cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rat hepatic glutathione S-transferase-mediated embryotoxic bioactivation of ethylene dibromide.

The embryotoxic effects of ethylene dibromide (EDB) bioactivation, mediated by purified rat liver glutathione S-transferases (GST), were investigated using rat embryos in culture. Significant EDB metabolism was observed with rat liver GST purified by affinity chromatography (specific activity of 188 ± 11.3 nmol/min/mg protein). The reaction was enzymatic in nature and the conjugation rate was proportional to the concentration of EDB (up to 0.75 mM) and the enzyme present in the reaction medium. EDB activation by 100 units (1 unit = 1 nmol of glutathione consumed per min) of purified rat liver GST caused a significant reduction in general development as measured by crown–rump length, yolk sac diameter, somite number, and the composite score for different morphological parameters (Brown and Fabro methodology). Structures most significantly affected were the central nervous and olfactory systems as well as the yolk sac circulation and allantois. The results of this study clearly indicate that under in vitro conditions, bioactivation of EDB by GST can lead to embryotoxicity. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Scaling the characteristic time of the bursting process in the turbulent boundary layer

Characteristic time scales associated with bursting events in the turbulent boundary layer were examined over a very large range of Reynolds numbers based on momentum thickness of 1010, 2870, 4850, and 5×10^6. Well-resolved hot-wire measurements were obtained at the lowest three Reynolds numbers in a low-speed wind tunnel with a long development length and compared to hot-wire and sonic anemometer measurements in the near-neutral atmospheric surface layer over the salt flats of Utah’s western desert. Bursting events were detected using the modified U-level threshold-crossing algorithm outlined by Luchik and Tiederman (1987) [1]. The same procedure and codes were used to analyze all time series records from both the wind tunnel and field experiments. The time between events, T_e, and the event duration, ΔT, were calculated and normalized using four different types of scalings: inner, outer, mixed, and Taylor microscales. It was found that both Reynolds number and wall-normal trends in the mode of T_e were eliminated when scaled by the Taylor microscale. Furthermore, constant (Reynolds number independent) values of the nondimensional mean T_e and ΔT were found in a narrow wall-normal region near the top of the buffer layer when the data were normalized by the Taylor microscale.
Semi-quantitative spectrographic analysis and rank correlation in geochemistry

Abstract The rank correlation coefficient, rs, which involves less computation than the product-moment correlation coefficient, r, can be used to indicate the degree of relationship between two elements. The method is applicable in situations where the assumptions underlying normal distribution correlation theory may not be satisfied. Semi-quantitative spectrographic analyses which are reported as grouped or partly ranked data can be used to calculate rank correlations between elements.
The Cost of Being Female: Critical Comment on Block

Women currently earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. Explanations abound for why, exactly, this wage gap exists. One of the more potent justifications attributes this pay differential to the unequal effects of marriage on the sexes: the marital asymmetry hypothesis. However, even when marital status is accounted for, a small but significant residual gap remains. This article argues that this is the result of social factors. Entrenched societal sexism causes all of us to harbor unconscious bias about the capabilities and proper gender roles of women. This bias, in turn, leads us to discount work completed by females, especially in professional environments. Employers are not immune from this effect, and the undervaluation of female ability affects hiring practices, leading to the residual wage gap.
Cooperative ATP binding by cloned lamin C.

Cloned human lamin C was expressed in and purified from bacteria and used in ATP binding assays. Scatchard analysis revealed strong positive cooperative and noncooperative binding, with estimated apparent dissociation constants of 3 × 10−6 and 2 × 10−5 M, respectively. The binding is strongly pH dependent. ATP binding by lamins AC (presumably as intermediate filaments) may provide a substantial storage depot for ATP at the peripheral lamina for use by a number of ATP-requiring nuclear scaffold enzymes.
Use of adenosine in patients hospitalized in a university medical center

Abstract Purpose: Adenosine is a useful agent for the diagnosis and termination of tachycardias. The purpose of this study was to identify the rhythms for which adenosine is prescribed in hospitalized adults and to identify the reasons for its misuse. Patients and Methods: Data were collected from the medical records of 100 patients who received intravenous adenosine while hospitalized at a university medical center. The characteristics of the patients, rhythms treated with adenosine, and dosages of adenosine were analyzed. In addition, internal medicine house officers were administered a questionnaire referring to an electrocardiogram of atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. Results: The arrhythmias for which adenosine was administered consisted of regular, narrow-QRS complex tachycardias in 33% of patients; atrial fibrillation in 32% of patients; regular, wide-QRS complex tachycardias in 23% of patients; atrial flutter in 10% of patients, and multifocal atrial tachycardia in 2% of patients. The mean (± SD) number of doses of adenosine given to each patient was 1.6 ± 0.8, and the mean dose of adenosine was 7.8 ± 2.8 mg. Internal medicine house officers prescribed 70% of the doses of adenosine and were as likely to use it for patients with atrial fibrillation as were surgical house officers. There was a 2% incidence of proarrhythmia, including asystole and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Thirty-one percent of the 100 house officers in our survey misdiagnosed a 12-lead electrocardiogram of rapid atrial fibrillation as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, suggesting that adenosine may have been misused for atrial fibrillation because of errors in rhythm diagnosis. Only 5% of those who correctly diagnosed atrial fibrillation also answered that adenosine would be likely to terminate the arrhythmia, suggesting that a misunderstanding that adenosine terminates atrial fibrillation is not a common reason for its misuse. Conclusions: Approximately 40% of hospitalized adults who are treated with adenosine receive the medication unnecessarily for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, and this misuse results in unnecessary expenses and risks of adverse effects. The primary reason that adenosine is misused for atrial fibrillation is the inability to recognize that rhythm on an electrocardiogram. House officers need additional education on the electrocardiographic recognition of atrial fibrillation.
Management of invasive bladder cancer: Strategies of combined modality treatment

Traditionally, the mainstays of invasive bladder cancer treatment have been surgery, radiotherapy, or combinations of both. However, more than 50% of patients with deeply invasive disease ultimately relapse, and thus better therapeutic options have been sought. Important prognostic factors for patients with metastatic bladder cancer include sites of disease and histologic characteristics of the primary tumor. Treatment of metastatic disease consists primarily of systemic chemotherapy; a variety of chemotherapy regimens have been evaluated, and newer cytotoxic agents are now being evaluated in clinical trials. In an effort to improve cure rates, combined modality regimens are now being investigated. These include neoadjuvant chemotherapy (either single agent or combination regimens) followed by radiotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and radiotherapy and/or surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Although results of early clinical trials evaluating each of these approaches generally have been promising, randomized clinical trials have mostly failed to show any survival benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Concurrent chemoradiation and regimens of adjuvant chemotherapy have not yet been adequately tested in randomized trials. Today's health care environment is slowing research in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer; academic clinicians and the oncology treatment community must unite to maintain standards and protect our ability to make continued progress.
What is learned in knowledge-related categories? Evidence from typicality and feature frequency judgments.

When a category’s features are tied together by integrative knowledge, subjects learn the category faster than when the features are not directly related. What do subjects learn about the category in such circumstances? Some research has suggested that the subjects can use the knowledge itself in performing the category learning task and, thus, do not learn the details of the category’s features. Two experiments investigated this hypothesis by collecting feature frequency estimates after category learning. The results showed that integrative knowledge about a category did not decrease subjects’ sensitivity to feature frequency—if anything, knowledge improved it. A third experiment found that integrative knowledge did reduce sensitivity to feature frequency in typicality ratings. The results suggest that knowledge does not inhibit the learning of detailed category information, though it may replace its use in some tasks.
Enteric Duplication Cyst of the Pancreas Associated with Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreas-associated enteric duplication cysts are rare developmental anomalies that communicate with the main pancreatic duct and may be associated with recurrent acute and chronic abdominal pain in children. In adults, these lesions may masquerade as pancreatic pseudocysts or pancreatic cystic neoplasms. An adult patient with a pancreas-associated enteric duplication is described which represents the first reported instance of association with both chronic calcific pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The clinical spectrum of pancreas-associated enteric duplication cyst, including diagnostic and therapeutic options, is reviewed.
Psoriatic arthritis: genetic susceptibility and pharmacogenetics

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. The etiology of PsA is unknown; however, there is mounting evidence for a strong genetic contribution to PsA. A few disease-related genes have already been identified in PsA. Cytokines associated with PsA appear to be the most promising targets for pharmacogenetics. Blockade of TNF-α and IL-12/23 is associated with a marked clinical response to PsA and/or psoriasis, implying a pivotal role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of these two disease entities. To date, only the -308 variant of the TNF-α promoter gene has been shown to be important in predicting response to TNF-α blockade in inflammatory arthritis.
Earthquake program authorization increased

House and Senate actions have substantially increased the funding potentially available for the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program in 1981. The Senate has passed a version of the legislation that would also extend authorization for 3 years, through 1983. The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act was due for reauthorization this year (EOS, 61, April 1 and May 6). The Senate version of the legislation adds about $3.5 million to the administration's request for FY 1981; the House version, about $ 7 million. Most of the increase in both bills is slated for use by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), the coordinating agency for the program. Fema is responsible for such actions as planning for public response to earthquake predict ions; making information available to and educating architects and engineers about incorporating seismic safety design in construction projects; and community planning for earthquake disasters.
Skin cancer education for primary care physicians: a systematic review of published evaluated interventions.

BACKGROUND Early detection of melanoma may provide an opportunity to positively impact melanoma mortality. Numerous skin cancer educational interventions have been developed for primary care physicians (PCPs) to improve diagnostic accuracy. Standardized training is also a prerequisite for formal testing of melanoma screening in the primary care setting.
Structure-dielectric property relationship for vanadium- and scandium-doped barium strontium titanate

Abstract This paper reports the results of an investigation of the structure–property relationship of vanadium (donor) and scandium (acceptor) doped Ba 0.7 Sr 0.3 TiO 3 . While V doping produces a fully miscible Ba 0.7 Sr 0.3 Ti 1− x V x O 3 alloy, Sc doping results in an inhomogeneous microstructure with grains containing a Sc-doped Ba-rich shell and an undoped Sr-rich core. This results from a solution–precipitation process that works in combination with a thermodynamic driving force for the preferential segregation of Sc into Ba-rich regions. The Curie temperature ( T c ) of Ba 0.7 Sr 0.3 TiO 3 decreases with increasing dopant concentration from a T c of 40 °C for undoped material to 18 °C for 4 mol.% V and 22 °C for 4 mol.% Sc (i.e., Ba 0.7 Sr 0.3 Ti 0.96 V 0.04 O 3 , Ba 0.7 Sr 0.3 Ti 0.96 Sc 0.04 O 3 ). Sc- and V-doped materials are found to have significantly reduced dielectric constants at their Curie temperature than their undoped counterpart. This is most evident for Sc doping, where a 4 mol.% concentration has a dielectric constant of 1000 at T c , a factor of 12 times smaller than undoped Ba 0.7 Sr 0.3 TiO 3 .
The effectiveness of groups recognizing patterns

An experiment was conducted in which groups made resource allocation decisions while physically dispersed and supported with a shared virtual work surface (What You See Is What I See--WYSIWIS). The task required groups to recognize patterns of information and collaborate to allocate their resources appropriately. The experimental treatment involved the use of a tool specifically designed to minimize the cognitive effort required to recognize and share patterns among group members. Dependent measures included outcome quality, time-to-decision, consensus of pattern recognition, and the number of resource allocation moves required to reach consensus. All groups received significant financial rewards in direct proportion to their outcome quality. Groups supported with the patternsharing tool had significantly higher outcome quality and significantly less resource movements. These results extend the theory of Recognition-Primed Decision-Making by applying it to groups.
Enabling data-centric energy-fidelity scalability in wireless body area sensor networks

Energy-fidelity tradeoffs are central to many battery-constrained systems, but they are essential in body area sensor networks (BASNs) due to energy and resource constraints, and the critical nature of many healthcare applications. On-node signal processing and compression techniques can save energy by greatly reducing the amount of data transmitted over the wireless channel, but lossy techniques can incur a reduction in application fidelity. In order to maximize system performance, these tradeoffs must be considered at run-time due to the variable nature of BASN application, including sensed data, operating environments, user actuation, etc. BASNs therefore require energy-fidelity scalability, so automated and user-initiated tradeoff decisions can be made dynamically. This paper explores the utility of energy-fidelity scalability in BASNs from a data-centric perspective. Compression algorithms are identified that can be implemented on resource constrained BASN nodes and that have "knobs" capable of trading off compression ratios (and resulting transmission energy) with fidelity. To demonstrate the potential of energy-fidelity scalability on a real BASN and for a real application, the tradeoff space is established by adjusting these algorithms for different movement disorder data sets collected by a custom accelerometer-based BASN. Finally, mechanisms for energy-fidelity dynamic control are explored.
Genetic studies in the focal dermal hypoplasia of Goltz syndrome

The focal dermal hypoplasia of Goltz (FDH) syndrome is an X-linked disorder with skin, skeletal, and ocular defects. The FDH phenotype shares features with the microphthalmia with linear skin defects (MLS) syndrome, which is associated with deletions of Xp22. Familial cases of FDH are rare; no genetic studies were performed previously. We studied linkage to twelve polymorphic markers between DXS43 and OAI in an FDH family, including an affected mother (FDH7), her husband, affected daughter (FDH8), and unaffected son. Phenotypically, the mother's findings were limited mostly to the skin. Her karyotype was normal, 46, XX. She had patterned telangiectanc streaks, atrophic areas, scalp aplasia cutis congenita, perianal papillomas, and subepidermal lipomatosis. Her ocular exam was normal; there was no evidence of osteopathia striata on knee radiographs. Dentition was normal except for multiple caries and some grooving at the edges of her molars Breasts were symmetric; nails were relatively normal. Her 12 year old daughter has normal growth and development, similar cutaneous lesions, including scalp aplasia cuds congenita, an atrophic erythematous area of the face, hyper-and hypopigmented areas, multiple dystrophic nails, grooved surfaces of her teeth, high palate, mild scoliosis, 3-4 finger syndactyly, and 2-3-4 toe syndactyly. X-inactivation/methylauon analysis of FDH7 and FDH8, and six other FDH patients was performed in DNA from peripheral blood. FDH7 showed a skewed methylation pattern at the AR locus. FDH8 also showed skewed methylation at the AR and MAOA loci, but had a random pattern at the DXS16 locus, which lies closer to the MLS critical regioa Methylation patterns along the X-chromosome were also not homogenous in the other patients with FDH and did not correlate with phenotype severity. FDH7 was heterozygous at DXS43, DXS1053, DXS1224, DXS7104, DXS7109, DXS1043, KAL, and OAI. At each locus, her children inherited different maternal alleles. Thus, although limited, our linkage analysis is consistent with mapping of Ihe FDH syndrome to the MLS critical region in Xp22.
Laboratory versus portable sleep studies: a meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis study was to compare the accuracy of home sleep studies with laboratory polysomnography in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Eligible studies included prospective cohort studies of portable and in-laboratory sleep studies performed on the same groups of patients. A comparison of respiratory disturbance index (RDI), mean low oxygen saturation levels, sleep time, rate of inadequate studies, and average cost per examination was made between portable and in-laboratory sleep studies. A total of 18 papers were identified in two independent Medline searches. Results: RDI values on portable sleep studies were 10% lower on average compared with laboratory studies (odds ratio [OR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87–0.92). There was no significant difference in the mean low oxygen saturation on portable versus laboratory studies (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.94–1.10). Recorded sleep time was significantly higher by 13% for laboratory compared with portable studies (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.86–0.89), and portable studies were significantly more likely to give a poor recording when compared with laboratory examinations (P = .0001). The cost of home studies ranged from 35% to 88% lower than laboratory studies across a number of countries. Conclusion: Home sleep studies provide similar diagnostic information to laboratory polysomnograms in the evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing but may underestimate sleep apnea severity. The lower cost of home sleep studies makes it a viable screening tool for patients with suspected OSA; however, these lower costs are partially offset by the higher rate of inadequate examinations.
THz radiation sensors

In the paper, issues associated with the development and exploitation of terahertz (THz) radiation detectors are discussed. The paper is written for those readers who desire an analysis of the latest developments in different type of THz radiation sensors (detectors), which play an increasing role in different areas of human activity (e.g., security, biological, drugs and explosions detection, imaging, astronomy applications, etc.). The basic physical phenomena and the recent progress in both direct and heterodyne detectors are discussed. More details concern Schottky barrier diodes, pair braking detectors, hot electron mixers, and field-effect transistor detectors. Also the operational conditions of THz detectors and their upper performance limits are discussed.
Semantic language models for topic detection and tracking

In this work, we present a new semantic language modeling approach to model news stories in the Topic Detection and Tracking (TDT) task. In the new approach, we build a unigram language model for each semantic class in a news story. We also cast the link detection subtask of TDT as a two-class classification problem in which the features of each sample consist of the generative log-likelihood ratios from each semantic class. We then compute a linear discriminant classifier using the perceptron learning algorithm on the training set. Results on the test set show a marginal improvement over the unigram performance, but are not very encouraging on the whole.
Continuous improvement in dietetics education with a regional advisory board: A model that works

Abstract Continuous improvement has been a focus of business and health care for years. The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education has also identified the need for continuous improvement in dietetics education programs and requires them to seek outside counsel to help accomplish it. Most dietetics education programs develop advisory boards to provide this outside counsel, but finding individuals to commit to an ongoing advisory board can be challenging. Dietetics internship directors from dietetics practicum programs throughout Arizona created the Arizona Dietetic Practicum Advisory Committee (AzDPAC), which uses suggestions from preceptors, interns, and committee members to generate ideas for improvement. Since the conception of AzDPAC both tangible and intangible outcomes have occurred. Tangible outcomes include better coordination among programs, development of a combined annual affiliate meeting, standardization of forms, creation of a combined "Clinical Bootcamp," development of a Web page describing all programs, and better networking among interns from different programs. In addition, AzDPAC improved cooperation and sharing of expertise and created an available group of peers for new directors. An advisory committee of regional program directors is a model that works in providing dietetics education programs with ongoing outside counsel and ideas for continuous improvement. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:1026-1028.
Halogen bonding (X‐bonding): A biological perspective

The concept of the halogen bond (or X-bond) has become recognized as contributing significantly to the specificity in recognition of a large class of halogenated compounds. The interaction is most easily understood as primarily an electrostatically driven molecular interaction, where an electropositive crown, or σ-hole, serves as a Lewis acid to attract a variety of electron-rich Lewis bases, in analogous fashion to a classic hydrogen bonding (H-bond) interaction. We present here a broad overview of X-bonds from the perspective of a biologist who may not be familiar with this recently rediscovered class of interactions and, consequently, may be interested in how they can be applied as a highly directional and specific component of the molecular toolbox. This overview includes a discussion for where X-bonds are found in biomolecular structures, and how their structure–energy relationships are studied experimentally and modeled computationally. In total, our understanding of these basic concepts will allow X-bonds to be incorporated into strategies for the rational design of new halogenated inhibitors against biomolecular targets or toward molecular engineering of new biological-based materials.
Comparison of volatile organic levels between sites and seasons for the total exposure assessment methodology (TEAM) study

Abstract Comparisons were made between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath, personal air, fixed-site outdoor air and water samples from a probability (random) sample of individuals in Bayonne/Elizabeth, New Jersey; Los Angeles and Pittsburg/Antioch, California; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Devils Lake, North Dakota. In addition, comparisons were made between seasons in the Bayonne/Elizabeth and Los Angeles sites where the same individuals were sampled in two seasons. The most striking differences between sites and seasons were in outdoor air samples. For this medium the concentrations in Los Angeles in the winter season were much higher than in Bayonne/Elizabeth, New Jersey in the winter. However, in the summer season this difference was not evident due to a dramatic decrease in VOC levels in Los Angeles in the summer. Outdoor VOC levels in Greensboro and Devils Lake were usually dramatically lower than both Bayonne/Elizabeth and the California sites. Concentration levels for the breath and personal air samples were usually higher in the winter than the spring or summer. This was particularly true in Los Angeles for personal air samples. For the breath samples, this pattern was not clearcut and, in fact, Bayonne/Elizabeth tended to have higher concentrations in the summer. For water samples, Devils Lake had particularly low VOC levels. Bromoform, which was found in California samples, was almost never present in Bayonne/Elizabeth, Greensboro and Devils Lake samples.
RESULTS OF UNDIVERTED SIMPLE CLOSURE OF 51 URETHROCUTANEOUS FISTULAS IN BOYS

Urethral fistulas are an inherent risk of hypospadias repair. Present-day repairs of hypospadias in which redundant skin is held to a minimum limit the applicability of skin flap advancement technique for closure. To avoid altering the cosmesis of the prior hypospadias repair, 51 urethrocutaneous fistulas were closed using a three-layer simple closure technique without urinary diversion. An 80 percent success rate was achieved following the initial closure. A second simple closure of those which failed also succeeded in 80 percent of the cases.
Inlets for high angles of attack

Different inlet designs for high angle of attack STOL and VTOL applications were tested in a subsonic wind tunnel. Three removable entry lips having contraction ratios of 1.30, 1.34 and 1.38 were tested with a single diffuser. The internal contour of each entry lip was an ellipse with a major to minor axis of 2.0. Each lip and diffuser assembly was tested to determine its tolerance to angle of attack, first with a conventional centerbody and then with an extended centerbody. Results indicate that a large improvement in separation angle (determined as a function of lip contraction ratio and inlet flow) was obtained for the extended centerbody for all contraction ratios. Improved inlet tolerance to angle of attack was obtained by reducing the adverse pressure gradient downstream of the throat.
A Clinical Evaluation of the Use of Citrate‐Phosphate‐Dextrose Solution in Children

Red cells collected in CPD anticoagulant have been shown to have a mean postinfusion survival of greater than 75 per cent after 28 days of storage at 4C, in contrast to blood collected in ACD solution whose mean survival is less than 70 per cent after 28 days. In a clinical study, 3,704 units of CPD blood collected in double plastic blood packs were utilized for 4,354 transfusions in 2,425 children. Evaluation of the stability of red cell antigens disclosed that blood preserved in CPD showed a minimal loss of antigenicity after 28 days. In contrast, clotted samples were hemolyzed and demonstrated marked loss of antigenicity for Kell, hr′(c) and P after 14 days. Whole blood preserved in CPD provides two basic advantages over the presently used ACD solution. It provides a more physiologic blood for the recipient and has decreased the outdating percentage by better than 65 per cent.
Ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes toward the environment

Abstract The relationship between two motives underlying environmental attitudes was examined: ecocentrism—valuing nature for its own sake, and anthropocentrism—valuing nature because of material or physical benefits it can provide for humans. Scales to measure ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes and general apathy toward environmental issues were developed. In Study 1, the ecocentric and anthropocentric scales were found to predict independently conserving behaviors, apathy toward environmental issues, and membership in environmental organizations. In Study 2, these results were partially replicated and extended to include the relationship between ecocentric attitudes and an observed measure of environmentally-relevant behavior. In addition, it was demonstrated that the ecocentric-anthropocentric distinction explains behavior independently of environmental attitudes measured with a traditional attitude scale. Implications of the ecocentric-anthropocentric distinction for further research on environmental attitudes and behaviors are discussed.
A dual‐mode interpretation of nuclear spin relaxation for 13CO2 sorbed in polystyrene

Recently we presented a dual-mode interpretation of the nuclear spin relaxation for 13CO2 sorbed in polycarbonate [E. J. Cain, W.-Y. Wen, A. A. Jones, P. T. Inglefield, B. J. Cauley, and J. T. Bendler, Journal of Polymer Science, Part B, Polymer Physics, Vol. 29, p. 1009 (1991)]. We have made similar investigation on spin relaxation for 13CO2 sorbed in polystyrene and are presenting the results in this report. 13C spin-lattice relaxation, spin-spin relaxation, and nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE) are reported for 13CO2 sorbed in glassy polystyrene. These spin relaxation parameters were determined as a function of temperature and Larmor frequency. A quantitative interpretation is based on a two-site, rapid exchange model, which is consistent with the NMR result. Gas molecules in the dissolved site have rotational, collisional, and translational dynamics typical of low molecular weight liquids. Sorbed molecules in the Langmuir site have much slower rotational and translational motions. The activation energy for motions in the dissolved site is about 7.5 KJ/mol, while that for the Langmuir site is about 15.5 KJ/mol. The translational diffusion constants derived from the NMR data range from 10−7 to 10−9 cm2/s and are consistent with the apparent diffusion constant from the permeability measurements of 4.9 × 10−8cm2/s at 35°C. A relation between the permeability value and the NMR values is available from a theoretical description of the dual-mode model in terms of a random walk on a lattice containing two sites. As a modification of our previous lattice model (E. J. Cain et al., Journal of Polymer Science, Part B, Polymer Physics, Vol. 29, p. 1009 (1991)), the temperature dependence of the fraction of Langmuir sites in the lattice is taken into account. Parameter values characterizing the motion of CO2 in polystyrene are found to be similar to the corresponding ones in polycarbonate. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Improvement in the sensitivity of methane detection using a double fast Fourier transform-based filter

A multi-reflection cell has been employed to increase the sensitivity of the detection of methane gas. However, as the requirements of the detection system need to work on a low frequency range, the influence of the 1/f noise will be considered. This paper deal with this problem by investing the signal processing methods using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) results have been shown an improvements of about 75% in the methane gas readings.
Experimental Investigation of Gas-Particle Flow Trajectories and Velocities in an Axial Flow Turbine Stage

This paper describes the results from an investigation of the gas-particle flow trajectories, velocities and pressure distribution in an axial flow turbine stage. A gas-particle flow cascade tunnel and high-speed photographic techniques were used to conduct the experimental investigation. The pressure distribution on the blade surface was measured and compared with the theoretical analysis, the results exhibiting good agreement between the developed theory and experiment.Copyright © 1972 by ASME
Practical measurement of complexity in dynamic systems

Abstract A difficulty in complexity theory is lack of a clear definition for complexity, particularly one that is measurable. Those approaches that provide measurable definitions for the absolute complexity of a system often impose the requirement of perfect or near-perfect knowledge of system structure.In practice, it is intractable or impossible to measure the complexity of most dynamic systems.However, by measuring behavioral complexity in context with environmental scenarios, it is ossible to set bounds on a system's absolute (maximum) complexity and estimate its total complexity. As this paper shows, behavioral complexity can be determined by observing a system's changes in kinetic energy.This research establishes a methodology for measuring complexity in dynamic systems without the requirement of system structure knowledge. This measurement can be used to compare systems, understand system risks, determine failure dynamics, and guide system architecture.
Effects of Error-Proofing and Chemical/Biological/Radiation Protective Glove use on Touch Panel Operation:

Previous studies suggested that initial-contact error rates were higher for touch input devices (resistive and infrared) than for various hardware keys. A follow-up study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chemical/biological/radiation (CBR) protective gloves on performance. Error data from this and the preceding study in this series were somewhat misleading due to differences in the input sampling strategies between hardware keys and touch panels. The initially high error rates for the resistive panel (21.6% using flight gloves and a 26.1% using CBR gloves) were considered unrepresentative of a true operating environment because nonkey contacts would be ignored by the system. Revision of the input-sensing logic produced 100% accuracy for the resistive panel in the replication study. However, multiple contacts were required in 5% (median of 4.1%) of the trials. Overall, 4% required only a second contact for correct activation of the designated key while 3- and 4-contact activations amounted to 0.6% ...
A statistical viewpoint on the use of GPS information in wireless ad hoc protocols

In this paper, we consider the impact of fast fading effects on the discovery and maintenance of routes in a MANET. We provide a statistical interpretation of link quality-based on the instantaneous received power under a mulitpath fading model, for which associated types one and two errors are defined. Based on this viewpoint, we propose embedding GPS information into the AODVjr protocol to block the discovery of routes with unreliable links and thereby enhance end-to-end performance of the system.
Bridging the Organizational Divide: A Comparative Institutional Analysis of United States and International Humanitarian Service Delivery Structures

Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area in August 2005, made many United States citizens more aware of how their national government undertakes its humanitarian relief responsibilities. Many learned for the first time, for example, that the federal government is a secondary responder and attends to natural disasters only when states and localities request such support and assistance. That U.S. framework and the international relief implementation structure are remarkably similar. This paper compares and contrasts these two aid implementation approaches with an eye to clarifying their similarities and differences and to identifying how each might better be understood for the future to secure improved coordination and more effective outcomes.
Analyses of Reaction Schemes Using De Donder Relations

The use of De Donder relations is addressed for analysis of reaction schemes to describe the kinetics of overall reactions. These relations provide a simple means of determining the number of kinetic parameters required to calculate the overall reaction rate. These kinetic parameters for gaseous reactions are controlled by quasi-equilibria between the reactants and/or products of the overall reaction with the transition states of the elementary steps, and they are not determined by the properties of the stable reaction intermediates. For surface reaction schemes, one additional kinetic parameter is required for each stable surface species that becomes abundant on the surface. De Donder relations offer a rigorous approach for assessing whether a reaction scheme contains a rate determining step, and they provide a convenient means of deriving a series of rate expressions for cases where specific steps are assumed to be rate determining. In addition, these relations make it possible to calculate the maximum rate at which a given transition state may contribute to the overall reaction rate, providing a necessary condition for assessing the participation in the overall reaction scheme of transition states identified by quantum-chemical calculations.
Etiology and Treatment of Pancreatic Disease: Modern Concepts

: Although pancreatic disease may occur at any age, it is more prevalent in the elderly. Pancreopathy usually can be diagnosed by properly performed enzyme and function studies. However, because of its protean manifestations, the presence of pancreatic disease is often missed even after exploratory laparotomy and histologic examination. Prompt diagnosis can be life-saving, especially in patients with acute abdominal symptoms. This requires diagnostic skill and a basic knowledge of the physiologic and pathologic mechanisms. Chronic pancreatitis follows a precise pattern of events, depending upon many complex underlying mechanisms. Early recognition can interrupt or delay its evolution. This article concerns various etiologic concepts, modern diagnostic methods (including enzyme and function studies, radiography, angiography, pancreatography), and medical and surgical treatment, with emphasis on the use of digestive enzymes.
The effect of age on outpatient uropathogen antibiotic resistance

Study objectives: Empiric antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI) in adults is based on the local resistance patterns of common uropathogens. Increasing antibiotic resistance has affected empiric antibiotic choice for UTI. Most antibiotic resistance levels report overall inpatient resistance, and there are limited data on outpatient resistance trends. We describe the effect of age on outpatient resistance patterns to common empiric antibiotics. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective case series composed of patients with UTI. Participating facilities include 4 emergency departments and 84 outpatient clinics in an urban and suburban environment. All urine samples were collected during a 12-month period from July 2002 through June 2003. Only adult patients with a clean-catch urine containing greater than 100,000 colony-forming units of a uropathogen were included. Uropathogens were tested against levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), and ampicillin. Resistance data were divided into 5 age groups: 18 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and older than 70 years. Results: Two thousand seven hundred fifty-one total urine cultures met inclusion criteria. The 2 most common uropathogens were Escherichia coli (52% to 76%) and Enterococcus sp (11% to 20%) in all age groups. Older patients were less likely to have a UTI caused by E coli. E coli resistance to ceftriaxone and ampicillin varied little across age (0.2% and 32%, respectively), with the exception of patients older than 70 years, where E coli resistance to ampicillin decreased to 23%. E coli resistance to levofloxacin showed nonlinear relationships to age, with the highest resistance seen in the sixth decade (0.76% to 4.55%). E coli resistance to TMP/SMX decreased with advancing age (14.8% in young adults to 11.5% in adults >70 years). The number of UTIs caused by Enterococcus sp increased with advancing age, with older patients having higher resistance to levofloxacin (5.7% in young adults compared with 33% in adults >70 years). Enterococcus sp resistance to ampicillin varied across age groups, with the highest resistance seen in adults older than 70 years (0.0% to 9.2%). Enterococcus sp was not tested against TMP-SMZ or ceftriaxone. Conclusion: Outpatient uropathogen antibiotic resistance was affected by patient age. Enterococcus sp resistance increased as patient age increased. Empiric antibiotic coverage in the elderly should take into consideration the possibility of higher levels of fluoroquinolone resistance in patients with a Gram-positive UTI.
Frame-based stereotaxy in a frameless era: current capabilities, relative role, and the positive- and negative predictive values of blood through the needle.

Introduction In the modern era of frameless stereotaxis (FL), the role of frame-based (FB) stereotactic needle biopsy is evolving. Methods Retrospective review of prospective database of 106 lesions in 91 consecutive patients undergoing FB stereotactic needle biopsy with a systematic “geologic core” technique by a single surgeon. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated comparing biopsy diagnosis with final pathology in 11 patients who underwent subsequent surgical resection. All instances of intra-operative bleeding through the needle were prospectively noted and compared with post-biopsy CT scan. Lesions were classified as risky for FL technique if they were (1) infratentorial or pineal, (2) within 10 mm of the circle of Willis or root of the Sylvian fissure, or (3) within 10 mm of deep cerebral veins. Results Diagnostic yield was 94%. Diagnostic accuracy was 91%. Of 18 lesions involving the corpus callosum, 13 (72.2%) were GBM 2 were anaplastic astrocytoma, and 1 each were found to be anaplastic oligodendroglioma, primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and tumescent MS. Of 25 multifocal lesions, malignant primary brain tumor was diagnosed in 17 (68%) (11 GBM, 3 PCNSL, 2 anaplastic ologodendroglioma, and 1 anaplastic astrocytoma). Mortality was 0%. Three patients developed temporary neurologic deficits and one had permanent deficit. Absence of persistent blood through the biopsy needle had a negative predicative value of 98.8% for subsequent neuroimaging blood >5 mm diameter. According to our criteria, 80% of patients would have been candidates for FL biopsy. Conclusions Stereotactic biopsy is an effective, safe and important technique for histologic diagnosis of brain lesions, particularly for multifocal and corpus callosum lesions. Post-biopsy CT can be safely reserved for patients who demonstrate persistent bleeding through the biopsy needle. FB stereotaxy remains an important technique for the 20% with small or deep seated lesions or when it is advantageous to avoid an incision, a burr hole or general anesthesia.
Multi-degree of freedom telemanipulation in an unstructured environment

Independence in the development of daily tasks, such as grasping and moving objects, play a key role in the well being of people who are physically challenged due to impartment in their upper extremities. New technologies in the form of robotic manipulators resembling human-scale arms may present a promising future, provided that they can be controlled in ways that resemble human movements[1]. Our work addresses the multi-degree control of a wheelchair-mounted manipulator that provides the user with increased independence in an unstructured environment. We are developing new human-machine interfaces as well as a virtual reality-based training environment..
Energizing Learning: The Instructional Power of Conflict:

Although intellectual conflict may be an important instructional tool (because of its potential constructive outcomes), conflict is rarely structured in instructional situations (because of its potential destructive outcomes). Many educators may be apprehensive about instigating intellectual conflict among students because of the lack of operational procedures to guide them. Ideally, operational procedures should be based on social science theory that is validated by research. Constructive controversy is an instructional procedure that is designed to create intellectual conflict among students and that meets these criteria. The authors of this article summarize the theory underlying constructive controversy and review the results of their meta-analysis of the validating research. The positive outcomes indicate that intellectual conflict can have important and positive effects on student learning and well-being.
A low-impedance, high-voltage direct drive transformer system

The basic design for a 1000 kV, repetition-rated direct-drive transformer system is presented, and solutions to the problems of high magnetic coupling and minimum droop characteristics are proposed. It is shown that air and partial-core transformers can be adapted to multimicrosecond, direct-drive applications where output voltages up to at least 1 MV are required. To achieve adequate coupling, these transformers must operate within winding stresses between 0.5 and 1 MV/cm. Experiments have shown that film-insulated spiral windings can withstand these stress levels when they are impregnated with a high-dielectric-constant liquid such as ethylene glycol. >
True hermaphroditism and normal male genitalia: An unusual presentation

True hermaphroditism, the rarest form of intersex, is usually diagnosed during the newborn period in the course of evaluating ambiguous genitalia. As an exception, we present an unusual case of a 15-year-old boy with phenotypically normal male genitalia and bilaterally descended ovotestes, who was seen for evaluation of intermittent scrotal swelling and pain. Although rare, true hermaphroditism should be included in the differential diagnosis of apparently normal males presenting with similar complaints.
Modeling and Measurements of Cathodic Prevention Distribution in Partially Submerged Reinforced Concrete

Cathodic prevention was implemented with commercial Zn bulk anodes on laboratory columns simulating a reinforced concrete marine system. Two computational models of these laboratory columns were implemented. The results obtained from both models were in reasonable agreement with the experimental observations. One of the models was used to predict cathodic prevention throwing power on field scale structures, as a step towards field application. These predictions suggest that with an immersed anode useful levels of cathodic prevention may be reasonably expected, even under conservative assumptions, in the area immediately above high tide where conditions are otherwise very severe.