cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modelling accessibility using space-time prism concepts within geographical information systems

Abstract The space-time Of time geographical framework is a powerful perspective from which to analyse human behaviour. One of the central concepts in this framework is the space-time prism, which models individual accessibility to an environment. In this paper, the derivation and manipulation of space-time prism concepts within a geographical information system (GIS) are discussed. The required system inputs and desired outputs are identified and a generic GIS based procedure is presented Given these basic requirements, issues are discussed which can determine the feasibility of current GIS technology to handle the derivation of space-time prism concepts.
Roadmap for public health workforce preparedness.

ajor initiatives to improve the public health workforce since 1997 have been driven by a hundred-fold increase in federal fi nancial support, technologies providing greater access to public health workers, and an emerging national priority to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other urgent threats. This report examines the status of the national public health workforce development agenda, including its major strategies and emphases, and offers a roadmap for assessing, enhancing, and recognizing competent performance through comprehensive public health workforce preparedness management systems.
Devices and services meet mobile development

Over the past decade, devices such as phones, tablets, entertainment systems and sensor gadgets have moved completely into the computer ecosphere. At the same time, software, both new and old, has become available on all of these diverse platforms as well as traditional PCs and servers. What does this mean for software development at all levels -- requirements, engineering, testing, and languages? In seeking to create multiplatform software, we rely more and more on browsers -- a "baseware" on which to host software. Designing browser-based software primarily for devices that increase and multiple at a rapid pace has implications for languages and development practice. There is an increasing development of APIs and web services, even by students and newcomers to software design. Examples are drawn from TouchDevelop and TryFSharp.
Deposition of atmospheric radioactivity on objects exposed to air streams

Abstract When air was blown against various objects, radioactive material was deposited which was identified as the decay products of radon and thoron. The deposition took place on glass, mica, and on the metals copper, brass, steel, aluminum, but not on lead. It was immaterial whether the metals were grounded or insulated. No appreciable electrical potential was produced on the objects by the streaming gas. A deflecting electric field in an ion collector which was inserted in the air-line did not diminish the rate at which the deposit formed. The conclusion followed that the radioactive nuclei were uncharged rather than that they consisted of the types of ions of the atmosphere whose mobilities are known. After snowfall or rainfall the air furnished but a small fraction of the radioactivity observed at other times. Oxygen gas from cylinders also produced similar deposits on the various objects. Nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide did not do so. After nitrogen had been directed against aluminum for forty-five minutes, air failed to deposit its radioactive content on the aluminum surface despite a steady stream lasting for almost an hour. Several hours later, however, the deposition became normal. A large discrepancy was found in the intensity of the deposit from two samples of oxygen which had been compressed into their cylinders the same day but tested at different times.The “older” oxygen was much more effective than was anticipated on the bases of the half-life of radon and of the data on radioactive impurities in steel (cylinders). It is inferred that smoke, dust, etc., blown about in the atmosphere gathers radioactive and hence ionizing substances by the process responsible for the phenomena we have described. A computation is included on the proportion of radioactive nuclei in the atmosphere which might be expected to be uncharged under equilibrium conditions.
A Tale of Two Counties:Bereavement in Socio-Demographically Diverse Places.

The “Living After Loss” study was designed to test the effectiveness of the dual process model (DPM) of coping with bereavement. In order to obtain a larger and more diverse sample we studied 328 recently widowed men and women (61%) age 50+ in two counties, Salt Lake (n=197) and San Francisco (n=131) in two states, Utah and California. This paper does not report on the effects of the intervention but focuses on a comparison of the bereaved spouses/partners in these two cites. First, the only socio-demographic differences we found between those in SF and SL were that those in San Francisco were more racially, ethnically and religiously diverse, higher in education, had slightly fewer years in their relationship to the deceased and were two weeks longer in their grief process. Second, there were far more similarities than differences between SF and SL regarding nearly all of the study variables. Third, we found that those in SF had more positive qualitative features in their friendship support networks and that for bereaved in both counties, we found strong associations with having highly supportive friend-based networks and more positive bereavement adjustments (especially experiencing lower levels of loneliness and depression). Limitations and suggestions for future research are described.
Analysis of Rotor Tip Clearance Loss in Axial-Flow Turbines

Tip clearance flow is a major contributor to the losses in axial flow turbines. Tip shrouding reduces the extent of this loss at the expense of more structural complexity and increased centrifugal blade stresses. Recent technological advance in the area of active clearance control promises to minimize the tip clearance loss without the adverse tip shrouding effects. Due to complexity of rotor tip flows, a comprehensive tip clearance loss model that accounts for the tip shape, relative wall motion, tip loading, and stage characteristics has not yet been developed. In the present paper, the rotor tip clearance flow is aerothermodyn amically analyzed and a loss model is presented that includes the above-mentioned effects. Tip leakage discharge coefficient and the stage loading factor are taken as modeling parameters. Finally, earlier tip clearance loss models are reviewed and comparisons are drawn with the present work.
Polymer deformable membrane mirrors for focus control using SU-8 2002

Large stroke deformable membrane mirrors are designed for primary focus control and compensation of focus-induced spherical aberration. SU-8 2002 epoxy membranes 2 mum thick and up to 1 cm diameter, with symmetric aluminum coatings, are described.
Alpha adrenoceptor blockade with oral prazosin.

α-Adrenoceptor blockade after placebo and 5-mg oral doses of prazosin was assessed in five normal subjects over a range of phenylephrine infusion rates. Systolic blood pressure during a 400-µg/min infusion of phenylephrine at 3 hr after placebo or prazosin was 172.8 ± 6.2 and 108.7 ±4.4 mm Hg (p < 0.05). The phenylephrine effects were blocked from 1 hr to at least 7 hr after prazosin. The drug-sensitivity ratio, an indicator of α-adrenoceptor blockade, before prazosin was 1.1, rising to 4 at 1 hr, 4.9 at 3 hr, 5.7 at 5 hr, and 4 at 7 hr after oral prazosin. The highest prazosin plasma concentration after a 5-mg oral dose was 29.3 ± 6.6 ng/ml. It occurred 1 hr after prazosin. The elimination half-life was 2.9 ± 0.3 hr. After oral prazosin the α-adrenoceptor blockade response did not correlate with prazosin plasma concentration. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1981) 29, 143–148; doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.23
Neural nets and alphabets: introducing students to neural networks

Three student projects involving neural networks are described. The projects include recognizing handwritten letters of the alphabet, determining the orientation of an imaged line, and recognizing particular rooms of a house based on samples of furniture found in the rooms. All projects were run on a back propagation neural network program implemented in Modula-2. A description of the program is presented and a sample module for simulating the behavior of an OR gate is included as an appendix. The program has been successfully used in several Artificial Intelligence classes for classroom demonstrations and carrying out various cognitive science experiments.
Economic development, growth of human capital, and the dynamics of the wage structure

In this paper I elucidate the sources of growth of human capital in the course of economic development. On the supply side (Section 1) I include the growth of family income, urbanization, the demographic transition, and the rising cost of time.The supply side alone cannot explain the continuous growth of human capital as it implies a self limiting decline in rates of return below those in alternative investments. Such declines are offset by growing demands for human capital in the labor market. Growth of demand for labor skills is a function of capital accumulation and of technological changes. Evidence on this hypothesis is summarized in Section 2 and on supply responses to growing demand for human capital in Section 3. Changes in the skill and wage structures in the labor market are an important part of the evidence.The reciprocal relation between economic growth and the growth of human capital is likely to be an important key to sustained economic growth. A caveat applies to indirect effects of economic growth on family instability, which may lead to a deterioration of childhood human capital in some sectors of society.
Taste-mediated behavioral and electrophysiological responses by the predatory fish Ariopsis felis to deterrent pigments from Aplysia californica ink

Chemical defenses are used by many organisms to avoid predation, and these defenses may function by stimulating predators’ chemosensory systems. Our study examined detection mechanisms for components of defensive ink of sea hares, Aplysia californica, by predatory sea catfish, Ariopsis felis. Behavioral analyses show aplysioviolin and phycoerythrobilin are detected intra-orally and by barbels and are deterrent at concentrations as low as 0.1% full strength. We performed electrophysiological recordings from the facial–trigeminal nerve complex innervating the maxillary barbel and tested aplysioviolin, phycoerythrobilin, amino acids, and bile salts in cross-adaptation experiments. Amino acids and bile salts are known stimulatory compounds for teleost taste systems. Our results show aplysioviolin and phycoerythrobilin are equally stimulatory and completely cross-adapt to each other’s responses. Adaptation to aplysioviolin or phycoerythrobilin reduced but did not eliminate responses to amino acids or bile salts. Adaptation to amino acids or bile salts incompletely reduced responses to aplysioviolin or phycoerythrobilin. The fact that cross-adaptations with aplysioviolin and phycoerythrobilin were not completely reciprocal indicates there are amino acid and bile salt sensitive fibers insensitive to aplysioviolin and phycoerythrobilin. These results indicate two gustatory pathways for aplysioviolin and phycoerythrobilin: one independent of amino acids and bile salts and another shared with some amino acids.
A detailed MPI communication model for distributed systems

Message Passing Interface (MPI) is the most popular communication interface used in today PC clusters and other cluster-type parallel/distributed computers. Up-to-date the most popular analytical MPI communication performance model for parallel/distributed machines is the LogGP model, which is mostly based on system hardware parameters. Due to the popularity of MPI, the improvements of connection network in the past few years, and the development of MPI for computational Grids, LogGP model needs to be re-evaluated for the detailed hardware performance and for the inclusion of middleware overheads for different data structures. In this article, we use our experiment results to show that the current LogGP communication model is too limited for today parallel/distributed systems. We propose a modification by including into the model important factors that have been left out. We itemize the terms of the model to show the consistency and the meaning of these communication costs, which we believe to be the starting point for modeling MPI communication cost on the Grids. In this work, we start with point-to-point communication and plan to extend to other communication patterns, such as the broadcast communication.
Interleukin-1 induces natriuresis in conscious rats: role of renal prostaglandins.

Interleukin-1 induces natriuresis in conscious rats: Role of renal prostaglandins. The onset of infection is associated with increases in renal blood flow and sodium excretion. Our studies provide evidence that the natriuresis is mediated by stimulation of renal prostaglandin production by the cytokine, interleukin-1. A dose-dependent natriuresis and diuresis was elicited in conscious rats with bolus intravenous injections of human recombinant interleukin-1-β (hrIL-1). Injection of 1.5, 3 and 24 µg hrIL-1 increased sodium excretion by 2.4 ± 0.9 µEq/min, 4.0 ± 0.8 µEq/min and 5.4 ± 0.3 µEq/min, respectively. The natriuresis was preceded by a corresponding increase in urinary PGE excretion (80%, 110% and 296%, respectively). The natriuresis elicited by 3 µg hrIL-1 was independent of changes in glomerular filtration rate or effective renal plasma flow. IL-1 induced an increase in rectal temperature, (0.6 ± 0.2°C) and a modest increase in mean arterial pressure (12 ± 3mm Hg) within 10 minutes of injection. However, during the period of maximal natriuresis (40 to 100 min), blood pressure and rectal temperature were not significantly different from control. Pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, significantly attenuated the natriuretic response and indomethacin completely abolished the natriuresis. These results identify IL-1 as a factor which stimulates renal PGE synthesis, and increases sodium excretion, independent of changes in glomerular filtration rate. We propose that IL-1-induced natriuresis may be a component of the overall acute phase response which is actively mounted by the host during infection.
Wms-r patterns among patients with unilateral brain lesions

Abstract The effects of unilateral brain lesions on memory functioning were examined among a sample of 115 patients with well lateralized lesions using the new Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R). Multivariate analysis of the WMS-R age-corrected summary indexes for the patients with right-(n = 56) and left-(n = 59) hemisphere lesions was significant (p<.008), although subsequent univariate comparisons revealed that only the Verbal Memory Index was significant (p<.009). Multivariate analysis of the 13 individual WMS-R subtest scores was also significant (p<.03), with four univariate group comparisons being significant at p<.05. Because the WMS-R offers verbal and nonverbal analogs for five memory dimensions (span of memory, immediate and delayed recall of complex material, and immediate and delayed paired associate learning), it was possible to examine the subjects modality-specific performance patterns using a repeated measures MANOVA. The results yielded a significant multivariate interaction (p<.004),...
Parents as passengers during pediatric transport

Abstract Introduction: The transport environment presents a unique setting in which the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of passengers accompanying a patient must be assessed carefully. The purpose of this study was to describe the current practice of including parents as passengers during pediatric interfacility transport. Methods: One-hundred-eighty-eight critical care transport programs in the United States responded to a voluntary mail survey, providing information about current policies, practices, and crew perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of carrying parents as passengers. Results: Extra seating for passengers was available in 96% of ambulances, 86% of fixed-wing aircraft, and 54% of helicopters used for pediatric transport. Parents traveled as passengers in all types of vehicles; most frequently in ambulances and fixed-wing air-craft. Twenty percent of helicopter programs allowed parent passengers on more than half of their pediatric transports in this vehicle. Advantages of parent passengers included emotional benefit for the parent and child, availability of parents for history and consent, good public relations, and having the parent present if the child dies. Disadvantages included potential parent anxiety, crew distraction, and space limitations. Discussion: This study reflects the widely diverse policies, practices, and opinions relevant to this topic and confirms a need for further study.
A simulator for ballistic nanostructures in a 2-D electron gas

A multipurpose simulator for ballistic nanostructures, based on classical mechanics of electrons at the Fermi level, has been successfully implemented. Despite the simplicity of the model, the simulator successfully reproduces a number of experimental results, and is shown to consistently match observed current-voltage characteristics and magnetoresistance phenomena. The simulator results provide design guidelines for devices which operate on ballistic transport principles. Using the simulator, preliminary logic structures have been designed based on the ballistic deflection transistor.
Radial and axial impurity distribution in high-purity germanium crystals

Abstract To grow high purity germanium (HPGe) crystals in an underground environment for ultra-low background experiments is being studied. In the present work, HPGe crystals along 〈100〉 direction have been grown by the Czochralski method. In order to investigate the distribution of the impurities as a function of length for a grown crystal, i.e. the axial direction, we fabricated a system to measure the resistivity along the axial direction at both room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature. The distribution of the impurities along the radial direction was measured with a Hall Effect System. The results show that the carrier concentration in some crystals grown in a hydrogen atmosphere has an impurity level of about 10 10 /cm 3 , which meets the requirements of detector-grade crystals.
A Computerized System for the Classification of Developmental, Learning, and Adjustment Disorders in School Children

applies series of statistical decision rules for the differential diagnosis and classification of mental retardation, academic under- and overachievement, social maladjustment, learning disabilities, and other problems found in school-age children. AMONG the more critical applications of educational and psychological measurement, are those associated with diagnosis and classification of child psychopathology. Useful preventative and remedial services are dependent upon the accuracy of diagnostic decision-making activities by psychologists and other specialists. Yet contemporary research demonstrates that reasonable consistency and agreement among diagnosticians is more a figment than a fact in child clinical (Achenbach and Edelbrock, 1978) and school psychological practice (McDermott, 1980a). This circumstance poses a serious threat inasmuch as low levels of diagnostic consistency and reliability place a ceiling on the ultimate validity and utility of psychological services. Some significant advances have been made in the search for diagnostic reliability through the development of computerized diagnostic decision-making routines. Most notable among these systems are computer Programs DIAGNO II and DIAGNO III (Spitzer and Endicott, 1974) designed to assist psychiatrists in the identification of mental disorders in adults. Such systems apply rules drawn from modern decision theory and systems analysis and commonly produce diagnoses which are closely in line with accepted international standards and which are reasonably consistent both within and among diagnosticians. Similar systems, however, have not until now been made
An adjustable permanent magnet focussing system for heavy ion beams

A system of permanent-magnet quadrupoles and dipoles is described for transporting a heavy ion beam of the Laboratory's K800 superconducting cyclotrons from the extraction system exit, through the return yoke, to the beginning of the external beamline. After a brief summary of the beam line layout, the authors discuss tests carried out on six candidate materials (Sm/sub 1/Co/sub 5/, Sm/sub 2/Co/sub 17/, NdFeB, and three types of NdFeB with various additives used to increase the coercivity) that resulted in the choice of SmCo permanent magnet material. The beam optics utilize adjustable quadrupoles and dipoles constructed from rings of permanent magnet material. To adjust the strength, the rings are rotated about the beam axis in opposite directions. Ray-tracing calculation results confirm the absence of x and y phase space mixing. >
Causality and Temporal Order in Macroeconomics or Why Even Economists Don't Know How to Get Causes from Probabilities*

Causality and Temporal Order in Macroeconomics or Why Even Economists Don't Know How to Get Causes from Probabilities Author(s): Kevin D. Hoover Source: The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, Vol. 44, No. 4 (Dec., 1993), pp. 693710 Published by: Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Society for the Philosophy of Science Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/688039 Accessed: 28/02/2010 23:46
Pre-Paleozoic Sediments and Their Significance for Organic Geochemistry

All valid inferences about the history of the earth derive from or take into account information obtained by various means from the different rocks or rock-successions that make up the geologic record (including meteorites). The materials of organic geochemistry also are found within these rocks. Such materials are significant only insofar as they are interpreted in the context of the local succession and total geologic record. Substances of interest to the organic geochemist, however, are mostly confined to sedimentary rocks and the following discussion will be limited to pre-Paleozoic (or “ Precambrian ” ) sedimentary rocks — referred to as “sediments”.
The validity of the stimulated retrospective think-aloud method as measured by eye tracking

Retrospective Think aloud (RTA) is a usability method that collects the verbalization of a user's performance after the performance is over. There has been little work done to investigate the validity and reliability of RTA. This paper reports on an experiment investigating these issues with a form of the method called stimulated RTA. By comparing subjects' verbalizations with their eye movements, we support the validity and reliability of stimulated RTA: the method provides a valid account of what people attended to in completing tasks, it has a low risk of introducing fabrications, and its validity isn't affected by task complexity. More detailed analysis of RTA shows that it also provides additional information about user's inferences and strategies in completing tasks. The findings of this study provide valuable support for usability practitioners to use RTA and to trust the users' performance information collected by this method in a usability study.
The Genus Streptococcus Part II: New Species and Pathogens in the "Miscellaneous" Streptococci and "Viridans" Streptococci Groups

In the second part of this two-part series on an update on the streptococci, new species and emergent human pathogens in the “viridans streptococci” and the “miscellaneous streptococci” groups are discussed. Among the “miscellaneous streptococci,” the most important organism in human infectious diseases is Streptococcus suis. This organism is primarily an agent of disease in swine and other animals and has now emerged as a significant human pathogen, causing bacteremia and meningitis, particularly among populations in Asia and the Far East. While S. suis capsular serotype 2 is the most frequently isolated agent, infections caused by other serotypes are increasingly being reported. In addition, disease caused by S. suis is now being described more frequently in North America in individuals with significant occupational exposure to swine. Among the viridans streptococci, several new species in the mitis-sanguinis group have been described as human pathogens, including Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae, Streptococcus oligofermentans, and Streptococcus tigurinus. Other newly reported viridans group species either comprise part of the human oral microbiome or have been isolated from animals. This article presents information on these bacterial agents, including characteristics for the recognition and identification of the more important clinical isolates in these streptococcal groups.
Design and implementation of a robot power supply system

Mobile robots often rely on a battery system as their main source of power. These systems typically produce a single voltage level, yet the robot subsystems may require a variety of voltage levels. Thus, a robot power supply must be designed to provide the subsystems with all of the necessary voltage and power demands. Student design work has progressed on a multifunctional robot project at Elizabethtown College. Current work has been focused on the design and fabrication of the robot power supply system. Since the main power source for the robot is a DC battery system, the power supply will consist of a combination of switched mode DC power converters. Choosing from the wide variety of existing DC converter topologies requires proper design consideration for the system voltage levels, component voltage ripple requirements, and overall converter efficiency. The main DC battery system also powers the drive motors, thus, voltage isolation and filtering is desirable for the robot's computer subsystems. A flyback converter topology is utilized to supply voltage isolation and regulation while subsequent buck converters are used to meet the remaining voltage requirements. This paper provides design and fabrication details on the buck converters used in the power supply system. The design meets the present robot subsystem requirements and allows for future project expansion, while the converter's efficiency maximizes the overall operating time for the robot. Experimental results show the converter efficiency and voltage ripple at rated load. A discussion of lessons learned provides insight into the need for proper component selection and placement, printed circuit board fabrication, and ensuring a proper ground plane for successful implementation of a switched mode DC power converter.
New knockout model confirms a role for androgen receptors in regulating anxiety-like behaviors and HPA response in mice

Men are less likely than women to suffer from anxiety disorders. Because gonadal hormones play a crucial role in many behavioral sex differences, they may underlie sex differences in human anxiety. In rodents, testosterone (T) exerts anxiolytic effects via the androgen receptor (AR): we found that male mice with a naturally-occurring mutation rendering the AR dysfunctional, referred to as spontaneous testicular feminization mutation (sTfm), showed more anxiety-like behaviors than wildtype (WT) males. Here, we used Cre-lox recombination technology to create another dysfunctional allele for AR. These induced Tfm (iTfm) animals also displayed more anxiety-like behaviors than WTs. We further found that AR-modulation of these behaviors interacts with circadian phase. When tested in the resting phase, iTfms appeared more anxious than WTs in the open field, novel object and elevated plus maze tests, but not the light/dark box. However, when tested during the active phase (lights off), iTfms showed more anxiety-related behavior than WTs in all four tests. Finally, we confirmed a role of T acting via AR in regulating HPA axis activity, as WT males with T showed a lower baseline and overall corticosterone response, and a faster return to baseline following mild stress than did WT males without T or iTfms. These findings demonstrate that this recombined AR allele is a valuable model for studying androgenic modulation of anxiety, that the anxiolytic effects of AR in mice are more prominent in the active phase, and that HPA axis modulation by T is AR dependent.
Application of stable isotope analysis to study temporal changes in foraging ecology in a highly endangered amphibian.

This work was generously funded by a Sigma Xi Grant-In-Aid of Research (http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/giar/ind​ex.shtml), a Howard McCarley Student Research Award from the Southwestern Association of Naturalists (http://biosurvey.ou.edu/swan/stuaeng.htm​#_HOWARD_MCCARLEY), a grant from the Barton Springs Salamander Conservation Fund (administered by the City of Austin and Austin Community Foundation; http://www.austincommunityfoundation.org​/?nd=news#Salamander) and grants from the Zoology Scholarship Endowment for Excellence, Dorothea Bennett Memorial Graduate Fellowship and Terrell H. Hamilton Endowed Graduate Fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin (http://www.biosci.utexas.edu/graduate/ee​b/current.aspx). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Uterine Corpus Cancers

Worldwide, cancers of the uterine corpus are the sixth most common cancer in women, with over 218,100 new cases diagnosed each year. Uterine cancer is ten times more common in developed countries and is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract in North America and Europe. In the USA and Europe, it is the fourth overall most common cancer diagnosed in women and the eighth most likely cause of cancer death (Jemal et al., CA Cancer J Clin 61(2):69–90, 2011). It is estimated that 49,560 US women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2013 (age-adjusted incidence rate 24.5/100,000) and 8,190 will die (SEER, Stat Fact Sheets 1–10, 2013).
Interrelationship between Fatty Acid Oxidation and Gluconeogenesis from Pyruvate

1 Both glucagon (93 nM) and N6, O2′-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-phosphate (Bu2Ado-3′:5′-P) (10 μM) stimulated gluconeogenesis from pyruvate to the extent of 35% in the perfused liver from fasted rats. Under these conditions, all of the pyruvate disappearance could be accounted for in lactate and glucose. When livers were perfused with pyruvate only, a portion of the pyruvate metabolized was unaccounted for, and presumably oxidized. 2 Bu2Ado-3′:5′-P, even in the presence of glycodiazine, stimulated gluconeogenesis from pyruvate and lowered the ratio of C3 uptake to glucose ratio, suggesting a “sparing effect” on pyruvate oxidation. 3 (+)-Decanoylcarnitine (0.5 mM) blocked a significant portion of the stimulation of gluconeogenesis by glucagon (93 nM). Other parameters of pyruvate metabolism were unaltered by the carnitine ester in the presence of glucagon. In contrast, Bu2Ado-3′:5′-P (10 μM) in the presence of (+)-decanoylcarnitine significantly increased glucose formation in comparison to livers perfused only with the carnitine derivative. 4 Pentenoic acid (1.0 mM) resulted in a 50% inhibition of gluconeogenesis, a lowered pyruvate disappearance and an increase of pyruvate unaccounted for and presumably oxidized. Livers perfused with 4-pentenoic acid in addition to glucagon exhibited a marked suppression of gluconeogenesis, a decreased conversion of pyruvate to lactate and a lowered pyruvate disappearance rate. 5 Livers perfused with Bu2Ado-3′:5′-P (10 μM) in addition to 4-pentenoic acid, when compared to livers perfused with 4-pentenoic acid, exhibited a significantly increased rate of gluconeogenesis. Bu2-Ado-3′:5′-P exerted a “sparing effect” on pyruvate carbon even in the presence of 4-pentenoic acid.
An Asymptotic Expansion For The Inspection Paradox

Suppose that there are n families with children attending a certain school and that the number of children in these families are independent and identically distributed random variables, each with probability mass function P{X = j} = pj, j ≥ 1, with finite mean m = ∑j≥1 jpj. If a child is selected at random from the school and XI is the number of children in the family to which the child belongs, it is known that limn→∞ P{XI = j} = jpj /m,j ≥ 1. Here, asymptotic expansions for P{XI = j} are developed under the condition E|X|3 < ∞.
Construction of tectonic subsidence curves for the early Paleozoic miogeocline, southern Canadian Rocky Mountains: Implications for subsidence mechanisms, age of breakup, and crustal thinning

A quantitative procedure has been developed for calculating tectonic subsidence in fully lithified strata and has been applied to stratigraphic sections in the early Paleozoic miogeocline of the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. The results indicate that tectonic subsidence along the inner edge of the miogeocline was controlled mainly by thermal contraction of heated lithosphere. Comparison of a palinspastically restored cross section of the inner part of the miogeocline with a cross section constructed from a two-dimensional stretching model suggests that thinned continental crust was present beneath the inner miogeocline. These results support the passive-margin model that has been proposed for the miogeocline. The extensive transgression onto the craton east of the miogeocline in Cambrian time, however, cannot be explained by subsidence processes operating within a passive margin, and the transgression could be evidence for a eustatic rise of sea level. The form of the tectonic subsidence curves strongly implies that cooling of the heated lithosphere, which was initiated at the time of breakup, could not have begun earlier than the latest Precambrian or earliest Cambrian (555 Ma to 600 Ma). Ages of 800 Ma to 900 Ma that have been assumed previously for rifting in the miogeocline are too old to have led directly to continental breakup. Scattered occurrences of mafic volcanics interlayered with arkosic sediments have been reported in the latest Precambrian to earliest Cambrian Hamill Group exposed in the middle to outer part of the miogeocline. These deposits may record the phase of rifting that immediately preceded formation of the proto-Pacific margin in the southern Canadian Rockies.
The Seismic Response of a 1:3 Scale Model R.C. Structure with Elastomeric Spring Dampers

Abstract In this experimental study, elastomeric spring dampers, which have a distinct re‐centering characteristic, are used to retrofit a non‐ductile, previously damaged 1/3 scale model reinforced concrete building frame structure which is subjected to a variety of ground motions in shaking table tests. A velocity dependent analytical model is developed and verified for the elastomeric spring dampers. This model is implemented in the widely available non‐linear dynamic time history analysis computer program DRAIN‐2DX to produce response predictions which are in good agreement with experimental observations. The elastomeric spring damper devices significantly attenuate the seismic response of the structure and provide a considerable amount of energy dissipation while the main non‐ductile reinforced concrete structural load carrying elements remain elastic. The effect of varying the damper configuration on the structural response was also investigated.
A self-assembled 3D microelectrode array

Recording a neural ensemble has been an extremely successful experimental paradigm allowing real-time interpretation of neural codes as well as the detection of dynamic changes within a process. In recent years, microfabricated electrodes have attracted a great deal of attention for recording neural ensembles with superior resolution and spatial density. A 3D microfabricated electrode is particularly attractive since it yields enhanced performance with regard to spike sorting and single unit detection. In this paper, we describe a self-assembly process for fabricating 3D microelectrode arrays in silicon. The electrode array is composed of four silicon shanks (200 µm wide, 4 mm long and 30 µm thick) with polyimide-filled V-groove joints at the back end and four 20 × 20 µm2 recording sites (200 µm separation) at the tip. The shanks automatically fold to a vertical configuration upon proper heat treatment, hence creating a 3D configuration without the need for any manual assembly. Impedance and electrical test-signal measurements were used to verify the electrode functionality after the folding process.
An Analysis of Macrostome Production in Tetrahymena vorax Strain V2S-Type†

SYNOPSIS. Tetrahymena vorax is a small polymorphic holotrichous ciliate capable of transforming to macrostomes when microstomes are washed and suspended with prey in distilled water. Extrinsic factors having an effect on this transformation were examined; maximum yields of macrostomes (in excess of 90%) were obtained under the following conditions: populations of both prey, T. pyriformis, and potential predator, T. vorax microstomes, were grown on Loefer's medium for 48 hours prior to washing in distilled water. The density of the prey was adjusted to 300,000 cells/ml and the predator density to 2,000–3,000 cells/ml. Five ml of prey suspension and 5 ml of T. vorax microstome suspension were mixed together in a large petri dish because a high surface-volume ratio is important for high yields of macrostomes. The pH was adjusted to 6.0 and the petri dish was placed at 20 C for 12 hr. Macrostomes then appeared about 6 hr after addition of the prey. A dialyzable, heat stable substance released by the prey which can induce the microstome-macrostome transformation was isolated. This material was effective after being stored for weeks in the cold; its activity was not affected by the protein digesting enzymes pepsin or trypsin. This factor was called stomatin because its first visible effect in producing microstome-macrostome transformation appeared to be to incite reorganization of the oral structures.
Cocaine-Induced Psychotic Disorders: Presentation, Mechanism, and Management

Cocaine, the third mostly commonly used illicit drug in the United States, has a wide range of neuropsychiatric effects, including transient psychotic symptoms. When psychotic symptoms occur within a month of cocaine intoxication or withdrawal, the diagnosis is cocaine-induced psychotic disorder (CIPD). Current evidence suggests those with CIPD are likely to be male, have longer severity and duration of cocaine use, use intravenous cocaine, and have a lower body mass index. Differentiating CIPD from a primary psychotic disorder requires a detailed history of psychotic symptoms in relation to substance use and often a longitudinal assessment. Treatment includes providing a safe environment, managing agitation and psychosis, and addressing the underlying substance use disorder. This review begins with a clinical case and summarizes the literature on CIPD, including clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, mechanism and predictors of illness, and treatment.
Supporting the analysis of automation and operator problem solving in discrete manufacturing systems

With the increase in the levels of automation and computerization in manufacturing systems, the role of people in the operation and control of such systems is altered. Supporting the functions of operators in predominantly automated manufacturing systems typically involves modeling the features of both the automation and associated problem solving. We are developing a computational architecture based on both the domain analysis of manufacturing automation and task analysis of operator troubleshooting through field studies in operational facilities. This paper presents the background of the research, describes the architecture, and discusses the advantages of the computational environment for manufacturing systems performance analyses and for operator decision aiding. >
Clinical Ethics Consulting and Conflict of Interest: Structurally Intertwined

Clinical ethical consultants are subject to an unavoidable conflict of interest. Their work requires that they be independent, but incentives attached to their role chip relentlessly at independence. This that they be independent, is a problem without any solution, but it can at least be ameliorated through careful management.
Effects of Failure on Phased-Array Radar Systems

Modern phased-array radars are usually complex systems containing many hundreds or thousands of individual controllable, electronically steered, radiating and receiving elements. The usual definitions of system failure or success are given in terms of a discrete threshold of acceptability for a minimum number of operable elements out of the total simultaneously available. The availability, or readiness, of the phased-array radar system must be examined in a different light in order to account for at least the two following effects which are not normally present in conventional systems: 1) the treatment of the outage threshold on probabilistic grounds in order to include the effects of various physical geometries of operable elements in the antenna array for given levels of outage. 2) the branched dependency of a part of the system on other parts, creating a ``tree'' relationship between failures at different functional echelons. A definition of availability in terms of performance as well as outage is sought, and consideration is given to the problems of keeping phased-array radars continually available in spite of outages. Analytic treatment of these factors is employed wherever possible in modeling a general phased-array radar with reasonable constraints.
CF-18 PATS-ATE on the move

The portable adaptive test set (PATS) makes it possible to increase the availability of aircraft in forward areas while enhancing technician efficiency. PATS is a transportable test system equivalent to Harris/GSSD's ATS (V)1 and emulates the radar test set testing of the APG/65 radar and electronic warfare testing done by the RF/ATMSS. PATS utilizes the latest technologies, including VXI instrument on a card (IOAC), portable maintenance aid, lightweight material, and the Unix operating system. >
Culture of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis from the blood of patients with Crohn's disease

Findings MAP DNA in uncultured buffy coats was identified by PCR in 13 (46%) individuals with Crohn’s disease, four (45%) with ulcerative colitis, and three (20%) without inflammatory bowel disease. Viable MAP was cultured from the blood of 14 (50%) patients with Crohn’s disease, two (22%) with ulcerative colitis, and none of the individuals without inflammatory bowel disease. Current use of immunosuppressive medication did not correlate with a positive MAP culture. Sequencing of PCR products from MAP cultures confirmed the presence of the MAPspecific IS900 fragment. Among 11 MAP isolates assessed, we identified nine strains that were not identical. Interpretation We detected viable MAP in peripheral blood in a higher proportion of individuals with Crohn’s disease than in controls. These data contribute to the evidence that MAP might be a cause of Crohn’s disease.
Impact of acute care surgery on biliary disease.

Background We introduced an acute care surgery (ACS) service in July 2007 to address all new consults. This study examines the impact on treatment of biliary disease. Study Design A retrospective review was done of a prospective database of all inpatient operative biliary disease treated in a tertiary care hospital 1 year before and 2 years after implementation of an ACS service. Data collected included diagnosis, time from admission to operation, time of operation, length of stay, comorbidities, and complications. Results There were 54 patients in the pre-ACS group and 132 in the post-ACS group, with no difference in percentage of females, comorbidities, and diagnosis. The post-ACS group had a trend toward a shorter time from consult to operating room (59.9 vs 68.7 hours, p=0.45) and shorter hospital length of stay (5.5 vs 6.7 days, p=0.27). In the acute cholecystitis post-ACS cohort, there was also a trend toward shorter time to operating room (39.8 vs 45.5 hours, p=0.55) and shorter length of stay (4.6 vs 5.7 days, p=0.39). The second year of ACS showed continued improvement in time to operating room (30.9 hours) compared with both pre-ACS and the first year of ACS. There was no significant difference in laparoscopic versus open surgery or complications between the groups. Conclusions There is a trend toward improvement in timeliness of care for complex inpatient biliary disease with implementation of an ACS service, especially as the service matures. There remains wide variability in patient complexity, which affects timeliness of care.
The Modes of Specific Binding of Ions to Polyelectrolytes

The contributions to this Advanced Study Institute on Charged and Reactive Polymers represented three different points of view of the same scientific subject. Some authors were concerned with solutions of polymers as whole entities, as for example the density of these solutions as reflecting the electrostriction of solvent by the polymer. A second group of authors was concerned with polymers per se, as with their general thermodynamic and dynamic properties as influenced by general considerations of ionic strength, etc., as with the configurational entropy entity of polymers. The third group of authors was not concerned with polymer systems as a whole but rather with a highly localized phenomenon, their binding to ions in solution, with a primary concern on the nature and extent of these bindings reactions.
EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF GULL-BILLED TERNS ON NEST SITE CHOICE OF BLACK SKIMMERS

Abstract The hypothesis that members of one species might benefit from nesting with heterospecifics has been proposed to explain the existence of mixed-species breeding colonies. Black Skimmers (Rhynchops niger) usually nest in close association with one of several tern species (Sterna spp.); benefits of this association might lead skimmers to use different nesting substrates than terns, thus facilitating coexistence. Manipulating availability of substrates, we found that skimmers exclusively nested on substrates normally occupied by terns, indicating that habitat partitioning detected in previous studies was not a result of species-specific preferences. Using arrays of tern, skimmer, and control decoys, we found that skimmers nested more often with conspecifics than with terns. Our results suggest that the tendency of skimmers to nest in association with terns, but on different substrates, may be more influenced by nesting sequence than from a preference to nest near terns. Estimacion Experimental de la ...
The spectrum of religion and science in clinical encounters.

Comment on: Child abuse: how society and careproviders should respond.Howe EG. J Clin Ethics. 2008 Winter; 19(4):307-15. Language: en
Thinking in 4D: Preserving and Sharing Mental Context Across Time

Creative activities are frequently interrupted, making it difficult to maintain complex trains of thought. This paper presents a preliminary study of the knowledge, artifacts, and strategies programmers, writers, and graphic design-ers use to preserve and restore mental context across time. Our findings inform the design of resumption aids that might help people share mental context both with their future selves and collaborators.