cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solution of the benchmark control problem by constrained H ∞ optimization

Constrained H∞ Optimization [2] allow the design of control laws which minimize the infinity norm of a (weighted) closed loop transfer function (Matrix) under the requirements of closed loop stability and constraints on several closed loop time responses to test signals (steps, impulses, etc.) over a finite horizon. This formulation provides a systematic tool to trade-off frequency and time domain specifications exactly and is ideally suited for the Benchmark Control. Problem which calls for frequency domain (robustness, noise attenuation) and time domain (settling times, limited control action) specifications. A sixth order controller is Produced, which achieves robustness with respect to the three uncertain parameters, achieves disturbance rejection with a settling time of l5secs while the control action remains within ±1, and achieves attenuation of high-frequency measurement noise at the plant input.
La zona, una ciudad de México globalizada y colapsada por la violencia

La injusta realidad de lo que se vive en las ciudades y espacios poblacionales tercermundistas globalizados muestra ya claras senales de una descomposicion social que sigue deteriorandose ante la falta de oportunidades y de educacion para las actuales y futuras generaciones de ciudadanos. La violencia, pobreza, corrupcion, desesperacion, segregacion y muerte son alarmantes. Dentro de este planteamiento critico, la pelicula, La zona, retoma distintas mitificaciones, memorias e imagenes al interior de una ciudad de Mexico colapsada. El tema central en esta historia filmica es la violencia y su impacto brutal en la sociedad. La zona es parte del desastre que se avizora para los habitantes de las megalopolis que, como la ciudad de Mexico, inmolan a sus jovenes.
A sensitive capillary GC‐MS method for analysis of topiramate from plasma obtained from single‐dose studies

Topiramate (Topamax®) is an antiepileptic medication used as adjunctive and monotherapy in patients with epilepsy and for migraine prophylaxis. A GC-MS assay was developed that was capable of detecting topiramate plasma concentrations following a single rectal or oral dose administration. Topiramate plasma samples were prepared by solid-phase extraction and were quantified by GC-MS analysis. The topiramate standard curves were split from 0.1 to 4 µg/mL and from 4 to 40 µg/mL in order to give a more accurate determination of the topiramate concentration. The accuracy of the standards ranged from 94.6 to 107.3% and the precision (%CV) ranged from 1.0 to 5.3% for both curves at all concentrations. The %CV for quality controls was <7.6%. The assay is both accurate and precise and will be used to complete future pharmacokinetic studies.
Bureaucrats, Cattle, and Public Policy: Land Tenure Changes in Botswana

The formulation of a policy on land use offers a clear example of the relationship between a bureaucracy and policy formulation. In much of the Third World, and particularly in many African countri...
An Expanded View of Self-Management: Patients' Perceptions of Education and Support in an Intervention for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Objectives. Chronic pain is prevalent, costly, and is associated with profound psychological effects. Although pain is prevalent in returning veterans of the recent military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation New Dawn [OEF/OIF/OND] Veterans), little is known about chronic pain in these patients. This study's objective was to ascertain perceptions of a multicomponent intervention tested in a randomized controlled trial for OEF/OIF/OND veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain (Evaluation of Stepped Care for Chronic Pain [ESCAPE]). Design. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 patients in the intervention arm of ESCAPE (21% of total intervention patients) to determine patients' experiences with and perceptions of the intervention. Patients were purposefully sampled to include treatment responders (defined as ≥30% reduction in pain-related disability or pain severity), nonresponders, and noncompleters (completed <50% of trial). Qualitative analysis was guided by grounded theory. Results. Both responders and nonresponders discussed the importance of the self-management education they received. Of particular significance, patients identified the nurse care manager who administered the intervention as being integral to patients' ability to self-manage their chronic pain. Patients described important ways in which the nurse facilitated their self-management, reported under three themes: 1) helping patients find what works for their pain; 2) holding patients accountable for their pain management; 3) motivating and providing emotional support to patients. Conclusions. Results corroborate previous work and suggest that current conceptualizations of self-management are incomplete. A model is proposed that not only depicts self-management as involving more than activities and strategies, but also acknowledges the central role of relationships and support in pain self-management.
Understanding the cancer pain experience in American Indians of the Northern Plains.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of cancer pain in American Indians (AI) from the Northern Plains region of the United States. Design: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Setting: Southeastern Montana. Participants: The sample consisted of 10 participants from Northern Plains AI tribes/nations, aged 31–75 years, with both solid and hematologic malignancies. Main outcome measures: Data were produced through semi-structured interviews and through the use of the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form. Results: Participants reported mild-to-moderate pain on a daily basis, and pain negatively interfered with their daily activities and enjoyment of life. The average pain score at the time of interview was 4.2 out of 10. Participants described both somatic and neuropathic pain. Participants reported psychosocial distress through feelings of guilt, depression, and isolation related to their cancer, and they relied strongly on prayer and traditional medicine in coping with pain. Dominant themes were ‘Isolating Within’ and ‘Making Connections’. Conclusions: This study suggests that there is very little difference between AI and other cultural groups regarding cancer pain in the description of pain, patterns, and types of pain management. However, this study identified notable differences in the high degree of isolation reported by AI, their desire to endure pain with stoicism, their intense desire to protect their privacy, and their distrust of outsiders. Findings from this study will inform future research on pain and pain interventions in AI patients with cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chloroquine or amodiaquine combined with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for uncomplicated malaria: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacies against uncomplicated falciparum malaria of chloroquine (CQ), amodiaquine (AQ), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and combinations of these inexpensive drugs. METHODS We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, BIOSIS, Web of Science, African Index Medicus, DARE, Digital Dissertations and Current Controlled Trials for randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials conducted between 1991 and June 2004 regardless of language and geography. We also contacted malaria experts, searched reference lists, and contacted individual authors for unreported study characteristics and additional data. Unpublished data were sought and included in the analyses. RESULTS Thirteen randomised trials (n = 4248) were identified and the summary relative risks of treatment failure at 28 days were calculated. There was marginal benefit in adding CQ to SP, compared with SP monotherapy (RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.54-1.02). Combining AQ with SP was associated with a significantly lower risk of treatment failure than SP monotherapy (RR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.82) and AQ monotherapy (RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.42-0.83). AQ plus SP was associated with a significantly lower risk of treatment failure than CQ plus SP (RR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.25-0.72). Serious adverse events were rare and did not increase with combination therapy. CONCLUSION Amodiaquine plus SP remains an efficacious, affordable and safe option for treating malaria in certain settings.
Exciplex quenching of photo-excitd copper complexes

Abstract Exciplexes are less common in transition metal photochemistry than in organic photochemistry. However, Lewis bases and coordinating anions quench metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited states of Cu(I) systems, and the quenching is ascribed to exciplex formation. A variety of structural arguments and steric effects lend strong support to the model. These results are related to the broader context of transition metal systems, and future areas of potential interest are briefly discussed.
Inflation and rates of return on long-term bonds

Abstract This paper examines the hedging performance of long-term government and corporate bonds against inflation. Both expected inflation and unexpected inflation are found to be negatively related to bond returns. Moreover, the coefficients on expected inflation decline monotonically as bond risk increases. The implication of Fama's (1981) ‘real effect’ hypothesis to bond returns is also examined.
On the relation of adaptation to field displacement during head movements to the constancy of visual direction

When the normal constancy process on which the apparent immobility of the visualfield during head movements is based was strengthened by the same method that produces adaptation to abnormal conditions in the constancy of visual direction, and when this training of the normal constancy process immediately preceded experimental adaptation, the effectiveness of the latter was diminished. This result applied not only to adaptation to horizontal field displacement and to vertical field displacement during turning of the head, but also to vertical field displacement during nodding of the head, a condition to which adaptation was here demonstrated for the first time.
Phosphorylation of telokin by cyclic nucleotide kinases and the identification of in vivo phosphorylation sites in smooth muscle.

The Ca2+-independent acceleration of dephosphorylation of the regulatory light chain of smooth muscle myosin and relaxation of smooth muscle by telokin are enhanced by cyclic nucleotide-activated protein kinase(s) [Wu et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 11362–11369]. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo site(s) and in vitro rates of telokin phosphorylation and to evaluate the possible effects of sequential phosphorylation by different kinases. The in vivo site(s) of phosphorylation of telokin were determined in rabbit smooth muscles of longitudinal ileum and portal vein. Following stimulation of ileum with forskolin (20 μM) the serine at position 13 was the only amino acid to exhibit increased phosphorylation. Rabbit portal vein telokin was phosphorylated on both Ser-13 and -19 as a result of forskolin and GTPγS stimulation in vivo. Point mutation of Ser-13 (to Ala or Asp) abolished in vitro phosphorylation by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases.
Mucocutaneous features of autoimmune blistering diseases

This review will describe adult onset mucocutaneous/autoimmune diseases that involve defects in cell-to-cell, cell-to-matrix, or cell-to-basement membrane adhesion. Included in this group are pemphigus, cicatricial pemphigoid, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, and bullous systemic lupus erythematous. Detection and treatment of blistering disorders that manifest early in the oral cavity may prevent widespread involvement of skin. During the past few years, targets of autoantibodies have been clarified and new targets have been identified, allowing better understanding of the pathophysiology involved in these diseases. New information about more effective regimens with fewer side effects has also been obtained, presenting new treatment options. Clinical manifestations and management of these disorders will be described as well as histopathologic, ultrastructural, and immunopathologic studies that distinguish each disorder and facilitate diagnosis and treatment.
Factors Affecting Sensitivity in Lightpipe Gas Chromatography Fourier Transform Infrared Interfaces

A variety of experimental parameters are evaluated which are important in maximizing the sensitivity of the combination of gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (GC/FT-IR) for the detection and identification of mixtures of volatile organic compounds. Basic parameters can be optimized such as the mirror scan velocity and the detector bias current employed to reduce the overall system noise, thus improving the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of the resulting spectra. Quantitation of the resulting trade-off between using a lower-noise narrow-spectral-range mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT) detector versus a wider-spectral-range MCT detector with somewhat higher noise characteristics is examined. An optical design incorporating a variable aperture to reduce the amount of unmodulated infrared radiation from the heated lightpipe which reaches the detector is evaluated. Linearity in sample absorbance is shown to be unaffected by the amount of unmodulated heat reaching the detector despite the nonlinear behavior of the detector observed as interferogram signal loss at elevated detector temperatures. By flowing a fixed concentration of isobutane in helium through the lightpipe, one can monitor the absorbance; it is observed to change significantly from ambient to operating temperature, mostly due to temperature broadening of the absorbance bands. However, no discernible change in the absorbance is observed as a function of the amount of unmodulated light reaching the detector. Finally, lightpipe dimensions are examined as they affect sensitivity. A comparison of the performance of a 1.1-mm i.d. and a 0.6-mm i.d. lightpipe shows increased chromatographic performance of the latter, as expected, but similar signal losses with temperature. Little or no evidence for the counter Jacquinot (sometimes referred to as the Hirschfeld) advantage is found, and reasons for this inconsistency are discussed.
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND STEREOCHEMISTRY OF SILYBIN A, SILYBIN B, ISOSILYBIN A, AND ISOSILYBIN B, ISOLATED FROM SILYBUM MARIANUM (MILK THISTLE)

Two pairs of diastereoisomeric flavonolignans, silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, and isosilybin B, were successfully separated from Silybum marianum by sequential silica gel column chromatography, preparative reversed-phase HPLC, and recrystallization. Complete stereochemical assignments at C-2, C-3, C-7‘, and C-8‘ of these flavonolignans have been achieved. On the basis of X-ray crystallographic analysis and optical rotation data, coupled with comprehensive 1H and 13C NMR spectral data interpretation including COSY, HMQC, and HMBC, the stereochemistry of these diastereoisomers was determined unambiguously as silybin A (4), 2R, 3R, 7‘R, 8‘R; silybin B (5), 2R, 3R, 7‘S, 8‘S; isosilybin A (6), 2R, 3R, 7‘R, 8‘R; and isosilybin B (7), 2R, 3R, 7‘S, 8‘S.
Space lattice used to sample the color space of the Committee on Uniform Color Scales of the Optical Society of America

The Uniform Color Scales collection provides twelve equally different colors around every color. Each is a member of six different scales, in which it is perceptually equally different from the two nearest neighbors. Those scales can be assembled into charts in which two (or three) sets of parallel scales intersect. There are three families of charts in which sets of parallel scales intersect at right angles. The scales on any one of those charts are entirely different from the scales on any of the other charts in the three families. In addition, there are four families of charts in each of which three sets of parallel scales intersect at 60°. In each of those charts, each color is surrounded by six colors that are perceptually equally different from it and from two of their fellows. Each chart of the seven families is analogous to a cleavage plane of a regular rhombohedral crystal, at the lattice points of which the colors are located.
Toxicity and metabolism of naphthalene: a study with marine larval invertebrates

(1-/sup 14/C)Naphthalene and the (1-/sup 14/C)naphthalene complexed with BSA at 8 to 12 ppb in flowing sea water produced 100 percent mortality in 24 to 36 hr in newly hatched Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) zoea and stage I and V spot shrimp (Pandalus platyceros). Maximum accumulation of (1-/sup 14/C)naphthalene in the stage V spot shrimp exposed to (1-/sup 14/C)naphthalene was nearly four times greater than in shrimp exposed to the (1-/sup 14/C)naphthalene-BSA complex (820 and 220 ppb, respectively). These values represent a magnification of 25 to 100 times the exposure levels. Metabolic products of (1-/sup 14/C)naphthalene in larval tissues exposed to the complexed and noncomplexed naphthalene reached a maximum of 21 and 9 percent, respectively, of the total radioactive compounds (based on the molecular weight of naphthol). (1-/sup 14/C)Naphthalene was almost entirely depurated from the tissues in 24 to 36 hr, whereas metabolic products were strongly resistant to depuration.
Community Collaboration for ERP Implementation

The paper discusses the enterprise resource planning (ERP).ERP implementation solves business problems by customizing and integrating off-the-shelf enterprise software packages. A successful ERP implementation involves extensive collaboration and communication among the customer, implementation consultancy, and software vendor. Collaboration allows implementation personnel from different organizations to utilize each other's experiences. An example of this is the Web 2.0. A Web 2.0 knowledge repository system can reduce costs, improve quality, and lower the risks of ERP implementations.Through the case study, the key desired features for Web 2.0 knowledge repository system to support ERP implementations were defined. Epics was designed to fulfill these requirements and developed a prototype. Epics can be used by software vendors, ERP consulting firms, and ERP users. Human aspects play a critical role in ERP implementation. ERP implementation quality depends largely on how the implementation personnel's knowledge and past experiences are reused and communicated. Although knowledge reuse, collaboration, and communication are important for all software projects, they're particularly critical in ERP implementation owing to its unique challenges.
Mother–child affect and emotion socialization processes across the late preschool period: predictions of emerging behaviour problems

The current study examined concurrent and longitudinal relations between maternal negative affective behaviour and child negative emotional expression in preschool age children with (n=96) or without (n=126) an early developmental risk, as well as the predictions of later behaviour problems. Maternal negative affective behaviour, child externalizing emotional expression, and child internalizing emotional expression were observed during a number of lab tasks at child ages 4 and 5, and child externalizing and internalizing behaviour problems were assessed via maternal questionnaire at age 6. Path analyses using structural equation modeling were utilized to test the relations among the variables at ages 4, 5, and 6. A parent-driven model of emotion socialization emerged, wherein stronger relations were found among maternal negative affect and child externalizing emotions and behaviours than among maternal negative affect and child internalizing emotions and behaviours. Early child risk did not appear to alter the overall emotion socialization process, although higher levels of maternal and child negativity were observed for the children with a developmental risk. Results underscore the complexity of emotion socialization processes throughout the preschool period. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flight quality nickel-chromium films with sheet resistances up to 420 ohms per square

Abstract Nickel-chromium films have been deposited with good reproducibility and reasonable uniformity of sheet resistance using a rudimentary evaporation technique. A standardized process flow has resulted in circuit yields of approx. 99 per cent for design values of sheet resistance up to 200 Ω/sq. and yields of 89 and 79 per cent for 260 and 325 Ω/sq., respectively. Circuits stabilized with (a minimum of) 2 hr air bake at 320°C have shown excellent resistor stability and reliability through packaging and environmental testing for design values up to 420 Ω/sq.
Estimation of water surface elevations for the Everglades, Florida

The Everglades Depth Estimation Network (EDEN) is an integrated network of real-time water-level monitoring gages and modeling methods that provides scientists and managers with current (2000-present) online water surface and water depth information for the freshwater domain of the Greater Everglades. This integrated system presents data on a 400-m square grid to assist in (1) large-scale field operations; (2) integration of hydrologic and ecologic responses; (3) supporting biological and ecological assessment of the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP); and (4) assessing trophic-level responses to hydrodynamic changes in the Everglades. This paper investigates the radial basis function multiquadric method of interpolation to obtain a continuous freshwater surface across the entire Everglades using radio-transmitted data from a network of water-level gages managed by the US Geological Survey (USGS), the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and the Everglades National Park (ENP). Since the hydrological connection is interrupted by canals and levees across the study area, boundary conditions were simulated by linearly interpolating along those features and integrating the results together with the data from marsh stations to obtain a continuous water surface through multiquadric interpolation. The absolute cross-validation errors greater than 5cm correlate well with the local outliers and the minimum distance between the closest stations within 2000-m radius, but seem to be independent of vegetation or season.
The allocation of public funds in a hierarchical educational system

Abstract This paper studies the dynamic effects of allocating public funds between basic and advanced education. Holding the size of total public education funds fixed, I identify the effects of their composition on aggregate efficiency and (in)equality. First, since basic education is a prerequisite for attending advanced education, there exists a lower bound on funding it: allocation policies below this lower bound are strictly Pareto dominated. Whether a corresponding lower bound on funding advanced education exists or not depends on the development stage of the economy and the size of total public funds. Secondly, while an allocation policy favoring basic education generates the usual redistribution from top to bottom, one favoring advanced education may result in reverse redistribution from bottom to top. Last, through the inter-generational link, short-run allocation policies may have long-run effects. A simple rule-of-thumb is that for an economy in its early development stage, focusing on basic education for sufficiently long duration is the only way out of polarization and low aggregate efficiency, contrary to the actual policies pursued by many of the less developed economies.
Coupled Hartree-Fock calculation of the cotton-mouton constant and hyperpolarizability of helium

Abstract Expressions for the diamagnetic part of the Cotton-Mouton constant and the hyperpolarizability of helium are obtained within the coupled Hartree-Fock approximation; they involve solutions of integro-differential equations which are solved numerically in a calculation of these properties. An earlier result is recalled to yield the complete Cotton-Mouton constant.
Identification of a Cooperative Mechanism Involving Interleukin-13 and Eotaxin-2 in Experimental Allergic Lung Inflammation

Pulmonary eosinophilia, a hallmark pathologic feature of allergic lung disease, is regulated by interleukin-13 (IL-13) as well as the eotaxin chemokines, but the specific role of these cytokines and their cooperative interaction are only partially understood. First, we elucidated the essential role of IL-13 in the induction of the eotaxins by comparing IL-13 gene-targeted mice with wild type control mice by using an ovalbumin-induced model of allergic airway inflammation. Notably, ovalbumin-induced expressions of eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-2 mRNA in the lungs were almost completely dependent upon IL-13. Second, in order to address the specific role of eotaxin-2 in IL-13-induced pulmonary eosinophilia, we generated eotaxin-2 gene-deficient mice by homologous recombination. Notably, in contrast to observations made in eotaxin-1-deficient mice, eotaxin-2-deficient mice had normal base-line eosinophil levels in the hematopoietic tissues and gastrointestinal tract. However, following intratracheal IL-13 administration, eotaxin-2-deficient mice showed a profound reduction in airway eosinophilia compared with wild type mice. Most interestingly, the level of peribronchial lung tissue eosinophils in IL-13-treated eotaxin-2-deficient mice was indistinguishable from wild type mice. Furthermore, IL-13 lung transgenic mice genetically engineered to be deficient in eotaxin-2 had a marked reduction of luminal eosinophils. Mechanistic analysis identified IL13-induced eotaxin-2 expression by macrophages in a distinct lung compartment (luminal inflammatory cells) compared with eotaxin-1, which was expressed solely in the tissue. Taken together, these results demonstrate a cooperative mechanism between IL-13 and eotaxin-2. In particular, IL-13 mediates allergen-induced eotaxin-2 expression, and eotaxin-2 mediates IL-13-induced airway eosinophilia.
Protecting Progress against Childhood Obesity — The National School Lunch Program

Two years after their implementation, new school-nutrition standards are at risk. In response to complaints about food waste and difficulties in meeting certain goals, among other issues, lawmakers have proposed granting schools waivers if they are losing revenue.
Effects of root-end filling materials on fibroblasts and macrophages in vitro

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 4 root-end filling materials (mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA], intermediate restorative material [IRM], amalgam, and Retroplast) on cell growth, cell morphology, and cytokine (interleukin [IL]1β and IL-6) production in mouse fibroblasts and macrophages. Study Design. Millipore culture plate inserts with freshly mixed or set root-end filling material were placed into 6-well cell culture plates with already attached mouse fibroblasts or macrophages. Cells cultured with only the Millipore culture plate inserts served as a control. After a 3-day incubation, cell morphology was examined, and the total cell number per well was counted and analyzed by using 1-way analysis of variance. For cytokine assay, mouse macrophages were incubated in 24-well flat-bottom plates with set root-end filling material disks in the bottom. Cells cultured without the material disks served as negative controls, and cells cultured with lipopolysaccharides served as positive controls. After 24-hour incubation, culture media were collected for cytokine assay by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. All root-end filling materials inhibited the cell growth of mouse fibroblasts and macrophages. There was no growth in the originally seeded cells in the fresh IRM, the fresh Retroplast, and the set IRM group. There was no difference between MTA and amalgam for cell growth either in the fresh material groups or in the set material groups. The total cell number in the set Retroplast group was significantly less than that in the set MTA group. Morphologically, MTA was characterized by denatured medium proteins and dead cells adjacent to the material, which were observed only in the fresh MTA group. There was no detected cytokine production in any of the tested material groups. Conclusion. All root-end filling materials inhibited cell growth, and none induced IL-1β and IL-6 production. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2003;95:739-45)
Biosynthesis of medium-chain-length poly(hydroxyalkanoates) from soy molasses.

Pseudomonas corrugata was selected from a screening process for the bioconversion of inexpensive soy molasses into medium-chain-length poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (mcl-PHA). We obtained yields of 1.5 g cell dry weight (CDW)/l culture with growth medium supplemented with 2% (w/v) soy molasses, and of an average of 3.4 g CDW/l with 5% (w/v) soy molasses. Crude PHAs were obtained at 5–17% of CDW. The most prominent repeat-unit monomers in the PHAs were 3-hydroxydodecanoate, 3-hydroxyoctanoate, 3-hydroxydodecanoate, and 3-hydroxytetradecenoate. This work represents the first description of fermentative mcl-PHA production from the soy molasses.
A case study of morphogenetic change in long-term offshoring

Abstract This paper applies a morphogenetic change framework to the case study of a financial information services provider's relationships with offshore IT application vendors over a six year period, in order to discover the underlying causal mechanisms. The analysis finds the progression to have consisted of a sequence of three major organizational changes, where each change was characterized by a morphogenetic cycle of three phases – Structural and Cultural Conditioning, Socio-Cultural Interactions, and Structural and Cultural Elaboration. In the first phase of each change cycle, structural and cultural outcomes of antecedent cycles conditioned the context as perceived by managerial actors. In the second phase, these conditioning factors interacted with the organization's prevailing socio-cultural dynamics to influence managerial decisions and to effect change. Finally, in the third phase, the emergent consequences of their decisions further altered the structural and cultural landscape, thus conditioning the context for the subsequent change cycle. While the specific organizational mechanisms activated varied from one cycle to the next, the overall analysis collectively revealed the company's quest for more effective vendor relationships. It was seen to have struggled with inconsistencies in its view of a captive vendor's role in the first cycle, and a lack of standard processes with multiple vendors in the second cycle, before establishing closer, comprehensive, successful relationships with two vendors in the third cycle. These findings serve to validate the utility of the morphogenetic analytical framework in uncovering change factors unique to specific offshoring contexts.
Multicast routing in internetworks and extended LANs

Multicasting is used within local-area networks to make distributed applications more robust and more efficient. The growing need to distribute applications across multiple, interconnected networks, and the increasing availability of high-performance, high-capacity switching nodes and networks, lead us to consider providing LAN-style multicasting across an internetwork. In this paper, we propose extensions to two common internetwork routing algorithms—distance-vector routing and link-state routing—to support low-delay datagram multicasting. We also suggest modifications to the single-spanning-tree routing algorithm, commonly used by link-layer bridges, to reduce the costs of multicasting in large extended LANs. Finally, we show how different link-layer and network-layer multicast routing algorithms can be combined hierarchically to support multicasting across large, heterogeneous internetworks.
New age navigation: Innovative information interfaces for electronic journals

Abstract While it is typical for electronic journals to offer conventional search features similar to those provided by electronic databases, a select number of e-journals have also made available higher-level access options as well. In this article, we review several novel technologies and implementations that creatively exploit the inherent potential of the digital environment to further facilitate use of e-collections. We conclude with speculation on the functionalities of a next-generation e-journal interface that are likely to emerge in the near future.
The fine structure of the limulus optic nerve.

Two complete composite photographs of the optic nerve of Limulus, made by electron microscopy, reveal the presence of neurosecretory granules in the large axons of the rudimentary eye neurons. The number of intermediate sized, (3–7 μ), of eccentric cells corresponds with the number of ommatidia as expected, but only their sheath of Schwann cells show an intimate interfolding. Based on the number of fine axons within the nerve each ommatidium has an average of 12–13 retinular cells. The diameter of their fibers is between 0.2 and 3 μ although the majority are between 1 and 1.5 μ. They are aggregated into bundles of six to seven fibers by the sheath cells although some bundles contain only two, others as many as 181 fibers. There is no indication in these studies that retinular cell axons within a bundle are associated with the same, adjacent, or other pattern of ommatidia. The photographs suggest that physiological activity in retinular cell axons might be detected most easily in the smallest bundles because they contain the fewest, but the larger retinular cell axons.
Breast imaging with ultrasound tomography: a comparative study with MRI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of an ultrasound tomography (UST) prototype relative to magnetic resonance (MR) for imaging overall breast anatomy and accentuating tumors relative to background tissue. The study was HIPAA compliant, approved by the Institutional Review Board, and performed after obtaining the requisite informed consent. Twenty-three patients were imaged with MR and the UST prototype. T 1 weighted images with fat saturation, with and without gadolinium enhancement, were used to examine anatomical structures and tumors, while T 2 weighted images were used to identify cysts. The UST scans generated sound speed, attenuation, and reflection images. A qualitative visual comparison of the MRI and UST images was then used to identify anatomical similarities. A more focused approach that involved a comparison of reported masses, lesion volumes, and breast density was used to quantify the findings from the visual assessment. Our acoustic tomography prototype imaged distributions of fibrous stroma, parenchyma, fatty tissues, and lesions in patterns similar to those seen in the MR images. The range of thresholds required to establish tumor volume equivalency between MRI and UST suggested that a universal threshold for isolating masses relative to background tissue is feasible with UST. UST has demonstrated the ability to visualize and characterize breast tissues in a manner comparable to MRI. Thresholding techniques accentuate masses relative to background anatomy, which may prove clinically useful for early cancer detection.
Ordered phases of rigid cores having semiflexible tails. II. Model for smectic- A and reentrant-nematic phases with hard repulsions

The general partition function of the preceding paper is applied to the special cases of smectic-$A$ and nematic liquid crystals and isotropic liquids in bulk phases. The relative stabilities of the isotropic, nematic, smectic-$A$, and reentrant-nematic phases are studied as a fucntion of temperature, pressure, tail flexibility, and tail length. The following thermodynamic and molecular ordering properties are studied in these phases and at the phase transitions: smectic-$A$ order parameter, core and tail intermolecular orientational order parameters, tail intramolecular orientational order parameter, density, and entropy. The role of the semiflexible tails in stabilizing the smectic-$A$ and reentrant-nematic phases is explicitly elucidated.
Hydrogels in Healthcare: From Static to Dynamic Material Microenvironments

Advances in hydrogel design have revolutionized the way biomaterials are applied to address biomedical needs. Hydrogels were introduced in medicine over 50 years ago and have evolved from static, bioinert materials to dynamic, bioactive microenvironments, which can be used to direct specific biological responses such as cellular ingrowth in wound healing or on-demand delivery of therapeutics. Two general classes of mechanisms, those defined by the user and those dictated by the endogenous cells and tissues, can control dynamic hydrogel microenvironments. These highly tunable materials have provided bioengineers and biological scientists with new ways to not only treat patients in the clinic but to study the fundamental cellular responses to engineered microenvironments as well. Here, we provide a brief history of hydrogels in medicine and follow with a discussion of the synthesis and implementation of dynamic hydrogel microenvironments for healthcare-related applications.
Nonequilibrium entropy and entropy distributions

Glasses have nonzero zero-temperature entropies. Because they are out of equilibrium, the ``thermodynamic'' entropy, determined by heat flow, is not equal to the ``statistical'' entropy, which measures volumes in phase space. We discuss the relationship between the two kinds of entropy in nonequilibrium systems and show that the thermodynamic entropies measured by cooling and heating form lower and upper bounds to the statistical entropy. In a computer simulation of a glass, the distribution of thermodynamic entropies measured by repeated fast coolings provides information about the dynamics of the glass. Entropy distributions are presented for a spin glass and a simple two-level system, and the distributions are used as a tool to compare the dynamics of the two models.
Structural and Solution Characterization of Mononuclear Vanadium(IV) Complexes That Help To Elucidate the Active Site Structure of the Reduced Vanadium Haloperoxidases.

The complexes [VO(H(2)O)ada] (1), [VO(H(2)O)Hheida] (2), and [VO(H(2)O)aeida] (3) (H(2)ada, N-(carbamoylmethyl)iminodiacetic acid; H(3)heida, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid; H(2)aeida, N-(2-aminoethyl)iminodiacetic acid) were synthesized and crystallographically characterized. Crystallographic parameters for 1.2H(2)O: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c (No. 14), a = 7.327(2) A, b = 23.386(7) A, c = 7.258(3) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 110.95(2) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 1204.6(7) A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.0353, and wR(2)() = 0.0848. Crystallographic parameters for 2.H(2)O: orthorhombic, space group Pbca (No. 61), a = 10.512(2) A, b = 11.727(2) A, c = 16.719(5) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 2060.6(8) A(3), Z = 8, R1 = 0.0297, and wR(2)() = 0.0758. Crystallographic parameters for 3: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c (No. 14), a = 6.785(1) A, b = 9.714(2) A, c = 14.959(2) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 95.12(1) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 982.2(3) A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.0298, and wR(2)() = 0.0762. In each structure, the tetradentate ligand is disposed so that the tertiary nitrogen is bound trans to the vanadyl oxo, and the rest of the donors occupy equatorial coordination positions. In solution, the structural integrity of these compounds is maintained as observed by UV/visible and EPR spectroscopies, and axial ligation by nitrogen is inferred on the basis of ESEEM spectroscopy. The implications of this study with respect to understanding the coordination environment of VO(2+) in the reduced, inactive form of vanadium bromoperoxidase (VBrPO) are discussed, and it is proposed that significant changes in the coordination environment of vanadium in VBrPO occur upon its reduction, which may provide a plausible explanation for its irreversible inactivation.
Pancreatic Gout Masquerading as Pancreatic Cancer in a Heart Transplant Candidate

In this report, a case is presented of a patient with advanced heart failure who had asymptomatic pancreatic gout, which masqueraded as metastatic pancreatic cancer. This unusual presentation of gout was important to recognize, as the presence of a pancreatic cancer would have precluded cardiac transplantation in an otherwise suitable candidate.
Theory and applications of a computationally efficient cohort simulation model of human reproduction

Abstract Ease of implementation and computational efficiency are two necessary criteria if a simulation system is to be run repeatedly. Described in this paper is a cohort simulation model, based on the theory of terminating renewal processes, which satisfies these two criteria. There are two versions of the model. In one version, waiting times till pregnancy and times spent in the postpartum sterile state, as well as parity progression ratios reflecting hypothetical birth intentions, are taken into account. Unlike simulation systems described in earlier papers, pregnancy wastage is not accommodated in this version of the model. A second version is a model of birth intervals in which parity progression ratios and distributions of waiting times among live births, both of which may reflect pregnancy wastage when based on birth history data, serve as computer input. Female mortality, expressed as a survival function, and a distribution of age at marriage in a cohort are essential parts of both versions of the system. High efficiency in computing the many required convolutions has been obtained by use of a fast Fourier transform algorithm. After an overview of computer software design is given, the computer input for twelve simulation runs is described. These twelve runs are designed to test the impact of various combinations of levels of mortality, age of marriage, and fertility on population growth. One of the interesting substantive conclusions stemming from the simulation runs was that in populations of low mortality and fertility, late age at marriage, as observed in some historical populations, can be a significant factor in increasing the population doubling time.
Discontinuous respiration in insects—III. The effect of temperature and ambient oxygen tension on the gaseous composition of the tracheal system of silkworm pupae☆

Abstract The present experiments are part of a detailed study of discontinuous respiration in diapausing pupae of Hyalophora cecropia. In air the respiratory cycle has three phases: (1) a ‘burst’ during which the spiracles open, tracheal pO2 rises sharply, and tracheal pCO2 falls; (2) an ‘O2-fall period’ during which the spiracles constrict, tracheal pO2 falls steadily, and tracheal pCO2 slowly rises; and (3) a ‘level-O2 period’ during which the spiracles flutter and tracheal pCO2 remains at a low but steady level. The present experiments examined (a) the effects of temperature and ambient pO2 on the composition of tracheal gas, (b) the kinetics of gas exchange during the respiratory cycle, and (c) the interaction between O2 and CO2 in triggering spiracular movements. Using a micromethod, tracheal gas samples were withdrawn repeatedly and analysed. An ambient pO2 of 60 per cent prolonged the period of spiracular constriction and O2 fall and eliminated the level-O2 period and fluttering. Tracheal pO2 remained high and the spiracles under these conditions were controlled by pCO2 alone. In 60 per cent O2 during the constriction period the spiracles were open enough to permit considerable inward leakage of O2, but sealed tight enough to maintain transpiracular pN2 gradients of 45 per cent and pO2 gradients of 50 per cent. Under these conditions N2 bursts of large volume accompanied CO2 bursts. It was shown that pCO2 is the principal trigger for bursts and that high tracheal pO2 raises the pCO2 threshold of the spiracles. At 15°C the tracheal pCO2 to trigger bursts was much less than at 25°C indicating that CO2 in solution rather than tracheal pCO2 itself is the trigger. These experiments and previous studies of spiracular behaviour lead us to conclude that in these silkworm pupae low tracheal pO2 and high tracheal pCO2 provoke different sorts of spiracular behaviour, respectively spiracular fluttering and spiracular bursts. The results also illuminate the mechanism underlying the disparate rates of gas exchange which characterize discontinuous respiration: they show that disparate rates of O2 and CO2 transfer can occur when there is a large transpiracular gradient of 50 per cent driving O2 in and also when the transpiracular gradient driving O2 in is only 3 per cent. Hence disparate rates of gas exchange do not vary directly with the partial pressures of the gases involved and must depend upon mechanisms besides diffusion.
Inverse scattering problem for quarkonium systems. I. One-dimensional formalism and methodology

The inverse scattering formalism for reflectionless potentials is applied to the reconstruction of confining potentials from bound-state properties. An explicit algebraic technique is presented and tested on several one-dimensional examples. The connection with a classical problem of interacting solitons is exhibited.
NMR STUDIES OF DRUGS. APPLICATIONS OF ACHIRAL AND CHIRAL LANTHANIDE SHIFT REAGENTS TO CITIOLONE

Abstract The 1H NMR spectra of racemic samples of the antidepressant drug, bupropion, 1, have been studied in CDCl3 solution at 60 and 200 MHz with the achiral lanthanide shift reagent (LSR), tris(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionato)europium (III), 2, and the chiral reagent, tris[3-(heptafluoropropylhydroxymethylene)-d-camphorato]europium(III), 3. Both LSR produced substantial lanthanide induced shifts consistent with 1H assignments, but the bound complexes of 1 with 2 versus 3 may not be isostructural. With 3, substantial enantiomeric shift differences were observed for the t-butyl, CH 3CH, NCH, and the aryl H-2 and H-6 signals, which should permit potential direct determination of enantiomeric excess.
Mate disruption in the water strider Aquaris remigis Say, 1832 (Hemiptera: Gerridae)

This report describes the behaviour of a previously uncharacterised mating tactic amongst male water striders (Aquarius remigis Say, 1832), involving the physical break up of existing mating pairs. Using data from four separate laboratory observations on the water strider mating system, we show that this behaviour represents roughly 12.6% of all mating attempts by males. Furthermore, we demonstrate that males are successful in breaking up the existing mating pair in 15.6% of the cases, resulting in secure matings with the disrupted female 6.2% of time. We suspect that mate disruption may serve as an alternative means for acquiring mates by males with low mating success using conventional behaviours. Further research should be performed to determine the prevalence of this behaviour in various natural populations and the specific contexts in which this behaviour occurs.
Mapping regions of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) glycoprotein B (gB) important for fusion function with gH/gL

Glycoproteins gB and gH/gL are required for entry of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) into cells, but the role of each glycoprotein and how they function together to mediate fusion is unclear. Analysis of the functional homology of gB from the closely related primate gammaherpesvirus, rhesus lymphocryptovirus (Rh-LCV), showed that EBV gB could not complement Rh gB due to a species-specific dependence between gB and gL. To map domains of gB required for this interaction, we constructed a panel of EBV/Rh gB chimeric proteins. Analysis showed that insertion of Rh gB from residues 456 to 807 restored fusion function of EBV gB with Rh gH/gL, suggesting this region of gB is important for interaction with gH/gL. Split YFP bimolecular complementation (BiFC) provided evidence of an interaction between EBV gB and gH/gL. Together, our results suggest the importance of a gB-gH/gL interaction in EBV-mediated fusion with B cells requiring the region of EBV gB from 456 to 807.