cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient heart beat detection using embedded system electronics

The present day bio-technical field concentrates on developing various types of innovative ambulatory and wearable devices to monitor several bio-physical, physio-pathological, bio-electrical and bio-potential factors to assess a human body’s health condition without intruding quotidian activities. One of the most important aspects of this evolving technology is monitoring heart beat rate and electrocardiogram (ECG) from which many other subsidiary results can be derived. Conventionally, the devices and systems consumes a lot of power since the acquired signals are always processed on the receiver end. Because of this back end processing, the unprocessed raw data is transmitted resulting in usage of more power, memory and processing time. This paper proposes an innovative technique where the acquired signals are processed by a microcontroller in the front end of the module and just the processed signal is then transmitted wirelessly to the display unit. Therefore, power consumption is considerably reduced and clearer data analysis is performed within the module. This also avoids the need for the user to be educated about usage of the device and signal/system analysis, since only the number of heart beats will displayed at the user end. Additionally, the proposed concept also eradicates the other disadvantages like obtrusiveness, high power consumption and size. To demonstrate the above said factors, a commercial controller board was used to extend the monitoring method by using the saved ECG data from a computer.
Teaching critical thinking: The alliance of composition studies and research instruction

It is no surprise that it is difficult to teach critical thinking skills. Are students willing to question the very basis of the society in which they hope to succeed? Often not. Ironically, it seems that the two courses most able to teach students how to critically approach a topic are the two courses that receive the least amount of respect from students and faculty. These two courses, composition studies and research instruction, are often thought to be “training wheel” courses. Everyone needs to know these foundations of scholarship, but few educators are willing to give the necessary time or money to teach the acquisition of these skills.
Health economics in public health.

Background Economic analysis is an important tool in deciding how to allocate scarce public health resources; however, there is currently a dearth of such analysis by public health researchers. Methods Public health researchers and practitioners were surveyed to determine their current use of health economics and to identify barriers to use as well as potential strategies to decrease those barriers in order to allow them to more effectively incorporate economic analyses into their work. Data collected from five focus groups informed survey development. The survey included a demographic section and 14 multi-part questions. Participants were recruited in 2006 from three national public health organizations through e-mail; 294 academicians, practitioners, and community representatives answered the survey. Results Survey data were analyzed in 2007. Despite an expressed belief in the importance of health economics, more than half of the respondents reported very little or no current use of health economics in their work. Of those using health economics, cost–benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis and determination of public health costs were cited as the measures used most frequently. The most important barriers were lack of expertise, funding, time, tools, and data, as well as discomfort with economic theory. The resource deemed most important to using health economics was collaboration with economists or those with economic training. Respondents indicated a desire to learn more about health economics and tools for performing economic analysis. Conclusions Given the importance of incorporating economic analysis into public health interventions, and the desire of survey respondents for more collaboration with health economists, opportunities for such collaborations should be increased.
Short-term growth in asthmatic children using fluticasone propionate.

Background Inhaled corticosteroids may reduce short-term growth velocity in asthmatic children and knemometry is the most sensitive tool to detect this short-term growth suppression. Study objective To compare lower leg growth velocity, as measured by knemometry, in asthmatic children during and after treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), 100 μg twice daily. Design Nonrandomized open trial. Setting University hospital, outpatient clinic for pediatric pulmonology. Patients Twenty-one asthmatic children (13 boys), aged 6 to 10 years. Interventions Inhalation of FP from a dry powder inhaler, 100 μg, twice daily for 6 weeks, followed by 2 weeks during which only an inhaled β 2 _ agonist was used on demand (washout). During treatment and washout periods, patients were seen every 2 weeks at the same time of day. Measurements and results Lower leg growth velocity measured by knemometry during FP treatment was not significantly different from that during washout (p=0.33, one-way analysis of variance). Conclusions No significant suppression of lower leg growth velocity was found in prepubertal asthmatic children using FP, 100 pg, by dry powder inhaler twice daily for 6 weeks.
Biomaterials for implanted closed loop insulin delivery system: A review

The potential of five different groups of materials--carbons, glass and ceramics, polymers, hydrogels and collagen--as biomaterials in artificial implant applications is examined. In addition to the physical and/or structural properties of these materials, the blood and tissue responses to implants made of these biomaterials for various applications are presented. Emphasis is placed on materials related to the intended application; as catheter tips and biosensors for glucose to be used in conjunction with an implantable insulin delivery system as a complete artificial pancreas.
Incremental validity of the Ego Impairment Index: a re-examination of Dawes (1999).

This article examined the incremental validity of the Ego Impairment Index (EII), a Rorschach measure of cognition, perception, and reasoning. R. M. Dawes (1999) borrowed 2 previously published data sets to assess the incremental validity of the EII. Dawes determined that in order for the EII to be considered a valid measure, the overall EII score should "outperform" 2 of the variables that compose the index. Using this approach, Dawes reported that the EII had "deficient" (p = .059) incremental validity. In this study, the incremental validity of the EII was re-examined using 1 of the data sets used by R. M. Dawes (1999). Applying the same strategy as Dawes, the author tested the incremental validity of the EII in predicting positive symptoms of schizophrenia, a more appropriate and clinically relevant criterion measure of impairment. The EII significantly predicted positive symptoms (p < .005) even after the 2 EII variables selected by Dawes and the measure of social competence were 1st entered into the equation. The results suggest that the EII adds meaningful information in the assessment of thought disturbance.
Data processing for the SNS EQ-SANS diffractometer

Abstract The scattering data on the Extended Q-range Small Angle Scattering Diffractometer at the spallation neutron source are stored as neutron events. Each event has two parts: the time of fight of the detected neutron, and an identifier for the neutron's location on the detector. In addition, each event is associated with the source pulse from which the neutron is originated. Due to Spallation Neutron Source's (SNS) high neutron flux, the size of the stored data files can easily exceed several Gigabytes. Processing and reducing these data can be very time consuming. In the present work, we implement a data processing scheme for the EQ-SANS diffractometer that is fast, versatile, and highly automated. The data are processed directly from the event files into neutron scattering intensity versus momentum transfer data sets, or other desired formats. Speed gains are obtained by the implementation of parallel computing under the Message Passing Interface framework. In addition, the implementation allows for time-slicing of the scattering data, which will enable fast time-dependency studies on the EQ-SANS instrument, such as temperature jump and fast shears. Finally, our work implements the handling of scattering data from the innovative frame-skipping operation of the EQ-SANS instrument.
Computational Studies of Water Adsorption in the Zeolite H-ZSM-5

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations using Hartree−Fock theory and Moller−Plesset perturbation theory have been used to study the interaction of H2O with the Bronsted acid site in the zeolite H-ZSM-5. Aluminosilicate clusters with up to 28 T atoms (T = Si, Al) were used as models for the zeolite framework. Full optimization of a 3 T atom cluster at the MP2/6-31G(d) level indicates that the “ion-pair” structure, Z-···HOH2+, formed by proton transfer from the acid site of the zeolite (ZH) to the adsorbed H2O molecule, is a transition state, while the “neutral” adsorption structure, ZH···OH2, is a local energy minimum. Partial optimization of a larger 8 T cluster at the HF/6-31G(d) level also gave results suggesting that the ion-pair structure is a transition state. Calculations were carried out to obtain corrections for high levels of theory, zero-point energies, and larger cluster size. The resulting energy difference between the neutral and ion-pair structure is small (less than 5 kcal/mol and possibl...
Ecology of Bactrocera latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae) Populations: Host Plants, Natural Enemies, Distribution, and Abundance

An intensive population census of Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) identified 15 species of suitable host plants (11 solanaceous, 4 cucurbitaceous), 6 of them new host records. Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium (Jusl.) Mill., Solanum nigrescens Mart. & Galeotti, Solatium sodomeum L., and Solanum torvum Sw. were the most heavily infested host plants in feral habitats. Under backyard and commercial cultivations, Capsicum annuum L., Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karst. ex Farw., and Solanum melongena L. were the most heavily infested (larval density and percentage infestation). B. latifrons appears to outcompete melon fly, oriental fruit fly, and Mediterranean fruit fly in C. annuum, Capsicum frutescens L., L. pimpinellifolium, Physalis peruviana L., S. melongena, S. nigrescens, S. nigrum, S. sodomeum , and S. torvum . Extremely low (<1%) larval parasitization by Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) was observed. Larval parasitization by Tetrastichus sp. was also observed. More than 250 cm average annual cumulative rainfall probably excluded B. latifrons populations from areas where suitable host plants were abundant. Over the study period, the relative abundance of B. latifrons populations decreased as the elevation increased. B. latifrons population density levels were consistently low, and there was no discernible pattern of population fluctuation over time (months of collection). Comprehensive lists of all recorded host plants (world review) and natural enemies of B. latifrons are presented. The ecological attributes of B. latifrons populations and their adaptive significance in colonizing and establishing in new geographic areas are discussed.
Preservation of 23-S chloroplast RNA as a single chain of nucleotides

Abstract Nucleic acids showing the predicted 1.93 ratio of 23-S : 16-S RNA were extracted from tobacco leaves, indicating intactness of 23-S chloroplast RNA. Hypochromicity measurements indicated that the RNA was not stabilized by Mg 2+ bound to the RNA. However, heat denaturation at 95 °C followed by rapid cooling to prevent reannealing of any fragments due to “hidden” breaks in the 23-S RNA produced extensive degradation of both chloroplast and cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA species. Escherichia coli 23-S RNA, being stable to heat denaturation, was added as a control to leaf RNA to indicate when degradation at 95 °C had resulted from causes other than “hidden” breaks. By this test, the breakdown of leaf RNA was found to result from the presence of variable traces of ribonuclease, which could not be removed by repeated phenol extraction. However, some of the 23-S RNA would remain resistant to heat denaturation after the nuclease had been removed by extraction with guanidinium chloride. The data suggest that degradation of 23-S RNA obtained by other workers may be due to the presence of “hidden” nuclease in their nucleic acid preparations, rather than a result of in vivo nuclease action.
Security Threats and Mitigating Risk for USB Devices

Computer users have consistently sought out improvements to devices for removable storage to provide the quickest and most efficient means of transferring data from one computer to another. Portable storage media have always been fraught with risk. Security considerations have always been a concern and organizations have tried to mitigate these threats using many controls. However, since threats are constantly evolving and changing, security controls must also evolve and change to keep up with these threats.
Cisplatin ototoxicity to the rat inner ear: A role for HMG1 and iNOS

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent that causes toxic damage to the inner ear (ototoxicity). Although much attention has been directed at identifying ways to protect the inner ear against cisplatin ototoxicity, little is known about the mechanisms by which cisplatin causes damage to the inner ear. Binding of high-mobility group (HMG1) protein to cisplatin-modified DNA participates in mediating the antitumor effects of cisplatin. This study seeks to determine if HMG1 may also participate in the ototoxicity of cisplatin. To address this, patterns and levels of expression of HMG1 have been evaluated in the rat cochlea in response to cisplatin chemotherapy. Our findings demonstrate a marked upregulation of HMG1 protein in the spiral (auditory) ganglion cells of cisplatin-treated rats in comparison to levels of expression of HMG1 in the spiral ganglion cells of untreated control animals. Increased levels of HMG1 were observed in the cisplatin-treated kidney, a peripheral target tissue of cisplatin, but not in the heart, a tissue not typically affected by cisplatin chemotherapy, suggesting HMG1 specificity in cisplatin toxicity. Furthermore, levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an HMG-regulated enzyme associated with cochlear pathology, are increased in the spiral ganglion cells of cisplatin-treated rats 1 day post the cisplatin-mediated upregulation in HMG1. This increase in HMG1 and iNOS can be prevented in the cochleae of cisplatin-treated rats by administration of l-methionine, an established method of protection against cisplatin ototoxicity. Our results support a role for HMG1 and iNOS in mechanisms of cisplatin ototoxicity in the rat inner ear.
The management of chronic hepatitis B

Abstract The immediate goals of hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy are to suppress the histologic progression of the disease and diminish infectivity. Although many drugs have been used in the treatment of this condition, only interferon has proven to be consistently effective. The ideal candidate for interferon therapy is a patient who has a high baseline aminotransferase level and a low HBV DNA level. Responders to interferon therapy usually demonstrate an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare to at least twofold the baseline value during the second or third month of therapy, indicating that the patient has become immunologically activated. Low baseline ALT levels before treatment (i.e.,
MOSFET performance enhancement by improved SOS material processes

The performance of NMOS/SOS devices designed for near micron geometries is shown to be enhanced markedly by pre-process SOS material improvements. A description of the double solid phase epitaxial regrowth technique, DSPE, is presented including the results of several materials evaluation, techniques: Rutherford backscattering and channeling spectrometry, X-ray twin content, sheet resistance, spreading resistance, ultraviolet reflectivity, and Hall data vs. temperature. Post-MOS process evaluation data of materials and device properties is also presented, which includes: gated Hall data, SIMS, sheet resistance, majority and minority carrier mobility, threshold voltage, subthreshold current slope, back channel leakage current, and electrical carrier density profiles. Significantly enhanced device performance is reported, such as ≥20% improvement in all mobilities, factor of 100 reduction in twin content, factor of 5 to 10 reduction in backchannel leakage, and 15 to 25% improvement in subthreshold current slope.
Theoretical problems associated with the stark effect in F-center emission

Abstract This paper examines the theoretical relations between the polarization and Δτ r τ r for the emission of an F-center in an alkali halide at 0 K, using a quasi-static Jahn-Teller model. τr is the radiative lifetime, and Δτr is the change in τr due to the application of an electric field. The relations involve α2 (defined in the paper). They vary considerably, depending on the approximations one makes to carry through the calculations. Here we attempt to clarify the calculations of Bogan and Fitchen, and to relate them to the ones made by Honda and Tomura. It is indicated that there may be considerable difference between a static and a dynamic model.
901–47 New Criteria for the Diagnosis of Inferior Infarction in Patients with Left Bundle Branch Block

The ability to diagnose inferior infarction in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) is limited by the lack of established criteria. To develop criteria, the ECGs of 187 patients with LBBB who had either normal results (Normals) or an isolated, unequivocal inferior infarct (IMI) on stress thallium testing were examined. Patients with acute IMI within 30 days of the thallium were excluded. LBBB was defined as DRS duration ≥ 120 msec with the classic patterns of DRS/T changes in leads I, aVL, V5, and V6. Q-waves were significant if they were ≥ 30 msec in duration and 25% the height of the R-wave; T-waves were considered inverted if they were either totally negative or biphasic with initial negative deflection. Results The presence of diagnostic Q-waves or T-inversion in aVF was found to be predictive of IMI in patients with LBBB with 85% sensitivity and 86% specificity. The presence of both Q-waves and T-inversion in aVF was diagnostic with a specificity of 100% though a low sensitivity of 13%. Finding Sensitivity Specificity Q 15/39 (38%) 143/148 (97%) T↓ 23/39 (59%) 133/148 (90%) Q or T 33/39 (85%) 128/148 (86%) Q or T↓ 5/39 (13%) 148/148/(100%) Conclusion The presence of either a Q-wave or T-inversion in aVF appears to be useful in predicting past inferior infarction in patients with LBBB. The combination of the two, though rare, has a high positive predictive value.
A dynamical system with a strange attractor and invariant tori

Abstract This paper describes a simple three-dimensional time-reversible system of ODEs with quadratic nonlinearities and the unusual property that it is exhibits conservative behavior for some initial conditions and dissipative behavior for others. The conservative regime has quasi-periodic orbits whose amplitude depend on the initial conditions, while the dissipative regime is chaotic. Thus a strange attractor coexists with an infinite set of nested invariant tori in the state space.
Hospital emergency visits and admissions associated with dental problems increased by 121% between 1997 and 2001.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Increasing Prevalence of Emergency Department Visits for Pediatric Dental Care, 1997-2001 Ladrillo TE, Hobdell MH, et al. J Am Dent Assoc 2006;137(3):379-85 Level of Evidence 4 Purpose/Question What are the characteristics of patients visiting a pediatric emergency department, the nature of their dental problems, and the factors associated with the use of the emergency department? Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Case Series
A meta-analysis of passive descent versus immediate pushing in nulliparous women with epidural analgesia in the second stage of labor

ABSTRACT Objective To determine which method of pushing—passive descent or early pushing—most benefits women with epidurals during second-stage labor. Data sources MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database. Study selection Studies limited to randomized controlled trials in English, comparing passive descent to early pushing in women with effective epidural analgesia. Data extraction A hand search was performed. Data included number of instrument-assisted deliveries (forceps and vacuum); noninstrumental or spontaneous vaginal births, cesarean births, pushing time, episiotomies, lacerations; maternal fatigue; and fetal well-being. Data synthesis Seven studies were eligible for a sample size of 2,827 women. Pooled data indicate that passive descent increases a woman’s chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth (relative risk: 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.15; p = 0.025), decreases risk of having an instrument-assisted deliveries (relative risk: 0.77; 95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.85; p ≤ 0.0001), and decreases pushing time (mean difference: −0.19 hours; 95% confidence interval: −0.27 to −0.12; p ≤ 0.0001). No differences were found in rates of cesarean births (relative risk: 0.80; 95% confidence interval: 0.57-1.12; p = 0.19), lacerations (relative risk: 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.72-1.07; p = 0.20), or episiotomies (relative risk: 0.97; 95% confidence interval: 0.88-1.06; p = 0.45). Conclusions Significant positive effects were found indicating that passive descent should be used during birth to safely and effectively increase spontaneous vaginal births, decrease instrument-assisted deliveries, and shorten pushing time.
First-forbidden beta decay near A = 40

Shell model calculations in the full sdpf model space are carried out for the known and possible first-forbidden beta decays for 34 <A < 44. The main purpose is to study the strong quenching of the unique (ΔJ = 2) decays, which results from the repulsive nature of the T = 1 particle-hole interaction, and the strong meson-exchange enhancement of the ΔJ = 0 decays. Procedures for calculating the relevant matrix elements and combining them to form the decay rate are described in detail. Varous approximations designed to display more clearly the dependence of the rates on the contributing matrix elements are presented and the associated errors assessed. The results are compared to experiment and conclusions are drawn regarding our present understanding of first-forbidden beta decays.
Inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin release from βTC3 cells and rodent islets by an analog of FK506

Immunosuppression is currently used for allotransplantation, and is being evaluated for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other autoimmune diseases. However, most available agents have a number of side effects that limit their use in clinical situations. It has been shown previously, for example, that cyclosporine may inhibit insulin release from islet tumor cells and rat islets. We have studied the effects of an analog of a newer agent (FK506) termed L-683,590 on insulin secretion by an islet tumor line, beta TC3, and rat islets, and compared the effects of this drug to those of cyclosporine, since both cause similar immunosuppression. L-683,590 and cyclosporine inhibited insulin release by beta TC3 cells by about 50% and 80%, respectively, at doses that inhibit lymphokine production by T cells. The inhibition by L-683,590 and cyclosporine was more pronounced at higher glucose levels, and was not simply attributable to a general toxic effect of the drugs on the cells. Insulin release during long-term (> 48 hr) cultures of isolated rat islets was also inhibited by the drugs. However, there was no effect of either agent on insulin release by islets during the first 4 hr following a glucose stimulus. Both drugs caused reduced levels of insulin mRNA (by 56 +/- 8.1% and 66 +/- 16% in the presence of L-683,590 and cyclosporine, respectively), accounting for reduced rates of insulin biosynthesis that were also seen. Our studies indicate that: (1) both cyclosporine and L-683,590 inhibit insulin release by beta TC3 cells and cultured rat islets after 48 hr (cyclosporine is a more potent inhibitor); (2) neither drug inhibits the release of insulin during the first 4 hr following a glucose stimulus; and (3) their mechanisms of action appear to be similar--both drugs cause reduced levels of insulin mRNA. Although the toxicity of FK506 on human islets in vivo is still unknown, it may be of particular importance in individuals with impaired beta cell function, such as patients with new-onset insulin-dependent diabetes or patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
A Validity Study of Two Forms of the Self-Esteem Rating Scale

A study was conducted to assess the equivalence of validity and reliability of two forms of the Self-Esteem Rating Scale. A total of 228 responses were obtained from a purposive sample. Several data analysis methods were used to test specific hypotheses, and two methods of equating observed scores on the two forms were used. The results were consistent with the general hypothesis of equivalence of validity and reliability. Equipercentile and linear equating methods produced nearly the same results in terms of equivalent scores between the two forms. The results suggested that the two forms of the Self-Esteem Rating Scale produce scores with a practical level of equal validity and reliability, that the two forms may be used interchangeably in social work practice, and that the equating formula may be used to convert a score from one form to an equivalent score on the other form.
The periodic Anderson model for intermediate valence within the coherent potential approximation

The periodic Anderson model for a lattice of magnetic ions as applied to the description of intermediate valence in rare‐earth compounds is investigated within the coherent potential approximation.
Depleted uranium is not toxic to rat brain endothelial (RBE4) cells.

Studies on Gulf War veterans with depleted uranium (DU) fragments embedded in their soft tissues have led to suggestions of possible DU-induced neurotoxicity. We investigated DU uptake into cultured rat brain endothelial cells (RBE4). Following the determination that DU readily enters RBE4 cells, cytotoxic effects were analyzed using assays for cell volume increase, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) expression, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The results of these studies show that uptake of the U3O8 uranyl chloride form of DU into RBE4 cells is efficient, but there are little or no resulting cytotoxic effects on these cells as detected by common biomarkers. Thus, the present experimental paradigm is rather reassuring and provides no indication for overt cytotoxicity in endothelial cells exposed to DU.
Analyzing the Dynamics of Affective Dyadic Interactions Using Patterns of Intra- and Interindividual Variability

There are many compelling accounts of the ways in which the emotions of 1 member of a romantic relationship should influence and be influenced by the partner. However, there are relatively few methodological tools available for representing the alleged complexity of dyad level emotional experiences. In this article, we present an algorithm for examining such affective dynamics based on patterns of variability. The algorithm identifies periods of stability based on length of time and amplitude of emotional fluctuations. The patterns of variability and stability are quantified at the individual and dyadic level, and the approach is illustrated using data of the daily emotional experiences of individuals in romantic couples. With this technique, we examine the fluctuations of the emotions for each person and inspect the overlap fluctuations between both individuals in the dyad. The individual and dyadic indices of variability are then used to predict the status of the dyads (i.e., together, apart) 1 year later.
Hunter-gatherer adaptations and assemblage structure

Abstract There is a growing tendency to conceive of hunter-gatherer adaptations as points on a yardstick, with foragers at one end and collectors on the other. Such a view limits our perspective and may trap anthropologists into seeing these categories as steps in an evolutionary progression. It is more productive to think of human adaptation as an N-dimensional space, with individual cases occurring at the intersections of the various dimensions. When this viewpoint is taken, it becomes clear that a search for a single dimension in archaeological data that can be used to characterize all prehistoric adaptations is unlikely to be fruitful. This paper explores the multidimensionality of hunter-gatherer adaptive behavior and reviews those archaeological manifestations that are empirically or logically linked with various dimensions of three components of adaptation: mobility, predation, and technology. Those manifestations with the greatest potential for characterizing prehistoric hunter-gatherer adaptive strategies are identified as measures of mobility type, frequency, stability, scheduling, demography, and range; predation mode, breadth, and scheduling; and the time budgeting and storage dimensions of technology. A subset of these measures is evaluated by comparing assemblages from the late prehistoric Columbia Plateau with expectations derived from ethnographies written on the same local area.
Control of emulsion polymerization reactors

The interest in emulsion polymerization is strong because it offers the possibility of producing products with special properties not easily produced by other types of polymerization processes. Because the main reaction medium is water, not an organic solvent, its importance is steadily increasing with efforts to design environmentally benign processes. The control of emulsion polymerization is a challenging problem due to major limitations encountered in its modeling and on-line monitoring. Although emulsion polymerization has been studied and used for several decades, progress has been slow. Industrial practice relies heavily on experience while several controversial issues are still being studied. The literature related to this issue is vast and sometimes contradictory, and most deals with experimental investigation of specific emulsion polymerization systems to improve the process understanding and develop a process model. However, universally accepted conclusions are scarce. This article reviews the major issues related to control of emulsion polymerization. The latest contributions in process understanding, mathematical modeling, sensor technology, and process control techniques for emulsion polymerization are discussed. Emphasis is on contributions, which are important in resolving the control of emulsion polymerization processes.
Efficient audio stream segmentation via the combined T/sup 2/ statistic and Bayesian information criterion

In many speech and audio applications, it is first necessary to partition and classify acoustic events prior to voice coding for communication or speech recognition for spoken document retrieval. In this paper, we propose an efficient approach for unsupervised audio stream segmentation and clustering via the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The proposed method extends an earlier formulation by Chen and Gopalakrishnan. In our formulation, Hotelling's T/sup 2/-Statistic is used to pre-select candidate segmentation boundaries followed by BIC to perform the segmentation decision. The proposed algorithm also incorporates a variable-size increasing window scheme and a skip-frame test. Our experiments show that we can improve the final algorithm speed by a factor of 100 compared to that in Chen and Gopalakrishnan's while achieving a 6.7% reduction in the acoustic boundary miss rate at the expense of a 5.7% increase in false alarm rate using DARPA Hub4 1997 evaluation data. The approach is particularly successful for short segment turns of less than 2 s in duration. The results suggest that the proposed algorithm is sufficiently effective and efficient for audio stream segmentation applications.
Discrete Element Modeling of Strength Properties of Johnson Space Center (JSC-1A) Lunar Regolith Simulant

This paper simulates the three-dimensional axisymmetric triaxial compression of JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant under lunar and terrestrial gravity environments under a wide range of confining pressures and relative densities. To accomplish this, the discrete element method (DEM), using Particle Flow Code In Three-Dimensional (PFC3D) software, was employed. The paper focuses on the peak and the critical state (CS) friction angles, which were predicted in the ranges of 35.4°–82.7° and 31.2°–79.8°, respectively, depending on the specimen density and confining pressure. A significant increase in peak and CS friction angles was predicted at near-zero confining pressure. The DEM results validated an empirical model that relates the peak friction angle with the CS friction angle, relative density, and mean effective stress at the CS. Comparison of DEM results with lunar in situ measurements of friction angle, from Apollo missions and other extraterrestrial laboratory experiments under a microgravity environment,...
Lithologic controls on osmium isotopes in the Rio Orinoco

Abstract The seawater 187 Os/ 188 Os ratio has been increasing over the last 50 Ma and at present is ∼ 1.06 reflecting that about 80% of Os in the oceans is derived from the continents that provide Os with an average 187 Os/ 188 Os ratio of about 1.26. Whether the past variations in seawater Os isotopes record changes in the bulk Os flux with an average isotopic composition or the changes in the average 187 Os/ 188 Os ratio of the continental inputs or a combination of these two pathways is not clear. The fundamental importance of lithology in controlling continental weathering rates and dissolved ion yields has been well established for the major cations. It is dramatically manifested in the Sr isotopes of rivers that are affected by selective dissolution of carbonates. Accordingly, for Os isotopes it has been proposed that disproportionate contributions of Os with extremely high 187 Os/ 188 Os ratio come from weathering of organic-rich black shales. Here we examine the effect of the weathering of specific lithologies on osmium isotopic composition and concentration in water samples of the Orinoco River basin, a major river basin draining both black shales exposed in the Northern Andes and granites of the Precambrian Guyana Shield. The Northern Andes was uplifted ~17 Ma, which corresponds to the time of a dramatic rise in 187 Os/ 188 Os ratio. The osmium isotopic composition and concentrations vary considerably in the tributaries and the main stem of the Orinoco; the highest Os concentrations are observed in the rivers draining the Andes. However, waters draining the Andes are not highly radiogenic ( 187 Os/ 188 Os 187 Os/ 188 Os ratio of seawater during the last 17 million years.
STUDENT LEADERS' AND THEIR PARENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF SOCIAL SKILLS '

Summary.-Comparison of student leaders' (55 boys and 59 girls) perceptions of their social skills to their parents' (71 fathers and 90 mothers) perceptions of the smdents' behaviors, using the Social Performance Survey Schedule, showed significant differences. Student leaders perceived themselves as exhibiting more positive social behavior than did their parents. Mothers perceived their children as more socially skillful than their fathers did. The social skills of adult leaders have been extensively studied (StogdiU, 1972; Bass, 1981, 1985). Although social skills are also important to the functioning of young leaders, these have not been the central focus of empirical investigation. Social skills are acquired by children through direct observation, modeling, reinforcement, corrective feedback from significant others, and the development of cognitive expectations based on social feedback (Kelly, 1982). Trower, Bryant, Argyle, and Marz~llier (1978) have concluded that the absence or presence of instruction, initiation, reinforcement, and affection within the parent-child relationship plays critical roles in the development and maintenance of social competency. Self-perception of social behavior, therefore, is significantly influenced and shaped by the acrions of others, actions based upon the other's perceptions, expectations, and definitions of appropriate behavior. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare student leaders' perceptions of their own social behavior with their parents' perceptions of the students. A measure constructed to assess social skills, the Social Performance Survey Schedule (Lowe & Cautela, 1978), and employed in several studies with elementary and secondary youth (Center & Wascom, 1986, 1987; D'Ilio & Karnes, 1987) was selected. Since the instrument has been successfully administered as both a self- and informant-scored rating scale of social competence, it was thought to be an appropriate measure to assess accurately the perceptions of both students and their parents.
Spatial heterogeneity of transmembrane potential responses of single guinea‐pig cardiac cells during electric field stimulation

Changes in transmembrane voltage (V(m)) of cardiac cells during electric field stimulation have a complex spatial- and time-dependent behaviour that differs significantly from electrical stimulation of space-clamped membranes by current pulses. A multisite optical mapping system was used to obtain 17 or 25 microm resolution maps of V(m) along the long axis of guinea-pig ventricular cells (n = 57) stained with voltage-sensitive dye (di-8-ANEPPS) and stimulated longitudinally with uniform electric field (2, 5 or 10 ms, 3-62 V cm(-1)) pulses (n = 201). The initial polarizations of V(m) responses (V(mr)) varied linearly along the cell length and reversed symmetrically upon field reversal. The remainder of the V(m) responses had parallel time courses among the recording sites, revealing a common time-varying signal component (V(ms)). V(ms) was depolarizing for pulses during rest and hyperpolarizing for pulses during the early plateau phase. V(ms) varied in amplitude and time course with increasing pulse amplitude. Four types of plateau response were observed, with transition points between the different responses occurring when the maximum polarization at the ends of the cell reached values estimated as 60, 110 and 220 mV. Among the cells that had a polarization change of > 200 mV at their ends (for fields > 45 V cm(-1)), some (n = 17/25) had non-parallel time courses among V(m) recordings of the various sites. This implied development of an intracellular field (E(i)) that was found to increase exponentially with time (tau = 7.2 +/- 3.2 ms). Theoretical considerations suggest that V(ms) represents the intracellular potential (phi(i)) as well as the average polarization of the cell, and that V(mr) is the manifestation of the extracellular potential gradient resulting from the field stimulus. For cells undergoing field stimulation, phi(i) acts as the cellular physiological state variable and substitutes for V(m), which is the customary variable for space-clamped membranes.
A Multi-functional Introductory Materials Science Course: Emphasizing Engineering and Achieving Accreditation Objectives

In efforts to serve more engineering students and to achieve accreditation objectives, we have redesigned our introductory materials course to be more engineering-oriented and relevant to other disciplines. The fundamental materials science concepts have been regrouped into five, 2-week sections that emphasize applications: Materials Basics; Mechanical Strength; Thermo-mechanical Treatments; Electrical Properties; and Economic, Environmental and Societal Issues. Although the topics that are covered are similar to those in most introductory materials science courses, the presentation of the topics has been re-arranged to create clearer links between materials science and materials engineering. We have also identified accreditation criteria within each section and have built in mechanisms for providing feedback for accreditation processes. In addition, learning objectives for each section ensure standardization among different sections and instructors. Results on students’ performances are reported.
The role of genomics in medicine―past, present and future

The fundamental idea that responses to environmental factors or treatments is to be found in our individual differences, the underlying concept of “genomic medicine”, is rooted in antiquity and based on millennia of simple observation. Simply put, the objective of genomic medicine is to determine the genetic bases of those differences in response to environmental agents, including medications, and differences that may predispose to the development of common and potentially personally devastating and societally expensive disorders, and to use them in populations to thwart adverse response, increase the frequency of beneficial response, and intervene to prevent or delay onset of disease. The medical implication of individual variation was well known more than a century ago and perhaps, best annotated by Garrod in the early days of the 20th century. Since then the idea that these individual differences had a genetic basis and thus were likely shared in populations with similar origins has grown so that testing a few individuals for variants could provide ways to identify individuals within that group to target for intervention. In a sense, the easy work of genomic medicine has been completed–the near-finished complete draft of the human genome sequence, the development of tools that allow high throughput targeted resequencing of the genomes of multiple individuals, the identification of some major alleles that predispose to development of identifiable genetic disorders and of other that increase the background risk for the development of more common conditions, the development of sensitive and convenient gene expression arrays, and the refinement of computational tools to use them. But, those are the easy steps. And they have led to some notable, though relatively small scale, success stories. These include identification of individuals at risk for adverse reaction to chemotherapeutic drugs on the basis of variants in processing enzymes, the prediction of response of malignancies to drugs and of their propensity for metastasis on the basis of expression profiling, and the development of drugs based on detailed knowledge of receptor structure. There are several areas of new knowledge that will have to be developed to create a reality of genomic medicine. These include the characterization of genomic variation among individuals in the target populations (and each separate population will probably have to be studied anew), the identification of the clinically significant variants in each group, the assessment of the extent to which intervention could change predicted outcome–taking into account other changes in environmental exposure and behaviors, and the development of an understanding of the costs of these processes for the society and weighing them against other societal needs. In societies in which pandemic disorders are the result of behavioral and societal excesses (obesity, diabetes, and the like) or scarcities (starvation, endemic infection) genomic medicine as a health strategy may come second to other public health interventions in efficacy.
Electric media and electric epistemology: Empathy at a distance

This paper first advances the claim that different media create different “epistemological zones” for their users. Then the authors explore the notion of a seemingly paradoxical electric epistemology, “empathy at a distance.” The paradoxes can be resolved, it is argued, through the concepts of electric knowledge and electric wisdom.
The Arabidopsis AtOPT3 Protein Functions in Metal Homeostasis and Movement of Iron to Developing Seeds

The Arabidopsis thaliana AtOPT3 belongs to the oligopeptide transporter (OPT) family, a relatively poorly characterized family of peptide/modified peptide transporters found in archebacteria, bacteria, fungi, and plants. A null mutation in AtOPT3 resulted in embryo lethality, indicating an essential role for AtOPT3 in embryo development. In this article, we report on the isolation and phenotypic characterization of a second AtOPT3 mutant line, opt3-2, harboring a T-DNA insertion in the 5′ untranslated region of AtOPT3. The T-DNA insertion in the AtOPT3 promoter resulted in reduced but sufficient AtOPT3 expression to allow embryo formation in opt3-2 homozygous seeds. Phenotypic analyses of opt3-2 plants revealed three interesting loss-of-function phenotypes associated with iron metabolism. First, reduced AtOPT3 expression in opt3-2 plants resulted in the constitutive expression of root iron deficiency responses regardless of exogenous iron supply. Second, deregulation of root iron uptake processes in opt3-2 roots resulted in the accumulation of very high levels of iron in opt3-2 tissues. Hyperaccumulation of iron in opt3-2 resulted in the formation of brown necrotic areas in opt3-2 leaves and was more pronounced during the seed-filling stage. Third, reduced AtOPT3 expression resulted in decreased accumulation of iron in opt3-2 seeds. The reduced accumulation of iron in opt3-2 seeds is especially noteworthy considering the excessively high levels of accumulated iron in other opt3-2 tissues. AtOPT3, therefore, plays a critical role in two important aspects of iron metabolism, namely, maintenance of whole-plant iron homeostasis and iron nutrition of developing seeds.
Re-Creating New Orleans: Driving Development Through Creativity

The purpose of this article is to consider the promotion of the entertainment industries as a means to economic redevelopment in post-Katrina New Orleans. A comparative study is conducted with three other cities in the Southeast: Atlanta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; and Wilmington, North Carolina. The study begins by laying a theoretical foundation for such an approach, looking at creative class and human capital theories in particular. After providing a brief background of New Orleans, the authors review current economic development strategies for the region. New Orleans’ existing strength in the creative media cluster is acknowledged and alternative strategies are discussed in terms of firm-centered and people-centered approaches. The article closes with a number of specific policy implications for the city, including entertainment industry cluster development, improved quality of life for residents, and an enhanced business climate. Possible implications for other cities are also discussed.
Redeployment of Myc and E2f1–3 drives Rb -deficient cell cycles

Robust mechanisms to control cell proliferation have evolved to maintain the integrity of organ architecture. Here, we investigated how two critical proliferative pathways, Myc and E2f, are integrated to control cell cycles in normal and Rb-deficient cells using a murine intestinal model. We show that Myc and E2f1-3 have little impact on normal G1-S transitions. Instead, they synergistically control an S-G2 transcriptional program required for normal cell divisions and maintaining crypt-villus integrity. Surprisingly, Rb deficiency results in the Myc-dependent accumulation of E2f3 protein and chromatin repositioning of both Myc and E2f3, leading to the 'super activation' of a G1-S transcriptional program, ectopic S phase entry and rampant cell proliferation. These findings reveal that Rb-deficient cells hijack and redeploy Myc and E2f3 from an S-G2 program essential for normal cell cycles to a G1-S program that re-engages ectopic cell cycles, exposing an unanticipated addiction of Rb-null cells on Myc.