cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCES OF MOTIVATION AND APTITUDE ON LEARNING ELEMENTARY ACCOUNTING IN A JUNIOR COLLEGE THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED SELF‐PACED AND TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

The purpose of this study was to compare two teaching methods in elementary accounting: an individualized self‐paced method and a traditional method. One hundred students enrolled in an individualized self‐paced elementary accounting class and 150 students enrolled in traditional elementary accounting classes were used in this study. The pre‐experimental equivalence of age, sex, college grade point average, business courses previously taken on the college level, and previous work experience were compared for the two groups. All of the students were administered the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Orientation Test and the Mehrabian Measures of Achieving Tendency at the beginning of the courses. Students in both groups completed the first 14 chapters in the same textbook. Students were then given the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Achievement Test, Level 1, Form GS. A significant relationship was found between students’ aptitude as measured by the AICPA Orientation Tes...
Sublethal Effects of Crude Oil on the Community Structure of Estuarine Phytoplankton

While the ecological impacts of crude oil exposure have been widely studied, its sublethal effects on phytoplankton community structure in salt marsh estuaries have not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to simulate oil spill conditions using a microcosm design to examine short-term (2 day) changes in phytoplankton community composition and total biomass following exposure to crude oil obtained from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and a mixture of Texas crude oils. Microcosm experiments were performed in situ in North Inlet Estuary near Georgetown, SC. A control and six replicated experimental treatments of crude oil additions at final concentrations of 10, 50, or 100 μl l−1 of either Deepwater Horizon spill oil or the Texas crude mixture were incubated under in situ conditions. Photopigments were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and community composition was determined using ChemTax. Total phytoplankton biomass (as chl a) declined with increasing crude oil concentrations. Prasinophytes, the most abundant microalga in both experiments, showed no response to oil exposure in one experiment and a significant negative response in the other. Diatoms euglenophytes and chlorophytes appeared relatively resistant to oil contamination at the exposure levels used in this study, maintaining or increasing their relative abundance with increasing oil concentrations. Chlorophytes and cyanobacteria increased in relative abundance while cryptophyte abundance decreased with increasing oil concentrations. The results of these experiments suggest that low levels of crude oil exposure may reduce total biomass and alter phytoplankton community composition with possible cascade effects at higher trophic levels in salt marsh estuaries.
Colour Doppler ultrasound of spiral artery blood flow in the prediction of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction

Pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction are responsible for significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Identifying pregnancies at highest risk for their development would allow increased surveillance in individual pregnancies and also allow therapeutic trials to decrease their incidences in the future. To date, multiple attempts to develop a screening test for these disorders have met with limited success. Proposed screening methods have included maternal serum biochemical parameters as well as ultrasonographic markers. Uterine artery Doppler, direct evaluation of the spiral arteries using colour and spectral Doppler, three-dimensional placental volume analysis and, most recently, three-dimensional power Doppler angiography have all been suggested. Although an adequate screening method remains elusive, advances in ultrasound technology have improved our ability to observe the pathophysiologic changes that occur with these conditions early in pregnancy, bringing us closer to a reproducible screening model.
Psychosocial and Quality of Life Issues in Women With End-Stage Renal Disease

There are differences in the way men and women experience end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Women are more likely to shoulder much of the burden of adapting family environments to accommodate life with ESRD. Issues such as fertility and conception are different from women in the general population. In the ESRD population, women express more depressive affect, anxiety, and personality disorder than men. Several psychosocial parameters have been found to be linked with differential survival between men and women such as social support and marital satisfaction. Women are more likely to serve as living donors for kidney transplantation yet less likely to be recipients of a cadaveric or living kidney transplant. We review the available literature on gender differences in ESRD with a focus on chronic hemodialysis.
De novo origin of the nuclear membrane.

THE behaviour of the nuclear membrane in prophase and telophase is indeed one of the most attractive features of mitosis for the electron microscopist and cytologist1. This was recently emphasized by Porter and Machado2 in their review of the literature preceding their own electron microscope observations of mitotic onion root cells. In summary, the nuclear membrane or envelope is formed either by a coalescence of vesicles derived from the endoplasmic reticulum at the chromosome surface, or, as in the case of the onion cells, by slender lamellar units of the endoplasmic reticulum draping themselves around the chromosomes at the poles in telophase. Not one of these studies shed any light on the intriguing question posed by Bernhard3 regarding the possibility of a de novo origin for the nuclear membrane.
High-radix on-chip networks with low-radix routers

Networks-on-chip (NoCs) have become increasingly widespread in recent years due to the extensive integration of many components in modern multicore processors and SoC designs. One of the fundamental tradeoffs in NoC design is the radix of its constituent routers. While high-radix routers enable a richly connected and low diameter network, low-radix routers allow for a small silicon area. Since the NoC consumes a significant portion of the on-chip resources, naively deploying an expensive high-radix network is not a practical option. In this work, we present a novel solution to provide high-radix like performance at a cost similar to that of a low-radix network. Our solution leverages the irregularity in runtime communication patterns to provide short low-latency paths between frequently communicating nodes, while infrequently communicating pairs rely on longer paths. To this end, it leverages a flexible topology reconfiguration infrastructure with abundantly available links between routers (in accordance to a high-radix topology) that are decoupled from scarcely available router ports (similar to a low-radix topology). Network links are bound to router ports at runtime to form connected and deadlock-free topologies. Binding selections are based on the traffic patterns observed, which are synthesized through a distributed statistics-collection framework. Our experiments on a 64-node CMP, running multiprogrammed workloads, show that we can reduce average network latency by 19% over an area- and power- comparable mesh NoC. The latency improvements for non-uniform synthetic traffic are above 30%.
Visualizing the 3D Internal Structure of Calcite Single Crystals Grown in Agarose Hydrogels

Single crystals are usually faceted solids with homogeneous chemical compositions. Biogenic and synthetic calcite single crystals, however, have been found to incorporate macromolecules, spurring investigations of how large molecules are distributed within the crystals without substantially disrupting the crystalline lattice. Here, electron tomography reveals how random, three-dimensional networks of agarose nanofibers are incorporated into single crystals of synthetic calcite by allowing both high- and low-energy fiber/crystal interface facets to satisfy network curvatures. These results suggest that physical entrapment of polymer aggregates is a viable mechanism by which macromolecules can become incorporated inside inorganic single crystals. As such, this work has implications for understanding the structure and formation of biominerals as well as toward the development of new high-surface area, single-crystal composite materials.
Field study and source attribution for PM2.5 and PM10 with resulting reduction in concentrations in the neighborhood north of the Houston Ship Channel based on voluntary efforts

When annual average PM2.5 (fine particulate matter sized 2.5 microns and less) data for 2005 became available in April 2006 and the 3-yr average PM2.5 concentration in an area just north of the Houston Ship Channel reached 15.0 µg/m3, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) initiated daily collection of quartz fiber as well as Teflon PM2.5 filter samples for chemical speciation analysis. The purpose of the chemical speciation analysis was to use the speciation data, together with meteorological data and hourly TEOM (tapered element oscillating microbalance) PM2.5 mass data, to identify the causes of the high PM2.5 concentrations affecting the monitoring site and the neighborhood. The ultimate purpose was to target emission reduction efforts to sources contributing to the high measured PM2.5 concentrations. After a year of data collection, it was recognized that a specific source, unpaved driveways and loading areas along the Ship Channel and dirt tracked onto Clinton Drive, the main artery ru...
Effects of cold storage on postharvest leaf and flower quality of potted Oriental-, Asiatic- and LA-hybrid lily cultivars

Abstract The effects of cold storage of mature potted plants on postharvest leaf and flower quality were investigated in several cultivars of three major groups (Oriental, Asiatic and LA) of hybrid lilies (Lilium spp.). Mature plants were stored in darkness at 3 °C for 2 weeks before placing them in a postharvest evaluation room (22 °C) and were compared with plants moved directly to the evaluation room. The efficacy of GA4+7 plus benzyladenine (BA) treatments (applied just before cold storage) for preventing cold-induced postharvest disorders in each cultivar was also evaluated. In all cultivars, cold storage caused several adverse effects on postharvest quality, including accelerated leaf yellowing or browning, bud abortion and reduced flower or inflorescence longevity. Leaf abscission was observed only in Oriental-hybrids. Treatment with GA4+7 plus BA significantly reduced these disorders and improved the overall postharvest quality after cold storage. While different cultivars differed greatly in their sensitivity to cold storage, all the cultivars benefited from GA4+7 plus BA treatment. Experiments indicated that GA4+7 plus BA treatments could be applied as early as 2 weeks before the mature bud stage without compromising the positive effects.
Host cell proteases: Critical determinants of coronavirus tropism and pathogenesis

Coronaviruses are a large group of enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses that infect a wide range of avian and mammalian species, including humans. The emergence of deadly human coronaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have bolstered research in these viral and often zoonotic pathogens. While coronavirus cell and tissue tropism, host range, and pathogenesis are initially controlled by interactions between the spike envelope glycoprotein and host cell receptor, it is becoming increasingly apparent that proteolytic activation of spike by host cell proteases also plays a critical role. Coronavirus spike proteins are the main determinant of entry as they possess both receptor binding and fusion functions. Whereas binding to the host cell receptor is an essential first step in establishing infection, the proteolytic activation step is often critical for the fusion function of spike, as it allows for controlled release of the fusion peptide into target cellular membranes. Coronaviruses have evolved multiple strategies for proteolytic activation of spike, and a large number of host proteases have been shown to proteolytically process the spike protein. These include, but are not limited to, endosomal cathepsins, cell surface transmembrane protease/serine (TMPRSS) proteases, furin, and trypsin. This review focuses on the diversity of strategies coronaviruses have evolved to proteolytically activate their fusion protein during spike protein biosynthesis and the critical entry step of their life cycle, and highlights important findings on how proteolytic activation of coronavirus spike influences tissue and cell tropism, host range and pathogenicity.
Influence of Syndiotactic Propylene Units on the Rheological Parameters of Poly(ethylene−propylene) Copolymers

The plateau modulus has been measured for a trio of amorphous poly(ethylene−propylene) copolymers where the mole fraction of ethylene ranged from 0.57 to 0.67. These materials were prepared by using a living catalyst system involving bis(salicylaldiminato)titanium activated by methylaluminoxane. This catalyst with propylene yields highly syndiotactic (rr = 0.98; rrrr = 0.96) homopolymer. s-Polypropylene is known to have a plateau modulus and unperturbed chain dimension that are markedly larger than the values shared by the atactic and isotactic counterparts. The enhancement in the unperturbed chain dimension translates into an entanglement molecular weight for s-polypropylene that is ∼1/3 that of the atactic and isotactic counterparts. Thus, within the confines of the packing length notion, these empirical observations raise the question as to whether the rheological characteristics of the s-polypropylene will carry over into the random copolymer format. The copolymers with s-polypropylene segments yield ...
Marijuana Use among Juvenile Arrestees: A Two-Part Growth Model Analysis.

This article examines the impact of sociodemographic characteristics and psychosocial factors on the probability and frequency of marijuana use and, for youths initiating use, on their frequency of use over four time points. The sample consists of 278 justice-involved youths completing at least one of three follow-up interviews as part of a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)–funded study. A two-part growth model was estimated to examine the probability of engaging in marijuana use and change in marijuana frequency of use over time. In addition, covariates for intervention status, gender, age, race, ethnicity, psychological functioning, alcohol use, and self-reported delinquency were included as baseline predictors in the model. The results of our two-part latent growth model reveal (1) a latent tendency to engage in marijuana use and a conditional, continuing decision on frequency of marijuana use, and (2) different patterns of relationships among age, psychosocial variables, and the probability and ...
Citizen-Initiated Contacts With Ontario Local E-Government: Administrator's Responses to Contacts

This study examines Ontario, Canadaâ€™s municipal e-government adoption. This paper specifically focuses on how e-government has increased citizen-initiated contacts with these local governments. This study uses survey data of these local governments to determine the key factors that predict increased citizen contact with e-government. What these municipal governments most commonly are doing is informational e-government, such as providing downloadable forms for manual completion. Transactional e-government is done less often, with very few local governments offering online payment of taxes, for example. The regression results indicated that offering more online services or e-services and having a separate information technology (IT) department developing the e-government budget increased citizen contact with e-government. The traditional factors that are used to explain citizen-initiated contact, such as socioeconomic status of the community, were not found to have any impact on increasing citizen contact with e-government.
Calcium Mediated Mechanism of Early Afterdepolarizations in LQT2 Ventricular Myocytes

Background: Loss of function mutations in hERG potassium channels underlie the long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2). LQT2 is associated with fatal ventricular arrhythmias promoted by triggered activity in the form of early afterdepolarizations (EADs). However, the cellular mechanism of EAD formation remains unexplored.Methods: We have investigated the mechanism of EAD formation in LQT2 ventricular myocytes using a physiologically detailed computational model of calcium (Ca2+) cycling and membrane voltage dynamics. This model bridges the submicron scale of individual couplons of plasmalemmal L-type Ca2+ channels clusters and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release units (CRUs) and the whole cell. We incorporate the novel experimental finding that ryanodine receptors (RyRs) Ca2+ release channels are remodeled in ventricular mycoytes isolated from LQT2 transgenic rabbits; RyRs are hyperphosphorylated leading to enhanced channel activity and hence increased Ca2+ leak.Results: Computer simulations with RyR hyperactivity modeled as an increased rate of channel opening show that hyperactivity is causally linked to EAD formation. Under stimulation with the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO), LQT2 myocytes with hyperactive RyRs exhibit EADs together with decreased SR load and Ca2+ transient (CaT) amplitude, while myocytes with normal RyR activity exhibit a prolonged action potential without reductions of SR load and CaT amplitude. Simulations show that RyR hyperactivity shortens RyR refractoriness at the CRU level, resulting in late aberrant Ca2+ releases during repolarization. Those releases promote onset of EADs by driving the forward mode Na+-Ca2+ exchanger NCX1 current, which slows repolarization and allows reactivation of L-type Ca2+ current. Modeling predictions are in good agreement with experimental observations, which show that EADs in ISO-stimulated LQT2 myocytes are accompanied by late Ca2+ releases together with decreased SR load and CaT amplitude, and that both late releases and EADs are abolished by inhibition of CaMKII.
Bone density comparison of selected carpal and tarsal bones: validation for their use in compression fracture fixation studies of scaphoid screws

Abstract Introduction To determine if trabecular, total and cortical bone densities of the capitate, navicular, cuboid, and first cuneiform were equivalent to those of the scaphoid, such that these bones could be used in place of the scaphoid in evaluating new headless scaphoid compression screws. Methods Fifty scaphoids, capitates, naviculars, cuboids, and first cuneiforms were harvested from fresh frozen cadavers. The trabecular, total and cortical bone densities were measured using pQCT technology and statistically compared. Results A paired t comparison between paired scaphoids and capitates showed no difference between the trabecular bone densities. However, their total bone and cortical densities were found to be different. An independent measures ANOVA comparison of the five bones, showed no significant difference in mean trabecular density between the capitates, naviculars and first cuneiforms when compared to the scaphoids. However, the mean total and cortical densities of the first cuneiforms were less than the scaphoids and the mean trabecular, total and cortical bone densities of the cuboids were all less than the scaphoids. Discussion Compression fracture fixation studies of headless compression screws could be conducted using the capitate, navicular, and first cuneiform as models of the scaphoid when the supply of scaphoids is limited.
Influence of price endings on price recall: a by‐digit analysis

Although it has been proposed that recall processes play a role in the retail sales effects of 9‐ending pricing, substantial effects of price endings on the level of recalled prices has not been demonstrated. With an improved testing procedure, it is found that the level of a set of prices with low ending digits (such as 1 or 2 in the dollars place) is more likely to be overestimated in recall than the level of equivalent sets of prices with high ending digits (such as 6, 7, or 9 in the dollars place). The results of the study support the role of left‐to‐right processing of price information and point out some consequences for retailers of the use of low numbers in price‐ending digits.
A partitioning algorithm for the multicommodity network flow problem

A partitioning algorithm for solving the general minimum cost multicommodity flow problem for directed graphs is presented in the framework of a network flow method and the dual simplex method. A working basis which is considerably smaller than the number of capacitated arcs in the given network is employed and a set of simple secondary constraints is periodically examined. Some computational aspects and preliminary experimental results are discussed.
Prognostic impact of the addition of peak oxygen consumption to the Seattle Heart Failure Model in a transplant referral population

Background In this study we investigated whether the addition of peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) improves the predictive accuracy of the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM). The SHFM is a validated multivariate risk model that uses NYHA classification to assess functional capacity rather than peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 ). Methods Outpatients ( n = 1,240) evaluated for transplant at three centers had their SHFM score calculated and peak VO 2 measured. The outcomes assessed were death/LVAD/urgent transplant with censoring at the time of elective transplant. Results Over the course of 4.0 (mean) years of observation, there were 571 events. Both the SHFM score (χ 2 = 227) and peak VO 2 (χ 2 = 88, both p 2 were modestly correlated ( r = 0.39, p 2 added to the SHFM with a hazard ratio of 0.949 ( p 2 improved both the net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination index (both p ≤ 0.0002). Peak VO 2 provided additive prognostic information within each SHFM score ( p 2 (0.645, 95% CI 0.606 to 0.684), SHFM (0.758, 95% CI 0.721 to 0.795) and SHFM with peak VO 2 (0.766, 95% CI 0.731 to 0.802). The SHFM-predicted vs actual survival free of LVAD/UNOS Status 1 transplant at 1 year (86% vs 83%) and 4 years (63% vs 63%) were similar. Conclusions The multivariate SHFM is a powerful predictor of death/LVAD/urgent transplant. Peak VO 2 adds prognostic information across the spectrum of the SHFM, but changes in decision regarding transplant listing occur mainly in moderate-risk patients.
PROTOPLASMIC POTENTIALS IN HALICYSTIS

The cells of Halicystis impaled on capillaries reach a steady P.D. of 60 to 80 millivolts across the protoplasm from sap to sea water. The outer surface of the protoplasm is positive in the electrometer to the inner surface. The P.D. is reduced by contact with sap and balanced NaCl-CaCl2 mixtures; it is abolished completely in solutions of NaCl, CaCl2, KCl, MgSO4, and MgCl2. There is prompt recovery of P.D. in sea water after these exposures.
Ionic effects on amiloride block of the mechanosensitive channel in Xenopus oocytes

1. Patch clamp techniques were used to measure the ionic dependence of amiloride block of single mechanosensitive (MS) channels in frog (Xenopus laevis) oocytes. 2. The primary aim was to determine whether the difference in potency of amiloride block of MS channels in frog oocytes (IC50 = 0.5 mM) and chick auditory hair cells (IC50 = 50 microM) was due to the different ionic recording solutions. 3. Amiloride block of the oocyte MS channel does not vary significantly with complete substitution of external Na+ (i.e. 100 mM) with K+ in Ca(2+)-free recording solution (in both Na+ and K+ the IC50 = 0.5 mM). 4. A physiological concentration (1.8 mM) of external Ca2+ blocks the oocyte MS channel and reduces the potency of amiloride block (IC50 = 1.1 mM) without altering the voltage-dependence or the HIll coefficient (n = 1.8) of amiloride block. The reduction in potency can be explained by surface charge screening by Ca2+ which reduces the effective amiloride surface concentration. 5. The present results indicate that factors other than ionic recording conditions must underlie the difference in potency of amiloride block of MS channels in oocytes and auditory hair cells.
Photoelectron spectroscopy and dynamics of excitons in C60 and photopolymerized C60 films

Abstract Pump-probe photoelectron spectroscopy is used to study excited states in pristine and photopolymerized C 60 . For the first time in a molecular solid, vibrationally broadened singlet (S 1 ) and triplet (T 1 ) exciton photoemission spectra are temporally isolated and unambiguously assigned. Complex transient behaviors of S 1 and T 1 populations, including non-Markovian decays and a strongly enhanced production of T 1 states at high excitation, provide evidence for interactions among excitons and free carriers. A new rate-equation model reproduces a wide range of both laser- and synchrotron-based data from polymerized films.
ALIBI: a novel approach to resource discovery

Provides a new answer to the resource discovery problem, which arises because although the Internet makes it possible for users to retrieve enormous amounts of information, it provides insufficient support for locating the specific information that is needed. ALIBI (Adaptive Location of Internetworked Bases of Information) is a new tool that succeeds in locating information without the use of centralized resource catalogs, navigation, or costly searching. Its powerful query‐based interface eliminates the need for the user to connect to one network site after another to find information or to wrestle with overloaded centralized catalogs and archives. This functionality was made possible by an assortment of significant new algorithms and techniques, including classification‐based query routing, fully distributed cooperative caching, and a query language that combines the practicality of Boolean logic with the expressive power of text retrieval. The resulting information system is capable of providing fully automatic resource discovery and retrieval access to a limitless variety of information bases.
The association between performance plan adoption and corporate capital investment

Abstract This paper examines the association between one specific change in executive compensation contracts (adoption of performance plans), changes in corporate capital investment, and security market performance. The empirical results indicate that (when compared to similar non-adopting firms) firms adopting performance plans exhibit a significant growth in capital expenditures and a favorable security market reaction to the announcement of the performance plan adoption. These results provide evidence that changes in executive compensation contracts are associated with changes in managerial decisions.
The Effect of Filtrates of Cl. histolyticum upon the Growth of Animal Tumors

ConclusionsThe solutions prepared according to the method of Connell and tested upon mouse sarcoma No. 180 and the Flexner-Jobling rat carcinoma were without any effect in prolonging the life of the animals, in preventing or decreasing the number of metastases or in inhibiting the rate of tumor growth.
Coaxial Flow of Particle-Laden Streams in a Circular Duct

Ducted coaxial flows of homogeneous gas streams exhibit interesting recirculation patterns when the inner-to-outer stream velocity ratio is either large enough or small enough. The existence of these recirculation patterns became evident during the development of ducted fan jet engines and other aerospace devices. Recent interest in the next generation of fluidized-bed-based catalytic chemical reactors may turn to processes that incorporate the ducted coaxial flow of particle-laden gas streams for very fast multistep reactions. Significant recirculation patterns in such a reactor system would be detrimental to the design objectives by causing catalyst and gas backmixing and excessive catalyst holdup. In this experimental program, a ducted coaxial flow of particle-laden streams was studied over a range of inner-to-outer stream velocity ratios from 0.7 to 3.0. A number of instrumental methods were used in the measurements. It is shown that recirculation patterns that contain solids occur in these flows and ...
β-Fibrinogen gene -455G/A polymorphism and coronary heart disease incidence: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Abstract PURPOSE: The −455G/A (HaeIII) polymorphism of the β-fibrinogen gene influences levels of plasma fibrinogen. We determined whether it influences risk of coronary heart disease. METHODS: We conducted a case-cohort study nested within a prospective investigation, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. We accumulated 398 incident coronary heart disease cases over a median of 5.3 years of follow-up and compared their −455G/A status with a random sample of the cohort n = 498 . RESULTS: Plasma fibrinogen was higher p = 0.04 in AA homozygous participants (341 mg/dL) than in persons carrying the G allele: GA (290 mg/dL), GG (298 mg/dL). However, there was no significant association between −455G/A and incident CHD. CONCLUSIONS: Although a small effect cannot be excluded, −455G/A does not appear to be an important genetic determinant of CHD.
DSC: a system for distributed symbolic computation

DSC is a general purpose tool that allows the distribution of a computation over a network of Unix workstations. Its control mechanisms automatically start up daemon processes on the participating workstations in order to communicate data by the standard IP/TCP/UDP protocols. The user's program distributes either remote procedure calls or source code of programs and their corresponding input data files by calling a DSC library function. DSC then automatically finds a suitable workstation and sends the information necessary to execute the given subtask. If source code, which may be written in either ANSI C or Common Lisp, is distributed, this includes compilation on the remote workstation to first make an executable object module. In this mode, a Unix workstation of any architecture type or without prior preparation of problem specific object modules on its file system can be involved. A call to another library function synchronizes the user's program execution by selectively waiting for the completion of a specific or all distributed subtasks. DSC also has an interactive monitor facility that lets a user watch the progress of a distributed computation. We have tested DSC with a primality test for large integers and with a factorization algorithm for polynomials over large finite fields and observed significant speed-ups over executing the best-known methods on a single workstation computation. These experiments have been carried out not only on our local area network but also on off-site workstations at the University of Delaware.
Estimating the effects of parameter variability on learning curve model predictions

Abstract The learning curve concept has proven to be a valuable management tool. However, regardless of which learning curve model is used, uncertainty is inherent in the forecast due to the empirical nature of learning curve theory and complications with establishing model parameters. Such variability is often ignored but can greatly affect the reliability of the model's predictions. Thus, as a means of approximating the effects of such uncertainty on model predictions, this paper proposes an analytical stochastic approach to estimating the precision of learning curve forecasts and provides an illustration of the technique with actual product cost data. The example shows that this analytical stochastic approach can provide accurate cost predictions with reliable prediction interval estimates.
On-Demand Information Delivery: Integration of Patron-Driven Acquisition into a Comprehensive Information Delivery System

ABSTRACT The University of Arizona (UA) Libraries are implementing a comprehensive patron-driven acquisition (PDA) system for English-language books. The goal is to increase discovery options and improve delivery of monographic content for users while increasing cost effectiveness. PDA is one part of a multi-pronged monographic acquisition system that includes patron-driven acquisition for both electronic and print books, as well as a highly selective approval plan that is complemented by librarian selection as needed. Rapid changes in technology, supply-chain management, business models, and scholarly communication provide opportunities to redefine how best to meet the needs of the academic community the UA Libraries serve.
Steady pressure flow relations in compressed arteries: possible origin of Korotkoff sounds.

Anin vivo preparation is described in which the compressed artery under an occlusive blood pressure cuff is shown to possess a dynamic negative-resistance characteristic. In this situation the pressure drop along a segment of artery decreases despite an increase in flow. Such characteristics have been previously observed only inin vitro preparations. Under the appropriate conditions this characteristic permits self-excited and sustained oscillation (relaxations oscillations) of the intraluminal pressure and flow to occur. A plausible model in which the origin of Korotkoff sounds is linked to such self-excited oscillations is described.
CD28, Costimulator or Agonist Receptor?

Changes in the state of a cell as it responds to signals delivered by soluble mediators as well as by engagement of ligands displayed on cell surfaces or on extracellular matrices are the basis of differentiation, development, and the activation of effector functions. The molecular mechanisms by
Differential Conditions for EAD and Triggered Activity in Cardiomyocytes Derived from Transgenic LQT1 and LQT2 Rabbits

Introduction: LQT1 and LQT2 syndromes, the two most common inherited long QT syndromes, are associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to torsade de pointes (TdP). We investigated the role of EADs and triggered activity in the pathogenesis of arrhythmia in myocytes derived from transgenic rabbit models of LQT1 and LQT2.Method: We used classic whole cell patch-clamp techniques to study EAD and triggered activity in single myocytes in Tyrode's solution with 3.6 mM K+. Cardiomyocytes were derived from LQT1, LQT2 and littermate control (LMC) rabbits.Results: Under extracellular K+ concentration of 3.6 mM, EADs were observed in 13 out of 16 LQT2 myocytes, and spontaneous TdP-like membrane potential oscillations with a frequency of ∼2-3 Hz were observed in one myocyte following the appearance of an EAD (see figure). By contrast, no EADs were observed in 11 LQT1 myocytes and 17 LMC myocytes under these conditions. Incubation with 50 nM of isoproterenol (ISO), however, induced EADs in 3 out of 11 LQT1 myocytes but in none of the 17 LMC myocytes. Spontaneous TdP-like membrane potential oscillation with similar frequency was also observed in one LQT1 myocyte with ISO incubation following the appearance of an EAD. The average action potential duration at 90% repolarization was 536.05±32.54 ms (n=17) in LMC cells, 1013.18±98.88 ms (n=11, p<0.05 vs. LMC) in LQT1 cells, and 1292.09 ± 189.52 ms at 34±1°C (n=16, p<0.05 vs. LMC).Conclusion: EADs and triggered activity tend to occur in LQT2 myocytes under basic conditions, while triggered activity in LQT1 myocytes requires sympathetic stimulation. Both LQT1 and LQT2 myocytes demonstrate the potential for continuous membrane oscillation once EADs are induced.
Dreams and Death: An Exploration of the Literature

The literature on dreams and death is reviewed along three lines of interest: dreams as they relate to fear of death, dreams as they relate to bereavement, and dreams as they relate to dying. It is suggested that dreams can broaden our understanding of the human response to death and provide therapeutic tools when that response becomes complicated. Theoretical implications and possible areas of future research are also discussed.
Transfer of children and the importance of grandmothers among the Navajo Indians

This paper explores informal fosterage patterns in 98 cases in the Navajo Tribe. It examines the cultural basis of social support offered by grandmothers in issues of substitute parenting. The majority of children in the sample were given to mother's mother. The precipitating factors in fosterage were: inability of parents to meet the needs of rearing their young, grandmother's needs, or cultural violations. Fosterage is an important mechanism for integration, versatility and resourcefulness for the tribe.
Osmium Carbonyls in Zeolite NaX: Characterization by 129Xe NMR and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopies

Osmium carbonyls synthesized at low loadings in the supercages of zeolite NaX, including mononuclear osmium carbonyls and the following clusters, [HOs 3 (CO) 1 1 ] - , [H 3 Os 4 (CO) 1 2 ] - , and [Os 5 C(CO) 1 4 ] 2 - , were identified by extended X-ray absorption fine structure and infrared spectroscopies. The samples were also characterized by 1 2 9 Xe NMR spectroscopy over the temperature range 100-310 K. The 1 2 9 Xe chemical shifts were greater for samples containing osmium carbonyls than for the bare zeolite over the entire temperature range. At the lowest temperatures, the chemical shifts representing xenon sorbed in the zeolites containing the osmium carbonyl clusters were essentially the same, but at temperatures close to room temperature, the chemical shift increased with decreasing size of the osmium carbonyl. The relatively large chemical shift observed for the smallest osmium carbonyl is consistent with the presence of Xe atoms in the cages with these mononuclear metal complexes, whereas Xe atoms barely fit into the cages with the larger [HOs 3 (CO) 1 1 ] - , [H 3 Os 4 (CO) 1 2 ] - , or [Os 5 C(CO) 1 4 ] 2 - .
Deep-sea current evidence from abyssal sediments☆

Abstract Relatively strong bottom currents in the deep-sea can be inferred from sedimentary structures observed in bottom photographs and cores. The majority of photographs of high and steep topographic prominences, such as seamounts, escarpments and the crests of major ridges, show ripples, scour and rock outcrops. Although photographic current evidence is uncommon in the deeper waters of the ocean basin floor, striking and significant examples do occur. Current scour and ripples are observed beneath the Antarctic bottom current in the western South Atlantic, below the Gulf Stream in the Florida Straits and on the Blake Plateau, beneath the outflowing Mediterranean water west of Gibraltar and beneath the deep currents in the Drake Passage. The three types of deep-sea sands and silts are turbidite, accretionary, and residual. The latter two types are always associated with currents and in some areas turbidites are reworked by bottom currents. Traction velocities necessary for the transport of deep-sea sediment particles probably range from 4–60 cm/sec, velocities similar to those found through dynamic computations of geostrophic currents and observed by recent deep-sea direct current measurements.
Economic losses caused by foodborne parasitic diseases

Fragmentary data indicate that zoonotic parasites cause human illnesses with medical costs and productivity and disability losses totalling billions of dollars annually. Food is an important vehicle for some of these parasitic diseases. The cost to public health is not reflected in the priorities given to these parasitic diseases in either research or public health planning. In this article, Tanya Roberts, Darwin Murrell and Suzanne Marks discuss the cost of toxoplasmosis, taeniasis, cysticercosis, trichinellosis and other foodborne parasitic diseases.
A latent p-value in testing by bootstrap.

The article poses a testing scheme to ensure that a bootstrap replications based positive outcome of hypothesis testing is reliable enough. The proposal identifies a natural hidden p -value in the context.
Ferumoxytol: A new, clinically applicable label for stem-cell tracking in arthritic joints with MRI

Aim: To develop a clinically applicable MRI technique for tracking stem cells in matrix-associated stem-cell implants, using the US FDA-approved iron supplement ferumoxytol. Materials & methods: Ferumoxytol-labeling of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) was optimized in vitro. A total of 11 rats with osteochondral defects of both femurs were implanted with ferumoxytol- or ferumoxides-labeled or unlabeled ADSCs, and underwent MRI up to 4 weeks post matrix-associated stem-cell implant. The signal-to-noise ratio of different matrix-associated stem-cell implant was compared with t-tests and correlated with histopathology. Results: An incubation concentration of 500 µg iron/ml ferumoxytol and 10 µg/ml protamine sulfate led to significant cellular iron uptake, T2 signal effects and unimpaired ADSC viability. In vivo, ferumoxytol- and ferumoxides-labeled ADSCs demonstrated significantly lower signal-to-noise ratio values compared with unlabeled controls (p < 0.01). Histopathology confirmed engraftment of labeled...
Precambrian evolution in a stratified global sea

HARGRAVES1 postulates that continents on Earth emerged from a circumglobal ocean perhaps as recently as 1.0–1.4×109 yr ago. Without arguing the merits of the geological evidence supporting this theory, we suggest that the heuristic value and biological implications of this hypothesis are remarkable.
Fully quantum analysis of radiation detection in an SIS

The authors calculate the current response of a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) to second order in photon operators and shows that, under certain conditions, an ideal SIS junction can be operated as a photon detector. The theory presented is a quantum generalization of the semiclassical diode theory developed by Werthamer (1966) and Tucker (1979). The dependence of the DC tunneling current on the number of photons present on the transmission line is shown. It is found that one electron tunnels for each photon absorbed by the junction. >
Automated feature detection in digital images of skin.

Abstract This paper presents a new approach to the detection of cutaneous features such as pigmented moles, pores and hair in digital images. We show that by considering the digitized image to be a 3-D terrain with brightness being height, common skin features appear as ‘pits’ in the terrain. Pits contain a great deal of information about local features in a form that can be easily extracted and analyzed. Pigmented lesions of clinical interest typically have pit characteristics which can be used to separate them from other features. We show empirically that, by creating a statistical database, on the average over 99% of pits can be classified correctly after only a few training images are established for a subject. When attempting to detect pigmented lesions, mean sensitivity ranges from 78% to 98%, depending on imaging conditions and the classification algorithm used. Using image compression, the speed of this screening technique is shown to be increased by a factor of 4 without loss of sensitivity.
Onion fly oviposition as influenced by soil temperature

A direct causal relationship was demonstrated between soil temperature and insect ovipositional propensity. When ovipositional substrates (soils) at 5, 15, 22, 30, 35, and 40 °C were presented in multiple treatment (‘choice’) tests with air temperature at 15 or 22 °C, onion flies, Delia antiqua (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), laid the most eggs in the 22 °C substrate. Only 50 eggs were laid when air temperature was increased to 30 °C, as compared to 454 and 1128 eggs at 22 and 15 °C, respectively. Thus, an air temperature of 30 °C appears to be near the upper limit of onion fly ovipositional activity. The numbers of flies observed (counts taken every 15 min) on substrates ranging from 15 to 40 °C were not significantly different. Reduced alightment/arrestment does not explain reduced oviposition on the warmer substrates; however, it may partly explain reduced oviposition on 5 °C substrates. The range of substrate temperatures facilitating substantial oviposition was narrower than that eliciting alightment/arrestment on the substrate. The ca. 20 °C ovipositional optimum corresponds well with temperatures favoring egg survival and development. Resume Influence de la temperature du sol sur la ponte de la mouche de l'oignon (Delia antiqua) La temperature du sol est reglee, dans les pondoirs de D. antiqua, par un thermoblock, tandis que toutes les autres variables, associees au succedane d'oignon servant de stimulus de ponte, sont maintenues constantes. Une relation causale entre temperature du sol et activite de ponte est mise en evidence. Quand il y a choix entre des substrats de ponte a 5, 15, 22, 30 et 40 °C, avec une temperature de l'air de 22 °C, les mouches pondent surtout dans le substrat a 22 °C. L'optimum thermique est de 20 °C quand la temperature de l'air est abaissee a 15 °C. La ponte n'est que de 50 œufs quand la temperature de l'air est portee a 30 °C, contre respectivement 454 et 1128 œufs a 22 et 15 °C. Ainsi, une temperature de l'air de 30 °C parait proche de la limite superieure de l'activite de ponte de D. antiqua. Le nombre de mouches observees sur le substrat (toutes les 15 min.) ne varie pas significativement quand la temperature du substrat est entre 15 et 40 °C. La gamme de temperatures provoquant la fixation sur le substrat est plus large que celle des temperatures provoquant une ponte importante. L'optimum de 20 °C correspond bien aux temperatures favorables a la survie et a la croissance de D. antiqua. Ce travail montre l'effet important de facteurs abiotiques sur l'acceptation de la plante-hote.
Hydrogen generation in microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cells using a heat-regenerated salt solution

Hydrogen gas can be electrochemically produced in microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cells (MRECs) using current derived from organic matter and salinity-gradient energy such as river water and seawater solutions. Here, it is shown that ammonium bicarbonate salts, which can be regenerated using low-temperature waste heat, can also produce sufficient voltage for hydrogen gas generation in an MREC. The maximum hydrogen production rate was 1.6 m3 H2/m3·d, with a hydrogen yield of 3.4 mol H2/mol acetate at a salinity ratio of infinite. Energy recovery was 10% based on total energy applied with an energy efficiency of 22% based on the consumed energy in the reactor. The cathode overpotential was dependent on the catholyte (sodium bicarbonate) concentration, but not the salinity ratio, indicating high catholyte conductivity was essential for maximizing hydrogen production rates. The direction of the HC and LC flows (co- or counter-current) did not affect performance in terms of hydrogen gas volume, ...
A reduced-complexity trellis search decoding algorithm for extended class IV partial response systems

Modeling the magnetic recording channel as a class IV partial response system (PR4) combined with maximum likelihood detector has been shown to result in great improvements in linear storage density over the traditional peak detection method. The storage density can be further improved if the channel is modeled as an extended class IV partial response system (EPR4). The authors propose a novel recursive detection scheme for an EPR4 system which is computationally efficient when compared to the Viterbi algorithm, which achieves near-optimum performance but has substantially reduced computational and storage requirements. They present the model used and describe the technique in detail. The decoding algorithm can be applied to digital magnetic recording. It is shown that the performance of the algorithm is very close to Viterbi reception. >