cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The work compatibility improvement framework: Defining and measuring the human‐at‐work system

This article is one in a series of articles demonstrating the foundations of the work compatibility model (WCM) as an engineering approach to improve human performance in organizations. Previous work has concentrated on defining the core elements that constitute the model, moving beyond constructs of work stress and job satisfaction. In this article, the work environment is explained in terms of protective and risk effects that comprise both physical and nonphysical elements (e.g., psychosocial, organizational, cultural, and financial). The authors introduce the first two phases of the work compatibility improvement framework (WCIF) based on the DMAIC (define-measure-analyze-improve-control) cycle, that is, “define” and “measure.” The objective is to identify the elements that constitute the human-at-work system and explain how the work compatibility model characterizes the system to obtain the compatibility indices (i.e., performance measures of the system). A cross-sectional feasibility study was conducted of three small manufacturers, which measured the work environment characteristics and the health status of the respondents. Two measurement methods were proposed to measure the compatibility level: a discrete transformation with one index and a continuous transformation with two indices (yield ratio and efficiency ratio). Demand and energizer levels showed significant differences across work environment domains. The two compatibility indices also show some differences as each method is sensitive to different variance causes. For company A, a descriptive analysis relating the compatibility indices and disorder cases shows that there is an increase in the number of musculoskeletal and stress disorder cases for low-compatibility levels. The trend shown by musculoskeletal disorders and compatibility indices is consistent with the assertion that higher compatibility level will decrease the likelihood of musculoskeletal and stress disorders in the workplace. The WCM is a worthwhile concept that should be further tested to understand the etiologic interaction between work environment characteristics and the health status of the people in the organization. The identification of discrete and continuous performance indices shows that is it feasible to provide measures that comprise multiple elements of the work environment and can be related to health outcomes. In subsequent research, such a relationship will be statistically tested to understand the underlying effects that relate physical and nonphysical factors (analyze), and a systematic tool will be devised to set action plans and improve the current states (improve). A tracking tool would be put in place to ensure that the improvements are sustainable (control). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 17: 163–226, 2007.
Presynaptic bodies of auditory hair cells in Old World monkeys.

Presynaptic bodies of auditory hair cells of Old World monkeys are separately differentiated in inner, as contrasted with outer, hair cells. The pre-synaptic bodies of outer cells are spherical and of variable electron density, and are thus similar to those of the labyrinth of vertebrates from fish to man. The difficulty in finding them, as compared with the relative ease of finding the presynaptic bodies of inner hair cells, suggests either that they are not present in all outer hair cells or that they undergo a regression-reconstitution cycle. The presynaptic bodies of simian inner hair cells are almost always ring-shaped. The few exceptions reinforce the impression of a later evolutionary development of the inner hair cell system. In any event, our findings serve to reemphasize the remarkable differentiation of outer and inner hair cell systems, and to deepen the mystery of their separate roles in audition.
MASS BALANCE OF NEBULIZED DRUG DELIVERY: RESIDUAL DRUG LEVELS AND THE EFFECTS OF AN ALTERNATIVE AIR HUMIDIFICATION METHOD

Original Manuscript Submitted: 10/26/06; Final Draft Received: 4/22/07Pulmonary drug delivery through the use of in-line nebulizers is a widespreadmethod for delivering therapeutics to mechanically ventilated patients. However,previous studies have shown that often less than 30% of salbutamol sulfate, thegeneric therapeutic administered to asthmatics, ever reaches the lungs. The pur-pose of this study was to investigate methods through which nebulized drug de-livery could be improved. The first part of these experiments involved testingthree brands of nebulizers to determine if substantial differences existed betweenmodels. It was found that all three of the nebulizers performed comparably. Inthese nebulizers, most of the drug was recovered in the nebulizer housings, indi-cating that most of the therapeutic never escaped the device. When humidity wasapplied to the driving airflow prior to the air reaching the nebulizer in an effortto reduce evaporation effects, it was found that residual salbutamol sulfate levelsin the nebulizer decreased by nearly half.
Chronic urticaria sera increase basophil CD203c expression

Background Approximately 40% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria have antibodies to the α subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor. CD203c is a basophil activation marker known to be upregulated by cross-linking of the FcɛRIα receptor and may serve as a useful marker to identify these patients. Objective The primary objective was to assess the affect of sera from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria on basophil CD203c expression. Secondary objectives were to correlate CD203c expression with basophil histamine release and size of the autologous serum skin test and to determine whether the mechanism is mediated by an IgG antibody. Methods Sera were obtained from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and positive autologous serum skin test or negative autologous serum skin test and normal controls. Sera were incubated with donor whole blood. Activated basophils from whole blood were identified by flow cytometry on the basis of the presence of CD203c on high-expressing IgE positive cells. Results Incubation of donor basophils with sera from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and positive autologous serum skin test demonstrated significant upregulation of CD203c. IgG depletion of representative sera from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria resulted in significant decrease in CD203c expression on donor basophils. CD203c expression correlated with basophil histamine release and the size of the autologous serum skin test. Conclusion Sera from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and positive autologous serum skin test significantly upregulate basophil CD203c and correlate with basophil histamine release. Clinical implications This article describes an activation marker on basophils whose expression is increased by sera from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Synthesis, Cyclic Voltammetric Studies, and Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of a New DonorAcceptor Molecule: 3,7-[Bis[4-phenyl-2-quinolyl]]-10-methylphenothiazine

We report here the synthesis of a novel compound that contains two electron-accepting phenylquinoline groups covalently attached to the 3,7-positions of a light-emitting electron donor, 10-methylphenothiazine. The optimized geometry as determined from semiempirical MNDO calculations shows that the phenylquinoline moieties are twisted ∼77.5° from the phenothiazine central ring. As a result, no molecular orbital overlap between these two groups exists, inhibiting any delocalization of the charge upon electrochemical oxidation or reduction. Comparison between cyclic voltammograms obtained of this compound as well as of the individual compounds, 10-methylphenothiazine and 2-phenylquinonine, did indeed show no change in the electrochemical behavior of these two groups upon the covalent attachment, confirming the results obtained from the semiempirical calculations. A shift to lower energy wavelengths of phenothiazine was observed upon the addition of the electron-deficient phenylquinoline moieties. Overall, th...
A voice over the smoke for academic freedom.

I cannot understand why the proponents of the University of California (UC) ban on funding from tobacco companies (“UC balks at campus-wide ban on tobacco money for research, “D. Grimm, News of the Week, 26 Jan., p. [447][1]) constantly mischaracterize tobacco company-funded research as a “
In Defense of the Body: The Effect of Mortality Salience on Female Body Objectification:

Previous research has illustrated the negative psychological consequences of female body objectification. The present study explores how female body objectification may serve as a defense against unconscious existential fears. Drawing from terror management theory, an experiment was designed to test the potential functionality of female body objectification. Men and women were primed to think about either their own mortality or an aversive control topic, and levels of body objectification were then assessed for both self- and other (women)-objectification. Findings supported the hypothesis that priming mortality would increase both self- and other-objectification among women, and self-objectification among those who derive self-esteem from their body. Implications for this research are discussed.
A new boronic acid fluorescent reporter that changes emission intensities at three wavelengths upon sugar binding

The boronic acid moiety is a very useful functional group for the preparation of sugar sensors. Along this line, water-soluble boronic acids that change fluorescent properties upon sugar binding are especially useful as reporter units in fluorescent sensors for carbohydrates. Herein, we report the discovery of a new water-soluble boronic acid (1, dibenzofuran-4-boronic acid) that exhibits unique fluorescence changes at three wavelengths upon binding with sugars under near physiological conditions.
Nitric oxide release mediates vasodilator responses to endomorphin 1 but not nociceptin/OFQ in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat

We have recently shown that endomorphin 1, an endogenous ligand for the mu-opioid receptor, and nociceptin (Orphanin FQ; OFQ), an endogenous ligand for the ORL1 receptor, have substantial vasodilator activity in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat. In the present study, the role of nitric oxide, vasodilator prostaglandins, and the opening of K+ ATP channels in mediating vasodilator responses to endomorphin 1, PL017, and DAMGO was investigated in the regional vascular bed in the rat. Under constant-flow conditions, injections of the mu-selective agonists endomorphin 1, PL017 ([N-MePhe3,D-Pro4]-morphiceptin), and DAMGO, and the ORL1 receptor agonist nociceptin/ OFQ produced dose-dependent decreases in hindquarters perfusion pressure. Vasodilator responses to endomorphin 1, PL017, and DAMGO, and the endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine and adrenomedullin were attenuated by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (50 mg/kg IV) at a time when vasodilator responses to nociceptin/OFQ were not altered. Vasodilator responses to isoproterenol and prostaglandin E1, agents known to increase cAMP levels, and the nitric oxide donor DEA/NO were not altered by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Responses to endomorphin 1, PL017, DAMGO, and nociceptin/OFQ were not altered by sodium meclofenamate at a time when vasodilator responses to arachidonic acid were reduced significantly or after administration of U-37883A at a time when vasodilator responses to levcromakalim were reduced significantly. The results of these studies indicate that responses to endomorphin 1, PL017, and DAMGO are mediated in large part by the release of nitric oxide, while responses to nociceptin/OFQ are mediated by an L-NAME-insensitive mechanism. Moreover, these results demonstrate that responses to these peptides are not mediated by the release of vasodilator prostaglandins or the opening of K+ATP channels the hindquarters vascular bed.
The assembly of ribosomes in HeLa cells.

The assembly of proteins and RNA into a mature ribosome has been studied in the HeLa cell by examining the appearance of labeled ribosomal proteins on mature ribosomes after a pulse of radioactive amino acids followed by a chase with cold amino acids. The ribosomal proteins continue to appear as part of cytoplasmic ribosomes for a period of two hours after they have been synthesized. This is largely due to the existence of balanced pools of all the ribosomal proteins. In an attempt to study the assembly process of the 50 s ribosome in greater detail, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was carried out to fractionate the proteins. The observation of others that the ribosome is made up of a number of proteins was confirmed and extended by showing that the ratio of two amino acids is different in various bands present after electrophoresis. Furthermore, these ribosomal proteins can be divided into three classes, distinguishable by the characteristics of their attachment to the ribosomal RNA. I have been able to conclude tentatively that the assembly process of the 50 s ribosome is a sequential one; i.e. the various proteins are added to the RNA in a prescribed sequence. The process requires 15 to 30 minutes. Since the maturation of 45 to 28 s RNA requires nearly an hour, the RNA molecule must be naked with respect to ribosomal proteins for some of that time.
Trypanocidal drugs and the role of kidney forms ofTrypanosoma (Herpetosoma) musculi in immunity of mice against reinfection

Adrenals, hearts, kidneys, livers, lungs, and spleens were removed from C3H/Anf mice which had been inoculated withTrypanosoma (Herpetosoma) musculi and no longer exhibited parasitemias. Imprints of each organ were examined microscopically, and each was homogenized and injected into recipient mice. It was confirmed that trypanosomes could be detected only in the donor kidneys. Lampit or Ethidium treatment eliminated bloodstream and kidney forms when administration was initiated after the development of patent parasitemias. However, mice treated with Lampit on the same day they were inoculated withT. musculi developed parasitemias later than animals injected with drug after parasites had appeared in their blood. Both Lampit and Ethidium depressed antibody production as detected in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of antisera from animals having parasitemias at the time of treatment. The elimination of kidney forms by Lampit or Ethidium treatment did not reduce the resistance of mice to reinfection byT. musculi 12 weeks or 15 and 25 weeks, respectively, after the initial inoculation of these animals with the parasites. Kidney forms were not required for the sustained protective immunity of the mice against reinfection during the intervals of these experiments.
29Si and 13C NMR Studies of organofunctional di- and trisilanes

Abstract A series of di- and trisilanes of general structure Ph3SiSiMe2R and (Ph3Si)2SiR′R″ were synthesized, and the 29Si and 13C chemical shifts and one-bond siliconsilicon coupling constants (1JSiSi) were measured. The coupling constants of the disilanes were found to be primarily dependent upon the inductive effect of the alkyl group, R, as measured by the Taft o★ constant. In both series of compounds, increasing alkyl substitution at silicon led to a decrease in 1JSiSi.
Cytology of human ovarian surface epithelial brushings

BACKGROUND The human ovarian surface epithelium (HOSE) is the putative source of ovarian epithelial cancer, the most lethal gynecologic malignancy that affects women in the United States. The current study was designed to provide a database of normal HOSE cell features for diagnostic and research applications. METHODS HOSE was harvested from 42 women undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy for benign gynecologic disorders, infertility problems, or pregnancy. Of the 42 women, 12 were postovulatory and 20 were receiving hormonal regimens. Cells were harvested with a sterile brush inserted through a laparoscopic port or with a sterile cell scraper at laparotomy. RESULTS Two HOSE populations were identified, ranging in size from 8 to 10 μm and from 15 to 20 μm, respectively. The cells measuring 15–20 μm exhibited slight anisonucleosis, more prominent nucleoli, fine cytoplasmic metachromasia, and an overall reparative or squamoid morphology. Cells were single or arranged in small clusters, sheets, or papillae. They coexpressed cytokeratin and vimentin but did not overexpress p53. Cellularity and proliferation (up to 3.2% ± 0.8) were higher and papillae more frequent in postovulatory and cyst-bearing ovaries, including polycystic ovaries, suggesting underlying ovarian or hormonal influences. Representative HOSE brushings yielded a mean of 23,133 cells per patient (range, 4250–64,500 cells), equivalent to an estimated 0.58, 0.46, and 0.14 μg of nuclear protein, cell RNA, and nuclear DNA, respectively. Within 7–10 days of explantation, HOSE cells formed confluent monolayers with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural epithelial features. CONCLUSIONS The current study defined baseline features of HOSE cells important to pathologists and clinicians evaluating women at risk for ovarian epithelial cancer and to researchers investigating the pathobiology of this aggressive gynecologic malignancy. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2004;102:1–10. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Memory for Intratrial Events in Concept Formation

The major purpose of the present experiment was to examine expectations of hypothesis-testing theory, regarding memory for intratrial events, on a concept-identification task. The individual events under investigation were feedback, responses, hypotheses, and stimuli. According to hypothesis-testing theory, subjects should retain information regarding a winning hypothesis from one trial to the next. From introductory psychology 75 subjects participated in the experiment in which they were administered concept-formation problems. All variables were manipulated in a 4 × 4 × 3 within-subject design. Question type, number of intratrial events recalled, and percentage of trials with memory probe were the three factors. One major finding was the number of recall failures for the hypothesis stated on the previous trials. These errors occurred on problems with negative response trials, not with incorrect feedback, which contradicts predictions based on hypothesis-testing models. Over-all, the results support freq...
Fluorometric enzymatic determination of serum creatinine on the surface of silicone-rubber pads.

Abstract An enzymatic semi-solid surface fluorometric method is described for the determination of serum creatinine on silicone-rubber pads. In this method, the glutamate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate, ADP and NADH are mixed, then 30 μl of diluted serum is added. After the free ammonium ion in serum is consumed, creatininase is added to initiate the assay. The rate of disappearance of NADH fluorescence at 460 nm (excitation wavelength 340 nm) is monitored and is proportional to the serum creatinine concentration. The whole assay uses only 0.41 I.U. creatininase, and takes less than 5 min. The calibration curve is linear up to 82 mg creatinine per liter. The proposed method offers a rapid, simple and inexpensive means for creatinine assay. The results obtained correlate well with the modified Jaffe method applied on Technicon SMA 12/60, with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The recovery averages 99.3%.
Diversity of current-direction and load-distribution on stream-bends

The behavior of currents at stream-bends has persistently refused to retire from the field of philosophic study and speculation in the 56 years since the concept of “helical flow” was introduced independently by James Thompson in England and by M. P. DuBoys in France. Thompson's approach to the problem was a classic forerunner of modern hydraulic-laboratory practice. He not only developed a rational theory of “helical flow” but also constructed a small-scale model of a river-bend in which the phenomenon was shown by use of seeds serving as detritus, small objects floating on the surface and small specks of anilin dye placed at selected points on the channel-bottom and sides. This model, in action, was exhibited at his original presentation of the theory before the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in Glasgow in 1879.
Nucleoplasty for disc protrusion: A novel percutaneous decompression technique

Nucleoplasty is an FDA-approved minimally invasive technique for percutaneous decompression of intervertebral disc protrusion. It is indicated for radicular pain, but there are emerging data related to management of discogenic pain. The evolution of minimally invasive spine techniques provides an impetus for pain specialists to ensure the safest and most effective use of these technologies. Due to its relatively recent release, pain management specialists are still exploring its best possible use. In this article, research regarding this technique is summarized and the technique is described. Recent research has been positive in carefully selected populations, and a current, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial should soon clarify its role in treatment of chronic low back pain from the degenerative disc.
On rectifying the comparative anatomy of perceived control: Comments on “Cognates of personal control”

The recent years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in the nature, origins, and functions of human agency. Among the mechanisms of personal agency, none is more central or pervasive than people's beliefs in their capability to regulate their own functioning and to manage events that affect their lives. Such self-beliefs affect how people think, feel, strive, and behave, Peterson and Stunkard (1992) have taken on the unenviable task of characterizing and contrasting alternative theories of perceived control, with only a few pages devoted to each theory. It is difficult to do justice to important conceptual differences, complexities of processes, and bodies of evidence regarding comparative predictive power in a cursory review. This invited commentary addresses a number of misinterpretations of self-efficacy theory and research.
Phase separation in binary mixtures containing polymers: A quantitative comparison of single‐chain‐in‐mean‐field simulations and computer simulations of the corresponding multichain systems

We discuss a phenomenological, coarse-grained simulation scheme, single-chain-in-mean-field (SCMF) simulation, for investigating the kinetics of phase separation in dense polymer blends and mixtures of polymers and solvents. In the spirit of self-consistent-field calculations, we approximate the interacting multichain problem by that of a single chain in an external field, which, in turn, depends on the local densities of the components. To study the time evolution of the mixture, we perform an explicit Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of an ensemble of independent chains in the external field and periodically calculate the average densities and update the external field. Unlike dynamic self-consistent-field theory, these SCMF simulations do not assume that the chain conformations relax much more quickly than the density and incorporate the single-chain dynamics explicitly rather than via an Onsager coefficient. This allows us to study systems with large spatial inhomogeneities and dynamic asymmetries. To assess the accuracy and limitations of the simulation scheme, we compare the results of SCMF simulations using a discretized Edwards Hamiltonian with computer simulations of the corresponding multichain system for (1) the early stages of spinodal decomposition of a symmetric binary polymer blend in response to a quench from XN = 0.314 to xN = 5 (where X is the Flory-Huggins parameter and N is the number of segments), for which the growth rate of composition fluctuations is compared with MC simulations of the bond fluctuation model and alternative dynamic self-consistent-field calculations, and (2) the evaporation of a solvent from a low-molecular-weight thin polymer film, for which a comparison is made with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a bead-necklace model with a monomeric solvent. In the latter case, the polymer conformations are extracted from MD simulations and modeled in the SCMF simulations by a discretized Edwards Hamiltonian augmented by a chain-bending potential. From the MD simulations of thin polymer films in equilibrium with its vapor, phase coexistence has been determined, and the second- and third-order virial coefficients in the SCMF simulations have been adjusted accordingly. Finally, MD simulations of bulk solutions of a polymer and a solvent over a range of compositions, as well as the pure solvent at various densities, have been performed to determine self-diffusion coefficients that enter the SCMF simulations in the form of density-dependent segmental mobilities. A comparison of the polymer and solvent profiles in a thin film as a function of time and the fraction of the solvent evaporating from a solvent-swollen film, as obtained from MD simulations and parameterized SCMF simulations, shows satisfactory agreement for this simple mapping procedure.
An Informative Interpretation of Decision Theory: Scalar Performance Measures for Binary Decisions

A previous formulation for the application of information accounting to binary decision theory is extended to permit the quality of the decision to be quantitatively measured by evaluation of the underlying informational support. Both a single exemplar measure of information, separability, and its ensemble average equivalent, separation, are shown to measure the information support for decision quality (i.e., how well-informed is the decision), rather than the information support for decision adjudication (i.e., which hypothesis is the better choice) provided by predecision information measures. When compared to the traditional receiver operating characteristic, these measures present several functional advantages. They are scalar in nature, and may be directly optimized over secondary parameters, as well as being rigorously well posed and universally comparable. They incorporate the effects of all relevant decision components (prior information, observational information, and decision rule) in a unified manner while still being easily related to the predecision information measures of log likelihood ratio and generalized signal-to-noise ratio. They can be applied equally well to individual trials or composite averages, and evaluation does not require knowledge of the underlying truth. Compared to false alarm-oriented methods for assessing decision performance, their construction reduces sensitivity to tail effects in the underlying distributions.
Familial ovarian carcinoma: clinical nuances

Familial ovarian carcinoma has been recognized with increased frequency during the past decade commensurate with physician attention to family history. Putative autosomal dominant inheritance of this heterogeneous problem mandates attention to both paternal and maternal lineages. A family with probable paternal transmission of breast/ovarian carcinoma is presented. One family member had findings consonant with papillary serous adenocarcinoma of ovarian origin, which may have arisen directly from extra-ovarian pelvic mesothelium. These and other clinical nuances of familial ovarian carcinoma are discussed in order to aid physicians in understanding the natural history, surveillance, and management of familial ovarian carcinoma.
Understanding indentation-induced two-way shape memory effect

Spherical indents in NiTi shape memory alloys can have reversible depth change: deeper depth in the martensitic phase at low temperature and shallower depth in the austenitic phase at high temperature. This is the indentation-induced two-way shape memory effect. After polishing the indents, two-way reversible surface protrusions can occur on the shape memory alloy surfaces upon heating and cooling. The height of the surface protrusion is about the same as the depth of the reversible indent. Further polishing reduces the height of the surface protrusion, which disappears completely when the polished depth is about the length of the contact radius. By comparing finite element analysis and experimental data, we show that the depth at which a protrusion disappears is close to the 10% strain boundary. This suggests that slip-plasticity is responsible for the observed indentation-induced two-way shape memory effect.
Analysis of the 3D spatial organization of cells and subcellular structures in tissue

Advancements in image analysis shave recently made it possible to segment the cells and nuclei, of a wide variety of tissues, from 3D images collected using fluorescence confocal microscopy. This has made it possible to analyze the spatial organization of individual cells and nuclei within the natural tissue context. We present here a spatial statistical method which examines an arbitrary 3D distribution of cells of two different types and determines the probability that the cells are randomly mixed, cells of one type are clustered, or cells of different types are preferentially associated. Beginning with a segmented 3D image of cells, the Voronoi diagram is calculated to indicate the nearest neighbor relationships of the cells. Then, in a test image of the same topology, cells are randomly assigned a type in the same proportions as in the actual specimen and the ratio of cells with nearest neighbors of the same type versus the other types is calculated. Repetition of this random assignment is used to generate a distribution function which is specific for the tissue image. Comparison of the ratios for the actual sample to this distribution assigns probabilities for the conditions defined above. The technique is being used to analyze the organization of genetically normal versus abnormal cells in cancer tissue.
Homogeneous weights and exponential sums

In this paper, we give a formula as an exponential sum for a homogeneous weight defined by Constantinescu and Heise (Problems Inform. Transmission 33 (1998) 208) in the case of Galois rings (or equivalently, rings of Witt vectors) and use this formula to estimate the weight of codes obtained from algebraic geometric codes over rings.
Household hints for embedded systems designers

I spend a lot of time working on tools for embedded system design-hardware-software codesign, system scheduling, software optimization. I've worked on them because I think that good tools are important. They help make design tasks possible that would otherwise be impossible; they also help provide the discipline that produces working systems and minimizes working nights. But tools don't necessarily have to be complex or specially designed for embedded systems. just as you can use a screwdriver to open a can, you can adapt existing, everyday programs to new uses for embedded computing.
Heat generation patterns and temperature profiles in electroslag welding

A formulation is presented to calculate, in three dimensions, the important process parameters such as the voltage profiles, heat generation patterns and temperature profiles in the slag and metal phases for an electroslag welding system. It is shown that the current is significantly larger for the electroslag welding process than that of the electroslag refining process operating with equivalent slag, electrode and other geometrical variables. Calculations show that the heat generation patterns are highly sensitive to the geometrical location of the electrode in the slag and that a relatively minor error in the alignment of the electrode can cause a major asymmetry in the heat generation pattern. The temperature fields in the slag and the metal phases are calculated in three dimensions and the roles played by various factors on the heat balance are assessed. The computation accounts for the transport of heat from the slag to the metal phase by the liquid metal drops, the energy loss due to electrolysis and the energy required for the heating of the cold slag charge. Using the computed values of the weld rate the possible decrease in the heat input due to a) the decrease of the plate gap and b) the use of multiple electrodes is calculated. The values of heat input obtained from independent experiments are compared with model predictions. Possible effects of imposing an external magnetic field during the welding are examined.
Clinical applications of echocardiography.

Abstract Diagnostic ultrasound has been used extensively for almost 20 yr, and as best as can be determined from all of available information, is perfectly harmless to the patient. 8,9,69 No untoward reaction has been reported, and its safety is such that physicians are substituting ultrasound for Xray to avoid radiation hazards, especially in obstetrics. Because of the safety and convenience to the patient, the potential usefulness of this type of examination is great. The information obtained with echocardiography is similar in many respects to the information obtained with angiocardiography. Echocardiography still has many deficiencies, but the advantages of being able to obtain examinations at will, even continuously if necessary; of eliminating any hazard to the patient; and of markedly reducing expense make echocardiography most attractive. The information obtained with echocardiography may be more physiologic than that obtained with angiography because no foreign substance is introduced and the patient is not sedated nor in an excitable state due to the psychic trauma of cardiac catheterization. This review is a description of the current state of the art. Dramatic technical changes are occurring, and there are many engineering changes that will undoubtedly be made. One has the entire field of Doppler ultrasound which is totally different and acts on a different principle. This versatile use of ultrasound could be married to pulsed, reflected ultrasound and add another dimension to the overall clinical usefulness of echocardiography. This technique, known as pulsed Doppler, is already being investigated. All indications are that the use of ultrasound to examine the cardiovascular system, and especially the heart, should expand markedly in the near future and play an increasingly valuable role in clinical cardiology.
Testing Survey Questions: New Directions in Cognitive Interviewing:

Tester les questions d'enquete - Nouvelles perspectives dans l'entretient cognitif. Les quatres articles suivants de ce numero ont ete presentes en premier lieu comme contribution invitees a une session sur les methodes congnitives dans la construction de questionnaires que l'auteur a organise lors du Quatrieme Conference Internationale sur la Methodologie en Sciences Sociales, les 1-5 juillet 1996. a l'Universite d'Essex en Angleterre. Cet article fournit une introduction au sujet et un cadre d'interpretation pour les articles qui suivent.
Design considerations for a hybrid amorphous silicon/photoelectrochemical multijunction cell for hydrogen production

Abstract Triple-junction amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells demonstrating photovoltaic (PV) efficiencies up to 12.7% and open-circuit voltages up to 2.3 V have recently been deposited onto stainless-steel foil substrates by the University of Toledo for photoelectrochemical (PEC) tests conducted by the University of Hawaii. The fundamental design strategy for producing such high efficiency in multijunction amorphous silicon devices involves careful current matching in each of the junctions by adjustment of the absorption spectra through bandgap tailoring. Integrated electrical/optical models are frequently used to aid in the optimization procedure, as well documented in the PV literature. Typically, the top nip junction in an a-Si triple-junction cell is designed to absorb most strongly in the 350– 500 nm range. In principle, this top cell could be replaced by a PEC junction with strong absorption in a similar range to form a water-splitting photoelectrode for hydrogen production. This photoelectrode could be fabricated on SS with the back surface catalyzed for the hydrogen evolution reaction, and the front surface deposited with an a-Si:nipnip/ITO/SC structure. The top layer semiconductor (SC), which forms the PEC junction with an electrolyte, must have appropriate conduction band alignment for the oxygen evolution reaction, and the junction must be strongly absorbing in the 350– 500 nm region for current matching. Possible candidate SC materials include dye-sensitized titanium dioxide (TiO2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), and iron oxide (Fe2O3). This paper discusses the specific design considerations for high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency in a hybrid solid-state/PEC photoelectrode, and describes the use of integrated electrical/electrochemical/optical models developed at the University of Hawaii for the analysis of such hybrid structures. Important issues include the bias-voltage and current-matching requirements in the solid-state and electrochemical junctions, as well as fundamental quantum efficiency considerations.
Intranasal corticosteroids for allergic rhinitis: How do different agents compare? ☆ ☆☆ ★

Intranasal steroids have proved to be an effective and safe form of therapy for allergic rhinitis. However, as the number of new glucocorticoid compounds has increased over the past decade, it has become important to consider whether significant differences exist between these agents. Pharmacologically, newer drugs such as mometasone furoate and fluticasone propionate appear to have substantially higher topical potencies and lipid solubilities and lower systemic bioavailabilities than do older compounds. In clinical use, however, all the available drugs appear to be equally effective in controlling symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. With respect to adverse effects, emerging data suggest that mometasone furoate and fluticasone propionate may have less potential for systemic effects during prolonged use, particularly in children. Newer intranasal steroids appear to have practical advantages over older agents that may favor their use in some groups of patients with allergic rhinitis. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;104:S144-9.)
A low-cost COTS UWB transceiver for biological applications achieves 50 Mb/s with &#60; 10 −6 Raw BER

This paper describes a low cost approach to designing an impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR-UWB) transceiver for biological applications. It operates in a 3–4 GHz sub-band of the overall 3.1–10.6 GHz UWB frequency band using commercial-of-the-shelf components (COTS) along with custom designed UWB pulse generator, analog filters and matched patch antennas. We demonstrate how COTs components can be used in conjunction with active/passive RF circuits to design a functional UWB system for short range (1 m) and medium data rate applications (25 – 50 Mb/s). A Xilinx Spartan 3E FPGA development board is used to generate a pseudorandom bit sequence that is wirelessly transmitted/received and analyzed for Bit Error Rate (BER &#60; 10−6). BER is achieved for Tx-Rx distances from 0.3m to 1m through air and pork tissue.
The organization of escape behaviour in the crayfish.

1. Examination of escape behaviour in freely moving animals with chronically implanted nerve cord electrodes has clarified the normal function of the giant fibres and the general organization of escape behaviour in the crayfish. 2. The giant fibres react almost exclusively to sudden stimuli; they do so at very short latency; and they produce rather stereotyped actions. Certain visual stimuli such as very rapidly approaching objects and rostral tactile stimuli such as taps to the anterior carapace or antennae fire the medial giants; caudal stimuli such as taps to the abdomen fire the lateral giants. In free animals even very weak stimuli often excite the giants. 3. Spontaneous tail flips and responses to more gradual stimuli are mediated by non-giant systems. When latencies can be meaningfully measured, they are at least an order of magnitude greater than those of giant-fibre reactions. Visual stimuli such as reaching for an animal or walking past its aquarium and somatic stimuli such as pinching or even cutting typically excite these systems. 4. Animals commonly escape with a sequence of tail flips (swimming). When they do this, the first flip of the sequence is determined as above, but subsequent flips are almost always mediated by non-giant systems. Both swimming and delayed (i.e. non-giant) escape involve a variety of phasic abdominal movements. 5. Experiments with animals whose nerve cords were cut at various levels indicate that non-giant escape either originates in or is strongly facilitated by the suboesophageal ganglion complex.
The Use of an Extended Spiral Bladder Flap for Treatment of Upper Ureteral Loss

AbstractPurpose: We demonstrated the effectiveness of an extended spiral bladder flap procedure for repair of upper ureteral injuries.Materials and Methods: Two patients with extensive ureteral loss underwent repair with a modified bladder flap based posterolaterally on the affected side, spiraled anteriorly and inferolaterally toward the contralateral bladder base, and then anastomosed directly to the renal pelvis.Results: With this technique renal function was preserved in both patients without obstruction on followup radiographs.Conclusions: Using this extended bladder flap technique a well vascularized urothelial repair can be achieved for upper ureteral injury in select patients.
Assessing School-Level RTI Implementation for Reading Development and Piloting of the RTIS-R

Few studies have examined Response to Intervention (RTI) implementation adherence at the school level. Although tools designed to assess the implementation of RTI exist, the technical properties have not been rigorously documented, and psychometric techniques now being used to develop instrumentation appear not to have been used. The purpose of this preliminary study was to address this gap by developing the RTI Implementation Scale for Reading (RTIS-R). The instrument was developed based on theory, and items were refined based on data from expert reviews and cognitive interviews. Data were collected from 53 principals and school psychologists implementing RTI in 33 schools in a Midwestern state. Rasch analysis was used to examine and refine the instrument; it also facilitated the computation of equal interval item measures and person measures. Results suggest that the instrument is rigorous and has strong reliability. Interesting trends in responses emerged, which reveal an ordering of item difficulty th...
Tuning protein autoinhibition by domain destabilization

Activation of many multidomain signaling proteins requires rearrangement of autoinhibitory interdomain interactions that occlude activator binding sites. In one model for activation, the major inactive conformation exists in equilibrium with activated-like conformations that can be stabilized by ligand binding or post-translational modifications. We established the molecular basis for this model for the archetypal signaling adaptor protein Crk-II by measuring the thermodynamics and kinetics of the equilibrium between autoinhibited and activated-like states. We used fluorescence and NMR spectroscopies together with segmental isotopic labeling by means of expressed protein ligation. The results demonstrate that intramolecular domain-domain interactions both stabilize the autoinhibited state and induce the activated-like conformation. A combination of favorable interdomain interactions and unfavorable intradomain structural changes fine-tunes the population of the activated-like conformation and allows facile response to activators. This mechanism suggests a general strategy for optimization of autoinhibitory interactions of multidomain proteins.
Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a comparative effectiveness review.

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of health care–associated infections. Although the evidence in support of MRSA screening has been promising, a number of questions remain about the effectiveness of active surveillance. Methods We searched the literature for studies that examined MRSA acquisition, MRSA infection, morbidity, mortality, harms of screening, and resource utilization when screening for MRSA carriage was compared with no screening or with targeted screening. Because of heterogeneity of the data and weaknesses in study design, meta-analysis was not performed. Strength of evidence (SOE) was determined using the system developed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group. Results One randomized controlled trial and 47 quasi-experimental studies met our inclusion criteria. We focused on the 14 studies that addressed health care–associated outcomes and that attempted to control for confounding and/or secular trends, because those studies had the potential to support causal inferences. With universal screening for MRSA carriage compared with no screening, 2 large quasi-experimental studies found reductions in health care–associated MRSA infection. The SOE for this finding is low. For each of the other screening strategies evaluated, this review found insufficient evidence to determine the comparative effectiveness of screening. Conclusions Although there is low SOE that universal screening of hospital patients decreases MRSA infection, there is insufficient evidence to determine the consequences of universal screening or the effectiveness of other screening strategies.
A methodology for multiobjective adaptive interactive design synthesis

A methodology to support design synthesis is described which features intelligent search and generation of alternatives. The search is directed by degree of closeness of multiple responses to their known ideal and imprecise designer preferences. A key objective of the methodology is to minimize the number of probes of the design model which is assumed to be in the form of a simulation program. A multiprocessor system design problem with features representing typical design synthesis problems is presented to demonstrate application. >
Wavelet synopsis for data streams: minimizing non-euclidean error

We consider the wavelet synopsis construction problem for data streams where given n numbers we wish to estimate the data by constructing a synopsis, whose size, say B is much smaller than n. The B numbers are chosen to minimize a suitable error between the original data and the estimate derived from the synopsis.Several good one-pass wavelet construction streaming algorithms minimizing the l2 error exist. For other error measures, the problem is less understood. We provide the first one-pass small space streaming algorithms with provable error guarantees (additive approximation) for minimizing a variety of non-Euclidean error measures including all weighted lp (including l∞) and relative error lp metrics.In several previous works solutions (for weighted l2, l∞ and maximum relative error) where the B synopsis coefficients are restricted to be wavelet coefficients of the data were proposed. This restriction yields suboptimal solutions on even fairly simple examples. Other lines of research, such as probabilistic synopsis, imposed restrictions on how the synopsis was arrived at. To the best of our knowledge this paper is the first paper to address the general problem, without any restriction on how the synopsis is arrived at, as well as provide the first streaming algorithms with guaranteed performance for these classes of error measures.
WAVE STRUCTURE INTERACTION: ROLE OF ENTRAPPED AIR ON WAVE IMPACT AND UPLIFT FORCES

In present paper, a numerical wave load model based on compressible two-phase Navier Stokes type equations is used to evaluate hydrodynamic forces exerted on I-10 bridge across Mobil Bay which was extensively damaged during Hurricane Katrina. The volume of fluid method (VOF) is used in the model to describe dynamic free surface which is capable of simulating complex discontinuous free surface associated with wave-deck interactions. Special emphasis was put on investigating the role of entrapped air on hydrodynamic forces exerted on bridge superstructure. Numerical simulation results indicate that air entrapment can significantly amplify uplift forces applied to the bridge superstructure. To mitigate hydrodynamic forces, effectiveness of airvents is investigated. It has been shown that airvents can significantly damp out wave energy and can effectively reduce uplift forces.