cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The non-separability of ''dielectric'' and ''mechanical'' friction in molecular systems: A simulation study

Simulations of the time-dependent friction controlling rotational, translational, and vibrational motions of dipolar diatomic solutes in acetonitrile and methanol have been used to examine the nature of “dielectric” friction. The way in which electrical interactions increase the friction beyond that present in nonpolar systems is found to be rather different than what is anticipated by most theories of dielectric friction. Long-range electrostatic forces do not simply add an independent contribution to the friction due to short-ranged or “mechanical” sources (modeled here in terms of Lennard-Jones forces). Rather, the electrical and Lennard-Jones contributions are found to be strongly anticorrelated and not separable in any useful way. For some purposes, the mechanism by which electrical interactions increase friction is better viewed as a static electrostriction effect: electrical forces cause a subtle increase in atomic density in the solute’s first solvation shell, which increases the amplitude of the ...
The effect of delay on the feedback identification of chemical reaction systems

On montre que l'on peut negliger de petits retards en temps, mais que des retards plus importants dans la boucle retroactive peuvent provoquer de serieuses modifications du diagramme de bifurcation
Determination of Dansyl Amino Acids and Oxalate by HPLC with Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Detection Using Tris(2,2‘-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) in the Mobile Phase

A new electrogenerated chemiluminescence detection method is investigated for use in detection in reversed-phase and reversed-phase ion-pair HPLC with Ru(bpy)32+ in the mobile phase. In this method, different concentrations of Ru(bpy)32+ are dissolved in the mobile phase and the HPLC column flushed with the mobile phase for 1 h until the column is saturated with Ru(bpy)32+. The separated analytes along with Ru(bpy)32+ pass through an optical−electrochemical flow cell which has a dual platinum electrode held at a potential of 1250 mV vs a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. On the surface of the electrode, Ru(bpy)32+ is oxidized to Ru(bpy)33+ which reacts with the analytes to emit light. The retention times, retention orders, detection limits, and linearity in working curves are compared to those obtained with the conventional postcolumn Ru(bpy)32+ addition method. The retention times for dansyl amino acids with Ru(bpy)32+ in the mobile phase are longer than those obtained with the postcolumn addition approach. T...
Shear bond strength of a 4-META adhesive system.

Abstract This study evaluated the shear bond strength between amalgam and amalgam, amalgam and composite resin, and amalgam and dentin using a 4-META adhesive. Eighty samples were divided into four groups of 20 and were then divided into subgroups of 10 samples for thermocycling procedures. This study indicated that amalgam bonded to amalgam with a 4-META adhesive yielded bond strengths that were weaker than the shear strength of amalgam itself ( p p
Cost Impact of Extension Cuff Utilization During Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Background Modular stent-graft systems for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) most often require two to three components, depending on the device. Differences in path lengths and availability of main body systems often require additional extensions for appropriate aneurysm exclusion. These additional devices usually result in added expenses and can affect the financial viability of an EVAR program within a hospital. The purpose of this study was to analyze the use of extensions during EVAR, focusing on incidence, clinical impact, and financial impact, as well as determining the associated cost differences between two- and three-component EVAR device systems. Methods We reviewed available clinical data, images, and follow-up of 218 patients (203 males and 15 females, mean age: 74 ± 9 years) who underwent elective EVAR at a single academic center from 2004 to 2007. Patients were divided into two groups: patients undergoing EVAR using the standard number of pieces, that is, no extensions used (group A, n = 98), and those needing proximal or distal extensions during the index procedure (group B, n = 120). Results Both groups were similar in terms of demographics; preoperative characteristics, including aneurysm morphology; as well as intraoperative, postoperative, and midterm outcomes. Overall, 30-day operative mortality was 1.4%, with a mean follow-up of 24 months. Group A patients underwent repair with two-piece modular devices 41% of the time and three-piece systems 59% of the time, whereas group B patients underwent repair with two-piece modular systems 82% of the time and three-piece modular systems 18% of the time. The number of additional extensions per patient ranged from one to four (median: one piece). There was a 30% cost increase in overall mean device-related cost when using extensions versus the standard number of pieces (group A: $13,220 vs. group B: $17,107, p Conclusions Clinical midterm aneurysm-related outcomes after EVAR in patients who required additional extensions was comparable with those treated with the standard number of pieces. An increased number of extensions led to increased costs and could have potentially been minimized with appropriate preoperative planning or device selection. Consideration should be made toward per-case pricing instead of per-piece pricing to further improve cost efficiency without compromising long-term patient outcomes.
Medical Skepticism and the Use of Complementary and Alternative Health Care Providers by Patients Followed by Rheumatologists

Background:Our understanding of the determinants of use of complementary and alternative (CAM) providers is limited, especially in regard to medical skepticism (ie, doubt in the ability of conventional medical care to appreciably alter health status).Objectives:To determine whether medical skepticis
Nuclear differentiation and transitional cellular phenotypes in the life cycle of Paramecium

Abstract The life cycle of Paramecium aurelia includes successive stages of sexual immaturity, maturity and senescence reflecting a series of cellular phenotypes which are heritable for brief periods; in the course of vegetative reproduction new cell types are differentiated and the clone has achieved the next life cycle stage. Conjugation transforms a sexually mature cell into a sexually immature exconjugant. The duration of the period of sexual immaturity is shown to be controlled by the action of at least one genetic locus and by the past history of the parental clone. Experimental techniques broadly analogous to nuclear transplantations in amphibia and other microorganisms permit an analysis of the role of the macronucleus in the differentiation of new life cycle stages; the data are consistent with the hypothesis that the macronucleus undergoes age-correlated changes and that these are ultimately responsible for the reappearance of mature cells in an exconjugant clone. Since the parental generation is found to influence the duration of immaturity of its progeny, the prezygotic macronucleus is presumed to control, in some unknown manner, the development of the postzygotic macronucleus. The hypothesis of progressive macronuclear differentiation and internuclear communication appears to account in a satisfactory way for other life cycle phenomena.
Neutral-strange-particle production by 300-GeV protons

A neutral beam designed to transmit a high flux of ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$ hyperons with momenta above 50 GeV/c has been built and operated at Fermilab. Inclusive production cross sections per target nucleus have been measured for $p+A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}+X$, $p+A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}_{S}^{0}+X$, and $p+A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\overline{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{0}+X$ with 300-GeV protons incident on solid targets $A=\mathrm{b}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{m},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{d}$. The region of phase space covered is predominantly projectile fragmentation: $0.2l~xl~1$, $0l~{p}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}l~2$ GeV/c. The $A$ dependence of the inclusive cross sections is analyzed. The cross sections are compared to other work in $\mathrm{pp}$ collisions by extrapolating the $A$ dependence to $A=1$. The results of measurements of ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$ and ${\overline{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{0}$ polarization from the beryllium target are presented.
A model for concrete subjected to triaxial stresses

Abstract A model of concrete consisting of cylindrical pieces of aggregates in a matrix of cement paste was analyzed by the plane-stress finite element method. The three-dimensional case was reduced to a two-dimensional one by restricting the multiaxial stresses to the cylindrical triaxial state of stress. Assumptions regarding the material behavior were made from the observed properties of matrix under triaxial stresses and of the interface. The microcrack propagation and stresses and strains at failure for the model were compared with the experimental observations on concrete. The model correctly predicts an important aspect of the behavior of concrete subjected to triaxial stresses: the ductile-brittle transition. With increasing confining pressures beyond a certain value, the behavior of concrete changes from ductile (failure by extensive cracking and large strains) to a brittle one (failure by crushing of the matrix).
A Potential Contribution to Ethanol Withdrawal Kindling: Reduced GABA Function in the Inferior Collicular Cortex

Because multiple withdrawals from chronic ethanol treatment facilitate the rate of kindling from the inferior collicular cortex, the following studies sought to identify potential sources of this long-term change in seizure sensitivity. When rats received 6 or 10 withdrawals from a 5-day ethanol liquid diet, a significant decrease was found in the threshold frequency for seizure genesis, 6-7 days post-withdrawal. The magnitude of this change was related to the number of withdrawals (6 withdrawals, -2.0 +/- 0.3 Hz; 10 withdrawals, -3.2 +/- 1.2 Hz). Thus, multiple ethanol withdrawals increased seizure sensitivity within the inferior collicular cortex. On the following day in the same animals, changes in inhibitory or excitatory function were evaluated within the inferior collicular cortex. We found a withdrawal-related increase in the effectiveness of bicuculline to reduce the seizure threshold current within the inferior collicular cortex. Seizure sensitivity to collicular N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) microinjection was decreased after 6 ethanol withdrawals, and increased after 10 withdrawals, but control liquid diet animals exhibited similar responses to collicular NMDA microinjection. Therefore, multiple withdrawals from ethanol alters the seizure sensitivity within the inferior collicular cortex. One possible contribution to this change is a local decrease in GABA inhibitory function.
Pulsations of white dwarf stars with thick hydrogen or helium surface layers

In order to see if there could be agreement between results of stellar evolution theory and those of nonradial pulsation theory, calculations of white dwarf models have been made for hydrogen surface masses of 10−4 M ⊙. Earlier results by Winget et al. (1982) indicated that surface masses greater than 10−8 M ⊙ would not allow nonradial pulsations, even though all the driving and damping is in surface layers only 10−12 of the mass thick. We show that the surface mass of hydrogen in the pulsating white dwarfs (ZZ Ceti variables) can be any value as long as it is thick enough to contain the surface convection zone.
Brain acetylcholinesterase, acid phosphatase, and 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide-3′-phosphohydrolase and plasma butyrylcholinesterase activities in hens treated with a single dermal neurotoxic dose of S,S,S-tri-n-butyl phosphorotrithioate

The changes in brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acid phosphatase (APase), and 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide-3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP), and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities were investigated in hens treated with a single, dermal dose (100-1000 mg/kg) of S,S,S-tri-n-butyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF). Three control groups consisted of hens left untreated, given a single, dermal dose of 500 mg/kg tri-o-cresyl phosphate (TOCP, positive control for organophophorous compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity), or 10 mg/kg O,O-diethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (parathion, negative control). Brain AChE activity, determined 28 days after application, was significantly inhibited in hens given 500-1,000 mg/kg DEF and in TOCP- and parathion-treated hens. In contrast, brain APase and CNP activities were significantly higher in all treatments as compared with those of the untreated hens. Parathion, however, caused the least increase in these enzymatic activities as compared to DEF or TOCP. A single, dermal dose of DEF or TOCP also caused an initial decrease in plasma BuChE activity with maximum depression of enzymatic activity observed 1 to 7 days after administration. This decrease was dose dependent and the enzymatic activity showed partial recovery with time. Hens treated with single, dermal doses of DEF, ranging from 250 to 1000 mg/kg, developed ataxia which progressed to paralysis in some hens. Histopathologic examination revealed axon and myelin degeneration of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves of some hens. The severity and frequency of the neuropathologic lesions were dose dependent. Neurologic dysfunctions and neuropathologic lesions seen in DEF-treated hens were similar to those exhibited in TOCP-treated hens. While parathion produced acute cholinergic effects, it did not cause delayed neurotoxicity. The changes in brain and plasma enzymes are discussed in relation to their role in the pathogenesis of DEF-induced delayed neurotoxicity.
Infrared radio frequency double resonance spectroscopy of CF3I in the 9.3-μm region

Abstract Infrared radio frequency double resonance effects have been recorded for CF 3 I with the 9 R (12), 9 R (14), 9 R (16), 9 R (18), and 9 R (20) laser lines of 12 C 16 O 2 and with the 9 P (12), 9 P (14), and 9 P (16) laser lines of 12 C 18 O 2 . The spectra were recorded at fixed infrared frequency as a function of radio frequency in the range 1–500 MHz. It was found that strong well-resolved spectra could be obtained with the sample cell outside the laser cavity. Of the 471 resonances recorded, 142 were assigned to pure nuclear quadrupole transitions in rotational levels of many vibrational states, 6 of which were identified. Quadrupole coupling constants and magnetic hyperfine parameters were obtained for these states.
Symmetric source implementation for ADI-FDTD

The alternating-direction-implicit finite-difference time-domain (ADI-FDTD) method is attractive for simulations involving highly refined grids due to its unconditional stability (Namiki, T. 2000; Zheng, F. et al., 2000; Darms, M. et al., 2002). It has been recently reported that the ADI-FDTD method may lead to asymmetrical results in the field distribution for a symmetric source (Darms et al., 2002; Zhao, A.P., 2002). We compare different excitation methods by testing the schemes for asymmetry and accuracy errors. We show that ADI-FDTD is perfectly symmetric if the excitation is applied inside the tridiagonal matrix and the source is correctly discretized within each time step.
Bacillus anthracis Secretes Proteins That Mediate Heme Acquisition from Hemoglobin

Acquisition of iron is necessary for the replication of nearly all bacterial pathogens; however, iron of vertebrate hosts is mostly sequestered by heme and bound to hemoglobin within red blood cells. In Bacillus anthracis, the spore-forming agent of anthrax, the mechanisms of iron scavenging from hemoglobin are unknown. We report here that B. anthracis secretes IsdX1 and IsdX2, two NEAT domain proteins, to remove heme from hemoglobin, thereby retrieving iron for bacterial growth. Unlike other Gram-positive bacteria, which rely on cell wall anchored Isd proteins for heme scavenging, B. anthracis seems to have also evolved NEAT domain proteins in the extracellular milieu and in the bacterial envelope to provide for the passage of heme.
Decreased Morning Serum Cortisol Levels in Children With Asthma Treated With Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate

Objective. In an observational long-term study, we followed 62 children (37 males, 25 females; mean age: 11.6 ± 2.9 years) with moderate-to-severe asthma for 2 years and studied the effects of fluticasone propionate (176–1320 μg/day) on the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Study Design. Morning cortisol levels were monitored after patients had been on fluticasone for a mean of 8.0 ± 5.2 months. Patients who had abnormal low morning cortisol levels ( Results. Twenty-two patients (36%) had abnormal morning cortisol levels while on fluticasone. Of the patients on a low dose (176 μg/day), 17% had abnormal values, whereas 43% of patients on a high dose (≥880 μg/day) were abnormal. Patients with abnormal results (17/22) had their morning cortisol levels repeated 3 months after the switch. Thirteen of these patients (77%) had normal levels. A stratified analysis of the difference in morning cortisol levels before and after the switch showed significant increase in morning cortisol levels in the group receiving 440 μg/day or less of fluticasone (median difference: 5.25; confidence interval: 3.60–8.15), as well as in the group receiving 440 μg/day or more (median difference: 3.85; confidence interval: 1.00–7.60). Conclusion. Inhaled fluticasone, even at conventional doses, may have greater effects on the adrenal function than previously recognized, but the clinical significance of this suppression still remains to be established.
PERTURBATIONS IN ANISOTROPIC EUCLIDEAN-HOMOGENEOUS COSMOLOGIES.

Abstract The role of anisotropy in the galaxy formulation process is considered. It is found that the growth rate of a density perturbation does not appreciably differ from the isotropic growth rate.
CONTROL OF LIVER CELL REPLICATION BY ALBUMIN NEED

Interest in relating biochemical differentiation to cytological events in various systems has recently been high. We wished to know whether the adult liver can be counted among those tissues in which onset of induced or increased differentiated function must be preceded by a period of DNA synthesis and cell division. More specifically, we have asked whether a need for increased synthesis of albumin by the liver might be a stimulus to cell division.
An Experimental Test of Competition among Mice, Chipmunks, and Squirrels in Deciduous Forest Fragments

Mixed hardwood forests of the northeast United States support a guild of granivorous/omnivorous rodents including gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). These species coincide geographically, co-occur locally, and consume similar food resources. Despite their idiosyncratic responses to landscape and patch variables, patch occupancy models suggest that competition may influence their respective distributions and abundances, and accordingly their influence on the rest of the forest community. Experimental studies, however, are wanting. We present the result of a large-scale experiment in which we removed white-footed mice or gray squirrels from small, isolated forest fragments in Dutchess County, New York, and added these mammals to other fragments in order to alter the abundance of these two species. We then used mark–recapture analyses to quantify the population-level and individual-level effects on resident mice, squirrels, and chipmunks. Overall, we found little evidence of competition. There were essentially no within-season numerical responses to changes in the abundance of putative competitors. Moreover, while individual-level responses (apparent survival and capture probability) did vary with competitor densities in some models, these effects were often better explained by site-specific parameters and were restricted to few of the 19 sites we studied. With only weak or nonexistent competition among these three common rodent species, we expect their patterns of habitat occupancy and population dynamics to be largely independent of one another.
Bloch analysis and solvent suppression by soft pulses. Application to Proton NMR investigations of human hemoglobin in H2O and in intact red blood cells

Abstract Bloch analysis of spin response to arbitrary pulse sequences is shown to be a powerful design technique that is very easy to implement and to apply, in particular, to the problem of solvent suppression in proton NMR. As a result of extensive experimenting with the technique, we conclude that soft pulse sequences are, in general, preferable to hard pulse sequences. Detailed comparison of soft and hard pulse sequences are made to show the practical advantages of the former. A number of NMR measurements, including T 1 and solvent saturation transfer, on samples of human hemoglobin both in water and inside intact red blood cells, are given as illustrations.
The predictive impact of domestic violence on three types of child maltreatment

Abstract Objective: This exploratory study investigated the co-occurrence of domestic violence and three types of child maltreatment: physical child abuse, psychological child abuse, and child neglect. Method: A sample of 2544 at-risk mothers with first-born children participated in a home-visiting child abuse prevention program. A longitudinal design using multiple data collection methods investigated the effect of domestic violence during the first 6 months of child rearing on confirmed physical child abuse, psychological child abuse, and child neglect up to the child’s first 5 years. Results: Logistic regressions revealed significant relationships between domestic violence and physical child abuse, psychological child abuse, and child neglect. These effects were significant beyond the significant effects of known risks of maltreatment, as measured by the Kempe Family Stress Inventory (KFSI). Domestic violence occurred in 59 (38%) of the 155 cases of confirmed maltreatment. Domestic violence preceded child maltreatment in 46 (78%) of the 59 cases of co-occurrence, as indicated by independent home observations and child protective service records. Conclusions: The findings indicate that domestic violence during the first 6 months of child rearing is significantly related to all three types of child maltreatment up to the child’s fifth year. Domestic violence and risks factors measured on the KFSI continue to contribute to all three types of maltreatment up to the child’s fifth year. Prevention programs would be wise to provide services to at-risk families until the child is at least 5 years old. Addressing concurrent problems during treatment may enhance intervention.
Natural method for three-dimensional range data compression

Prior studies on converting three-dimensional (3D) range data into regular two-dimensional (2D) color images using virtual fringe projection techniques showed great promise for 3D range data compression, yet they require resampling the raw scanned data. Due to this resampling, the natural 3D range data are altered and sampling error may be introduced. This paper presents a method that compresses the raw sampling points without modifications. Instead of directly utilizing the 3D recovered shape, this method compresses the s map, the scale factor of a perspective projection from a 3D space to a 2D space. The s map is then converted to 2D color image for further compression with existing 2D image compression techniques. By this means, 3D data obtained by 3D range scanners can be compressed into 2D images without any resampling, providing a natural and more accurate method of compressing 3D range data. Experimental results verified the success of the proposed method.
A Developmental Study of Explanatory Writing

In the scarcely explored field of explanatory writing the researcher examines content, organization and formality in the explanations of a game by four groups of writers aged 11 to 17. He finds that the older writers give a more adequate exposition of rules and restrictions, make more use of conceptual schemes of organisation, and use a more formal approach, all reflecting an increasing capacity to generalise and abstract. He illustrates the developmental patterns in a consideration of four essays.
Analysis of Proteasome-Dependent Proteolysis in Haloferax volcanii Cells, Using Short-Lived Green Fluorescent Proteins

Proteasomes are energy-dependent proteases that are central to the quality control and regulated turnover of proteins in eukaryotic cells. Dissection of this proteolytic pathway in archaea, however, has been hampered by the lack of substrates that are easily detected in whole cells. In the present study, we developed a convenient reporter system by functional expression of a green fluorescent protein variant with C-terminal fusions in the haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii. The levels of this reporter protein correlated with whole-cell fluorescence that was readily detected in culture. Accumulation of the reporter protein was dependent on the sequence of the C-terminal amino acid fusion, as well as the presence of an irreversible, proteasome-specific inhibitor (clasto-lactacystin β-lactone). This inhibitor was highly specific for H. volcanii 20S proteasomes, with a Ki of ∼40 nM. In contrast, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride did not influence the levels of fluorescent reporter protein or inhibit 20S proteasomes. Together, these findings provide a powerful tool for the elucidation of protein substrate recognition motifs and the identification of new genes which may be involved in the proteasome pathway of archaea.
Role of Unsatisfied Hydrogen Bond Acceptors in RNA Energetics and Specificity

RNA plays essential roles in much of biology. These functions are dictated by structures mediated by hydrogen bonding, stacking, electrostatics, and steric interactions. Roles of unsatisfied hydrogen bond functionalities in these structures are less well understood. Herein, we evaluated the energetic contributions of unsatisfied hydrogen bonding groups by placing chemically modified substituents in select internal positions in RNA helices and conducting thermodynamic studies. We find that unsatisfied carbonyl groups make exceptional contributions to structure formation (approximately 3 kcal/mol in free energy), most likely due to a combination of strain and dehydration effects. Thus, unsatisfied hydrogen bonding groups are likely key determinants in the folding energetics and specificity of many RNA and DNA molecules and may be especially important in tertiary structure interactions.
Amantadine in the early treatment of cocaine dependence : a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

A 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of amantadine was conducted in 61 cocaine dependent outpatients. Subjects received 100 mg of amantadine 3 times daily. A follow-up visit was conducted at week 8. There were no significant differences between groups in treatment retention, or in the number of benzoylecgonine positive urine samples. Self-reported drug and alcohol use declined in both groups. At week 8 follow-up, self-reported drug use was significantly lower in the placebo group. Amantadine was not effective, and discontinuation of it may have been associated with an increase in cocaine use.
Rate and power control in a two-user multicarrier channel with no coordination: the optimal scheme versus a suboptimal method

Maximizing the total rate with no coordination is an attractive option to increase the throughput of existing multiuser communication systems. The paper compares a suboptimal method for rate and power allocation in a two-user multicarrier channel with the optimal method, subject to individual power constraints. The suboptimal method, iterative waterfilling (IW), closely approximates the performance of the optimal method when interference power is small. Moreover, IW is easy to deploy in existing systems in which different transmission paths may not be coordinated.
Modular Checkpointing for Atomicity

Transient faults that arise in large-scale software systems can often be repaired by re-executing the code in which they occur. Ascribing a meaningful semantics for safe re-execution in multi-threaded code is not obvious, however. For a thread to correctly re-execute a region of code, it must ensure that all other threads which have witnessed its unwanted effects within that region are also reverted to a meaningful earlier state. If not done properly, data inconsistencies and other undesirable behavior may result. However, automatically determining what constitutes a consistent global checkpoint is not straightforward since thread interactions are a dynamic property of the program. In this paper, we present a safe and efficient checkpointing mechanism for Concurrent ML (CML) that can be used to recover from transient faults. We introduce a new linguistic abstraction called stabilizers that permits the specification of per-thread monitors and the restoration of globally consistent checkpoints. Global states are computed through lightweight monitoring of communication events among threads (e.g. message-passing operations or updates to shared variables). Our checkpointing abstraction provides atomicity and isolation guarantees during state restoration ensuring restored global states are safe. Our experimental results on several realistic, multithreaded, server-style CML applications, including a web server and a windowing toolkit, show that the overheads to use stabilizers are small, and lead us to conclude that they are a viable mechanism for defining safe checkpoints in concurrent functional programs. Our experiments conclude with a case study illustrating how to build open nested transactions from our checkpointing mechanism.
Encouraging Trends in Acute Myocardial Infarction Survival in the Oldest Old

Background There are limited data informing the optimal treatment strategy for acute myocardial infarction in the oldest old (aged ≥85 years). The study aim was to examine whether decade-long increases in guideline-based cardiac medication use mediate declines in post-discharge mortality among oldest old patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction.
A PHOTOGRAPH-BASED STUDY OF THE INCIDENCE OF FATAL TRUCK UNDERRIDE CRASHES IN INDIANA

Photographs were used to estimate the incidence of fatal crashes in which passenger vehicles underrode the fronts, sides and rears of large trucks in Indiana during 1993. The photographs were obtained for 98 of the 107 eligible fatal crashes between large trucks and passenger vehicles in 1993. A protocol was developed to judge the presence and extent of underride, the presence of intrusion into the passenger vehicle compartment, and the likelihood of death or serious injury if underride had been prevented. The incidence of fatal underride was compared with the incidence reported in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a census of fatal crashes on public roads in the U.S.A. For the same 107 fatal large truck-passenger vehicle crashes, the incidence of underride reported in FARS was much lower than in the photograph-based study: 6 versus 63%. Photographs contain details absent from police reports, the primary data source for FARS, and thus enable more complete identification of underride crashes. Preventing underride would have substantially reduced the likelihood of death or serious injury in ca 20% of the underride crashes.
Mechanical Load Opposes Angiotensin-Mediated Decrease in Vascular α1-Adrenoceptors

Abstract α 1 -Adrenergic receptor contraction of vascular smooth muscle is augmented by increases in angiotensin II and also in several forms of hypertension. Whether angiotensin directly modulates α 1 -adrenoceptor subtype expression to contribute to this effect is unknown. In a previous study, we demonstrated that increased mechanical load (pressure) per se does not alter expression of α 1B - and α 1D -adrenoceptors in rat aortic smooth muscle in cell culture, in vitro or in vivo. However, findings in aortic coarctation hypertension suggested that a humoral factor, possibly angiotensin, selectively reduces α 1B -adrenoceptors and that increased mechanical load opposes this decrease. The present study examined this hypothesis by determining the effect of angiotensin alone and in the presence of mechanical loading on the expression of α 1D - and α 1B -adrenergic receptor mRNAs and α 1 -receptor density in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. α 1D mRNA content, per smooth muscle cell, concentration-dependently decreased after 3 hours of exposure to 0.3 nmol/L to 1 μmol/L angiotensin but by 24 hours had returned to control levels. In contrast, α 1B mRNA concentration-dependently declined at a later time (24 hours) and remained decreased at 48 hours to 27±6% of control with 1 μmol/L angiotensin. Angiotensin also decreased α 1 -adrenoceptor density in a dose-dependent manner. Angiotensin had no effect on cell number in these confluent, quiescent cells but did increase cell protein and total RNA. This cellular hypertrophy and the decreases in α 1 -adrenoceptor mRNAs were blocked by the angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist losartan. Cyclic mechanical loading of smooth muscle cells opposed the angiotensin-mediated hypertrophy and decrease in α 1B mRNA expression and α 1 -adrenergic receptor density. These data suggest that angiotensin and intravascular pressure interact to affect cell growth and expression of α 1B -adrenergic receptors by vascular smooth muscle.
Anatomy of a compact user interface development tool

Many contemporary user oriented applications require a combination of attributes from both window and forms management systems. PANES was developed as a tool to fill this niche by providing a simple, yet flexible tool for both the moderately trained, as well as the more sophisticated programmer, while allowing the development of user friendly, modeless application software.
The Threat of Privatization: The Impetus Behind Government Performance

Abstract There has not been a great deal of research, especially empirical research that examines the possible relationship between privatization and increased government performance. This study looks at the current privatization literature which suggests that when the threat of privatization looms, there may be a correlation with improved government performance. While many surmise that privatization is superior to public management, very few studies examine the threat of privatization as a possible impetus in improving government performance and productivity. This study inspects the privatization literature to ascertain the plausibility of a link existing between the threat of privatization and improved government performance. Based on the literature, the study qualitatively supports the assertion that many public sector organizations that appear to be threatened by privatization seem to improve government performance and productivity.
A DYNAMIC MODEL OF TRAVEL MODE SWITCHING BEHAVIOUR

An analogy is developed between individual traveler mode choice decisions and time-dependent product adoption processes in consumer behaviour. The structure of the adoption sequence is first described conceptually with reference to mode switch ing; this structure is then used to develop a simple mathematical model of mode switching behaviour over time. Factors to be considered in interpreting and operationalizing the model are then discussed at some length. The model appears too complex for direct mathematical solution except in the simplest cases; it may however, be amenable to numerical estimation, given empirical data on mode switching behaviour over time.
Palladium-Catalyzed Ligand-Directed Oxidative Functionalization of Cyclopropanes.

This report describes the palladium-catalyzed functionalizationof cyclopropanes containing oxazoline, oxime ether, and pyridinedirecting groups. Three different oxidants were examined in thesestudies: IOAc, PhI(OAc) 2 , and benzoquinone. The reactionsyielded products derived from 2˚ sp 3  C-Hfunctionalization and/or C-C activation of thecyclopropane ring. The outcome and the product distributions werehighly dependent on the structure of the substrate and the natureof the oxidant.
Medically Related Legal Needs and Quality of Life in Cancer Care A Structural Analysis

BACKGROUND. This study investigated the interface of medical and legal systems by empirically identifying and evaluating the relation of medically related legal needs and patient quality of life and by assessing the degree to which these needs were addressed in standard patient care. METHODS. Medically related legal needs were identified in a focus group setting. These needs were subsequently sorted and rated by a sample of 50 mixed-site cancer patients (22 men and 28 women; mean age, 52 years) and subjected to multidimensional scaling and cluster analyses. Participants also rated each need in terms of the extent to which it was met in their medical care and the impact on their quality of life. RESULTS. Participants identified 30 medically related legal needs. Multivariate analyses identified 4 distinct medical-legal domains: Health Care Related, Estate Related, Financial, and Employment Related. Participants rated these domains as exerting a significant impact on quality of life. Patients reported that that these needs were not met by their current medical or supportive care. CONCLUSIONS. The present study identified a range of medically related legal needs of cancer patients. Despite their importance to patient quality of life, these needs were not met by standard medical and supportive care. Findings underscored the need to integrate legal resources into cancer care as an important component of interventions that enhance patient quality of life. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Replenishment-Depletion Urn in Equilibrium

An urn has balls of colors C1 and C2. It is replenished (R) by balls of both colors and then depleted by (D) the same number; this constitutes a cycle. When R = D, the system is closed and equilibrium will be reached after many cycles. The ultimate distribution is found only when the replenishment is the same for each color. Asymptotic normal and asymptotic binomial distributions arise when the parameters reach extreme values. For the multicolor urn an expression is given for the correlation between the number of balls of any two colors.
Ultrastructure of proximal tubule cells in mouse kidney as revealed by freeze etching.

The structure of proximal tubular cells in mouse kidney has been studied in frozen etched preparations. The salient features demonstrated in this study include the observation of both surface and cross sectional views of cellular membranes and organelles. In addition the three-dimensional architecture of proximal tubular cells and the adjoining basement lamina are visualized at the ultrastructural level. The inner surface of the basement lamina contains numerous furrows in which the basal cytoplasmic processes of the proximal tubular cells are inserted. The intimate topographical relationship between basement lamina and the basal cytoplasmic processes is considered in ligth of the three-dimensional images afforded by the method of freeze etching. In addition, morphological information on the natural state of tissues and cellular constituents is also provided by this procedure.
External influences on the growth and decay of one-dimensional shock waves in elastic non-conductors

IN THIS paper, we study the influence of discontinuous external body force and external radiation on the behavior of shock waves in elastic materials which do not conduct heat. To this end, we derive a differential equation relating the strain Eand grain gradient E; behind a shock when the material region ahead is unstrained and at constant entropy. First, this equation implies the existence of an externally induced critical strain gradient A, proportional to the external body force and external radiation behind the wave. Next, for a compression shock Is-1 will, in general, increase, decrease, or remain constant accordingly as 8; is greater than, less than, or equal to A. These results should be compared with those given by Chen and Gurtin [l], who studied the behavior of shock waves in elastic nonconductors of heat, assuming that the external body force and external radiation are absent. In their paper, they showed that the conditions under which a shock will grow or decay are, in general, qualitatively the same as in the purely mechanical theory. Finally, we outline a particular experiment for which the external radiation is indeed discontinuous across the shock and give a procedure for determining A as a function of E-. In principle, this experiment can be readily conducted in the laboratory.
Evidence for dynamic interactions between pituicytes and neurosecretory axons in the rat

Abstract Several ultrastructural features of pituicytes as well as their relationship with neurosecretory axons were measured in neural lobes from rats either: non-deprived; water-deprived for 4, 12, or 24 h; or rehydrated for 12 or 24 h after an initial 24 h dehydration. A significant increase in pituicyte lipid bodies occurs with as little as 4 h of water deprivation. This is a time when several dehydration-related changes are known to occur in the somata of those neurosecretory cells sending axons to the neural lobe. Thus, increases in pituicyte lipid bodies may be related to the initiation of hormone release. In the neural lobes of water replete, non-deprived rats, pituicytes were found to contain neurosecretory axons completely enclosed by their cytoplasm. The number of these per unit area of cytoplasm decreased by 64% with 24 h of water deprivation and returned to normal levels with 24 h of rehydration. Since few of the enclosed axons were found to be degenerating, enclosure is unlikely to represent the early stages of phagocytosis. These findings suggest that during periods of little hormone secretion the neurosecretory axons are enclosed by the glial cells, but are released under conditions of increased hormone demand. This may provide the morphological framework for pituicyte involvement in inhibition and facilitation of hormone release from the neurohypophysis.
TRADING COSTS OF NON‐U.S. STOCKS ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE: THE EFFECT OF INSTITUTIONAL OWNERSHIP, ANALYST FOLLOWING, AND MARKET REGULATION

We investigate the differences in market microstructure between U.S. and non-U.S. stocks cross-listed on the New York Stock Exchange using a sample of 316 pairs of matched stocks. We find that non-U.S. stocks have wider spreads and larger adverse-selection costs than U.S. stocks even after controlling for macro-level institutional differences. Regression analysis shows that spreads and adverse-selection costs are negatively correlated with institutional ownership and analyst followings. Thus, the higher spreads and adverse-selection costs for non-U.S. stocks can be partly explained by the lower institutional ownership and analyst following of non-U.S. stocks. In addition, we find that although the spreads and adverse-selection costs for non-U.S. stocks are significantly higher before the implementation of Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD), the differences become even greater after Regulation FD, suggesting that Regulation FD has improved the information environment for U.S. stocks.
Predictors of pretransplant dropout and posttransplant recurrence in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

We have previously reported excellent outcomes with liver transplantation for selected patients with early-stage perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Our aim was to identify predictors of dropout before transplantation and predictors of cancer recurrence after transplantation. We reviewed all patients with unresectable perihilar CCA treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation in anticipation for transplantation between 1993 and 2010. Predictors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis of clinical variables. In total, 199 patients were enrolled, of whom 62 dropped out and 131 underwent transplantation at our institution, with six undergoing transplantation elsewhere. Predictors of dropout were carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) ≥ 500 U/mL (hazard ratio [HR] 2.3; P = 0.04), mass ≥ 3 cm (HR 2.1; P = 0.05), malignant brushing or biopsy (HR 3.6; P = 0.001), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ≥ 20 (HR 3.5; P = 0.02). Posttransplant, recurrence-free 5-year survival was 68%. Predictors of recurrence were elevated CA 19-9 (HR 1.8; P = 0.01), portal vein encasement (HR 3.3; P = 0.007), and residual tumor on explant (HR 9.8; P < 0.001). Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), age, history of cholecystectomy, and waiting time were not independent predictors. Conclusion: Outcome following neoadjuvant chemoradiation and liver transplantation for perihilar CCA is excellent. Risk of dropout is related to patient and tumor characteristics and this can be used to guide patient counseling before enrollment. Recurrence risk is mostly associated with presence of residual cancer on explant. Patients with PSC do not have an independent survival advantage over de novo patients, but present with more favorable tumor characteristics. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:972–981)
Identifying Critical Leadership Competencies of Manufacturing Supervisors in a Major Electronics Corporation

This article reports the results of two studies that examined the critical leadership competencies of high-performing manufacturing supervisors in a major electronics company. Using critical incide...
Vom Aufkommen des Molekülkonzepts zur Kunst der Molekülsynthese

Im Kern der chemischen Wissenschaft liegen die Struktur des Molekuls, die Kunst der Molekulsynthese und der Entwurf einer Funktion in ihr. Diese Eigenschaften machen die Chemie zu einer essentiellen, unentbehrlichen und machtigen Disziplin, deren Einfluss auf die Bio- und Materialwissenschaften uberragend und unbestreitbar ist und stetig zunimmt. In der Tat treibt die Kombination aus Struktur, Synthese und Funktion die Wissenschaft an vielen Fronten voran, einschlieslich Wirkstoffdesign und Wirkstoffentwicklung, Biologie und Biotechnologie, Materialwissenschaften und Nanotechnologie. Was Struktur und Funktion verbindet, ist die Synthese, deren Vorzeigedisziplin die Totalsynthese ist – die Kunst, die Molekule der Natur und deren Derivate aufzubauen. Die Leistungsfahigkeit der chemischen Synthese spiegelt sich zu jeder Zeit im Stand der Totalsynthese wider. In diesem Essay werden das Verstandnis der Molekulstruktur, die Entdeckung der organischen Synthese und die Kunst der Totalsynthese vom 19. Jahrhundert bis zum heutigen Tage verfolgt.