cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technical Service Outreach Strategies for Academic Libraries

The model of a library staff divided into technical and informational service divisions remains common—especially among academic libraries. The authors argue that in many ways it is now the technical services division that is best positioned to provide outreach services to a community—whether at the university or municipal level. Maintaining bibliographic access amid the changing information landscape hinges on a clear understanding of systems, metadata, and traditional organizational skills, all home grown in the back rooms of conventional libraries. The authors cite examples of library outreach that emanated from technical service departments and conclude that the sequestered staffs of the past must make themselves indispensible today by sharing their knowledge and talents, offering services to their communities that require their technical expertise, and advance the mission of the library organization.
Compiling polymorphism using intensional type analysis

Traditional techniques for implementing polymorphism use a universal representation for objects of unknown type. Often, this forces a compiler to use universal representations even if the types of objects are known. We examine an alternative approach for compiling polymorphism where types are passed as arguments to polymorphic routines in order to determine the representation of an object. This approach allows monomorphic code to use natural, efficient representations, supports separate compilation of polymorphic definitions and, unlike coercion-based implementations of polymorphism, natural representations can be used for mutable objects such as refs and arrays.We are particularly interested in the typing properties of an intermediate language that allows run-time type analysis to be coded within the language. This allows us to compile many representation transformations and many language features without adding new primitive operations to the language. In this paper, we provide a core target language where type-analysis operators can be coded within the language and the types of such operators can be accurately tracked. The target language is powerful enough to code a variety of useful features, yet type checking remains decidable. We show how to translate an ML-like language into the target language so that primitive operators can analyze types to produce efficient representations. We demonstrate the power of the “user-level” operators by coding flattened tuples, marshalling, type classes, and a form of type dynamic within the language.
Wetting and Growth Behaviors in Adsorbed Systems with Long-Range Forces

The growth and possible wetting behaviors of an adsorbed film are studied employing a solid-on-solid model in the presence of a hard wall and external potential $V(h)$ which is of long range. The model is analyzed with the use of position-space renormalization-group methods within the Migdal approximation. The existence of wetting transitions and their nature depends on the asymptotic behavior of $V(h)$ at large distances. We find that critical wetting cannot take place in this model. From what is known of $V(h)$, we conclude that wetting can be observed only along the gas-liquid phase boundary; however, first-order transitions between thin and thick films, which may be experimentally difficult to distinguish from wetting, can be observed along any phase boundary. The nature of the global phase diagram depends on the form of $V(h)$ and several general behaviors are presented. In particular, in the layering subregime we find that the limit of layering critical points is indeed the bulk roughening temperature as had been suggested by de Oliveira and Griffiths. The scaling of these layering critical points is given explicitly.
Tumor detection in vivo NIRF images

Recent developments in the field of biotechnology and imaging systems have enabled real-time in vivo imaging at both the cellular and molecular level. This paper focuses on a technique that has been designed to detect tumor cells in vivo when using NIRF (near-infrared 705-715 nm range fluorescence) images. Experimental results indicate that the algorithm offers reasonably accurate estimates of the tumor parameters in the presence of white noise and varying background.
SMART Layer and SMART Suitcase for structural health monitoring applications

Knowledge of integrity of in-service structures can greatly enhance their safety and reliability and lower structural maintenance cost. Current practices limit the extent of real-time knowledge that can be obtained from structures during inspection, are labor-intensive and thereby increase life-cycle costs. Utilization of distributed sensors integrated with the structure is a viable and cost-effective means of monitoring the structure and reducing inspection costs. Acellent Technologies is developing a novel system for actively and passively interrogating the health of a structure through an integrated network of sensors and actuators. Acellent's system comprises of SMART Layers, SMART Suitcase and diagnostic software. The patented SMART Layer is a thin dielectric film with an embedded network of distributed piezoelectric actuators/sensors that can be surface-mounted on metallic structures or embedded inside composite structures. The SMART Suitcase is a portable diagnostic unit designed with multiple sensor/actuator channels to interface with the SMART Layer, generate diagnostic signals from actuators and record measurements from the embedded sensors. With appropriate diagnostic software, Acellent's system can be used for monitoring structural condition and for detecting damage while the structures are in service. This paper enumerates on the SMART Layer and SMART Suitcase and their applicability to composite and metal structures.
The effects of sex of source and target on interpersonal conflict management styles

This study investigated the effects of subject sex and target sex on reported conflict management styles. Subjects (n = 147) were instructed to think of either a same‐ or opposite‐sex person while completing the Thomas‐Kilmann Conflict Mode instrument. Results indicated that males were more likely than females to report using a competing style, while females were more likely than males to report using a compromising style. Regardless of their own gender, all subjects were more likely to report using an accommodating style if the target was female. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Highlights of the Study of Energy Release in Flares

From February 26 to March 1, 1979, 32 solar flare investigators attended a workshop at Cambridge, MA to define objectives and devise a scientific program for the study of energy release in flares (SERF) during the coming solar maximum. Herein, some major results of the ensuing five-year effort to observe and understand the flare energy release process and its effects (energetic particle production, coronal and chromospheric heating, electromagnetic radiations, and mass motions and ejections) are reviewed. The central issue - what processes store and release the energy liberated in flares - remains unresolved except in the most general terms (e.g., it is generally agreed that the energy is stored in sheared or stressed magnetic fields and released by field annihilation during some MHD instability). Resolving that issue is still one of the most important goals in solar physics, but the advances during the SERF program have brought it closer.
Chemical kinetics in the coma

Physical and chemical conditions in the coma of a bright “new” comet are related to the composition of the nucleus. Chemical and photolytic processes are described and correlated to distance in the coma above the nucleus and to heliocentric distance of the comet. Two classes for the composition of comets are considered based on their place of origin: in the environs of the giant planets or in a companion fragment of the presolar nebula. Comparison of model results with coma observations leads to some restrictions about the nucleus composition. It is expected that these restrictions become more stringent as coma models are developed further and as observations become more detailed. Composition based on an origin of comets in the presolar nebula yields abundances of C2, C3, and CN that are in agreement with observations.
Discretion and corruption: The Chilean judiciary

Corruption in the judiciary and its effects on the budget of that branch of government, the efficiency of justice (prompt or belated) and its quality (biased or impartial) are analyzed. The discretionary powers of the Supreme Court and those granted to judges to manage their courts, calendar and case load, and the hierarchical administrative structures of judiciaries, which function as a queueing system, may be used as a tool to maximize graft. These phenomena reveal links between institutional forms and incentives. Using the case of Chile and the exceptional emergence of corruption within the judiciary during the military dictatorship, the role of democracy as a punishing and preventive mechanism is highlighted.
A Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization Methodology in Electronics Packaging: Application to BGA Design

In this manuscript a systematic multidisciplinary electronic packaging design and optimization methodology based on the artificial neural networks technique is presented. This method is applied to a Ball Grid Array (BGA) package design as an example. Multidisciplinary criteria including thermal, structural (thermal strain), electromagnetic leakage, and cost are optimized simultaneously. A simplified routability criterion is also considered as a constraint. The artificial neural networks technique is used for thermal and structural performance predictions. Large calculation time reduction is achieved using the artificial neural networks, which also provide enough information to specify the individual weights for each design discipline within the objective function used for optimization. This methodology is able to provide the designers a clear view of the design trade-offs, which are represented in the objective function using various design parameters. This methodology can be applied to any electronic product design at any packaging level.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Pion Resonances, Regge Poles, and the Chew-Frautschi Saturation Principle

It was shown by means of a crude model that the positions of the resonances in low energy pi - pi scattering were unaffected by inelastic effects whereas their widths were considerably narrowed. A simple self- consistent calculation for the high-energy total cross section was carried out by making some simplifying assumptions for the Regge trajectory and imposing a saturation condition. (C.E.S.)
Prolonged Oral Etoposide in Recurrent or Advanced Leiomyosarcoma of the Uterus: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

Abstract Objective. In a previous study by the Gynecologic Oncology Group only modest activity was seen with bolus etoposide in leiomyosarcoma of the uterus (an 11% response rate). To exploit the schedule dependency of etoposide, which favors longer exposure, a Phase II trial of prolonged oral etoposide was conducted in this tumor. Methods. Eligibility included leiomyosarcoma of the uterus, measurable disease, one prior chemotherapy regimen which did not include etoposide, WBC ≥ 3000/μl, platelet count ≥100,000/μl, serum creatinine ≤2 mg%, and adequate hepatic function. The starting etoposide dose was 50 mg/m 2 /day (30–40 mg/m 2 /day for prior radiotherapy) as a single dose for 21 days, every 28 days. Based on toxicity, a dose escalation to a maximum etoposide dose of 60 mg/m 2 /day was prescribed. Results. Thirty-six patients were entered on this study; 34 were evaluable for toxicity and 29 were evaluable for response. A median of 2 courses were given (range 1–14). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 20.6% and grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 5.8%. One patient developed acute myeloid leukemia 10 months after completing 7 cycles of therapy. Among the patients evaluable for response, 27 had received prior chemotherapy and 6 had received prior radiation therapy. Two partial responses (6.9%) were observed. Conclusion. This regimen has minimal activity as second-line chemotherapy in leiomyosarcoma of the uterus. No benefit to the chronic oral schedule is evident.
Automorphisms of graph groups

Abstract Given a graph Γ = ( V , E ), the graph group on Γ is the group generated by the vertex set V with the defining relations being that two adjacent vertices commute. In the following, the centralizer problem for graph groups is solved and it is shown that, for some graph groups, aut ( F 〈 Γ 〉) is finitely generated by generators which are natural analogues to the Nielsen automorphisms for a free group.
Studies on normal human bone marrow cultures in controlled environment thin-film culture systems.

Two thin film culture systems, the controlled environment steady state system (SS) and the rocker tube configuration of that system (RT), were used to identify some of the conditions that appear to maintain morphologic and functional characteristics of cells of human bone marrow explants in vitro. The systems configuration assured continual gassing, control and easy monitoring of the cultures. Cytocentrifuge preparations of media of specimens cultured in RT disclosed, though in decreasing numbers, various hematopoietic cells for periods exceeding one month. Hematopoietic cells shed from specimens cultured in the SS system were retained in the culture tubes; cells of the myelocytic series predominated for the first 2 weeks while an increasing number of monocytes and macrophages appeared in the media of older cultures. Histologic examination of cultured explants disclosed preservation of the marrow architecture and the persistence of hematopoietic cells. Specimens cultured in RT tubes tended to be less cellular than similar cultures placed in dialysis bags or as cultured in the SS system. Immunoglobulins (Ig) were released into the culture media at a constant rate throughout the period of culture. Specimens that were cultured at a controlled pH of 7.4 released 2 to more than 4 times as much Ig as similar specimens maintained at a pH level of 7.1. There were no definitive differences in Ig levels in the cultures maintained at comparable pH levels and overlaid with various CO2 concentrations, i.e. 2%, 5%, 10%; similarly, no differences in Ig levels were found in specimens cultured in media containing fetal bovine sera as opposed to horse sera.
A multi-scale analysis of single-family residential water use in the phoenix metropolitan area

Studies that evaluate determinants of residential water demand typically use data from a single spatial scale. Although household-scale data are preferred, especially when econometric models are used, researchers may be limited to aggregate data. There is little, if any, empirical analysis to assess whether spatial scale may lead to ecological fallacy problems in residential water use research. Using linear mixed-effects models, we compare the results for the relationship of single-family water use with its determinants using data from the household and census tract scales in the city of Phoenix. Model results between the household and census tract scale are similar suggesting the ecological fallacy may not be significant. Common significant determinants on these two spatial scales include household size, household income, house age, pool size, irrigable lot size, precipitation, and temperature. We also use city/town scale data from the Phoenix metropolitan area to parameterize the linear mixed-effects model. The difference in the parameter estimates of those common variables compared to the first two scales indicates there is spatial heterogeneity in the relationship between single-family water use and its determinants among cities and towns. The negative relationship between single-family house density and residential water use suggests that residential water consumption could be reduced through coordination of land use planning and water demand management.
Organizational Learning, Bureaucratic Control, Preservation of Form Adding to Our Basic Understanding of Research Utilization in Public Organizations

Research utilization refers to a phenomenon or set of phenomena inseparable from the complicated context in which use is to occur. This article examines possibilities for refining our basic understanding of research use in public agencies. The authors propose the notion that preservation of form is a subtle bureaucratic imperative that influences research use at the level of the single organization and at the level of the organizational sector. The authors suggest that the metaphor of organizational learning provides a rich set of possibilities for conceptual development and that examination of characteristic orientations and features of decision systems, combined withexamination of bureaucratic control of the decision system, results in intriguing and important possibilities for refining the essential foundation for understanding and investigating use in complex public organizations.
Direct Activation of ENaC by Angiotensin II: Recent Advances and New Insights

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the principal effector of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). It initiates myriad processes in multiple organs integrated to increase circulating volume and elevate systemic blood pressure. In the kidney, Ang II stimulates renal tubular water and salt reabsorption causing antinatriuresis and antidiuresis. Activation of the RAAS is known to enhance activity of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron. In addition to its well described stimulatory actions on aldosterone secretion, Ang II is also capable of directly increasing ENaC activity. In this brief review, we discuss recent findings about non-classical Ang II actions on ENaC and speculate about its relevance for renal sodium handling.
Adsorption of Hydrophobic Polyelectrolytes at Oppositely Charged Surfaces

We develop a scaling theory of adsorption of necklace-like hydrophobic polyelectrolytes at an oppositely charged hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. At low surface charge densities we predict a two-dimensional adsorbed layer with thickness determined by the balance between electrostatic attraction to the charged surface and chain entropy. At high surface charge densities we expect a 3-dimensional layer with polymer density profile determined either by the balance between two-body monomer−monomer attraction or by electrostatic attraction to the surface and three-body monomer−monomer repulsion. These different stabilizing mechanisms result in the nonmonotonic dependence of the layer thickness on the surface charge density. For adsorption of polyelectrolyte chains from salt solutions the screening of the electrostatic repulsion between adsorbed polyelectrolyte chains results in large overcompensation of the surface charge for two-dimensional adsorbed layers. The polymer surface coverage for this regime inc...
Electron microscopic studies of the dentate gyrus of the rat. II. Degeneration of commissural afferents

Experimental degeneration of the commissural afferents to the dentate gyrus of the rat has been studied using the electron microscope. Four and six days after unilater fimbrial section, unequivocal degeneration of axon terminals is found in the inner part of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus of the opposite side. The affected endings are in synaptic contact both with the shafts of the granule cell dendrites and with the short dendritic spines which occur on the granule cell dendrites in this part of the molecular layer. These degenerating terminals show changes ranging from an increased axoplasmic density with aggregation of the synaptic vesicles, to a complete disappearance of the vesicles and mitochondria, and the engulfment of the endings by glycogen-containing processes of glial cells. There is no proliferation of neurofilaments at any stage during this degeneration. Glial processes in the vicinity of degenerating axon terminals show reactive changes in the form of swelling and accumulation of glycogen, and probably proceed to phagocytosis of the degenerating nerve endings. On the side of the lesion the glial cells also show fibril proliferation, an even greater accumulation of glycogen, and a variety of ingested cellular debris.
Effects of single-sex and mixed-sex cooperative interaction on science achievement and attitudes and cross-handicap and cross-sex relationships

Single-sex cooperative, mixed-sex cooperative, and individualistic learning situations were compared to determine if they promoted systematic differences in relationships between male and female students and handicapped and nonhandicapped students. One-hundred-fifty-four 5th-and 6th-grade students were assigned to conditions on a stratified random basis controlling for ability, sex, grade level, homerooms, and handicap. They participated in a study for 45 minutes a day for 21 days in science class. The results indicate that cooperative learning situations, compared with individualistic ones, promoted more positive cross-sex and cross-handicap relationships. Males achieved higher and had more positive attitudes toward science than did females.
On the core of network synthesis games

We use polynomial formulations to show that several rational and discrete network synthesis games, including the minimum cost spanning tree game, satisfy the assumptions of Owen's linear production game model. We also discuss computational issues related to finding and recognizing core points for these classes of games.
Gene Knockdown of γ-Glutamylcysteine Synthetase by RNAi in the Parasitic Protozoa Trypanosoma brucei Demonstrates That It Is an Essential Enzyme

The parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei utilizes a novel cofactor (trypanothione, T(SH)2), which is a conjugate of GSH and spermidine, to maintain cellular redox balance. gamma-Glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of GSH. To evaluate the importance of thiol metabolism to the parasite, RNAi methods were used to knock down gene expression of gamma-GCS in procyclic T. brucei cells. Induction of gamma-GCS RNAi with tetracycline led to cell death within 4-6 days post-induction. Cell death was preceded by the depletion of the gamma-GCS protein and RNA and by the loss of the cellular pools of GSH and T(SH)2. The addition of GSH (80 microM) to cell cultures rescued the RNAi cell death phenotype and restored the intracellular thiol pools to wild-type levels. Treatment of cells with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an enzyme-activated inhibitor of gamma-GCS, also resulted in cell death. However, the toxicity of the inhibitor was not reversed by GSH, suggesting that BSO has more than one cellular target. BSO depletes intracellular thiols to a similar extent as gamma-GCS RNAi; however, addition of GSH did not restore the pools of GSH and T(SH)2. These data suggest that BSO also acts to inhibit the transport of GSH or its peptide metabolites into the cell. The ability of BSO to inhibit both synthesis and transport of GSH likely makes it a more effective cytotoxic agent than an inhibitor with a single mode of action. Finally the potential for the T(SH)2 biosynthetic enzymes to be regulated in response to reduced thiol levels was studied. The expression levels of ornithine decarboxylase and of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, two essential enzymes in spermidine biosynthesis, remained constant in induced gamma-GCS RNAi cell lines.
Remediation of piled foundations against lateral spreading by passive site stabilization technique

Abstract Physical modeling tests were conducted on pile foundations to measure the seismic performance of a new ground improvement technology, called passive site stabilization, for use on sites susceptible to liquefaction and liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. The method involves the slow injection of a low-viscosity stabilizer in conjunction with the natural groundwater flow. The effectiveness of the treatment using dilute colloidal silica as the stabilizer was tested by two centrifuge models that simulated soil–pile interaction of a 2×2 end-bearing pile group embedded in a multilayer soil deposit of 10-m thickness. The models utilized a laminar box and involved gently inclined soil profiles with and without the applied soil improvement. Response of the pile groups and the lateral spreading behaviors of the treated and untreated soil under a simulated base shaking were investigated and compared. The results showed that treatment with dilute colloidal silica stabilizer minimized permanent lateral deformations and reduced the liquefaction potential of the soil. Significant reductions occurred in the measured pile bending moments and axial forces because the layer treated with dilute colloidal silica did not liquefy. Thus, the technique can be an alternative to traditional methods of ground improvement.
Platelet monoamine oxidase B activity changes across 31 days of smoking abstinence

Although recent studies demonstrate that tobacco cigarette smoke substantially inhibits both central nervous system and blood platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, little is known about the time course of MAO increases after smoking cessation. Therefore, changes in platelet MAO-B activity and mood were assessed before and at multiple times after quitting smoking. Quitting smoking was associated with a significant (22%) increase in MAO activity by day 3 and with a maximum increase (about 50%) by day 10 that was maintained through day 31 of abstinence. However, abstinence-related increases in depressive mood peaked at day 2 of abstinence, a week more rapidly than the peak increase in MAO-B activity. Neither mood nor MAO-B activity returned to baseline or smoking control levels across the 31-day abstinence period. The asynchrony of increased negative affect and MAO-B activity during the first few days of abstinence may reflect any of several possibilities. First, the duration of the platelet life cycle may not reflect central MAO-B or MAO-A activity. Second, MAO-B may not contribute to or index mood changes during the first days of abstinence though it may contribute to protracted abstinence-induced negative affect. These findings are discussed in terms of the hypothesis that platelet MAO activity reflects central nervous system MAO changes that promote increased depressive affect resulting from smoking abstinence.
Accurate Error Analysis of a Satellite Tracking Control Loop System

ABSTRACT A simplified approach to evaluate the errors in the tracking loops is presented. The input is expressed as a combination of linear straight segments and a curve. Taylor's expansion and shifted Laplace transform method are used to express the total input over the time of interest. The error analysis is given for Type I and Type II second-order tracking loop and Type III third-order tracking loop.
Knowledge-based systems for genetics

This article describes knowledge-based systems for genetics called GENETICS-I, II, and III, and their possible extensions. GENETICS-I works on a simple genetic model where a phenotype is determined by a gene-pair, each gene having a value of 0 or 1 (diallelism). In GENETICS-II, which is a generalization of GENETICS-I, each gene can have a value of 0, 1,…, or gmax (multi-allelism; e.g. the ABO blood group). GENETICS-HI is a further generalization of GENETICS-II in which a phenotype is determined by more than one pair of genes (multi-genes; e.g. major histocompatibility complex). In each system, a knowledge base is established as a collection of production rules which are repeatedly applied on the database representing phenotypes and genotypes for a family tree to deduce new information. During the course of generalization, substantial changes in the database and knowledge-base structures have been made to deal with new types of problems as well as to increase the efficiency of computer time and memory space utilization. Possible extensions of these systems to include some common characteristics in expert systems are also discussed; included are a heuristic search of rules, user-system interactions, and reasoning under uncertain information.
COAGULASE NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCUS (CONS) IN BLOOD CULTURES, NORMAL SERUM C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP) AND LOW SERUM INTERLEUKIN-6 (IL-6) : CAN TREATMENT BE TRUNCATED? 1763

CONS in positive blood cultures are often contaminants, yet infants are given antibiotics over needlessly prolonged periods of time. The resultant widespread use of antimicrobials has added to the longstanding problem of antimicrobial resistant organisms, particularly in the closed environment of the NICU. We used normal CRP levels as an indication to discontinue treatment 48 hours after inception. CONS positive blood cultures and normal CRP q 12h× 3 (<1.0 mg/dl) occurred in 43 “septic work-ups” (41 infants). Duration of antimicrobial therapy was <48 hours in 23 episodes and ≥48 hours in 20, as directed by attending neonatologists. When clinically indicated, cultures were repeated within 72 hours of last antimicrobial doses. All were negative. For this total group of 43 infants with normal CRP, the mean highest IL-6 within 48 hours of onset was 61.4 pg/dl. In another cohort of CONS positive cultures but with elevated CRP, mean IL-6 was 1,291 pg/dl. The benign outcomes after therapies <48 hours and the low serum IL-6 levels suggest that normal CRP levels reliably indicate that treatment can be truncated.
VARIATIONS ON A THEME : CATALOGING HUMAN DNA SEQUENCE VARIATION

New methods for the discovery and scoring of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) offer the potential for considerably improved methods for genetic analysis of complex biological phenomena, particularly common diseases. In this Policy Forum, the authors call for a publicly supported effort to discover a large number of SNPs and to place the information in public databases. Participation in this public effort by the private sector would be particularly desirable.
RESPONSES OF POPULATIONS OF SOLIDAGO SEMPERVIRENS (COMPOSITAE) TO SALT SPRAY ACROSS A BARRIER BEACH

The responses of four populations of Solidago sempervirens to salt spray at Island Beach State Park, a barrier beach in Ocean County, New Jersey, were examined under both field and greenhouse conditions. At increasing distances from the ocean, these populations were Primary Dune (PD), Dune Hollow (DH), Intermediate (INT), and Bayshore (BAY). Salt deposition on cheesecloth traps was found to drop significantly from PD to BAY. Population responses to the salt spray gradient were monitored by examining leaf stomatal and trichome densities, leaf thickness, and the salt spray tolerance of genotypes established in the greenhouse. No significant differences in either stomatal or trichome density were found among populations in the field. Leaf thickness of field plants at the PD site was significantly greater than the DH, INT, or BAY plants; however, unsprayed plants of these populations in the greenhouse did not vary significantly in leaf thickness, and for sprayed plants, leaf thickness varied only in relation to intensity of salt application. Thus, the differences in leaf thickness of field populations were not genetically based. Both nonexpanded and fully expanded leaves of BAY plants consistently showed the greatest percentage leaf damage following both low- and high-intensity artificial salt spray, indicating possible selection for population differences in salt spray tolerance.
Neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of cardiovascular regulation and stress

Evidence has accumulated over the past several years indicating that environmental factors can have a substantial influence on cardiovascular dynamics. It has been hypothesized by many investigators that through these influence environmental stressors may be important to the etiology and maintenance of cardiovascular diseases. Since the nervous system is intimately involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function it may be assumed that environmental influences on cardiovascular dynamics are to a large extent mediated by the nervous system. This assumption is supported by the literature reviewed which indicates that there are many nervous system nuclei and neurotransmitter systems involved in the regulation of cardiovascular dynamics which are also involved in an organisms adjustment to environmental stressors. The conclusion is reached that further multidisciplinary research will reveal underlying neurophysiological and neuropharmacological mechanisms responsible for stress induced cardiovascular disease and lead to new methods of treatment.
Nonparametric regression estimation with assigned risk

Abstract In a controlled random design experiment it is often desirable to estimate an underlying regression function with assigned risk, then the optimality is understood as a minimal mean sample size. For the first time in the literature, it is proved that such a sequential procedure exists. Further, this procedure is adaptive to the unknown design density and scale function. Further, the procedure is robust to the distribution of regression errors. The theoretical results prove several conjectures of Efromovich [Efromovich, S., 2007. Sequential design and estimation in heteroscedastic nonparametric regression. Sequential Anal. 25, 3–26].
Pricing problems in the chemical process industry

In this short article we will describe two examples of pricing problems in the chemical process industry. For both problems there exists no satisfactory solution yet. The problems involve design subproblems, uncertainty and operative decisions. We hope to motivate the researcher to take these examples as a challenge.
Weight overestimation as an indicator of disordered eating behaviors among young women in the United States.

Objective: This paper examines the association between weight overestimation and symptoms of disordered eating behaviors using a nationally representative sample of young women. Method: We use data from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to compare self-reported weight (in pounds) to measure weight obtained by interviewers using a scale. Focusing on normal weight women between the ages of 18 and 24 (n = 2,805) we compare the discrepancy in self-reported and measured weight among women with and without any disordered eating behaviors. Results: Women who over report their weight by at least five percent are significantly more likely than those who either under report or accurately report their weights to exhibit disordered eating behaviors. These results persist despite controlling for distorted body image. Conclusion: Our findings support both motivational and perceptual bias explanations for overestimating weight among those who exhibit disordered eating behaviors. We argue that weight over-estimation, together with other important information regarding women's nutrition, exercise, mental health, and health-related behaviors, should be treated as a potential indicator for the diagnosis of an eating disorder among young normal weight women. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007
Plasma source ion implantation process for corrosion protection of 6061 aluminum

Summary form only given, as follows. Describes results of an investigation of the feasibility of using nitrogen plasma source ion implantation (PSII) treatment to improve corrosion resistance of 6061 aluminum to salt water. Flat Al samples were implanted with various doses of nitrogen. The peak target potential was -30 kV and various pulse repetition frequencies and pulse lengths were investigated. Irregular, pre-machined commercial components (threaded connectors) were also implanted at the same target potential with a dose of 7/spl times/10/sup 16/ ions/cm/sup 2/. Both RF induction and tungsten filament sources were used to generate the plasma. The surface microstructures and profiles of Al and N in the flat samples were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning Auger microprobe, X-ray diffraction. Corrosion properties of the samples and the components were evaluated using both a 500 hour salt spray field test and a laboratory electrochemical corrosion system. The tested samples were then analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Corrosion measurements have demonstrated that PSII can significantly improve the pitting resistance of 6061 aluminum. By correlating the analytical results with the corrosion test results, it has been verified that the improved corrosion resistance in PSII-treated coupons is due to the formation of a continuous AlN layer. It was also identified that the formation of a continuous AlN layer is mainly determined by the bias voltage and the total integrated implantation dose, and relatively insensitive to factors such as the plasma source, pulse length, or frequency.
The availability manager design pattern

The Availability Manager design pattern is presented for monitoring the state of an application component, likely a facade to an external system. Failure and recovery of the component are handled gracefully. A reference implementation is provided, which adds built-in reporting on the availability of all such components in the system.
Effectiveness of centralized text message reminders on human papillomavirus immunization coverage for publicly insured adolescents.

Abstract Purpose We evaluated a managed care organization (MCO)–generated text message reminder–recall system designed to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage. Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial of text reminder–recall for parents of 3,812 publicly insured adolescents aged 11–16 years with no prior HPV vaccinations who were enrolled in a single MCO and were patients at one of 39 primary care practices. We determined the rate of HPV receipt for intervention versus control with the Kaplan–Meier failure function and determined hazard ratios using a clustered stratified Cox model, clustering on primary care provider and stratified on practice. We examined results for all subjects, and for those with a valid phone number, stratified by age group (11–13 years and 14–16 years) and gender. A post hoc analysis included all subjects and controlled for age and gender. Results HPV dose 1 vaccination rates were not significantly different when all participants were included, but for the subset of parents (54%) able to receive messages, HPV dose 1 rates were 13% for the control group and 16% for the intervention group; hazard ratio, 1.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–1.6; p = .04), when controlling for age and gender. There were no significant findings in the analysis stratified by age and gender. Conclusions MCO-based text reminders are feasible and have a modest effect on HPV dose 1 vaccination rates for those parents able to receive text messages with valid phone numbers in the MCO database. Future studies should examine a similar intervention for those parents who already accepted the first HPV vaccine dose.
An assessment of the cognitive demands of the uniform CPA examination and implications for CPA review/preparation courses

Abstract Recent research in learning theories and the accounting curriculum permit the evaluation of the cognitive demands of the CPA exam. Two recent CPA exams are analyzed using the Piagetian model of cognitive levels and the results show that an overwhelming number of the questions and problems on the exam demand only a lower, concrete-operational level of reasoning as opposed to the higher, formal-operational reasoning ability. The teacher's role in the cognitive learning model is also examined and a number of recommendations are offered to instructors of CPA review/preparation courses
MitoTracker Green labeling of mitochondrial proteins and their subsequent analysis by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Abstract MitoTracker Green (MTG) is a mitochondrial-selective fluorescent label commonly used in confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. It is expected that this dye selectively accumulates in the mitochondrial matrix where it covalently binds to mitochondrial proteins by reacting with free thiol groups of cysteine residues. Here we demonstrate that MTG can be used as a protein labeling reagent that is compatible with a subsequent analysis by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE–LIF). Although the MTG-labeled proteins and MTG do not seem to electrophoretically separate, an enhancement in fluorescence intensity of the product indicates that only proteins with free thiol groups are capable of reacting with MTG. In addition we propose that MTG is a partially selective label towards some mitochondrial proteins. This selectivity stems from the high MTG concentration in the mitochondrial matrix that favors alkylation of the available thiol groups in this subcellular compartment. To that effect we treated mitochondria-enriched fractions that had been prepared by differential centrifugation of an NS-1 cell lysate. This fraction was solubilized with an SDS-containing buffer and analyzed by CE–LIF. The presence of a band with fluorescence stronger than MTG alone also indicated the presence of an MTG–protein product. Confirming that MTG is labeling mitochondrial proteins was done by treating the solubilized mitochondrial fraction with 5-furoylquinoline-3-carboxaldehyde (FQ), a fluorogenic reagent that reacts with primary amino groups, and analysis by CE–LIF using two separate detection channels: 520 nm for MTG-labeled species and 635 nm for FQ-labeled species. In addition, these results indicate that MTG labels only a subset of proteins in the mitochondria-enriched fraction.
Nitrogen Profile Engineering in Thin Gate Oxides

In order to prevent boron penetration in PMOS transistors without degrading channel mobility, it is necessary to engineer the distribution of nitrogen introduced into the gate oxide. We have investigated methods of engineering this distribution using nitric oxide (NO) gas in an RTP system to thermally nitride ultra-thin gate oxides. In one approach, the gate oxide is simultaneously grown and nitrided in a mixture of nitric oxide and oxygen. For a 40 A film, SIMS depth profiling shows that this process moves the nitrogen peak into the bulk of the oxide away from the oxide silicon interface. In another approach, an 11 A chemical oxide produced by a standard pre-furnace wet clean is nitrided in NO at 800 deg. C. This film is subsequently reoxidized in either oxygen or steam. For an 1100 deg. C., 120 sec RTP reoxidation in oxygen, the final film thickness is 41 A. The nitrogen has a peak concentration of 5 at. % and the peak is located in the oxide 25 Afrom the oxide/silicon interface. Ramped voltage breakdown testing was carried out on MOS capacitors built using reoxidized NO nitrided films. They have breakdown characteristics that are equivalent to conventional furnace grown oxides. These films show considerable promise as gate dielectrics for CMOS technologies at geometries of 0.25um and below.
New concepts of microbial translocation in the neonatal intestine: mechanisms and prevention

Bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract is an important pathway initiating late-onset sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in very low-birth-weight infants. The emerging intestinal microbiota, nascent intestinal epithelia, naive immunity, and suboptimal nutrition (lack of breast milk) have roles in facilitating bacterial translocation. Feeding lactoferrin, probiotics, or prebiotics has presented exciting possibilities to prevent bacterial translocation in preterm infants, and clinical trials will identify the most safe and efficacious prevention and treatment strategies.
A Profile of Residents Admitted to Long-Term Care Facilities for End-of-Life Care

Introduction: Permanent placement in a Long-TermCare (LTC) facility following hospitalization or when staying at home is no longer a viable option is the reality for a growing number of Americans. When death is imminent, the specialized knowledge and skill of the hospice team is required and accepted as an important component of end-of-life (EOL) care. The provision of appropriate care at the EOL is contingent on accurate identification of those residents who are approaching the final stage of life. This study describes the prevalence, profile, and survivorship of residents admitted to LTC facilities, using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) designation of being at the EOL. Methods: A descriptive, correlational, retrospective cohort design was used to analyze all residents admitted to certified LTC facilities with hospice contracts in Missouri in 1999. Variables for analysis were selected from the MDS items that are clinically relevant for those residents at the EOL, for example, pain, incontinence, skin condition, activities of daily living (ADLs), depression, and weight loss. In addition, items regarding advance directives, use of special treatments, and diagnoses were selected because they are important to the care of residents at the EOL. Results: Of 492 eligible facilities, 159 were confirmed as providing hospice care. Of 9615 admissions to these facilities, 432 (4.5%) met the EOL care definition; half of these were receiving specialist hospice care. The EOL residents were distinguishable in terms of symptoms. Median survival time for EOL admissions was 33 days. At 6 months, only 17% of EOL admissions remained in the facility. Conclusions: Residents designated as EOL who are admitted to LTC are a distinct group from other new residents, with identifiable needs requiring specialist attention. Accurate recognition that EOL is imminent is required for the development of appropriate strategies and resources for care. (J Am Med Dir Assoc 2003; 4: 16–22)
Do Beavers Promote the Invasion of Non-native Tamarix in the Grand Canyon Riparian Zone

Beavers (Castor canadensis Kuhl) can influence the competitive dynamics of plant species through selective foraging, collection of materials for dam creation, and alteration of hydrologic conditions. In the Grand Canyon National Park, the native Salix gooddingii C.R.Ball (Goodding’s willow) and Salix exigua Nutt. (coyote willow) are a staple food of beavers. Because Salix competes with the invasive Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb., land mangers are concerned that beavers may cause an increase in Tamarix through selective foraging of Salix. A spatial analysis was conducted to assess whether the presence of beavers correlates with the relative abundance of Salix and Tamarix. These methods were designed to detect a system-wide effect of selective beaver foraging in this large study area (367 linear km of riparian habitat). Beavers, Salix, and Tamarix co-occurred at the broadest scales because they occupied similar riparian habitat, particularly geomorphic reaches of low and moderate resistivity. Once the affinity of Salix for particular reach types was accounted for, the presence of Salix was independent of beaver distribution. However, there was a weak positive association between beaver presence and Salix cover. Salix was limited to geomorphic settings with greater sinuosity and distinct terraces, while Tamarix occurred in sinuous and straighter sections of river channel (cliffs, channel margins) where it dominated the woody species composition. After accounting for covariates representing river geomorphology, the proportion of riparian surfaces covered by Tamarix was significantly greater for sites where beavers were present. This indicates that either Tamarix and beavers co-occur in similar habitats, beavers prefer habitats that have high Tamarix cover, or beavers contribute to Tamarix dominance through selective use of its native woody competitors. The hypothesis that beaver herbivory contributes to Tamarix dominance should be considered further through more mechanistic studies of beaver foraging processes and longterm plant community response.