cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of automated blood pressure devices on the efficiency of clinical trials

By reducing measurement error, automated blood pressure (BP) devices should enhance the precision of BP estimation and thereby decrease sample size requirements in clinical trials of BP-lowering therapy. Enhanced precision would be particularly relevant to clinical trials assessing the efficacy of nonpharmacological therapies. In the present investigation, resting (clinic) BPs by the Dinamap 8100 (a stationary device) and the Accutracker II (an ambulatory device) were as precise as manual BPs given an equal number of observations by each method. However, both the Dinamap and Accutracker devices underestimated resting diastolic BP in comparison to the manual observers. Estimates of average daytime and 24-hour ambulatory BP, based on large numbers of observations over an extended period of time, were extremely precise. These findings suggest that the use of automated devices to measure resting BP may not reduce samples sizes, whereas use of ambulatory BP devices should reduce samples sizes considerably.
Ram's horn

An overly confident mountain climber sets out to conquer Ram's Horn, the massive, curly-tipped mountain, for fame and glory, only to be thwarted by an unexpected rival and its loveable offspring, who puts the mountaineer's priorities to the test.
THE EFFECT OF ANTIBIOTICS ON THE RESPIRATION OF BROWN SHRIMP LARVAE AND POSTLARVAE (Penaeus aztecus IVES) AND THE BACTERIAL POPULATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SHRIMP1

The oxygen consumption rates of brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) larvae and postlarvae were measured by manometric techniques in the absence and presence of four concentrations of an oxytetracyclineoleandomycin antibiotic combination, and the ability of these antibiotics to control bacterial populations associated with the shrimp was determined. The data suggest that brown shrimp mysis and postlarvae can tolerate all four concentrations of antibiotics tested. However, definite tolerance levels were not determined for the nauplial and protozoeal stages. The average initial bacterial population associated with brown shrimp nauplii is lower than that found in older stages. The average bacterial populations associated with brown shrimp protozoea, mysis, and postlarvae after a 1 hour incubation in autoclaved sea-water (ASW) was 2 times 106 cells/ml ambient solution. In the absence of antibiotic, the bacterial population associated with the brown shrimp larvae and postlarvae increased exponentially. In 24 hours the bacterial population had become as high as 1 times 108 cells/ml ambient solution. The concentration of 62.5 μg oxytetracycline (OTC) and 25 μg oleandomycin (OLE) per ml ASW has a bacteriostatic activity for 6 hours and a concentration double this amount has a bacteriostatic activity for 6–18 hours. A concentration of 250 μg OTC + 100 μg OLE/ml ASW has a greater than 99% bacteriostatic activity after four hours of exposure time and will maintain the bacterial population at 100 cells or less from 12 to 24 hours. A concentration of 500 μg OTC + 200 μg OLE/ml ASW has a greater than 99.4%. bactericidal activity after 1 hour of incubation and thereafter is better than 99.9% bactericidal. After 12 hours of exposure, the bacterial population is reduced to 10 cells or less per ml ambient solution and this level is maintained for another 12 hours until the termination of the experiment.
A hypothetical application of the geometric method of satellite geodesy.

Abstract I. INTRODUCTION The present investigation is a feasibility study of a spatial triangulation scheme covering the Australian continent, using the geometric satellite geodesy method. This method is a highly accurate means of relative-position determination of points on the Earth's surface that are separated by thousands of kilometers. As the method is independent of gravity and of any assumptions concerning the shape of the Earth, it is a most powerful means of precise-position fixation on a global scale.
Thermal conductivity of sludges

Abstract The time needed to naturally thaw sludge in a freezing bed depends on the thermal conductivity of the settled sludge layer deposited on the thawing sludge. The objective of this research is to measure the thermal conductivity of this layer. Six different sludges are tested, and it is found that thermal conductivity decreases with increasing solids concentration. At normal solids concentrations, the thermal conductivity is found to be about 0.85 × 10−3 cal cm−1 s °C.
An Efficient Algorithm For Predicting The Response Of A Laterally Inhibited Neural Network

Neural networks are usually described mathematically using sets of coupled non-linear differential equations. Thus, we can determine the response of the network to any input stimulus by numerically integrating the corresponding differential equations (which can be computationally intensive). In this paper, a new algorithm is presented for determining the input-output behavior of laterally inhibited neural networks. This algorithm is based on an analytical understanding and thus does not involve any numerical integrations. Initial results indicate that this new algorithm provides a speed up of up to three orders of magnitude. We also propose a VLSI Systolic Array implementation of this algorithm.
Characterization of Six Lipoproteins in the σE Regulon

In Escherichia coli, sigma(E) regulon functions are required for envelope homeostasis during stress and are essential for viability under all growth conditions. The E. coli genome encodes approximately 100 lipoproteins, and 6 of these are regulated by sigma(E). Phenotypes associated with deletion of each of these lipoproteins are the subject of this report. One lipoprotein, YfiO, is essential for cellular viability. However, overexpression of this protein is not sufficient to alleviate the requirement of sigma(E) for viability, suggesting that the sigma(E) regulon provides more than one essential function. The remaining five lipoproteins in the sigma(E) regulon are nonessential; cells are viable even when all five are removed simultaneously. Deletion of three nonessential lipoprotein genes (nlpB, yraP, ygfL) results in the exhibition of phenotypes that suggest they are important for maintenance of the integrity of the cell envelope. deltanlpB cells are selectively sensitive to rifampin; deltayraP cells are selectively sensitive to sodium dodecyl sulfate. Such selective sensitivity has not been previously reported. Both deltayraP and deltanlpB are synthetically lethal with surA::Cm, which encodes a periplasmic chaperone and PPIase, suggesting that NlpB and YraP play roles in a periplasmic folding pathway that functions in parallel with that of SurA. Finally, the deltayfgL mutant exhibits a broad range of envelope defects, including sensitivity to several membrane-impermeable agents, an altered outer membrane protein profile, synthetic lethality with both surA::Cm and deltafkpA::Cm strains, and sensitivity to a bactericidal permeability-increasing peptide. We suggest that this lipoprotein performs a very important but as-yet-unknown function in maintaining the integrity of the cell envelope.
Effect of heat pretreatment on the yield and composition of oil extracted from corn fiber.

Previously, hexane extraction of corn fiber was reported to produce a unique and potentially valuable oil that contained high levels of several phytosterols (which have been noted for their cholesterol-lowering properties). Current studies revealed that heat treatment (over the range of 100−175 °C) of corn fiber in either a convection oven or a vacuum oven caused only a modest reduction in the levels of the phytosterol components. However, these same heat pretreatments caused a considerable increase (up to 10-fold) in the levels (increasing from 0.34 wt % to a maximum of 3.64 wt % γ-tocopherol in the oil) and yields (increasing from 5.4 mg of γ-tocopherol/100 g of corn fiber to a maximum of 52.1 mg of γ-tocopherol/100 g of corn fiber) of γ-tocopherol in corn fiber oil. The main differences between the convection oven and vacuum oven pretereatments were associated with the disappearance of free fatty acids and free phytosterols at the higher temperature pretreatments in the vacuum oven, probably due to the...
Report on the Workshop on the Uses and Generation of Femtosecond Radiation

We describe the proceedings of the Workshop on the Uses and Generation of Femtosecond Radiation, held at the E. O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), in February 1998, and some of the ideas that were generated subsequent to the workshop. The motivation for this workshop was to bring together accelerator physicists interested in the generation of ultra-short (less than 200 fs) pulses of XUV and x-ray radiation, and scientists interested in using them. The primary purpose of the workshop was to educate the accelerator physicists about the source characteristics necessary to carry out specific experiments, and to inform the user community of ideas currently being explored by the accelerator community. A second objective was to develop a set of parameters and requirements that could form the basis for a broad-based femtoscience user facility. In this paper we describe some of the ideas and techniques that accelerator physicists are pursuing to fulfill the diverse requirements of this expanding community.
Field Traffic Sign Handbook for Local Highway Agencies

Using the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" in the field is difficult in New York State because of the need to follow two voluminous documents. There is a need for a field handbook that provides information on the most commonly used signs. The "Traffic Sign Handbook" has been produced in New York State since the mid-1980s. This handbook has been updated to meet changing standards. Several figures, graphics, tables, and other components make the handbook especially valuable.
Effects of Cd2+ on ATP-driven membrane potential in beef heart mitochondrial H+-ATPase: a study using the voltage-sensitive probe oxonol VI.

Beef heart mitochondrial H+-ATPase (F1-F0) vesicles were prepared by lysolecithin extraction of ETPH. ATP-driven membrane potential was monitored indirectly by following absorbance changes of the potential-sensitive dye oxonol VI. The steady-state potential was discharged by oligomycin and/or Cd2+ (a dithiol reagent). At 13°C, the agents appeared to act synergistically; at 24°C the data were equivocal. When Cd2+ was added before energization, the membrane potential was markedly attenuated. Both effects of Cd2+ were inhibited by dithiothreitol. The activation energy for oligomycin-sensitive ATPase exhibited a discontinuity at 16°C. However, the temperature dependence of the rate of potential discharge by oligomycin showed no such discontinuity. The results are discussed in terms of the involvement of thiol groups in proton translocation and the thermotropic behavior of the membrane vesicles.
Experimental use of free grafts of bladder mucosa in canine bladders. Successful closure of recurrent vesicovaginal fistula utilizing bladder mucosa

Three to 4 cm-diameter, circular-shaped full thickness sections of the anterior wall of canine bladders were resected. Free grafts of bladder mucosa were lifted from the muscular wall and sewn back as a patch onto the original defect. Fusion of the graft and normal urothelium occurred, and at eight weeks a dense fibrotic external layer and normal urothelium was observed. No diverticuli occurred. A successful closure of recurrent multiple vesicovaginal fistulas in a woman using mucosa alone is reported.
Poverty in Abundance: Is Corruption an Answer?

With the challenges of inequality so embedded in the political and economic infrastructure and their origin at least in part associated with national and global forces outside and beyond the control of the city, remediation is extraordinarily difficult. Only with innovation and imagination is inequality likely to be touched. Only if we are willing to look at the informal as well as the formal economy, and ignore the common wisdom about corruption and squatting and hidden capital, are we likely to find some partial answers to the burdens under which the most progressive and prosperous cities labour. (Excerpt)
Uptake of EDTA-complexed Pb, Cd and Fe by solution- and sand-cultured Brassica juncea

Direct plant uptake of metals bound to chelating agents has important implications for metal uptake and the free-ion activity model. Uptake of hydrophilic solutes such as metal–EDTA complexes is believed to occur via bypass apoplastic flow, but many questions remain about the relative importance and selectivity of this pathway. In this study, Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) plants grown in solution- and sand-culture conditions were exposed to metal–EDTA complexes and to PTS, a hydrophilic fluorescent dye previously used as a tracer of apoplastic flow. The results suggest that there are two general phases of solute uptake. Under normal conditions, xylem sap solute concentrations are relatively low (i.e., 3% of concentration in solution) and the selectivity among solutes is less. In healthy plants, xylem sap metal–EDTA concentrations were generally an order of magnitude higher than those of PTS and differences among complexes were observed, with CdEDTA2− exhibiting slightly higher xylem sap concentrations than PbEDTA2− or FeEDTA−. Metal–EDTA complexes were found to dominate xylem sap metal speciation and the fraction of metal in xylem sap present as metal–EDTA was greater for non-nutrient metals (Pb, Cd) than for the nutrient metal Fe. Despite differences in root morphology between plants grown under solution- and sand-culture conditions, uptake of solutes was similar under both sets of growth conditions.
Regional infusion chemotherapy for prolongation of kidney allografts.

Abstract Continuous or fractionated regional intra-arterial infusion with several immunosuppressive agents was utilized for the purpose of prolonging canine renal allografts. A single agent was utilized in each group of animals at a dose level below that expected to produce systemic toxicity. This modification of the route of drug administration failed to produce a significant extension of the survival time of these kidney transplants.
Preferences, prices, and ratings in risky decision making.

Systematically different preference orders are obtained when different procedures are used to elicit preferences for gambles. Three new experiments found different preference orders with attrativeness ratings, risk ratings, buying prices, selloing prices, avoidance prices, and strength-of-preference judgments. Preference reversals persisted event when Ss were given financial incentives to motivate them to rank the gambles identically. Results were consistent with a change-of process theory in which Ss are assumed to use different strategies in different tasks with the same scales. Attractiveness and risk ratings could be described by an additive combination of probability and amount, and prices could be predicted by a multiplicative combination of the same scales. Strength-of-preference judgments were consistent with contrast-weighting model in which the weight of a dimension (either probability or amount) depends on the contrast between the 2 gambles along that dimension
Cytokine-associated drug toxicity in human hepatocytes is associated with signaling network dysregulation

Idiosyncratic drug hepatotoxicity is a major problem in pharmaceutical development due to poor prediction capability of standard preclinical toxicity assessments and limited knowledge of its underlying mechanisms. Findings in animal models have shown that adverse effects of numerous drugs with idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity in humans can be reproduced in the presence of coincident inflammatory cytokine signaling. Following these observations, we have recently developed an in vitro drug/inflammatory cytokine co-treatment approach that can reproduce clinical drug hepatotoxicity signatures—particularly for idiosyncratic drugs—in cultured primary human hepatocytes. These observations have suggested that drug-induced stresses may interact with cytokine signaling to induce hepatic cytotoxicity, but the hepatocyte signaling mechanisms governing these interactions are poorly understood. Here, we collect high-throughput phosphoprotein signaling and cytotoxicity measurements in cultured hepatocytes, from multiple human donors, treated with combinations of hepatotoxic drugs (e.g. trovafloxacin, clarithromycin) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-1α, and interleukin-6). We demonstrate, through orthogonal partial least-squares regression (OPLSR) modeling of these signal-response data, that drug/cytokine hepatic cytotoxicity is integratively controlled by four key signaling pathways: Akt, p70 S6 kinase, MEK–ERK, and p38–HSP27. This modeling predicted, and experimental studies confirmed, that the MEK–ERK and p38–HSP27 pathways contribute pro-death signaling influences in drug/cytokine hepatic cytotoxicity synergy. Further, our four-pathway OPLSR model produced successful prediction of drug/cytokine hepatic cytotoxicities across different human donors, even though signaling and cytotoxicity responses were both highly donor-specific. Our findings highlight the critical role of kinase signaling in drug/cytokine hepatic cytotoxicity synergies and reveal that hepatic cytotoxicity responses are governed by multi-pathway signaling network balance.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Reaching Vulnerable Populations

The AMIA 2003 Spring Congress entitled “Bridging the Digital Divide: Informatics and Vulnerable Populations” convened 178 experts including medical informaticians, health care professionals, government leaders, policy makers, researchers, health care industry leaders, consumer advocates, and others specializing in health care provision to underserved populations. The primary objective of this working congress was to develop a framework for a national agenda in information and communication technology to enhance the health and health care of underserved populations. Discussions during four tracks addressed issues and trends in information and communication technologies for underserved populations, strategies learned from successful programs, evaluation methodologies for measuring the impact of informatics, and dissemination of information for replication of successful programs. Each track addressed current status, ideal state, barriers, strategies, and recommendations. Recommendations of the breakout sessions were summarized under the overarching themes of Policy, Funding, Research, and Education and Training. The general recommendations emphasized four key themes: revision in payment and reimbursement policies, integration of health care standards, partnerships as the key to success, and broad dissemination of findings including specific feedback to target populations and other key stakeholders.
The original presentation of Boyle's law

The original presentation of what we know as Boyle’s law has several interesting features. First, the technical difficulties of the experiment were considerable, because Boyle used a glass tube full of mercury that was nearly 2.5 m long, and the large pressures sometimes shattered the glass. Next, Boyle’s table of results contains extremely awkward fractions, such 10/13, 2/17, 13/19, and 18/23, which look very strange to us today. This was because he calculated the pressure for a certain volume of gas by using simple multiplication and division, keeping the vulgar fractions. Boyle was not able to express the numbers as decimals because this notation was not in common use at the time. Finally, his contention that pressure and volume were inversely related depended on the reader’s comparing two sets of numbers in adjacent columns to see how well they agreed. Today we would plot the data, but again orthogonal graphs were not in general use in 1662. When Boyle’s data are plotted by using modern conventional methods, they strongly support his hypothesis that the volume and pressure of a gas are inversely related.
Genetic Diversity and Clonality in the Federally Endangered Plant Clematis Socialis Kral (Ranunculaceae)1

Abstract Allozyme variation in the endangered plant Clematis socialis and a closely related species (C. crispa) was examined by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Two populations of each species were sampled for allelic variation at seven loci to estimate genetic diversity. The relative contribution of clonal growth and seedling recruitment to maintenance of C. socialis populations also was estimated from the electrophoretic results by calculating genotypic diversity. Both species possessed moderate levels of genetic diversity: mean expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.302 for C. socialis and 0.246 for C. crispa. Analysis of multilocus genotypic diversity revealed 26 distinct genotypes among 55 individuals of Clematis socialis, and 22 different genotypes for 37 individuals of C. crispa. The genetic diversity of C. socialis is more consistent with values reported for nonclonal plants, and levels of multilocus genotypic diversity suggest that considerable sexual reproduction has occurred in these populati...
Alteration of Staphylococcal Flora in Cardiac Surgery Patients Receiving Antibiotic Prophylaxis

The changes in staphylococcal flora induced by antibiotic prophylaxis with rifampin and nafcillin in combination among patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery were compared to those in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery concurrently, who received only cefazolin. Rifampin-nafcillin prophylaxis eradicated carriage of Staphylococcus aureus at a significantly higher rate than did cefazolin (eradication rate, 89% vs. 48%, respectively; P < 0.01); however, by the seventh postoperative day, 75% of the patients receiving rifampin and nafcillin had rifampin-resistant, coagulasenegative s,taphylococcal perianal floras, compared to 19% of those who received cefazolin (P < 0.001). Patients receiving rifampin-nafcillin were colonized as frequently (66%o) with coagulase-negative staphylococci resistant to gentamicin and methicillin as were those receiving cefazolin (68%). Patients in the coronary intensive care unit who received no antibiotics were infrequently colonized with either rifampin-resistant (none) or gentamicin- and methicillin-resistant (11%) staphylococci. Antibiotic prophylaxis may, therefore, be an important factor in perpetuating the hospital reservoir for antibiotic-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci. Antibiotic prophylaxis is routinely administered to patients undergoing insertion of prosthetic cardiac valves in order to prevent infections either of the
Glutathione-enhancing agents protect against steatohepatitis in a dietary model.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and steatohepatitis (NASH) may accompany obesity, diabetes, parenteral nutrition, jejeuno-ileal bypass, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Currently there is no FDA approved and effective therapy available. We investigated the potential efficacy of those agents that stimulate glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis on the development of experimental steatohepatitis. Rats fed (ad libitum) amino acid based methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet were further gavaged with (1) vehicle (MCD), (2) S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), or (3) 2(RS)-n-propylthiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid (PTCA). Results: MCD diet significantly reduced hematocrit, and this abnormality improved in the treated groups (p < 0.01). Serum transaminases were considerably elevated (AST: 5.8-fold; ALT: 3.22-fold) in MCD rats. However, administration of GSH-enhancing agents significantly suppressed these abnormal enzyme activities. MCD rats developed severe liver pathology manifested by fatty degeneration, inflammation, and necrosis, which significantly improved with therapy. Blood levels of GSH were significantly depleted in MCD rats but normalized in the treated groups. Finally, RT-PCR measurements showed a significant upregulation of genes involved in tissue remodeling and fibrosis (matrix metalloproteinases, collagen-α1), suppressor of cytokines signaling1, and the inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β) in the livers of rats fed MCD. GSH-enhancing therapies significantly attenuated the expression of deleterious proinflammatory and fibrogenic genes in this dietary model. This is the first report that oral administration of SAMe and PTCA provide protection against liver injury in this model and suggests therapeutic applications of these compounds in NASH patients. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 20:39–47, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20109
Social Skill Deficits and Anxiety in High-Functioning Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders:

The present study examined the prevalence and types of anxiety exhibited by high-functioning adolescents With autism spectrum disorders and factors related to this anxiety. Results suggest that ado...
“Hibernating” myocardium: Asleep or part dead?

Chronic ischemic dysfunction of the left ventricle is commonly presumed to represent “hibernating” myocardium. The implication of this assumption is that with successful reperfusion, systolic function will improve. Several diagnostic techniques including dobutamine stress echocardiography have been used to detect “viable” myocardium in the setting of chronic left ventricular dysfunction. Predictive accuracies of 70% to 85% have been reported for identifying myocardium that recovers function. Recovery of function has been variable and often dependent on the severity of dysfunction. All current models have presumed that chronically dysfunctioning myocardium is “hibernating.” Obviously, in the chronic setting, dysfunction may have many causes and include components of transmural and nontransmural infarction as well as hibernating myocardium. This review focuses on the independent role that nontransmural infarction may play in chronic dysfunction and suggests its impact on diagnostic techniques used to identify hibernating myocardium.
An artificial neural network for studying binaural sound localization

A three-layer neural network is used to solve the problem of extracting relative azimuth and elevation positional information from signals detected by two directional receivers that are spatially separate. This is analogous to the ability of owls to localize the position of sound sources based solely on the properties of the signals reaching the two ears. Although the network implemented does not require any specific knowledge about acoustical parameters or propagation properties, a simple model of the acoustical environment is used to generate simulated data for training the network. The neural network is trained according to the multiple extended Kalman algorithm. The network successfully transforms phase and intensity differences of simulated acoustical signals into relative azimuth and elevation consistent with the simulated model. >
ABO blood type A is associated with increased risk of ARDS in whites following both major trauma and severe sepsis.

Background ABO glycosyltransferases catalyze antigen modifications on various glycans and glycoproteins and determine the ABO blood types. Blood type A has been associated with increased risk of vascular diseases and differential circulating levels of proteins related to inflammation and endothelial function. The objective of this study was to determine the association of ABO blood types with ARDS risk in patients with major trauma and severe sepsis. Methods We conducted prospective cohort studies in two populations at an urban tertiary referral, level I trauma center. Critically ill patients (n = 732) presenting after major trauma were followed for 5 days for ARDS development. Additionally, 976 medical patients with severe sepsis were followed for 5 days for ARDS. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Results ARDS developed in 197 of the 732 trauma patients (27%). Blood type A was associated with increased ARDS risk among whites (37% vs 24%; adjusted OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.14-3.12; P = .014), but not blacks (adjusted OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.33-1.13; P = .114). ARDS developed in 222 of the 976 patients with severe sepsis (23%). Blood type A was also associated with an increased ARDS risk among whites (31% vs 21%; adjusted OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.08-2.59; P = .021) but, again, not among blacks (adjusted OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.59-2.33; P = .652). Conclusions Blood type A is associated with an increased risk of ARDS in white patients with major trauma and severe sepsis. These results suggest a role for ABO glycans and glycosyltransferases in ARDS susceptibility.
Hand and Foot Growth Failure in Rett Syndrome

Growth failure is a major aspect of the developmental arrest in Rett syndrome. Small hands and feet have been reported anecdotally, but the pattern of hand and foot growth has not been studied rigorously. The aims of this study were to characterize the hand and foot growth of 28 girls with Rett syndrome and to examine the relationship between their hand or foot size and height. Median hand length deviated to the 5th percentile at 11 years of age whereas median foot length and height deviated below the 5th percentile at 5.5 years of age. After adjusting for height-age, a greater proportion of foot lengths than hand lengths was less than the 50th percentile. In conclusion, the rate of hand and foot growth of girls with Rett syndrome is slower than that of the normal female. Moreover, the rate of deceleration of foot, but not hand, growth relative to height growth is greater. Thus, many girls with Rett syndrome have "small" feet, but not hands, for their height.
Loyalty Regardless of Brands? Examining Three Nonperformance Effects on Brand Loyalty in a Tourism Context

The conventional wisdom holds that consumers’ brand loyalty is a function of their perception of brand performance. However, recent studies have shown that loyalty may be affected by nonperformance factors, such as brand parity, brand market share, and loyalty proneness. This study explores the effects of three nonperformance factors on brand loyalty in a tourism context and lends partial support to their direct effects on loyalty. Specifically, it is revealed that respondents’ attitudinal loyalty is significantly and positively related to their propensity to be loyal, and their behavioral loyalty is significantly and positively related to a brand’s market share. However, brand parity does not seem to affect respondents’ attitudinal loyalty but is found to have a slightly positive effect on respondents’ behavioral loyalty. These results suggest that the three effects on loyalty could be more complicated than originally believed.
Design of the low energy astrophysics research facility CLAIRE

Abstract A novel nuclear astrophysics facility, CLAIRE (Center for Low Energy Astrophysics and Interdisciplinary REsearch), is being designed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to address the need for precise fusion cross section measurements at near-solar energies (∼20 keV). At these low energies, fusion cross sections decrease exponentially with energy and are expected to approach femtobarn levels or less. In order to measure such small cross sections, the CLAIRE facility will incorporate a versatile accelerator capable of transporting high current (>100 mA), low energy (50–300 keV) ion beams with a tight focus (
Evidence for a decadal-scale decline in the growth rates of juvenile scleractinian corals

Juvenile life stages play critical roles in the population dynamics of virtually all organisms, and there- fore precise estimates of juvenile growth and survival are important for accurate demographic analyses. For tropical reef corals, the contribution of juveniles to population dy- namics is strongly determined by their growth rates, which are inversely proportional to the duration of this life stage and the risks of mortality, yet empirical estimates of this important trait are surprisingly rare. Based largely on re- sults published before 1990, it is often assumed that juve- nile corals ≤50 mm diameter grow ~10 to 34 mm yr-1 , and therefore are ~1.5 to 5.0 yr old. In contrast, results pre- sented here show that juvenile corals (≤40 mm diameter) in St. John, US Virgin Islands, have grown at much slower rates on shallow reefs ( 32 yr of peer-reviewed studies that reveal a gradual decline in the growth rates of juvenile corals. The correspondence of this decline with rising seawater tem- perature and depressed aragonite saturation state raises the possibility that the effects of global climate change have already reduced the growth of juvenile corals.
Pallidal deep brain stimulation for primary dystonia in children.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the internal globus pallidus (GPi) has replaced ablative procedures for the treatment of primary generalized dystonia (PGD) because it is adjustable, reversible, and yields robust clinical improvement that appears to be long lasting. OBJECTIVE: To describe the long-term responses to pallidal DBS of a consecutive series of 22 pediatric patients with PGD. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 22 consecutive PGD patients, #21 years of age treated by one DBS team over an 8-year period. The Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) was used to evaluate symptom severity and functional disability, pre- and post-operatively. Adverse events and medication changes were also noted. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 2 years (range, 1-8 years). All 22 patients reached 1-year follow-up; 14 reached 2 years, and 11 reached 3 years. The BFMDRS motor subscores were improved 84%, 93%, and 94% (median) at these time points. These motor responses were matched by equivalent improvements in function, and the response to DBS resulted in significant reductions in oral and intrathecal medication requirements after 12 and 24 months of stimulation. There were no hemorrhages or neurological complications related to surgery and no adverse effects from stimulation. Significant hardware-related complications were noted, in particular, infection (14%), which delayed clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Pallidal DBS is a safe and effective treatment for PGD in patients ,21 years of age. The improvement appears durable. Improvement in device design should reduce hardware-related complications over time.
60 nm gate length dual-Vt CMOS for high performance applications

In this work, we present a 60 nm gate length CMOS for high performance applications at the 0.13 /spl mu/m CMOS node. The technology utilizes 193 nm gate lithography, dual spacers with thin spacer before drain extension implant and L-shaped nitride spacer after drain extensions, and remote-plasma nitrided dielectric with 1.75 nm EOT. 10-15% improvement in drive current is achieved with lower series resistance by reduction of dopant loss and higher dopant activation, resulting in n- and pMOS I/sub drive/ of 1160 /spl mu/A//spl mu/m and 550 /spl mu/A//spl mu/m at 1.3 V at I/sub off/=100 nA//spl mu/m.
Evaluating data stability in aggregation structures across spatial scales: revisiting the modifiable areal unit problem

ABSTRACTSocioeconomic and health analysts commonly rely on areally aggregated data, in part because government regulations on confidentiality prohibit data release at the individual level. Analytical results from areally aggregated data, however, are sensitive to the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). Levels of aggregation as well as the arbitrary and modifiable sizes, shapes, and arrangements of zones affect the validity and reliability of findings from analyses of areally aggregated data. MAUP, long acknowledged, remains unresolved. We present an exploratory spatial data analytical approach (ESDA) to understand the scalar effects of MAUP. To characterize relationships between data aggregation structures and spatial scales, we develop a method for statistically and visually exploring the local indicators of spatial association (LISA) exhibited between a variable and itself across varying levels of aggregation. We demonstrate our approach by analyzing the across-scale relationships of aggregated 2010 m...
DEMONSTRATION OF THE NEXT-GENERATION TCAP HYDROGEN ISOTOPE SEPARATION PROCESS

The first generation of TCAP hydrogen isotope separation process has been in service for tritium separation at the Savannah River Site since 1994. To prepare for replacement, a next-generation TCAP process has been developed. This new process simplifies the column design and reduces the equipment requirements of the thermal cycling system. An experimental twelve-meter column was fabricated and installed in the laboratory to demonstrate its performance. This new design and its initial test results were presented at the 8th International Conference on Tritium Science and Technology and published in the proceedings. We have since completed the startup and demonstration the separation of protium and deuterium in the experimental unit. The unit has been operated for more than 200 cycles. A feed of 25% deuterium in protium was separated into two streams each better than 99.7% purity.
Clinical Evaluation of Cefoxitin in Treatment of Infections in 47 Orthopedic Patients

Cefoxitin was administered to 47 patients on an orthopedic service; 1 or 2 g of the drug was given intravenously every 4-8 hr. Thirty-one evaluated patients with acute or chronic infections of bone, joint, or muscle and tendon had an overall rate of cure of 84%. Ten patients with spinal cord injuries who had urinary tract infections due to Serratia or indole-positive Proteus were treated, and all 10 were cured. Significant adverse effects of cefoxitin included one case of fever due to the drug and three cases of superinfection. Cefoxitin therapy was successful in a variety of difficult-to-treat infections, including some of polymicrobial etiology.
REAL TIME POLYGONAL DATA INTEGRATION OF CAD/AUGMENTED REALITY IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN VISUALIZATION

An integration of CAD and Augmented Reality (AR) was previously implemented in a prototype system, Augmented Reality Computer-Aided-Drawing (AR CAD). The algorithm adopted for the real-time transfer of data between CAD and the AR viewer requires downloading the 3D solid model description at the client side via networking socket codes and supports only the AR rendering of piping system models. In order to get around the limitation of a required database, a polygonal data transfer scheme is proposed for any 3D solid models generated in a standard CAD modeling package. The approach decomposes the 3D solid model as a union of many single objects, which are in turn, approximated as groups of polygons. The vertex information of each polygon of a specific single object is extracted by a procedure which can operate on top of AutoCAD ® . Such data may be used by OpenGL functions in the AR viewer for real-time virtual model rendering.
PROLACTIN SECRETION IN VITRO: EFFECTS OF GONADAL AND ADRENAL CORTICAL STEROIDS.

SummaryEffects of estradiol (E), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), cortisol (F) and corticosterone (B) on prolactin production by rat adenohypophysis in vitro were examined. Addition of P (1 and 2 μg/ml), T (1 and 2 μg/ml), B (1 and 20 μg/ml) or F (0.5 and 5.0 μg/ml to culture medium did not influence prolactin secretion; however, F at 10 μg/ml significantly depressed prolactin production in vitro. This depressant effect of F, however, cannot be regarded as physiological due to the high concentration used. Incorporation of E into medium at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.5 μg/ml significantly increased prolactin secretion whereas E at 2.0 μg/ml was without effect. These observations indicate that only E, of all steroids tested, can act at the pituitary level to influence prolactin secretion. The effects of other steroid hormones on prolactin secretion in vivo are probably mediated via pathways other than by a direct effect on the adenohypophy-sis.We are indebted to Roger Deuben for technical assistance.
Police legitimacy and resident cooperation in crime hotspots: effects of victimisation risk and collective efficacy

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on police legitimacy and cooperation in high-crime neighbourhoods. Residents’ perceptions of victimisation risk and reduced collective efficacy are investigated as potential threats that may promote police legitimacy and cooperation. An integrated model applying systems justification theory, along with the instrumental and process models, provides potential mechanisms for understanding legitimacy and cooperation in crime hot spots. The multi-level regression analysis uses 947 surveys conducted in 71 crime hot spots. Results demonstrate the value of diffuse support for police and uphold the procedural justice and instrumental models of legitimacy in high-crime contexts. Results also support that risk and collective efficacy affect views. Findings point to the importance of how perceptions about context may foster a perceived dependence on police and, through this mechanism, promote cooperation. Results point to the value of further investigating risk, parochialism, and other aspe...
NEURAL NETWORK MODEL OF DYNAMIC RESEARCH FOR INJECTION WATER OIL FIELDS

A new dynamic research model for injection water oil fields was presented. The model contains increase production measures and it is adaptive to various random factors together in the process of oil field exploitation. In this paper, using neuron network models of nonlinear multidimensional time series prediction, neuron network predictors for the oil production and water production of oil fields were constructed. Results illustrated that the predictors were up to higher prediction precision. But this method improved the theory of the dynamic prediction of oil production and water production .Finally, an example of the dynamic prediction were given.
Traveling wave solutions of the n-dimensional coupled Yukawa equations

Abstract We discuss traveling wave solutions to the Yukawa equations, a system of nonlinear partial differential equations which has applications to meson–nucleon interactions. The Yukawa equations are converted to a six-dimensional dynamical system, which is then studied for various values of the wave speed and mass parameter. The stability of the solutions is discussed, and the methods of competitive modes is used to describe parameter regimes for which chaotic behaviors may appear. Numerical solutions are employed to better demonstrate the dependence of traveling wave solutions on the physical parameters in the Yukawa model. We find a variety of interesting behaviors in the system, a few of which we demonstrate graphically, which depend upon the relative strength of the mass parameter to the wave speed as well as the initial data.
Postsynthetic Systematic Electronic Tuning of Organoplatinum Photosensitizers via Secondary Coordination Sphere Interactions

In this work we show that postsynthetic addition of borane Lewis acids to Lewis base decorated organoplatinum photosensitizers induces significant changes in the optical and electrochemical properties. In particular, the charge transfer (CT) energies of these chromophores are significantly modified by these outer-sphere interactions. The direction of the CT shift depends on the site of Lewis acid binding, which occurs either at the diimine ligand in bipyrazine-linked molecules or at an ancillary acetylide ligand in pyridyl-substituted bis(acetylide) molecules. The magnitude of the shift depends on the Lewis acidity of the borane and the number of equivalents added and is comparable to the perturbation brought on by covalent substituent modification of supporting ligands in related complexes. This approach offers a new means of tuning the properties of organometallic phosphors that complements the traditional approach of covalent modification and other postsynthetic modification strategies.
Pharmacological Treatment of Painful Nerve Entrapment Syndrome

One of the common complaints of nerve entrapment syndrome (NES) is neuropathic pain. Timely and effectively controlling pain is an important goal of NES treatment. Pharmacological treatment of painful NES provides noninvasive and effective pain relief, in both acute and chronic NES settings. It can be utilized as independent therapy or as an adjunct therapy along with interventional procedures or surgical treatment.
Gifted Secondary School Students: The Perceived Relationship Between Enrichment and Goal Valuation

Grounded in the Enrichment Triad and Achievement Orientation Models, this qualitative case study builds understanding of the relationship between participation in Type III Enrichment and the achievement orientation attitude of goal valuation in gifted secondary school students. Participants included 10 gifted secondary school students, their parents, and their classroom teacher. Data included student, parent, and teacher responses in semistructured interviews, short-answer surveys, and student work. Findings indicate a relationship between participation in enrichment and goal valuation. Students engaged in Type III Enrichment perceived their projects as interesting, beneficial, and/or as related to perceptions of identity. In addition, factors of goal valuation were related to students’ continued interest and perceptions of enjoyment after completion of the enrichment projects. These findings have implications for structuring gifted education programs that meet the special needs of gifted secondary school...
Risk perceptions in localized breast cancer (BC).

9534 Background: Risk perceptions (RP) play an important role in decision making in localized BC. Little is known about RP in the context of adjuvant (adj) therapy decisions. We examined the accuracy of estimate of absolute benefit of adj therapy among patients (pts) with localized BC and sought to identify determinants of accurate RP. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in localized (Stage I-III) BC pts within 3 months after surgery at 4 U.S. cancer centers. Pts completed the Decision Quality Instrument, which includes items on BC knowledge, numerical estimates of benefit of adj therapy, and communication with providers. We analyzed pts with Stage I/II and calculated objective estimates of benefit of adj therapy using Adjuvant! Online. Based on published data, an estimate that was +/- 5% of the calculated risk was considered correct. We used multivariable (MV) regression to identify determinants of accuracy including tumor stage, age, adj treatment, education, total knowledge score, and decis...
Blood-Based Bioenergetic Profiling Reflects Differences in Brain Bioenergetics and Metabolism

Blood-based bioenergetic profiling provides a minimally invasive assessment of mitochondrial health shown to be related to key features of aging. Previous studies show that blood cells recapitulate mitochondrial alterations in the central nervous system under pathological conditions, including the development of Alzheimer's disease. In this study of nonhuman primates, we focus on mitochondrial function and bioenergetic capacity assessed by the respirometric profiling of monocytes, platelets, and frontal cortex mitochondria. Our data indicate that differences in the maximal respiratory capacity of brain mitochondria are reflected by CD14+ monocyte maximal respiratory capacity and platelet and monocyte bioenergetic health index. A subset of nonhuman primates also underwent [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging to assess brain glucose metabolism. Our results indicate that platelet respiratory capacity positively correlates to measures of glucose metabolism in multiple brain regions. Altogether, the results of this study provide early evidence that blood-based bioenergetic profiling is related to brain mitochondrial metabolism. While these measures cannot substitute for direct measures of brain metabolism, provided by measures such as FDG-PET, they may have utility as a metabolic biomarker and screening tool to identify individuals exhibiting systemic bioenergetic decline who may therefore be at risk for the development of neurodegenerative diseases.