cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding the physiological effects of wearing enhanced personal protective equipment while providing patient care.

Purpose: There is a lack of information regarding the physiological effects of healthcare workers performing patient care while wearing enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE). This study aimed to provide foundational data necessary to maintain the health and safety of healthcare workers while performing tasks wearing enhanced PPE related to patient care in a biocontainment unit. Design and method: This study is a descriptive study evaluating the physiological effects of conducting patient care while wearing enhanced PPE. Participant vital signs (blood pressure, body temperature, and oxygen saturation) were monitored pre-donning, throughout the transport, and post-doffing. Results: There is no statistically significant difference in the physiological measurements of any of the participants. The results consisted of: blood pressure (systolic p = 0.0659; diastolic p = 0.94345); oxygen saturation (p = 0.6233); and orally derived body temperature (p = 0.1093). Physical balance was subjectively measured by both the participant and the trained observer during the donning and doffing process. Results show no visible difference in balance between the donning period and the doffing period. Conclusion: This study demonstrated there were no physiological changes to the healthcare workers in this study performing patient care activities during patient transport and in a biocontainment unit while wearing the provided enhanced PPE. However, limitations of this study include: (1) it was conducted at one location within the Midwest; (2) with a small number of participants; and (3) only the enhanced ensemble of PPE was worn during testing. Therefore, the results may not be generalizable to other locations or levels of PPE. Clinical relevance: This study will help to guide assessment standards for healthcare workers providing care while wearing enhanced level PPE.
Management of Patient with Pregnancy and Brain Tumor

A 29-year-old primipara woman (162 cm, 78 kg) at 36-week gestation was admitted from the ER with the complaint of severe headache localized to the left frontal area for 3 months, accompanied by nausea/vomiting of 1 week duration.
Snowmobile effects on height and live stem abundance of wetland shrubs in south-central Alaska

Abstract Snowmobiling is an important recreational activity at higher latitudes and in alpine areas where snow occurs. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in south-central Alaska allows snowmobiling access to >500,000 ha between December–April but not until snow depths are ≥50 cm to reduce snowmobile impacts to vegetation. We used a Before-After-Control-Impact experimental design to determine snowmobile effects on height and abundance of live stems of dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa) and sweet gale (Myrica gale) at snow depths ≥50 cm and 40%. Dwarf birch was the most intolerant of snowmobiles with ≥7% decline in mean height (p ≤ 0.05) and ≥28% decline in mean live stem abundance (p ≤ 0.02). Shrubby cinquefoil was the most resilient as plant height was unaffected and mean live stem abundance declined by 20% only when snow was Management implications: Land managers may specify a minimum snow depth to protect vegetation from the physical damage of snowmobiles and their indirect effects through degradation of the subnivean environment. Snow depths ≥50 cm observed in our study reduced the negative effects of snowmobile traffic on three wetland shrub species but did not eliminate them. Snowmobiling as a winter recreational activity is likely to decrease in the foreseeable future in a warming climate. However, declining snowmobile opportunity does not necessarily translate to declining impacts in fact, the opposite may be true at least in the near term. Our data suggest snowmobiling over poor snowpack likely means more vegetation damage. We recommend partial openings when snow depth in the regulated area varies above and below 50 cm over large areas. The development of a maintained trail system, rather than open access, is an alternative way to reduce landscape-scale impacts.
Instant Replay, Weak Teams, and Disputed Calls: An Empirical Study of Alleged Tax Court Judge Bias

This article summarizes and analyzes empirical data collected in an effort to determine if there is underlying justification for allegations that the United States Tax Court is biased against taxpayers. After reviewing the history of the debate as it appears in legal literature, the article describes the Tax Court and its procedures. The article develops a new methodology for dealing with the issue, by abandoning the traditional case-by-case analysis and instead analyzing each issue decided by the Court. Four hundred thirty cases, providing the opportunity for 1,327 issue decisions, were explored to determine the extent to which bias opportunity exists. To measure bias existence, 407 deteminations in the areas of reasonable compensation, estate tax valuation, and charitable contribution valuation were studied. Taxpayer prevalence scores were calculated for each judge and for the Court. The existence of alleged correlation between a judge's taxpayer prevalence score and the judge's background was studied. Other corroborative findings, rebutting the allegations of bias, are discussed. The article concludes that the Tax Court is not biased in favor of the IRS, and might be biased in favor of taxpayers. The article demonstrates that a judge's background does not predict the outcome of issues in terms of taxpayer or IRS prevalence.
The Evolving Roles of US Political Partisanship and Social Vulnerability in the COVID-19 Pandemic from February 2020 - February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had intense, heterogeneous impacts on different communities and geographies in the United States. We explore county level associations between COVID-19 attributed deaths and social, demographic, vulnerability, and political variables to develop a better understanding of the evolving roles these variables play in relation to mortality. We focus on the role of political variables, as captured by support for either the Republican or Democrat presidential candidates in the 2020 elections and the stringency of state-wide governor mandates, during three non-overlapping time periods between February 2020 and February 2021. We find that during the first three months of the pandemic, Democratic-leaning and internationally-connected urban counties were affected. During subsequent months (between May and September, 2020), Republican counties with high percentages of Hispanic and Black populations were most hardly hit. Importantly, in the time period between October 2020 and February 2021, when the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing and wearing masks indoors, had been well-established. During this period, we find that Republican-leaning counties experienced up to 3 times higher death rates than Democratic-leaning counties, even after controlling for multiple social vulnerability factors. We also find that Republican-leaning counties in states with less strict mandates experienced the most severe outbreaks. Our findings suggest that ideologies promoted by prominent political actors may not align with efforts to mitigate the impact of the ongoing pandemic and prevent deaths.
Jurists and Unilateral Denunciation

It is often asserted that the jurists are not the makers of the rules and principles of international law. There is a great deal of truth in this assertion in the sense that the jurists lack necessary authority to legislate rules binding upon the states in their mutual intercourse.1 Their opinions carry persuasive authority, not binding authority. However, there is no denying the fact that they have rendered incalculable service to the community of nations not merely as dispassionate researchers and expert expositors or interpreters of the existing law but also as advocates of what ought to be law. Their attempts to extract principles and rules from the mass of precedents of state practice, reason and analogy have indeed enhanced their role both as witnesses 2 of the sentiments, usages and customs of the nations of the world and as innovators or contributors to the development of international law.1 The fourth heading of Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice expressly recognises the opinions of jurists as a subsidiary means for the determination of the rules of international law. This in effect means that the opinions of jurists may legitimately be resorted to as a source of international law; but they cannot be used to justify a disregard of international conventional or customary international law.
Failure to Thrive

Failure to Thrive (FTT) is usually defined as failure to grow due to any cause. In this chapter, however, FTT is defined as a special kind of failure to grow, namely, growth failure caused by aberrant nurturing [1]. Although organic diseases, such as kidney failure, cystic fibrosis or congenital heart disease, may impair growth, a large proportion of infants and children who present with growth failure have no underlying organic disease. Instead, they fail to grow because of dysfunction within their parent–child relationships, and it is this kind of growth failure to which the term FTT is specifically applied.
Effects of a Peer-Administered Token Economy on Second Grade Physical Education Students' Overhand Throw Performance.

Token economies have been shown useful in a variety of settings to improve physical activityâ€“related behaviors. However, few researchers in empirical research have examined the effects of token reinforcement targeting motor skill performance implemented specifically in physical education with typically developing children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a token economy on the overhand throw performance of second grade physical education students. An alternating treatments design was used with students participating in overhand throwing sessions that alternated between baseline and token economy phases. Performance scores for each session were inspected for response differentiation between the two phases. In analysis, it was revealed the token economy was effective in all seven participants. Additionally, participants increased the number of overhand components performed correctly during token phases by 10% to 27% per session. A functional relation between token reinforcement and overhand throw performance was evident in most participants. Therefore, it was concluded that token reinforcement can be an effective tool for physical educators.
Binding characteristics of anti-Rh0(D) antibodies to Rh0(D)-positive and Du red cells.

The relation of human erythrocyte Rh0(D) to Du sites is an important unresolved question in the field of immunohematology. To compare the immunological reactivity of Rh0(D)-positive and Du erythrocytes, the binding characteristics of two anti-Rh0(D) antisera to human Rh0(D)- positive and Du (“low-grade”) erythrocytes were studied. 14C-Protein A and direct antibody-labeled techniques were used to generate binding curves and to derive double-reciprocal plots. The results show that the number of antigen sites differ by a factor of 10 to 15 between the Rh0(D)-positive and Du red cells, but that the dissociation constants between anti-Rh0(D) and the Rh0(D) and Du antigens are indistinguishable when studied by the two labeling methods and two different anti-Rh0(D) antibodies. The extent of binding to 112 different Du samples showed a normal distribution and was independent of apparent phenotype. These data suggest immunologic identity of Rh0(D) and Du (“low-grade”) sites and that the difference between the antigens of Rh0(D) and Du cells is quantitative only. The data are incompatible with the “missing mosaic” and gene interaction theories of mechanism.
Initial public offerings of equity securities: Anomalous evidence using REITs

Abstract In contrast with numerous studies that find significant underpricing for initial public offerings of industrial firms, we document a statistically significant average return of −2.82% on the first trading day for a sample of 87 initial public offerings of real estate investment trusts during the 1971–1988 period. Our overpricing result is invariant to offer price, issue size, distribution method, offer period, and underwriter reputation. Newly issued REITs, on average, substantially underperform a matching sample of seasoned REITs during the first 190 trading days. Interestingly, buyers of overpriced REITs are predominantly individual or non-13(f) institutional investors.
African Christianity rising: Christianity's explosive growth in Africa

Using vivid scenes from a variety of churches in Ghana and Zimbabwe, filmmaker and sociologist James Ault presents a complex picture of the massive growth in Christianity on the African continent i...
Examination of whether persistently indeterminate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Western immunoblot reactions are due to serological reactivity with bovine immunodeficiency-like virus.

The bovine lentivirus, known as bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV), is genetically, structurally, and antigenically related to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). It is not known whether sera from persons exposed to BIV proteins would show either positive or indeterminate reactivity on HIV-1 antibody tests. We used a BIV Western blot (immunoblot) analysis to examine human sera characterized as HIV-1 antibody positive, HIV-1 antibody negative, HIV-1 persistently indeterminate, HIV-1 p17 antibody positive only, HIV-1 p24 antibody positive only, human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) p19 antibody positive only, or HTLV-1 p24 antibody positive only. None of these sera were positive by Western blot to BIV-specific proteins. Many of these sera, however, displayed strong reactivities to bovine cell culture antigens on blots prepared from both mock-infected and BIV-infected cell cultures. The HIV-1 p17 and p24 antibody-positive and the HTLV-1 p19 and p24 antibody-positive sera were further examined by Western blot to bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and were found to be negative. We examined sera from laboratory personnel at risk for BIV exposure, including two laboratory workers who were exposed to BIV by accidental injection with BIV-infected cell culture material, and found no evidence of seroconversion to BIV-specific proteins. We tested 371 samples of fetal bovine sera, each sample representing serum pooled from one to three fetuses. All samples were negative by BIV Western blot. To date, we have not detected any human sera with antibody to BIV-specific proteins. Our data indicate that persistently indeterminate results on HIV-1 Western blot are not caused by a human antibody response to BIV proteins. Images
The Undecidability of Iterated Modal Relativization

In dynamic epistemic logic and other fields, it is natural to consider relativization as an operator taking sentences to sentences. When using the ideas and methods of dynamic logic, one would like to iterate operators. This leads to iterated relativization. We are also concerned with the transitive closure operation, due to its connection to common knowledge. We show that for three fragments of the logic of iterated relativization and transitive closure, the satisfiability problems are fi1 Σ11–complete. Two of these fragments do not include transitive closure. We also show that the question of whether a sentence in these fragments has a finite (tree) model is fi0 Σ01–complete. These results go via reduction to problems concerning domino systems.
Mega‐cone blue LEDs based on ZnO/GaN direct wafer bonding

We demonstrate the fabrication of hexagonal pyramid shaped light-emitting diodes (LEDs), “mega-cone” LEDs based on ZnO/GaN wafer bonding. Compared with a conventional type LEDs with thin Ni/Au p-type electrode, external quantum efficiency was 3.1 times higher at 20 mA of current injection condition. We also report on the structural, optical, and electrical characteristics of the mega-cone LED. The results here indicate the high potential of these mega-cone LEDs for light sources. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of in situ CO2 enrichment on the structural and chemical characteristics of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum

Seagrasses commonly display carbon-limited photosynthetic rates. Thus, increases in atmospheric pCO2, and consequentially oceanic CO2(aq) concentrations, may prove beneficial. While addressed in mesocosms, these hypotheses have not been tested in the field with manipulative experimentation. This study examines the effects of in situ CO2(aq) enrichment on the structural and chemical characteristics of the tropical seagrass, Thalassia testudinum. CO2(aq) availability was manipulated for 6 months in clear, open-top chambers within a shallow seagrass meadow in the Florida Keys (USA), reproducing forecasts for the year 2100. Structural characteristics (leaf area, leaf growth, shoot mass, and shoot density) were unresponsive to CO2(aq) enrichment. However, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content declined on average by 11 and 21 %, respectively. Belowground, non-structural carbohydrates increased by 29 %. These results indicate that increased CO2(aq) availability may primarily alter the chemical composition of seagrasses, influencing both the nutrient status and resilience of these systems.
Cervical Cancer Worry and Screening Among Appalachian Women

Although many have sought to understand cervical cancer screening (CCS) behavior, little research has examined worry about cervical cancer and its relationship to CCS, particularly in the underserved, predominantly rural Appalachian region. Our mixed method investigation aimed to obtain a more complete and theoretically-informed understanding of the role of cancer worry in CCS among Appalachian women, using the Self-Regulation Model (SRM). Our quantitative analysis indicated that the perception of being at higher risk of cervical cancer and having greater distress about cancer were both associated with greater worry about cancer. In our qualitative analysis, we found that, consistent with the SRM, negative affect had a largely concrete-experiential component, with many women having first-hand experience of the physical consequences of cervical cancer. Based on the results of this manuscript, we describe a number of approaches to lessen the fear associated with CCS. Intervention in this elevated risk community is merited and may focus on decreasing feelings of worry about cervical cancer and increasing communication of objective risk and need for screening. From a policy perspective, increasing the quantity and quality of care may also improve CCS rates and decrease the burden of cancer in Appalachia.
Expression of Angiogenesis Factors and Selected Vascular Wall Matrix Proteins in Intracranial Saccular Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE : Little is known about the biological mechanisms associated with the genesis, growth, and rupture of intracranial saccular aneurysms. It is postulated that the vascular wall pathological response of aneurysmal disease is associated with abnormal angiogenesis factor expression. METHODS : We have examined the expression and distribution of immunoreactivity to angiogenesis growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor) and selected vascular wall matrix proteins (fibronectin, Type IV collagen, and alpha smooth muscle actin) in the walls of human intracranial aneurysms from surgical biopsy or autopsy specimens. Double antibody immunohistochemical stains were performed in contiguous fixed sections from three control circle of Willis arteries, five berry aneurysms, four giant aneurysms, and one mycotic aneurysm (three unruptured and seven ruptured lesions). RESULTS : The aneurysmal wall exhibited diffuse disorganized expression of matrix proteins as compared to their organization in control vessels. There was strong patchy expression of vascular endothelial growth factor within the walls of all aneurysms, including marked staining of capillaries and small vessels within the thickened walls of giant lesions. The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor was more diffuse and occurred around the fibrocytes and myocytes within the disrupted media of 9 of 10 aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS : These results confirm the gross architectural molecular disruption in the walls of intracranial aneurysms and illustrate an apparent biological response involving angiogenesis factors. Further research should elucidate the time course and possible causal relationships of these changes to aneurysm growth and rupture with the aim of possible therapeutic manipulation.
Use of diacylglycerol kinase to quantitate picomole levels of 1,2-diacylglycerol☆

Abstract An extremely sensitive and specific analytic procedure is described for quantitating 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG). Escherichia coli DAG kinase (EC 2.7.1.-) catalyzed the formation of [ 32 P]phosphatidic acid by the transfer of 32 PO 4 from [γ- 32 P]adenosine 5′-triphosphate to DAG in linear proportion to the quantity of added DAG from 10 to 1000 pmol. This technique allowed reliable detection of as little as 2 pmol of added DAG. To assess levels of DAG in tissue lipid extracts a miniaturized method for silicic acid column chromatography was developed to separate DAG from triglycerides and phospholipids. When these procedures were applied to erythrocytes, lysis in the presence of Ca 2+ caused a 10.6-fold rise in cellular DAG confirming not only the results obtained in an earlier investigation (1), but also the utility of this technique in the analysis of exceedingly small quantities of cellular DAG.
Inverse Scattering Problem for the Schrödinger Operator with External Yang–Mills Potentials in Two Dimensions at Fixed Energy

ABSTRACT We consider the Schrodinger equation in ℝ2, with external Yang–Mills potentials that decay exponentially as |x| → ∞. We prove that the scattering amplitude at fixed positive energy determines the potentials uniquely modulo a gauge transformation, assuming that potentials are small.
The Need for the Psychological Study of Clinical Death

“Why dost thou not tell us what happened in the beyond?” And all grew silent, startled by the question. It was as if it occurred to them only now that for three days Lazarus had been dead, and they...
The Effects of Compressibility and Dissipation Heating on Boundary Layer Plumes

Abstract This paper examines in detail some of the assumptions previously used by the author in modeling the convective boundary layer. It has been customary to mathematically model atmospheric convection with plumes and blobs in which the air is taken to be incompressible in analogy with the fluid in water tank models used in the past to justify much of this work. It is not always clear in formulating such equations what exactly are the approximations thus introduced as the physical foundation of the model, and this is a point of confusion detracting from the main work. This paper shows that the modification needed to accurately account for the compressibility of the air is simple and the changes resulting in the final variables negligible. The effect that turbulence and its decay to heat have on the density used in the model is discussed and its omission is shown to be justified.
Effects of surface roughness on reflection spectra obtained by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

We present an analytical model that shows that reflection from a rough surface causes a Gaussian frequency roll-off for the spectral magnitude of a terahertz wave and reduces the signal-to-noise ratio of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The parameter that determines the width of the frequency roll-off is the standard deviation of the surface height distribution. Measurements of terahertz waves reflected from copper powder samples provide experimental evidence for this effect.
A Theoretical Investigation of the Decomposition Mechanism of Pyridyl Radicals

We carried out a detailed quantum mechanical study of the unimolecular decomposition mechanism of pyridine. The critical structures of all reasonable reaction pathways were optimized by density functional theory using the B3LYP functional and 6-31G** basis set. Relative energies were evaluated based on single-point QCISD(T)/cc-pVDZ energies. In agreement with general belief and pervious theoretical studies, the calculated results indicate that C−H bond scission in pyridine preferentially produces the o-pyridyl radical. Also in agreement with the accepted mechanism, the calculations indicate that ring-opening via C−N bond cleavage in o-pyridyl radical is more favorable than C−C bond cleavage, as the former has a significantly lower activation barrier and the resulting open-chain cyano radical is more stable than other linear C5NH4 radicals. The calculated activation energy for the formation of cyanovinylacetylene + H from the open-chain cyano radical is the lowest, compared to the other channels considered...
A New Convergent Approximation of the Optimal Recursive Parameter Estimator: Averaged Asymptotic Dynamic Analysis

Abstract A key feature of a new recursive parameter estimator is its fast convergence. Here averaging theory supports this claim of fast convergence for system parameters, which heretofore has been supported only by example and by analogy with optimal nonlinear filtering. Averaging theory is also used to investigate possible computational shortcuts. Finally, it is proven that the likelihood function has a unique maximum for stable, observable, single output systems in state space form when the parameters are asymptotically identifiable and true values are in the model set. Then the new parameter estimator must converge globally with probabiltity one to true parameter values when the trajectories of the parameter estimates remain in a certain bounded set.
The syntheses, molecular and electronic structures of two μ4-vinylidene tetrairon clusters

Abstract The syntheses, crystal structures and electronic structures of the new μ4-vinylidene clusters, Fe4(CO)12(CC(OCH3)2) and Fe4(CO)12(CC(OCH3)CH3), are reported. Fe4(CO)12(CC(OCH3)2) was prepared by the methylation of [Fe4(CO)12(CCO2CH3)]− with trimethyloxonium fluoroborate in methylene chloride at 25°C. Fe4(CO)12(CC(OCH3)CH3) was prepared in an analogous manner from [Fe4(CO)12(CC(O)CH3)]−. Fe4(CO)12(CC(OCH3)2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c (C2h5 No. 14) with a = 13.900(2), b = 8.909(2), c = 17.116(4) A, β = 94.59(2)°; pcalc = 2.03 g cm−3 for mol. wt 645.6 and Z = 4. Fe4(CO)12(CC(OCH3)CH3) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c (C2h5 No. 14) with a = 28.441(6), b = 9.204(2), c = 17.466(4) A, β = 108.51(2)°; pcalc = 1.93 g cm−3 for mol. wt = 629.6 and Z = 8. Both clusters have an open butterfly core of four iron atoms with the vinylidene ligand bound to all four metal atoms. Molecular orbital calculations using the Fenske—Hall method were carried out for the two clusters. The molecular and electronic structures of the molecules are compared with each other and with those of μ4-methylidyne clusters. Although both of these clusters contain a formal CC double bond in the vinylidene ligand, the presence of oxygen atoms in these ligands leads to a delocalized π system and only partial double bond character in this CC bond. Changes in the structure of the cluster framework can be correlated with the oxygen content and thus double bond character in the vinylidene ligand.
Objective evaluation of the performance of surgical trainees on a porcine model of open colectomy.

Background: Evaluation of surgical trainee operative performance is rarely objective. A rating system is proposed that assesses trainee performance objectively and quantifies technical improvement. Methods: General surgery trainees were evaluated while performing porcine segmental colectomy. Initial instruction was provided for the critical operative steps. Evaluations were later repeated without additional instruction. Performance in 17 critical areas was scored. Results: Twenty-three trainees were evaluated. Performance was divided into thirds, with a significant difference detected between tertiles (P < 0.001). Postgraduate year 2 trainees scored lower than those in years 3 and 4 (P < 0.001), but there was no difference between year 3 and 4 trainees (P = 0.557). Mean repeat scores were improved by 35 per cent, with most improvement at postgraduate year 2 level (71 per cent). Mean time taken to complete the operation was reduced by 23 per cent, with the largest reduction in the year 2 group. Conclusion: The results support the use of this rating system as a tool for the objective evaluation of trainee operative skill. Instruction in the performance of segmental colectomy using deconstructed, step-by-step direction improved the ability of junior trainees to complete the operation. This evaluation system may be useful in the assessment, instruction and technical development of surgical trainees.
High placement of noncemented acetabular components in revision total hip arthroplasty. A concise follow-up, at a minimum of fifteen years, of a previous report.

We previously reported the average ten-year results associated with the use of porous-coated noncemented acetabular shells that were placed at a high hip center at the time of revision total hip arthroplasty in thirty-four patients (thirty-six hips) with severe acetabular bone loss. We now report the average 16.8-year results for twenty-one patients (twenty-three hips). Of the original cohort of forty-four patients (forty-six hips), thirty-nine patients (forty-one hips; 89%) retained the shell. Two shells (4.3%) were revised because of aseptic loosening, and three (6.5%) were revised because of infection. Six femoral components were revised because of femoral osteolysis, and seven were revised because of aseptic loosening without osteolysis. On the basis of our results after an average duration of follow-up of 16.8 years, we believe that the placement of an uncemented acetabular component at a high hip center continues to be an excellent technique for revision total hip arthroplasty in selected patients with severe acetabular bone loss. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Locally scheduled packet bursting for data collection in wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks, the many-to-one data communication pattern induces high collision losses as multiple transmissions cause contention and interference along the paths from sources to the sink. This paper proposes a low-overhead MAC layer solution to address the high contention problem to improve system throughput and reduce energy consumption. Periods of burst transmissions with reduced contention from neighboring nodes are exploited to efficiently clear up backlogged queues and improve the performance of CSMA. Through analytical modeling we characterize the expected performance improvement. Using extensive simulations on ns-2 and experiments on the 49-node sensor network testbed (Kansei) running TinyOS, we show that the proposed scheme can increase the throughput by up to a factor of four.
Covariance factorization algorithms for fixed-interval smoothing of linear discrete dynamic systems

Efficient factorized covariance smoothers designed to work with factorized covariance filters are derived for linear discrete dynamic systems. The approach to factorized covariance smoothers (either U-D or square root) uses outputs from factorized covariance filters and is closely derived from the G.J. Bierman's earlier algorithm (1974), the Dyer-McReynolds covariance smoother. These algorithms are more efficient than the Bierman's newer smoother (1983) based upon rank 1 process noise updates. The efficiency of the new algorithms increases significantly as the order of process noise increases. For full process noise, they can be implemented in a way that avoids the inverse of the transition matrix. >
The Pennsylvanian–Permian transition in the low-latitude carbonate record and the onset of major Gondwanan glaciation

Abstract Recent studies suggest a marked expansion of glacial ice across much of Gondwana beginning in the earliest Permian. Because expansion of glacial ice results in a lowering of sea level, the imprint of ice expansion should be evident worldwide as significant exposure event, hiatuses, or other evidence for sea level drop at or near the Pennsylvanian–Permian boundary. This literature review investigates the signature of an Early Permian expansion of Gondwanan ice through examination of stratigraphic records from eight carbonate-dominated, palaeotropical regions across Pangaea. Tropical carbonate environments are used because most form in tectonically quiescent regions and are sensitive indicators of eustatic change. Correlation between stratigraphic sections is achieved using the most current biostratigraphic and absolute time constraints available. All studied sections show a sequence boundary or basinward shift in facies at or near the Pennsylvanian–Permian boundary, supporting the hypothesis of a significant expansion of glacial ice and global eustatic lowstand beginning in the Early Permian. By contrast, a series of mid-Sakmarian–Kungurian transgression events in the palaeotropics are interpreted to reflect the asynchronous deglaciation of Gondwana. The stratigraphic framework developed herein will allow for better correlations among stratigraphic records from Gondwana and northern Pangaea, which will ultimately improve the understanding of how carbonate systems respond to global icehouse conditions, such as during the late Palaeozoic.
Parameter estimation and control in non-linear systems with perfect measurements I. Parameters appearing linearly †

Many chemical processes are characterized by significant process disturbances, but negligible measurement noise. By combining the state and measurement equations, and considering the parameter drift equation to be the new ‘ state ’ equation, parameter estimation algorithms in the presence of feedback control can be developed. A Bayesian approach is used herein to develop the estimate of a parameter appearing linearly in a non-linear state equation.
DRD2 genetic variation in relation to smoking and obesity in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.

Objectives Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We investigated the association between smoking behavior and genetic variations in the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2), which mediates nicotine dependence. To assess the specificity of genetic effects, we also investigated other rewardmotivated characteristics (obesity, alcohol consumption). Methods Four single nucleotide polymorphisms in DRD2 were genotyped in 2374 participants selected randomly from the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial after stratifying by sex, age, and smoking status. Smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption were assessed by questionnaire. Single nucleotide polymorphism and haplotype associations were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals derived from conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for race/ethnicity. Results DRD2 polymorphisms were associated with the risk of remaining a current smoker and obesity. Current smokers were more likely than former smokers to possess the variant TaqIA allele (rs#1800497) in a dose-dependent model (ORCT=1.2, ORTT=1.5, P for linear trend=0.007). The DRD2 haplotype T-C-T-A [TaqIA(C/T)–957(T/C) –IVS6-83(G/T)– –50977(A/G)] was more common among current than former smokers (OR=1.3, P=0.006), particularly among heavy smokers (21+ cigarettes per day; OR=1.6, P=0.006), and was more common among obese than normal weight individuals (OR=1.4, P=0.02). Conclusions Genetic variation in DRD2 is a modifier of the reward-motivated characteristics, smoking and obesity. As fewer than 15% of smokers who attempt to quit are able to maintain abstinence for greater than 3 months, our results support that DRD2 is an appropriate molecular target for smoking cessation treatments. Our results further support evaluation of DRD2 antagonists for obesity therapies. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 16:901–910 � c 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 2006, 16:901–910
Resonance Raman studies on 8-mercaptoriboflavin

Abstract Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy on various ionic species of 8-mercaptoriboflavin in aqueous solution shows large vibrational spectral changes upon ionization of the 8-SH group. These changes and the superposition of the RR excitation profile and the visible spectrum for the 8-S − species indicate that there is a substantial amount of the “quinoid thioketone” resonance form present in aqueous solutions of the 8-S − mercaptoriboflavin. RR spectra of 8-mercaptoriboflavin bound to riboflavin binding protein confirm the conclusion (reached on the basis of visible spectra) that the 8-mercaptoriboflavin binds to the protein in the 8-SH, protonated, form. There are, however, changes in the 1250-cm −1 region of the RR spectrum upon binding aqueous 8-mercaptoflavin to the protein. The 1257-cm −1 band in aqueous solution moves to 1248 cm −1 on the protein surface. This shift is also observed in DMSO solution of 8-mercaptoriboflavin. Since the 1257-cm −1 band shifts upon formation of the N-3 deuteroriboflavin, we interpret this lowering of a δ-H mode at N-3 to mean that there is weaker hydrogen bonding between flavin N-3 and riboflavin binding protein than between flavin and water.
Inhibition of vascular nitric oxide after rat chronic brain hypoperfusion: spatial memory and immunocytochemical changes.

An aging rat model of chronic brain hypoperfusion (CBH) that mimics human mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was used to examine the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms on spatial memory function. Rats with CBH underwent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-vessel occlusion (2-VO)) for either 26 or 8 weeks and were compared with nonoccluded sham controls (S-VO). The neuronal and endothelial (nNOS/eNOS) constitutive inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 20 mg/kg was administered after 26 weeks for 3 days to 2-VO and S-VO groups and spatial memory was assessed with a modified Morris watermaze test. Only 2-VO rats worsened their spatial memory ability after L-NAME. Electron microscopic immunocytochemical examination using an antibody against eNOS showed 2-VO rats had significant loss or absence of eNOS-containing positive gold particles in hippocampal endothelium and these changes were associated with endothelial cell compression, mitochondrial damage and heavy amyloid deposition in hippocampal capillaries and perivascular region. In the 8-week study, three groups of 2-VO rats were administered an acute dose of 7-NI, aminoguanidine or L-NIO, the relatively selective inhibitors of nNOS, inducible NOS and eNOS. Only rats administered the eNOS inhibitor L-NIO worsened markedly their watermaze performance (P ¼ 0.009) when compared with S-VO nonoccluded controls. We conclude from these findings that vascular nitric oxide derived from eNOS may play a critical role in spatial memory function during CBH possibly by keeping cerebral perfusion optimal through its regulation of microvessel tone and cerebral blood flow and that disruption of this mechanism can result in spatial memory impairment. These findings may identify therapeutic targets for preventing MCI and treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Obstacles to remote sensing commercialization in the developing world

Abstract In this era of competing demands and scarce resources, decision makers in the international market-place will determine whether or not the benefits of remote sensing technology outweigh its costs. Technical capabilities of remote sensors are important, but additional factors are considered when making the purchase decision. This is especially true when the purchase is to be made by decision makers in developing countries. They must question whether or not the technology can be successfully applied. Effective application depends upon the ability of organizational actors to manage the technology transfer system. The purpose of this paper is to provide information that will contribute to a better understanding of that system and the major obstacles that will be encountered as we pursue remote sensing commercialization. From this perspective, recommendations are developed that could be applied to improving the potential for commercialization in the developing world.
China's industrial revolution: challenges for a macroeconomic agenda

Abstract China's industrialization over the past 30 years has been an epochal event. As of 2000, the industrial sector's share of GDP has grown to be about two-third of the total. The share of agricultural sector of GDP has expectedly declined from 42.2% in 1970 to 11.9% in 2000. The sector's total output however continues to grow as productivity increases. Has the service sector grown enough to support the overall growth of the Chinese economy? China has earned her recognition as a foreign investment friendly economy. Foreign direct investment with 100% foreign ownership came in plenty, supported by a robust system of profit repatriation based on earnings in convertible currencies of exports of a part of newly manufactured products in China. China imported capital and paid for it by exports. China demonstrates a clear case of the import-export led model of industrialization and economic growth, not the simple export-led growth model, as discussed by some. This paper discusses that challenges ahead of China are overwhelming. We present three issues for immediate attention, (a) Can China sustain a rate of growth of GDP at an annual rate of 10% for an indefinite period? (b) How can China address the issues of income distribution across her 31 province and also amongst the various income groups in a given industrialized province/region? (c) Can China ensure progressive augmentation of high-tech oriented productivity of her workforce by way of ensuring building up of necessary human capital? It is argued that much of this can be accomplished by developing a macroeconomic framework with monetary and fiscal policy guidelines, well specified and transparent. Can China restructure its central bank, the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC)? A progressive money, banking and financial sector with ability to absorb shocks of an industrial economy must be in order. How about the fiscal policy management by the Government of China—its Ministry of Finance? Finally this paper argues that China's economic presence will help optimize the economic gains for the rest of the world. China has joined her Asian neighbors toward sponsoring Asian economic cooperation. Let the European Union paradigm be a learning model, and China has a leadership role to play in further developing Asia's continental economic regional model.
Informational and Symbolic Content of over-the-Counter Drug Advertising on Television

The informational and symbolic content of 150 over-the-counter drug commercials on television are empirically analyzed in this study. Results on the informational content suggest that over-the-counter drug ads tend to focus on the concern of what the drug will do for the consumer, rather than on the reasons why the drug should be ingested. Accordingly, advertising strategy is centered on consumer awareness of the product as the primary goal. Educational commitment, however, did not seem to be blended into the promotional efforts for over-the-counter drugs. Findings on the symbolic content of over-the-counter drug ads reveal that drug images have been distorted. Performance of most drugs has been portrayed to be simple resolutions to relieve the symptom. Moreover, a casual attitude toward drug usage is encouraged in the commercials, while time lapse of drug effects is overlooked.
Corticotropic effects on isolated interrenal cells of the turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Abstract An investigation was carried out to determine whether isolated interrenal cells of the turtle could be used as a biossay for reptilian cortocotropin. The action of synthetic ACTH, ACTH analogs, and naturally occurring corticotropins of four vertebrate classes were compared. A typical sigmoid log dose response (LDR) curve was elicited with 1–10 6 pg/ml of ACTH 1–24 and pACTH (3rd IWS), and crude extracts of homologous chelonian or avian adenohypophyses gave similar responses. Potency in ACTH 1–24 equivalents was as follows: pACTH, 10 pg/μU; chelonian pituitary, 80 pg/μg (wet wt); avian pituitary, 160 pg/μg (wet wt). Corticotropic activity was present in Rana pituitary, but the maximum response was half that obtained with the other corticotropins and relative potency could not be estimated. Molar potency of ACTH analogs tested on isolated turtle cells decreased in the following order: ACTH 1–24 > ACTH 1–16 > ACTH 1–13 ∼ ACTH 7–13 > β-MSH > ACTH 4–10 . The maximum response obtained with ACTH 1–16 was 80% of that with ACTH 1–24 , but insufficient quantities of other analogs were available for complete LDR curves. Molar potency comparisons suggest that, in the reptile, amino acids 11–24 but not 1–6 are important for receptor binding. Further, the portion of the molecule essential for maximal receptor activation spans amino acids 1–16 and 17–24. The intrinsic activities of mammalian, avian, and reptilian corticotropin are approximately equivalent but twice that of amphibian corticotropin in a reptilian interrenal system.
Effects of methylmercury on sperm and egg viability of two populations of killifish (fundulus heteroclitus)

Exposure of sperm of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) from a relatively clean area in Long Island (LI) to 0.01 mg/L methylmercury (meHg) in 15%o sea water caused significant reduction of fertilization success. However, exposure of killifish sperm from polluted Piles Creek (PC) to either 0.01 or 0.05 mg/L meHg in 15%o sea water prior to insemination had no effect on fertilization success. Exposure of LI killifish sperm to 0.05 mg/L meHg caused significant reduction in motility. However, PC killifish sperm showed no significant difference in motility between 0 and 0.05 mg/L meHg exposure. Exposure for 5 min to 0.05 mg/L meHg caused significant reduction in motility. These data indicate that meHg is less toxic to PC killifish sperm than LI killifish sperm. Exposure of PC and LI killifish sperm to 0.05 mg/L meHg for 15 min had no effect on sperm morphology. PC killifish sperm also showed higher (20 min) motility in 15%o sea water than LI killifish sperm (10 min). Exposure of PC and LI killifish eggs up to 25 min to 0.05 mg/L meHg prior to fertilization had no effect on fertilization success.
Integrated photonic quantum technologies with fiber-integrated single photon emitters

Miniaturization of quantum optical devices down to μm-dimensions and integration into fibre optical networks is a major prerequisite for future implementations of quantum information communication and processing applications. Also scalability, long-term stability and room-temperature operation are important properties of such devices. Lately there have been major improvements in down-sizing logical structures and functionalizing optical fibers. Here we present an alignment free, μm-scale single photon source consisting of a single quantum emitter on an optical fiber operating at room temperature. It easily integrates into fiber optic networks for quantum cryptography or quantum metrology applications. Near-field coupling of a single nitrogen-vacancy center is achieved in a bottom-up approach by placing a pre-selected nanodiamond directly on the fiber facet. Its high photon collection efficiency is equivalent to a far-field collection via an objective with a numerical aperture of 0.82. Furthermore, simultaneous excitation and recollection through the fiber is possible introducing a fiber-connected single emitter sensor that allows near-field probing with quantum mechanical properties.