features of these devices may be disabled at the patient's request. We argue that disabling ICD shocks is analogs to a do-not-resuscitate order and is ethically permissible whereas withdrawing pacing from a pacemaker-dependent patient is an act of intentionally hastening death and not morally licit.
Canada invests in weather and climate monitoring

Canada is investing $78.7 million over the next 5 years to improve weather and climate monitoring infrastructure, Canada's minister of the environment Peter Kent announced on 20 January. The Canadian weather radar network, which consists of 31 radar sites around the country, is slated to receive the bulk of the funding ($45.2 million) to allow existing newer-generation radars to upgrade to dual-polarization technology. Of the remainder, $18.8 million is for the Canadian weather and climate observing networks to supplement existing resources and upgrade about 250 observing stations; $10.5 million is to improve the Canadian lightning detection network; and $4.2 million is to upgrade the Canadian aerological network's navigational technology with multisensor GPS radiosonde equipment.
Unraveling terminal C-domain-mediated condensation in fungal biosynthesis of imidazoindolone metabolites.

The fungal peptidyl alkaloids of the tryptoquialanine and fumiquinazoline families are nonribosomally assembled by annulation of the indole side chain of fumiquinazoline F (FQF) with an alaninyl or aminoisobutyryl unit by monomodular NRPS enzymes containing adenylation, thiolation, and condensation (A-T-C) domains. The Af12060 and Af12050 enzyme pair from Aspergillus fumigatus thereby converts FQF to FQA, while the homologous TqaH and TqaB enzyme pair from Penicillium aethiopicum makes the 2′-epi diastereomer of FQA, differing only in the stereochemistry of one of the C–N bonds formed in the annulation with l-Ala. To evaluate the basis for this stereochemical control, we have mixed and matched the flavoprotein oxygenases Af12060 and TqaH with the A-T-C modular enzymes Af12050 and TqaB to show that the NRPS enzymes control the stereochemical outcome. The terminal 50 kDa condensation domains of Af12050 and TqaB are solely responsible for the stereochemical control as shown both by making chimeric (e.g., A-T...
BUSINESS–IT STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT MATURITY: PREDICTING THE IMPACT ON TRANSFORMATIONAL STRATEGY AND BUSINESS RESULTS

Academic and management literature hypothesize that organizations that adopt organizational and management practices (“complementary factors”) that improve IT-business communications and partnership are better able to transform their business models. This implies that these firms obtain higher productivity and profitability from IT investments than organizations with comparable levels of IT investment. This study employs a stage-growth model (the “strategic alignment maturity model”) that focuses on the evolution of a bilateral and ideally co-adaptive relationship between business and information technology functions to empirically test that hypothesis. Employing the results of a survey of pharmaceutical industry business and IT executives, this research provides new insights into the relationship between IT-business strategic alignment maturity and firm-level productivity and profitability. This study also helps to quantify important “complementary factors” that provide transformational impact on a firm’s production function by its investments in IT.
The choice among anterior resection, the pull-through, and abdomino-perineal resection of the rectum

For clinically infiltrating cancer of the rectum below 6 cm from the anal verge, abdominoperineal resection is our operation of choice, although in very highly selected patients a sphincter-preserving procedure has given satisfactory results. For cancer between 6 and 11 cm, a sphincter-preserving procedure, when it can be done, is our choice. Anterior resection in our hands has given better long-term functional results and has been our preference. Occasionally a pullthrough can be done when anterior resection is technically impossible. In almost a quarter of patients with cancer in this area, abdominoperineal resections are done when sphincter-preserving procedures cannot be done for anatomical or technical reasons.
Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses is characterized by IFN-γ and IL-8 production in bronchoalveolar lavage cells

In horses prone to developing recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), we tested the hypotheses that the cytokine profile in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells of affected horses would reflect a polarized Th-2 response; that cytokine and chemokine alterations would occur within 24 h of allergen exposure; and that allergen exposure would induce alterations in the expression of the transcription factor t-bet (t-box-expressed in T-cells). The expression levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), t-bet, IL-8 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were measured in BAL cells obtained from control and RAO-susceptible horses during an asymptomatic phase and at 24 h and 5 weeks post-stabling and hay exposure. At each sampling time, BAL neutrophil percentages in the RAO-group exceeded controls. In the RAO-group, only IL-13 expression was decreased 2-fold during the asymptomatic phase. No differences in cytokine or chemokine expression were detected during the acute exposure phase. During the chronic phase, IFN-gamma and IL-8 expression levels were 2.5- and 3-fold greater, respectively, in the RAO-group. No other differences in gene expression were detected. We conclude that the cytokine profile of the airway cells does not reflect a polarized Th-2 response; that increases in IFN-gamma result from a t-bet independent pathway and that chemokines from epithelial or interstitial cells may contribute to early neutrophil influx.
Evaluation of Range Straggling for Heavy Particles

From the formula developed by Lewis for the differential range distribution of heavy, charged, non-relativistic particles, an integral range distribution is obtained. The latter is evaluated for 2- to 500-Mev protons in Al to show, in a practical way, how the distribution differs from a Gaussian, as evidenced by its shorter-than-average range tail. The extent to which this tail increases the mean range and makes it different from the most probable range is indicated. Values for the range straggling are also given.
Modlling of optical tapers for high-angular-tolerance optical receivers application

The performance of optical tapers used in an optical receiver for atmospheric communication applications is analyzed numerically. A generalized mathematical ray-tracing model and a computation algorithm are presented for numerical evaluations. With this model, the taper can have an arbitrary shape and both the meridional rays and skew rays can be simulated. Furthermore, a simple figure of merit is proposed for evaluating the coupling efficiency of the optical tapers.
Laser-plasma generated very high energy electrons in radiation therapy of the prostate

Monte Carlo simulation experiments have shown that very high energy electrons (VHEE), 150-250 MeV, have potential advantages in prostate cancer treatment over currently available electrons, photon and proton beam treatment. Small diameter VHEE beamlets can be scanned, thereby producing a finer resolution intensity modulated treatment than photon beams. VHEE beams may be delivered with greater precision and accelerators may be constructed at significantly lower cost than proton beams. A VHEE accelerator may be optimally designed using laser-plasma technology. If the accelerator is constructed to additionally produce low energy photon beams along with VHEE, real time imaging, bioprobing, and dose enhancement may be performed simultaneously. This paper describes a Monte Carlo experiment, using the parameters of the electron beam from the UCLA laser-plasma wakefield accelerator, whereby dose distributions on a human prostate are generated. The resulting dose distributions of the very high energy electrons are shown to be comparable to photon beam dose distributions. This simple experiment illustrates that the nature of the dose distribution of electrons is comparable to that of photons. However, the main advantage of electrons over photons and protons lies in the delivery and manipulation of electrons, rather than the nature of the dose distribution. This paper describes the radiation dose delivery of electrons employing technologies currently in exploration and evaluates potential benefits as compared with currently available photon and protons beams in the treatment of prostate and other cancers, commonly treated with radiation.
Renormalization effects near the vortex-unbinding transition of two-dimensional superconductors

The theory of topological phase transitions predicts a universal relation between the vortex-unbinding temperature ${T}_{c}$ and the areal superelectron density ${n}_{s}({T}_{c})$ in two-dimensional superconductors. Evaluating ${n}_{s}({T}_{c})$ with the theory of dirty superconductors leads to a relation between ${T}_{c}$ and the normal-state sheet resistance ${R}_{N}^{\ensuremath{\square}}$. This latter relation, however, must be modified to account for the distinction between the unrenormalized ${{n}_{s}}^{0}$ and the renormalized value ${{n}_{s}}^{R}$, in the critical region near ${T}_{c}$. This can be expressed via a nonuniversal parameter ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{c}=\frac{{{n}_{s}}^{0}({T}_{c})}{{{n}_{s}}^{R}({T}_{c})}$, which depends in turn for homogeneous films on ${N}_{0}$, the density of statistically independent vortices within an area ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{2}$. For the Hg-Xe thin films studied earlier, we find that ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{c}=1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$ and ${N}_{0}=0.05\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03$.
Self diffusion of Mg, Ca, Ba, Nd, Yb, Ti, Zr, and U in haplobasaltic melt

We have measured self diffusion coefficients (D) for a wide variety of elements in a Fo_(15)Di_(40)An_(45) melt at 1 bar from 1350–1500 °C. These measurements, including the first reported data for Yb, Ti, Zr, U, and preliminary values for Th and Pb, provide an internally consistent set of self diffusivities for elements covering a wide range in ionic radius and charge. Diffusion couples were formed by juxtaposing isotopically enriched and isotopically normal melts of the same chemical composition, and isotopic concentration profiles were measured with an ion probe. Well-defined diffusion coefficients were determined to within a reproducibility of ±15%. The data show good Arrhenian behavior with activation energies ranging from 170 kJ/m for Mg^(2+) to 216 kJ/m for Zr^(4+). The diffusion coefficient for U is interpreted as the weighted sum of variable proportions of U^(5+) and U^(6+), with D_(U5+) > D_(U6+). Activation energies for most elements are similar and agree well with the activation energy for viscous flow, suggesting a structural relationship between diffusion and viscosity. In contrast, diffusion coefficients display a systematic decrease with increasing ionic radius and increasing charge at any given temperature, and at 1400 °C range from 8.1 × 10^(−7) cm^2/s for Mg^(2+) to 0.9 × 10^(−7) cm^2/s for U^(5−6+). These observations suggest that diffusion of network modifying cations in low viscosity melts reflects a combination of the intrinsic mobilities of the individual cations and viscous flow of the melt network. While there is some indication that self diffusion coefficients are influenced by a combination of mechanical and electrostatic effects, a complete physical explanation for the variation of diffusivity with ionic radius and charge does not exist. The width of a boundary layer around a growing crystal is proportional to √D, and hence the small range in diffusion coefficients measured in this study implies that trace element fractionation during crystal growth in basaltic compositions will be minimal.
What are the intracellular signals for agonist-activated calcium entry into hepatocytes?

The Ca2+ signal observed in individual fura-2-loaded hepatocytes stimulated with the α1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine consisted of a variable latency period, a rapid biphasic increase in the cytosolic free Ca2+, followed by a period of maintained elevated cytosolic Ca2+ (plateau phase) that depended on the continued presence of both agonist and external Ca2+, Microinjection of guanosine-5′-O-(3-thiophosphate) elicited a Ca2+ transient with the same basic features. The Ca2+ transient resulting from microinjecting inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3) occurred with essentially no latency period and consisted of a rapid spike that decayed back to preinjection levels within 15 s. Microinjection of inositol 1,4-5-trisphosphorothioate (thio-IP3), a nonmetabolizable analog of Ins-1,4,5-P3, elicited a Ca2+ transient that was initially identical to that observed with Ins-1,4,5-P3, except that the cytosolic Ca2+ remained elevated. The maintained thio-IP3-induced Ca2+ increase was dependent on the presence of external Ca2+, suggesting an activation of Ca2+ influx. Reintroduction of external Ca2+ in the presence of 5 μM phenylephrine to Ca2+-depleted cells resulted in a 2-fold greater rate of rise in the cytosolic Ca2+ compared to the rate observed upon Ca2+ addition to cells Ca2+-depleted by preatement with thapsigargin. The rate of Ca2+ rise upon Ca2+ addition to cells microinjected with thio-IP3 was similar to that observed with phenylephrine. Coinjection of the cells with thio-IP3 plus heparin reduced the rate of Ca2+ rise upon Ca2+ addition to that observed in thapsigargin-treated cells. These data indicate that the mechanism responsible for receptor-mediated stimulation of Ca2+ entry into hepatocytes involves not only capacitative Ca2+ entry but also an additional component mediated directly by Ins-1,4,5-P3.
Melamine/formaldehyde crosslinkers: characterization, network formation and crosslink degradation

Reticulation de ces revetements: cinetique, modeles pour les reactions a forte conversion. Degradation reticulante: hydrolyse et degradation photochimique
Fat man and little boy: The cinematic representation of interests in the nuclear weapons organization

Throughout the nuclear age, popular‐cultural texts have oriented audiences to the Bomb, and to the organizations that design, produce and deploy it. Collectively, these texts reflect a mixture of patriotism, awe, dread, and opposition to nuclear weapons. This essay explores one film text of a principal event in nuclear history: the construction of the atomic bomb at the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II. The ironic “problems” of the 1989 Hollywood film Fat Man and Little Boy demonstrate the ideological operations of nuclear texts, and the role of the nuclear weapons organization as a symbolic form in cultural discourse.1
Excimer formation in high-pressure microhollow cathode discharge plasmas in helium initiated by low-energy electron collisions

Abstract We report the observation of intense continuous vacuum ultraviolet radiation in the range 60–100 nm from microhollow cathode discharge plasmas in high-pressure He (up to 600 Torr). Two prominent emissions, a narrow, sharply peaked feature in the region of 58–65 nm and a broad emission from 65 to 95 nm are attributed to the He ∗ 2 first- and second-excimer continuum emission, respectively. We also observed several narrow atomic emission lines in the 95–125-nm range that correspond to atomic O, N, and H emission lines. We attribute the presence of these atomic line emissions to near-resonant energy transfer processes involving the He ∗ 2 excimers and trace concentrations of the impurities O 2 , N 2 , and H 2 in the discharge feed gas. The processes leading to the atomic line emissions in the present case are similar to the near-resonant energy transfer process observed previously in high-pressure microhollow cathode discharge plasmas in Ne/H 2 gas mixtures, which resulted in the emission of intense, monochromatic atomic hydrogen Lyman-α radiation (P. Kurunczi et al. J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 32 (1999) L651). He ∗ 2 excimer formation in a microhollow cathode discharge plasma is initiated by low-energy electron collisions (excitation of the metastable He levels or ionization of the He atoms) followed by three-body collisions. The emission of He ∗ 2 excimer radiation from a microhollow cathode discharge plasma indicates that these discharges are very efficient sources of energetic electrons, as the formation of He ∗ 2 excimers requires a sufficiently large number of electrons with energies well above 20 eV.
Racial identity and self-esteem among Black Brazilian men: Race matters in Brazil too!

The contribution of J. E. Helms’s (1990) people of color racial identity model to the collective and individual self-esteem of Black Brazilian men (N = 203) was explored. The relationships between racial identity attitudes and other racial constructs such as skin color, racial group self-designation, and racial mistrust were also examined. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the set of racial identity attitudes (conformity, dissonance, resistance, and internalization) was significant in predicting self-esteem (collective and individual). Results from a multivariate analysis of variance showed an effect for skin color on racial attitudes. In addition, racial identity was significantly related to mistrust of Whites by Black Brazilian men. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of racial relations in Brazil.
Osmotic pressure measurements of ovalbumin and lysozyme mixtures

Abstract Ovalbumin and lysozyme have been reported to undergo a mixed association in solutions of low ionic strength. Osmotic pressure experiments were performed on ovalbumin and on lysozyme solutions in 0.06 M cacodylate buffer (I = 0.02, pH = 5.8) at 30 and at 37°C. The individual proteins did not undergo any self-associations at either temperature; these measurements indicated that each of the solutions was nonideal. Osmotic pressure experiments on three blends of lysozyme and ovalbumin at 30 and 37°C could be interpreted in two ways. One interpretation was that a nonideal, nonassociating mixture of A and B was present; for the three solutions the mixed nonideal term BAB was negative. A negative nonideal term is usually interpreted as indicating an association. The other interpretation of the data was as a quasi-ideal mixed association of the type A + B ⇄ AB.
A note on item analysis and the criterion of internal consistency

The implications contained in Richardson's article on item analysis in March 1936 issue ofPsychometrika are examined in the light of multiple factor theory. It is shown that item analysis is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for the construction of a test which shall measure a single trait. The intercorrelations of certain items selected by a method of item analysis are examined, found to contain many zero and some negative correlations. Multiple factor analysis showed that eight traits were measured by the items which had been asserted to measure only one.
New stopping criteria for detecting infeasibility in conic optimization

Detecting infeasibility in conic optimization and providing certificates for infea- sibility pose a bigger challenge than in the linear case due to the lack of strong duality. In this paper we generalize the approximate Farkas lemma of Todd and Ye (12) from the linear to the general conic setting, and use it to propose stopping criteria for interior point algorithms using self-dual embedding. The new criteria can identify if the solutions have large norm, thus they give an indication of infeasibility. The modified algorithms enjoy the same complexity bounds as the original ones, without assuming that the problem is feasible. Issues about the practical application of the criteria are also discussed.
Web technology and supply chain management

Supply chain management is critical since firms always confront the competition on their supply chain efficiency. This article discusses the trend in supply chain management by examining Web technologies that transform and streamline the supply chain management.
Effects of sex and scotorefractory state on obesity induced by photostimulation and serum leptin in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Abstract The rising prevalence of obesity is associated with an increasing incidence of heart disease, diabetes and other health risks. In addition, severe cases of obesity are associated with an even greater risk of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, animal models of morbid obesity are required to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Our investigations in the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) suggest that pronounced obesity can be reliably induced in this species without relying on genetic manipulation or overly fatty and palatable foods. In a prior study on reproductive aging in female Siberian hamsters, we incidentally observed marked obesity in a group of hamsters that were exposed to a particular photoperiodic regime. In short day (SD) lengths, Siberian hamsters inhibit their reproductive physiology and reduce food intake and body mass. However, hamsters become refractory to SD after 15–20 weeks and revert to the long day (LD) phenotype. In the previous study, refractory animals appeared to be particularly sensitive to photostimulation (transfer to LD), in terms of increasing body mass. To test the hypothesis that refractoriness to SD predisposes hamsters to severe obesity, we photostimulated females and males in different states of SD responsiveness (inhibited or refractory). We determined that photostimulation during the SD-refractory state is particularly effective in inducing pronounced obesity and high serum leptin concentration in female hamsters. We propose that this experimental framework is a useful model to investigate the factors and signals that create a predisposition to excessive food intake and body mass, without having to rely on genetic or dietary manipulations.
Situational risk in organizational buying: A basis for adaptive selling

Abstract Customer perceptions of risk have a significant influence on the way buying decisions are made. The risk varies widely, however, depending on the particular buying situation facing the customer. Different aspects of the situation lead to variations in both the level and type of risk. The article defines two dimensions of risk, purchase importance and task uncertainty, and presents a two-by-two categorization of customer situations. Evaluating the four categories with the results from a survey shows that there are significant differences in the buying process, decision criteria, and information use across these customer situations. The categorization is assessed as a basis for understanding different types of customer situations and for adapting sales tactics in response to specific customer needs.
20 years of transcrotal orchidopexy for undescended testis: results and outcomes.

Abstract Background The role of the transcrotal approach to the undescended testis remains controversial despite its increasing popularity. The authors update their previous published series and review the literature on this subject, aiming to delineate the value of this technique. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of the transcrotal primary orchidopexy carried out to treat palpable undescended testis at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital between 1993 and 2005. A structured review of literature published since the proposal of this technique was also performed. Results 122 procedures were included. The transcrotal approach was successfully completed in 119 (97.5%). Additional groin incision was needed in three (2.5%) to further mobilize the spermatic cord. No immediate complications were recorded and 8.4% required a reoperative procedure. On review of the literature, a total of 16 articles were discovered spanning 1695 transcrotal procedures, including the previously published authors' experience. On combining the data, the transcrotal approach required an additional groin incision in 4.4% of cases, 1.6% experienced immediate and/or early complications, and the overall recurrence rate was 2.0%. Conclusions Transcrotal orchidopexy for the treatment of palpable undescended testes is a safe procedure with a long-term success rate comparable to the two-incision approach.
The Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey (HABLAS): the association between acculturation, birthplace and alcohol consumption across Hispanic national groups

Acculturation to U.S. society has been associated with an increase in drinking and binge drinking among Hispanics. This paper examines the association between acculturation and three drinking-related outcomes: average number of drinks consumed, binge drinking, and drinking 12 drinks or more in a single day in four major Hispanic national groups. The 2006 Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey used a multistage cluster sample design to interview 5224 adult Hispanics (18+ years) in five selected U.S. metropolitan areas: Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. The four national groups interviewed were: Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, and South/Central Americans. The survey response rate was 76%. Data on drinking behavior were collected and the analyses include bivariate and multivariate regression techniques. Multivariate analysis did not show an association between acculturation and volume of drinking, binge drinking, or drinking 12 or more drinks in a single day among men. Acculturation stress, however, was associated with drinking 12 or more in a day among men. Among women, high acculturation was associated with a higher volume of drinking, and it also interacted with national group to increase the likelihood of binge drinking. Acculturation does not have a homogeneous effect on drinking across gender and Hispanic national groups. The results confirm that acculturation has a more consistent association with increased drinking and binge drinking among women than among men. The effect of acculturation is therefore gender-specific. This heterogeneity across Hispanic national groups must be considered in future research, treatment, and prevention efforts.
Achieving succession planning and implementation: one healthcare network's story

Frequent transitions in leadership can cause inefficiency, inconsistency, and lack of alignment with priorities and strategy. Retaining management talent and collaboratively planning their succession can help ensure organizational survival. Succession planning, in healthcare and other industries, addresses some of these concerns; however, there is a dearth of descriptive articles emphasizing “how to.” This article demonstrates one healthcare network's comprehensive system for succession planning and implementation. Leaders looking to plan their human resource processes for organizational sustainability would be able to emulate and adapt practices for their networks.
An application of the Bayesian approach to stock assessment model uncertainty

Bayesian methods have a number of advantages that make them especially useful in the provision of fisheries management advice: they permit formal decision analysis, and they facilitate the incorporation of model uncertainty. The latter may be particularly useful in the management of contentious fisheries, where different nations and interest groups may suggest alternative assessment models and management-each likely to imply different findings, even when using the same data. Such situations might be approached in a number of different ways. For example, one might attempt to choose a best model from all those available and to base decisions on it alone. Alternatively, one might make decisions that lead to acceptable outcomes under all envisaged models; or one could reach decisions that are good on average (where average is taken over the set of all competing models and is weighted by a measure of how well each model coheres with available information). This last approach is advocated in this paper, and a Bayesian technique for achieving it is presented and discussed. The main points of the paper are illustrated with a hypothetical application of the technique to the rebuilding of the biomass of haddock by a selective culling of seals.
32 mW self contained OFDM receiver ASIC for mobile cellular applications

An OFDM receiver ASIC targeting cellular terminals has been designed and fabricated in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS. The receiver incorporates a front-end receiver, pre/post-FFT processing units, a 1024-point complex (I)FFT processor, a channel estimator and corrector, all digital synchronization loops, and a control and configuration interface. Low power circuit techniques and system algorithm optimization lead to the final receiver ASIC that dissipates only 32 mW while providing a (uncoded) date-rate of 8.192 Mb/s, making the chip suitable for packet-based mobile applications.
THE TIME COURSE OF THE LOSS AND RECOVERY OF CONTRACTURE ABILITY IN FROG STRIATED MUSCLE FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO CA-FREE SOLUTIONS.

Using area under the contracture curve to quantitate contractures, the diffusion coefficient of calcium ions within the frog toe muscle during washout in a calcium-free solution and subsequent recovery after reintroduction of calcium to the bathing solution was calculated to be about 2 x 10-6 cm2/sec. The diffusion coefficient measured during washout was found to be independent of temperature or initial calcium ion concentration. During recovery it was found to decrease if the temperature was lowered. This was likely due to the repolarization occurring after the depolarizing effect of the calcium-free solution. The relation between contracture area and [Ca]o was found to be useful over a wider range than that between maximum tension and [Ca]o. The normalized contracture areas were larger at lower calcium concentrations if the contractures were produced with cold potassium solutions or if NO3 replaced Cl in the bathing solutions. Decreasing the potassium concentration of the contracture solution to 50 mM from 115 mM did not change the relation between [Ca]o and the normalized area. If the K concentration of the bathing solution was increased, the areas were decreased at lower concentrations of Ca.
Adult Attachment Style, Hardiness, and Mood

This study examines the relationship of attachment style and hardiness to positive mood in active duty military personnel with recent deployment experiences (N = 561). Soldiers high in hardiness show more secure attachments, and less attachment-related anxiety and avoidance. Controlling for age and sex, hierarchical regressions found that hardiness and (low) attachment-related avoidance predict positive mood states. Further, the hardiness facets of commitment and control, but not challenge, predict positive mood. These results suggest that more secure attachment style and psychological hardiness serve as resilience resources for soldiers, leading to more positive mood states and well-being despite the stressors of military life.
How Useful are Published Evaluations Ratings to Students Selecting Courses and Instructors

Possible upper limits of correlations between years suggests that student ratings should be used with caution.
Constraints on starting and stopping: behavior compensates for reduced pectoral fin area during braking of the bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus.

SUMMARY Many natural animal movements involve accelerating from a standstill and then stopping. Obstacles in natural environments often limit the straight-line distance available for movement, and decreased braking ability theoretically can limit speed for short distances. Consequently, braking ability can be important for avoiding collisions with obstacles and exploiting resources effectively in complex environments. A presumed morphological correlate of improved braking performance in fish is increased pectoral fin area, because most fish protract these structures as they decelerate. However, the kinematics and modulation of velocity during starting and stopping are poorly understood for most species of fish as well as most species of animals. Thus, for bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus with complete and partially ablated pectoral fins (35% original fin area), we analyzed high speed video recordings (200 images s–1) of predatory attacks with a start and stop in a short, standardized distance (40 cm). We quantified body displacement, velocity, acceleration, deceleration and several fin angle variables during each feeding. Unexpectedly, several variables including maximum velocity and maximum deceleration (grand means 72 cm s–1 and –512 cm s–2, respectively) did not change significantly with reduced pectoral fin area. The average values of braking movements of the median and caudal fins did increase with decreased pectoral fin area but lacked statistically significant differences. The primary mechanism of attaining similar braking performance with decreased area of the pectoral fins was that they were protracted significantly more (mean difference=42°) and with a significantly faster average velocity of protraction. Thus, pectoral fin area appears unlikely to be the primary constraint on braking performance for this particular task.
Three universities in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: the struggle against corruption and for social cohesion

Universities may contribute to a nation’s social cohesion through both direct and indirect means. In their syllabi they may include techniques necessary for understanding complex social problems. Faculty may model good behaviour in terms of listening and understanding points of view that may contradict their own. University administrators may illustrate ways to lead honourably, which can enhance the chances for achieving consensus with respect to future dilemmas. This project assessed typical areas of university tension, including academic freedom, equity of participation and academic honesty. Three different universities were chosen as sites for faculty interviews—a foreign private university in Kyrgyzstan, a flagship state university in Georgia, and a regional teacher training college recently upgraded to university status in Northeast Kazakhstan. Results suggest that the single most important arena wherein universities can influence social cohesion in these countries is the manner by which they address education corruption. The paper reproduces the statements of those faculty members who participate in corruption as well as those who refuse to participate. It concludes with some predictions about the future of the relationship of higher education to social cohesion.
Unveiling the three-dimensional structure of the green pigment of nitrite-cured meat

The 1.70 A-resolution X-ray crystal structure of the green pigment occasionally present in nitrite-cured meat reveals a regiospecific nitration of the heme at the 2-vinyl position; the regiospecificity is favored on steric grounds, and results in movement of the 2-nitrovinyl moiety into the plane of the 24-atom heme macrocycle.
Longitudinal neuropsychological effects of n-hexane exposure: Neurotoxic effects versus depression

Human exposure to n-hexane (a hexacarbon solvent) is relatively frequent as it is used in many industries as a solvent, a thinner, and a cleaning agent. This report examines a case of peak n-hexane exposure, involving known exposure to high levels over a relatively brief period of time. Peak exposure is a risk factor for persisting neuropsychological impairment. However, cognitive deficits and depression have not been measured in studies of n-hexane, and only peripheral neuropathy, often reversible, is thought to be the neurological risk. This case demonstrates the longitudinal patterns of neuropsychological functions and emotion, and represents the early and late developing effects of n-hexane exposure that parallel the longitudinal change reported in groups of workers with solvent exposure.
Insertion of Phosphoglycerine Kinase (Pgk)-Neo 5′ of Jλ1 Dramatically Enhances Vjλ1 Rearrangement

Gene-targeted mice were generated with a loxP-neomycin resistance gene (neor) cassette inserted upstream of the Jλ1 region and replacement of the glycine 154 codon in the Cλ1 gene with a serine codon. This insertion dramatically increases Vλ1-Jλ1 recombination. Jλ1 germline transcription levels in pre-B cells and thymus cells are also greatly increased, apparently due to the strong housekeeping phosphoglycerine kinase (PGK) promoter driving the neo gene. In contrast, deletion of the neo gene causes a significant decrease in VJλ1 recombination to levels below those in normal mice. This reduction is due to the loxP site left on the chromosome which reduces the Jλ1 germline transcription in cis. Thus, the correlation between germline transcription and variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) recombination is not just an all or none phenomenon. Rather, the transcription efficiency is directly associated with the recombination efficiency. Furthermore, Jλ1 and Vλ1 germline transcription itself is not sufficient to lead to VJ recombination in T cells or early pre-B cells. The findings may suggest that in vivo: (a) locus and cell type–specific transactivators direct the immunoglobulin or T cell receptor loci, respectively, to a “recombination factory” in the nucleus, and (b) transcription complexes deliver V(D)J recombinase to the recombination signal sequences.
Piezoelectric materials for powering remote sensors

The high bandwidth necessary to transmit real-time vibration data from hundreds of sensors practically dictates the development of smart vibration sensors with local processing to minimize power consumption requirements. Modeling, design, and experimental validation of a piezoelectric "harvest" ambient energy generator based on vibrations for remote and long-term sensing networks are presented. Higher level processing by a central monitoring system allows sophisticated analysis of realtime data while minimizing network traffic. Quantitative results were obtained to guide the parametric design of each constituent component. Simulations and experimental studies have validated the functionality of each individual component as well as the piezoelectric generator/sensor as an integrated unit.
Adaptive fuzzy control of unknown nonlinear systems with actuator failures for robust output tracking

In this paper, an adaptive fuzzy approach is proposed to deal with robust output tracking of unknown nonlinear systems with actuator failures. The actuator failures under consideration can be both of lock-in-place and loss of effectiveness. By incorporating fuzzy logic approximation, adaptive algorithm and attenuation technique to our design, a fault tolerant control law is developed to guarantee desired output tracking of the controlled system to the given reference model as well as the closed-loop stability, despite there are unknown actuator failures and large uncertainties in the system. A numerical simulation example illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
The Most Critical Unresolved Issues Associated with Race, Ethnicity, Culture, and Substance Use

This paper discusses the limitations of previous research on race, ethnicity, culture, and substance use. The study offers the following recommendations for future research in this area: (1) move beyond simple comparisons of mutually exclusive groups, (2) focus on the meaning of an ethnic label to the individual, (3) consider the complex interactions between an individual's cultural identity and the cultural context, (4) understand and acknowledge the researcher's inherent biases, and (5) translate research findings into practice and policy change.
Modern architectures and ASIC implementations for communications applications

Today i rapidly evolving digital communications infrashrcture has been driven forward by the steady advances in integrated circuits. For economic as well as technical reasons,' the point is rapidly approaching at which IC performance breakthroughs are less likely to derive from semiconductor technology scaling and, more than eve); will have to come from architectural and circuit-design innovations. At the same time, major high-tech companies are less focused on cutting-edge research than ever before. Fortunately, university research and startup companies canfill the innovation gap. We present here a number ofnovel architectures and CMOS integrated circuitprototypes we've created at UCLA'and at Pentomics, Inc. Examples covered include: * Direct digital synthesizers * Digital mixers and modulators * Trigonometric interpolators * Rectangular-to-polar converters * Single-chip reconjgurable FFTNFFTprocessors
Abstraction as a Practical Debugging Tool

We present a procedure for automatically constructing an abstract state model of a hardware design using the definition of the state transition function for the design and a description of the set of observations to be preserved in the abstraction. The procedure iteratively constructs the abstract model by refining a mapping from the states of the original design to the states of the abstraction. The resulting abstraction is guaranteed to be a conservative approximation of the design. We discuss our implementation of the procedure and different design trade-offs involved in making it effective.
Data Mining-Aided Crystal Engineering for the Design of Transparent Conducting Oxides

The purpose of this paper is to accelerate the pace of material discovery processes by systematically visualizing the huge search space that conventionally needs to be explored. To this end, we demonstrate not only the use of empirical- or crystal chemistry-based physical intuition for decision-making, but also to utilize knowledge-based data mining methodologies in the context of finding p-type delafossite transparent conducting oxides (TCOs). We report on examples using high-dimensional visualizations such as radial visualization combined with machine learning algorithms such as k-nearest neighbor algorithm (k-NN) to better define and visualize the search space (i.e. structure maps) of functional materials design. The vital role of search space generated from these approaches is discussed in the context of crystal chemistry of delafossite crystal structure.
Optimal Node Placement in Decision Fusion Wireless Sensor Networks for Distributed Detection of a Randomly-Located Target

We consider the problem of optimal (fixed) wireless sensor network (WSN) design for distributed detection of a randomly-located target. A distributed one-dimensional (1-D) WSN model with equal spacing d between any two adjacent nodes is assumed. We first model the target as being randomly located following an exponential distribution with a known parameter, and the channel between the nodes and the fusion center to be AWGN with path loss attenuation. A simplified decision fusion rule for the high observation signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime and its Bayesian error probability are derived, which then is used to optimize the parameters of the WSN. The optimal sensor placements are obtained in the limit of a large sensor system and the analytical properties of the obtained solution are discussed with corresponding numerical examples. It is shown that in many cases deviation from optimal inter-node spacing can cost significant performance penalty. Finally, the results are generalized to a fading wireless channel and for any target-location distribution specified only via its second-order statistics. It is shown that the optimal sensor placements essentially stays the same regardless of whether the channel is AWGN or fading, and are insensitive to operating SNR's either at the fusion center or at the local sensor nodes.
Shelf to Basin Transition of Silurian-Devonian Rocks, Porcupine River Area, East-Central Alaska: ABSTRACT

Exposures of Silurian to lowermost Devonian strata in the Porcupine River region consist of an unnamed carbonate unit and the Road River Formation. Petrographic studies indicate that these rocks display facies representative of five depositional environments: basin, open sea shelf, deep shelf margin, open platform, and restricted shelf. The unnamed carbonate unit, exposed in the Linear Ridge area, is 390 ft (126 m) thick and records a history of restricted shelf to basinal sedimentation. Stratigraphic relations and paleontological studies suggest a Middle to Late Silurian (Ludlovian) age for this unit. The Road River Formation is Late Silurian (Ludlovian) to Early Devonian (Lochkovian) in age and is exposed near the confluence of the Porcupine-Salmontrout Rivers and downstream along the Lower Ramparts. It consists of 30-190 ft (10-61 m) of graptolitic shale with interbeds of siliceous limestone. Petrographic studies of the shales are interpreted to reflect deposition in a basinal setting, whereas the siliceous limestones represent deep shelf-margin debris flows derived from nearby, coeval shallow-water shelf environments. Together, the unnamed carbonate unit and the Road River Formation represent a shelf to basin transition on a carbonate ramp that transcends the Silurian-Devonian boundary. Petrographic examination of these rocks reveals that they are susceptible to a wide range of diagenetic processes, including (1) micritization, (2) neomorphism, (3) syntaxial overgrowths, (4) pressure solution (stylolitization), (5) trapping of dried hydrocarbons, (6) tensional stress (calcite veining), and (7) silicification. End_of_Article - Last_Page 659------------
Upgrade the Saudi Arabian Procurement System Delivery Method

Saudi Arabia has had many issues in delivering mega construction projects, such as delays, high costs, and low customer satisfaction. Some studies show that around 70% of public projects in Saudi Arabia are delayed. One factor that might be causing these performance issues is the traditional low bid contracting system in Saudi Arabia, or the Saudi procurement system. In Saudi Arabia, owners select contractors based only upon the lowest price. This paper researched ways to modify the current Saudi procurement system and show quick and simple modifications that can be done to improve the low performance. This research proposes that by adding the clarification phase from the Performance Information Procurement System (PIPS) to the Saudi traditional procurement process could greatly improve construction performance. The clarification phase requires the selected contractor to submit a project scope, detailed and milestone schedule, potential risks that they do not control, and performance measurement before a contract is awarded. The PIPS system is one of the most successful systems around the world, which shows success rate of 98% in six different countries with risk and cost reduction up to 30%. The clarification phase has been identified as the most important step in the PIPS to ensuring a successful project. This paper conducted a survey among construction professionals in Saudi Arabia, including 157 engineers, 33 consultants 9 owners, 5 vendors, 13 academics, and 28 architects, in order to develop the public procurement system in Saudi Arabia. The participants work in government sectors with an interest in the Saudi Arabian procurement system. The survey confirmed that professionals in the Saudi construction industry believe that the procurement system should be changed and that the inclusion of the clarification phase to the procurement system is a way to improve the procurement system.