cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On managing interactive remote access computing

This paper will attempt to provide a framework for systematizing the management view of interactive remote access computer systems (IRACS). It will address a number of characteristics of these systems calling for increased management attention in comparison to batch systems and the traditional concerns of computer center management. User requirements for different levels of these characteristics will be discussed and possible trade-offs investigated. By high-lighting the significant differences between user, operational, technological, and organizational requirements of IRACS and those of batch systems, we hope to provide installation managers with a heightened sense of priorities both for operational decisions and for planning for new installations and new systems.In the area of user requirements, such issues as documentation, response time, and continuity of service will be investigated. Operational issues include maintainability, reliability, and control. Technological problems stemming from communications, storage, and reliability requirements will also be discussed. Finally, organizational areas such as system administration, complaint receipt, and user education will be given treatment.
The evolution of slave-making behavior in the parasitic ant genus Polyergus

(1990). The evolution of slave-making behavior in the parasitic ant genus Polyergus. Ethology Ecology & Evolution: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 284-287.
Firm-specific learning-by-doing in semiconductor production: Some evidence from the 1986 Trade Agreement

Studies of the economic effect of learning-by-doing in production have been hampered by the difficulty in obtaining firm-specific cost of production data. After the 1986 Trade Agreement between the United States and Japan, the U.S. Commerce Department made public masked versions of the cost of production of many semiconductor products sold in the U.S. by Japanese firms. This paper presents some of these masked, quarterly, firm-specific production cost data for different densities of DRAMs and EPROMs. The data do not give much support to the hypothesis of strong firm-specific learning-by-doing in semiconductor production. The rate of learning-by-doing may also differ significantly across firms, which also casts doubt on the impact of learning-by-doing on market structure.
Frame-changing in the media coverage of a school shooting: The rise of Columbine as a national concern

Abstract This essay explores the media frame-changing process in the news coverage of the 1999 Columbine shootings, clarifying the news discourse focus on Columbine's national importance. The study applies the van Dijk/Bell scheme of media analysis to 683 news articles from print and broadcast media published within 30 days following the incident. Insight is offered into the thematic content of the Columbine coverage, including the school shooting event itself, reactions, and commentaries. Analysis indicates that the initial focus of the coverage was what happened at Columbine, but over time the news increasingly highlighted Columbine's national salience.
Comparison between endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for the staging of pancreatic cancer.

Objective:Preoperative staging of pancreatic cancer is crucial for proper therapy. Through this study, we aimed to compare the ability of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to effectively detect and stage pancreatic cancer.Methods:One hundred twenty-seven patients under
Organization and expression of the COX6 genetic locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: multiple mRNAs with different 3' termini are transcribed from COX6 and regulated differentially

COX6 and its surrounding genetic locus have been characterized for the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Flanking genes are found closely spaced upstream and downstream of COX6. The upstream gene and COX6 are transcribed from opposite strands and are separated by no more than 300 bp. COX6 is transcribed into three different size classes of mRNA (1000b, 830b, and 700b) differing in length in their 3' untranslated regions. All three classes of mRNAs are found on polysomes and, hence, are most likely translated. The different COX6 mRNAs vary in abundance during growth in rich media and are affected differentially as cells are shifted into media containing high or low glucose concentrations. The largest mRNA is much more susceptible to glucose repression/derepression than are the two smaller mRNAs, whereas the smallest RNA is preferentially accumulated during growth in rich media. These findings demonstrate that COX6 mRNAs with different 3'-termini are either synthesized differentially or differ in stability and suggest the existence of a complex system regulating COX6 expression.
Participation by Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury in Social and Recreational Activity Outside the Home

Social-recreational activities of 62 individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in the community and 219 people with no disability were compared. The relatively small between-group differences that were found in the extent of such activity became statistically insignificant when the groups were "matched" through the use of an analysis of covariance. Age, ethnicity, and one environmental barrier - transportation - comprise the significant predictors of social-recreational activity for the SCI group, with 49% of the variance in activity accounted for.
A Methodology for the Design and Implementation of Communication Protocols

This paper presents a coherent method which permits the specification, check out, and implementation of communication protocols. Although this work is mainly directed towards telephone signaling in a programmable environment, the philosophy and most of the tools can be effectively used to handle the most general situations in which two entities interact by any kind of protocol. Since the proposed approach reduces the possibility of errors and inconsistencies, minimizes the programming needed, and improves the documentation and understandability, we believe that this methodology will facilitate the installation or modification of complex trunk protocols and other communication protocols.
Wild Horse Protection Policies: Environmental and Animal Ethics in Transition

Abstract Wild horse protection policies in the United States and the Netherlands reflect ethical claims and scientific arguments, often cast as opposing positions favoring the integrity of self-sustaining ecosystems versus the welfare of individual animals. Neither holistic eco-centric, nor individualistic bio-centric ethical claims provide guidance to public sector practitioners who care for wild horses removed from U.S. public rangelands and living in holding facilities awaiting adoption; or who manage herds of de-domesticated horses in Dutch nature reserves. Wild horses are becoming increasingly dependent on transitional environments that are neither wild nor domestic. New ethical and scientific arguments are therefore needed to support revisions to existing policies.
A Comment on “Hydrogen-Boron Interaction and Its Effect on the Ductility and Fracture of Ni3Al”

Cohron et al. recently reported that in the presence of hydrogen boron embrittles polycrystals of Ni{sub 3}Al. The concern is not the observations. Clearly, the environment is a major factor in the case examined. The issue is whether the effect is characteristic of the intermetallic per se. The alternative is that it is related to an attack on nickel-enriched regions adjacent to the grain boundaries. Cohron et al. did not describe the grain boundaries in their alloys. However, other investigators using high resolution techniques have found that at least some grain boundaries in similarly Ni-rich material exhibit nickel concentrations well above the overall alloy composition. Boron increases this enrichment in some cases leading to a detectable disordered grain boundary solid solution. It seems fair to assume that the grain boundaries in Cohron`s alloys were similarly enriched. The other point to note is that hydrogen embrittles both elemental nickel and Ni-based superalloys. It is suggested, therefore, that the embrittlement reported by Cohron et al. may be related more to an attack by hydrogen on Ni-enriched grain boundaries, made richer by the addition of boron, than to an attack on NiAl per se. Consistent with this suggestion are the results of amore » new study on strain rate effects, presented elsewhere. The key point of that study is that high rate deformation (which suppresses environmental attack) does not impart ductility to stoichiometric Ni{sub 3}Al, but does impart ductility to Ni-rich material. The difference is that the stoichiometric alloy does not contain grain boundaries enriched in nickel, implying that its brittleness is an intrinsic quality.« less
Effect of intravenous metoprolol on reversible obstructive airways disease

We gave increasing doses of metoprolol intravenously to seven subjects with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were also receiving their usual bronchodilators. Six of the seven tolerated up to 0.2 mg/kg metoprolol without adverse effects, although there were declines in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1). At 0.15 mg/kg mean FEV1 fell 12% (p < 0.025), and at 0.2 mg/kg mean decline in FEV1 was 15% (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that 0.2 mg/kg metoprolol may be given intravenously to most patients with COPD in addition to previously administered bronchodilators without precipitating clinically significant adverse effects. Any side effects that develop can be reversed by beta agonists. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1981) 29, 582–587; doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.81
Automated determination of total phosphorus in aqueous samples

Abstract The determination of total phosphorus in an automated microbatch analyzer system is described. The procedure combines persulfate digestion of the sample and colorimetric detection of orthophosphate by the ascorbic acid reduction of phosphomolybdate in a single processing chamber. Approximately 9 min are required per sample; ∼ 1.7 ml of sample and 0.17 ml of total reagent are consumed. The limit of detection is ⩽10 μg/1. phosphorus. The method is tolerant of variations in salinity of the sample. Good agreements with ASTM procedures are shown for a variety of test compounds, lake water, wastewater and urine samples.
On the nature of the iron sulfur cluster in a deuterated algal ferredoxin

A protonated and a completely deuterated two-iron algal ferredoxin from Synechococcus lividus have been studied by optical, electron paramagnetic resonance, electron-nuclear double resonance, proton magnetic resonance and Mossbauer spectroscopies; temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements are reported as well. These studies have confirmed the electron localized model of the active center in the two-iron ferredoxins, as previously deduced from studies of spinach ferredoxin, have yielded much more precise spectroscopic parameters for this center, and have thus greatly increased the confidence in this model.
Multiple data sources fusion for enterprise quality improvement by a multilevel latent response model

Quality improvement of an enterprise needs a model to link multiple data sources, including the independent and interdependent activities of individuals in the enterprise, enterprise infrastructure, climate, and administration strategies, as well as the quality outcomes of the enterprise. This is a challenging problem because the data are at two levels—i.e., the individual and enterprise levels—and each individual's contribution to the enterprise quality outcome is usually not explicitly known. These challenges make general regression analysis and conventional multilevel models non-applicable to the problem. This article a new multilevel model that treats each individual's contribution to the enterprise quality outcome as a latent variable. Under this new formulation, an algorithm is developed to estimate the model parameters, which integrates the Fisher scoring algorithm and generalized least squares estimation. Extensive simulation studies are performed that demonstrate the superiority of the proposed m...
Statements of Method and Teaching: The Case of Socrates

In this paper, I ponder the question of whether Socrates follows a method of investigation — the method of hypothesis — which he advocates in Plato's Phaedo. The evidence in the dialogue suggests that he does not follow the method, which raises additional questions: If he fails to do so, why does he articulate the method? Does his statement of method affect his actions or is it mainly forgotten? Although Socrates is a fictional character, his actions in the Phaedo suggests questions about the function of espoused methods in actual situations.
Isolation of a human single chain antibody fragment against oligomeric α-synuclein that inhibits aggregation and prevents α-synuclein induced toxicity

Protein misfolding and aggregation are pathological aspects of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Aggregates of α-synuclein are major components of the Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites associated with Parkinson's Disease (PD). A natively unfolded protein, α-synuclein can adopt different aggregated morphologies, including oligomers, protofibrils and fibrils. The small oligomeric aggregates have been shown to be particularly toxic. Antibodies that neutralize the neurotoxic aggregates without interfering with beneficial functions of monomeric α-synuclein can be useful therapeutics. We were able to isolate single chain antibody fragments (scFvs) from a phage displayed antibody library against the target antigen morphology using a novel biopanning technique that utilizes atomic force microscopy (AFM) to image and immobilize specific morphologies of α-synuclein. The scFv described here binds only to an oligomeric form of α-synuclein and inhibits both aggregation and toxicity of α-synuclein in vitro. This scFv can have potential therapeutic value in controlling misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein in vivo when expressed intracellularly in dopaminergic neurons as an intrabody.
65 DEVELOPMENTAL FOLLOW-UP OF INFANTS WITH INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE

Twenty-two infants with neonatal intracranial hemorrhages were evaluated medically and developmentally at 3,6,9 and 12 months of age. These infants were divided into 3 groups having the following characteristics: All infants were assessed developmentally by child clinical psychologists using both the mental (MDI) and motor (PDI) Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Twelve-month scores (corrected for gestational age) are reported: T-tests revealed no significant group differences in mental function although there was a strong trend toward better mental abilities in the SAH group than in the IVH (III/IV) group (p<.10). There was a significant difference in motor development between SAH and IVH (III/IV) infants (p<.05) and a strong trend toward differences between SAH and IVH (I/II) (p<. 10). Unlike SAH and'even Grade I/II IVH, Grade III/IV IVH adversely affects both mental and motor performance at 1 year even when corrected for gest.age.
Effect of Quality and Intensity of Solar Radiation on Injury of Lemon Fruit by Sulphur Treatment in the Field.

For many years it has been recognized that annual and perennial plants of either ornamental or crop type, when sprayed with lime-sulphur or oilsulphur or dusted with elemental sulphur for control of insects or fungi, may be injured during periods of hot weather (6, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 44, 49, 50, 52). Certain crops, and even certain varieties of a given species, are more sensitive to sulphur burn than others, regardless of temperature (36, 48). Sunburn of agricultural crops has received attention by Harvey (18), MacGillivray (25), and Lorenz and Knott (24), but as far as the authors are aware, no published work has dealt with the physical factors attending hot weather which effect sulphur burn. Although the factors responsible for sunburn and for sulphur burn may be different, the distinction has not been clear (28). An understanding of these factors is essential to the adoption of preventive measures or to the development of safer sulphur dusts and
Actin dynamics in growth cone motility and navigation

Motile growth cones lead growing axons through developing tissues to synaptic targets. These behaviors depend on the organization and dynamics of actin filaments that fill the growth cone leading margin [peripheral (P-) domain]. Actin filament organization in growth cones is regulated by actin-binding proteins that control all aspects of filament assembly, turnover, interactions with other filaments and cytoplasmic components, and participation in producing mechanical forces. Actin filament polymerization drives protrusion of sensory filopodia and lamellipodia, and actin filament connections to the plasma membrane link the filament network to adhesive contacts of filopodia and lamellipodia with other surfaces. These contacts stabilize protrusions and transduce mechanical forces generated by actomyosin activity into traction that pulls an elongating axon along the path toward its target. Adhesive ligands and extrinsic guidance cues bind growth cone receptors and trigger signaling activities involving Rho GTPases, kinases, phosphatases, cyclic nucleotides, and [Ca++] fluxes. These signals regulate actin-binding proteins to locally modulate actin polymerization, interactions, and force transduction to steer the growth cone leading margin toward the sources of attractive cues and away from repellent guidance cues.
Utopian Workplaces: The Role of the Computer

Approaching the twenty‐first century should reinforce the notion that modern managers work in an environment of uncertainty. Contingency analysis has become merely a fact of business decision making. Clearly, the word to describe the modern business world is “change”. For those on the forefront it means challenges and new opportunities. But for the multitude of small and medium‐sized business owners it means risk, uncertainty and threat. Nothing exemplifies this threat of the future and change to the small businessman more than the computer.
THERMOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF ASSOCIATED SOLUTIONS: II. CALCULATION OF IODINE - BENZENE EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANTS FROM SOLUTE SOLUBILITY IN BINARY SOLVENT MIXTURES

Abstract Solubilities have been determined at 25 °C for iodine in binary mixtures of benzene with n-hexane, n-heptane and isooctane. The results of these measurements are compared to solution models previously developed for solubility in systems containing only non-specific interactions and to models assuming solute-solvent complexation. The Nearly Ideal Binary Solvent Model (NIBS) based entirely on non-specific interactions provides rather poor predictions of the iodine solubilities, with some of deviations greater than 25%. In comparison, a 1:1 solute-solvent complexation model describes the experimental solubilities to within a maximum deviation of 6%, An example is presented to illustrate the calculation of association constants from solubility measurements.
BAG: a designer-oriented integrated framework for the development of AMS circuit generators

We introduce BAG, the Berkeley Analog Generator, an integrated framework for the development of generators of Analog and Mixed Signal (AMS) circuits. Such generators are parameterized design procedures that produce sized schematics and correct layouts optimized to meet a set of input specifications. BAG extends previous work by implementing interfaces to integrate all steps of the design flow into a single environment and by providing helper classes -- both at the schematic and layout level -- to aid the designer in developing truly parameterized and technology-independent circuit generators. This simplifies the codification of common tasks including technology characterization, schematic and testbench translation, simulator interfacing, physical verification and extraction, and parameterized layout creation for common styles of layout. We believe that this approach will foster design reuse, ease technology migration, and shorten time-to-market, while remaining close to the classical design flow to ease adoption. We have used BAG to design generators for several circuits, including a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) and a Switched-Capacitor (SC) voltage regulator in a CMOS 65nm process. We also present results from automatic migration of our designs to a 40nm process.
Exploring farmer knowledge of soil processes in organic coffee systems of Chiapas, Mexico

More than any other Mexican state, Chiapas dedicates the most hectares to certified organic coffee production, providing a means of survival for indigenous Mayan peasants. Organic coffee producers are restricted from using agrochemicals such as synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, thus depend upon soil management techniques to provide nutrients to their coffee crop. This study assesses farmer understanding of soil fertility enhancement processes that organic coffee producers use as a basis for decision-making and experimentation. Such processes include knowledge of leaf litter decomposition, composting, soil biology, and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Research for this study was executed in March through August 1999. Information was collected through 31 semi-structured interviews conducted in three coffee-producing communities, Majosik, Tenejapa; Poconichim, Chenalho; and Tziscao, Trinitaria. Transcribed texts were coded and analyzed for content to uncover patterns in the farmer's responses. Farmers' hybridized knowledge system included visible phenomena and information retained from organic training workshops. Farmers had an excellent understanding of the transformation from leaf material to soil and a good understanding of mineralization; however, the role of moisture influence, nutrient uptake, and soil organisms was not well understood. Nearly half of farmers thought that compost addition improved coffee plant growth. The significance of soil biology in decomposition was restricted to organisms farmers could see, especially earthworms. Soil microorganisms were rarely mentioned, and a lack of understanding of their role in soil processes was evident. Although more than half of interviewed farmers had seen root-nodules, farmer knowledge of legumes and the process of biological nitrogen fixation were limited. Results indicate that despite training attempts, farmers still possess knowledge gaps regarding phenomena that they cannot see, and future training should address unobservable ecosystem processes.
Thermocatalytic Conversion of Landfill Gas and Biogas to Alternative Transportation Fuels

Landfill gas (LFG) and biogas are important renewable resources for production of alternative transportation fuels. The resources of LFG and biogas are vast and widely available but remain mostly unused. In this paper, the authors assess the technical feasibility of direct catalytic reforming (i.e., without preliminary methane recovery from these gases) of LFG and biogas to synthesis gas that could further be processed to synthetic liquid hydrocarbon fuels via Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The catalytic activity and selectivity of a number of noble metal (Ru, Ir, Pt, Rh, Pd) and Ni-based catalysts for reforming of a model CH4−CO2 mixture mimicking a typical LFG into a synthesis gas were evaluated. The issues related to the catalysts stability and process sustainability under the conditions that are favorable for carbon deposition were explored. The experimental data are in a good agreement with AspenPlus simulation results. It was shown that the syngas produced by Ni-catalyzed steam-assisted reforming o...
A Simple Higher-Order Theory for Laminated Composite Plates

A higher-order shear deformation theory of laminated composite plates is developed. The theory contains the same dependent unknowns as in the first-order shear deformation theory of Whitney and Pagano (1970), but accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the plate. Exact closed-form solutions of symmetric cross-ply laminates are obtained and the results are compared with three-dimensional elasticity solutions and first-order shear deformation theory solutions. The present theory predicts the deflections and stresses more accurately when compared to the first-order theory.
The global conformation of the hammerhead ribozyme determined using residual dipolar couplings

The global structure of the hammerhead ribozyme was determined in the absence of Mg(2+) by solution NMR experiments. The hammerhead ribozyme motif forms a branched structure consisting of three helical stems connected to a catalytic core. The (1)H-(15)N and (1)H-(13)C residual dipolar couplings were measured in a set of differentially (15)N/(13)C-labeled ribozymes complexed with an unlabeled noncleavable substrate. The residual dipolar couplings provide orientation information on both the local and the global structure of the molecule. Analysis of the residual dipolar couplings demonstrated that the local structure of the three helical stems in solution is well modeled by an A-form conformation. However, the global structure of the hammerhead in solution in the absence of Mg(2+) is not consistent with the Y-shaped conformation observed in crystal structures of the hammerhead. The residual dipolar couplings for the helical stems were combined with standard NOE and J coupling constant NMR data from the catalytic core. The NOE data show formation of sheared G-A base pairs in domain 2. These NMR data were used to determine the global orientation of the three helical stems in the hammerhead. The hammerhead forms a rather extended structure under these conditions with a large angle between stems I and II ( approximately 153 degrees ), a smaller angle between stems II and III ( approximately 100 degrees ), and the smallest angle between stems I and III ( approximately 77 degrees ). The residual dipolar coupling data also contain information on the dynamics of the molecule and were used here to provide qualitative information on the flexibility of the helical domains in the hammerhead ribozyme-substrate complex.
Sites of gene activity and of inactive genes in polytene chromosomes of diptera

Abstract DNA has been found between bands, in puffs, and in RNA-rich lamellae of bands as dispersed DNA double helices coiled to form secondary helices with a diameter and period of about 400A. In the bands and heterochromatic regions the secondary helix is further coiled or folded into compact masses. RNA-containing granules are present in interbands and RNA-rich lamellae as well as in puffs. The dispersed DNA of puffs, interbands and the RNA-rich lamellae of bands may all represent the part of the genome that is active in the salivary gland nucleus, while the compact DNA of bands as well as heterochromatic parts may comprise inactive genes.
Emerging pipeline drugs for hepatitis B infection

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to represent a global health concern with an estimated 350 – 400 million people infected worldwide. Current treatment options are either of two IFN-based therapies or either of five oral nucleos(t)ide analogs which are used as monotherapy or in combination. Control of viral replication can be achieved basically in all patients today. However, despite the clinical efficacy of antivirals, long-term management remains a clinical challenge mainly due to the slow kinetics of HBsAg clearance. Emergence of viral resistance has been a challenge in the past with some but not all oral therapies. The development of novel therapeutic agents with different mechanisms of action might provide new opportunities to clear HBsAg and achieve HBsAg seroconversion which could be maintained off therapy. The long-term efficacy of combinations of IFN and/or nucleos(t)ide analogs might achieve antiviral synergy, preventing drug resistance and clearing viral covalent...
A Soft-Switched Hybrid-Modulation Scheme for a Capacitor-Less Three-Phase Pulsating-DC-Link Inverter

A soft-switched hybrid-modulation (HM) scheme is outlined for a dc-link-capacitor-less three-phase high-frequency (HF) pulsating-dc link (PDCL) isolated multistage inverter. The overall inverter comprises a front-end isolated dc/pulsating-dc converter followed by a pulsating-dc/ac converter. Because the two stages are directly connected without a dc-link capacitor, the intermediate link is a PDCL instead of a fixed-dc link as in conventional HF-link inverters. The HM modulates the pulsating-dc/ac converter such that, two of its converter legs are line-switched, while the third leg of the pulsating-dc/ac converter is switched under zero-voltage-switching condition. This is achieved by first modulating the dc/pulsating-dc converter to achieve a specific encoding of the PDCL signal, which in turn, is exploited by the modulation scheme of the pulsating-dc/ac converter to mitigate its switching loss without requiring any auxiliary circuit. Operation of the pulsating-dc/ac converter using the soft-switched HM scheme is validated using a prototype 1 kW, 72-V (dc)/208-V (ac) HF inverter.
Effects of performance expectancies created by peer comparison as related to social reinforcement, task difficulty, and age of child ☆

Abstract Children in kindergarten-first grades and fourth-sixth grades (6 and 10 years of age, respectively) participated in one of two experiments and performed either a simple motor task or (for older children only) a two-choice simultaneous discrimination task at two difficulty levels. Children received either positive, negative, or no peer comparison statements (describing how other children their age had allegedly performed) and either praise, silence (in Experiment 2 only), or criticism on a fixed-interval 20-second schedule throughout the task. Young children were more responsive to adult evaluation of their performance than to peer comparison. Expectancies created by peer comparisons affected older children's motor performance most if they received reinforcement contrary to the expectancy. In situations requiring greater cognitive ability, older children, particularly boys, responded to the performance expectancies created by positive peer comparison. Older boys, compared with older girls, seemed to be more sensitive to peer comparison and social reinforcement.
The stem cell army in heart failure: do we mobilize or pave the way home?

Pharmacological modulation of heart failure, although capable of substantially reducing morbidity and mortality, does not halt the relentless progression of adverse cardiac remodelling and failure. Hence, invoking the body's own repair mechanisms embodied in its stem cell population present in the myocardium itself or mobilized from the bone marrow is an attractive therapeutic concept to combat heart failure. Pre-clinical studies have shown the promise of this therapy1; however, much work needs to be done to address various questions that arise about bone marrow-derived stem cells in regard to mobilization, homing to the myocardium, their fate within the myocardium, and whether mechanism of benefit is due to regeneration of myocardial cells or other paracrine effects of stem cells. The study by Theiss et al .2 provides some important insights into the field of stem cell biology in heart failure. In this study,2 the authors examined circulating stem cell populations, peripheral levels of haematopoietic growth factors and other cytokines, and the expression of homing factors in the myocardium of subjects with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and normal subjects. Majority of the subjects was men in all three groups, and the mean age was elevated, although non-significantly, in the ICM population compared with DCM and controls. Therapeutic regimens were similar, except for a greater use of statins and … Corresponding author. Tel: +1 857 203 6841; fax: +1 857 203 5550. E-mail address : jacob.joseph{at}med.va.gov
Diffusion of large molecules in porous media

The results of the first computer simulations of transport of macromolecules in a disordered porous medium, represented by a network of capillary tubes with random radii, are reported. We develop a method for determining the macroscopic diffusivity D which, in principle, is exact. The effects of both convection and diffusion are taken into account. We find D/D/sub infinity//similar to/exp(-a/r/sub m/), independent of the morphology of the medium or the microscopic transport laws, where a is the effective size of the molecules, D/sub infinity/ the diffusivity in an unbounded solvent, and r/sub m/ the mean effective size of the pores, consistent with experimental data.
917-100 8-Epi-Prostaglandin F2α(8-Isoprostane), a Novel Marker of Lipid Peroxidation, is Elevated and Inversely Correlated to Serum Antioxidant Vitamins in Smokers

Oxidative modification of lipoproteins is thought to be an essential event in atherosclerosis. Current methods of quantifying lipid peroxidation in vivo are technically difficult and/or nonspecific. A simple, clinically reliable test is needed to assess an individual's degree of lipid peroxidation which could be a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease risk. 8-lsoprostane is a chemically stable prostanoid resulting from free radical catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonic acid. This molecule is produced by oxidation of low density lipoprotein and is present in both plasma and urine. To evaluate this novel marker of in vivo lipid peroxidation, we compared 24 hour urinary levels of 8-isoprostane in healthy smokers (n = 15) and nonsmokers (n = 9) with a competitive enzyme immunoassay. Serum was also obtained for analysis of lipid and antioxidant vitamin levels. Smokers were found to have higher levels of urinary 8-isoprostane than nonsmokers and these levels were inversely correlated with serum beta carotene (P = 0.04, r = -0.44) and vitamin C (P = 0.01, r = -0.52). No significant differences were detected in lipid profiles between smokers and nonsmokers. 8-lsoprostane Mean ± SEM P-Value Nonsmokers 1.55 ± 0.22 P = 0.002 Smokers 2.77 ± 0.21 Values = μg/24 hours Conclusion Urinary 8-isoprostane is elevated in smokers and may provide a sensitive, specific and noninvasive method for assessment of in vivo lipid peroxidation. Further studies are indicated to determine whether elevated 8-isoprostane identifies individuals at risk for developing atherosclerosis.
Determination of aromatic sulfonic acids in aqueous environmental samples by anion-exchange chromatography coupled to particle beam mass spectrometry and UV spectrophotometry

Abstract Aromatic sulfonic acids are determined in water using anion-exchange liquid chromatography. Quantification is by UV absorption spectrophotometry (quantification limits 2–80 ng on-column) and confirmation by particle beam electron impact ionization mass spectrometry. Separations with several anion-exchange columns using acetonitrile and ammonium acetate or sodium hydroxide (requiring a membrane suppressor for desalting) mobile phases are represented. Average recoveries are 82% for six monosulfonic acids (spiked at 0.1, 1.0 and 100 ppm) and 95% for two disulfonic acids (spiked at 1.0 and 100 ppm) (S.D. 12%, UV quantification). Mass spectra (2.0 μg on-column) show molecular and major diagnostic fragment ions corresponding to losses of SO 2 HSO 2 , SO 3 and HSO 3 .
The approximate modal interface—solution space projection method for efficient broadband full-wave analysis of multilayer interconnection structures

In this paper an enhancement to the previously reported approximate modal interface solution space projection (AMI-SSP) method is presented which is a combined domain decompostion-model order reduction method for efficient broadband full-wave analysis of multilayer printed circuits. With the AMI method, a multilayer circuit board can be analyzed layer by layer, which leads to a significant improvement in the computational efficiency. The method has been further combined with a multipoint model order reduction method, SSP, to achieve a fast frequency sweep. The AMI-SSP has been implemented with the finite-element method, which is well known for its excellent capability of analyzing complicated structures with arbitrary geometries and materials.
Distributed versus centralized multiuser detection with antenna arrays in frequency-selective multipath channels

We have analyzed and compared two different multiuser detection receiver structures that are appropriate for code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems with multiple antennas in frequency-selective multipath channels. Distributed decorrelation detection (where signal decorrelation is performed at each receiving antenna) and centralized decorrelation detection (where decorrelation is performed once collectively) are compared. We show that they provide the same performance in additive Gaussian channels. Centralized decorrelation detection provides better performance in general frequency-selective multipath fading channels. Therefore, the hardware cost, complexity, and processing at the receiver can be optimized using centralized decorrelation detection. We employ decorrelation detection to demonstrate our results, although the work can be easily extended to other linear multiuser detection configurations.
Power electronics instruction in the usa and Canada: topics, curricula and trends

A review of the evolution of power electronics instruction at universities in the USA and Canada is presented. Recent surveys in the literature on structure and content of existing programs are summarized. Undergraduate power electronics courses, laboratories, and projects are outlined. The place power electronics occupies within curricula is given with recommendations for improvement. Trends that may affect power electronics instruction are identified.
Effect of strain on the electronic and optical properties of Ge-Si dome shaped nanocrystals.

The effects of strain and confinement on the energy levels and emission spectra of dome-shaped, Ge-core–Si-shell nanocrystals (NCs) with diameters ranging from 5 to 45 nm are investigated with atomistic models. For NCs with base diameters ≥15 nm, the strain-induced increase in the energy gap is ∼100 meV. The increase in the energy gap is primarily the result of the downward shift in the occupied states confined in the Ge core. The fundamental energy gap varies from 960 meV to 550 meV as the NC diameter increases from 5 nm to 45 nm. Confinement and strain break the degeneracy of the lowest excited state and split it into two states separated by a few meV. For the smaller NCs, one of these states can be localized in the Si core and the other state can be in the Si cap. For diameters ≥20 nm, both of these states are localized in the Si cap. The electronic states are calculated using an atomistic sp3d5s* tight-binding model including spin–orbit coupling, and geometry relaxation is performed using a valence force field model.
The use of MOS structure for the design of high value resistors in monolithic integrated circuits

The application of P-channel MOS structure as a resistor is studied in detail. The device operates below saturation. Effective sheet resistances of 7-25 kohms/sq. can be achieved with fair controllability. The linearity of the V-I characteristics will be determined by the biasing conditions. The temperature coefficient of such a resistor is ≈0.3-0.35 percent/°C.
Molecular clefts 2. An analogue of kagan's ether as a molecular cleft: Synthesis and clathrate formation with ethyl acetate

Abstract A convenient synthesis of 5α,8α, 14α, 17α-5,6,8,9,14,15,17,18—octahydro-5,17:8,14-diepoxydibenzo[ e , e ']benzo[1,2- a :4,5- a 'dicyclooctene (2) is described. This molecular cleft represents the parent of a new class of chiral molecular tweezers. It forms a clathrate with ethyl acetate which is stable even after 12 hours at 0.1 Tort. The structure of 2 was established by spectral and X-ray data.
The context toolkit: aiding the development of context-enabled applications

Context-enabled applications are just emerging and promise richer interaction by taking environmental context into account. However, they are difficult to build due to their distributed nature and the use of unconventional sensors. The concepts of toolkits and widget libraries in graphical user interfaces has been tremendously successtil, allowing programmers to leverage off existing building blocks to build interactive systems more easily. We introduce the concept of context widgets that mediate between the environment and the application in the same way graphical widgets mediate between the user and the application. We illustrate the concept of context widgets with the beginnings of a widget library we have developed for sensing presence, identity and activity of people and things. We assess the success of our approach with two example context-enabled applications we have built and an existing application to which we have added context-sensing capabilities.
Is chromium a trace essential metal

If chromium is an essential metal it must have a specific role in an enzyme or cofactor, and a deficiency should produce a disease or impairment of function. To date, no chromium-containing glucose tolerance factor has been characterized, the purpose of the low-molecular-weight chromium-binding protein is questionable, and no direct interaction between chromium and insulin has been found. Furthermore, chromium3+ is treated like the toxic metals arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in animals. Chromium3+ may be involved in chromium6+-induced cancers because chromium6+ is converted to chromium3+ in vivo, and chromium3+ is genotoxic and mutagenic. Although there is no direct evidence of chromium deficiencies in humans, dietary supplements exist to provide supraphysiological doses of absorbable chromium3+. Chromium3+ may act clinically by interfering with iron absorption, decreasing the high iron stores that are linked to diabetes and heart disease. If so, this would make chromium3+ a pharmacological agent, not an essential metal.
Interdisciplinary Project Aimed at Reducing the Duration of Intravenous Nicardipine in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients (P3.101)

OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact of an interdisciplinary approach for reducing the duration of intravenous (IV) nicardipine in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. BACKGROUND: IV nicardipine is effective for acute treatment of hypertension in the neurologic intensive care unit (ICU) for patients with ICH. As part of a quality improvement project, an interdisciplinary team of pharmacists and physicians developed guidelines, medication order sets, educational materials, and implemented criteria for early transition from IV nicardipine to oral antihypertensives. DESIGN/METHODS: From July 2011 to July 2012, patients with ICH who were administered IV nicardipine were reviewed and screened for eligibility. The control group was patients treated the year prior to these quality improvement measures. The duration of nicardipine treatment (median hours), estimated yearly cost, and length of ICU stay were measured. A total of 35 patients and 44 controls were studied. RESULTS: The median hours of IV nicardipine were substantially decreased from a baseline of 118 hours to 30 hours (P<0.001); total cost savings per year was $433,566 ($18,475 per patient); while the average ICU stay remained similar (8.4 days in the intervention versus 8.9 days, P<0.990). In a follow up study that occurred one year later involving a sample of 21 consecutive patients, the duration of IV nicardipine had increased to a median of 96 hours. CONCLUSIONS: A physician and pharmacist-led incentive project to initiate oral antihypertensive medications earlier was successful in reducing the duration of IV nicardipine in patients with ICH and led to substantial cost savings. A subsequent review following the incentive project showed an increase in time on IV nicardipine demonstrating the need for an ongoing interdisciplinary approach. Disclosure: Dr. Do has nothing to disclose. Dr. Petrovic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Azran has nothing to disclose. Dr. Crozier has nothing to disclose. Associate Editor: Annals of Neurology; Editor-In-Chief. Journal Watch Neurology; Editorial Capacity for Continuum,
Development of fluxless chip-on-wafer bonding process for 3DIC chip stacking with 30μm pitch lead-free solder micro bumps and reliability characterization

3D IC integration can be accomplished by using the approaches such as chip-on-chip, chip-on-wafer and wafer-on-wafer integration. The scheme of chip-on-chip shows the advantages of high flexibility and yield during assembly process. However, low fabrication throughput has been a major issue. When compared to chip-on-chip integrations, wafer-on-wafer may provide the higher manufacturing throughput but its overall yield will be limited by accumulative yield. Also, good chips are forced to bond on bad chip. Therefore, the development of chip-on-wafer integration may be a better scheme for 3D chip stacking. In this study, a high-yield and fluxless chip-on-wafer bonding process with 30μm pitch lead-free solder micro bump interconnection were demonstrated and the reliability of micro joint was also evaluated. Test chip adopted in this study had more than 3000 micro bumps with a diameter of 18μm and a pitch of 30μm. Sn2.5Ag solder material was electroplated on Cu/Ni under bump metallurgy (UBM) of both the test chip and 200mm wafer. To achieve the purpose of fluxless chip-on-wafer bonding, the plasma pre-treatment was applied to both the test chips and bonded wafer. The thermo-compression bonding method with the gap control capability was also carried out. In this work, the fluxless thermo-compression bonding having more than 90% CoW yield had been accomplished. The factor of Sn thickness was found to evidently influence the CoW yield. With the optimized plasma treatment parameters and bonding conditions, a well-aligned and robust joining of micro bump without using flux could be obtained. The results of reliability test revealed that the introduction of underfill could apparently enhance the reliability performance of micro joint under mechanical evaluation. Also, the solder micro bump joint showed excellent electromigration resistance when compared to standard flip chip bump under current stress of 5×10−4 A/cm2 at an ambient temperature of 150°C.
Focus issue: mechanisms of gene regulation.

In this Focus Issue of Science Signaling , which complements the Science Special Issue on Gene Regulation (http://www.sciencemag.org/generegulation/), we examine the multilayered mechanisms that control how gene expression is turned on or off. Perspectives in this issue discuss how oncogenic Ras directs the silencing of tumor suppressor genes; how intrachromosomal looping brings enhancers and promoters together to stimulate gene expression; and how the abundance of a transcriptional coactivator affects nuclear receptor–mediated transcription.
Effectiveness of Antibiotics in Broiler Feeds

(1968). Effectiveness of Antibiotics in Broiler Feeds. World's Poultry Science Journal: Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 309-312.
Telemedicine for the Battlefield: Present and Future Technologies

Providing medical care in the field is very challenging because of the limited availability of medical resources. The current practice in military operations is to stabilize patients far forward and evacuate them to better equipped medical facilities, such as combat field hospitals. This strategy has proven very successful in recent conflicts. However, it is possible to save more lives and ameliorate the consequences of long term injuries by providing an accurate diagnosis earlier, specialized surgical care faster and more sophisticated intensive care during transport. This chapter focuses on technologies that allow augmenting the diagnostics and treatment capabilities of medical teams in the field.
Reactions of pentaphenylborole with main group hydrides

Abstract The reactivity of the anti-aromatic pentaphenylborole with HBpin (pinacolborane), HGeEt3, and HSnBu3 was investigated. In all cases, the products were 1-bora-cyclopent-3-ene heterocycles resulting from the stereospecific addition of the E–H bond to the borole. Both HGeEt3, and HSnBu3 furnished syn products, while the reaction with pinacolborane yielded the anti-product. The discrepancy between the products is rationalized by previous studies reported on the reactivity of boroles with dihydrogen.