cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimal important difference of the transition dyspnoea index in a multinational clinical trial

Dyspnoea is a primary symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The baseline (BDI) and transition (TDI) dyspnoea indices are commonly used instruments to assess breathlessness and the impact of intervention. Its validity and pattern of response in multinational clinical trials has not been established. In a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 997 COPD patients who received tiotropium, salmeterol or placebo, in addition to usual care, the validity and pattern of response of the BDI and TDI were examined. The BDI was significantly correlated with the dyspnoea diary (DD) score and the symptom and activity components of the St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), establishing concurrent validity. Furthermore, the TDI was also correlated with the changes in DD, SGRQ symptom and activity scores. Construct validity was established by the association between baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and BDI and AFEVI with TDI. Physician's global evaluation (PGE) was significantly associated with BDI as well as APGE with TDI. Significant correlations have also been observed when the cohorts were classified according to native English and native non-English speaking countries. A change in PGE of 1 category (i.e. 2 units on an 8-point scale) was associated with a mean TDI of approximately 1 unit (0.9-1.3 mean focal score), lending further support to the clinical significance of this change inherent in the instrument's descriptors. TDI responders (i.e. focal score < or = 1 unit) used less supplemental salbutamol, had fewer exacerbations and had significantly improved health status as measured by impacts and total SGRQ scores compared with nonresponders. In conclusion, the transition dyspnoea index is a valid instrument when used in a multinational clinical trial and the patterns of response confirm a 1-unit change in the transition dyspnoea index focal score as being clinically important.
Phonological Neighborhood and Word Frequency Effects in the Stuttered Disfluencies of Children Who Stutter

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine (a) the role of neighborhood density (number of words that are phonologically similar to a target word) and frequency variables on the stuttering-li...
Quantitating the Severity of Proximal Tubular Brush Border Injury by a Simple Direct Binding Radioimmunoassay

The purpose of this investigation was: (1) to establish a simplified radioimmunoassay (RIA) for quantitating renal tubular epithelial antigens (RTE) in urine; (2) to ascertain whether urine RTE concentrations as measured by this technique correlate with the severity of acute nephrotoxic and ischemic injury; and (3) to ascertain whether increased urinary RTE is a specific marker of renal tubular injury. A direct binding RTE RIA was established using 125I labelled anti-RTE antibody and 10% polyethylene glycol to separate bound from unbound anti-RTE 125I. This RIA is simpler than previously described RTE assay methods since: (1) double antibody separation techniques are eliminated; (2) RTE antigen purification from crude proximal tubular fragments is no longer necessary; and (3) immunoglobulin G(IgG) rather than more radiosensitive RTE is used as the radioligand. To test the utility of this assay as a marker of acute tubular injury anesthetized rats were subjected to graded nephrotoxic (HgCl2: 0--20 mg/kg) or bilateral renal ischemic (0--32 min) insults. Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) (clearance iothalamate 125I) and RTE concentrations were measured sequentially. Post-renal injury, RTE concentrations rose above control values and the degree of elevation strongly correlated with the severity of GFR depression (r = 0.72--0.81; p less than 0.02--0.05). The source of this increased urinary RTE was the proximal tubule since brush border loss was demonstrated histologically and because no RTE could be detected in serum. Rats whose GFRs were acutely depressed by inducing either volume depletion or acute experimental glomerulonephritis (nephrotoxic serum nephritis) all had normal urine RTE concentrations. These results suggest that RTE quantitation by this technique may provide a specific and early quantitative index of the severity of acute nephrotoxic and ischemic renal injury.
Trigona corvina: an ecological study based on unusual nest structure and pollen analysis.

We found that the nest of Trigona corvina (Apidae; Meliponini) consists mainly of pollen exines from bee excrement, forming a scutellum shield encasing the colony. A 20-year-old nest (1980&#x2013;2000) from a lowland Panama forested habitat was sawed in half longitudinally, and a 95&#x2009;cm transect was systematically sampled each 5&#x2009;cm. Samples subjected to detailed pollen analysis held 72 botanical species belonging to 65 genera in 41 families. Over 90&#x25; of scutellum pollen volume was Cecropiaceae and Arecaceae, among g1013 grains. Potentially the oldest samples, in the middle of the nest, indicate that Mimosoideae, Euphorbiaceae, and Bombacaceae (now Malvaceae) were lost when Africanized honey bee competitors colonized Panama in 1984. Cecropia deposited in the nest increased markedly after landscape-level vegetation disturbance. Pollen from Cavanillesia demonstrated that the foraging range encompassed 3&#x2009;km2 and perhaps 500 plant species. Trigona corvina primarily foraged on plants with large inflorescences, consistent with foraging theory considering their aggressive behavior.
THE HUMAN CAPITAL PEACE: DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT

This paper explores the relationship between human capital and international conflict. In theory, human capital may increase the opportunity cost of military service and the economic cost of injury and loss of life in combat; it may decrease the benefits of conflict as human capital cannot be easily appropriated or transferred; it may affect societal norms toward peace and war; and it may alter military productivity through new technology and complementarities between military technology and personnel. Using a panel of politically relevant dyads, I find robust empirical evidence that human capital may significantly decrease the likelihood of militarized conflict between nations. In short, the findings suggest that promoting human capital‐oriented development may help to increase peace in the world.
Study of near infrared technology for intracranial hematoma detection

Although intracranial hematoma detection only requires the continuous wave technique of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), previous studies have shown that there are still some problems in obtaining very accurate, reliable hematoma detection. Several of the most important limitations of NIR technology for hematoma detection such as the dynamic range of detection, hair absorption, optical contact, layered structure of the head, and depth of detection are reported in this article. A pulsed light source of variable intensity was designed and studied in order to overcome hair absorption and to increase the dynamic range and depth of detection. An adaptive elastic optical probe was made to improve the optical contact and decrease contact noise. A new microcontroller operated portable hematoma detector was developed. Due to the layered structure of the human head, simulation on a layered medium was analyzed experimentally. Model inhomogeneity tests and animal hematoma tests showed the effectiveness of the improved hematoma detector for intracranial hematoma detection.
A new method for sensitivity analysis of photonic crystal devices

We present a new method for sensitivity analysis of photonic crystal devices and nanophotonic devices in general. The algorithm is based on the finite-difference frequency-domain method and uses the adjoint variable method and perturbation theory techniques. We show that our method is highly efficient and accurate and can be applied to the calculation of the sensitivity of transmission parameters of resonant nanophotonic devices.
Powerplant Design and Performance Analysis of a Manned All-Electric Helicopter

This paper describes the conceptual design of three all-electric powerplants—a battery-only, a fuel-cell-only, and a battery–fuel cell hybrid powerplant—for a manned ultralight utility helicopter (Robinson R 22 Beta II-like) and carries out a comparative evaluation of performance delivered by each. The new powerplants consist of a combination of high-pressure proton exchange membrane fuel cells, 700 bar type-4 hydrogen storage, a compressor–expander, lithium-ion batteries, and an alternating current synchronous permanent magnet motor. The key conclusion is that a hybrid powerplant that combines high specific power of batteries in hover and high calorific value of hydrogen in cruise delivers a superior performance compared to either system alone. The efficiency is higher than current rotorcraft piston engines but the key limitation is its low specific power, which is half of the current engines. Only 60% of the original payload can be flown (90 kg solo pilot) for a duration of 35 min (including 11 min hove...
Smoking Beliefs and Behavior Among Youth in South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand

Beliefs about smoking are important predictors of smoking behavior among adolescents, and adolescents who hold positive beliefs about the benefits of smoking are at an increased risk of smoking initiation. An alarming fact is the rising smoking prevalence in Asian countries, particularly the increasing trend in smoking during adolescence. This cross-sectional study examined smoking beliefs and behavior among a nationally representative sample of youth in South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Descriptive statistics, linear regression, and logistic regression methods were used to analyze data from 13–15-year-old adolescents who participated in the 2005 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in South Korea (N = 4,765) and Thailand (N = 15,420) and the 2007 GYTS in Taiwan (N = 3,955). The rate of ever smoking among youth was similar in all three countries and ranged from 26.7 to 28.0 %. The prevalence of current smoking among youth in Thailand (11.4 %) was nearly double the prevalence in South Korea (6.6 %) and Taiwan (6.5 %). Pro-tobacco advertising exposure, as well as older ages, was a positive and significant predictor of positive beliefs about smoking among youth in all three countries. Additionally, youth who reported increased positive smoking-related beliefs, greater pro-tobacco advertising exposure, and were male were more likely to be current smokers in all three countries. Results suggest that greater attention be directed to understanding beliefs and attitudes about smoking among youth. Exploring the relationship between these factors and smoking behavior can provide a strong starting point in the development of effective smoking prevention interventions and tobacco control policies in this region.
Keeping It Real: Exploring the Roles of Conversational Human Voice and Source Credibility in Crisis Communication via Blogs

The purpose of this study was to understand better how a conversational human voice versus a corporate tone of voice in blogs affects key publics’ responses to an organization in the context of a crisis, using a 2 (tone of voice: human/organizational) × 2 (source: public relations executive/private citizen) × 2 (crisis response: defensive/accommodative) mixed experimental design. Results indicate that first-person voice and personal narratives increased perceptions of social presence and interactivity in online communication. These perceptions subsequently resulted in positive post-crisis outcomes, such as reputation and behavioral intentions.
FRAUD ON LAW FOR FRAUD ON LAW

Let us begin with talion proper. For the recipient of a hurt, or whoever acts on his behalf, to inflict an identical one on the culprit is a fairly old and widespread response. In Proverbs, it is disapproved of: 'Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me'.' Folk-literature knows the coy bride pleading a headache, sorry for it when, a little later in the proceedings, the groom profers the same excuse.2 The mere attempt to injure may produce this tit for tat, as in the fable of the wolf who tells a sick lion that the fox scorns him; but the latter overhears this and convinces the lion that, to be cured, he must wrap himself in the wolf's skin-which duly happens.3 Often the intended victim uses the attempter's own weapon to effect requital. Hansel and Gretel push the witch into the kettle with boiling water wherein she meant to cook them. 'Eat spiritual food', the feasting monks exhort a colleague who wants to join in though previously, when they worked hard in field and stable, he reproved them for thinking of bodily nourishment.' Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, travelling with Hamlet, carry a letter from the Danish king to the English one asking him to rid him of the prince. The latter manages to substitute a request for the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: they are 'hoist with their own petard'.5 The part played by the idea in law is well known. One of the ordinances directly after the flood reads, 'Whoso sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed',6 and a Mosaic one proclaims 'Life for life, eye for eye'.' Similar provisions are
Furosemide-induced Oxidant Stresses in mice are Compartmentalized in Hepatic Mitiochondria |[dagger]| 1141

Exposures of biological systems to increased concentrations of reactive oxygen species frequently are characterized by measurements of glutathione disulfide (GSSG), and such increases are cited as criteria for oxidant stresses. Evidence suggests that some oxidant stresses are compartmentalized in the mitochondria, but efforts to test these hypotheses on experimental models of toxicant challenge in vivo are severely limited by the inability to prevent redox reactions and thiol-disulfide exchange during isolation of mitochondria. Coenzyme A (CoASH) is localized predominantly in mitochondria and exchanges with GSH/GSSG. CoASH and CoASSG can be measured by HPLC, which suggests that assessment of CoASH/CoASSG contents in tissue samples freeze clamped immediately upon removal of the tissue and processed in acidic buffers to minimize chemical alterations during sample processing might provide critical information regarding intramitochondrial thiol redox status in relevant experimental models. Male mice were treated with 400 mg/kg of furosemide in saline or equal volumes of saline and killed 2 or 6 h later, their livers freeze-clamped, and levels of GSH, GSSG, CoASH and CoASSG were measured in acid supernatants. Increases in plasma ALT activities documented hepatic injury. Hepatic GSH and GSSG levels were not different in the furosemide-treated mice, indicating no oxidant stress in the larger cytosolic compartment. CoASH contents in the furosemide-treated animals were not different from the controls (112±14 nmol/g tissue) at either 2 or 6 h. This observation indicates that decreases in tissue CoASH contents are not obligatory consequences of cell death in vivo. Hepatic CoASSG levels were significantly higher at 2, 4 and 6 h (two-way ANOVA, P<0.009) in the furosemide-treated animals (7.3±1.5, 5.1±0.8, 8.6±1.4; vs. 3.5±0.5, 4.4±0.6, 4.5±0.6 nmol/g of tissue in controls). CoASH and CoASSG levels measured in acid supernatants of mitochondria isolated by differential centrifugation of homogenates of unfrozen tissues were not different. Pellets from acid-precipitated mitochondrial proteins were treated with dithioerythritol (DTE) and CoASH released from CoASSP measured. No differences in CoASSP were observed in furosemide-treated animals. These results indicate an unexpected oxidant stress response to furosemide that appears to be expressed preferentially in the mitochondrial compartment.
Kinodynamic motion planning

Kinodynamic planning attempts to solve a robot motion problem subject to simultaneous kinematic and dynamics constraints. In the general problem, given a robot system, we must find a minimal-time trajectory that goes from a start position and velocity to a goal position and velocity while avoiding obstacles by a safety margin and respecting constraints on velocity and acceleration. We consider the simplified case of a point mass under Newtonian mechanics, together with velocity and acceleration bounds. The point must be flown from a start to a goal, amidst polyhedral obstacles in 2D or 3D. Although exact solutions to this problem are not known, we provide the first provably good approximation algorithm, and show that it runs in polynomial time
Statistical inference for atmospheric transport models using process convolutions

A computer simulator for atmospheric concentrations of chemical species, or chemical transport model, is used to simulate global ozone concentrations. Two different wind forcings are considered: one is a combination of a numerical weather prediction model and observational data, the other is obtained as output from a climate model. The goal is to study the impact of meteorological variability on ozone. The statistical approach that we consider consists on learning the spatial structure of ozone concentrations by using process convolutions. We use several Bayesian model comparison methods to determine if the two simulations can be considered as realizations of the same random field. The methods provide a quantification of the differences for each of the computer model grid cells. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
China's Economic Growth After WTO Membership

We assess the prospects of China's future growth performance in two steps. The first step is to project the potential growth path by determining whether past successes were generated by economic experimentation that produced non-capitalist institutional innovations (e.g. incentive contracts to state enterprises, profit-oriented supervision by state industrial bureaux, collectively-owned rural enterprises), or by institutional convergence toward the advanced WTO economies like France, Japan and the United States - two interpretations known respectively as the experimentalist school and the convergence school. Because WTO membership would harmonise China's economic institutions with those of capitalist economies and reduce the scope for experimentation, the experimentalist school would project a lower potential growth path than the convergence school. The fact that China has sought WTO membership voluntarily and with great tenacity is recognition of the correctness of the convergence interpretation. The sec...
Certification of NIST standard reference material 2389a, amino acids in 0.1 mol/L HCl--quantification by ID LC-MS/MS

An isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID LC-MS/MS) measurement procedure was developed to accurately quantify amino acid concentrations in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2389a—amino acids in 0.1 mol/L hydrochloric acid. Seventeen amino acids were quantified using selected reaction monitoring on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. LC-MS/MS results were compared to gravimetric measurements from the preparation of SRM 2389a—a reference material developed at NIST and intended for use in intra-laboratory calibrations and quality control. Quantitative mass spectrometry results and gravimetric values were statistically combined into NIST-certified mass fraction values with associated uncertainty estimates. Coefficients of variation (CV) for the repeatability of the LC-MS/MS measurements among amino acids ranged from 0.33% to 2.7% with an average CV of 1.2%. Average relative expanded uncertainty of the certified values including Types A and B uncertainties was 3.5%. Mean accuracy of the LC-MS/MS measurements with gravimetric preparation values agreed to within |1.1|% for all amino acids. NIST SRM 2389a will be available for characterization of routine methods for amino acid analysis and serves as a standard for higher-order measurement traceability. This is the first time an ID LC-MS/MS methodology has been applied for quantifying amino acids in a NIST SRM material.
Innominate arterial arteriovenous fistula complicating retrograde brachial arterial catheterization

Abstract Arteriovenous fistula of the innominate artery occurred in a patient 3 weeks after retrograde brachial arterial catheterization was performed 1 day before aortocoronary bypass surgery. Intramural dissection was noted at catheterization, and a medlastinal hematoma at operation. Exploration of the hematoma in the course of catheterization might have prevented the arteriovenous fistula, which necessitated a second operation 3 weeks after the first. To our knowledge this complication of retrograde brachial catheterization has not previously been described. We recommend that known injuries to cervical or thoracic arteries occurring just before operations requiring extracorporeal circulation be explored to prevent late complications. Recent injuries to the cervical and thoracic arteries that are not accessible to external compression should be exposed and treated during sternotomy to prevent late complications if heparinization is contemplated.
Performance of patients with schizophrenia on a pen and paper visuospatial working memory task with short delay

Human and nonhuman primate data suggest that visuospatial working memory is mediated by a neural network that includes the prefrontal cortex. Simple working memory tasks are less complex than standard neuropsychological tests of frontal dysfunction. As such, they are less vulnerable to general performance factors such as amotivation and uncooperativeness in schizophrenic patients. These tasks thus hold promise as potential measures of frontal dysfunction in schizophrenia. However, the specific parameters of visuospatial working memory deficit in schizophrenia have not been established. This study assessed working memory functions in 18 schizophrenic patients and 28 controls using a pen-and-paper analogue of a monkey prefrontal cortex activation task. Schizophrenic patients and controls performed similarly on a sensory-guided task that did not require working memory functions, yet schizophrenic patients performed significantly worse than controls on tasks that required subjects to retain visuospatial information for delay periods of 10 and 20 s. These data suggest that the working memory deficits in patients with schizophrenia begin to appear less than 10 s following encoding of visuospatial information and that these working memory deficits can be assessed with easily administered pen-and-paper tasks.
A Connection Design Methodology for Automated Assembly and the Framing of Buildings

The erection of structural building frames, like that of other mechanical assemblies, involves the use of handling systems and connection technologies. A new chamfered connection, now known as the ATLSS Connection, has been developed to both facilitate the framing assembly task and provide adequate connection strength through the life of the building. This paper outlines the methodology and technical details used in developing the connection geometry from an insertion mechanics point of view. Although framing of buildings is explicitly addressed here, the approach is just as viable for other mechanical assemblies. Parameters associated with the connection geometry are defined and used in simulations of possible insertion trajectories. The insertion forces and moments are used to determine the fine details of the trajectory. It was found that the geometric parameters greatly affect the maximum allowable amount of initial misalignment between the beam and the two mating columns as well as the stiffness of the connection and its ability to be easily inserted.
Coincident radiation imaging of iodine 125 for in vivo gene imaging in small animals

Progress has been made towards a novel in vivo gene imaging technology which take advantage of the emission properties of 125I as the label for a gene specific probe. The radioisotope 125I decays via electron capture emitting a 35 keV γ-ray with the prompt emission of several 27–32 keV Kα and Kβ shell X-rays. Hence, a coincidence detection condition can be implemented to detect the 125I decays, thus reducing the background contribution and enhancing the possibility of detecting minute amounts of the isotope. The detector system utilizes crystal scintillators and a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube. Currently, studies in molecular biology and gene regulation follow the expression of a particular gene at a given instant in time. Presently, in situ hybridization and immunochemical assays are available to observe the spatial patterning of gene expression in an organism at any one instant in time for one organism but one must sacrifice the organism to make a measurement, essentially taking a single snap-shot of the state of expression of the gene of interest. It is hoped that this detection scheme will make possible gene imaging in live animals for extended periods of time.
Statistical recognition of 3D objects using integral imaging

A model of three-dimensional (3D) object recognition using integral imaging is presented. Multiple elemental images (EIs) are captured at different perspectives for reconstruction and recognition. Computational results are presented and discussed for performance evaluation.
Microstructure of precipitated Au nanoclusters in MgO

Gold nanoclusters dispersed in single crystal MgO have been prepared by ion implantation at 975 K and subsequent annealing at 1275 K for 10 h. The morphological features, size, and crystallographic orientation of the Au nanoclusters with respect to the MgO matrix, as well as the interface structure between the Au nanoclusters and MgO, have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. During annealing, the Au clusters nucleate coherently in the MgO lattice, leading to an epitaxial orientation relationship of [010]MgO//[010]Au and (200)MgO//(200)Au that is maintained for all the Au clusters. Above a critical size of ∼5 to 8 nm, a coherent-semicoherent interface transition is observed for the Au clusters in MgO. This critical cluster size is larger than the critical size ∼3 nm based on energetic considerations. This discrepancy is discussed with respect to the point and extended defect structures at the interface between the Au clusters and the MgO matrix. The Au clusters larger than this critic...
Resident Satisfaction with Continuity Clinic and Career Choice in General Internal Medicine

Background The quality of the continuity clinic experience for internal medicine (IM) residents may influence their choice to enter general internal medicine (GIM), yet few data exist to support this hypothesis.
A Global Management Development Laboratory for a Global World

Previews the characteristics of the global markets rapidly developing throughout the world and highlights development approaches that can respond to the need for global managers. Also reviews a new edition of the Multinational Management Game, a possible approach to training global managers.
NMR structural characterization of Quercus alba (white oak) degraded by the brown rot fungus, Laetiporus sulphureus.

High resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) is utilized here to characterize the structure of solid lignin from Quercus alba (white oak) wood that has been biodegraded by the brown rot (BR) fungus Laetiporus sulphureus. The ground wood sample is swelled in deuterated solvent, allowing an enhanced molecular motion that is required for obtaining 2D HRMAS spectra. This technique provides for direct, non-invasive analysis of solid biodegraded lignin. Emphasis is placed on the characterization of the lignin side chains in an effort to elucidate the types of linkages connecting the various monomers. The HRMAS spectra obtained provide evidence for the presence of structures in this biodegraded lignin that have been commonly found in chemically extracted lignins and model compounds. This information supports the existence of several of the six major types of lignin linkages (β-O-4, β-5, β-1, 5-5, 4-O-5, and β-β) as well as three other structures: dibenzodioxocin, isochroman, and spirodienone.
Genetic duplications in bacteria and their relevance for genetic toxicology

Abstract Tandem genetic duplications of various lengths occur at high frequency and at many chromosomal locations in bacteria. Most duplications are formed and lost by recombinational mechanisms. Since they readily give rise to haploid segregants, duplications are characteristically unstable. Various selection procedures permit measurements of duplication frequencies, and several mutagens have been shown to induce the formation of duplications in haploid and the loss of duplications from merodiploid bacteria. Although the data base is not extensive, it includes agents that interact with DNA by a variety of molecular mechanisms. Grounds on which the induction of genetic duplications in bacteria can be relevant for genetic toxicology are discussed.
Strain differences in phenobarbital‐induced teratogenesis in mice

Anticonvulsant drugs are widely prescribed medications known to complicate more than 11,500 pregnancies each year in the United States. Although there is no clear consensus as to the teratogenicity of all of the clinically available compounds, it appears that most anticonvulsant drugs can induce congenital abnormalities in susceptible individuals. In a study designed to examine the role of the genotype on sensitivity to phenobarbital-induced malformations, three highly inbred mouse strains (SWV, C57BL/6J, and LM/Bc) received the drug via chronic oral administration. Phenobarbital was found to have a significant teratogenic potential in mice, resulting in skeletal, cardiac, renal, neural, and urogenital defects in a dose-related fashion. The LM/Bc strain was most sensitive to phenobarbital, with 46.7% of the fetuses exposed to the highest maternal plasma concentrations having malformations. C57BL/6J fetuses were the most resistant strain, with only 28.6% abnormalities.
Cytomegaloviremia in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Leukocyte and urine cultures were done at monthly intervals in 36 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia known to be excreting cytomegalovirus in their urine or saliva in order to determine the relationship of viremia to clinical cytomegalic inclusion disease. Eleven of 36 (30.5%) patients had viremia. Viremia was related to clinical disease in only three patients; two with chorioretinitis and one with a CMV mononucleosis syndrome. However, the presence of viremia did not serve as a useful means to determine active CID. Viremic patients with CID all had elevated serum levels of IgM and multiple episodes of viremia. Viremia was not related to the duration, type or number of drugs used in immunosuppression, nor to the hematologic status of leukemia. Viremic patients received more blood transfusions than noviremic patients, but the administration of blood products could not be related to the acquisition of infection. Leukopenia, neutropenia, total lymphocyte count, fourfold rise or fall in complement-fixing titer, and viruria had no consistent relationship to viremia or clinical CID.
Polarity Effect Measurements Using the Kerr Electro-Optic Effect with Coaxial Cylindrical Electrodes

Steady state solutions of the electric field and space charge density distributions using a drift dominated unipolar conduction model between coaxial cylindrical electrodes are reviewed and compared to experimental results obtained using the Kerr electro-optic ptic effect. With coaxial cylindrical electrodes, Kerr measurements generally showed weak positive charge injection when the outer cylinder was positive and strong positive charge injection when the inner cylinder was positive. For one case study, positive charge injection at the inner cylindrical electrode was so strong that the space charge shielding caused the electric field at the inner cylinder to be a minimum, with the field increasing to the outer cylindrical electrode in complete contrast to the usual space charge free 1/r field dependence. This polarity effect is observed also for a sinusoidal ac high voltage with an essentially space charge free field when the inner cylindrical electrode was instantaneously negative, and a space charge distorted uniform field when the inner cylinder was instantaneously positive.
PRSA publication managers’ preferences for graphic designs

Abstract To communicate well visually, public relations managers must rely primarily on information based on graphic design tradition rather than on research. Little graphic design tradition has been tested. This study uses a visual survey to test public relations publication managers’ preferences for widely accepted design standards.
How novices formulate models. Part II: a quantitative description of behaviour

Since the creation and use of operations research (OR) models is no longer the province of experts, attention must be given to educating novice modellers so that they can be more effective practitioners. This paper provides a quantitative description of the behaviour of novice modellers working ill-structured problems of the type they are likely to face in their careers. Our results suggest that when compared to experts, novices focus attention on different modelling topics, switch attention among topics differently, and concentrate on different concepts. The paper also reports an experimental assessment of the impact of a course designed to improve novices' ability to make and use models. The experiment produced indications that the course helped novices act more like experts.
Radiolaria as paleoclimatic indicators: Pleistocene climatic fluctuations in the equatorial Pacific Ocean

Late Pleistocene radiolarian assemblages were examined in two cores (V24-58 and RC11-209) from the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, using Nigrini's 1970 method of recurrent group analysis. The radiolarian “climatic index” curves obtained by this analysis were in close agreement with fluctuations in carbonate levels established previously for the same cores. This correspondence suggests that equatorial radiolarian assemblages changed significantly in response to Pleistocene climatic oscillations. The radiolarian “climatic indices” of the two cores showed close agreement with each other. Our data indicate that equatorial radiolarian assemblages may prove useful for regional correlations between cores, and for paleoclimatic interpretations.
Simplical decomposition of the asymmetric traffic assignment problem

Abstract This paper presents a convergent simplicial decomposition algorithm for the variational inequality formulation of the asymmetric traffic assignment problem. It alternates between generating minimum path trees based on the cost function evaluated at the current iterate and the approximate solving of a master variational inequality subject to simple convexity constraints. Thus it generalizes the popular Frank-Wolfe method (where the master problem is a line search) to the asymmetric problem. Rules are given for dropping flow patterns which are not needed to express the current iterate as a convex combination of previous patterns. The results of some computational testing are reported.
Qualitative Analysis of Latino Parents' Religious Interpretations of Their Child's Disability

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate three ways of analyzing qualitative interview data: content, cultural models, and narrative analyses. We draw upon the same set of interview data with 25...
Diagnosis and triage of a patient with an extra-osseous fat fluid level

Extra-osseous fat fluid level is rarely seen in osteomyelitis, with only three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cases previously reported in the literature. The rarity of this finding is probably secondary to the extensive necrosis of bone marrow that needs to occur at a rapid phase for the fat to accumulate. However, an extra-osseous fat fluid level is a specific diagnostic sign of osteomyelitis in cases with otherwise equivocal imaging findings and should be reported as such, especially when associated with medullary bone destruction and in the absence of trauma.
A Fusible Orthoborate Lithium Salt with High Conductivity in Solutions

Synthesis, analysis, and electrochemical properties of a new lithium salt with an exceptionally large, weakly coordinating anion, lithium bis{1,2‐tetra(trifluoromethyl) ethylenediolato (2−)‐O,O'} borate , are described. This salt, whose anion contains 24 fluorine atoms, can be fused at remarkably low temperatures and is stable up to . The salt has a low conductivity in the molten state, only at the melting point of due to its quasi‐molecular character. However, its solutions in molecular solvents are extremely conductive. The maximum conductivity of in dimethoxyethane (DME) is at . The electrochemical stability for each of the DME and propylene carbonate solutions is at least vs. . ©2000 The Electrochemical Society
Management strategy in purpura fulminans with multiple organ failure in children.

Purpura fulminans (PF), which describes the necrosis of soft tissue secondary to diffuse microvascular thrombosis induced by transient protein C deficiency associated with meningococcal sepsis, is unusual despite the approximately 15 000 cases of bacterial meningitis which occur annually in the USA. PF has a reported mortality of 50 per cent secondary to multiple organ failure which commonly accompanies the syndrome and is associated with major long-term morbidity in those who survive. Children who develop multiple organ failure in association with purpura fulminans are difficult management problems and benefit from the unique surgical and critical care resources available in burn centres. We describe our recent experience with three such patients and suggest a management strategy, the key components of which include early excision and closure of deep wounds, aggressive critical care management and long-term follow-up should delayed epiphyseal growth occur.
Survey of Water-Extractable Phosphorus in Livestock Manures

fate) reduced WEP concentrations in the litter relative tountreatedchickenlitter.Similarly,whenalum-treated Water-extractable P (WEP) in manure is increasingly used as an and untreated litters were broadcast onto pastures, difenvironmental indicator as it is correlated with P in runoff from soils
Neighborhood Disadvantage and Verbal Ability as Explanations of the Black–White Difference in Adolescent Violence: Toward an Integrated Model

This article develops a multilevel model that integrates individual difference and sociological explanations of the Black–White difference in adolescent violence. Our basic premise is that low verbal ability is a criminogenic risk factor that is in part an outcome of exposure to neighborhood and family disadvantages. Analysis of the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth reveals that verbal ability has direct and indirect effects (through school achievement) on violence, provides a partial explanation for the racial disparity, and mediates the effect of socioeconomic disadvantage at the neighborhood level. Results support the view that neighborhood and family disadvantages have repercussions for the acquisition of verbal ability, which, in turn, serves as a protective factor against violence. We conclude that explanation of the race difference is best conceived as originating from the segregation of Blacks in disadvantaged contexts.
Control system architecture: the standard and nonstandard models

Control system architecture development has followed the advances in computer technology through mainframes to minicomputers to micros and workstations. This technology advance and increasingly challenging accelerator data acquisition and automation requirements have driven control system architecture development. In summarizing the progress of control system architecture at the last International Conference an Accelerator and Large Experimental Physics Control Systems (ICALEPCS) B. Kuiper (1991) asserted that the system architecture issue was resolved and presented a "standard model". The "standard model" consists of a local area network (Ethernet or FDDI) providing communication between front end microcomputers, connected to the accelerator, and workstations, providing the operator interface and computational support. Although this model represents many present designs, there are exceptions including reflected memory and hierarchical architectures driven by requirements for widely dispersed, large channel count or tightly coupled systems. This paper describes the performance characteristics and features of the "standard model" to determine if the requirements of "non-standard" architectures can be met. Several possible extensions to the "standard model" are suggested including software as well as the hardware architectural features. >
Exercise training enhances adrenergic constriction and dilation in the rat spinotrapezius muscle

Treadmill training increases functional vasodilation in the rat spinotrapezius muscle, although there is no acute increase in blood flow and no increase in oxidative capacity. To assess concurrent ...
Investigation of Fracture Toughness of Laminated Stitched Composites Subjected to Mixed Mode Loading

Through-the-thickness stitching is a method that increases the translaminar strength and apparent fracture toughness of laminated composites. A novel test fixture was developed to measure mixed mode fracture toughness under combined Mode I and Mode II loadings. This fixture allowed the ratio between Mode I and Mode II to be varied in order to perform tests under a wide range of mixed mode conditions. Through testing it has been shown that stitching increases Mode I fracture toughness 20-50 times while playing a less significant role in increasing Mode II fracture toughness.
Design of wideband low noise transimpedance amplifiers for optical communications

Most optical communication receivers employ common-emitter (BJT) configuration for the transimpedance preamplifier. In this paper the common-base regulated cascode and common-emitter preamplifiers are compared in terms of low-noise and wide-band performances. The effect of capacitive and inductive peaking techniques on bandwidth and noise has been investigated for the two circuits. PSPICE simulations showed that both methods resulted in significant bandwidth extension for both circuits. The common-base preamplifier low input impedance resulted in more efficient use of the peaking methods by requiring lower capacitor and inductor values.
Chirp Z-transform spectral zoom optimization with MATLAB.

The MATLAB language has become a standard for rapid prototyping throughout all disciplines of engineering because the environment is easy to understand and use. Many of the basic functions included in MATLAB are those operations that are necessary to carry out larger algorithms such as the chirp z-transform spectral zoom. These functions include, but are not limited to mathematical operators, logical operators, array indexing, and the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). However, despite its ease of use, MATLAB's technical computing language is interpreted and thus is not always capable of the memory management and performance of a compiled language. There are however, several optimizations that can be made within the chirp z-transform spectral zoom algorithm itself, and also to the MATLAB implementation in order to take full advantage of the computing environment and lower processing time and improve memory usage. To that end, this document's purpose is two-fold. The first demonstrates how to perform a chirp z-transform spectral zoom as well as an optimization within the algorithm that improves performance and memory usage. The second demonstrates a minor MATLAB language usage technique that can reduce overhead memory costs and improve performance.
Challenges in the clinical application of whole-genome sequencing.

Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (E A Ashley MRCP, M T Wheeler MD), Department of Medicine (Prof R B Altman MD), Department of Bioengineering (Prof R B Altman), Division of Medical Genetics (Prof L Hudgins MD), Department of Pediatrics (A J Butte MD), and Department of Genetics (T E Klein PhD, K E Ormond MSc, Prof R B Altman), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; and Center for Law and Biosciences, Stanford University School of Law, Stanford, CA, USA (Prof H T Greely JD)
Mainbeam nulling with adaptive array interferometry

The authors consider the main beam patterns produced by an adaptive array consisting of two distinct antenna arrays that may be separated by many wavelengths. This type of adaptive array produces patterns that typically have very narrow nulls in the direction of the interference and preserve a main beam shape except for undesired grating nulls within the main beam pattern. These grating nulls can be filled in by averaging the patterns achieved at several operating frequencies. The authors discuss the adapted patterns and SINR (signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio) performance for several types of these interferometric adaptive arrays. The effects of auxiliary element location and signal geometry are considered. Experiments results from an interferometric sidelobe canceler are presented. It is observed that, if low sidelobe quiescent patterns are desired, a sidelobe canceller array does better than a fully adaptive array with the same quiescent pattern. In these cases the adapted patterns are dominated by the auxiliary array. >
An assessment of COMA multiprocessors

In Cache Only Memory Architecture (COMA) for distributed shared memory multiprocessors, the physical location of a datum is completely decoupled from its address by organizing the memory local to each node as a cache for shared address space. As in traditional cache-coherent multiprocessors, the overhead involved in coherence enforcement strongly affects the performance. The overhead seems more pronounced in a COMA machine than the traditional multiprocessors because of its relatively huge size of the local memory acting as cache and the level of memory hierarchy at which coherence needs to be enforced. Using trace driven simulations of the Perfect Club Benchmark Suite, this paper studies the change in the miss ratio and the network traffic with the two coherence policies, update and invalidate. Our study shows that the two policies provide distinct characteristics which reveal different opportunity of improving COMA multiprocessors for different choice of coherence policy. >
CMI mandated reprogrammable crypto in space

The Department of Defense-directed and National Security Agency-led cryptographic modernization initiative (CMI) mandates the use of spaceborne reprogrammable cryptographic devices for future satellite systems. This cryptographic paradigm shift has revealed a void in the knowledge base currently used for implementation of cryptographic space products, because reprogrammability has not been addressed within the defense community. This knowledge gap creates the need for a systems engineering-based process to enable a satellite system to achieve successful compliance with CMI, a process that this paper intends to address. The specific steps in the proposed process to achieve CMI compliance regarding the reprogrammability mandate include a review of existing policy, integration of government infrastructure and products, phasing in of technologies and functions related to reprogrammability, use case development, and requirements development. This process is envisioned as being leveraged on all future satellite systems requiring reprogrammability, including both commercial and government satellites. Additionally, this provides a rationale for a CMI Space Policy that will support future cryptographic development efforts. The goal of the Proposed process is to create a CMI-complant satellite system that does not sacrifice the satellite's mission for the sake of compliance.