cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finding architectural flaws using constraints

During Architectural Risk Analysis (ARA), security architects use a runtime architecture to look for security vulnerabilities that are architectural flaws rather than coding defects. The current ARA process, however, is mostly informal and manual. In this paper, we propose Scoria, a semi-automated approach for finding architectural flaws. Scoria uses a sound, hierarchical object graph with abstract objects and dataflow edges, where edges can refer to nodes in the graph. The architects can augment the object graph with security properties, which can express security information unavailable in code. Scoria allows architects to write queries on the graph in terms of the hierarchy, reachability, and provenance of a dataflow object. Based on the query results, the architects enhance their knowledge of the system security and write expressive constraints. The expressiveness is richer than previous approaches that check only for the presence or absence of communication or do not track a dataflow as an object. To evaluate Scoria, we apply these constraints to several extended examples adapted from the CERT standard for Java to confirm that Scoria can detect injected architectural flaws. Next, we write constraints to enforce an Android security policy and find one architectural flaw in one Android application.
In Search of a Suitable Control Policy for Intelligent Vehicle Suspensions

Many control policies, such as skyhook and groundhook control, are now being considered for intelligent vehicle suspensions. Past studies have shown the performance limitations of these policies, as well as others that have been considered for vehicle applications. The performance of three semi-active control policies were studied experimentally under steady-state and transient inputs. Experimental results were obtained using a quarter-car rig and a magneto-rheological damper. The commonly considered skyhook and groundhook control policies were employed and evaluated under a steady-state, or pure tone, input and a transient, or step input. An alternative control technique called “hybrid control,” which attempts to merge the performance benefits of skyhook and groundhook control was also considered. Peak-to-peak displacement and peak-to-peak acceleration were used to evaluate performance. The results indicate that while skyhook and groundhook can offer benefits to either the sprung or unsprung masses, hybrid control can offer benefits to both masses. The compromise inherent in both skyhook and groundhook is eliminated with the use of hybrid control. Both the steady-state and transient dynamics of the sprung and unsprung masses can be reduced below those of passive using hybrid control with an α of 0.5. This corresponds to equal contributions from skyhook control and groundhook control.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Sample size and statistical power assessing the effect of interventions in the context of mixture distributions with detection limits.

Often in randomized clinical trials and observational cohort studies, a non-negative continuously distributed response variable is measured in treatment and control groups. In the presence of true zeros for the response variable, a two-part zero-inflated log-normal model (which assumes that the data has a probability mass at zero and a continuous response for values greater than zero) is usually recommended. However, in some environmental health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) studies, quantitative assays for metabolites of toxicants, or quantitative HIV RNA measurements are subject to left-censoring due to values falling below the limit of detection (LD). Here, a zero-inflated log-normal mixture model is often suggested since true zeros are indistinguishable from left-censored values due to the LD. When the probabilities of true zeros in the two groups are not restricted to be equal, the information contributed by values falling below LD is used only to estimate the probability of true zeros in the context of mixture distributions. We derived the required sample size to assess the effect of a treatment in the context of mixture models with equal and unequal variances based on the left-truncated log-normal distribution. Methods for calculation of statistical power are also presented. We calculate the required sample size and power for a recent study estimating the effect of oltipraz on reducing urinary levels of the hydroxylated metabolite aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase IIa chemoprevention trial in Qidong, China. A Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE KIDNEY IN BLOOD PRESSURE REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERTENSION

Systemic arterial pressure is a dynamic and responsive physiologic parameter that can be influenced by many different factors. In particular, short-term changes in arterial pressure are caused by a myriad of mechanisms that affect cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and cardiovascular capacitance. In the long run, however, most of these actions can be buffered or compensated by appropriate renal adjustments of sodium balance, ECFV, and blood volume. As long as the mechanisms regulating sodium excretion can maintain sodium balance by appropriately modulating the sensitivity of the pressure-natriuresis relationship, normal arterial pressure can be sustained. Derangements that compromise the ability of the kidneys to maintain sodium balance, however, can result in the kidney's need for an elevated arterial pressure to reestablish net salt and water balance.
Human breast carcinoma cells synthesize a protein immunorelated to platelet glycoprotein-lbα with different functional properties☆

Although tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation is thought to mediate an early step in the metastatic process, little is known about tumor adhesive receptors responsible for the initial platelet-tumor attachments. Because our preliminary work demonstrated that a platelet-immunorelated glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) receptor expressed by the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 participates in tumorinduced platelet aggregation, we examined the synthesis and functional characteristics of this MCF-7-immunorelated GPlbα. When 35S-cysteine-labeled, digitoninlysed MCF-7 cells were immunoprecipitated with platelet-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to GPlbα, major radioactive bands were observed. Northern blots showed MCF-7 transcripts for GPlbα under both high- and low-stringency hybridization conditions. In the presence of purified human iodine 125-labeled von Willebrand factor (125I-labeled vWf) with or without the addition of ristocetin, unlabeled vWf was observed to competitively bind to fixed MCF-7 cells (50% inhibitory concentration = 10 μg/ml, dissociation constant = −3.8 ± 1.9 nmol/L, 2.7 × 106 ± 445,000 binding sites/cell) in which non-GPlbα vWf binding sites were blocked. 125I-vWf binding to blocked MCF-7 cells could be selectively and completely inhibited by mAbs specific for the vWf binding domain of GPlbα but not by mAbs against the GPIX subunit, the GPIbβ subunit, or alternate GPlba epitopes other than the vWf-binding domain. Finally, when whole blood substrate was incubated with a mAb specific for the GPIb binding epitope of vWf, MCF-7-induced platelet aggregation was virtually abolished in comparison with control specimens (N = 8; p < 0.0009). These findings (1) confirm the synthesis and expression of an MCF-7 protein with homology to platelet GPlbα, (2) confirm that the functional activity of this MCF-7-immunorelated GPlbα differs from that of platelet GPIbα, and (3) suggest that MCF-7-immunorelated GPlbα in its adhesive interactions with plasma vWf may constitute an initial event in MCF-7-induced platelet aggregation.
Rural Inequality in Post-Soviet Russia

Rural inequality has increased significantly in the post-Soviet period, mirroring trends in society at large: urban-rural income differences have widened; income sources have changed; and upper- and lower-income households use different strategies that increase the economic gap between them.
A topological approach to the theory of groups acting on trees

Abstract Bass and Serre recast the foundations of combinatorial group theory in [7]. Here we apply the allied notions of fundamental group and covering space to redevelop their theory in a less combinatorial fashion; for example the Bass—Serre Structure Theorem is proved with no a priori knowledge of the group theoretic structure of the fundamental group of a graph of groups. Van Kampen's Theorem is used only once, in its simplest form (in the proof of Theorem 7). Cancellation arguments and normal form theorems, such as Britton's Lemma, are completely avoided; indeed they are incidental corollaries from our viewpoint. The tree which plays a central role in [7] appears in Theorem 2 as the natural analogue of the “strecken komplexe” introduced by A. Speiser [8], and subsequently also employed by R. Nevanlinna [5], to describe certain simply connected Riemann surfaces occurring in value distribution theory.
Univentricular repair for complex double right ventricle and transposed great arteries

The Fontan operation was initially designed to provide a “physiological correction” of tricuspid atresia, but its indications have been extended to more complex forms of congenitally malformed hearts. In selected patients with two adequately sized ventricles, but highly complex intra cardiac anatomy which makes a biventricular repair more hazardous and which would require multiple reoperations, a univentricular repair using Fontan's principle has been proposed. Between 1978 and 1992, a modified Fontan operation was carried out in 34 such patients. Of the patients. 13 had double outlet right ventricle and 21 had transposed great arteries. Anomalies of ventricular loop were present in 14 patients. A non-committed ventricular septal defect was found in 26 whilst multiple defects were present in 10. All patients had anomalies of the atrioventricular valves, with straddling of the tricuspid valve,11 and/or of the mitral valve11, and abnormal tricuspid5, or mitral4 cordal attachments. Two patients had mild tricuspid hypoplasia, 1 had mitral hypoplasia and 3 had a cleft mitral valve. Fourteen patients had anomalies of both atrioventricular valve but only 6 had mild atrioventricular valvar incompetence. Pulmonary stenosis or atresia was seem in 26. All the patients had at least one or more (mean 2.35) intracardiac anomalies that preculded a biventricular repair. The Fontan operation was performed at a median age of 4.75 years. There were 4 early (11.4%, 70% CL: 5.1–19.8) and 2 late deaths, with a 4 year actuarial survival rate of 79.6±8.1%. Univariate analysis did not reveal any risk factor for early of late death. Follow-up at a mean interval of 3.6 ±2.6 years was available in all but 1 survivor. There were 6 early and 2 late reoperations, and 3 patients required implantation of a pacemaker. In conclusion, the modified Fontan operation can provide satisfactory early and mid term results in patients with two ventricles but with complex intracardiac anatomy which precludes a biventricular repair.
Electric dissociation of negative hydrogen ions in cyclotrons and synchrocyclotrons

Energies are estimated, above which negative hydrogen ions can not be accelerated in cyclotrons and synchrocyclotrons, because of their dissociation by the electric field γv x B/c. Their use in sector-focusing constant-frequency cyclotrons of several hundred Mev intended as "meson factories'' would require magnetic fields lower than usual by at least a factor of two or three. However, this effect should not limit their use in the present generation of such machines of 20 to 80 Mev having Bmax < 20 kG. The lower energy gain per turn in synchrocyclotrons leads to dissociation at somewhat lower energies. The limiting energy for any cyciotron can be approximated by the method described. The estimates are based on unpublished experimental results and approximate calculations of other workers. (auth)
Orbital-free molecular dynamics simulations of transport properties in dense-plasma uranium

Abstract We have calculated the self-diffusion coefficients and shear viscosity of dense-plasma uranium using orbital-free molecular dynamics (OFMD) at the Thomas–Fermi–Dirac level. The transport properties of uranium in this regime have not previously been investigated experimentally or theoretically. The OFMD calculations were performed for temperatures from 50 to 5000 eV and densities from ambient to 10 times compressed. The results are compared with the one-component-plasma (OCP) model, using effective charges given by the average-atom code INFERNO and by the regularization procedure from the OFMD method. The latter generally showed better agreement with the OFMD for viscosity and the former for diffusion. A Stokes–Einstein relationship of the OFMD viscosities and diffusion coefficients is found to hold fairly well with a constant of 0.075 ± 0.10, while the OCP/INFERNO model yields 0.13 ± 0.10.
Glomerular morphometry in childhood reflux nephropathy, emphasizing the capillary changes

Glomerular morphometry in childhood reflux nephropathy, emphasizing the capillary changes. As a consequence of nephron loss, reflux nephropathy (RN) causes considerable glomerular hypertrophy. To examine the relative contributions of capillary dilatation and growth in producing hypertrophy, glomeruli contained in unscarred areas of renal biopsies from 19 children with RN were compared with those in 16 children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and 16 with recurrent hematuria, who were used as controls representing normal childhood growth. Using computerized digitometry we measured the mean glomerular tuft area (GTA) in all complete, undistorted, nonsclerotic glomeruli in periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains. Measurements were repeated in four glomeruli of uniform size in periodic acid-silver methenamine stains, the results (GTA 4 ) correlating significantly with GTA. In the same four glomeruli we measured the mean individual capillary luminal area (CLA) and counted the mean number of lumens per glomerulus (N). Mean mesangial area (MA) was calculated as GTA 4 – (CLA × N). Cells per distal mesangial region were counted in PAS stains. GTA, GTA 4 , N, MA and mesangial cell counts were significantly greater in RN than controls, but CLA and fractional MA (MA/GTA%) did not differ. N correlated highly significantly with GTA 4 in both RN and controls, but CLA did not do so. These findings are consistent with capillary growth by subdivision being the main mechanism of glomerular hypertrophy when nephron loss occurs during childhood, and the identity of the regressions of N versus GTA 4 in RN and controls suggests that compensatory hypertrophy resembles the normal glomerular growth pattern in this age group.
Technology Integration and Urban Schools: Implications for Instructional Practices

With the call for educational reform in American public schools, various school districts have embarked on the process of reforming classroom instructional practices through technology to enhance quality education and student learning. This article explores the implications for educational technology practices within the context of urban schools. Additionally, this article highlights the need for administrators, policy makers and other educational stakeholders to reflect on effective ways to eliminate inequities and the gaps that exist between high and low Social Economic Status SES schools and teachers related to practices, resources, training, and professional development.
Alongshore transport of a toxic phytoplankton bloom in a buoyancy current: Alexandrium tamarense in the Gulf of Maine

We examined the mechanisms controlling blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense Lebour and the concomintant patterns of shellfish toxicity in the southwestern Gulf of Maine, USA. During a series of cruises from 1987 to 1989, hydrographic parameters were measured to elucidate the physical factors affecting the distribution and abundance of dinoflagellates along this coast. In 1988 and 1989 when toxicity was detected in the southern part of this region, A. tamarense cells were apparently transported into the area between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in a coastally trapped buoyant plume. This plume appears to have been formed by the outflow from the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers. Flow rates of these rivers, hydrographic sections, and satellite images led us to conclude that the plume persisted for about a month, and extended alongshore for several hundred kilometers. The distribution of cells followed the position of the plume as it was influenced by wind and topography. When winds were downwelling-favorable (to the southwest), cells were moved alongshore to the south, and were held to the coast; when winds were upwelling-favorable (to the northeast),the plume sometimes separated from the coast, advecting the cells offshore. In 1987 when no plume was present, A. tamarense cells were scarce, and no toxicity was recorded at the southern stations. The alongshore advection of toxic cells within a coastally trapped buoyant plume can explain the details of the temporal and spatial patterns of shellfish toxicity along the coast. We hypothesize that (1) the source of the A. tamarense populations is in the north, possibly associated with the Androscoggin and Kennebec estuaries, that (2) toxicity patterns follow a predictable relationship with river flow volume and timing of flow peaks and that (3) wind stresses directly influence the distribution of low salinity water and the dinoflagellate cells. Local, in situ growth of dinoflagellates can be an important factor initiating toxic dinoflagellate blooms. However, these data demonstrate the significant role of alongshore transport of established populations of A. tamarense in controlling the location and timing of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) outbreaks in May and June along the southwestern coast of the Gulf of Maine.
Medication administration and errors.

MEDICATION ERRORS STILL occur in the perianesthesia setting as in all clinical settings. One nurse accidentally administered a potassium minibag via an epidural catheter by connecting to a Y port. The patient received the whole dose before the nurse later realized she had connected the infusion to the epidural tubing. Fortunately the patient had no symptoms. This case helps to illustrate the multifactoral causes present in most medication errors. In this case standard procedures were not followed. Typically PACU nurses attached special epidural tubing with no access ports. However, the patient was recovered in the ICU and then sent to a medical floor with a capped epidural line. This led to the second cause of the problem: faulty procedure and tubing. This unit had never received a patient who did not already have special tubing, so when the patient complained of pain the nurses restarted the epidural analgesia using regular IV tubing. The third issue was that a policy to double check IV potassium infusions was unknown. The hospital had recently implemented a new policy that required two nurses to check pump settings and trace tubing to the site of injection. However, the nurses believed that the new policy only required two nurses to double check the medication label and dose against the medication administration record.
Fermions with long-range interaction.

A renormalization-group analysis combined with bosonization is performed for fermions interacting with repulsive long-range interaction of the form V(R)\ensuremath{\simeq}1/${\mathit{R}}^{(1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}\mathrm{^})}$, 0^\ensuremath{\le}1; we find that in any dimension the system is a non-Fermi liquid with a quasiparticle weight which vanishes like ${\mathit{w}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}\mathrm{^}/4}$ when w\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0. For \ensuremath{\epsilon}^\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0 a marginal Fermi liquid is obtained. A nonperturbative solution is obtained using the bosonization method in d\ensuremath{\ge}1 dimensions. Within the same formalism we investigate also the electron-phonon interaction in dimensions d=3-\ensuremath{\epsilon}. When the coupling constant is imaginary, one obtains a time-dependent potential similar to what is obtained for fermions coupled to transversed U(1) gauge bosons. A non-Fermi-liquid behavior is found for d\ensuremath{\le}3.
Numerical models of steady rolling for non‐linear viscoelastic structures in finite deformations

A Lagrangian formulation of constitutive laws for a viscoelastic material based on irreversible thermodynamics is first presented. These laws are expressed by a non-linear differential equation governing the evolution of an internal variable. Then equations describing the steady rolling of an axisymmetric viscoelastic structure are obtained from the conservation laws of continuum mechanics. A finite element approximation and a solution technique of the algebraic system is proposed. The eiimination of the internal variable allows one to keep an elastic-like algorithm with an independent solution of the viscoelastic equation. Numerical tests show the feasibility and the efficiency of the proposed methods in large three-dimensional situations.
Abnormal nerve conduction studies in mice expressing a mutant form of the POU transcription factor SCIP

We have previously described transgenic mice that harbor a dominant-negative antagonist of the POU protein SCIP (termed deltaSCIP). Native SCIP is expressed in promyelinating Schwann cells, where it represses expression of the myelin structural genes. The deltaSCIP mice display morphologic and behavioral abnormalities, including decreased axonal diameter, increased myelin thickness, developmentally early myelination, and clinical features of neuropathy. To assess the neurophysiologic correlates of these abnormalities, a series of electrophysiologic tests was performed. Despite having smaller diameter axons, mice expressing the deltaSCIP transgene had similar maximum conduction velocities in caudal, sural, and tibial nerves compared to wild-type controls. Therefore, conduction in deltaSCIP animals was faster than predicted by axon diameter alone. Compound amplitude responses were 38% higher in the deltaSCIP caudal nerve. DeltaSCIP tibial F-wave responses showed less difference between minimum and maximum latencies than controls, suggesting less variance between fastest and slowest conducting fibers. These data further characterize the functional components of the deltaSCIP phenotype. In addition, these studies address the physiologic sequelae of altering the g-ratio in the absence of demyelination or axonal degeneration.
A Graph Partition Model for Cross Docking Schedule Problem

Cross docking has been received a great attention in logistics field. This study uses graph theory to solve cross docking schedule problem. A specific example is given and a node oriented, graph partition model is introduced to exploit a new way in dealing with the cross docking schedule problem.
Agricultural BMP Effectiveness and Dominant Hydrological Flow Paths: Concepts and a Review

We present a conceptual framework that relates agricultural best management practice (BMP) effectiveness with dominant hydrological flow paths to improve nonpoint source (NPS) pollution management. We use the framework to analyze plot, field and watershed scale published studies on BMP effectiveness to develop transferable recommendations for BMP selection and placement at the watershed scale. The framework is based on the location of the restrictive layer in the soil profile and distinguishes three hydrologic land types. Hydrologic land type A has the restrictive layer at the surface and BMPs that increase infiltration are effective. In land type B1, the surface soil has an infiltration rate greater than the prevailing precipitation intensity, but there is a shallow restrictive layer causing lateral flow and saturation excess overland flow. Few structural practices are effective for these land types, but pollutant source management plans can significantly reduce pollutant loading. Hydrologic land type B2 has deep, well-draining soils without restrictive layers that transport pollutants to groundwater via percolation. Practices that increased pollutant residence time in the mixing layer or increased plant water uptake were found as the most effective BMPs in B2 land types. Matching BMPs to the appropriate land type allows for better targeting of hydrologically sensitive areas within a watershed, and potentially more significant reductions of NPS pollutant loading.
Cognitive coordinate systems: Accounts of mental rotation and individual differences in spatial ability

Abstract : Strategic differences in spatial tasks can be explained in terms of different cognitive coordinate systems that subjects adopt. The strategy of mental rotation (of the type used in most mental rotation experiments and in some psychometric tests of spatial ability) uses a coordinate system defined by the standard axes of our visual world (i.e. horizontal, vertical, and depth axes). Within this strategy, rotations are performed around one or more of the standard axes. The paper provides a detailed theoretical account of the mental rotation of individuals of low and high spatial ability as they solve problems taken from psychometric tests. The theory is instantiated as two related computer simulation models that not only solve the problems, but also match the response times for the two groups. The simulation models contain modularized units of procedural knowledge called productions, that select and execute the appropriate actions at each knowledge state. Small localized differences between the two models simulate the large quantitative and qualitative differences between the two groups of subjects.
Time series analysis of obsessional behavior and mood during self-imposed delay and response prevention.

Abstract Time series analysis of more than a year of daily self-report of three subjects showed that self-imposed delay and response prevention was effective in decreasing obsessions and compulsions. The subject-controlled treatment had a varied effect on mood—anxiety decreased in two subjects, but depression increased in one. (A similar worsening of mood after elimination of obsessional behavior was found in a previous case study.) Apparently, successful treatment of obsessional behavior will not necessarily lead to an improvement in mood. Concurrent mood symptoms need to be targeted separately; and, plans should be made to deal with mood symptoms that may occur once obsessional behavior is removed.
Cholesterol oxidase senses subtle changes in lipid bilayer structure

We investigated the dependence of cholesterol oxidase catalytic activity and membrane affinity on lipid structure in model membrane bilayers. The binding affinities of cholesterol oxidase to 100-nm unilamellar vesicles composed of mixtures of DOPC or DPPC and cholesterol are not sensitive to cholesterol mole fraction if the phase of the membrane is in a fluid state. When the membrane is in a solid-ordered state, the binding affinity of cholesterol oxidase increases approximately 10-fold. The second-order rate constants ( / ) for different lipid mixtures show a 2-fold substrate specificity for cholesterol in the ld phase of high cholesterol chemical activity over cholesterol in the lo phase. Moreover, the enzyme is 2-fold more specific for cholesterol in the lo phase than in the so phase. Likewise, there is 2-fold substrate specificity for the high cholesterol chemical activity ld phase over the low chemical activity ld phase. The specificities for the ld phase of low cholesterol chemical activity and the ...
THE IMPACT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR ROTC PROGRAM: DOES TREATMENT TIMING AND INTENSITY MATTER?

The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is a high school program that combines classroom teaching with extracurricular activities. The program is located primarily in inner city schools and serves at‐risk students. Its goals are multidimensional and include military preparation and improving academic achievement. Using High School and Beyond data we find that the program’s effects depend on the timing and intensity of involvement. Test scores, graduation rates, and enlistments are higher for students who participate early in high school and for those who persist in the program. Conversely, we find few effects for students participating in the last two years of high school.
Design and Analysis of an Ash Collector Hopper

This paper addresses the design and analysis of a hopper for ash collection in a Boiler Plant. The hopper collects the ash blown from the boiler soot blowers. The objective is to establish the design load. The design load is decided on the basis of the two cases. Case 1 Hopper full of ash Case 2 Hopper full of water. Based on the two cases the maximum pressure is considered as the design load. Also the hopper has a static head of gas pressure. The combinations of these are considered as design pressure. A typical hopper is taken. The thickness of the plate is decided. Then a procedure is developed to size the spacing and size of the stiffeners. The stiffeners used are Wide Flange I-beams. The hopper is modeled using STAAD III Finite Element Software. Two models are considered. First with one side of hopper. Second, complete model of the hopper. The stresses obtained are compared with the design values. The design of the hopper with analytical means is verified with Finite Element modeling of the two models considered.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The effect of methane on the rate of hydrogen absorption by LaNi5Hx in liquid suspension

Abstract The effect of CH4 upon the kinetics of the absorption of hydrogen by LaNi5Hx suspended in n-undecane was determined at two different gas compositions: 5 and 25 mol.% CH4 in H2. The systems behave similarly to those studied in the absence of CH4 and the same rate equation holds. The rate-limiting process is dissolution of hydrogen in the liquid phase. The activation energy for this process, Es, varied with CH4 pressure; at 40 kPa, Es = 9.3 ±0.5 kJ (mol H2)−1, at 253 kPa, Es = 5.5 ±0.9 kJ (mol H2)−1. The pre-exponential factor in the rate equation is reduced by the presence of CH4; however, the absorption rate is very little changed relative to pure hydrogen in the gas phase because of the lower Es. The reduction of Es is attributed to the dissolution of CH4 in the liquid phase and a consequent lowering of its surface tension.
Child Care and Cortisol Across Early Childhood: Context Matters

A considerable body of literature suggests that children's child-care experiences may impact adrenocortical functioning in early childhood. Yet emerging findings also suggest that the magnitude and sometimes the direction of child-care effects on development may be markedly different for children from higher risk contexts. Using data from a large population-based sample of families from predominantly low-income backgrounds in rural communities, we tested the degree to which links between children's child-care experiences (at 7-36 months) and their subsequent cortisol levels (at 48 months) were moderated by their level of cumulative environmental risk. Our results provided evidence of a crossover interaction between cumulative risk and child-care quantity. For children from low-risk contexts, greater weekly hours in child care were predictive of higher cortisol levels. In contrast, for children facing several cumulative risk factors, greater hours in child care per week were predictive of lower cortisol levels. These effects were robust after adjusting for several controls, including children's cortisol levels in early infancy. Child-care quality and type were not predictive of children's cortisol levels, and neither mitigated the conditional effect of child-care quantity on cortisol. These findings suggest that links between child care and children's development may differ as a function of children's broader ecologies.
Sub-optimal control of non-linear single input systems

Suboptimal control generation for nonlinear single input systems by linear combination of states and repeated linearization of equations system
Sirtuin biology and relevance to diabetes treatment

Sirtuins are a group of NAD+-dependent enzymes that post-translationally modify histones and other proteins. Among seven mammalian sirtuins, SIRT1 has been the most extensively studied and has been demonstrated to play a critical role in all major metabolic organs and tissues. SIRT1 regulates glucose and lipid homeostasis in the liver, modulates insulin secretion in pancreatic islets, controls insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, increases adiponectin expression in white adipose tissue and controls food intake and energy expenditure in the brain. Recently, SIRT3 has been demonstrated to modulate insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and systemic metabolism, and Sirt3-null mice manifest characteristics of metabolic syndrome on a high-fat diet. Thus, it is reasonable to believe that enhancing the activities of SIRT1 and SIRT3 may be beneficial for Type 2 diabetes. Although it is controversial, the SIRT1 activator SRT1720 has been reported to be effective in improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in animal models. More research needs to be conducted so that we can better understand the physiological functions and molecular mechanisms of sirtuins in order to therapeutically target these enzymes for diabetes treatment.
Use of Antiplatelet Drugs in Secondary Prevention in Older Persons With Atherothrombotic Disease

Unless there are contraindications to the use of aspirin, aspirin should be used in treating patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and continued indefinitely to reduce vascular death, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal stroke. Clopidogrel added to aspirin has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of patients with acute ST-elevation MI. Patients with unstable angina or non-ST-elevation MI should be treated with aspirin plus clopidogrel for at least 9 months to reduce vascular death, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal stroke. Patients with prior MI should be treated indefinitely with aspirin and with clopidogrel if aspirin is contraindicated. Patients with ischemic stroke should be treated with either aspirin or clopidogrel indefinitely. Extended release dipyridamole plus low dose aspirin has been shown to be more efficacious than low dose aspirin in only one large study, and is associated with an insignificant increase in nonfatal MI and vascular death over low dose aspirin alone. Clopidogrel is significantly more effective than aspirin in reducing vascular death, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal stroke in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Psychiatric Disorder and Quality of Life in Patients Awaiting Lung Transplantation

Study objective To examine the relationship between psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life in patients awaiting lung transplantation. Setting Duke University Medical Center/Lung Transplantation Program. Participants One hundred patients with end-stage pulmonary disease listed for lung transplantation. Measurements and results Twenty-five percent (n = 25) of the sample met diagnostic criteria for at least one current mood or anxiety disorder. Controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, percentage of predicted FEV, and lung disease diagnosis, patients with a current psychiatric diagnosis reported poorer general quality of life (p Conclusions Psychiatric comorbidity affects a significant portion of patients awaiting lung transplantation and is associated with decreased health-related quality of life.
Critical thresholds in co-citation graphs

Using the Random Graph Hypothesis, the statistical validity of co-citation graphs has been investigated as a function of co-citation strength for a given value of citation frequency. The results show that for both high and low values of co-citation strength the partition of cited documents produced by the co-citation relationship may be statistically invalid. Critical thresholds can be identified that define the limits of statistical validity. Within these limits, there is a narrow region of statistical validity where the associated structures are not an artifact of the clustering procedure and can be interpreted. It is concluded that the choice of citation and co-citation thresholds can be influenced by formal considerations which insure statistically meaningful partitions rather than arbitrary decisions which can produce meaningless interpretations. Experimental and theoretical implications for the co-citation graph and other bibliometric structures are discussed.
A field study of group diversity, participation in diversity education programs, and performance

Summary This study examined the impact of four dimensions of diversity—tenure, age, sex, and race— on performance in 486 retail bank branches and assessed whether employee participation in the firm’s diversity education programs influenced these relationships. Data came from archives of the demographic composition of branches, an employee attitude–satisfaction poll, and branch performance assessed as part of the bank’s bonus incentive plan. Race and sex diversity were unrelated to performance. The direct effects of tenure and age diversity were largely negative, but were moderated by quality of team processes, suggesting that cooperation and teamwork may suppress potentially task-enhancing differences associated with these aspects of diversity. Diversity education programs had minimal impact on performance. The results of this study suggest that there is a complex relationship between age and tenure diversity and performance and that, even in firms with characteristics that should be conducive to performance benefits from diversity, other conditions must be in place to foster such effects. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epaulet Color and Sexual Selection in the Red-Winged Blackbird: A Field Experiment

Abstract. The epaulets of male Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) function in both intersexual and intrasexual contexts, but there is little evidence that they covary with reproductive success in this well-studied species. We used path analysis of male/territory traits, mating success, and reproductive success of unmanipulated males to estimate current directional selection. Territory size had a positive effect on number of within-pair mates. Number of extra-pair mates had a positive effect on number of extra-pair fledglings, and number of within-pair and extra-pair fledglings had positive effects on total number of fledglings. We also reddened epaulets of free-living territorial males to determine whether manipulated and control males differ in territorial behavior, mating success, or reproductive success. Compared with control males, males with reddened epaulets incurred elevated rates of trespassing and territorial challenges, lost their territories more often, and were unable to produce extra...
The Influence of Swirl Brakes on the Rotordynamic Forces Generated by Discharge-to-Suction Leakage Flows in Centrifugal Pumps

Increasing interest has been given to swirl brakes as a means of reducing destabilizing rotordynamic forces due to leakage flows in new high speed rocket turbopumps. Although swirl brakes have been used successfully in practice (such as with the Space Shuttle HPOTP), no experimental tests until now have been performed to demonstrate their beneficial effect over a range of leakage flow rates. The present study investigates the effect of swirl brakes on rotordynamic forces generated by discharge-to-suction leakage flows in the annulus of shrouded centrifugal pumps over a range of subsynchronous whirl rtios and various leakage flow rates. In addition, the effectiveness of swirl brakes in the presence of leakage inlet (pump discharge) swirl is also demonstrated. The experimental data demonstrates that with the addition of swirl brakes a significant reduction in the destabilizing tangential force for lower flow rates is achieved. At higher flow rates, the brakes are detrimental. In the presence of leakage inlet swirl, brakes were effective over all leakage flow rates tested in reducing the range of whirl frequency ratio for which the tangential force is destabilizing.
Revealed stochastic preference: a synthesis

The problem of revealed stochastic preference is whether probability distributions of observed choices in a population for various choice situations are consistent with a hypothesis of maximization of preference preorders by members of the population. This is a population analog of the classical revealed preference problem in economic consumer theory. This paper synthesizes the solutions to this problem that have been obtained by Marcel K. Richter and the author, and by J. C. Falmagne, in the case of finite sets of alternatives, and utilizes unpublished research of Richter and the author to give results for the non-finite choice sets encountered in economic consumer theory.
A comparison of different protocols for RAPD analysis of Littorina

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a fast and useful method of genome marking that is useful for studies of, for example, parentage, mating patterns, taxonomy of sibling species and intra-specific population genetic structures. Here we compare three different procedures for extracting high molecular weight genomic DNA; phenol-chloroform, hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium-bromide (CTAB) and Chelex 100. Double phenol-chloroform and CTAB extractions both generated high amounts of high quality DNA while Chelex 100 failed to do so. We also compared PCR-amplification with different concentrations of template DNA and found that 1–2 ng per 25 μ1 of amplification cocktail gave the best results. Amplifying DNA prepared by the three extraction methods revealed that DNA extracted with double phenol-chloroform gave the clearest bands. The double phenol-chloroform extraction seems thus the most suitable extraction method for RAPD in Littorina, however Chelex may be the only method useful for extracting DNA from very small individuals, for example, pre-hatching stages.
Changing the rules: a comprehensive approach to theory refinement

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to automatic theory refinement. In contrast to other systems, the approach is capable of modifying a theory which contains multiple faults and faults which occur at intermediate points in the theory. The approach uses explanations to focus the corrections to the theory, with the corrections being supplied by an inductive component. In this way, an attempt is made to preserve the structure of the original theory as much as possible. Because the approach begins with an approximate theory, learning an accurate theory takes fewer examples than a purely inductive system. The approach has application in expert system development, where an initial, approximate theory must be refined. The approach also applies at any point in the expert system lifecycle when the expert system generates incorrect results. The approach has been applied to the domain of molecular biology and shows significantly better results then a purely inductive learner.
Intraoperative awareness: controversies and non-controversies

Intraoperative awareness, with or without recall, continues to be a topic of clinical significance and neurobiological interest. In this article, we review evidence pertaining to the incidence, sequelae, and prevention of intraoperative awareness. We also assess which aspects of the complication are well understood (i.e. non-controversial) and which require further research for clarification (i.e. controversial).
Applications of Modern Electroanalytical Techniques to Pharmaceutical Chemistry

0 The apparent partition coefficients between n-octyl alcohol and aqueous buffers (ranging from pH 2.1 to 8.5) were determined for several tetracyclines. Using the previously suggested microscopic dissociation constants for tetracycline, the relative amounts of each microscopic ionic form of tetracycline theoret- ically present at each pH were calculated. The zwitterionic form, O+ (tricarbonyl methane system ionized, phenolic diketone moiety unionized, dimethylammonium cation postively charged), which was present in highest concentration in the pH range from 4 to 7, appeared to be the most lipid soluble form, its reduced polarity possibly resulting from an intramolecular type of ion-pair formation. Possible relationships between the biological activity of the various tetracycline analogs and their pH-octanol solubility profiles have been discussed. Keyphrases 0 Tetracyclines-pH-partition behavior 0 Apparent partition coefficients-tetracyclines between n-octanol, aqueous buffers 0 Biological activity relationship, tetracyclines-pH-octanol solubility profiles 0 UV spectrophotometry-analysis The work of Pindell et al. (1) has demonstrated that tetracycline is fairly rapidly absorbed from the duo- denum of the dog and that some absorption can also occur from the stomach when gastric emptying is de- layed. However, only a surprisingly small amount (3.1 %) of the total administered dose was actually absorbed in 1.5 hr. The amounts of tetracycline absorbed were directly proportional to the dose over a tenfold range. These factors have suggested that tetracycline absorption is a passive diffusion phenomenon. Structural modifications have been shown to alter the gastrointestinal absorption of the tetracyclines. For example, one recent study showed that the extent of minocycline absorption from the gastrointestinal tract of dogs was two to three times greater than with tetracycline (2). Doxycycline has been shown to produce nearly identical initial plasma levels as demethylchlortetracycline upon oral administration to fasting hu- mans, even though the dose of the latter was three times as great (3). Structural modifications can likewise in- fluence the renal clearance of tetracyclines. Although they are bound to protein to nearly the same extent, doxycycline has been shown to have a 12 of creatinine clearance in man while demethylchlortetracycline was shown to have a 27 of creatinine clearance in the same study (3). The general structural formula for the tetra- cycline analogs is shown as Fig. 1, and the structures of the analogs discussed in this paper are listed in Table I and explained in terms of the general structure in Fig. 1. The tetracyclines are ionized throughout the physio- logical pH range, existing in cationic form at more acidic pH values, in anionic form at more alkaline pH values, 1184 0 Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Clinical outcomes of suprascapular nerve decompression

Background While the incidence and prevalence of suprascapular neuropathy (SSN) remains largely unknown, the evaluation and treatment of SSN appears to be increasing. Despite multiple technique articles demonstrating nerve decompression, there has been no clinical evidence to support the efficacy of SSN decompression in the absence of rotator cuff disease. Methods Between October 2006 and February 2010, 27 patients underwent arthroscopic suprascapular nerve decompression at the suprascapular and/or spinoglenoid notch. Eighty-nine percent (24/27) of patients had preoperative positive electromyography and nerve conduction EMG/NCV studies documenting suprascapular nerve pathology. All patients had either a computed tomography (CT) arthrogram or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) documenting rotator cuff integrity. All patients were evaluated with pre and postoperative subjective shoulder values (SSV) and American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) self-assessment scores. Additionally, patients were questioned whether they would have the procedure again and approximately at what week they experienced noticeable pain relief. Results The 27 patients were followed for an average of 22.5 months (range, 3-44). Three patients were lost to follow-up. Seventy-one percent (17/24) of patients reported pain relief (VAS [Visual Analogue Scales] pain scale) that was statistically significant ( P = .0001) at an average of 9.4 weeks from surgery. Seventy-five percent (18/24) and 71% (17/24) had statistically significant improvement in ASES ( P = .0001) and SSV scores ( P = .0014), respectively. Seventy-one percent (17/24) would have the surgery again. Conclusion The present study demonstrates a large series of patients treated for SSN without rotator cuff pathology. Our results show statistically significant improvement in VAS, ASES, and SSV.