cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Galactic cosmic rays and N2 dissociation on Titan

The electromagnetic and particle cascade resulting from the absorption of galactic cosmic rays in the atmosphere of Titan is shown to be an important mechanism for driving the photochemistry at pressures of 1 to 50 mbar in the atmosphere. In particular, the cosmic ray cascade dissociates N2, a process necessary for the synthesis of nitrogen organics such as HCN. The important interactions of the cosmic ray cascade with the atmosphere are discussed. The N2 excitation and dissociation rates and the ionization rates of the principal atmospheric consituents are computed for a Titan model atmosphere that is consistent with Voyager 1 observations. It is suggested that HCN may be formed efficiently in the lower atmosphere through the photodissociation of methylamine. It is also argued that models of nitrogen and hydrocarbon photochemistry in the lower atmosphere of Titan should include the absorption of galactic cosmic rays as an important energy source.
A microcomputer system for measuring and analyzing corneal endothelium

Abstract A microcomputer system was developed for theDepartment of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. It is being used as a measurement and analysis tool for corneal endothelial and epithelial research programs, as well as objective measurement of clinical visual field tests.
Sandra F. Van Burkleo, Kermit L. Hall, and Robert J. Kaczorowski, editors, Constitutionalism and American Culture: Writing the New Constitutional History , Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2002. Pp. 463. $24.95 (ISBN 0–7006–1154–1).

Taking their cue from the late Paul L. Murphy, one of our nation's leading legal historians, this illustrious group of scholars argues that the field of constitutional history is "too important to be left solely to lawyers and judges." Their "state-of-the-field" volume reclaims constitutional history's rightful place as a vital and necessary part of our intellectual enterprise, in part by pushing the field onto fresh, even controversial, terrain. Much as Murphy has done, these scholars contend that this restoration is much needed and will greatly enrich judicial and public policy, advance a tradition of justice worthy of America's democratic aspirations, give due attention to cultural contexts, and, most importantly, afford Americans a richer understanding of their constitutional heritage. Their essays explore, for example, the ways in which previously excluded groups have come more fully into the Constitution's orbit of freedom, the ongoing importance of institutions and doctrines, and the ways in which theory and informal texts might enrich the field. How, they ask, might scholars take account of the lived experiences of litigants, reformers, and lawyers in the forging of constitutional change? A kind of prospectus for the future of American constitutional history, these essays address fundamental questions about the field and its evolution. More important, they persuasively argue that the best way to reinvigorate the study of constitutionalism is to reconnect it to its social and cultural contexts, to appreciate the continuing necessity of archival research, to recognize and support the value of new approaches and perspectives, and to reaffirm in the end that the best way to explain the history of rights is to remember the courage of the people who had the vision and conviction to put the judges through their constitutional paces.
Proximity to a high traffic road: glucocorticoid and life history consequences for nestling white-crowned sparrows.

Roads have been associated with decreased reproductive success and biodiversity in avian communities and increased physiological stress in adult birds. Alternatively, roads may also increase food availability and reduce predator pressure. Previous studies have focused on adult birds, but nestlings may also be susceptible to the detrimental impacts of roads. We examined the effects of proximity to a road on nestling glucocorticoid activity and growth in the mountain white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha). Additionally, we examined several possible indirect factors that may influence nestling corticosterone (CORT) activity secretion in relation to roads. These indirect effects include parental CORT activity, nest-site characteristics, and parental provisioning. And finally, we assessed possible fitness consequences of roads through measures of fledging success. Nestlings near roads had increased CORT activity, elevated at both baseline and stress-induced levels. Surprisingly, these nestlings were also bigger. Generally, greater corticosterone activity is associated with reduced growth. However, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis matures through the nestling period (as nestlings get larger, HPA-activation is greater). Although much of the variance in CORT responses was explained by body size, nestling CORT responses were higher close to roads after controlling for developmental differences. Indirect effects of roads may be mediated through paternal care. Nestling CORT responses were correlated with paternal CORT responses and paternal provisioning increased near roads. Hence, nestlings near roads may be larger due to increased paternal attentiveness. And finally, nest predation was higher for nests close to the road. Roads have apparent costs for white-crowned sparrow nestlings – increased predation, and apparent benefits – increased size. The elevation in CORT activity seems to reflect both increased size (benefit) and elevation due to road proximity (cost). Whether or not roads are good or bad for nestlings remains equivocal. However, it is clear that roads affect nestlings; how or if these effects influence adult survival or reproduction remains to be elucidated.
Itinerary of the Knower: Mapping the ways of gnosis, Sophia, and imaginative education

My conversion into a knower has been a long and winding road. From childhood reverie to the years of formal schooling, education has never ceased to lure me into its magical power. How do we really get to know/see/learn whatever happens on our educational journey? In this paper, I will re‐trace my quest for knowledge that reaches beyond the boundaries of traditional epistemology. My wonderings will take me to explore, via Jung, the possibilities of imaginative education through Gnosis and Sophia. The paper intends to weave together several Jungian discourses with their versions by other thinkers who have contributed to the fields of depth psychology, esotericism, and educational philosophy.
Use of capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the analysis of synthetic peptides

Abstract We have constructed a capillary electrophoresis (CE) system with UV detection and have successfully interfaced it to an electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ES-MS) system. A synthesized fragment of heregulin-β (212–226) was thought to be a single component by re-injection into an HPLC system, but results from CE-UV-ES-MS indicated that a dehydration product was present in the desired peptide sample. A synthetic heregulin-α (177–241) was isolated by preparative HPLC, but re-injection on an analytical system indicated a tailing peak. CE-UV-ES-MS indicated a mixture whose two major components were of the same nominal molecular mass (within experimental error), suggesting the presence of an isomer or a deamidation product. The results show that CE-UV-ES-MS can be used as an orthogonal analytical technique to solve practical problems encountered in peptide synthesis laboratories.
Measuring technological capability and performance

The relation between technological capability and firm performance is more complex than what is generally assumed. Researchers have not been able to consistently find empirical support for this apparently ‘simple’ relation. The objective of this study is to illustrate the theoretical and empirical complexity of this relation and explain why the use of different measures can lead to dramatically different results. In this study, we analyse the technological capability–performance relation in 201 large US public manufacturing companies. A variety of patent statistics and a measure of research & development (R&D) intensity are used as indicators for technological capability. The following six measures of performance are used as dependent variables: return on assets, return on equity, return on sales, market value, market value added, and economic value added. The results vary substantially, depending on which measures are used for the independent and dependent variables. A detailed understanding of precisely what each measure represents and the shortcomings of each measure is needed to explain why these differences exist. We conclude by discussing the effectiveness of a variety of technological capability measures using patent citations, and illustrate why a measure of R&D spending and the total number of patents are usually not valid measures of a firm's technological capability.
Electrical Aspects of Adsorbing Colloid Flotation

Abstract The Gouy-Chapman theory of the electric double layer is applied to the calculation of the interaction energy of a charged surface film and a solid surface of opposite charge immersed in a solution of electrolyte. This model is found to account for the decrease in efficiency of precipitate flotation and adsorbing colloid flotation which is observed when ionic strength is increased. The Gouy-Chapman theory is also used to predict the existence of analogs to the phenomena of electroosmotic flow and streaming potential in foams and surface films.
Examining the Bethesda criteria risk stratification of thyroid nodules

Abstract Background The Bethesda criteria are proposed for appropriate stratification of malignancy risk in thyroid nodules, but controversy exists regarding their accuracy and reliability in decision making. Additionally, previous studies have suggested higher rates of both malignancy and false negative fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) associated with increasing nodule size. This study aims to determine the accuracy of ultrasound (US)-guided FNA using the current Bethesda criteria in surgical practice. We also aimed to investigate the relationship between nodule size and malignancy. Methods A retrospective analysis of US-guided FNAs by a single surgeon during a 4.5 year period. FNA results using Bethesda criteria were compared to final surgical pathology. Results 611 patients with thyroid nodules underwent US-guided FNA. FNA results in 375 subsequently excised thyroid nodules were recorded according to the Bethesda criteria: 192 (51%) benign, 65 (17%) atypia of unknown significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), 42 (11%), suspicious for follicular neoplasm (SFN), 17 (5%) suspicious for malignancy (SM), 28 (8%) malignancy, and 31 (8%) non-diagnostic. Malignancy was confirmed by surgical pathology in 15%, 34%, 50%, 88%, 100%, and 39% of the above groups respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and false-negative rate were 61%, 99%, and 15% respectively. No correlation existed between the size of nodules with indeterminate FNA results and malignancy rate ( p = 0.89), or size of nodules with non-diagnostic FNA and malignancy rate ( p = 0.50). Conclusion The current Bethesda risk stratification system underestimated malignancy rates in benign, indeterminate and non-diagnostic cytopathologic categories in our experience. There was no positive linear correlation between nodule size and malignancy rate in these cytopathologic categories.
The Unanswered Questions and the Limits of Knowledge

In this article I look at the Buddha's refusal to answer certain questions in light of the dynamics of ancient Indian debate. Doing so foregrounds a dimension of the Buddha's interaction with his interlocutors that is central for understanding the problem of what are known as the Undetermined or Unanswered (avyākata) Questions: namely, the Buddha's knowledge and authority vis-a-vis rival teachers.
Activity of 9-dimethylaminomethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin against pediatric and adult central nervous system tumor xenografts

The activity of dimethylaminomethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (topotecan) was evaluated against a panel of xenografts derived from ependymomas (D528 EP, D612 EP), childhood high-grade gliomas (D-456 MG, D-212 MG), adult high-grade gliomas (D-245 MG, D-54 MG), and medulloblastomas (D425 Med) growing s.c. and i.c. (intracranially) in athymic nude mice. Topotecan was given at a dose of 1.9 mg/kg by i.p. injection in 0.9% saline using a volume of 90 ml/m2 on days 1–5 and 8–12, which represents the dose lethal to 10% of treated animals. Topotecan was active in the therapy of all s.c. xenografts tested, with growth delays ranging from 6.3 days in D-54 MG to 55.7 days in D528 EP. Topotecan produced statistically significant tumor regressions in D425 Med, D-456 MG, D-245 MG, D528 EP, and D612 EP. No tumor regression was seen in any control animal. Statistically significant increases in median survival were seen in the two i.c. xenografts — D-456 MG (28.6% increase) and D-54 MG (39% increase) —treated with topotecan. These studies suggest that topotecan may be an important new addition to the therapy of central nervous system tumors.
An optical bridge reflectometer for sensitive measurement of ion implantation dose

An instrument is described that can be used to monitor, with unprecedented sensitivity, changes in the optical reflectivity due to crystailine damage incurred during ion implantation. It is shown that at the shot-noise limit, changes in the optical reflectivity of silicon as small as 5·10−7 can be measured in a 10 Hz bandwidth with a signal-to-noise ratio of 100, corresponding to an extrapolated uniform implantation dose of 5·108 cm−2 for 11B+ at 50 keV in silicon.
Nutrition monitoring: A USDA perspective

Nutrition monitoring is a topic of utmost importance to most of us in the nutrition field. Among those most directly affected are the federal agencies that are responsible for monitoring activities. There are expert staffs within the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (DHHS) who collect and analyze data describing the dietary and nutritional status of the people of the United States. Their research and survey activities comprise the National Nutrition Monitoring System. Within current fiscal constraints, these individuals are continually endeavoring to improve the quality of the data they collect, the timeliness of data release, and the usefulness of these data to all users-including state and local health-policy planners. The National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act (H.R. 2436) has been put forward as a remedy to problems with the current monitoring system. USDA supports the goals put forth by this legislation. But before deciding whether this specific legislative remedy is necessary, it is important to consider the current efforts to improve our monitoring system. These include the following: • The cornerstones of the federal nutrition monitoring program, USDA's Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) and DHHS' National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), are being coordinated to as great an extent as possible while fulfilling their respective purposes. The upcoming surveys, NFCS 1987 and NHANES III, will use the same food coding system and the same food composition databases drawn from USDA's National Nutrient Data Bank. These databases incorporate information for 27 food components in more than 4300 food items. This year the NFCS and NHANES staffs reviewed population descriptors and questions used in the NFCS and NHANES, and they made recommendations for modifications to both surveys to improve comparability between the surveys. The NFCS-87 draft questionnaire incorporates the recommended changes. The two surveys are national in scope but differ somewhat in sample design. These differences are tied to the independent and specific purposes of the two surveys. Through improved and ex-
Some Studies of the Superconducting Transition in Purified Tantalum

Extremely sharp magnetic transitions from the superconducting to the normal state are found for highly purified tantalum specimens with residual resistivities approaching 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ \ensuremath{\mu} ohm cm. Negligible flux trapping and pronounced supercooling is found to occur in these samples near the transition temperature ${T}_{c}$.
Overcoming traditional manufacturing limitations in high Q micro-ring resonators using non-linear effects in silicon

High sensitivity to fabrication errors is a main challenge in using high-Q resonators. Here we show that by carefully choosing the optical tuning using an evolutionary algorithm, a drastically distorted transmission function can be restored.
Molecular cloning and sequencing of the MTV-1 LTR: evidence for a LTR sequence alteration

Abstract The vertically transmitted Mtv-1 provirus is the primary causative factor of mammary neoplasia in certain C3Hf strains that lack the horizontally transmitted mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV). The studies here report the molecular cloning of the germ line 4.5 kb Mtv-1 3' EcoRI fragment and sequencing of the 3' Mtv-1 LTR. The Mtv-1 LTR sequence is closely related to the 5' Mtv-11 LTR sequence also reported here, as well as to known Mtv-8 and MMTV LTR sequences in the portion of MMTV and Mtv-8 LTRs previously demonstrated to contain transcriptional regulatory sequences. A 91 bp unique sequence region, Mtv-1 bp 862 to 952, exists in the Mtv-1 LTR, which is upstream of the sequence homology with the MMTV transcriptional regulatory domain. The Mtv-1 unique sequence region is distinct from a 117 bp sequence, bp 862 to 978, in the Mtv-11 LTR sequence as well as reported Mtv-8 and MMTV LTR sequences, and is present in the germ line Mtv-1 5' and 3' LTR-containing restriction fragments. S1 nuclease mapping experiments of C3Hf/Se mammary tumor poly(A) RNA with the cloned Mtv-1 and Mtv-11 LTRs exhibited a specific set of S1 protected fragments demonstrating that Mtv transcripts which accumulate in C3Hf spontaneous mammary tumors are encoded by the Mtv-1 provirus. Mtv-1 LTR sequence transcription
Acetylcholine and alcohol sensitivity of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: mutations in transmembrane domains.

Background The effect of n-alcohols on glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors depends on two specific amino acids (AAs) located in the transmembrane domains (TM) 2 and 3. Our aim was to assess whether the corresponding AAs in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) also formed a binding pocket for alcohols. Methods We made single AA substitutions in the homologous sites in rat neuronal nAChR alpha2 and alpha4 (alphaL261 and alphaL283) and expressed them in Xenopus laevis oocytes in combination with beta4 wild type. The effect of different n-alcohols was studied in alpha4(L261A)beta4 and alpha4(L283A)beta4 nAChRs. The effect of ethanol, propanol, and octanol on acetylcholine (ACh) responses was studied in alpha2(L261X)beta4 and alpha2(L283X)beta4 nAChRs. Results Most of the mutations in the alpha2 subunit, in either the 261 or the 283 position, induced changes in ACh sensitivity and increased alcohol action, but none was able to reduce ethanol potentiation. In alpha4(L283A)beta4, enhancement of potentiation by short-chain alcohols was observed, as well as a change from inhibition to potentiation for long-chain alcohols. The exposure of the AAs was assessed through the action of a charged thiol-specific reagent on alpha2(L261C)beta4 and alpha2(L283C)beta4, and these experiments suggest that the AA in TM2 is located in a water-accessible position, whereas the AA in TM3 is inaccessible. However, a noncharged thiol-specific reagent did not affect either ACh responses or ethanol effect on alpha2(L261C)beta4. Conclusions The AAs located at positions 261 and 283 of the alpha2 and alpha4 nAChR subunits do not seem to form a binding pocket for alcohols. Additional studies are required to determine whether alcohols act on a site near these AAs or on sites unrelated to the TM2-TM3 site found in glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors.
Body-part estimation from Lucas-Kanade tracked Harris points

Skeleton estimation from single-camera grayscale images is generally accomplished using model-based techniques. Multiple cameras are sometimes used; however, skeletal points extracted from a single subject using multiple images are usually too sparse to be helpful for localizing body parts. For this project, we use a single viewpoint without any model-based assumptions to identify a central source of motion, the body, and its associated extremities. Harris points are tracked using Lucas-Kanade refinement with a weighted kernel found from expectation maximization. The algorithm tracks key image points and trajectories and re-represents them as complex vectors describing the motion of a specific body part. Normalized correlation is calculated from these vectors to form a matrix of graph edge weights, which is subsequently partitioned using a graph-cut algorithm to identify dependent trajectories. The resulting Harris points are clustered into rigid component centroids using mean shift, and the extremity centroids are connected to their nearest body centroid to complete the body-part estimation. We collected ground truth labels from seven participants for body parts that are compared to the clusters given by our algorithm.
Patterns of gene divergence and VL promoter activity in immunoglobulin light chain clusters of the channel catfish

The structure and genomic organization of V, J, and C segments in multiple gene clusters of the G class of catfish light (L) chain were determined to study evolutionary patterns of cluster divergence and regulatory function. The results showed that the organizational pattern is conserved; two VL segments reside in opposite transcriptional orientation to a pseudogene JL segment (ψJ), a functional JL segment, and a CL segment. Structures within the central V–ψJ–J–C regions indicate that cluster duplication occurred after the V–V–ψJ–J–C organization became fixed. VL divergence in gene clusters subsequently occurred by mechanisms that principally targeted complementarity-determining regions. The sequence of the VL-flanking regions, which contained regulatory octamer, TATA, and Pax-5 (BSAP) binding site motifs, was conserved during G cluster duplication and within VL-flanking regions in divergent lineages of bony fish. Reporter assays of catfish B cells transfected with a 742-bp VL-flanking fragment showed promoter activity in the absence of enhancer elements. The promoter’s activity doubled when coupled with the catfish IgH enhancer. A 136-bp fragment containing the motifs conserved in bony fish phylogeny and located between the leader initiation codon and the initiation sites of sterile transcripts served as a minimal promoter and provided the highest B-cell activity. These constructs, however, did not act as promoters in catfish non-lymphoid cells or mammalian BJA-B B cells or fibroblasts. These results indicate that the structure and function of VL promoter regions in the regulation and tissue specificity of L-chain gene expression evolved early in phylogeny.
Trigonal tricationic ionic liquids: a generation of gas chromatographic stationary phases.

Trigonal tricationic ionic liquids (ILs) are a new class of ILs that appear to be unique when used as gas chromatographic stationary phases. They consist of four core structures; (1) A = mesitylene core, (2) B = benzene core, (3) C = triethylamine core, and (4) D = tri(2-hexanamido)ethylamine core; to which three identical imidazolium or phosphonium cationic moieties were attached. These were coated on fused silica capillaries, and their gas chromatographic properties were evaluated. They were characterized using a linear solvation parameter model and a number of test mixtures. On the basis of the literature, it is known that both monocationic and dicationic ILs possess almost identical polarities, solvation characteristics, and chromatographic selectivities. However, some of the trigonal tricationic ILs were quite different. The different solvation parameters and higher apparent polarities appear to generate from the more rigid trigonal geometry of these ILs, as well as their ability to retain the positi...
Multi-structural databases

We introduce the Multi-Structural Database, a new data framework to support efficient analysis of large, complex data sets. An instance of the model consists of a set of data objects, together with a schema that specifies segmentations of the set of data objects according to multiple distinct criteria (e.g., into a taxonomy based on a hierarchical attribute). Within this model, we develop a rich set of analytical operations and design highly efficient algorithms for these operations. Our operations are formulated as optimization problems, and allow the user to analyze the underlying data in terms of the allowed segmentations.Our algorithms and results extend those of Fagin et al. [8] who studied composition of mappings given by several kinds of constraints. In particular, they proved that full source-to-target tuple-generating dependencies (tgds) are closed under composition, but embedded source-to-target tgds are not. They introduced a class of second-order constraints, SO tgds, that is closed under composition and has desirable properties for data exchange.We study constraints that need not be source-to-target and we concentrate on obtaining (first-order) embedded dependencies. As part of this study, we also consider full dependencies and second-order constraints that arise from Skolemizing embedded dependencies. For each of the three classes of mappings that we study, we provide (a) an algorithm that attempts to compute the composition and (b) sufficient conditions on the input mappings that guarantee that the algorithm will succeed.In addition, we give several negative results. In particular, we show that full dependencies are not closed under composition, and that second-order dependencies that are not limited to be source-to-target are not closed under restricted composition. Furthermore, we show that determining whether the composition can be given by these kinds of dependencies is undecidable.
Sizes and shapes of simulated amorphous cis- and trans-1,4-polybutadiene

Abstract Controlling loss modulus can decrease tire rolling resistance. Deformation forces in elastomers depend on chain conformation. As a first step toward screening chemical effects on these, isolated single cis- and trans-1,4-polybutadiene chains of uncorrelated random conformations under unperturbed conditions are generated using Flory's Rotational Isomeric State approach, with discrete rotational states defined by Mark, Abe, and Flory. Averages and distribution of squared end-to-end distance, radius of gyration, and shape parameters are studied for chains ranging from 15 to 120 repeat units at 343 K and for the 50-unit chain at temperatures of 275 K–400 K. The calculated characteristic ratios are in good agreement with experimental and prior computed values. Only small absolute changes in chain size probability densities with temperature are found. A larger relative increase in probability density of unlikely larger chains and a smaller relative decrease in probability density of more likely smaller chains result in increased average chain size and characteristic ratios with increasing temperature. Within subdivisions of the size distribution, larger chains show an increase in characteristic ratio with temperature, while smaller and medium size chains show little change with temperature. This previously unreported effect is stronger for trans than for cis chains. Eigenvalues of the radius of gyration matrix quantify chain shapes along principal directions. Averaged shape measures differ between cis and trans chains, and most shape changes arise along the longest principal direction. Joint correlations between chain size and shape show they are mutually dependent.
Three-dimensional finite element analysis simulations of the fused deposition modelling process

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is a layer-manufacturing technology that has been widely used for rapid prototyping applications in product design and development. Owing to the intensive energy, rapid cooling, and phase changes, parts made by FDM and other layer-manufacturing processes deviate from the designed geometry, and some require laborious post-processing. Most severe form inaccuracies such as curl, warping, and delamination are attributed to the residual stress accumulations during prototype fabrications. This study investigates the FDM process, which consists of complicated heat and mass transfer phenomena coupled with mechanical loading and phase changes. A finite element analysis model using element activations has been developed to simulate the mechanical and thermal phenomena in FDM and further used for residual stress and part distortion simulations. The model has also been used to study the tool-path effects on the FDM process. Tool-path patterns affect the residual stresses in not only the magnitude but also the distribution which shows stress concentrations aligned with the primary direction of the tool path. Measured prototypes from the experiment show that the part distortion centre shifts distinctly owing to different tool-path patterns, which is consistent with the residual stress characteristics in the simulations. From the simulations, it is also shown that the short-raster tool path results in higher residual stresses, and thus possibly larger distortions, than the long-raster and alternate-raster patterns, both having similar stress distributions and distortion features.
Real-time Application Monitoring and Diagnosis for Service Hosting Platforms of Black Boxes

Service hosting platforms typically run a large number of third-party applications that are composed of multiple communicating components distributed on a dynamic set of hosting servers. Understanding the real-time behaviors of these applications and the intricate interactions/dependency relationships among these application components is very important to service management tasks such as load balancing, capacity planning, performance debugging and fault diagnosis. In this paper, we present the scalable real-time application monitoring and diagnosis (SRAMD) tool, for applications consisting of "black box" components: software without source code available, and usually without desired logging instrumentation. SRAMD runs at application layer and requires no modification to existing applications, middleware, or messages. For each application component collocated at its hosting server, a SRAMD monitor traces the component's packet-level traffic unobtrusively, summarizes its local resource utilization and performance (e.g. response time) online, performs interactive queries (e.g. per- request resource utilization) to locate possible bottlenecks on- demand, and discovers inter-component dependence relationships statistically. The SRAMD controller simply aggregates reports from distributed monitors to construct real-time application topologies with rich runtime information. We have developed mechanisms to decentralize the computation overhead and minimize the communication cost in the monitoring and diagnosis process, and two schemes to discover application component dependency relationships in different scenarios. The SRAMD tool offers an alternative to server logs and message-level traces for service monitoring and performance diagnosis.
Usefulness of biochemical parameters in decision-making on the start of emergency treatment in patients with propionic acidemia

Background Recurrent acute and life-threatening metabolic decompensations are thought to be the major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with propionic acidemia (PA). Since metabolic decompensations in these patients usually develop gradually, there is considerable uncertainty about the beginning and when emergency treatment should be initiated. The major aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of biochemical parameters for improving decision-making on the start of emergency treatment.
Determination of boundary area and spacing in prismatic structures with applications to dislocation boundaries

Abstract An analysis is presented for the determination of boundary area per unit volume (SV) for structures that can be idealized as two-dimensional prismatic foams. An important application for this analysis is in the determination of SV for one class of dislocation boundary observed following deformation to high strains. Assuming a complete uniformly random distribution of inclination angles for these dislocation walls SV=πNL/2, where NL is the number of intercepts per unit length along a line perpendicular to the wall traces, in any plane perpendicular to the prism basal plane. Analyses of the inclination angle distribution from both measurements of projected boundary widths and from spacing measurements in two perpendicular sections show that while the assumption of a complete uniformly random distribution is an approximation, the error introduced by making this assumption is small.
Recent developments in the formation, characterization, and simulation of micron and nano-scale droplets of amorphous polymer blends and semi-crystalline polymers

Abstract Polymer micro- and nano-particles are fundamental to a number of modern technological applications, including polymer blends or alloys, biomaterials for drug delivery systems, electro-optic and luminescent devices, coatings, polymer powder impregnation of inorganic fibers in composites, and are also critical in polymer-supported heterogeneous catalysis. In this article, we review some of our recent progress in experimental and simulation methods for generating, characterizing, and modeling polymer micro- and nano-particles in a number of polymer and polymer blend systems. By using instrumentation developed for probing single fluorescent molecules in micron-sized liquid droplets, we have shown that polymer particles of nearly arbitrary size and composition can be made with a size dispersion that is ultimately limited by the chain length and number distribution within the droplets. Depending on the time scale for solvent evaporation—a tunable parameter in our experiments—phase separation of otherwise immiscible polymers can be avoided by confinement effects, producing homogeneous polymer blend micro- or nano-particles. These particles have tunable properties that can be controlled simply by adjusting the size of the particle, or the relative mass fractions of the polymer components in solution. Physical, optical, and mechanical properties of a variety of micro and nano-particles, differing in size and composition, have been examined using extensive classical molecular dynamics calculations in conjunction with experiments to gain deeper insights into fundamental nature of their structure, dynamics, and properties.
Risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation associated with Individual non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Exposure to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is known to increase substantially the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation (UGIB). We have carried out a population-based retrospective case-control study to assess the variation in risk associated with various individual NSAIDs, with adjustment for features of use and other independent risk factors. The study sample comprised 1457 cases of UGIB and 10,000 control subjects identified from general practitioners' computerised records in the UK. The adjusted estimate of relative risk of UGIB associated with current NSAID use was 4.7 (95% CI 3.8-5.7). Previous UGIB was the single most important predictor of UGIB (relative risk 13.5 [10.3-17.7]). For all NSAIDs together, the risk was greater for high doses than for low doses (7.0 [5.2-9.6] vs 2.6 [1.8-3.8]). The estimates of risk associated with the individual NSAIDs varied widely. Users of azapropazone (23.4 [6.9-79.5]) and piroxicam (18.0 [8.2-39.6]) had the highest risk of UGIB among the NSAIDs studied. All the other NSAIDs with sufficient data for individual analysis (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, and indomethacin) had relative risks similar to that for overall NSAID use. NSAIDS should be used cautiously in patients who have other risk factors for UGIB; these include advanced age, smoking, history of peptic ulcer, and use of oral corticosteroids or anticoagulants.
Species specificity of streptokinase

Streptokinase, a bacterial protein, forms a complex with human plasminogen which results in a conformational change in the plasminogen molecule and the exposure of an active center. The plasminogen-streptokinase complex is an activator of plasminogen and is rapidly converted to a plasmin-streptokinase complex which, in the human, is also an activator of plasminogen. Species differences have been found in the reaction of streptokinase with plasminogen varying from no active complex formation at one extreme to the rapid formation of an active activator complex at the other, with resultant differences in rates of complex formation and the yield of plasmin. Explanation of these species differences at a molecular level are discussed as well as the possible application of complex formation in a variety of biological systems as a mechanism to produce variation in enzyme activities in proportion to the concentration of substrate available.
Quality function deployment (QFD): application to rehabilitation services

Describes how the challenge of providing rehabilitative services at reasonable costs is beginning to mount. The management of quality in rehabilitative services is therefore gaining increasing attention in the health care arena. States that if a link is implied between the above stated goal and customer satisfaction, it is imperative to evaluate quality or customer satisfaction in the context of the patient’s experience. Describes the QFD system and how it leads to a better understanding of the customer’s needs and wants. Explores the process of applying the concept of QFD to physical therapy.
Physician utilization disparities between the uninsured and insured : comparisons of the chronically ill, acutely ill, and well nonelderly populations

Background. —This study examines the associations between lack of health insurance coverage and physician utilization for the chronically ill, acutely ill, and well nonelderly populations in the United States. Methods. —Cross-sectional data from the 1989 National Health Interview Survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, were analyzed for the nonelderly population using a correlational, two-group design (N=102 055). Analytic models, using multiple logistic regression, were tested to predict the odds and likelihood of physician utilization for the uninsured and insured in the three subpopulations (ie, chronically ill, acutely ill, and well), controlling for health status, number of conditions, and geographic, sociodemographic, and economic factors. Disparities in utilization were then calculated between the uninsured and insured for each subpopulation. Results. —The nonelderly uninsured were consistently less likely than the insured to have received any health care within 12 months. Moreover, there were differential effects of being uninsured on utilization depending on whether an individual was chronically ill, acutely ill, or well. Whereas chronically ill and well uninsured persons were half as likely to have seen a physician as their insured counterparts (odds ratio, 0.50), acutely ill uninsured persons were almost two thirds as likely to receive physician care (odds ratio, 0.62). Thus, the disparity in physician utilization between the uninsured and insured was larger for the chronically ill and well than for the acutely ill; uninsured acutely ill were less likely to go without care. Of the three populations, those in the well population had average disparities with the largest magnitude (40%), compared with disparities of the chronically ill (20%) and acutely ill (10%). Conclusions. —These disparities represent large inequities in utilization of care by the uninsured, particularly for the chronically ill and well. Whether these disparities result from lower access or individual choice cannot be determined from this study. When viewed in light of other studies examining the impact of utilization on health status, these results provide support for the development of comprehensive health insurance packages with universal coverage and better inclusion of chronic and preventive care models in benefit packages. ( JAMA . 1993;269:787-792)
Effects of engineered nanomaterials on microbial catalyzed biogeochemical processes in sediments.

Abstract Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are anticipated to find use in many human activities and commercial products. Concerns are therefore being raised regarding their environmental fate and toxicological implications, which remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigate the effects of C60, nano-Ag and CdSe quantum dots (QD) on microbial-catalyzed oxidation of organic matter in freshwater sediments. Sediment slurries spiked with sodium acetate at a final concentration of 150 mg/L were separately treated with pre-identified toxic levels of the tested ENMs. The study focused primarily on acetate oxidation by nitrate reducing bacteria. Sediment slurries were incubated under anaerobic conditions in parallel with control samples, and changes in concentrations of acetate, nitrate and nitrite tracked over time. The results showed that tested C60 concentration completely inhibited the microbial oxidation of acetate, whereas the addition of nano-Ag and CdSe QD to sediment slurries negatively affected the rates of acetate oxidation. Under conditions with nitrate as prevalent electron acceptor, reaction rates of acetate degradation decreased from 0.44 day−1 in control slurries to 0.24 day−1 and 0.20 day−1 in slurries treated with nano-Ag and CdSe QD, respectively. These preliminary results call for further investigations on potential long-term effects of ENMs on microbial driven basic ecosystem services.
Anomalous hole burning in polymers with inhomogeneous broadening

Abstract For inhomogeneously broadened media such as polydiacetylene-4BCMU films, a phenomenological model is proposed to calculate the imaginary part of the optical susceptibility as a function of the pump field intensity. It is shown that the model can qualitatively account for the anomalous behavior of the absorption hole observed in recent experiments. A possible cause of the anomaly is discussed.
Separation anxiety syndrome in cats: 136 cases (1991-2000).

Objective—To determine whether cats develop clinical signs typical of separation anxiety syndrome (SAS) and the type and frequency of applicable clinical signs in affected cats. Design—Retrospectiv...
Spatial confinement-induced switchover in microstructure evolution during severe plastic deformation at micrometer length scales

Abstract Severe plastic deformation in micrometer scale sample volumes is investigated by performing large strain machining inside a scanning electron microscope. Digital image correlation of in situ secondary electron images of the deformation zone is used to measure the mechanics of deformation. The effect of length scales on microstructure evolution is characterized using orientation imaging microscopy/electron backscattered diffraction analysis of the deformation zone. A geometrically necessary switchover in microstructure evolution mechanisms in small length scales is identified and attributed to a coupled effect of geometric confinement and high strain gradients. A phenomenological model capturing the switchover is proposed. It is shown that contrary to conventional perception, a high crystallographic curvature caused by strain gradients impedes grain refinement in small length scales, resulting in an anomalous suppression of grain refinement and fragmentation.
Geochemistry and evolution of the Wolf River Batholith, a late Precambrian Rapakivi Massif in North Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Abstract The Wolf River Batholith is an anorogenic rapakivi massif in central and northeastern Wisconsin with an age of 1.5 Ga. The Batholith has alkaline affinities and consists of biotite granite and biotite-hornblende adamellite with minor occurrences of quartz syenite and older monzonite and anorthosite. The batholith is part of a major Late Precambrian (1.4–1.5 Ga) magmatic event of continental proportions, represented by separate intrusions extending from Labrador to southern California (Silver et al., 1977). The major and trace element composition (Li, Rb, Sr, Ba, and REE) of 40 samples from the anorthosite, monzonite, and rapakivi granite and adamellite plutons precludes a comagmatic (although not cogenetic) model between all three rock units. However, the monzonite may be related to the anorthosite alone by fractional crystallization of plagioclase, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and apatite. Alternatively, the monzonite may be a separate parent melt or a hybrid associated with the granite and adamellite plutons. The high REE content of the monzonite precludes it from being related to the rapakivi granite and adamellite plutons as a source material, a residuum, or a cumulate. A major portion of the Batholith is an undifferentiated intrusive sequence ranging from older rapakivi granite to younger adamellite. The compositions of these plutons suggest a crustal fusion origin at intermediate to lower levels of the crust (25–36 km). The trace element data are consistent with partial fusion of tonalitic to granodioritic source material. During crystallization and emplacement into the upper crust (less than 4 km), 55–70% fractionation of two feldspars, biotite and hornblende from one of the granite plutons produced a small volume of differentiated granitic melt high in Si, Fe/Mg, Rb, Li, and REE (except Eu), and low in Ca, Mg, Al, Ca/Na, Sr, Ba, and K/Rb and with a large negative Eu anomaly. Presumed associated cumulate material ranges from silica-poor quartz monzonite and quartz syenite. The chemical and mineralogical similarity between the Wolf River Batholith and younger magmatic analogs associated in continental break-up (Nigerian younger granites, White Mountain magma series, and the peralkaline volcanics of the Red Sea Region) are suggestive but not conclusive of an extensional tectonic setting. A preliminary tectonic model suggests that the 1.4–1.5 Ga event is in response to thermal doming in an extensional regime leading to continental separation in the western Cordillera (pre-Belt) and extensive crustal fusion with no rifting or separation across the North American Craton.
Diversity of soil mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) along a gradient of land use types in New York

Abstract This study explored the relationship between landscape-level factors (land use type) and the diversity of soil mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) at a within-site scale, using diversity measures including point diversity (local species diversity within a single sampling point), patterns of species turnover among the sampling points, and alpha diversity (total species richness in a habitat). The land use types included corn fields, intensive short-rotation forestry plantations, two types of abandoned agricultural fields, and hardwood forests. Land use type was identified as a significant factor influencing both small-scale (within individual soil cores) and site-scale diversity of Oribatida, which increased in the order “corn → willow → abandoned fields → forests”. There was no statistical relationship between land use type and abundance or diversity of Mesostigmata. Using a bootstrapping method to generate “random” communities, we found that all land use types had significantly more diverse patterns of species abundance than was expected by chance. On the other hand, the patterns of presence/absence of species were less diverse than expected by chance. Local site factors were significant in driving the patterns of diversity of soil mites at the site scale; land use type was less important. The overall structure of Oribatida and Mesostigmata assemblages was significantly related to land use type. We conclude that soil communities respond to land management on both local scales and habitat-wide scales.