cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concurrent atomistic–continuum simulation of polycrystalline strontium titanate

This paper presents the new development of a concurrent atomistic–continuum (CAC) method in simulation of the dynamic evolution of defects in polycrystalline polyatomic materials. The CAC method is based on a theoretical formulation that extends Kirkwood’s statistical mechanical theory of transport processes to a multiscale description of crystalline materials. It solves for both the deformation of lattice cells and the internal deformation within each lattice cell, making it a suitable method for simulations of polyatomic materials. The simulation results of this work demonstrate that CAC can simulate the nucleation of dislocations and cracks from atomistically resolved grain boundary (GB) regions and the subsequent propagation into coarsely meshed grain interiors in polycrystalline strontium titanate without the need of supplemental constitutive equations or additional numerical treatments. With a significantly reduced computational cost, CAC predicts not only the GB structures, but also the dynamic beh...
Transport of hypoxanthine in fibroblasts with normal and mutant hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase.

Abstract Hypoxanthine transport has been studied in cultured human fibroblasts with normal and mutant H-G PRT. Transport is dependent on cell density, the activity of H-G PRT, and de novo purine synthesis. Transport is decreased in control cultures at high density and in cell strains with a mutant H-G PRT. Cell strains from patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome with almost no H-G PRT activity demonstrate almost no hypoxanthine transport. Preincubation of cells with aminopterin, an inhibitor of de novo purine synthesis, increased hypoxanthine transport in actively growing control cell strains and in two mutant H-G PRT cell strains from patients with hyperuricemia, but had little effect on cells from patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Aminopterin affected the kinetics of transport in the two mutant cell strains from patients with hyperuricemia, but did not affect the kinetics of transport in control cells. These combined results suggest that intracellular H-G PRT is associated with hypoxanthine transport in human fibroblasts. Isolated, washed red cell membrane ghosts do not demonstrate H-G PRT activity. Red cell membranes do not preferentially bind enough hypoxanthine in equilibrium dialysis experiments to suggest the presence of a membrane carrier protein. Oxypurine levels are elevated in cell strains from patients within H-G PRT mutations. Studies with aminopterin suggest that the H-G PRT mutation and not the accelerated purine synthesis in these cells is primarily responsible for this elevation.
Neuron-like transient phenomena in silicon p-i-n structures

Abstract Simulation of neuron transient phenomena by electronic processes in semiconductors is discussed from the point of view of hardware for new approaches to electronic processing of information which parallel the means by which information is processed in intelligent organisms. Neural networks in intelligent organisms are huge compared to supercomputers but the electrical processes are much slower because they involve ionic conduction. Recent work has uncovered a class of transient semiconductor phenomena which exhibit similarities to the way in which information is coded by neurons. The typical speed of the observed transients has been slow by the standards of electronic switching in computers. New results for such transients in silicon p-i-n structures show much faster switching times. Experimentally demonstrated features include logical operations, bifurcation, chaos and threshold behavior of firing. Further development along these lines could lead to fast, dense, neuronlike microelectronic networks that are simpler than artificial neural networks based on transistors.
Hypercoagulability test strategies in the protein C and protein S pathway

The protein C/protein S pathway is critical in controlling normal clot formation to provide a balance between thrombosis and hemorrhage. Abnormalities have been described in which the pathway is altered because factor V cannot be degraded by activated protein C, producing activated protein C resistance. It has been shown that protein C or protein S deficiencies can result in impaired inhibition of clot formation resulting in increased risk for thrombosis. This article describes the testing strategies associated with the diagnosis of activated protein C resistance, protein C deficiency, and protein S deficiency. Laboratory testing algorithms also are provided.
Impact of Internet on financial services industry: a case study of on‐line investing

Outlines the internet’s contribution to the US economy with particular reference to the growth of online investing since 1994. Presents a study of the factors leading to this growth and its impact on the industry. Tabulates the market shares and stock commissions of the top ten online brokers, discusses their competitive strategies and identifies their key growth drivers. Suggests that they examplify McNair’s (1978) “wheel of retailing” by moving from a new, discounted service to a range of services like those of traditional brokers. Considers the online industry’s current problems (technical, legal, regulatory etc.), gives some advice on choosing an online broker and ranks the top ten by various criteria. Predicts that customers will benefit from increasing competition in the future and that the most successful firms will be middle‐tier ones offering a good combination of cost and service.
The non-ratification of bilateral investment treaties in Brazil: a story of conflict in a land of cooperation†

ABSTRACTThis article examines Brazil's unique experience with bilateral investment treaties (BITs) – the country signed 14 of them in the 1990s, but none was ever ratified. The case is puzzling for a number of reasons. First, BITs were an initiative of the presidency, and the Brazilian political system is notorious for executive branch's high level of success at enacting legislation. Second, the record of treaty ratification is very high in the country; between 1988 and 2006, 98% of the treaties signed entered into force in less than 18 months. Finally, the Brazilian Congress approved various investor-friendly policies that required even higher voting thresholds in the same period that BITs were being negotiated. We use primary legislative data and interviews with policymakers and bureaucrats to argue that a concentrated but strong ideological opposition in the Congress certainly contributed to hinder BIT ratification, but an unresolved executive – which addressed most investor's demands through alternati...
Critique of: “Basic Concepts for a Theory of Organization”

A critique of Stogdill, R. M. 1967. Basic concepts for a theory of organization. Management Sci.13 10, June B-666--B-676.
Partial protection against genital reinfection by immunization of guinea-pigs with isolated outer-membrane proteins of the chlamydial agent of guinea-pig inclusion conjunctivitis

Because partial protection against reinfection is induced by experimental infection in the guinea-pig model of genital chlamydial infection, we sought to induce immunity by immunization. Female guinea-pigs were immunized subcutaneously with the major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) and the 61 kDa cysteine-rich outer-membrane protein (61 kDa) of the agent of guinea-pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC) eluted from SDS-polyacrylamide gels (SDS-MOMP, SDS-61 kDa). Post-immunization sera and secretions contained antibodies to the SDS-purified proteins at high titre as measured by immunoblotting, whereas enzyme immunoassays (EIA) using whole elementary bodies as antigen showed significantly lower titres (P < 0.001). Likewise, blastogenic responses of peripheral mononuclear cells to GPIC elementary bodies were weak. Animals immunized with SDS-MOMP and SDS-61 kDa were fully susceptible to intravaginal challenge, as were control animals immunized with buffer without protein. Another group of animals were immunized with material prepared by extraction of chlamydial outer-membrane complexes with octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (OGP) and dithiothreitol, which consisted largely of MOMP (OGP-MOMP). In contrast to the SDS-MOMP group, sera and secretions in the OGP-MOMP group showed high titres in EIA, and high titre antibodies to MOMP by immunoblot; however, most animals also had antibodies to 61 kDa, 72 kDa and ca. 84 kDa outer-membrane proteins. OGP-MOMP animals were partially protected against genital challenge as evidenced by low inclusion scores compared to control animals, although duration of infection measured by culture isolation was similar to controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Hepatocellular carcinoma in long-term oral contraceptive use

The majority of hepatocellular carcinomas are associated with chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection and almost always develop in a cirrhotic liver. Reported in this paper are 4 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma in long-term oral contraceptive (OC) users from the US with no evidence of concurrent chronic hepatitis B or C viral infections. The 4 women 32-40 years old had a history of OC use exceeding 8 years (mean = 11 years). All patients complained of vague abdominal discomfort or pain before diagnosis. The tumor was solitary in 3 cases and multifocal in 1 woman; 3 tumors were well-differentiated. Polymerase chain reaction failed to detect hepatitis B or C virus sequences in tumorous and non-tumorous unfixed frozen liver tissue available from these women. The fact that OC use was the only known risk factor in these 4 cases provides support for a possible role of sex steroids in hepatocarcinogenesis. It remains unclear however whether OCs act as a mutagen or co-carcinogen. Since proliferation of hepatocytes a key factor in hepatocarcinogenesis is seen in long-term OC users OCs are likely involved in the initiation promotion and progression of this liver tumor but definitive evidence of an adenoma-carcinoma sequence has not been established.
Patients' views in the choice of renal transplant

Patients' views in the choice of renal transplant. Little is known about chronic dialysis patients' reasons for electing renal transplantation. We investigated chronic dialysis patients' reasons for choosing to be listed or not listed for renal transplantation. Chronic dialysis patients were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of demographic information and questions related to desire for transplantation and previous transplant experience. The mean age of the dialysis population was 48 ± 15 years (range 16 to 81 years); the population was 61% women, 39% African American, and 26% diabetic. The questionnaires of the 95 patients eligible for transplantation were analyzed. Forty-four percent of the eligible patients were active on a transplant waiting list; 56% of patients refused transplantation. Twenty-nine percent of the surveyed patients had had at least one previous transplant. Listed patients were younger (43 vs. 52 years), had fewer years of ESRD (5 vs. 9 years), and were more likely to be on home dialysis therapy (55% vs. 32%). There were no differences between listed and unlisted patients in gender, race, years of education, marital status, children, diabetes mellitus, and previous transplant experience. African American patients reporting strong religious beliefs were less likely to be listed for transplantation (76% vs. 24%); religious beliefs were not related to white patients' listing for transplantation. The most reported reason for electing transplantation was "hoping for a better quality of life" (86% of respondents). More never-transplanted patients elected transplantation "hoping it will make me live longer" (69% vs. 25% with previous transplant) and because their doctor (50% vs. 6%) or family (42% vs. 6%) thought it was a good idea. Of patients who declined transplant, 92% with previous transplant experience indicated that the experience discouraged them from seeking retransplantation; 59% of patients without transplant experience reported that seeing what happened to others with a failed transplant affected their decision not to seek transplantation. Our findings suggest that race and gender differences in electing transplant may disappear when all patients are actively solicited for transplantation. However, older patients may be less likely to elect transplant because they are more satisfied with life on dialysis or less willing to take risks. Further study of patients' reasons for electing transplantation is required before demographic variations in transplant choices can be accurately interpreted.
The search for resonance signatures in H+D2 reaction dynamics

Abstract To investigate the recent report of the observation of a reactive resonance in the title reaction, we have calculated the ro-vibrationally state-resolved integral cross-sections (ICS) and differential cross-sections (DCS), as well as the vibrational branching ratios for the H+D 2 ( v = j =0)→HD( v ′ , j ′ )+D reaction. Oscillatory structure occurring in the state-to-state reaction probabilities does survive partial wave averaging to appear in the integral cross-sections for low j ′ -values, although not significantly for the j ′ =7 state recently reported. The resonance picture interpretation of the oscillations is shown to be problematic.
The United States and the Postwar Order: Empire or Hegemony?

The American `Empire' is a fine interpretive essay on the sources and limits of United States influence in world politics since 1945. Geir Lundestad links issues of politics, economics and security, emphasizing the importance of local politics in determining the extent of US influence. In his view, US power has declined in relative terms since 1950, but the United States remains the world's strongest state. Lundestad's balanced and nuanced analysis is not aided, however, by use of the phrase `empire' to describe United States hegemony, since `empire' obscures rather than illuminates the differences in form of rule between the United States and other Great Powers, such as Great Britain in the nineteenth century or the Soviet Union in the twentieth.
Decay dynamics of photoinduced charge carriers in conducting polymers

The phase-modulation method is used to analyze a photoinduced absorption in the infrared spectrum for a number of conducting polymers in the microsecond to millisecond region. The in-phase components of the photoinduced absorptions are plotted against the quadrature (out-of-phase) components as a function of the sinusoidal modulation frequency. The resulting circle diagrams form depressed circular arcs. The time response of the charge carriers photogenerated in conducting polymers is simulated numerically for a sinusoidally modulated excitation. The comparison of the experimental data to the calculated results is in excellent agreement for a bimolecular decay. The excitation-laser-power dependence of the intensity of the photoinduced infrared absorption is also calculated and shown to be consistent with the experimental data. These analyses demonstrate the important role of bimolecular recombination in the decay processes of the conducting polymers.
Systematic evaluation of wavefront-guided outcomes.

Purpose To present a format for reporting outcomes of aberrometer-guided refractive procedures. Setting SurgiVision Consultants, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona, and Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Rockland, Maryland, USA. Methods Reports of standard refractive and visual outcomes (uncorrected visual acuity, manifest refractive spherical equivalent, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity) should be provided for any refractive surgery report. Comparison of postoperative uncorrected visual acuity to preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity should be included. Aberration reports should convert 2nd-order terms to refractions (measured in diopters) and use standard refractive reporting methods. Changes in coma, spherical aberration, and root-mean-square changes should be described using statistical methods for aggregate data. Underlying statistics should be reported. Results Aberration changes are well described by the mean error of the attempted versus achieved outcomes, comparison of the mean changes, and stability over time. Ancillary plots include histogram representation of the postoperative scores. Additional reports of visual function should be included, as appropriate. Conclusion Use of standardized tables and graphs permits qualitative and quantitative comparison of outcomes of refractive treatment with wavefront-guided lasers. Modifications of the recommended formats can be expected over time.
Phase relationship of glycolytic intermediates in yeast cells with oscillatory metabolic control

Abstract The phase relations of reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH) and other oscillating intermediates of yeast cells in the aerobic-anaerobic transition are analyzed by the phase plane plot. Adenosine-5′-diphosphate and -monophosphate are roughly in phase with DPNH, insofar as they precede it somewhat. Fructose-1,6-diphosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate also follow the changes in DPNH, but their action is slightly retarded Pyruvate, which reacts with FDP at the beginning, distinctly comes into phase with DPNH in the second period. These data indicate that neither feedback mechanisms nor the kinetics of phosphofructokinase (PFK) alone can explain the observed fluctuations of glycolytic intermediates. A hypothesis is discussed, which takes into account the limited turnover at the pyruvate decarboxylase step, the susceptibility of GAPDH against product as well as substrate inhibition, together with the well-known kinetics of PFK.
RANK-L induces the expression of NFATc1, but not of NFκB subunits during osteoclast formation

We report the program of gene expression during osteoclast formation from RAW264.7 cell precursors in response to RANK-ligand (RANK-L) using a combination of quantitative real time PCR and Affymetrix gene chip assays. We found that genes obligatory to osteoclast formation and function, namely tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, beta3 integrin, and calcitonin receptors, were up-regulated by RANK-L markedly by up to approximately 2000-fold. In contrast, we found a cluster of genes that were significantly down-regulated: these included interleukin-18, insulin-like growth factor-1, interleukin-6 receptor, and cathepsins B, C, and L. These results from real time PCR were broadly concordant with those obtained from Affymetrix. We also explored the expression of the transcription factors of the NFAT and NFkappaB family at days 3 and 5 of culture. Whereas NFATc1 expression was increased significantly at days 3 and 5 following RANK-L exposure, there were no significant increases in the expression of NFkappaB subunits, namely p65, p50, c-Rel, IkappaBalpha, and IkappaBbeta. There were also no significant differences in transcription modulator expression between days 3 and 5, except for c-Rel and NFATc4, which were both decreased significantly at day 5. The studies suggest RANK-L regulates the expression only of NFATc1, while it signals through both NFATc1 and NFkappaB.
On duality theory of convex semi-infinite programming

In this article we discuss weak and strong duality properties of convex semi-infinite programming problems. We use a unified framework by writing the corresponding constraints in a form of cone inclusions. The consequent analysis is based on the conjugate duality approach of embedding the problem into a parametric family of problems parameterized by a finite-dimensional vector.
An empirical assessment of the perceived relevance and quality of POM-related journals by academicians

Abstract As in other fields, promotion and tenure decisions of academicians in POM are very closely related to their publication achievements. Such achievements are generally measured by where academicians publish rather than just what they publish. Therefore, the perceived quality or image of POM journals is important to the faculty and researchers in this field. Not surprisingly, several previous studies have attempted to rank order journals belonging to related fields such as accounting, finance, economics and management. Unfortunately, for POM journals, there exist little published data accepted and shared by all in this respect. The primary objectives of the study are to establish the perceived relevancy and quality ratings of 20 selected journals that are frequently used to disseminate POM-related research work. The results are based on a questionnaire survey of those Decision Sciences Institute members who listed POM as their primary area of interest (DSI code N). Regarding relevancy, the Journal of Operations Management is rated as the most relevant journal for POM research. Other journals that received high relevance ratings are: International Journal of Production Research, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, Journal of Manufacturing and Operations Management, Decision Sciences, and Production and Inventory Management Journal . Based on the quality ratings. Management Science, Journal of Operations Management , and Decision Sciences appear to be the “best” journals publishing POM-related research. IIE Transactions, International Journal of Production Research, Harvard Business Review, Operations Research, Naval Research Logistics , and Journal of Manufacturing and Operations Management form the group of next best journals. The results provide some evidence of an apparent incongruity between the notions of journal relevancy and journal quality, as perceived by the respondents. Some journals that received high quality ratings were found only moderately relevant to POM research. On the other hand, some journals received poor quality ratings but were rated highly for relevancy. The opinions of the associate and full professors, as well as those with better publication associations with the included journals, were found strikingly similar to those of the entire sample surveyed. Some discrepancy was evident as to what the respondents and their administrative evaluators think are the top journals. The faculty evaluators tend to consider Management Science and Operations Research as the top two journals in the POM field. Such an observation, along with other pertinent data, suggests that there still exists a tendency to equate POM with OR, and the field, to an extent, is suffering from an identity crisis.
Ultrastructure of the vasa deferentia of the mediterranean flour moth.

Each vas deferens of the Mediterranean flour moth, Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller), consists of a short swollen portion immediately below the testis, another swollen portion that forms a seminal vesicle, and an elongate lower portion that empties into one arm of the ductus ejaculatoris duplex. Three types of epithelial cells occur sequentially. Phagocytic cells that engulf debris from the testis form the anterior two-thirds of the first swollen portion. Tall secretory cells form the distal third of the first swollen region and extend to the seminal vesicles. The secretory cells surround a slit-like lumen and appear to function as a valve between the two swollen regions. Many membrane-enclosed secretory granules are stored at the apical ends of the cells and are released into the lumen together with small amounts of the surrounding cytoplasm. The granules remain intact while they are in the male tract. A second type of secretory cell forms the walls of the seminal vesicles and the lower vasa deferentia. These cells produce secretory granules whose contents become dispersed through the semen. PTA-chromic acid staining indicates that the seminal plasma has a high glycoprotein content. A thin muscle layer is basal to the epithelial cells. Both apyrene and eupyrene sperm undergo some development in the vasa deferentia. The epithelial cells, muscle, and stored sperm all undergo extensive changes with age.
Multiscale large eddy states in weakly stratified planetary boundary layers

Abstract We first discuss observations of two classes of two-dimensional large eddy states in weakly stratified atmospheric boundary layers. One class is characterized by large eddies with a single horizontal scale. The other contains multiscale large eddies, with horizontal wavelengths on the order of the boundary layer depth (as generally supported by spectra), coexisting with scales that are several times this depth (as generally seen in cloud street patterns). We then present a theory which describes these different large eddy states as the result of wave–wave interactions between growing disturbances in the planetary boundary layer. We develop nonlinear, coupled evolution equations that govern the temporal evolution of a set of three isolated disturbances of initial eigenmode form in a general unstable flow. These equations model both wave/wave and wave/mean flow interactions. They imply that in unstable flow regimes, modes with relatively large growth rates as predicted by linear theory act as catal...
Utilization of AngioVac and Snare for Eradication of a Mobile Right Atrial Thrombus

Although there are multiple etiologies of a right atrial thrombus, the presence of a central venous catheter increases the risk for its development. Once diagnosed, an assessment of patient-specific factors will aid in dictating the appropriate management strategy. In cases of chronic disease or adherent thrombotic masses, thrombolytic therapy might not result in complete resolution of the clot burden and could lead to a devastating embolic event. Accordingly, we present a case of a right atrial thrombus not amenable to medical therapy that was removed only after concomitant utilization of an AngioVac Aspiration System (Vortex Medical, Norwell, MA) and percutaneous snare catheterization.
On the mechanism of action in gonadotropic stimulation of oocyte maturation in Xenopus laevis

Ripe ovarian follicles of Xenopus laevis, like those of Rana pipiens are capable of responding to gonadotropins even when their peritoneal epithelium and theca are removed by collagenase. Puromycin or cycloheximide stop oocyte maturation whether stimulated by gonadotropins or progesterone in vitro. Actinomycin D does not affect progesterone-induced maturation but does show variable inhibition with gonadotropin-induced maturation. Both gonadotropins and progesterone induce oocyte maturation to germinal vesicle breakdown in the same time. These data are taken as evidence that gonadotropins do not induce a macromolecular synthesis necessary for steroid release but rather simply induce the release of existing steroid in follicular epithelial cells.
Ecthyma gangrenosum in the absence of Pseudomonas bacteremia in a bone marrow transplant recipient.

Observation chez un patient ayant subi une greffe de moelle osseuse pour syndrome myelodysplasique. Developpement d'une infection a Pseudomonas aeruginosa localisee a la peau
The reaction of lead tetraacetate with hydrocarbons

Abstract The free radical reaction of lead tetraacetate with hydrocarbons has been investigated. The products of these reactions are the acetate esters. The hydrogen abstracting species from lead tetraacetate is found to have a primary to secondary to tertiary selectivity of 1:27:123 based upon relative reactivities.
PEDIATRIC HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS REVISITED

In May 1991,I contributed a description of the problems of children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and their families to the American Journal of Diseases of Children , 1 which devoted an entire issue to the health status of the nation's children. In the best of all worlds, 2 years later, I should be able to report substantial progress toward solutions to the problems of these children and their families, but unfortunately most of the serious problems facing these families remain essentially untouched by the larger community. By this time, more than 10 years into the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), more than 4000 cases of children with HIV infection have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New York, NY, which has reported about 25% of the nation's cases of children with AIDS, 575 children have died. 2 Most of these children were infected
Absolutely continuous spectrum of Schrödinger operators with potentials slowly decaying inside a cone

Abstract For a large class of multi-dimensional Schrodinger operators it is shown that the absolutely continuous spectrum is essentially supported by [ 0 , ∞ ) . We require slow decay and mildly oscillatory behavior of the potential in a cone and can allow for arbitrary non-negative bounded potential outside the cone. In particular, we do not require the existence of wave operators. The result and method of proof extends previous work by Laptev, Naboko and Safronov.
Occupy Wall Street and the myth of technological death of the library

Within a week of the emergence of Occupy Wall Street, a library surfaced in the midst of the protest. Staffed by volunteers and comprised entirely of donated materials, the People’s Library offers books and media to the public, provides basic reference assistance and includes a fully-searchable digital catalog. In this article, I analyze the People’s Library in terms of larger discussions of libraries, technology and activism. Drawing on personal experiences volunteering at the Library as well as text from the Library’s blog, I argue that the People’s Library offers two counter arguments to conventional claims about the public library: first, that libraries are being existentially threatened by the emergence of digital technologies and second, that a library’s activist ethics are located solely or predominantly in the content of its collection. Using the People’s Library as a kind of conceptual case study, I explore the connections between public libraries, digital technologies and activist ethics.
The role of the family in treatment decision making by patients with cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine family disagreements about treatment decisions for patients with advanced lung cancer. RESEARCH APPROACH Descriptive, qualitative study. SETTING A large comprehensive cancer center in Cleveland, OH. PARTICIPANTS 37 patients with stage III or IV lung cancer and 40 caregivers (24 primary and 16 secondary) from 26 families were interviewed. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH Open-ended audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim. NUD*IST (non-numerical unstructured data indexing, searching, and theorizing) computer software (QSR International, Melbourne, Australia) was used to perform content analysis. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Vast differences in opinions between patients and family caregivers about treatment decisions and care. FINDINGS Sixty-five percent of families reported various family disagreements that mainly concerned routine treatment decisions, discontinuation of therapeutic treatment, and use of hospice care. CONCLUSIONS Family disagreements about treatment decisions for patients with advanced lung cancer are common and include a wide range of issues. Family members play an important role in the selection of patients' doctors, hospitals, treatment options, and provisions of care. INTERPRETATION The findings suggest that nurses need to be aware of differences of opinion between patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Knowledge of family disagreements about treatment decisions can help nurses' efforts to integrate families into decision-making processes in clinical settings to facilitate family communications and improve patients' and caregivers' satisfaction with treatment decisions.
Anomalous Action of the Rayleigh Disk

Torque on Rayleigh disk in a resonating tube, for high pitch sounds.---In the case of a disk 15 cm in diam. in a tube 16 cm in diam., a study of the deflection as a function of wave-length, 4 to 28 cm, showed that for a wave-length of 28 cm the disk tended to set itself parallel to the axis of the resonator, and hence was deflected in a direction opposite to the usual one. Other negative maxima were observed for waves of about 14 and 7 cm. Experiments with smaller disks showed that beyond a certain tube length the maximum critical wave-length for a negative maximum is independent of tube length and depends more on tube diameter than on disk diameter, approaching twice the tube diameter as the size of the disk is increased nearly to that of the tube.
Benchmarking Climate-Carbon Model Simulations against Forest FACE Data

Terrestrial carbon fluxes are an important factor in regulating concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). In this study, we use a coupled climate model with interactive biogeochemistry to benchmark the simulation of net primary productivity (NPP) and its response to elevated atmospheric CO2. Short-term field experiments such as Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) studies have examined this phenomenon but it is difficult to infer trends from only a few years of field data. Here, we employ the University of Victoria's Earth System Climate Model (UVic ESCM) version 2.8 to compare simulated changes in NPP due to an elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration of 550 ppm to observed increases in NPP of 23% ±2% from four temperate forest FACE studies between 1997 and 2002. We further compare two scenarios: elevated CO2 with climate change, and elevated CO2 without climate change, the latter being consistent with FACE methodology. In the climate change scenario global terrestrial and forest-only NPP in...
Scalable I/O and analytics

High-performance computing systems have already approached peta-scale with hundreds of thousands of processors/cores in many deployments. These systems promise a new level of predictive and knowledge discovery ability as researchers gain the capability to model dependencies between phenomena at scales not seen earlier. These applications are highly I/O and data intensive, leading scientists to observe that performing I/O and subsequent analyses are major bottlenecks in effectively utilizing peta-scale systems and a major hurdle in accelerating discoveries. Although significant progress has been made in performance, interfaces, and middleware runtime systems for I/O in the recent past, significantly more research and development needs to be carried out to scale the performance to the desired levels for systems containing tens to hundreds of thousands of cores. In this work we outline our recent achievements and current research for designing scalable I/O software and enabling data analytics in storage systems. We also enumerate key challenges for the I/O systems and discuss ongoing efforts that address these challenges.
NUMBER OF TRANSFUSIONS (TX) BY GESTATIONAL AGE (GA) AND LENGTH OF STAY (LOS). 1700

To reduce blood product Tx and donor exposures, a number of methods have been proposed, including rhEpo, reduced sampling, sterile docking devices, and dedicated units. To assess the impact of different methods, the frequency of blood product Tx must be predicted for a given GA. Data were prospectively collected on PRBC, plasma (FFP) and platelet Tx, GA and LOS for 6248 infants admitted to UAB Hospital's newborn ICU 1989-1995. The mean Tx per baby and number of Tx per 100 days of stay were calculated. The relationship of PRBC Tx to GA and LOS was significant (p< 0.0001, mult. logistic regression). PRBC Tx/baby peaked at 24 wks and showed a nadir at 33wks(Table). Platelet Tx/baby and Tx/100 days were not significantly related to GA (0.07 ± 0.01, 0.7 ± 0.1 respectively). FFP Tx were related to GA (p <0.01) with Tx/100days peaking at 24 and 38wks (3.7 ± 1.9, 2.8 ± 1.6) with a nadir at 34wks(0.2 ± 0.1). Together with data on timing of Tx, these data should facilitate choosing which infants would benefit and the most effective method(s) of reducing donor exposure for a given GA so that appropriate strategies may be initiated at admission.
Modulation of the Renin-Angiotensin Pathway Through Enzyme Inhibition and Specific Receptor Blockade in Pacing-Induced Heart Failure: I. Effects on Left Ventricular Performance and Neurohormonal Systems

Background The goal of this study was to determine the effects of ACE inhibition (ACEI) alone, AT 1 angiotensin (Ang) II receptor blockade alone, and combined ACEI and AT 1 Ang II receptor blockade on LV function, systemic hemodynamics, and neurohormonal system activity in a model of congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results Pigs were randomly assigned to each of 5 groups: (1) rapid atrial pacing (240 bpm) for 3 weeks (n=9), (2) ACEI (benazeprilat, 0.187 mg · kg −1 · d −1 ) and rapid pacing (n=9), (3) AT 1 Ang II receptor blockade (valsartan, 3 mg · kg −1 · d −1 ) and rapid pacing (n=9), (4) ACEI and AT 1 Ang II receptor blockade (benazeprilat/valsartan, 0.05/3 mg · kg −1 · d −1 ) and rapid pacing (n=9), and (5) sham controls (n=10). In the pacing group, LV fractional shortening (LVFS) fell (13.4±1.4% versus 39.1±1.0%) and end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) increased (5.61±0.11 versus 3.45±0.07 cm) compared with control ( P 1 Ang II blockade and rapid pacing, LVEDD and LVFS were unchanged from pacing-only values. ACEI reduced LVEDD (4.95±0.11 cm) and increased LVFS (20.9±1.9%) from pacing-only values ( P 1 Ang II blockade reduced LVEDD (4.68±0.07 cm) and increased LVFS (25.2±0.9%) from pacing only ( P 1 Ang II blockade. Plasma norepinephrine was reduced from pacing-only values by more than twofold in the ACEI group and the combination group. ACEI and AT 1 Ang II receptor blockade reduced plasma endothelin levels by >50% from rapid-pacing values. Conclusions These findings suggest that the effects of ACEI in the setting of CHF are not solely due to modulation of Ang II levels but rather to alternative enzymatic pathways and that combined ACEI and AT 1 Ang II receptor blockade may provide unique benefits for LV pump function and neurohormonal systems in the setting of CHF.
THE CRACK RESISTANCE IN POLYBUTYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PBT) AT CRACK INITIATION AND DURING STEADY CRACK-GROWTH

The resistance to crack initiation and quasi-static crack propagation is investigated for a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) using annealed and unannealed three-point bend specimens. The resistance to crack initiation (Ri) is determined based on the generalized locus method which determines the resistance to crack growth including crack initiation utilizing the locus of characteristic points on the load against load-point displacement curves of specimens which differ only in initial crack length. This generalized locus method also enables us to investigate the invariance of the crack resistance value along the locus line. The steady state crack resistance (Rp) during quasi-static crack propagation is determined utilizing the functional relation between total essential energy (Uf) for complete fracture and the initial ligament length. The total essential energy is the sum of the blunting energy and the integration of the resistance to crack propagation with respect to the cracking area. The invariance of the crack initiation resistanceRi, and the steady state resistanceRp is discussed based on the experimental results of the annealed and unannealed specimens which show different sizes of crack tip plastic deformation.
Google: Das weltweit erste „Information Utility“?

In nur zehn Jahren hat Google einen bemerkenswerten Erfolg durch Werbung im Rahmen der Onlinesuche erlangt. Googles Suchmaschine ist dominant und seine IT-Infrastruktur ist das machtigste Rechnersystem der Welt. Es wird auf mehr als einer Million Computern betrieben und bedient weltweit mehr als einer Milliarde Nutzern. Google verdient, indem seine Suchmaschine Onlinewerbung neben Antworten auf Nutzeranfragen nach Informationen, Waren, Karten, Wegbeschreibungen und einer ganzen Reihe von anderen Diensten platziert. Googles Potenzial fuhrt wahrscheinlich dazu, dass das Unternehmen zum weltweit ersten „Information Utility“ wird. Da kein deutschsprachiges Aquivalent existiert, wird im Folgenden der englischsprachige Begriff verwendet. Er ist in etwa gleichzusetzen mit „Informationsversorger“ – ein Konzept ahnlich einem Stromversorger (engl. electric utility), welcher Dienste fur viele Unternehmen und Privatpersonen gleichermasen anbietet. Standige Innovation ist der Schlussel zu Googles Erfolg und stellt ein Vorbild fur andere Unternehmen dar: Stelle talentierte Menschen ein, lasse sie in kleinen Teams arbeiten und gib ihnen die Freiheit, andere zu ubertreffen, aber nutze ein strenges datenbasiertes Konzept fur die Bewertung der Ergebnisse und fur Strategieanpassungen.
Differentially Distributed IP3 Receptors and Ca2+ Signaling in Rod Bipolar Cells

PURPOSE. Inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptors (IP 3 Rs) contribute substantially to cytosolic free calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) concentration transients and thereby modulate neuronal function. The present study was undertaken to determine the contribution of IP 3 Rs to the function of rod bipolar cells in the retina. METHODS. Immunoreactivity for IP 3 Rs in rod bipolar cells from mouse retinas was detected by immunocytochemical methods. Intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations were optically recorded in acutely isolated rod bipolar cells, and biophysical properties of IP 3 Rs were analyzed with single channel electrophysiology. RESULTS. The distribution of IP 3 R isoforms was correlated with cytosolic Ca 2+ transients induced by activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and with biophysical properties of differentially expressed IP 3 Rs. CONCLUSIONS. The differential distribution of IP 3 Rs is used by rod bipolar cells to convey Ca 2+ signals that are distinct in their duration, amplitude, and kinetics at the subcellular level, and that serve the functions of individual subcellular compartments. IP 3 R-mediated Ca 2+ signaling indicates a potential mechanism for the adaptation of the ON-pathway of vision and for coincidence and threshold detection in retinal neurons.
The Problems Facing Multidisciplinary Teams: As Perceived by Team Members.

The present study investigated the problems that team members perceive to exist on multidisciplinary teams. One hundred forty-seven team members on 40 teams from four urban school districts completed a questionnaire that presented an exhaustive listing of potential team problems. Results indicated that the two most pressing areas of concern for urban, multidisciplinary team members were: too constrictive a set of team roles and goals, and teams functioning under extensive pressure with minimal support. Strategies to reduce problems and enhance team functioning are presented.
Stochastic models for the population growth of the sexes

SUMMARY In this paper we present stochastic models to describe the changes that take place with time in the numbers of females and males in the various age-intervals in the population. We first consider the case where females, or males, are marriage dominant, i.e. where the joint distribution of the numbers of boys and girls born at time t depends upon the numbers of females, or males, in the various age-intervals in the immediately preceding time-period. We then consider the case where neither females nor males are marriage-dominant, i.e. where the joint distribution of the numbers of boys and girls born at time t depends upon both the numbers of females and males in the various age-intervals in the immediately preceding time-period. Methods are given for calculating the expected values, variances, and covariances of the number of females and males in each age-interval at time t, and asymptotic results are presented for the case where t -* so. The application of these results is illustrated with data on the fertility and mortality conditions in the U.S. in 1965. The literature on two-sex stochastic models of population growth starts with articles by Kendall (1949) and Goodman (1953). Kendall outlined some of the analytic difficulties of a study of the stochastic aspects of two-sex population growth, and for simplicity limited his discussion of two-sex stochastic models to the special case where (a) each birth is equally likely to add a new female or a new male to the population, (b) the death-rate for females is equal to that for males, and (c) the birth- and death-rates per person are constants that are independent of the age of the person, and also independent of other relevant variables. Although Goodman's analysis was not limited by (a) and (b), it was limited by (c), as was all subsequent analytic work by other authors. One of the models of Goodman (1953) was a stochastic model where one sex is marriage-dominant, i.e. where the joint distribution of the numbers of girls and boys born at time t depends only upon the number of the dominant sex in the population in the immediately preceding time-period; he calculated the means, variances, and covariances of the numbers of females and males in the population at time t. A similar analysis of this model was made by Joshi (1954); see also Barucha-Reid (1960, pp. 175-9), Bailey (1964, pp. 119-20), and Keyfitz (1968). Lamens (1957) supposed that the birth- and death-rates may be functions of time, but he did not allow for possible dependence of these rates on the age-composition of the population, nor for the possibility that neither females nor males are marriage-dominant. Here we shall deal with stochastic models where the birth- and death-rates for females and for males may depend upon the age-composition of the population. First, say, the females will be assumed marriage-dominant, and then the more general situation will be considered. The above articles dealt mainly with some of the stochastic aspects of two-sex populationgrowth. Some of the deterministic aspects have been discussed in the demographic and bio
TAXONOMIC STATUS OF THE SPECIMENS OF ARCHAEOPTERYX

(2003). Taxonomic status of the specimens of Archaeopteryx. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 961-965.
Wideband quantum-dash-in-well superluminescent diode at 1.6 /spl mu/m

We demonstrate broadband superluminescent diode at ~1.6-mum peak emission wavelength using InAs-InAlGaAs quantum-dash-in-well structure on InP substrate. The fabricated device exhibits the close-to-Gaussian emission with a bandwidth of up to 140 nm. The device produces a low spectrum ripple of 0.3dB and an integrated power of 1.7 mW with the corresponding bandwith of 110 nm measured at 20 degC under 8 kA/cm2
EXPRESSION VECTORS FOR STREPTAVIDIN-CONTAINING CHIMERIC PROTEINS

We have constructed expression vectors for streptavidin-containing chimeric proteins. These vectors carry the DNA sequence corresponding to the core region of the streptavidin molecule, and have several unique cloning sites which facilitate construction of gene fusions of streptavidin with a target protein. A chimeric protein of streptavidin and the target protein should be expressible in Escherichia coli by using the T7 expression system. Because of the strong and specific biotin-binding affinity of the streptavidin moiety, such streptavidin-containing chimeric proteins should extensively expand the applications of the streptavidin-biotin system, and offer a variety of applications as new biological tools.
Residential Mobility, Inhibitory Control, and Academic Achievement in Preschool.

Research Findings: The present study investigated the direct effects of residential mobility on children's inhibitory control and academic achievement during the preschool year. It also explored fall inhibitory control and academic skills as mediators linking residential mobility and spring achievement. Participants included 359 preschool children (49% female) studied in the fall and spring of the preschool year (73% were enrolled in Head Start). Residential mobility was significantly and negatively associated with fall inhibitory control and fall math and literacy. Significant indirect effects of mobility were found for spring math and literacy through inhibitory control and fall achievement. Specifically, the negative relation between mobility and spring math and literacy was partially explained by lower scores on fall inhibitory control and academic skills. Practice or Policy: The current study contributes to the existing literature by specifying pathways linking frequent moves and achievement for youn...