cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harmonic Motion Genration in an RSSP Mechanism

It is possible to cast a set of dynamic performance requirements of a mechanism as a set of kinematic requirements and perform design at the kinematic synthesis stage. Inadvertently, this process leads to the sythesis of mechanism for function generation in which the output motion is a simple harmonic function of the input angular position. A perturbation technique is used to find approximate simple harmonic functions relating output link angular motion to the input angle. A higher order analysis is performed to obtain more accurate estimate functions relating input and output motions. Several RSSP sythesis cases are exemplified. Error analysis for the range of parameter space is performed showing favorable performance of the mechanisms, accuracy of the approximate equations as well as error estimations.© 2006 ASME
Particle deposition in the human tracheobronchial airways due to transient inspiratory flow patterns

Abstract Considering realistic tracheobronchial airways, transient airflow structures and micro-particle deposition patterns were simulated with an in-house finite-volume code for typical inhalation waveforms and Stokes numbers, i.e., the average flow rates at the trachea inlet, Q in , av , are 15 and 60 L / min and the mean Stokes number at the trachea inlet, St mean , trachea , is in the range of 0.0229 ⩽ St mean , trachea ⩽ 0.0915 , respectively. While the overall airflow fields exhibit similar characteristics, the local flow patterns which influence particle deposition are largely affected by secondary flows (for both Q in , av = 15 and 60 L / min ) as well as airflow turbulence (when Q in , av = 60 L / min ). The particle deposition fraction is a strongly transient function according to a given inhalation waveform. In light of the importance of targeted drug-aerosol delivery, it is shown that the relation between particle-release positions at the trachea inlet and particle depositions at specific lung sites are greatly influenced by the complex airway geometry and the flow-rate magnitude. For laminar flow, the particle-release points are deterministic and unique, as required for optimal drug-aerosol targeting.
Efficient admission control algorithms for multimedia servers

In this paper, we have proposed efficient admission control algorithms for multimedia storage servers that are providers of variable-bit-rate media streams. The proposed schemes are based on a slicing technique and use aggressive methods for admission control. We have developed two types of admission control schemes: Future-Max (FM) and Interval Estimation (IE). The FM algorithm uses the maximum bandwidth requirement of the future to estimate the bandwidth requirement. The IE algorithm defines a class of admission control schemes that use a combination of the maximum and average bandwidths within each interval to estimate the bandwidth requirement of the interval. The performance evaluations done through simulations show that the server utilization is improved by using the FM and IE algorithms. Furthermore, the quality of service is also improved by using the FM and IE algorithms. Several results depicting the trade-off between the implementation complexity, the desired accuracy, the number of accepted requests, and the quality of service are presented.
Spontaneous opening of congenital imperforate hymen

unable to produce a rise in platelet count with such therapy, but other coagulation factors actually deteriorated concomitant with the introduction of inhibitors of platelet function. Discontinuance of antiplatelet drugs and continuation of intravenous heparin raised coagulation factors to reasonable levels. Although cause-and-effect relationships are impossible to prove in one isolated complex case, the rapid deterio/ ration of coagulation studies when heparin was discontinued suggests that heparin therapy benefited our patient. Coagulat ion values fluctuated thereafter when other therapeutic modalities were superimposed, and it is impossible tO ascertain to what degree other therapy was influential. After all therapy but heparin was discontinued, however, the child again improved and surgery was performed without major problems. Because of this experience, we suggest a complete coagulation work-up in all patients with giant hemangiomas. If consumption coagulopathy is present and surgery is contemplated, serious consideration of a trial with heparin therapy should be given in an attempt to obtain optimal coagulation capacity prior to surgical excision. REFERENCES 1. Clauss A: Gerinnungsphysiologische Schnellmethode zur Bestimmung des Fibrinogens~, Acta HaematoI (Basel) !7:237, 1957. 2. Leavelle DE, Mertens BF, Bowie EJW, and Owen CA, Jr: Staphylococcal clumping on microtiter pIates: A rapid, simple method for measuring fibrinogen split products, Am J Clin Pathol 55:452, 1971. 3. Rodriguez-Erdmann F, Button L, Murray JE, and Moloney WC: Kasabach-Merritt syndrome: Coagulo-analytical observations, A m J Med Sci 261:9, 1971. 4. Hillman RS, and Phillips LL: Ctotting-fibrinolysis in a cavernous hemangioma, Am J Dis Child 113:649, 1967. 5. Jona JZ, Kwaan HC, Bjelan M, and Raffensperger JG: Disseminated intravascular coagulation after excision of giant hemangioma, Am J su~'g 127:588, 1974. 6. Giromini M, Bouvier CA, Dami R, Denizot M, and Jeannet M: Effect of dipyridamole and aspirin in thrombotic microangiopathy, Br Med J 1:545, 1972. 7. Rossi EC, Redondo D, and Borges WH: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Survival following treatment with aspirin, dipyridamole, and prednisone, JAMA 228:1141, 1974. 8. Amir J, and Krauss S: Treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with antiplatelet drugs, Blood 42:27, 1973.
BAFF receptors and ligands create independent homeostatic niches for B cell subsets

The BAFF family of receptors and ligands controls B cell homeostasis and selection. Recent studies reveal distinct sources and roles for systemic versus locally produced BAFF. Moreover, the notion that differential BAFF receptor expression patterns establish independent homeostatic and selective niches has been strengthened. Finally, unique roles for BAFF family members in the regulation of antigen experienced and innate B cell subsets have been revealed. Herein, we overview current knowledge in these areas, emphasizing recent findings that inform these ideas.
Modeling Community to Heal an Injured World

Our colleges and universities have the opportunity to play a role in transforming the tone of our current national discourse and model the core values of our democratic society as we prepare students to be civically responsible.
Improved inference and autotyping in EEG-based BCI typing systems

The RSVP Keyboard™ is a brain-computer interface (BCI)-based typing system for people with severe physical disabilities, specifically those with locked-in syndrome (LIS). It uses signals from an electroencephalogram (EEG) combined with information from an n-gram language model to select letters to be typed. One characteristic of the system as currently configured is that it does not keep track of past EEG observations, i.e., observations of user intent made while the user was in a different part of a typed message. We present a principled approach for taking all past observations into account, and show that this method results in a 20% increase in simulated typing speed under a variety of conditions on realistic stimuli. We also show that this method allows for a principled and improved estimate of the probability of the backspace symbol, by which mis-typed symbols are corrected. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of automatically typing likely letters in certain contexts, a technique that achieves increased typing speed under our new method, though not under the baseline approach.
A review of contemporary impression materials and techniques

The contemporary restorative dentist has a host of impression materials available for making impressions in fixed prosthodontics,implant dentistry, and operative dentistry. With proper material selection and manipulation, accurate impressions can be obtained for fabrication of tooth- and implant-supported restorations. This article outlines the ideal properties of impression materials and explains the importance of critical manipulative variables. Available impression materials are analyzed relative to these variables, and several "specialized" impression techniques are described. Special attention is paid to polyvinyl siloxane impression materials because they have become the most widely used impression material in restorative dentistry.
CLASPing microtubules and auxin transport.

The role, if any, of microtubules in auxin transport is poorly understood in plant biology. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Ambrose et al. (2013) show that the microtubule binding protein CLASP regulates PIN2 auxin transporter trafficking and stability via Sorting Nexin1, a component of the retromer complex.
Switching to lamivudine plus darunavir/r dual therapy in a cohort of treatment-experienced HIV-positive patients: the experience of an Italian centre.

Introduction : According to recent evidence about boosted protease inhibitors (PIs/r)-simplified regimens, the combination of 3TC and DRV/r 800/100 mg could represent a feasible option for optimizing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in treatment-experienced HIV+ patients. Patients and Methods : We retrospectively evaluated patients switching to 3TC+DRV/r, with at least six months of viral suppression, no resistance mutation to DRV or 3TC and not HBV-coinfected: incidence of ART discontinuation and of virological failure (VF: 2 consecutive HIV-RNA determinations>49 cps/mL or a single one≥1000 cps/mL) and the probability of remaining discontinuation-free during one-year follow-up (FU), as well as changes in laboratory parameters at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months were estimated. Results : We included 94 patients: 74 males, mostly MSM (39.4%), with 49 years old, 9 years of HIV disease, 8 years of ART (median values). Median nadir CD4 count and zenith viral load (log10) were 194 cells/µL and 4.90, respectively. Ten patients were HCV-coinfected and 38 had at least a previous VF. Seventy-four patients were on an NRTIs-based triple regimen (mainly TDF/FTC or 3TC/ABC) whereas 14 on another PI-based dual therapy (mainly LPV/r). Incidence of treatment discontinuation was 12.4 per 100 patients-year follow-up (PYFU), but only 2 patients experienced a VF (3.5 per 100 PYFU). Mean time free from discontinuation was 5 years (95% CI 4–6), with a cumulative one-year estimated probability of staying on 3TC+DRV/r of 85.9%. At three months, a trend of increased CD4 cells count (+42 cells/µL, p 0.059) was observed, but not confirmed at later time point; an increase of total cholesterol (TC, +17mg/dL, p 0.008) and LDL (+19 mg/dL, p 0.002), and a decreased level of AST and ALT (−2 UI/L, p 0.045; −5 UI/L, p 0.009, respectively) were also detected. Total bilirubin was reduced (−0.71 mg/dL, p 0.038). At 6 and 12 months, alteration of lipid profile was similar, with also an increased TC/HDL ratio (+0.48, p=0.030, at six months) and HDL/LDL ratio (−0.04, p=0.035, at 12 months). A significant decrease in ALT levels (−6 UI/L, 0.013) and a diminishing trend for AST and total bilirubin, as well as a significant increase in renal function (GFR +4mL/min, p 0.048) were observed at 12 months. Conclusions : These observations on 3TC+DRV/r-based dual therapy simplification in virologically suppressed patients show a good profile of efficacy and safety. An extended FU time is needed in order to establish the real impact of this promising therapeutic choice. (Published: 2 November 2014) Citation: Abstracts of the HIV Drug Therapy Glasgow Congress 2014 Borghetti A et al. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2014, 17(Suppl 3) :19817 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/19817 | http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.17.4.19817
Contemporary Development of Academic Reference Librarianship in the United States: A 44-Year Content Analysis.

This study analyzes job advertisements to identify the contemporary development of academic reference librarianship in the United States. Results show that more job openings, higher educational backgrounds, more duties & responsibilities, and variety of titles were assigned to academic reference librarian positions from 1966 through 2009.
Ontologies for conceptual modeling: their creation, use, and management

Although ontologies have been proposed as an important and natural means of representing real world knowledge for the development of database designs, most ontology creation is not carried out systematically. To be truly useful, a repository of ontologies, organized by application domain is needed, along with procedures for creating and integrating ontologies into database design methodologies. This research proposes a methodology for creating and managing domain ontologies. An architecture for an ontology management system is presented and implemented in a prototype. Empirical validation of the prototype demonstrates the effectiveness of the research.
Substance P fails to mimic vagally mediated nonadrenergic bronchodilation.

Abstract The ability of substance P to mimic vagally mediated nonadrenergic bronchodilation was assessed in vivo in anesthetized, paralyzed, artifically ventilated cats. Infusion of the peptide at a rate of 10 μg kg−1 min−1 for 10 minutes did not attenuate the increase in pulmonary resistance evoked by efferent vagal stimulation. Similarly, when administered as an aerosol (1–15 breaths of a 100 μg ml−1 aqueous solution) or by bolus intravenous injection, substance P failed to reverse the increase in pulmonary resistance maintained by a continuous intravenous infusion of 5-hydroxytryptamine. These results indicate that substance P is unlikely to be the neurotransmitter responsible for mediating nonadrenergic inhibitory responses in feline airways.
Fabrication and performance of strip-centered microminiature coaxial cable

This letter presents a new design in flexible microminiature coaxial cable. A discussion of performance and method of fabrication is given, and experimental data are compared to a simple theoretical model.
Political Behavior and Politics

THROUGHOUT the history of the study of politics, theories of political society have been based on theories of human nature. Thus the study of the psychology of political behavior lies firmly within the tradition of political thought. But a gap has developed between our theories of individual political behavior and our theories of how political society (or, to use the current term, the political system) operates. If we are to develop a science of politics-that is, a science that deals with the total political process on both the individual and the system level-we shall have to close this gap. Studies of the psychology of political behavior have asked a number of the right questions about the nature of Political Man: Is he rational, or does he behave the way he does because of social and psychological pressures he knows little about? Does he vote the way he does because of his social class, because his friends vote that way, or because his father voted (or didn't vote) that way? Does he know anything about the issues of politics? Does Political Man lust unceasingly after power? Or is his political lust merely the sublimation of some primitive childhood lust? These are important questions, and studies of the psychology of politics have given us important and fascinating answers to some of them. But though much is said' on the various social and psychological influences that lead to a particular voting choice, there seems to be little concern over who won the electioni.e., what the effect of all this is on the political system. Moreover, the converse question of the impact of the political system on individual political behavior has received less attention than it deserves. By sticking too close to the non-political forces that impinge on the individual and by ignoring for the most part the interrelationship between an individual's political behavior and the political system in which he lives, the study of political behavior has divorced itself somewhat from the study of politics.
Selective invocation of shape priors for deformable segmentation and morphologic classification of prostate cancer tissue microarrays

Shape based active contours have emerged as a natural solution to overlap resolution. However, most of these shape-based methods are computationally expensive. There are instances in an image where no overlapping objects are present and applying these schemes results in significant computational overhead without any accompanying, additional benefit. In this paper we present a novel adaptive active contour scheme (AdACM) that combines boundary and region based energy terms with a shape prior in a multi level set formulation. To reduce the computational overhead, the shape prior term in the variational formulation is only invoked for those instances in the image where overlaps between objects are identified; these overlaps being identified via a contour concavity detection scheme. By not having to invoke all three terms (shape, boundary, region) for segmenting every object in the scene, the computational expense of the integrated active contour model is dramatically reduced, a particularly relevant consideration when multiple objects have to be segmented on very large histopathological images. The AdACM was employed for the task of segmenting nuclei on 80 prostate cancer tissue microarray images from 40 patient studies. Nuclear shape based, architectural and textural features extracted from these segmentations were extracted and found to able to discriminate different Gleason grade patterns with a classification accuracy of 86% via a quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) classifier. On average the AdACM model provided 60% savings in computational times compared to a non-optimized hybrid active contour model involving a shape prior.
Association between Endothelial Function and Chronotropic Incompetence in Subjects with Chronic Heart Failure Receiving Optimal Medical Therapy

Objective: Impairment of flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery identifies peripheral endothelial dysfunction in subjects with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. To further elucidate the interaction of peripheral and central mechanisms in the syndrome of CHF, we examined the association between endothelial function and chronotropic incompetence, an emerging prognostic marker in CHF. Methods: Thirty subjects with stable New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II–III CHF were studied. A vascular ultrasound study was performed to measure brachial artery FMD. The percentage of age-adjusted maximal predicted heart rate (MPHR) reached during cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance testing (CPETT) was used to assess the degree of chronotropic competence. All patients received ACE inhibitors and β-adrenoceptor blockers. Results: Brachial artery FMD averaged 1.3 ± 2.4% and age-adjusted % MPHR 74.1 ± 11.7%. FMD correlated with % MPHR among all patients (r = 0.60, P = 0.01). FMD and resting heart rate (RHR) did not significantly correlate (r = 0.13, P = 0.55). Conclusions: FMD, a measure of peripheral endothelial dysfunction, and % MPHR, a central determinant of cardiac output, are moderately correlated in heart failure patients receiving optimal medical therapy. Whether a cause-effect relationship underlies this association remains to be investigated. (Echocardiography 2010;27:294-299)
Free radical scavengers prevent intestinal ischemia-reperfusion-mediated cardiac dysfunction.

Abstract Our previous studies show that intestinal ischemia impairs cardiac function. This present study examined the contribution of oxygen-derived free radicals to cardiac dysfunction after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion in a rat model of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion (atraumatic clip for 20 min) and ligation of collateral arcades from the right colic and jejunal arteries. Controls were sham operated (Group 1, n = 10); in Group 2, 20 rats with SMA occlusion were sacrificed 2-5 hr after reperfusion without treatment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, scavengers of oxygen-derived free radicals which have been shown to effectively reduce ischemic injury in several models of traumatic injury, were given as 6000 units/350 g body wt either 1 min after SMA occlusion (Group 3, n = 11) or 2 min after reperfusion (Group 4, n = 10). To examine the contribution of neutrophils as a source of free radicals, additional groups of animals were treated with pentoxifylline (PTX, a methylxanthine derivative which has been shown to decrease neutrophil adherence and aggregation as well as to decrease superoxide production) either 1 min after SMA occlusion (Group 5, n = 10) or 2 min after reperfusion (Group 6, n = 10). Cardiac contractile depression occurred in the untreated ischemic group as indicated by a fall in left ventricular pressure (from 77 ± 3 to 63 ± 4 mm Hg, P
Evolutionary Origins of The Mammalian Promontorium and Cochlea

ABSTRACT Mammals have two apomorphies in the ear region: an elongated cochlear canal and an eminence on the tympanic side of the cochlear housing, known as the petrosal promontorium. In nonmammalian cynodonts, the cochlear recess is shorter, smaller, and oriented more medially than the mammalian cochlear canal; their cochlear housing is formed by the prootic, opisthotic, and basisphenoid. New fossil materials of two early mammals, Adelobasileus and Sinoconodon, reveal evidence on the evolutionary transformation of the mammalian cochlear canal and bony cochlear housing. Adelobasileus is more derived than any known non-mammalian cynodont in possessing an incipient promontorium, but more primitive than other mammals in retaining a vestigial basisphenoid wing. Sinoconodon has a fully developed petrosal promontorium but a short cochlea that extends only one third of the promontorium length. The cochlear canal of Morganucodon is twice as long as that of Sinoconodon, relative to both skull and promontorium. More...
Early development of coordination for the sit-to-stand task

Abstract The task of standing up from sitting requires coordinated movements of multiple body segments. This article presents the results of a longitudinal study of the development of coordination patterns for this task and on the effect of changing an environmental constraint on the manifestation of that coordination. Five female infants who were just beginning to independently stand up from a seat were studied over 18 weeks. The infants used two relatively distinct patterns of movement to complete the task. The dominant pattern differed across weeks of development and between two seat heights. Relative differences in the contributions of the shank and trunk to the momentum of the body’s center of mass, and differences in relative timing between the peak momenta of the shank, thigh and trunk, were shown to differentiate between the two movement patterns. Kinematic relative timing variables were also analyzed, but only the relative onset of knee extension with respect to the trunk cycle clearly distinguished between the two movement patterns. Further studies are needed to assess the roles of various factors (e.g., learning, muscle strength, mass distribution changes) in the performance of this task during development.
An LX-10 kinetic model calibrated using simulations of multiple small-scale thermal safety tests.

A new chemical kinetic model for the β−δ transition and decomposition of LX-10 (95% octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine, 5% Viton A binder) is presented here. This model implements asp...
Using Curriculum-Based Measures to Promote a Linked System Approach:

Early childhood intervention teams face many challenges in providing high-quality services. Challenges include accurately assessing children's current strengths and needs, developing transdisciplin...
The unexplained solar absorption and atmospheric H2O: a direct test using clear-sky data

This paper is motivated by several recent studies that have shown that observations of atmosphericsolar absorption systematically and significantly exceed model estimates. This papertests whether uncertainties in the physics of water vapor absorption in clear skies are directlyresponsible for this unexplained excess absorption. Radiative transfer calculations of clear-skysolar fluxes are compared to measurements in the tropical Pacific at the surface and the tropopause.We find that the atmospheric absorption in excess of that predicted by radiative transfermodels, if it exists, is less than the experimental uncertainty of 7 W m −2 (diurnally averaged).Furthermore, the difference between observed and modeled absorption is essentially independentof water vapor amounts between 35 and 51 kg m −2 . A more direct test of the accuracy ofmodeled water vapor absorption is conducted with two independent multi-spectral radiometersat the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site in Oklahoma, each providing over 16 000surface measurements of direct solar radiation in the 0.94 mm region. These spectral data confirmstate-of-the-art radiation model computations of water vapor line absorption to within 5% forthe wavelength region tested. The model-observation agreement for both tropical andOklahoma data strongly suggests that uncertainties in the physics of water vapor absorptionin clear skies are not a source for any significant excess solar absorption, thus narrowing thesearch to other atmospheric constituents or water vapor in cloudy skies. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1998.t01-1-00010.x
On LMI formulations of some problems arising in nonlinear stochastic system analysis

This work involves formulation of some problems arising in the analysis of a class of discrete-time nonlinear stochastic systems in terms of linear matrix inequalities. This allows one to utilize a wide variety of numerical techniques available for tackling both the feasibility problem and the actual numerical solution in an efficient manner.
Evaluation of sludge dewatering reed beds: A niche for small systems

The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL) has been developing and adopting improved sludge dewatering systems for U.S. Army wastewater treatment plants. USACERL selected reed beds as the best alternative for future Army sludge dewatering systems based on the system9s economical and technical feasibility and on a demonstration of the technology at Fort Campbell, KY, USA. This paper compares the Army9s options for upgrading Fort Campbell9s sand-drying beds, analyzes costs, discusses sludge hydraulic and solids loading rate data from existing reed bed operations in the United States, and presents 5 years9 operational data from Fort Campbell. Options considered for comparison included: land application of sludge at training fields, wedgewater beds, vacuum-assisted beds, wedgewater beds and composting, mechanical dewatering systems, and a “no change” option in which sand-drying beds would have been retained. In conclusion, this paper summarizes advantages and limitations of reed bed sludge dewatering. Advantages of reed beds may include: low investment especially when sand-drying beds are converted to reed beds, savings of sludge removal costs, and the benefits inherent to using a simple and economical technology. Limitations may include: large land requirements and little scientific understanding of this empirical technology. The challenge will be to further develop appropriate disposal technologies to meet new U.S. sludge regulations.
Magnetic resonance imaging compared with electrodiagnostic studies in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome: predicting symptoms, function, and surgical benefit at 1 year.

Object The goal in this study of patients with clinical carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was to compare the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with that of electrodiagnostic studies (EDSs) for the following purposes: 1) prediction of 1-year outcomes and 2) identification of patients who are likely to benefit from surgical treatment. Methods The authors prospectively enrolled 120 patients with clinically suspected CTS. The participants were tested using standardized EDSs, MR imaging, and a battery of questionnaires, including the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Assessment Questionnaire, a well-validated 5-point score of symptoms and function. The EDSs and MR images were each interpreted independently. Patients were reevaluated after 1 year. The decision to treat patients conservatively or by carpal tunnel release was made by the individual surgeon, who had access to the initial EDS but not MR imaging results. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine associations between 1-year outcomes and...
Deferoxamine Mesylate A New Hope for Intracerebral Hemorrhage: From Bench to Clinical Trials

Iron resulting from hemoglobin degradation is linked to delayed neuronal injury after intracerebral hemorrhage. Extensive preclinical investigations indicate that the iron chelator, deferoxamine mesylate, is effective in limiting hemoglobin- and iron-mediated neurotoxicity. However, clinical studies evaluating the use of deferoxamine in intracerebral hemorrhage are shortcoming. This article reviews the potential role of deferoxamine as a promising neuroprotective agent to target the secondary effects of intracerebral hemorrhage to limit brain injury and improve outcome, and ongoing efforts to translate the preclinical findings into clinical investigations.
Culturally relevant factors in the behavioral treatment of social phobia: A case study

A chronic and severe social phobic African American female was treated with social effectiveness therapy (SET) over a 4-month period of time. The exposure treatment program included racially relevant cues in the imaginal material as well as in the in vivo settings. The patient evidenced considerable improvement at posttreatment on a number of measures, including achieving an endstate functioning status similar to that of normals. These gains were maintained at a 4-month follow-up. The findings are discussed in terms of the comprehensive treatment of social phobia and the importance of sociocultural variables in treatment.
WATER SLUG DETACHMENT IN TWO-PHASE HYDROPHOBIC MICROCHANNEL FLOWS

In this paper we present a first order study of liquid water detachment and entrainment into air flows in hydrophobic microchannels. A silicon based microfabricated test structure was used for this purpose. It consists of a 500 μm wide by 45 μm deep U-shaped channel 23 mm in length through which air is flown. The structures are treated with a Molecular Vapor Deposition (MVD) process that renders them hydrophobic with a nominal contact angle of 108° (in situ contact angles inside the channels are measured directly during testing). Liquid water is injected through a single side slot located two-thirds of the way downstream from the air channel inlet. The side slot extends the whole depth of the air channel while its width is varied from sample to sample. Visualization of the water slugs that form as water is injected into the air channel was performed. Slug dimensions at detachment are correlated against superficial gas velocity. Proper dimensionless parameters are postulated and examined to compare hydrodynamics forces against surface tension. It is found that for Re below 200 slug detachment is dominated by pressure gradient drag arising from confinement of a viscous flow in the channel. On the other hand, for Re above 200 the predominant drag is inertial in nature with stagnation of the air due to flow obstruction by the slugs.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Impact of market orientation on environmental sustainability strategy

Purpose – This study aims to assess the impact of an established market orientation on the implementation of green supply chain practices and environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach – Data collected from 225 manufacturing managers are analyzed using a partial least squares structural equation modeling methodology. Findings – Findings indicate that market orientation both directly and indirectly (through green supply chain management practices) impacts environmental performance. Research limitations/implications – The study focuses on the impact of a market orientation on environmental sustainability within the manufacturing sector, thereby limiting generalization to other sectors. Practical implications – Manufacturing practitioners are provided with information emphasizing the importance of implementing and maintaining a strong market orientation as a precursor to establishing an environmental sustainability strategy. Social implications – The results have important societal implications, ...
Predictors of cardiovascular events after liver transplantation: a role for pretransplant serum troponin levels.

Cardiovascular complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. Identifying candidates at highest risk of postoperative complications is a cornerstone of optimizing outcomes and utility. Using traditional cardiac risk factors in addition to C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, troponin levels, and echocardiographic parameters before transplantation, we sought to define cardiac risk so that we could predict cardiovascular events after transplantation. From December 1998 to December 2001, 230 adult patients who underwent liver transplantation with a median follow-up of 8.2 years were studied. The risk factors for cardiac disease were as follows: male gender with a mean age of approximately 50 years (57%), smoking history (60%), diabetes (23%), hypertension (19%), elevated troponin (25%), elevated CRP (25%), and preexisting cardiac disease (16%). Fifty-nine cardiac events occurred over 8.2 years. Risk factors (univariate analysis) for first cardiac events included age in decades [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.31, P = 0.047], diabetes (HR = 2.20, P = 0.004), prior cardiovascular disease (HR = 4.77, P 0.07 ng/mL (HR = 2.00, P = 0.023), left ventricular hypertrophy (HR = 2.06, P = 0.047), stress wall abnormalities (HR = 2.25, P = 0.018), and ischemia on stress imaging (HR = 2.89, P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis confirmed age, diabetes, a troponin I level > 0.07, and prior cardiac disease as independent risk factors for posttransplant cardiac events. In conclusion, pretransplant elevated troponin levels, diabetes, and a history of cardiovascular disease, alone or in combination, are strongly associated with the occurrence of posttransplant cardiovascular events.
GRUFF-3 : generalizing the domain of a function-based recognition system

Abstract Representation systems which support “generic” object recognition offer promising advantages over current model-based vision. Systems applying function-based reasoning are one such approach. In this approach, specific geometric or structural models are disregarded, in favor of analyzing the shape to determine functional requirements for category membership. This paper presents an explanation of the ideas behind function-based modeling and a description of the extensions made to create the Generic Representation Using Form and Function-3 (GRUFF-3) system. This system analyzes the 3D shape of an object and classifies the object according to its possible function as some (sub) category of the superordinate category dishes . The initial GRUFF system implementation was restricted to the furniture domain and required five knowledge primitives (clearance, relative orientation, proximity, dimensions and stability) to realize the functional requirements of the categories represented. The important contribution of our current work is that a significantly larger domain of objects can now be recognized with the addition of just one new knowledge primitive, enclosure. An evaluation of the performance of the system is presented for a database of over 200 3D shapes.
Simulating the impact of community culture and governance in virtual innovation communities

There is no substitute to the intellectual disposition to innovate. To increase the value of creative thinking, ideas have to be transformed into wealth production through generation, promotion, and distribution of appreciated products and/or services in a timely and competitive way. To achieve these goals, philosophies of institutions and (virtual) organizations need to be nurtured to promote collective creativity and transformation of ideas into wealth production. The main objectives of the study are to explore and identify design principles for virtual innovation communities and to model innovation as an evolutionary process. A simulation study is conducted to systemically study and generate hypotheses regarding governance mechanisms that improve innovation output. Findings suggest that decentralized coordination schemes such as emergent selection that are observed in utility communities along with moderate degrees of assertiveness and cooperation for conflict management result in higher incidence of innovation.
The N-terminal region of troponin T is essential for the maximal activation of rat cardiac myofilaments.

Abstract Troponin T (TnT) is an essential protein in the transduction of the Ca 2+ -binding signal that triggers striated muscle contraction. Functional diversity among various TnT isoforms found in cardiac and skeletal muscles has been correlated with the sequence heterogeneity at the amino (N-) and the carboxyl (C-) terminal regions. The most striking difference between cardiac TnT (cTnT) and skeletal TnT (sTnT) is that cTnT has an extended N-terminus, which is rich in negatively charged amino acids. To investigate the role of this region in cTnT, we deleted the first 76 amino acids in rat cTnT (cTnT 77–289 ) by site-directed mutagenesis. We exchanged the native troponin complex in rat cardiac myofibrillar preparations and detergent skinned cardiac fiber bundles by treatment with excess cTnT or cTnT 77–289 . After reconstituting the cTnT 77–289 containing myofibrils with cardiac troponin I–cardiac troponin C (cTnI–cTnC), the MgATPase activity was 70% of the cTnT treated myofibrils in the relaxed state and 83% of the cTnT treated myofibrils in the maximal Ca 2+ -activated state. These observations were supported by force measurements in which cTnT and cTnT 77–289 were exchanged into skinned fiber bundles. Prior to reconstitution with cTnI–cTnC, the Ca 2+ -independent maximal force developed by the cTnT 77–289 containing fiber was 45% of the force developed by the cTnT containing fiber. After reconstituting with cTnI–cTnC, the Ca 2+ -activated maximal force of the cTnT 77–289 containing fiber was 62% of the force developed by the cTnT containing +cTnI–cTnC reconstituted fiber. In both assays, no significant changes in the normalized Ca 2+ -activity relation or in co-operativity were observed. Fluorescence experiments using pyrene-labeled Tm demonstrated that the binding of cTnT 77–289 to Tm was 3–4 fold stronger than that of cTnT. Our results suggest that strong interactions between cTnT 77–289 and Tm stabilize cardiac myofilaments in a sub-maximally activated state. Our findings also indicate that the N-terminus of cTnT is essential for maximal activation of cardiac myofilaments.
Three-Hour Paclitaxel Infusion and Carboplatin Is an Effective Outpatient Treatment for Stage III Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the response rate and toxicity of a 3-h paclitaxel infusion and carboplatin delivered as outpatient therapy for the treatment of stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods. Thirty patients with stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer underwent cytoreductive surgery. The first 10 patients received adjuvant paclitaxel 150 mg/m 2 via 3-h infusion on day 1 and carboplatin 5 times area under the curve on day 2 (group 1) every 28 days. The paclitaxel dose was escalated to 175 mg/m 2 for the next 20 patients (group 2). χ 2 and Kaplan–Meier procedures were used for statistical analysis. Results. Nine of 51 cycles in group 1 (17.6%) and 19 of 116 cycles (16.4%) in group 2 were associated with grade 4 neutropenia ( P = 0.96), but only 2 of the 161 total cycles (0.01%) had fever and neutropenia. One patient in group 1 experienced grade 3 thrombocytopenia. Two patients in the entire group (7.4%) required colony-stimulating factors. One patient in group 2 (3.7%) had grade 3 neurotoxicity. With a median follow-up of 29 months for the entire group, 5 of 8 patients (62.5%) in group 1 and 14 of 19 patients (73.7%) in group 2 are alive. Median progression-free survival for group 1 and 2 is 13 and 14 months, respectively. Median overall survival has not been reached. Conclusions. Paclitaxel via 3-h infusion and carboplatin is an effective outpatient treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer that can be safely administered on schedule in the majority of patients.
Identification of novel mechanisms involved in generating localized vulvodynia pain.

Objective Our goal was to gain a better understanding of the inflammatory pathways affected during localized vulvodynia, a poorly understood, common, and debilitating condition characterized by chronic pain of the vulvar vestibule. Study Design In a control matched study, primary human fibroblast strains were generated from biopsies collected from localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) cases and from age- and race-matched controls. We then examined intracellular mechanisms by which these fibroblasts recognize pathogenic Candida albicans ; >70% of vulvodynia patients report the occurrence of prior chronic Candida infections, which is accompanied by localized inflammation and elevated production of proinflammatory/pain-associated interleukin (IL)-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2 ). We focused on examining the signaling pathways involved in recognition of yeast components that are present and abundant during chronic infection. Results Dectin-1, a surface receptor that binds C albicans cell wall glucan, was significantly elevated in vestibular vs external vulvar cells (from areas without pain) in both cases and controls, while its abundance was highest in LPV cases. Blocking Dectin-1 signaling significantly reduced pain-associated IL-6 and PGE 2 production during the response to C albicans . Furthermore, LPV patient vestibular cells produced inflammatory mediators in response to low numbers of C albicans cells, while external vulvar fibroblasts were nonresponsive. Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (proinflammatory transcription factor) nearly abrogated IL-6 and PGE 2 production induced by C albicans , in keeping with observations that Dectin-1 signals through the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells pathway. Conclusion These findings implicate that a fibroblast-mediated proinflammatory response to C albicans contributes to the induction of pain in LPV cases. Targeting this response may be an ideal strategy for the development of new vulvodynia therapies.
ALERT: An Anonymous Location-Based Efficient Routing Protocol in MANETs

Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) use anonymous routing protocols that hide node identities and/or routes from outside observers in order to provide anonymity protection. However, existing anonymous routing protocols, relying on either hop-by-hop encryption or redundant traffic, either generate high cost or cannot provide full anonymity protection to data sources, destinations, and routes. To offer high anonymity protection at a low cost, we propose an Anonymous Location-based Efficient Routing proTocol (ALERT). ALERT dynamically partitions the network field into zones and randomly chooses nodes in zones as intermediate relay nodes, which form a non-traceable anonymous route. In addition, it hides the data initiator/receiver among many initiators/receivers. Thus, ALERT offers anonymity protection to sources, destinations, and routes. It also has strategies to effectively counter intersection and timing attacks. Experimental results show that ALERT achieves better route anonymity protection and lower cost compared to other anonymous routing protocols. Also, ALERT achieves comparable routing efficiency to the GPSR geographical routing protocol.
Relationship Between Nonlinear Electrostrictive Kerr Effects And Acousto-Optics

Invited PaperRelationship between nonlinear electrostrictive Kerr effectsand acousto- opticsMonte Khoshnevisan and Pochi YehRockwell International Science CenterThousand Oaks, CA 91360AbstractElectrostrictive Kerr effects are analyzed and formal relationships are derived whichrelate the nonlinear refractive index n2 to photoelastic coefficients. It is shown thatinformation on the electrostrictive contributions to n2 may be readily obtained from
Crown-annelated p-phenylenediamine derivatives as electrochemical and fluorescence-responsive chemosensors: cyclic voltammetry studies

Cyclic voltammetry studies on crown-annelated tetraalkyl-p-phenylenediamine derivatives, in the presence of metal mono- and dications, reveal high selectivity toward dications, of potential value for the development of electrochemical sensors.
Evidence for an association between a 33 kDa extrinsic membrane protein, manganese and photosynthetic oxygen evolution. I. Correlation with the S2 multiline EPR signal

Abstract The removal of peripheral membrane proteins of a molecular mass of 17 and 23 kDa by washing of spinach Photosystem-II (PS II) membranes in 1 M salt between pH 4.5 and 6.5 produces a minimal loss of the S 1 → S 2 reaction, as seen by the multiline EPR signal for the S 2 state of the water-oxidizing complex, while reversibly inhibiting O 2 evolution. The multiline EPR signal simplifies from a ‘19-line’ spectrum to a ‘16-line’ spectrum, suggestive of partial uncoupling of a cluster of 3 or 4 to yield photo-oxidation of a binuclear Mn site. Alkaline salt washing progressively releases a 33 kDa peripheral protein between pH 6.5 and 9.5, in direct parallel with the loss of O 2 evolution and the S 2 multiline EPR signal. The 33 kDa protein can be partially removed (20%) at pH 8.0 prior to managanese release. Salt treatment releases four Mn ions between pH 8.0 and 9.5 with the first 2 or 3 Mn ions released cooperatively. A common binding site is thus suggested in agreement with earlier EPR spectroscopic data establishing a tetranuclear Mn site. At least two of these Mn ions bind directly at a site in the PS II complex for which photooxidation by the reaction center is controlled by the 33 kDa protein. The washing of PS II membranes with 1 M CaCl 2 to affect the release of the 33 kDa protein, while preserving Mn binding to the membrane (Ono, T.-A. and Inoue, Y. (1983) FEBS Lett. 164, 255–260), is found to leave some 33 kDa protein undissociated in proportion to the extent of O 2 evolution and S 2 multiline yield. These depleted membranes do not oxidize water or produce the normal S 2 state without the binding of the 33 kDa protein. A method for the accurate determination of relative concentrations of the peripheral membrane proteins using gel electrophoresis is presented.
A discussion of the paper “theories of expansion in sulfoaluminate-type expansive cements: Schools of thought,” by M.D. Cohen

Polivka (1973), discussing expansion of expansive cements, wrote that "formation Qf ( e t t r i n g i t e ) is accompanied by a large increase in volume and is the basic mechanism of expansive cements . . . E t t r i n g i t e s tar ts to form as soon as water is added to the cement . . . and continues to form . . . unt i l the SO 3 or AI203 is exhausted." ACI Committee 223, in 1970, wrote (Section 2.1) "format ion of e t t r i n g i t e is the source of the expansive force." In my discussion of that report (Mather, 1971) I noted that "The report states (Section I . I ) that 'much is yet to be learned about the mechanism and chemistry of expansive cement . . . ' The report also states, in the las t paragraph of Section 2.6, that 'Unequivocal proof has not yet been established on the mechanism of formation of the expansive phases resul t ing in expansive forces. I t i s , however, probable that e t t r i n g i t e crystals when surrounded and restrained by reaction products grow in size and thereby are responsible for the development of s t resses. '