cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling studies of the chemical vapor deposition of boron films from B2H6

Abstract The effect of growth conditions on the chemical vapor deposition of boron thin films from diborane (B2H6) was investigated using a combination of experimental studies and computational fluid dynamics-based reactor modeling. A multi-physics computational model was developed to simulate the thermal-fluid environment in the reactor. The proposed chemistry model incorporated into the simulations includes gas-phase decomposition and formation of B2H6 and surface adsorption and reaction of borane (BH3). The model accurately predicts the experimentally measured temperature and partial pressure dependence of the boron growth rate using the sticking coefficient of BH3 on the growth surface as the only adjustable parameter in the calculations. The results indicate that at lower growth temperatures ( 500 °C) the growth rate is limited by mass transfer of BH3 to the substrate surface. The studies of boron thin film growth are relevant to the deposition of superconducting MgB2 thin films, in which B2H6 is used as the boron precursor.
New hire perceptions of their own and their employer's obligations: A study of psychological contracts

Summary Psychological contracts are individual beliefs in reciprocal obligations between employees and employers. In a sample of 224 graduating MBA students who had recently accepted job offers, beliefs regarding employment obligations were investigated. Two types of obligation were demonstrated empirically: transactional obligations of high pay and career advancement in exchange for hard work and relational obligations exchanging job security for loyalty and a minimum length of stay. These types of obligations are connected with two forms of legal contracts: transactional and relational. Relational contract obligations for employers correlated with employee expected length of stay with the firm. Transactional contract obligations were associated with careerist motive on the part of new recruits. The relationship between these and other motives of new hires was also investigated.
INACTIVATION OF BARTLETT PEAR POLYPHENOL OXIDASE WITH HEAT IN THE PRESENCE OF ASCORBIC ACID

A light colored pear juice was prepared by the use of ascorbic acid to retard browning while the pulp or juice was heated to inactivate the polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.14.18.1, monophenol monooxygenase). Approximately 300 ppm of ascorbic acid was required to prevent browning in pear pulp and juice up to the time of heating and during heating. A temperature of approximately 90°C was required to prevent browning in pear pulp and juice during storage at 38°C for 24 hr. For the production of light-colored pear juice and concentrate the time between milling the fruit and heating the pulp or juice must be as short as possible. The amount of ascorbic acid required is dependent on the length of this time.
The Problem of Root Caries. I. Literature Review and Clinical Description

Although root surface lesions have been recognized for some time, the phenomenon has been disregarded in most caries studies. A review of the literature shows that the carious lesion of the root is thought to be similar to that of the enamel; however, different dietobacterial interactions may affect the regions to cause the lesions. The four types of lesions that may affect the root surface exposed to the oral environment are abrasion, erosion, idiopathic resorption, and caries.
Using Drosophila as a tool to identify pharmacological therapies for fragile X syndrome

Despite obvious differences such as the ability to fly, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is similar to humans at many different levels of complexity. Studies of development, cell growth and division, metabolism and even cognition, have borne out these similarities. For example, Drosophila bearing mutations in the fly gene homologue of the known human disease fragile X are affected in fundamentally similar ways as affected humans. The ramification of this degree of similarity is that Drosophila, as a model organism, is a rich resource for learning about human cells, development and even human cognition and behavior. Drosophila has a short generation time of ten days, is cheap to propagate and maintain and has a vast array of genetic tools available to it; making Drosophila an extremely attractive organism for the study of human disease. Here, we summarize research from our lab and others using Drosophila to understand the human neurological disease, called fragile X. We focus on the Drosophila model of fragile X, its characterization, and use as a tool to identify potential drugs for the treatment of fragile X. Several clinical trials are in progress now that were motivated by this research.
Vena Caval Filters: A Review for Intensive Care Specialists

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication among patients in the intensive care unit. While anticoagulation remains standard therapy, vena caval filters are an important alternative when anticoagulation is contraindicated. To determine the safety and efficacy of vena caval filters in the treatment of VTE, a comprehensive review of the English-language medical literature was performed. Except for one randomized controlled trial, the literature supporting the use of vena caval filters consists almost exclusively of case series, which in many instances are limited by incomplete and short follow-up. While case series suggest that filters function effectively in the prevention of pulmonary embolism (2%-4% symptomatic pulmonary embolism [PE], fatal PE < 2%), recent higher quality studies indicate that filters may not provide significant additional protection to that provided by anticoagulation alone. Furthermore, filters are associated with a 2- fold increase in the incidence of recurrent DVT. Until randomized comparative studies are available, the safety and efficacy of all the available devices should be considered to be roughly equivalent. Since filters do not inhibit continued clot formation, all filter patients should receive anticoagulation for durations appropriate for their thrombotic disorder. Although extended anticoagulation may prevent thrombotic complications associated with filter placement, this strategy has yet to be experimentally tested. While many additional indications for vena caval filter use have been proposed (VTE in cancer patients, PE prophylaxis in trauma patients, etc), well-designed clinical trials demonstrating their efficacy in these situations are lacking. Further development of temporary/retrievable filters, which offer the potential to avoid the long-term complications of permanent filters, should be a research priority. Until additional data are available, vena caval filters should generally be restricted to patients with VTE who cannot receive anticoagulation.
Effect of a single injection of cortisol on the incorporation of 3H-thymidine and 3H-deoxycytidine into lymphatic tissue DNA of adrenalectomized rats.

3H-thymidine and 3H-deoxycytidine were incorporated in vivo into the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of thymus, spleen, peripheral and mesenteric lymph nodes of saline and cortisol-treated adrenalectomized rats. Employing 3H-thymidine as a label, the DNA of mesenteric lymph nodes displayed comparatively the highest specific activity and greatest sensitivity to the depressing action of cortisol injection. Incorporation of 3H-deoxycytidine into the thymus DNA was extensive and was depressed by cortisol administration under conditions that revealed no effect on a normally low level of 3H-thymidine incorporation. A dose-response relationship was obtained between the level of cortisol injected and the extent of depression of 3H-deoxycytidine incorporation into thymus DNA. These inhibitions of labeled precursor incorporation were not observed following injection of cholesterol, progesterone or deoxycorticosterone. Specific activity of the thymus DNA was depressed by the simultaneous administration of 5.0 or 50.0 μm...
Precise determination of the molecular limits of a polytene chromosome band: regulatory sequences for the Notch gene are in the interband.

Abstract We have aligned the molecular map of the North locus to the cytological features of the salivary gland polytene chromosomes of D. melanogaster in order to determine the interphase chromatin structure of this gene. Using high-resolution in situ hybridization and computer-aided optical microscope data collection and image analysis, we have determined that the coding portions and introns of the Notch gene, which is not expressed in this tissue, are all contained within the polytene chromosome band 3C7. The portion of the Notch gene that resides 5′ to the start of transcription lies in an open chromatin conformation, the interband between bands 3C6 and 3C7. Our data are most consistent with condensation of the chromosomal DNA into 30 nm fibers in this polytene band.
Algebraic visual analysis: the Catalano phone call data set case study

While many clever techniques have been proposed for visual analysis, most of these are "one of" and it is not easy to see how to combine multiple techniques. We propose an algebraic model capable of representing a large class of visual analysis operations on graph data. We demonstrate the value of this model by showing how it can simulate the analyses performed by several groups on the Catalano family cell phone call record data set as part of the VAST 2008 challenge.
Reduced Metabolic Complications in Total Parenteral Nutrition: Pilot Study Using Fat to Replace One-third of Glucose Calories

The limitations of glucose-based TPN solutions are high glucose concentration, high osmolality, lack of fat, and essential fatty acids, which result in glucose intolerance and hepatotoxic effects. We replaced one-third of the calories in a standard amino acid-glucose solution with Liposyn 10% for 14 days in 23 critically ill men who needed total parenteral nutrition. Serial measurements included weight, albumin, glucose, triglyceride concentrations, and liver function tests. Serum osmolality was calculated, and found to remain constant. Body weight and serum albumin were maintained. Minor changes occurred in hepatic enzymes which were physiologically insignificant. Glycosuria occurred in 15%. Adverse side effects of hypoglycemia, hyperosmolar coma, and hypertriglyceridemia were avoided. Our results show that the addition of fat reduced glucose and hepatic related metabolic complications.
The application of microprogramming technology

This report surveys promising applications of microprogramming. Emphasis is on the value of microprogramming as a tool which permits computer users to modify the architecture of a general-purpose machine to better match a particular set of requirements. Factors are discussed which affect the choice of microprogramming over hardware and software in the design and implementation of computer-based systems. Actual and potential examples of its application are given to illustrate its relevance to the solution of implementation and performance problems. Finally, research and development tasks are proposed which lead to the realization of the benefits of this technology in operational systems.
Identification of hemoglobins in single erythrocytes by electrophoresis

We present here a method for electrophoretic identification of hemoglobin variants in many individual erythrocytes simultaneously, which is made possible by instruments developed in our laboratory. The system spaces and aligns the erythrocytes along a common origin and prevents 'doubling' of cells. Unambiguous separation of different hemoglobins (Hbs) occurred from single erythrocytes, such as Hbs A, C, F. Staged micrographs showed that hemoglobins of differing mobility from a single cell arise from a single point source of hemoglobin. In principle this capability is applicable to other proteins and could facilitate investigation at a cellular level into a variety of questions pertaining to gene action.
Does Marcus-Hush theory really work? Optical studies of intervalence transfer in acetylene-bridged biferrocene monocation at infinite dilution and at finite ionic strengths

Intervalence charge-transfer data for acetylene-bridged biferrocene monocation (Bf{sup +}) have been collected in five solvents in the presence and absence of excess electrolyte and in the limit of infinite chromophore dilution. The study was motivated by earlier work which demonstrated that the intervalence absorption maximum for Bf{sup +} in methylene chloride could vary substantially with both chromophore concentration and added electrolyte concentration. In the present study similar (but smaller) variations are found in other solvents.
The dissolution of silica from diatom walls

Abstract Silica walls of diatoms, prepared by digesting cultured cells with nitric acid, dissolved more rapidly in media of higher pH or at higher temperatures. Most of the studies reported here were carried out in Tris buffer at pH 9·0–9·3 and at 19°C. The rate of dissolution under these conditions was slightly less than in sea water at pH 8·0, since NaCl accelerates the dissolution of silica. The silica from cleaned diatom walls dissolved in Tris buffer until, after 3–4 weeks, the solution had become saturated at 40–50 mg Si/l. (85–110 mg SiO2/l.). The rate of solution decreased with time, probably due to the presence of silica in different states of hydration. Living cells suspended in buffer in darkness remained viable for many weeks during which time very little silicon dissolved from their walls. However, every treatment which killed the cells (heat, protein-denaturing agents, organic solvents, breakage) resulted in an increase in the rate of silica dissolution, although this rato was never as great as from acid-cleaned walls. Experiments with EDTA indicated that a cationic inorganic factor was retarding silica dissolution from killed cells. Protreatment of cleaned silica walls with salts of Al, Be, Fe, Ga, Gd, Sc, Ti, Y and Yb at pH values between 2·0 and 9·0, and with Mn at pH values between 4·0 and 11·0, had various effects on the subsequent rate of dissolution of the silica at pH 9·0. At certain pH values each of these elements can evidently-combine superficially with amorphous silica and thereby retard its rate of dissolution. Pretreatment of cleaned silica walls with salts of La, Mo, Cr, at pH values between 2·0 and 9·0, and with Ca and Mg at pH values between 4·0 and 11·0, had no effect on their subsequent dissolution at pH 9·0, Al, Be, Fe, Ga, Gd and Y were all capable of combining with silica walls at pH 8·0, which is the pH of sea water, and thereby retarding their subsequent dissolution. A single determination showed that the walls adsorbed Al equivalent to 1 per cent of their weight. In retarding dissolution of the silica, Al was as effective on killed, but intact, cells as on acid-eleaned walls. The silica of nine samples of untreated diatomaceous earth of fresh-water and marine origins, ranging in age from Upper Cretaceous through Pliocene, was essentially insoluble under these conditions. Digestion in strong nitric acid freed only a small fraction of the silica for dissolution. The factor which retarded the initial dissolution of silica from natural marine phytoplankton could be removed completely by pretreating the cells with a chelation mixture of EDTA and oxalate. DHEG, which is reported to complex certain cations such as Fe, but to have no effect on Ca, or Mg, was equally effective. It can be concluded that certain adsorbed inorganic cations decrease the rate of dissolution of diatom-aceous silica. In living diatom cells there may be an additional mechanism for stabilizing silica walls.
Growth of Leuconostoc citrovorym in Skimmilk at 22 and 30 C1

Abstract Strains of Leuconostoc citrovorum were compared for their growth characteristics in sterile skimmilk at 22 and 30C. Numbers of organisms were determined periodically during incubation using f count procedure and Elliker's lactic agar. Microscopic observations were made on all strains at intervals during the 46-hr incubation period used in most of these experiments. Maximum growth of all L. citrovorum strains tested occured after an incubation of 14-30 hr at 22 and 30C, depending on the strain; however, most strains examined attained maximum numbers after incubation for 18 hr at 30C or 22 hr at 22C. Four strains developed nearly equal maximum populations at both incubation temperatures, whereas four others tended toward higher numbers at 22 than 30C. Although strain variation existed, generally chains formed by the cultures tended to be longest after 10 to 14 hr of incubation, regardless of temperature. Chains formed by most strains tended to be slightly longer (average values seldom more than five cells greater) at 30C incubation than at 22C. Populations of nearly all cultures remained essentially stationary for at least 46 hr when held at either 22 or 30C. Tests on three strains indicated their maximum stationary phase extended beyond 100 hr at 22C. At 30C, numbers of two strains began to decline slightly after 62 and 78 hr of incubation. A third strain revealed an initial decrease in numbers between 26 and 46 hr of incubation, followed by a slow increase which continued for at least 106 hr. Overall, a somewhat more rapid rate of growth during the logarithmic phase was observed at 30C (average generation time, 3.8 hr). In comparison, average generation times of strains attaining nearly equal number at 22 and 30C were 3.4 hr at 30C and 4.3 hr at 22C incubation. Generation times for strains with highest populations at 22C were 2.4 hr at 30C and 3.1 hr at 22C incubation.
Mandibular third molars and angle fractures.

Abstract Purpose The study purpose was to measure associations between mandibular third molar (M3) status/position and risk for angle fracture. Materials and methods We designed a multicenter retrospective cohort study composed of patients who presented for operative management of mandible fractures. The primary predictor variable was M3 (present/absent). The secondary predictor variable was M3 position classified using the Pell and Gregory system. The outcome variable was angle fracture (present/absent). Appropriate univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were computed. The level of statistical significance was set at P ≤ .05. Results The study sample was composed of 1,450 subjects with a mean age of 30.6 ± 10.4 years (range, 2 to 87 years). The risk of an angle fracture with and without M3s was 30.1% and 13.7%, respectively (adjusted odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 3.4; P P Conclusion The presence of M3s was associated with a 2.8-fold increased risk for angle fractures. M3 position was associated with a variable risk for angle fracture. Notably, the deep impactions were not associated with an increased risk for fracture.
Heavy contamination of operating room air by Penicillium species: Identification of the source and attempts at decontamination

Increased rates of nosocomial infection caused by filamentous fungi in immunocompromised patients prompted microbiologic surveillance of the central air handling systems in our hospital. During a 4-year period, Penicillium species were isolated from 47 patients, including two with surgical wound infections caused by Penicillium. Counts of Penicillium in operating room air were much higher (195 colony-forming units [CFU]/m3) than in 95% filtered corridor air (14.6 CFU/m3; p less than 0.01). Ventilation ducts and terminal units lined with fiberglass in the operating room air handling system were heavily contaminated by Penicillium; the fiberglass was also contaminated with Aspergillus species. Corrective measures included filter replacement and decontamination of the ventilation system with aerosolized chlorine solution. Although operating room air remained free of filamentous fungi during the next 7 months, contamination eventually recurred and required repeated decontamination. We believe that certification guidelines are highly desirable for hospital ventilation systems, especially if the system serves immunocompromised patients.
Topic segmentation of message hierarchies for indexing and navigation support

Message hierarchies in web discussion boards grow with new postings. Threads of messages evolve as new postings focus within or diverge from the original themes of the threads. Thus, just by investigating the subject headings or contents of earlier postings in a message thread, one may not be able to guess the contents of the later postings. The resulting navigation problem is further compounded for blind users who need the help of a screen reader program that can provide only a linear representation of the content. We see that, in order to overcome the navigation obstacle for blind as well as sighted users, it is essential to develop techniques that help identify how the content of a discussion board grows through generalizations and specializations of topics. This knowledge can be used in segmenting the content in coherent units and guiding the users through segments relevant to their navigational goals. Our experimental results showed that the segmentation algorithm described in this paper provides up to 80-85% success rate in labeling messages. The algorithm is being deployed in a software system to reduce the navigational load of blind students in accessing web-based electronic course materials; however, we note that the techniques are equally applicable for developing web indexing and summarization tools for users with sight.
NEONATAL VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING IN COCAINE-EXPOSED AND NON-EXPOSED INFANTS.

This study investigated early neonatal visual preferences in 267 poly drug exposed neonates (131 cocaine-exposed and 136 non-cocaine exposed) whose drug exposure was documented through interviews and urine and meconium drug screens. Infants were given four visual recognition memory tasks comparing looking time to familiarized stimuli of lattices and rectangular shapes to novel stimuli of a schematic face and curved hourglass and bull's eye forms. Cocaine-exposed infants performed more poorly, after consideration of confounding factors, with a relationship of severity of cocaine exposure to lower novelty score found for both self-report and biologic measures of exposure. Findings support theories which link prenatal cocaine exposure to deficits in information processing entailing attentional and arousal organizational systems. Neonatal visual discrimination and attention tasks should be further explored as potentially sensitive behavioral indicators of teratologic effects.
Serotonin modulation ofHermissenda type B photoreceptor light responses and ionic currents: Implications for mechanisms underlying associative learning

Abstract Type B photoreceptors in the eyes of the nudibranch molluscHermissenda have previously been shown to exhibit enhanced steady-state depolarizing light responses, increases in steady-state light-induced impulse frequency and a decrease in resting membrane conductance on days following exposure to repeated pairings of light and rotation. These training-produced changes in the electrophysiological properties of B cells have been attributed to reductions in a voltage-dependent K+ current (IA), a calcium-activated K+ current (IK-Ca), and enhancement of a voltage-dependent Ca2+ current (ICa). Current- and voltage-clamp analysis of the effects of serotonin (5-HT) upon B cells revealed that 5-HT mimicked many of the effects of associative training. 5-HT enhanced the steady-state light response and decreased resting membrane conductance of B cells. Voltage-clamp analysis revealed five distinct effects of 5-HT upon the voltage-, calcium- and light-dependent ionic conductances of B photoreceptors. In the dark-adapted cell, 5-HT enhanced but then suppressed IA, IK-Ca and enhanced ICa. The presentation of 5-HT in combination with light accelerated the reduction of K+ currents. 5-HT also transiently reduced the fast component of light-induced inward current (INa-light) and enhanced a slower component of light-induced inward current. In an accompanying paper, 5-HT is shown to be localized within the cerebropleural neuropil where terminals presynaptic to B photoreceptors are located. Disruption of serotonergic neurotransmission by a variety of drugs is also shown to reduce the pairing-specific differences in Type B photoreceptor cumulative depolarization and resting membrane conductance decreases that are produced by in vitro conditioning. Collectively, the results indicate that 5-HT plays an important role in mediating the conductance changes produced in Type B photoreceptors by associative training.
A comparative assessment of demand response and energy storage resource economic and emission impacts

Over the past decade, there has been a resurgence of interest among system operators, policy makers and other grid stakeholders in the expanded utilization of energy storage (ES) and demand response resources (DRRs) to address power system economic and environmental concerns. In this work, we construct a general ES resource (ESR) model, which encompasses DRRs as a special case and explicitly represents the physical and economic attributes of integrated grid-scale ES and DRRs and aggregations of smaller-scale ES and DRRs. We deploy this model in a market simulation framework to perform a systematic side-by-side comparison of the economic and emission impacts of ES and DRRs in networks operated/controlled by an independent system operator/regional transmission organization and in its associated day-ahead markets. This analysis points out the limits to the penetrations below which an added MW of ES or DRR no longer brings about decreases in buyer payments and that the benefits that accrue to DRRs are disproportionately larger than the benefits to buyers and ESRs. Further, we find that ES and DRRs have little impact on reducing system-wide emissions. In fact, we find that their utilization may even result in emission increases in some cases. These findings provide insights into nature of the ES and DRR market impacts which are useful for grid stakeholders interested in the integration of appropriate penetrations of such resources.
Isolation of ribonucleic acid from the unactivated rat liver glucocorticoid receptor

We have reported that the 7-8S form of the rat liver glucocorticoid receptor is associated with RNA. Whether the unactivated 9-10S form of the glucorticoid receptor is also associated with RNA is less clear. Here we provide evidence that the unactivated 9-10S receptor is indeed associated with RNA. Unactivated 9-10S receptor was partially purified by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose chromatography in the presence of molybdate, an activation inhibitor. This preparation was then bound to BuGR-2, a mouse monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin G (IgG)-2 class to the rat liver glucocorticoid receptor, or to nonspecific mouse IgG-2. The antibody-antigen complex was then bound to protein A sepharose and washed to remove extraneous RNA. When the receptor was dissociated from the antibody and the RNA extracted and end-labeled, a distinct band of approximately 170 nucleotide (nt) was found that was specific for the BuGR-2 purified receptor. This band could also be found in DEAE-cellulose receptor that had been isolated from sucrose gradients. The DEAE-cellulose receptor was then cross-linked with formaldehyde before mixing with BuGR-2 in order to permit more vigorous washing of the antigen-antibody complex. In addition to the 170 nt RNA band, another distinct band at approximately 400 nt was seen that was specific to the BuGR-2 derived isolate. These results provide evidence that the 9-10S form of the glucocorticoid receptor from rat liver is associated with RNA.
When surface and deep-level diversity collide: The effects on dissenting group members

Diversity researchers have distinguished between surface-level (e.g., social categories) and deep-level (e.g., attitudes, opinions, information, and values) diversity, but have not fully explored the complexities of their simultaneous existence in groups. We examined how the relationship between surface-level and deep-level diversity impacts the emotional and behavioral reactions of dissenting group members and the effectiveness of decision-making groups. We conducted two studies focusing on dissenting social majority members (individuals who hold dissenting deep-level task perspectives yet belong to the surface-level majority) in three-person groups. The results show that surface-level diverse groups (with two similar and one dissimilar individuals) were perceived as more positive and accepting, fostered more persistent and confident voicing of dissenting perspectives, and displayed greater task engagement than surface-level homogeneous groups (containing all similar individuals). Surface-level diversity (both task-relevant and irrelevant) may be beneficial for groups even when the group member who is different on the surface does not have a different deep-level task perspective to share. We discuss implications for understanding how surface-level diversity affects organizational work groups.
Explicit oxygen concentration expression for estimating extant biodegradation kinetics from respirometric experiments

We present a simple method for estimating extant biodegradation kinetic parameters from oxygen uptake data obtained during respirometric experiments. Specifically, a novel closed-form solution based on the Lambert W function is presented for the differential equation describing substrate biodegradation based on the Monod equation. Unlike the existing implicit solution, this novel solution is explicit with respect to the substrate concentration and, when coupled with the oxygen uptake equation, results in a simple algebraic expression for dissolved oxygen concentration in respirometric experiments. This new solution provided highly accurate estimates of dissolved oxygen concentrations with accuracy on the order of 10−15 for calculations performed using double precision arithmetic. The applicability of this approach for estimating extant biodegradation kinetic parameters was verified using synthetic dissolved oxygen concentration data that incorporated normally distributed noise to mimic experimental data. A combination of the W function description of oxygen concentration and a nonlinear optimization routine resulted in estimates of the Monod kinetic parameters, μm and Ks, that were close to the actual values, indicating the suitability of this approach for extant kinetic parameter estimation. This approach was subsequently tested on experimental oxygen concentration data obtained during ethylene-glycol biodegradation in respirometric experiments. The availability of simple algorithms for evaluating the W function makes the new solution easier to compute than current methods that rely on numerical solution of differential or nonlinear equations. The simplicity and accuracy associated with use of the W function to describe oxygen concentration data should make it an attractive approach for estimating extant Monod biodegradation kinetic parameters from respirometric experiments. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 75: 74–81, 2001.
In Situ Nail Withdrawal Strengths in Wood Roof Structures

AbstractPremature failure of wood roof sheathing under wind loading has primarily been blamed on poor nail installation resulting in reduced nail withdrawal strengths. However, this increased vulne...
A Convergent Version of the Max SINR Algorithm for the MIMO Interference Channel

The problem of designing linear transmit signaling strategies for the multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) interference channel is considered. For this problem, the best known iterative solution, in terms of maximizing signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) at the receivers, is the Max SINR algorithm. However, there is no proof that the Max SINR algorithm converges. In this paper, a modification to the Max SINR algorithm is proposed, in which a power control step is used to make a metric similar to the sum rate increase monotonically with each iteration, thus making the modified Max SINR algorithm convergent. It is further shown that with successive interference cancellation (SIC), the metric that the modified Max SINR algorithm optimizes is exactly the sum rate. Finally, simulations are used to demonstrate that the performance of the modified Max SINR algorithm, unlike other convergent alternatives, is nearly identical to that of the original Max SINR algorithm.
Fast computation of first-order feature-bispectrum corrections

Features in the inflaton potential that are traversed in much less than an e-fold of the expansion can produce observably large non-Gaussianity. In these models first order corrections to the curvature mode function evolution induce effects at second order in the slow roll parameters that are generically greater than ~ 10% and can reach order unity for order unity power spectrum features. From a complete first order expression in generalized slow-roll, we devise a computationally efficient method that is as simple to evaluate as the leading order one and implements consistency relations in a controlled fashion. This expression matches direct numerical computation for step potential models of the dominant bispectrum configurations to better than 1% when features are small and 10% when features are order unity.
A review of the expression, assembly, secretion and intracellular degradation of fibrinogen

Abstract The expression, assembly and secretion of fibrinogen are reviewed. Fibrinogen, the product of three exquisitely controlled genes, has a high basal level of expression and its production is further greatly increased in response to infection and/or tissue damage. In hepatocytes, the principal source of plasma fibrinogen, constitutive expression of the Aα and Bβ genes is mostly dependent on HNF-1 while the γ gene depends on at least three ubiquitous transcription factors. As a member of the acute phase proteins, fibrinogen expression is up-regulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the glucocorticoids causing a coordinated expression of all three genes. IL-6 up-regulation of the fibrinogen genes involves activation of the STAT-3 and C/EBP transcription factors. Fibrinogen chain assembly occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in a step-wise manner in which single chains form two-chain complexes (Aα-γ and Bβ-γ) which subsequently acquire a third chain to form a half-molecule. In a final step the two half-molecules are joined to form fibrinogen. Chain assembly is facilitated by chaperones and distinct structural domains of fibrinogen are necessary for proper assembly. Removal of the C-terminal half of the coiled coil region of the chains prevents chain assembly and disruption of the disulfide rings that flank the proximal N-terminal portion of the coiled-coil, or deletion of the N-terminal half of the coiled-coil, prevents half-molecules from forming dimers. Intracellular proteolysis plays a role in the regulation of fibrinogen chain assembly. Hepatocytes contain surplus Aα and γ chains and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is involved in degrading unassembled Bβ and γ chains. Aα-γ complexes are degraded by lysosomes.
Microanalysis of materials by PIXE using focused MeV heavy ion beams

Abstract MeV heavy ion microprobes, 3 MeV C 2+ , Si 2+ and Ni 2+ were applied for micro-PIXE measurements. It was found that the X-ray yields vary drastically as a function of the combination of the atomic number of incident ions and target atoms, which indicates that there is a best combination for specific element analysis. This was demonstrated by an investigation of human nail by a silicon microprobe which was compared with the case of proton. Furthermore, the minimum detectable gold weights in silicon were also estimated as a practical case and it was found that a carbon microprobe was best for measuring gold atoms in silicon.
Genotype-by-Environment Interactions and Adaptation to Local Temperature Affect Immunity and Fecundity in Drosophila melanogaster

Natural populations of most organisms harbor substantial genetic variation for resistance to infection. The continued existence of such variation is unexpected under simple evolutionary models that either posit direct and continuous natural selection on the immune system or an evolved life history “balance” between immunity and other fitness traits in a constant environment. However, both local adaptation to heterogeneous environments and genotype-by-environment interactions can maintain genetic variation in a species. In this study, we test Drosophila melanogaster genotypes sampled from tropical Africa, temperate northeastern North America, and semi-tropical southeastern North America for resistance to bacterial infection and fecundity at three different environmental temperatures. Environmental temperature had absolute effects on all traits, but there were also marked genotype-by-environment interactions that may limit the global efficiency of natural selection on both traits. African flies performed more poorly than North American flies in both immunity and fecundity at the lowest temperature, but not at the higher temperatures, suggesting that the African population is maladapted to low temperature. In contrast, there was no evidence for clinal variation driven by thermal adaptation within North America for either trait. Resistance to infection and reproductive success were generally uncorrelated across genotypes, so this study finds no evidence for a fitness tradeoff between immunity and fecundity under the conditions tested. Both local adaptation to geographically heterogeneous environments and genotype-by-environment interactions may explain the persistence of genetic variation for resistance to infection in natural populations.
Silent Autonomic Dysreflexia During Voiding in Men with Spinal Cord Injuries

AbstractPurpose: We determined whether symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia correlated with elevations in blood pressure in men with spinal cord injuries.Materials and Methods: During a routine yearly urodynamic evaluation 45 consecutive men with complete spinal cord injuries above T6 underwent simultaneous monitoring of blood pressure and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia. Those with systolic blood pressure of greater than 160 mm. Hg or diastolic blood pressure of greater than 90 mm. Hg during voiding were assigned to the hypertensive group. During voiding 35 men (78 percent) had significant hypertension.Results: Before voiding there was no statistical difference in mean systolic blood pressure between men with and without hypertension (117 versus 110 mm. Hg, p = 0.28). During uninhibited contractions and voiding mean systolic blood pressure of the normotensive group (131 mm. Hg) versus the hypertensive group (169 mm. Hg) was statistically significant (p less than 0.0001). Of the 35 hypertensive patients 15...
Learning to predict the effects of actions: Synergy between rules and landmarks

A developing agent must learn the structure of its world, beginning with its sensorimotor world. It learns rules to predict how its motor signals change the sensory input it receives. It learns the limits to its motion. It learns which effects of its actions are unconditional and which effects are conditional, including what they depend on. We present preliminary results evaluating an implemented computational model of this important kind of foundational developmental learning. Our model demonstrates synergy between the learning of landmarks representing important qualitative distinctions, and the learning of rules that exploit those distinctions to make reliable predictions. These qualitative distinctions make it possible to define discrete events, and then to identify predictive rules describing regularities among events and the values of context variables. The attention of the learning agent is focused by a stratified model that structures the set of variables, and the structure of the stratified model is simultaneously created by the learning process.
Piretanide: A Loop-Active Diuretic

Piretanide is a high-ceiling, loop-active diuretic that has been developed for treatment of congestive heart failure, hypertension and edematous states caused by renal and hepatic diseases. Piretanide is structurally related to furosemide and bumetanide; when administered orally, 6 mg of piretanide is as effective as 40 mg of furosemide, and when administered intravenously, 12 mg of piretanide is as effective as 40 mg of furosemide. Piretanide enhances water and sodium excretion in patients with congestive heart failure, with nephrotic syndrome and with cirrhosis and ascites. Adverse effects reported to date are limited to those attributable to excess loss of fluid and electrolytes. Under some conditions, piretanide appears to be less potassium wasting than thiazide diuretics or other loop-active diuretics.
Is Diabetes Mellitus a Heart Disease Equivalent in Women? Results From an International Study of Postmenopausal Women in the Raloxifene Use for the Heart (RUTH) Trial

Background—Several studies have concluded that diabetes mellitus and heart disease carry similar risk for future cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most of these studies were too small to quantify independent risks specific to women. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diabetes mellitus is a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk equivalent for prediction of future CHD and CVD events in women. Methods and Results—The Raloxifene Use for the Heart (RUTH) trial was an international, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of raloxifene and CVD outcomes in 10 101 postmenopausal women selected for high CHD risk. Of these, 3672 had a history of diabetes mellitus without known CHD, and 3265 had a history of CHD without known diabetes mellitus. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare cardiovascular outcomes in these 2 groups. Mean age at baseline was 67.5 years; median follow-up was 5.6 years. There were 725 deaths, including 450 cardiovascular deaths. In age-adjusted anal...
Flow visualization with air and smoke in a bypass graft model under steady flow conditions

Abstract A new technique for visualizing the steady flow of a new type of test fluid is presented that produces quality photographic results at Reynolds numbers typically found in arterial bypass grafts. Room air functions as the test fluid and smoke from burning incense sticks provides the tracer particles. As an example of this new technique, photographic results are presented for a Reynolds number flow of 205 through a Plexiglas ™ model of an end-to-side distal anastomosis with a 45° junction angle. The advantages of this technique are that it is simple, convenient, and applicable to a wide variety of flow conditions found in the human cardiovascular system.
A Conceptual Framework for Designing ASIC Hardware

A conceptual framework consisting of the design process, the design space, and the design repertoire for ASIC hardware is presented. An Inter-Level Design Process Model (ILDP) is proposed as a general model for expressing and implementing hierarchical design methodologies. The proposed conceptual framework is an effective instrument for bridging the increasingly wider gap between application engineers and VLSI designers.
EXPERIMENTAL HYPERTENSION AND THE NEUROHYPOPHYSIS

THE PARTICIPATION OF THE HYPOPHYSIS in a causative or sustaining role in any form of clinical or experimental hypertension is in dispute (1). It is generally held that the hypophysis plays no direct part in the production of expert mental hypertension of the Goldblatt type (2–7). There is evidence, however, that the hypophysis may contribute to conditions favoring the existence of a hypertension by its effects upon other endocrine glands such as the adrenal cortex, or upon the responsiveness of the blood vessel musculature to pressor substances derived from ischaemic kidneys. Animals which are otherwise normal may show lowered blood pressures after hypophysectomy (2, 8, 9). Page and Sweet (2) and Page (8) have shown that hypophysectomy in dogs with experimental renal hypertension may cause definite decline in blood pressure. However, hypophysectomy will not always prevent the onset of a hypertension when the renal arteries are compressed subsequent to the hypophysectomy (2, 10).
New Side Channels Targeted at Passwords

Side channels are typically viewed as attacks that leak cryptographic keys during cryptographic algorithm processing, by observation of system side effects. In this paper, we present new side channels that leak password information during X Windows keyboard processing of password input. Keylogging is one approach for stealing passwords, but current keylogging techniques require special hardware or privileged processes. However, we have found that the unprivileged operation of modifying the user key mappings for X Windows clients enables a side channel sufficient for unprivileged processes to steal that user's passwords, even enabling the attacker to gain root access via sudo. We successfully tested one version on Linux 2.6; we were able to obtain a high degree of control over the scheduler, and thus we can obtain accurate timing information. A second version (logon detection) works without depending on accurate clocks or cache effects. Thus, in addition to demonstrating new side channels, we show that (a) side channels cannot be eliminated by removing accurate clocks or hardware cache mechanisms (b) side channels are of continued concern for computer security as well as cryptographic processing.
Degeneration, Gender, and American Identity in the Early Fiction of Edgar Rice Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs rendered a particular construction of womanhood as a remedy for national degeneration and neurasthenia. Progressive-era Americans like Burroughs wondered whether the developmental forces that shaped industrial society might also threaten the character and institutions upon which they believed American society and civilization functioned. Middle-class American observers worried that the character traits responsible for the rise of American greatness were undermined by that very success. In particular, they thought the demands of urban life resulted in neurasthenia, the loss of “nervous energy.” Burroughs employed the powerfully symbolic Pocahontas narrative to construct a vision of womanhood that offered the possibility of redeeming a degenerate and neurasthenic civilization. Burroughs’s construction of womanhood shares much with the traditional ideology of domesticity, yet at the same time challenged Progressive notions of femininity. Burroughs’s female characters are muscular and beautiful, aggressive and independent, and able to handle themselves in dangerous situations. For all of their independence, however, they ultimately perform the traditional roles of wife and mother. Burroughs women fulfill a domestic role, but their muscularity, self-assurance, and independence are seen as a panacea for the perceived problems of degeneration and neurasthenia, not as a threat to gender identity and roles. Soon after the end of the Great War, Jefferson Turck, an American naval aviator, returned home to a hero’s welcome. Accompanied by his young English bride, Lieutenant Turck had just completed a tour of duty that took him through Europe, North Africa, and eventually East Asia, returning home by way of the Pacific Ocean. Turck witnessed firsthand the physical, psychological, and moral effects of the First World War, and shortly after his return published his observations as a memoir of his exploits in the Old World and as a commentary on American characteristics and traits. In his memoir, Turck confidently wrote, I am glad it was given to me to be an instrument in the hands of Providence for the uplifting of a benighted Europe, and the amelioration of the suffering, degradation, and abysmal ignorance in which I found her. I shall not live to see the complete regeneration of the savage hordes of the Eastern Hemisphere – that is work which will require many generations, perhaps ages, so complete has been their reversion to savagery; but I know that the work has been started, and I am proud of the share in it which my generous countrymen have placed in my hand. A new epoch for Europe has been inaugurated, with enlightened China on the east and an enlightened Pan-America on the west – the two 1 Biggs: Degeneration, Gender, and American Identity in the Early Fiction of Edgar Rice Burroughs