cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of pneumatic trousers on intracranial pressure in hypovolemic dogs with an intracranial mass

Thirty-six dogs under chloralose anesthesia were studied in groups of six. Arterial pressure (BP), central venous pressure (CVP), intracranial pressure (ICP), and arterial blood gases were monitored. The group underwent: 1) anesthesia only; 2) phlebotomy (P) (40% of blood volume) and reinfusion (RI) of half the shed blood plus Ringer's lactate solution; 3) P followed by pneumatic trousers (PT), and then RI; 4) inflation of an epidural 2-cc Foley catheter (EFC); 5) P followed by EFC and then RI; and 6) P followed by EFC and then by PT and RI. Group 1 was stable. In Group 2, P lowered BP (49 torr systolic +/- 6 SEM), CVP, and ICP. RI restored these. In Group 3, the PT improved BP (P less than .05) without increasing ICP. In Group 4, EFC increased ICP (P less than .05) to 15 +/- 4 torr. In Groups 5 and 6, ICP was not significantly increased by EFC or PT and RI.
Continuous Poling Technique for PZT Fibers

A new technique has been developed for poling long PZT fibers by advancing the fibers along two electrical contacts maintained at the required potential difference. Two ways of maintaining the electrical contact with the ceramic are described, leading to piezoelectric d33 coefficients of 400 to 450×10−12 C/N in poled fibers of PZT-501A. Pre-poled fibers can be used in fabricating ceramic-polymer composites such as triple-pillar configurations with piezoelectric fibers oriented in three perpendicular directions.
Efficient availability evaluation for transport backbone networks

The reliability of transport backbone networks is vital for the economy and security. Modern backbone networks use a mesh of fiber optic cables, which are, due to their ubiquitous deployment, prone to failures. The goal of this paper is to develop efficient computational methods for assessing the availability of such networks. We present both analytical and simulation approaches for this problem. Our analytical approach is based on cut set enumeration, while our simulation approach is based on Monte Carlo sampling techniques. To facilitate the computational process, we employ artificial intelligence methods based on genetic algorithms. We consider the expected loss of traffic (ELT) as the availability measure and show that ELT can be accurately estimated through an efficient procedure.
Comparison of sector field- and quadrupole-ICP-MS for the determination of DBT and TBT in sediment following GC separation

A method is described for the accurate and precise determination of tributyltin (TBT) and dibutyltin (DBT) by species-specific isotope-dilution plasma-source mass spectrometry. Using gas chromatography (GC) for sample introduction and analyte separation, a performance comparison was made between sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) detection and quadrupole ICP-MS (qICP-MS) detection. Samples were extracted with acetic acid using open microwave digestion, derivatized with sodium tetraethylborate and extracted into isooctane. Mass bias correction was implemented based on the expected ratio of 120Sn/117Sn to that of the mean 120Sn/117Sn ratio calculated from the inorganic Sn peaks detected in all chromatograms. A more than 2-fold improvement in precision of calculated 120Sn/117Sn ratios was obtained for both TBT and DBT in standards using GC-SF-ICP-MS as compared to GC-qICP-MS. PACS-2 certified reference material marine sediment (NRCC, Ottawa, Canada) was used for method validation. Concentrations of 0.883 ± 0.013 and 1.126 ± 0.013 µg g−1 (mean and one standard deviation, n = 4) as tin were obtained for TBT and DBT, respectively, using GC-SF-ICP-MS detection, in agreement with the certified values of 0.98 ± 0.13 and 1.09 ± 0.15 µg g−1 (95% confidence interval), respectively. Concentrations of 0.883 ± 0.019 and 1.116 ± 0.014 µg g−1 (mean and one standard deviation, n = 4) as tin were obtained for TBT and DBT, respectively, using GC-qICP-MS detection. Slightly better precisions of 1.59–1.62% RSD for TBT and DBT in a test sediment were obtained using GC-SF-ICP-MS compared with 1.64–3.31% RSD obtained with GC-qICP-MS. Method detection limits (LODs, three times standard deviation) of 0.4 and 0.3 ng g−1 for TBT and DBT, respectively, were obtained using GC-SF-ICP-MS, based on processing a 0.5 g sample. As expected, these are superior to LODs of 0.9 and 1.0 ng g−1 obtained using GC-qICP-MS, arising from the three-fold enhancement in signal-to-background ratio obtained with the sector field machine.
Advances in Epigenetics and Epigenomics for Neurodegenerative Diseases

In the post-genomic era, epigenetic factors—literally those that are “over” or “above” genetic ones and responsible for controlling the expression and function of genes—have emerged as important mediators of development and aging; gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions; and the pathophysiology of complex disease states. Here, we provide a brief overview of the major epigenetic mechanisms (ie, DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulation). We highlight the nearly ubiquitous profiles of epigenetic dysregulation that have been found in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. We also review innovative methods and technologies that enable the characterization of individual epigenetic modifications and more widespread epigenomic states at high resolution. We conclude that, together with complementary genetic, genomic, and related approaches, interrogating epigenetic and epigenomic profiles in neurodegenerative diseases represent important and increasingly practical strategies for advancing our understanding of and the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.
Two-dimensional finite amplitude theory of arterial blood flow

Abstract This study concerns the problem of blood flow in large elastin arteries in the mammalian circulatory system. The mathematical model is chosen to include the large amplitude forced oscillatory motion of the vessel. The vessel is modeled to be a straight, circular, distensible, thin-walled tube with constant cross-section, and is externally constrained such that longitudinal movement is prohibited. Blood is treated as a Newtonian fluid with constant apparent viscosity. The dynamic oscillatory motion of the axisymmetric vessel is assumed to be represented by a radial oscillation of finite amplitude which decays exponentially along its axis. The dynamic governing equation for the radial motion is derived from the concepts of continuum mechanics. An expression for the finite radial oscillation of the vessel is found. Equations of motion for the blood flow are those given by the continuity and the Navier-Stokes. They are solved by using the linearization techniques under long wave assumption. The solution for the vessel motion is used as the boundary condition for the fluid motion. Results of the propagation speeds for the pressure waves are obtained.
Digital System Verification: A Combined Formal Methods and Simulation Framework

Integrated circuit capacity follows Moore's law, and chips are commonly produced at the time of this writing with over 70 million gates per device. Ensuring correct functional behavior of such large designs before fabrication poses an extremely challenging problem. Formal verification validates the correctness of the implementation of a design with respect to its specification through mathematical proof techniques. Formal techniques have been emerging as commercialized EDA tools in the past decade. Simulation remains a predominantly used tool to validate a design in industry. After more than 50 years of development, simulation methods have reached a degree of maturity, however, new advances continue to be developed in the area. A simulation approach for functional verification can theoretically validate all possible behaviors of a design but requires excessive computational resources. Rapidly evolving markets demand short design cycles while the increasing complexity of a design causes simulation approaches to provide less and less coverage. Formal verification is an attractive alternative since 100% coverage can be achieved; however, large designs impose unrealistic computational requirements. Combining formal verification and simulation into a single integrated circuit validation framework is an attractive alternative. This book focuses on an Integrated Design Validation (IDV) system that provides a framework for design validation and takes advantage of current technology in the areas of simulation and formal verification resulting in a practical validation engine with reasonable runtime. After surveying the basic principles of formal verification and simulation, this book describes the IDV approach to integrated circuit functional validation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Formal Methods Background / Simulation Approaches / Integrated Design Validation System / Conclusion and Summary
No-fault inherent therapeutic hazards insurance—A possible solution to the limitations of malpractice compensation

Abstract Medical malpractice does exist but the majority of untoward treatment results stem from the probabilistic nature of medical practice. Regardless of the cause of the injury the damaged patient is seldom compensated under the present system. Compensating all deserving patients will be costly but is humanely just and essential to the degree that it is financially feasible. Compensation of the injured patient should not require proof of physician negligence.
The valency of IgM and IgG rabbit anti-dextran antibody as a function of the size of the dextran molecule

Abstract The valency of IgM and IgG anti-dextran antibody was studied as a function of the size of the ligand. Scatchard plots were made utilizing 3H-labeled NRRL B-512 dextran fractions of molecular weights varying from 342 to 1,870,000. The size and shape of the dextran molecules were found from weight average molecular weight (Mw), number average molecular weight, sedimentation, diffusion, partial specific volume and viscosity data. Effective valency was found to be a function of the molecular size of the dextran used in its determination. The valency of IgM varied between 10 (for Mw 342) through 5 (for Mw 7100 to 237,000) down to 2·3 (for Mw 1,870,000) and the valency of IgG varied between 2 (from Mw 342 to 492,000) and 1·1 (for Mw 1,870,000). Since all dextran molecules, regardless of molecular weight are otherwise of the same physical-chemical configuration, our results substantiate the theory that steric hindrance plays a dominant role in determining the valency of IgM as well as of IgG antibody with respect to a ligand.
Small-grain equivalent of mixed vegetation for wind erosion control and prediction

Control and prediction of wind erosion require knowledge of the effectiveness of surface vegetative cover. The effectiveness is usually referenced to as small-grain equivalent. The procedure used to convert mixed vegetation to small-grain equivalent was found faulty. Improper weighting of regression coefficients caused the conversion procedure to predict that adding crop residue decreased small-grain equivalent. Therefore, the purpose of this analysis was to improve the conversion of mixed vegetation to a small-grain equivalent. The new expression derived for this purpose gave a logical conversion where the previous procedure failed (...)
Environmental associations of sponges in the Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia

Relatively little is known about spatial turnover of marine benthic taxa in the diverse reef environments of Indonesia and how this is structured by environmental conditions. In the present study the community similarity of sponges was related to environmental and spatial variables. In total, 150 sponge species (N=15,842) were sampled within the Spermonde Archipelago in the Makassar Strait, off south-west Sulawesi. Ordination revealed that sponges are primarily structured by a complex interaction between depth, exposure and on-to-offshore variation in environmental variables. Together, environmental and spatial variables explained 56.9% of the variation in similarity of which 10.9% was due to environmental variables alone, 2.6% due to spatial variables alone and 43.4% due to covariation of environmental and spatial variables. The large amount of variation explained by the spatially structured environmental component is due to a strong on-to-offshore gradient in a number of environmental variables including temperature, velocity, salinity and suspended sediment load. Ordination was also used to identify associations between species and environmental variables.
Persistent messages in local transactions

We present a new model for handling messages and state in a distributed application that we call Messages in Local Transactions (MLT). Under this model, messages and data are not lost after crashes, and all sends and receives are performed in local transactions. The model is unique in that it guarantees consistent recovery without the complex- ity or overhead of other recovery techniques. Applications using MLT do not need to coordinate checkpoints, track causal dependencies, or perform distributed commits. We show that MLT can be implemented using any reliable pro- tocol. Finally, we describe our implementation of Vista- grams, a system based on the MLT model. We show that Vistagrams are just as fast as traditional messages, despite the recoverability they offer. The efficiency of our model and our Vistagrams implementation is enabled by the avail- ability of fast stable storage, such as the reliable memory provided by the Rio file cache.
Antagonism of insulin action on glucose metabolism in white fat cells by dexamethasone.

Treatment of white fat cells with dexamethasone during a 1–2–hr isolation period inhibited the stimulatory effect of insulin on [l–14C]—D—glucose conversion to CO2 during a subsequent 1 hour incubation under the following two conditions: 1) Submaximal doses of insulin in the presence of 1 HIM glucose, and 2) A maximal dose of insulin and 0.05 mM or 0.1 mM glucose. Under conditions of high rates of labeled CO2 production which occur with a maximal dose of insulin and 1 mM or more glucose, dexamethasone was without effect on the response of white fat cell glucose oxidation to insulin. Isolation of fat cells in the presence of 8.1 X 10-8M dexamethasone followed by incubation with the glucocorticoid resulted in marked inhibition of the insulin—like effects of 1 mM cysteine and 2.8 X 10-7M prostaglandin E1 in the presence of 0.1 mM glucose. Cycloheximide mimicked the action of dexamethasone on labeled CO2 production in the absence or presence of insulin or cysteine when fat cells were incubated with 0.05 mM gl...
Should all infertile males undergo urologic evaluation before assisted reproductive technologies? Two cases of testicular cancer presenting with infertility.

Abstract Objective: To report two cases of testicular cancer in patients presenting with infertility. Design: Case reports. Setting: University-affiliated urology practice. Patient(s): Two men presenting with infertility. Intervention(s): Complete history and physical, hormonal assays, semen analysis, scrotal ultrasound, radical orchiectomy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Testicular pathology specimens. Result(s): Testicular cancer was diagnosed in two men sent to a urology clinic for infertility treatment. Conclusion(s): A thorough evaluation should be completed in all males in couples presenting with infertility.
Prevalence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization

Background Heparin is ubiquitously used in cardiac catheterization but predisposes to the development of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. The objective was to examine prospectively the prevalence of anti–platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibodies and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the population undergoing cardiac catheterization. Methods This is a prospective study of 500 consecutive patients presenting for cardiac catheterization at our institution who were enrolled over the course of 1 year. Anti-PF4/heparin antibodies and concurrent platelet counts were measured at catheterization and 5 days thereafter. Thrombotic complications were assessed 30 days after the procedure via telephone interview. All patients presenting for cardiac catheterization at our institution were screened. Inclusion criteria were ( a ) males and nonpregnant females with age >18 years and ( b ) patients scheduled to undergo cardiac catheterization. Patients with a known history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, with documented bleeding or hypercoagulability, and those at high risk for bleeding were excluded. Results Of 500 patients, 15 (3%) had anti-PF4/heparin antibodies before catheterization. After catheterization, the prevalence of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies increased to 10.1% (36 of 357) of the patients. Overall rates of thrombotic complications were low (4 of 445, 0.9%) and did not correlate with anti-PF4/heparin antibody status. Patients with an initial positive test for anti-PF4/heparin antibodies were more likely to have prior coronary disease (73.3% vs 45.2%; P P = .02). The platelet count at the time of catheterization was lower in the cohort of patients who developed the second positive anti-PF4/heparin antibody test versus patients without a second positive antibody test (mean values of 191,800/ μ L vs 222,300/ μ L; P = .008). Conclusions The prevalence of antibodies to PF4/heparin is low in the population presenting for cardiac catheterization. However, a significant proportion of patients develop antibodies to PF4/heparin after a small exposure to heparin during catheterization. Clinically significant thrombotic complications were rare and did not correlate with antibody status.
Multi-level Analysis in Epidemiologic Research on Health Behaviors and Outcomes

Individual-level health behaviors and outcomes have multi-level determinants (individual and environmental). Multi-level analysis seeks to explain individual outcomes in terms of both individual and environmental or aggregate variables. Ecologic fallacy (improper inference about individual-level associations based on associations measured only at the aggregate level) can result from confusion about the level of inference that is of ultimate interest. The perspective of multi-level analysis acknowledges the importance of both individual and environmental variables in determining health behaviors and outcomes at the level of the indivisible unit--the individual. The authors review concepts and methods of multi-level analysis and their application to epidemiologic research on health behavior and health outcomes.
Functional and Physiological Outcomes from an Exercise-Based Dysphagia Therapy: A Pilot Investigation of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program

Abstract Crary MA, Carnaby GD, LaGorio LA, Carvajal PJ. Functional and physiological outcomes from an exercise-based dysphagia therapy: a pilot investigation of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program. Objective To investigate functional and physiological changes in swallowing performance of adults with chronic dysphagia after an exercise-based dysphagia therapy. Design Intervention study: before-after trial with 3-month follow-up evaluation. Setting Outpatient clinic within a tertiary care academic health science center. Participants Adults (N=9) with chronic (>12mo) dysphagia after unsuccessful prior therapies. Subjects were identified from among patients referred to an outpatient dysphagia clinic. Subjects had dysphagia secondary to prior treatment for head/neck cancer or from neurologic injury. All subjects demonstrated clinical and fluoroscopic evidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia. No subject withdrew during the course of this study. Interventions All subjects completed 3 weeks of an intensive, exercise-based dysphagia therapy. Therapy was conducted daily for 1h/d, with additional activities completed by subjects each night between therapy sessions. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcomes were clinical and functional change in swallowing performance with maintenance at 3 months after intervention. Secondary, exploratory outcomes included physiological change in swallow performance measured by hyolaryngeal elevation, lingual-palatal and pharyngeal manometric pressure, and surface electromyographic amplitude. Results Clinical and functional swallowing performances improved significantly and were maintained at the 3-month follow-up examination. Subject perspective (visual analog scale) on functional swallowing also improved. Four of 7 subjects who were initially feeding tube dependent progressed to total oral intake after 3 weeks of intervention. Physiological indices demonstrated increased swallowing effort after intervention. Conclusions Significant clinical and functional improvement in swallowing performance followed a time-limited (3wk) exercise-based intervention in a sample of subjects with chronic dysphagia. Physiological changes after therapy implicate improved neuromuscular functioning within the swallow mechanism.
Social Projection as a Source of Cooperation

Social dilemmas, such as the prisoner’s dilemma, are often seen as a conflict between rational self-interest and a moral concern for the collective. Contrary to empirical fact, classic game theory says that cooperative behavior cannot occur, and theories of moral sentiment fail to explain how cooperation comes about. Social projection theory offers a fresh look. Seeing decision making as a matter of general inductive reasoning, the theory explains why cooperative behavior occurs, correctly predicts that cooperation will vary with changes in the payoff structure, and shows how a group of self-interested individuals can obtain socially desirable outcomes. Within clearly specified boundary conditions, the theory suggests ways in which social outcomes can be improved beyond current levels.
Congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy: two patients with long-term follow-up

The authors report the long-term prospective follow-up of two unrelated females with congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy (CHN) and review previously reported cases. The authors' first patient presented with neonatal hypotonia and extremely slow nerve conduction velocities. Sural nerve biopsy revealed profound hypomyelination, without inflammation or evidence of myelin breakdown. She is now 9 years of age, and her motor function has continued to improve. Follow-up nerve-conduction velocities are unchanged. The authors' second patient presented at 5 months with hypotonia. Nerve-conduction velocities were extremely slow, and sural nerve biopsy revealed severe hypomyelination, with no inflammation or evidence of myelin breakdown. She is now 5 years of age and has also demonstrated improved motor function. Repeated nerve-conduction velocities are unchanged. Both patients have normal cognitive development. Molecular genetic analysis in Patient 2 disclosed a point mutation in the myelin protein zero gene; this same point mutation has been reported in three other patients diagnosed with Dejerine-Sottas syndrome (DSS) but has never been reported in a patient with CHN. Although CHN is a distinct clinical entity, it may share similar genetic features with DSS.
Ultrafast excited-state dynamics in the green fluorescent protein variant S65T/H148D. 1. Mutagenesis and structural studies.

Wild type green fluorescent protein (wt-GFP) and the variant S65T/H148D each exhibit two absorption bands, A and B, which are associated with the protonated and deprotonated chromophores, respectively. Excitation of either band leads to green emission. In wt-GFP, excitation of band A (∼395 nm) leads to green emission with a rise time of 10−15 ps, due to excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) from the chromophore hydroxyl group to an acceptor. This process produces an anionic excited-state intermediate I* that subsequently emits a green photon. In the variant S65T/H148D, the A band absorbance maximum is red-shifted to ∼415 nm, and as detailed in the accompanying papers, when the A band is excited, green fluorescence appears with a rise time shorter than the instrument time resolution (∼170 fs). On the basis of the steady-state spectroscopy and high-resolution crystal structures of several variants described herein, it is proposed that in S65T/H148D, the red shift of absorption band A and the ultrafast appear...
Ritual and Pilgrimage in the Ancient Andes: The Islands of the Sun and the Moon

Ritual and Pilgrimage in the Ancient Andes: The Islands of the Sun and the Moon. Brian S. Bauer and Charles Stanish. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2001.330 pp.
Research on security of storage area network

During developing of storage, new kind of storage storage area network (SAN) come into being. In the new framework, all hosts connect to storage through a network. There is more security risk than traditional storage system. In this paper, we discuss the process of research on security system of storage area network.
A simple EEPROM cell using twin polysilicon thin film transistors

A planar twin polysilicon thin film transistor (TFT) EEPROM cell fabricated with a simple low temperature (/spl les/600/spl deg/C) process is demonstrated in this work. The gate electrodes of the two TFT's are connected to form the floating gate of the cell, while the source and drain of the larger TFT are connected to form the control gate. The cell is programmed and erased by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling. The threshold voltage of the cell can be shifted by as much as 8 V after programming. This new EEPROM cell can dramatically reduce the cost of production by reducing manufacturing complexity. >
Fractal Dimension of Generalized Diffusion-Limited Aggregates

Un argument de type Flory base sur une topologie de polymere ramifie et presente pour la dimension fractale d'agregats limites par diffusion formes par une marche aleatoire avec une dimension fractale
Impacts of irrigation on 20th century temperature in the northern Great Plains

Land use change can modify root zone moisture distribution, energy partitioning and subsequently, near surface energy balance. Various modeling studies provided evidence of these changes. For example, land use change from natural grass land to irrigated land use would significantly increase and decrease latent and sensible energy flux, respectively. This type of long-term modification of energy balance would in turn change near surface temperatures. The Great Plains of North America experienced significant overturning of land from natural grass land to irrigated land use during the 20th century. This study provides assessment on the changes in the historical near surface temperature records in Nebraska, USA. Long-term mean monthly maximum, minimum, and monthly mean air temperature data from 5 irrigated and 5 non-irrigated sites were analyzed. Length and homogeneity of time series and stability of stations were primary determinants in selection of these stations. The time series include Cooperative Weather Observation Network (COOP) and Historical Climate Network (HCN) data sets. Pairwise comparisons of temperatures between irrigated and non-irrigated locations for pre- and post-1945, -1950, and -1955 periods were completed for both data sets. These breakdowns of time series helped to identify periods of widespread land use change. Results show notably cooler temperatures over irrigated areas. For example, mean maximum growing season temperature at irrigated Alliance was 0.64 °C and 1.65 °C cooler compared to non-irrigated Halsey during pre- and post-1945 period, respectively. Hence, there was a 1.01 °C cooling during post-1945 years. Moreover, there has been a greater cooling during the second half of 20th century. The bootstrap re-sampling method was applied and trend analyses were completed for further verification of results. These assessments largely show a decreasing trend in mean maximum growing season temperatures over irrigated areas. To further verify the results and to determine the impacts of extreme values (including extremely cool temperatures), the 20% trimmed mean approach was applied. The impacts of extreme values have been minimal and based on the results obtained we conclude that land use change in the northern Great Plains has modified near surface temperature records.
Diurnal activity and habitat use patterns in a population of Chanler's mountain reedbuck in the Rift Valley of Kenya

Summary From September 1971 to March 1972, Chanler's mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula chanleri Rothschild) were studied on the Arthur Cole Ranch near Gilgil, Kenya. Observation of groups in a volcanic crater on the ranch revealed a marked adherence to activity (high levels in early morning, low levels during midday and high levels in late afternoon) and daily movement patterns (nights and early mornings on slopes, mid-day at slope bases, and upslope movement in late afternoon or evening). Weather, time of day and month of observation tended to influence counts of mountain reedbuck in cinder cone areas of the ranch. Resume De septembre 1971 a mars 1972, les cobs de montagne de Chanler (Redunca fulvorufula chanleri Rotschild), ont eteetudies au Ranch Arthur Cole pres de Gilgil au Kenya. L'observation de groupes dans un cratere volcanique de la ferme revele une regularite nette de l'activite (intense tot le matin, reduite au milieu du jour et reprenant en fin d'apres-midi) et de l'actogramme quotidien (les nuits et petits matins sur les flancs, au milieu du jour au pied des flancs et sur les cretes en fin d'apres midi et le soir). Le temps, l'heure et le mois d'observation ont une influence sur les comptages de ces cobs de montagne dans les zones volcaniques du ranch.
Model of an end-pumped, injection seeded solid-state laser

In response to recently developed experimental techniques in solid-state lasers we have developed a model of the transient behavior of an end-pumped, injection seeded laser. The model describes the four-level operation of a general solid-state laser; the focus of numerical work is specifically for the Ti-doped sapphire laser system. In this paper we report on our analysis of the quantitative behavior of the solution and we prove a number of qualitative properties of the model system; the most important of these is that the system is asymptotically stable
The effects of mulching on establishment of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Becc., Washingtonia robusta H. Wendl. and Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (H. Wendl.) H. Wendl. & Drude in the landscape

Three palm species common to southern California landscapes were grown and established under mulch treatments. Turfgrass clippings and Eucalyptus sideroxylon mulches increased the growth of king and queen palms and increased survival of king palms. Although palms growing under fresh eucalyptus mulches did not display nutrient deficiency symptoms, Mexican fan palm and queen palm were not significantly benefited by mulch treatments. Mexican fan palm was not adversely affected by turfgrass growing around it. However, turfgrass significantly reduced queen and king palm growth and increased mortality of king palms during establishment. Turfgrass increased drought effects and decreased stomatal conductance of palms. Soils under turfgrass were significantly drier than mulched or unmulched soils.
First-pass midazolam metabolism catalyzed by 1α,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3-modified Caco-2 cell monolayers

Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 accounts for approximately 50% of all P-450s found in the small intestine (Paine et al., 1997) and contributes to the extensive and variable first-pass extraction of drugs such as cyclosporine and saquinavir. We recently demonstrated that CYP3A4 expression in a differentiated Caco-2 subclone is increased when cell monolayers are treated with 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-vitamin-D3 (Schmiedlin-Ren et al., 1997). This improved metabolic capacity permits the in vitro modeling of first-pass intestinal metabolic kinetics. Midazolam (MDZ) 1'-hydroxylation was used as a specific probe for CYP3A-mediated metabolism in modified Caco-2 monolayers. Caco-2 cells were grown to confluence on laminin-coated culture inserts, and then for two additional weeks in the presence of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy vitamin-D3. Cell monolayers were subsequently exposed to MDZ for varying lengths of time and concentrations. The amount of MDZ in the monolayer increased rapidly after apical drug administration, reaching a pseudo steady state within 6 min. The cellular uptake rate was considerably slower after a basolateral dose. By either route of administration, the rate of 1'-hydroxymidazolam formation was stable and linear for 2 h. Under basolateral sink conditions and low apical MDZ dosing concentration (1-8 microM), the first-pass extraction ratio was found to be approximately 15%. Higher dosing concentrations led to saturation of the hydroxylation reaction and reduction in the extraction ratio. The modified Caco-2 cell monolayer is an excellent model for studying drug absorption and first-pass intestinal metabolic kinetic processes. In this system, the selective CYP3A probe MDZ was rapidly absorbed, yet extensively metabolized, as is observed in vivo.
Computing the ambiguity surface

The computation of the discrete ambiguity function is considered. Two straightforward methods are developed depending upon whether we write the discrete ambiguity as a filter or as a discrete Fourier transform. A modification of the transform method produces an approximation to the discrete ambiguity function, but has increased computational efficiency. This method is based on a recent work [1]. In most major applications, we need to compute limited portions of the DFT description of the discrete ambiguity function. To do so, we first pass a long sequence of "data" through a decimated FIR filter, and then use the FFT algorithm on the results. The Remez algorithm is employed to control the resulting aliasing errors. In the final section, approximation theory is applied directly to the problem of computing the discrete ambiguity function. The algorithm required to carry out the necessary computations turns out to be the same as on the prevoius approximation method based on a decimating FIR filter.
User acceptance of multi-criteria decision support systems: The impact of preference elicitation techniques

Previous research indicates that decision makers are often reluctant to use potentially beneficial multi-criteria decision support systems (MCDSS). Prior research has not examined the specific impact of preference elicitation techniques on user acceptance of MCDSS. The present research begins to fill this gap by examining the effect on users MCDSS evaluations of two commonly used preference elicitation techniques, absolute measurement and pairwise comparisons, while holding constant all other aspects of the MCDSS and decision making task. Experimental results (N = 153) indicate that users consider MCDSS with pairwise comparisons to be higher in decisional conflict, more effortful, less accurate, and overall less desirable to use than MCDSS with absolute measurements. Thus, any potential normative superiority of a preference elicitation technique must be balanced against its potentially adverse effects on user acceptance of the MCDSS within which it is employed. We present a research agenda for exploring the tradeoffs between objective validity and user acceptance in the design of decision analysis tools. 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Chapter 17: Impact of Concerns About Equity on Environmental Policy

This is chapter 17 of Environmental Economics: An Integrated Approach and it takes up the role of equity in environmental policy. It considers the implications for policy of both cross-sectional equity at a point in time and concerns about intergenerational equity.
Online Examination

While there is an enormous amount of material to study, the usage of internet technology is increasingly shielding the need for textbooks. Currently, students spend lot of money for textbooks, while study material is available on the internet. This internet-based examination system is flexible for teachers to set and control the student examinations. There are many features like information sharing between users, departments, institutes, and other interested groups are included in the new system.
Relationship Between Supervisory Working Alliance and Client Outcomes in State Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

This study investigated the relationship between supervisory working alliance (SWA) and successful client outcomes in the state/federal vocational rehabilitation counseling system and supervision p...
The mucoprotein fraction (phosphotungstic acid precipitate) in tissue and serum: a comparison of normal findings and findings in leukemia and lymphoma.

Abstract 1.1. This article reports a study of some constituents of the total protein and phosphotungstic acid precipitable fraction ("mucoprotein fraction") of serum and splenic tissue in normal individuals and patients with lymphoma, leukemia, and miscellaneous disorders. 2.2. In all pathologic cases studied splenic tissue was rich in total protein. The protein fraction of lymphoma tissue presented the strikingly distinctive feature of a very high cholesterol content. Total hexosamine was relatively low in splenic tissue of lymphoma and leukemia. 3.3. Pathologic splenic tissue was also rich in phosphotungstic acid precipitable material ("mucoprotein fraction"). When obtained from lymphoma and leukemic splenic tissue this fraction appeared relatively poor in hexoses, hexosamine, and cholesterol. 4.4. Comparison of splenic tissue and blood values showed a series of significant findings in lymphoma. Cholesterol of total proteins was high in tissue, low in blood. Also, total protein-bound hexoses were much higher in serum than in splenic tissue; phosphotungstic acid precipitate from tissue contained relatively less hexoses, hexosamine, and cholesterol than the corresponding fraction from serum. 5.5. Results suggested (a) quantitative and qualitative changes of total protein and "mucoprotein fraction" of serum and tissue in disease; (b) possibly, abnormal composition of these fractions in disease, particularly lymphoma.
Issue-Focused Documentaries versus Other Films: Rating and Type Prediction based on User-Authored Reviews

User-authored reviews offer a window into micro-level engagement with issue-focused documentary films, which is a critical yet insufficiently understood topic in media impact assessment. Based on our data, features, and supervised learning method, we find that ratings of non-documentary (feature film) reviews can be predicted with higher accuracy (73.67%, F1 score) than ratings of documentary reviews (68.05%). We also constructed a classifier that separates reviews of documentaries from reviews of feature films with an accuracy of 71.32%. However, as our goal with this paper is not to improve the accuracy of predicting the rating and type or genre of film reviews, but to advance our understanding of the perception of documentaries in comparison to feature films, we also identified commonalities and differences between these two types of films as well as between low versus high ratings. We find that in contrast to reviews of feature films, comments on documentaries are shorter but composed of longer sentences, are less emotional, contain less positive and more negative terms, are lexically more concise, and are more focused on verbs than on nouns and adjectives. Compared to low-rated reviews, comments with a high rating are shorter, are more emotional and contain more positive than negative sentiment, and have less question marks and more exclamation points. Overall, this work contributes to advancing our understanding of the impact of different types of information products on individual information consumers.
Adrenal corticoid hyperresponsiveness in hirsute women

Data are limited on the existence of adrenal hyperplasia or cortisol oversecretion in women with hirsutism. Supranormal responses of cortisol (>20 μ g/dl) were observed at 15 and 30minutes after the 8:00 A.M. adrenocorticotropin (0.5 U) injection (performed after 1mg of dexamethasone taken orally at midnight) in 6 of the 12 hirsute women (hirsute I) and in all 4 women with Cushing's disease. Baseline plasma levels of corticoids, androgens, and gonadotropins, body weight, menstrual history, and degree of hirsutism were all indistinguishable between the two hirsute groups. The mean plasma levels of cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were both significantly greater in the hirsute I group and in those with adrenal hyperplasia caused by Cushing's disease than in normal subjects. Our data indicate that adrenal hyperplasia is a common abnormality in women with hirsutism. We speculate that this abnormality may contribute to the pathogenesis of hirsutism and ovarian dysfunction in many hirsute women.
Angioplasty and Other Noninvasive Vascular Surgical Procedures

The field of vascular surgery has undergone significant changes recently. Beginning with the development of less invasive techniques to manage general surgical pathology, such as laproscopic procedures, there has been a paradigm shift in the type of techniques that are available to treat patients. Historically, vascular surgery patients have been successfully treated with open surgical procedures in the majority of cases. Technology has allowed for the advent of change. In addition, the desire of patients to be treated with less invasive methods of management has pushed this technology as well as the clinical pattern of treatment.
Leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion as an active, multi-step process: a combinatorial mechanism for specificity and diversity in leukocyte targeting.

The recruitment of leukocytes from the blood is one of the most dramatic cellular responses to tissue damage and inflammation, and is central to the physiologic trafficking of lymphocytes. Leukocyte extravasation is exquisitely regulated in vivo by mechanisms of selective leukocyte-endothelial cell (EC) recognition. Such selective recognition events help determine the degree and character of local inflammatory reactions by controlling the extravasation of neutrophils, monocytes and other leukocytes; facilitate immune surveillance by directing the recirculation pathways of virgin and memory lymphocytes; and support regional immune responses by targeting lymphocyte effector cells to particular organs and tissues in the body. The interaction of lymphocytes and leukocytes with the vascular endothelium in vivo can display extraordinary specificity in relation to the inflammatory stimulus, the stage of the inflammatory response, and the tissue site or organ involved. Examples include the almost exclusive attachment of eosinophils to venules in allergic reactions, the specific recruitment of monocytes to cerebral vessels in mouse models of cerebral malaria, and the tissue-selective interaction of lymphocyte subsets with high endothelial venules (HEV) in organized lymphoid tissues.
Education, Gender, and Development

This essay reflects on the origins and development of my core research interests in education, gender, and development. These interests emerged in my De La Salle college years in Manila, persisted through graduate studies at Stanford, and continue to characterize my ongoing scholarship. In the 1960s I gravitated toward a nationalist perspective and assumed that education was the key to national development and that amoral familism was a major stumbling block.
Transmission Response Measurements of Frequency Translating Devices

This paper presents two methods for accurately determining the transmission response of frequency translating devices: an inferred response technique using a vector network analyzer, and a direct response technique utilizing a microwave transition analyzer. Tradeoffs between these two approaches are presented along with results for a 20 GHz downconverter. The emphasis here is on single-sideband converters, but the application to double-sideband converters is also described briefly.
World polity or world society? Delineating the statist and societal dimensions of the global institutional system:

The world society/polity perspective developed by John Meyer, his collaborators, and his students has grown tremendously over the past three decades. It is, however, theoretically and conceptually ...
A FRAMEWORK FOR OFFICE AUTOMATION EDUCATION

An educational framework for Office Automation (OA) education is presented. It is based on the analysis of educational content as a function of enabling factors, architecture, and range of integrat...
Cytogenetic Evolution (CE) In Patients (pts) with Low and Intermediate Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Is Associated with Poor Prognosis

Abstract Abstract 2941 Introduction: MDS is a spectrum of abnormalities in the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells that result in peripheral cytopenias, bone marrow dysplasia and increased risk of transformation to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Cytogenetic abnormalities occur in more than 50% of patients (pts) and have an impact on survival and risk of transformation to AML. CE, or acquisition of additional clonal chromosomal abnormalities, has been reported to occur in 30 to 50% of primary MDS pts. Their impact on prognosis and transformation into AML among pts with low and intermediate risk MDS is not known. In this study, we analyzed the impact of CE on prognosis in lower risk MDS. Methods: we reviewed 722 pts clinic records of low and intermediate risk MDS pts at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) from 2000–2010 and conducted a retrospective analysis of all MDS pts with at least two consecutive cytogenetic analysis (365 patients, 50.6%) and compared the cytogenetic evolution group (CE group) with the group without cytogenetic changes (no CE group). Cytogenetic analysis was performed in the Cytogenetics Laboratory at MDACC. Results: CE was detected in 200 pts (55%). Characteristics of patients with CE are: median age 65 years (23-91), IPSS int-1 79%, diploid CG 42%, excess blasts 25%. Pts with CE were more frequently female (p=0.005), and had more frequently abnormalities of chromosome 5 and 7 (p 0.05) regarding age, WBC, platelet, hgb, ANC, BM blasts percent, diagnosis (RA or RAEB), and IPSS score. There were more chr.-5/-7, insufficient metaphases, and other abnormalities, but less diploid cases in CE group compared with no CE group (p Conclusion: CE is more commonly observed among pts with high-risk features, and is usually associated with disease progression and resistance. Also, prior malignancy and chemotherapy exposure were associated with CE in this study. This data indicates that genomic instability has a role in disease progression in MDS. Further analysis of CE in MDS is needed. Download : Download high-res image (119KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Very Tight 'Bundles of Sticks': Hohfeld's Complex Jural Relations

The preeminent legal theorist, Wesley Hohfeld, began his landmark 1913 article, Some Fundamental Legal Conceptions as Applied in Judicial Reasoning, by impugning existing analytical treatments of trusts, yet noticeably never fully explained his own view of trusts as a “complex aggregate” of “fundamental” relations. In the last footnote to the article, Hohfeld stated that in his “next article . . . some attention will be given to the nature and analysis of complex legal interests, or aggregates of jural relations.” Unfortunately, as the editor of his collected works, Walter Wheeler Cook, remarked, Hohfeld’s “untimely death prevented the carrying out of the remainder of the plan.” In this chapter, I undertake the beginnings of the “remainder of the plan” by proposing a set of Hohfeldian complex jural relations, including a “common right,” “common liberty,” and “constitutional right.” The precise construction of the complex Hohfeldian relations helps to explain the role modularity plays in the assembly of jural relations in real property, torts, constitutional law, and other fields. Additionally, as legal artificial intelligence has become increasingly prominent, properly categorizing these jural admixtures is of great practical concern to the growing digital economies leveraging legal “toolkits.”