cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failure of CT Scan to Detect Ischemic Lesions in Patients With Dementia

Although clinical series have described relatively high accuracy in the ability of computed tomographic (CT) scan to detect significant cerebrovascular damage in patients with dementia, a recent neuropathologically controlled study failed to document that relationship. We now present clinical, neuroradiologic (CT), and neuropathologic information on four patients in whom CT scans did not contribute to the diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia or mixed dementia, despite clinical and neuropathologic evidence of infarcts. In one patient, the failure of CT scan to detect ischemic lesions may be attributable to less sensitive neuroradiologic criteria in use at the time of the examination. In the other three, even neuroradiologic review after the pathology was known failed to reveal the infarcts. These observations suggest the advisability of caution in using CT scan as a criterion for the presence or absence of cerebrovascular damage in patients with dementia.
Medical informatics conference papers: a content analysis of research in a new discipline

One of the hallmarks of a mature discipline is a varied and robust body of literature describing the research activities of the discipline. Medical informatics has rapidly become an accepted scientific discipline, having emerged from two long established disciplines (medical and computer science). This study looks at one form of scientific communication as a descriptive indicator of the maturity of medical informatics as a discipline. Conference proceedings were selected because they represent one of the first means of communication within a discipline in a semiformal format. Findings confirm that conference papers report research, development, and application projects across a wide range of topics; identify a possible trend toward increased funding; and show widespread use of empirical and quantitative research and analytical techniques. Deficiencies in the conference papers are also discussed.
The plastic properties of carbon tetrabromide

The shear strength of polycrystalline carbon tetrabromide was measured over the temperature range from 275–375°K which includes the well-known polymorphic transition near 320°K. A large discontinuity in strength was observed at the transformation. The results are compared with earlier measurements on carbon tetrachloride and other soft solids.
Microscopic study of electrical transport through individual molecules with metallic contacts. II. Effect of the interface structure

We investigate the effect on molecular transport due to the different structural aspects of metal-molecule interfaces. The example system chosen is the prototypical molecular device formed by sandwiching the phenyl dithiolate molecule (PDT) between two gold electrodes with different metal-molecule distances, atomic structure at the metallic surface, molecular adsorption geometry, and with an additional hydrogen end atom. We find the dependence of the conductance on the metal-molecule interface structure is determined by the competition between the modified metal-molecule coupling and the corresponding modified energy level lineup at the molecular junction. Due to the close proximity of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the isolated PDT molecule to the gold Fermi level, this leads to the counterintuitive increase of conductance with increasing top-metal\char21{}molecule distance that decreases only after the energy level line up saturates to that of the molecule chemisorbed on the substrate. We find that the effect on molecular transport from adding an apex atom onto the surface of a semi-infinite electrode is similar to that from increasing the metal-molecule distance. The similarity is reflected in both the charge and potential response of the molecular junction and consequently also in the nonlinear transport characteristics. Changing the molecular adsorption geometry from a threefold to a top configuration leads to slightly favorable energy level lineup for the molecular junction at equilibrium and consequently larger conductance, but the overall transport characteristics remain qualitatively the same. The presence of an additional hydrogen end atom at the top-metal\char21{}molecule contact substantially affects the electronic processes in the molecular junction due to the different nature of the molecular orbitals involved and the asymmetric device structure, which leads to reduced conductance and current. The results of the detailed microscopic calculation can all be understood qualitatively from the equilibrium energy level lineup and the knowledge of the voltage drop across the molecular junction at finite bias voltages.
Acute circulatory effects of arterial bleeding as determined by indicator-dilution curves in normal human subjects.

Abstract 1. 1. Arterial bleeding of 460 to 900 ml. in 19 normal young male adults produced an immediate and significant reduction in cardiac output, stroke volume, and “central blood volume” (CBV). Only minor alterations were noted in heart rate or brachial arterial pressure. Small elevations in mean transit time and total systemic resistance were observed. 2. 2. The “central blood volume” decreased in proportion to the total blood volume, suggesting no significant redistribution of blood volume after arteriotomy. 3. 3. A significant correlation was observed between the changes in stroke volume and “central blood volume,” supporting the concept of a central “reservoir” in maintaining stroke volume. 4. 4. The changes in systemic resistance were inversely related to changes in cardiac output. 5. 5. Although a fall in right atrial pressure occurred after arteriotomy, it was not correlated with changes in cardiac output or stroke volume.
Naturalism, prescriptivism, and their reconciliation

To present and defend an ethical theory is largely a delicate matter of putting things in the right order. The philosophical dialectic of charge and counter-charge may not perhaps be allowed to play itself out properly when the issues are so narrowly handled as they are so often in proposing ethical theories. Consider the fuguish arguments between the Naturalists and the anti-Naturalists the dialectical dispute over the issue of description and evaluation, facts and values. Each side so often appears victorious because each is correct but only at its particular stage of the dialectic. Where Kant and Hare, 1 as prescriptivists, ostensibly turn out to have a vacuous concept of reason which is allegedly inadequate to validate substantive universal moral principles, the naturalists substitute some sort of appeal to 'general welfare,' or 'happiness,' based upon human nature. And where such contemporary naturalists as Mrs. Foot ~ and Mr. Warnock,3 amongst others, appear to produce a question-begging concept of 'human welfare' or 'human nature' as I shall argue the prescriptivist, in the name of freedom and reason, produces the fact-value dichotomy once again as lying subtly concealed at the basis of any concept of 'nature.' Each thinks of itself as a self-evident improvement upon the other, and claims the virtue of having surpassed the other in the dialectic of philosophical debate. I propose to explore this dialectic with respect to one example and exhibit a kind of progress from, first, prescriptivism, to naturalism, then to some objections and remarks that may lead to a constructive compromise or synthesis of both. In other words, we may find it finally felicitous to say that both ethical theories are correct as far as they go, but that neither goes far enough, or, that each is adequate at a specific stage in the hierarchy of moral justification, but that the hierarchy is capped by neither.
The distribution of Symbiodinium diversity within individual host foraminifera

While one-to-one specificity between reef-dwelling hosts and symbiotic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium may occur, detailed examination of some hosts reveals that they contain multiple symbiont types. Individuals of the foraminifer Amphisorus hemprichii living in Papua New Guinea contained mixed communities of Symbiodinium dominated by symbiont types in clades C and F. Moreover, the types showed a distinct pattern in their distribution across the radius of the foraminifer, with clade F Symbiodinium more prevalent in the center of the host cell. The mixed community of symbionts and their pattern of distribution within the foraminifer is likely the result of processes happening both inside the foraminifer and in its external environment. Persistent mixed symbiont communities in foraminifera may be stabilized through benefits conferred by maintaining multiple symbiont lineages for symbiont shuffling. Alternatively they may be stabilized through a heterogeneous internal host environment, partitioning of symbiont functional roles or limitation of symbiont reproduction by the host. Six factors generally determine the presence of any particular symbiont type within a foraminifer: mode of transmission, availability from the environment, recognition by the host, regulation by the host, competition between lineages, and fitness of the holobiont.
The clinical trial of Women On the Move through Activity and Nutrition (WOMAN) study

Abstract The Women On the Move through Activity and Nutrition (WOMAN) study is the first randomized clinical trial of nonpharmacological intervention designed to modify lipoproteins, weight loss and exercise among postmenopausal women using noninvasive measures of atherosclerosis as the primary endpoint. The trial was initially designed to test whether intervention as compared to health education would be more effective in slowing progression of subclinical atherosclerosis among women on hormone therapy (HT), estrogen or estrogen + progestin. It was designed and implemented prior to the results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). The trial was since modified to include women who had been on HT but went off after the results of the WHI were reported. Eligible women were between the ages of 52–62, had waist circumference ≥ 80 cm, low density lipoprotein cholesterol between 100–160 mg% and controlled blood pressure. The intervention is low in total and saturated fat, trans fats, higher in fiber and promotes loss of 7–10% of body weight and includes at least 150 min of physical activity per week. The study has recruited 508 women. The primary endpoints are change in extent of carotid intima-media wall thickness as measured by carotid ultrasound, pulse wave velocity as a measure of vascular stiffness and coronary artery calcium using electron beam computed tomography. Body composition is measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
INTERMEDIATE‐ AND LONG‐TERM CREDIT FOR SMALL CORPORATIONS

s of Doctoral Dissertations 91 long-term credit financing, the financial position of small corporations warrants no greater demand for this type of credit than does the position of large corporations. In fact, the deficiency in the financial position of small corporations appears to lie in the area of equity financing since the debt structure, in general, is higher than that of large corporations. Small corporations pay moderately higher interest costs than large corporations although there are many other factors in addition to borrower size which affect interest costs. The importance of interest cost to the corporation, moreover, is not considered to be of prime significance, especially in those periods when investment is most likely to
Design of a Ferroelectric Programmable Logic Gate Array

A programmable logic gate array has been designed utilizing ferroelectric field effect transistors. The design has only a small number of gates, but this could be scaled up to a more useful size. Using FFET's in a logic array gives several advantages. First, it allows real-time programmability to the array to give high speed reconfiguration. It also allows the array to be configured nearly an unlimited number of times, unlike a FLASH FPGA. Finally, the Ferroelectric Programmable Logic Gate Array (FPLGA) can be implemented using a smaller number of transistors because of the inherent logic characteristics of an FFET. The device was only designed and modeled using Spice models of the circuit, including the FFET. The actual device was not produced. The design consists of a small array of NAND and NOR logic gates. Other gates could easily be produced. They are linked by FFET's that control the logic flow. Timing and logic tables have been produced showing the array can produce a variety of logic combinations at a real time usable speed. This device could be a prototype for a device that could be put into imbedded systems that need the high speed of hardware implementation of logic and the complexity to need to change the logic algorithm. Because of the non-volatile nature of the FFET, it would also be useful in situations that needed to program a logic array once and use it repeatedly after the power has been shut off.
Prejunctional inhibitory effects of isoprostanes on dopaminergic neurotransmission in bovine retinae, in vitro.

We investigated the effect of isoprostanes (IsoPs) on potassium (K+)-depolarization-evoked release of [3H]dopamine from isolated bovine retinae. Isolated retinae were preloaded with [3H]dopamine and then prepared for studies of [3H]dopamine release using the superfusion method. 8-iso(15R)PGF2α, 8-isoPGE2, 8-isoPGE1 and 8-isoPGF2α attenuated [3H]dopamine release from isolated bovine retinae. At a concentration of 1 μM, the rank order of activity displayed by IsoP agonists was: 8-iso(15R)PGF2α > 8-isoPGE2 > 8-isoPGE1 > 8-isoPGF2α. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) with flurbiprofen reversed the effects caused by 8-isoPGE2 (10 nM and 10 μM), 8-iso(15R)PGF2α (1 μM) and 8-isoPGE1 (1 μM). Although the EP1/EP2 antagonist, AH 6809 (10 μM) had no significant effect on K+-induced [3H]dopamine release, it blocked the inhibitory effect of both 8-isoPGE1 (10 μM) and 8-isoPGE2 (10 μM). In conclusion, IsoPs attenuate K+-induced [3H]dopamine release in isolated bovine retinae, presumably via an indirect action on COX pathway leading to the production of prostanoids, which in turn, activates EP receptors.
Detection of nuclear interactions by means of a cloud chamber containing a crystal of sodium iodide

A cloud chamber with a proportional crystal inside was operated, in order to estabilish some properties of the cosmic ray nuclear events, whose study is complicated or impossible in cloud chambers triggered with Geiger-Muller counters, for the selection introduced in detecting the events. The apparatus is described, and the results obtained in sixty days at sea level are given, in regard to the mean free path of the shower particles in Carbon (108 g/cm2), and to the probability of production of the eletromagnetic component in high energy nucleon-nucleus collisions (σ∼1/4 of the geometrical).
Simple method for computing elements of order 2kn, where n|2p−1−1 and 2 ≤ k ≤ p+1, in GF[(2p−1)2]

A simple method is developed for computing elements of order 2kn, where n|2p?1?1 and 2 ? k ? p+1, in the Galois field GF(q2), and q = 2p?1 is a Mersenne prime. Such primitive elements are needed to implement complex number-theoretic transforms.
In vivo selection of better self-splicing introns in Escherichia coli : The role of the P1 extension helix of the Tetrahymena intron

In vivo selection was used to improve the activity of the Tetrahymena pre-rRNA self-splicing intron in the context of heterologous exons. The intron was engineered into a kanamycin nucleotidyltransferase gene, with the pairing between intron bases and the 59 and 39 splice sites maintained. The initial construct failed to confer kanamycin resistance on Escherichia coli, although the pre-mRNA was active in splicing in vitro. Random mutation libraries were constructed to identify active intron variants in E. coli. All the active mutants sequenced contained mutations disrupting a base-paired region above the paired region P1 (referred to as the P1 extension region or P1ex) that involves the very 59 end of the intron. Subsequent site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that these P1ex mutations are responsible and sufficient to activate the intron splicing in E. coli. Thus, it appears that too strong of a secondary structure in the P1ex element can be inhibitory to splicing in vivo. In vitro splicing assays demonstrated that two P1ex mutant constructs splice six to eight times faster than the designed construct at 40 mM GTP concentration. The relative reaction rates of the mutant constructs compared to the original design are further increased at a lower GTP concentration. Possible mechanisms by which the disrupted P1ex structure could influence splicing rates are discussed. This study emphasizes the value of using libraries of random mutations to improve the activity of ribozymes in heterologous contexts in vivo.
(+)-Pinoresinol synthase : a stereoselective oxidase catalysing 8,8'-lignan formation in Forsythia intermedia

8,8′-Lignan skeletal formation is engendered by (+)-pinoresinol synthase, an oxidase catalysing the stereoselective coupling of two achiral E-conifery alcohols to give (+)-pinoresinol in > 97% enantiomeric excess.
IV therapy and infection control in patients in the community

Universal precautions and general infection control measures need to be considered when undertaking any clinical procedure, but when administering intravenous (IV) therapy (medicines and/or maintenance fluids), specific measures need to be considered. This is especially important for vulnerable patients or if administering IV therapy in the home environment. There are many reasons why patients may need to receive IV therapy in the community, and these will all present nurses with specific problems. This article discusses some of the infection control procedures one must undertake when administering IV therapy to patients in the community.
Analysis of exponential growth data for yoghurt cultures.

Obtaining accurate estimates of maximum specific growth rate, growth yield, and product yield is important for many fermentation processes. A systematic procedure is presented to select the exponential growth region and estimate the maximum specific growth rate using the covariate adjustment method with all the available measured variables (i.e. biomass, substrate, and product). The procedure is applied to data collected during growth of pure and mixed cultures of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus on 3% dry milk under anaerobic conditions. The estimation procedure gives good estimates with relatively narrow confidence intervals even though biomass concentration is measured by an indirect method. The estimated values of maximum specific growth rate range from 0.2805 h(-1) for S. thermophilus (ATCC-19258) to 0.4672 h(-1) for S. thermophilus (Microlife). Growth and product yields are estimated using regression analysis and the data for the exponential growth region. The growth yields are compared to their theoretical maximum values.
Strategies and Tactics for Successful Implementation of Bundled Payments: Bundled Payment for Care Improvement at a Large, Urban, Academic Medical Center

As health care reform continues to evolve, there will need to be an emphasis on generating value, quality improvement, and cost control. In 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated a new Bundled Payment for Care Improvement initiative. Early results from this CMS bundled payment initiative at an urban, tertiary, academic medical center demonstrate decreased length of stay and increased discharge to home, with decreasing readmission rates, which can result in cost-savings without compromise of the quality of care. Changes in care coordination, clinical care pathways, and evidence-based protocols are the key to improving the quality metrics and cost effectiveness within the implementation of the bundled payment for care initiative, thus bringing increased value to our total joint arthroplasty patients.
Afferent projections in the abducens nerve: an intracellular study.

Abstract Intracellular records were made from two populations of neurons in and just dorsal to the abducens nucleus of the cat in response to ipsilateral VIth nerve stimulation. Cells in the dorsal area (0.3–1.7 mm beneath the floor of the 4th ventricle) responded orthodromically with latencies of 1.4–10.0 msec to the VIth nerve stimulation. EPSPs, variable latencies and lack of high frequency following characterized these responses. Abducens motor neurons (0.6–2.5 mm beneath the ventricular floor) responded antidromically to the VIth nerve stimulation. These responses lacked EPSPs, had fixed latencies generally less than 1.0 msec, and followed stimuli of 300–600 Hz. It was concluded that the orthodromically responding cells represented a population of ‘interneurons’ associated with the abducens nucleus.
Oxygen control technology in applications of liquid lead and lead–bismuth systems for mitigating materials corrosion

Oxygen control technology has been successfully applied in liquid lead and lead–bismuth coolant systems for mitigating materials corrosion. In the present study, the development of the oxygen control technology is reviewed. The corrosion mitigation mechanisms, the oxygen control methods, and the oxygen concentration measurements are discussed. The study also analyzes the current technology issues and near future studies needed. For comparisons, the study also reviews other corrosion inhibitors that have also been applied for mitigating corrosion by liquid lead and lead–bismuth.
Clinical pharmacokinetics of muscle relaxants.

Muscle relaxants are commonly used as an adjunct to general anaesthesia and to facilitate ventilator care in the intensive care unit. The muscle relaxants are unique in that the degree of neuromuscular blockade can be directly measured. Thus, for some of the muscle relaxants it is possible to correlate the degree of neuromuscular blockade with the plasma concentration of drug. This quantitative pharmacokinetic approach has been applied primarily to d-tubocurarine and to a lesser extent to suxamethonium (succinylcholine), gallamine and pancuronium. The pharmacokinetic information for the other relaxants is mostly descriptive and incomplete. The variation in drug concentration over time is influenced by the distribution, metabolism and excretion of drug. Metabolism by plasma Cholinesterase plays a major role in the termination of action of suxamethonium. Although pancuronium is partly metabolised its major metabolites have moderate pharmacological activity. The other relaxants are excreted through the kidney. For gallamine and diinethyl-tubocurarine, renal excretion appears to be the only means of elimination. However, biliary excretion probably provides an alternative route of elimination for d-tubocurarine and pancuronium. In patients with impaired renal function the duration of neuromuscular blockade may be markedly prolonged following standard doses of gallamine or diinethyl-tubocurarine, may be slightly prolonged following standard doses of pancuronium, and is near normal following standard doses of d-tubocurarine. Following large or repeated doses of pancuronium or d-tubocurarine, the duration of neuromuscular blockade may be markedly prolonged. Because of their relatively large extracellular fluid volume, infants require more suxamethonium on a weight basis than do adults to produce equal neuromuscular blockade. At a single equipotent dose of suxamethonium, the time to recover full neuromuscular transmission is the same in infants, children and probably adults. Neonates appear to be sensitive to non-depolarising muscle relaxants; dosage criteria are unpredictable.
Modified polymeric materials for durability in the atomic oxygen space environment

Organometallic compounds have been incorporated into organic polymers to improve their durability to the environment of the low earth orbit (LEO), particularly their resistance to erosion by atomic oxygen (AO). Bis(triphenyltin) oxide (BTO) was added to a thermoplastic polyetherimide, Ultem, and exposed on the Mir space station. The addition of the BTO to Ultem significantly reduced the mass loss in LEO. Aluminum acetylacetonate was added to a thermoset, PMDA-ODA polyimide. that is currently deployed on the International Space Station. Two films are placed in the ram direction exposed to AO and space radiation. Three films are placed in the wake direction and are exposed to space radiation but not AO. The doped films show superior resistance to AO.
Optically pumped ZnxCd1−xS platelet lasers

Abstract We report external-cavity-controlled lasing in single crystal platelets of the ternary semiconductor Zn x Cd 1- x S. Synchronously-pumped mode-locked operation at wavelengths as short as 482.5 nm has been achieved. Output powers of 5 mW and pulse durations shorter than 10 ps have been obtained.
Performance Of The Faddeeva Algorithm On Optical Processors

An optical associative processor realizing the versatile Faddeeva algorithm can be used for several computations such as matrix multiplications, matrix decompositions or inversions, and singular value decompositions just by changing the structure of the data stored. Thus such an optical processor is programmable and efficient. In this paper the realization of this algorithm on various optical structures and their performance are described. For unstable data structures it is necessary to use a preprocessed Faddeeva algorithm on the optical processors for accurate results. The procedure of preprocessing and the performance of the preprocessed Faddeeva algorithm are also described.
Femtosecond continua produced in gases

Self-focusing and continuum generation are explored in gases using ultrashort 625-nm pulses. Observations of spectral broadening and beam propagation in gases were made both below and above the self-focusing threshold. It is shown that the nonlinearity responsible for self-focusing and self-phase modulation saturates at an intensity of approximately 10/sup 13/ W/cm/sup 2/ in xenon. It was found that a diffraction-limited beam can be almost totally reconstructed spatially after passing through the focal region, even though self-focusing has been initiated. The spectrum, however, is catastrophically changed by the process. For intensities significantly above the self-focusing threshold, conical emission was observed. Most of the observations described herein were made using an approximately 90-fs, 625-nm pulse with a maximum energy of approximately 500 mu J. >
Estimation of VOC emission factors from flux measurements using a receptor model and footprint analysis

Abstract Fluxes of 18 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collected during May to July 2008 from a tower platform 60 m above the surface in an urban Houston residential area were analyzed using receptor-oriented statistical models and an analytical flux-footprint model to resolve daytime source specific emissions rates. The Multilinear Engine version 2 (ME-2) was used to determine that five sources were responsible for the measured flux at the tower: (i) vehicle exhaust, (ii) a foam plastics industrial source with significant pentane emissions, (iii) consumer and commercial solvent use emissions, (iv) a biogenic emissions source dominated by isoprene, and, (v) evaporative fuel emissions. The estimated median daytime (0700–1900 CST) hourly emission rate from the foam plastics industry was 15.7 ± 3.1 kg h −1 , somewhat higher than its permitted hourly emission rates. The median daytime vehicle exhaust VOC emission rate of 14.5 ± 2 g h −1 vehicle −1 , was slightly higher than our estimation using the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) with a county-representative vehicle fleet of year 2008 (11.6 ± 0.2 g h −1 vehicle −1 ). The median daytime evaporative fuel VOCs emission rate from parked vehicles was 2.3 ± 1.0 g h −1 vehicle −1 , which is higher than MOVES estimations and could not be explained by the age of the vehicle fleet, indicating either locally higher evaporative emission sources in the footprint or an underestimation of evaporative emissions by MOVES, or both.
The “Tiering” of Citizenship and Residency and the “Hierarchization” of Migrant Communities: The United Arab Emirates in Historical Context†

The local population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) constitutes less than 11.5 percent of the total population. In response to their growing numerical minority status, many Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including the UAE, have become more stringent about their citizenship, nationality, and employment policies. The natural questions to follow are: Why have UAE nationality and citizenship laws diverged from the anticipated “opening” of nationality and citizenship policies that some assumed would accompany globalization? In the specific context of the UAE, what factors have shaped and changed these policies over time?
Chemical and mechanical preparation of BeO crystal surfaces

Abstract The mechanical and chemical techniques required for preparing flat, damage-free BeO surfaces for epitaxial deposition are described. The vibratory polishing techniques result in scratch- and pit-free surfaces when viewed at 230 × with maximum surface damage of 0.16 μm. Chemical etchants are described for evaluating crystal defect density and penetration of surface damage incurred during mechanical preparation.
The Case for Earmarked Taxes

The earmarking (or setting aside) of revenues from various taxes for specific types of expenditure is a much-maligned fiscal practice. This paper surveys theoretical arguments and institutional circumstances under which earmarking (even widespread earmarking) may enhance welfare. The paper also questions the criticism that earmarking seriously erodes budgetary efficiency.
Performance analysis of an adaptive decision-feedback receiver in asynchronous CDMA systems

The performance of several linear multiuser receivers including the matched filter receiver, the decorrelator receiver, and the MMSE receiver has been analyzed in CDMA systems with random sequences. Little work has been done for nonlinear decision feedback receivers. In this paper, we extend the results for linear multiuser receivers to an asynchronous CDMA system with an adaptive decision-feedback detector (DFD). The performance of the DFD using both deterministic sequences and random sequences is analyzed. With the assumption of perfect feedback (i.e., the receiver always makes correct decisions), the feedback part of the adaptive DFD can suppress the interference due to the previous symbols of all users completely and correspondingly the user capacity of the whole system increases greatly when compared with a system using an MMSE receiver.
Changes in Social Participation and Volunteer Activity Among Recently Widowed Older Adults

Purpose: Widowhood eliminates a key source of support that may trigger greater involvement in social activities and volunteer participation, which are related to better late-life health and functioning. We reexamine and build upon 2 recent studies exploring recent widowhood and social participation. Using different data, we perform a quasi-replication of Utz, Carr, Nesse, and Wortman ’ s (2002; “ The effect of widowhood on older adults ’ social participation: An evaluation of activity, disengagement, and continuity theories, ” The Gerontologist , 42, 522 – 533) study and employ different analytic strategies to Li ’ s (2007; “ Recovering from spousal bereavement in later life: Does volunteer participation play a role? ” Journal of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences , 62, S257 – S266) study. Design and Methods: A synthetic cohort of recently widowed individuals aged 60 years and older ( n = 228) was compared with random, non-widowed older adult controls ( n = 228) across 3 waves of Americans ’ Changing Lives data. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess the impact of widowhood on levels of social participation and formal and informal volunteerism, controlling for social, economic, demographic, and psychological factors. Results: Similar to Utz and colleagues, we found that widowhood was positively related to informal social participation, net of other effects, but did not reproduce this fi nding for formal social participation. Unlike Li, we did not fi nd a signifi cant relationship between widowhood and formal or informal volunteerism. Controlling for prior participation, widowhood remained signifi cantly related to informal and formal social participation. Implications: Older
The bath environment, the bathing task, and the older adult: A review and future directions for bathing disability research

Purpose. To review existing research studies to identify optimal intervention strategies for remediation and prevention of bathing disability and future directions for bathing disability research.Method. Bathing disability, defined as problems in the interaction between the person and the environment during bathing performance, is examined through a comprehensive, narrative literature review.Results. Most studies focus on the relationship between the person and the environment (such as assistive device use and environmental hazards) while fewer studies focus on analysis of the bathing task or the interaction of the person, environment, and bathing task. Of intervention studies, most do not focus solely on remediation of bathing disability and outcomes vary widely.Conclusions. In order to help remediate and prevent bathing disability, it will be necessary to better understand and measure the person-environment-occupation interaction involved in bathing as it relates to specific groups of older adults.
Neutral endopeptidase inhibition and the natriuretic peptide system: an evolving strategy in cardiovascular therapeutics.

Hypertension and heart failure (HF) are common diseases that, despite advances in medical therapy, continue to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, innovative therapeutic strategies are needed. Inhibition of the neutral endopeptidase (NEPinh) had been investigated as a potential novel therapeutic approach because of its ability to increase the plasma concentrations of the natriuretic peptides (NPs). Indeed, the NPs have potent natriuretic and vasodilator properties, inhibit the activity of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, lower sympathetic drive, and have antiproliferative and antihypertrophic effects. Such potentially beneficial effects can be theoretically achieved by the use of NEPinh. However, studies have shown that NEPinh alone does not result in clinically meaningful blood pressure-lowering actions. More recently, NEPinh has been used in combination with other cardiovascular agents, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and antagonists of the angiotensin receptor. Another future possible combination would be the use of NEPinh with NPs or their newly developed chimeric peptides. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the use and effects of NEPinh alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents for the treatment of human cardiovascular disease such as HF and hypertension.
System-level testing of RF transmitter specifications using optimized periodic bitstreams

In this paper, a novel algorithm has been proposed to measure system specifications of an integrated transmitter, which capture the non-linearities of the system-under-test. The measurement of these specifications is important, as these determine the amount of "interference" created by the transmitting system in adjacent channels while transmitting data in a specific channel. By using an optimized periodic bit stream, with energy concentrated at fewer frequencies, all the specifications of interest are measured. This requires fewer measurements and hence, significantly reduced test time compared to standard test techniques. Studies show that the test time can be reduced considerably by changing the number of periods of the optimum bit-sequence without losing accuracy in measurement. The number of test measurements was reduced by a factor of two. Overall, using the proposed approach, more than an order of magnitude reduction in test time was achieved, while the different specifications were measured up to a maximum accuracy of /spl plusmn/0.2% of the actual value.
Interaction effects of temperature and stress on matched-mode gyroscope frequencies

We present our initial results toward understanding the interaction of temperature and stress on resonant frequencies of a matched-mode SOI-MEMS gyroscope. We also validate a new electrostatic frequency tuning design for gyroscopes that works over large displacements. A stress and temperature gradient is formed on the gyroscope die by using on-chip silicon heaters, affecting the gyroscope frequencies. Simulation and measurements of the gyroscope frequencies under different gradient conditions are compared. We also show that the orientation of the die with respect to an asymmetric package plays an important role in frequency response of the gyroscope to environmental conditions.
Fundamental CAD algorithms

Computer-aided design (CAD) tools are now making it possible to automate many aspects of the design process. This has mainly been made possible by the use of effective and efficient algorithms and corresponding software structures. The very large scale integration (VLSI) design process is extremely complex, and even after breaking the entire process into several conceptually easier steps, it has been shown that each step is still computationally hard. To researchers, the goal of understanding the fundamental structure of the problem is often as important as producing a solution of immediate applicability. Despite this emphasis, it turns out that results that might first appear to be only of theoretical value are sometimes of profound relevance to practical problems, VLSI CAD is a dynamic area where problem definitions are continually changing due to complexity, technology and design methodology. In this paper, we focus on several of the fundamental CAD abstractions, models, concepts and algorithms that have had a significant impact on this field. This material should be of great value to researchers interested in entering these areas of research, since it will allow them to quickly focus on much of the key material in our field. We emphasize algorithms in the area of test, physical design, logic synthesis, and formal verification. These algorithms are responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of a variety of CAD tools. Furthermore, a number of these algorithms have found applications in many other domains.
A comparative analysis of outsourcing strategies in medium-sized Japanese and American firms

This study examines the similarities and differences of outsourcing strategies of medium-sized manufacturing firms in the U.S. And Japan. Analyses of the questionnaire data, obtained from 234 Japanese firms and 94 American firms showed that: (1) Japanese firms tended to use more process-oriented RD (2) Japanese firms tended to utilize manufacturing outsourcing by depending on subsidiaries and affiliated companies, while American firms tended to conduct manufacturing in-house; (3) American firms employed more OEMs strategies than Japanese firms, suggesting heavier marketing outsourcing in American firms.
What is smiling is beautiful and good

Although folk wisdom suggests that a smile may enhance physical attractiveness, most studies in the area have failed to consider or control this factor. The present study was intended to examine the impact of smiling on judgements of physical attractiveness and other characteristics stereotypically ascribed to attractive persons. Consistent with predictions, it was found that smiling increased rated attractiveness when compared to a non-smiling neutral expression. The necessity for controlling this factor in studies of attractiveness is therefore indicated. It was also demonstrated that smiling subjects were attributed greater degrees of sincerity, sociability, and competence, but lesser levels of independence and masculinity. Mediation analysis revealed that the effects of smiling on trait attribution were not due to increases in perceived attractiveness, suggesting that the impact of smiling on ratings of beauty and goodness occurs through independent processes. Potential explanations and implications of these processes were discussed.
Shock-fitting bicharacteristic algorithm for three-dimensional scarfed nozzle flowfields

The flowfield in an axisymmetric scarfed propulsive nozzle is computed using a pentahedral bicharacteristic method devised for steady three-dimensional flows. For cases in which the nozzle contour has a slope discontinuity that causes a flow compression, then the resulting shock wave system is computed using a threedimensional discrete shock wave fitting procedure. The shock wave system is included in the computation until shock waves emanating from opposite sides of the nozzle approximately intersect. The culmination of the present research endeavor is the development of a production-type computer program capable of predicting the flowfield and resultant forces and moments for a variety of axisymmetric scarfed nozzle configurations. Computed solutions are presented to illustrate application of the analysis.
Continuous Infusion of Intraperitoneal Bupivacaine after Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A standard approach for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic surgery is to infiltrate the incisions with local anesthetic in combination with systemic opioids. The intraperitoneal introduction of local anesthetic in this setting has the potential to provide appropriate analgesia without the side effects of systemic opioids. We performed a randomized clinical trial of the On-Q pump delivery system to determine the safety and efficacy of this device for this novel purpose. Thirty patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The treatment group received On-Q pump systems filled with 0.375% bupivacaine, while the control group received pumps filled with 0.9% normal saline. The pump’s catheter was introduced intraperitoneally, and bupivacaine or saline was then delivered for the first 48 h after surgery. Patient’s subjective pain scores were evaluated at preset intervals. In addition, shoulder pain, morphine requirements, and anti-emetic requirements were tabulated. A statistically significant decrease in patient’s subjective reports of pain by visual analog score was noted in the On-Q group 1.8 ± 1.93 vs. control 3.5 ± 2.4, p < 0.046 and remained significant until the end of the study (48 h). No statistical difference was noted in shoulder pain, morphine requirements, or anti-emetic requirements at any time point. Our trial was able to provide evidence of significant reduction in postoperative pain as measured by subjective pain scores with the use of continuous intraperitoneal bupivacaine using the On-Q pain pump system. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate the cost effectiveness of this technique.
Functional conservation of DNA methylation in the pea aphid and the honeybee.

DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mark known to have wide-ranging effects on gene regulation in a variety of animal taxa. Comparative genomic analyses can help elucidate the function of DNA methylation by identifying conserved features of methylated genes and other genomic regions. In this study, we used computational approaches to distinguish genes marked by heavy methylation from those marked by little or no methylation in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. We investigated if these two classes had distinct evolutionary histories and functional roles by conducting comparative analysis with the honeybee, Apis (Ap.) mellifera. We found that highly methylated orthologs in A. pisum and Ap. mellifera exhibited greater conservation of methylation status, suggesting that highly methylated genes in ancestral species may remain highly methylated over time. We also found that methylated genes tended to show different rates of evolution than unmethylated genes. In addition, genes targeted by methylation were enriched for particular biological processes that differed from those in relatively unmethylated genes. Finally, methylated genes were preferentially ubiquitously expressed among alternate phenotypes in both species, whereas genes lacking signatures of methylation were preferentially associated with condition-specific gene expression. Overall, our analyses support a conserved role for DNA methylation in insects with comparable methylation systems.
The compiled macro assembler

This paper describes an advance in the art of writing assemblers. It embodies an idea which has been suggested at least twice, but never actually implemented. In a compiled macro assembler, ordinary source language statements are processed in the usual way, but macros are processed in a novel way. The advantage of the compiled macro assembler is the speed with which it processes macros. An actual compiled macro assembler has been written by the author and his students, and the speed with which it processes macros, as distinguished from ordinary statements, has been rigorously tested.
Nursing Home Living: The Complexities and Potential

Elise M. Beaulieu (2012). A Guide for Nursing Home Social Workers, 2nd Edition. Springer Publishing Co., New York, 389 pp., $60.00 (paper). Sandra J. Gaffney (2012). Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home. Vanderbilt University Press, Nashville, TN, 170 pp., $22.95 (paper). Gayle Appel Doll (2012). Sexuality and LongTerm Care: Understanding and Supporting the Needs of Older Adults. Health Professions Press, Baltimore, MD, 267 pp., $38.95 (paper).
Structured ignorance and organized racism in the United States

A theory of structured ignorance is developed and applied in an analysis of variation in the number of racist organizations in U.S. counties in 1997 and 2000. The theory identifies forms of structural differentiation that would make the worldview constructed within racist organizations seem plausible to a critical mass of individuals. I argue that racial and ethnic heterogeneity, industrial heterogeneity, income inequality, and changes in the economic structure within local communities provide "evidence" that may appear to be consistent with white supremacists' claims if individuals lack an alternative interpretation. Educational inequality, however, inhibits racist organizing by facilitating the exchange of information that could be used to reject the white supremacists' claims and by promoting passive acceptance of the existing order. Throughout much of the history of the U.S., a majority of white Americans have favored racial segregation based on a belief in the natural superiority of whites over blacks. Over the past fifty years, however, there has been a substantial decline in the number of Americans who openly express attitudes of traditional prejudice. Survey research shows that many white Americans continue to oppose policies such as affirmative action that are designed to promote racial equality (Jackman & Muha 1984; Quillian 1996; Schuman, Steeh & Bobo 1988), yet only a small proportion express attitudes reflecting a belief that whites are innately superior to nonwhites and therefore more deserving of basic rights *I am grateful to Peter Bearman, Judith Blau, Kathleen Blee, Dan Myers, Francois Nielsen, Tom Rotolo, David Sikkink, and Mim Thomas for their valuable comments and suggestions. Thanks also to Francois Nielsen for calculating measures of income inequality. Finally, I would like to thank Mark Potok and the staff at the Southern Poverty Law Center for their assistance and for making their data available to researchers and to the general public. Direct all correspondence to