cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystallization Kinetics of Poly(ethylene oxide) in Confined Nanolayers

A new approach for imposing long-range, defect-free confinement was used to study the crystallization kinetics of ultrathin polymer layers. Layer multiplying coextrusion was utilized to create films in which hundreds or thousands of continuous microlayers or nanolayers of a crystallizable polymer were separated by layers of a rigid confining polymer. Even in confined layers as thin as a single lamella, isothermal crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide) followed the conventional habit whereby chains folded back and forth in the crystal with a common fold surface free energy and fold length. However, the crystallization rate was substantially suppressed even when the layer thickness was tens of micrometers, a thickness scale where the well-known substrate effect must have been negligible. The crystallization kinetics was modeled by considering the effect of truncation when the growing spherulite encountered the interface. Although crystallization was dramatically retarded as the layers became thinner, the A...
The relative effects of different systemic immunosuppressives on skin cancer development in organ transplant patients

The immunosuppressive medications used in organ transplant recipients (OTRs) to prevent allograft rejection are associated with an increased incidence of skin cancer in this population. Several classes of immunosuppressive agents exist, and the selection of which medication to use varies by organ type and with time. The tumorigenic potential and relative effects of different immunosuppressive medications on skin cancer risk have been studied. This article reviewed the history of the immunosuppressive agents and their mechanisms of action. A summary of the current literature on the relationship between skin cancer and the different immunosuppressives were included. Guidelines for management of OTRs in dermatologic practice were discussed.
Local-moment nonparametric density estimation of pre-binned data

Data-driven research is often hampered by privacy restrictions in the form of limited data sets or graphical representations without the benefit of raw data. Nonparametric techniques that circumvent these issues by using local moment information, thereby extending the piecewise-polynomial histograms, are developed. These methods utilize not only binned data counts, but also their conditional moments in order to better estimate the underlying density of the data. A particular polynomial spline density estimator can be found via penalized least-squares optimization with a roughness penalty. Two issues exist in regards to the original algorithm: (1) local moments for empty bins are undefined and (2) all moment information is treated equally, despite the fact that lower-order moments are more accurate than higher-order moments. Solutions to both issues are provided by using unconditional moments and incorporating a weight matrix into the optimization problem.
Property Rights, Democracy and Economic Growth:

In attempting to identify institutional factors that influence a nation's per capita growth rate, scholarship in political science has focused almost ex clusively on differences in political regimes. This article argues that if we are interested in understanding why some nations grow faster than others, then we must redirect our inquiry and focus on property rights. Using new measures for property rights protection and democracy, and building on an endogenous growth model, this study presents the first approximation of the relationship between property rights, democracy, and economic growth. These relationships are tested using cross-national panel data from 1960-90. The evidence supports two conclusions: (1) economies of na tions that protect property rights grow more rapidly than those of nations that do not protect property rights; and (2) the nature of a political regime influences economic growth indirectly through its commitment to prop erty rights.
Extreme disagreement and the expression of attitudinal freedom

Psychological reactance theory suggests that a persuasive message which is perceived as a threat to a receiver's attitudinal freedom will produce attitude change away from the recommended position. Prior research has demonstrated that the boomerang effect is prominent particularly among receivers in extreme disagreement with a persuasive message. This experiment focused on the extreme opponent and explored a method of attenuating the boomerang effect. Some subjects were given the opportunity to argue in support of their initial opinions prior to exposure to a threatening message, while others were not afforded this opportunity. It was assumed that prior bolstering would amount to an exercise of the opinion freedom to be threatened by the forthcoming message, and thereby eliminate the otherwise expected negative effects. Results strongly supported this assumption. The threat variable reduced persuasivness only among subjects who did not bolster their initial opinions. In contrast, no boomerang effect was o...
Use of blood products in sepsis: an evidence-based review.

Objective:In 2003, critical care and infectious disease experts representing 11 international organizations developed management guidelines for the use of blood products in sepsis that would be of practical use for the bedside clinician, under the auspices of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, an intern
Current knowledge of Venus

As an introduction to the remaining papers in this issue, a summary is given of our current knowledge of Venus, with emphasis on recent progress and on the contributions to be expected from the Pioneer Venus missions. Headings are surface and interior, clouds and lower atmosphere, dynamics and thermal structure, neutral upper atmosphere, and ionosphere and solar-wind cavity.
Selective disruption of the mammalian secretory apparatus enhances or eliminates calcium current modulation in nerve endings

Modulation of secretion via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) serves an important regulatory function in neuronal and nonneuronal secretory cells. Most secretory cells possess voltage-gated calcium channels, share homologues of the core complex of three proteins (the SNAREs) that constitute the secretory apparatus, and are modulated by GPCR activation. Activators of GPCRs generally inhibit the release of neurotransmitter substances to a maximum of only 50–60% of the control level, suggesting that complex protein–protein interactions may govern the efficacy of this form of modulation. In this article, molecular genetic approaches are used in combination with botulinum toxins (selective molecular scalpels that cleave the SNAREs at highly restricted loci) to address this issue. The results suggest that the cleavage of either of the plasma membrane SNAREs (syntaxin or SNAP-25) prevents modulation of calcium currents by A1 adenosine receptors at mammalian motor nerve endings. In contrast, cleavage of the synaptic vesicle SNARE (synaptobrevin) in conjunction with deletion of the vesicle-docking protein Rab3A greatly enhances the efficacy of calcium current modulation.
Nanostructures for high-efficiency photovoltaics

Photovoltaics (PV) technology is currently enjoying substantial growth and investment, owing to worldwide sensitivity to energy security and the importance of renewable energy as a means to mitigate carbon emissions. There are many options in photovoltaic cell design and fabrication, but the key performance metric is the cost per Watt of PV-generated electricity. While solar cells are semiconductor devices like integrated circuits, the processing cost/area must be several orders of magnitude less expensive than for microelectronic integrated circuit chip processing. Thus while most current solar cell manufacturing is done with crystalline silicon wafers, the future of photovoltaics could see the large-scale development of inexpensive thin film and nano-structured devices and processes. To achieve substantial market growth to the point where photovoltaics is able to seriously contribute to the overall energy supply, high solar conversion efficiency will be critical, as will be the use of earth-abundant materials in thin film cells. This paper surveys several promising new approaches to ultrahigh efficiency thin film multi-junction solar cells, options for earth-abundant materials, semiconductor nanowire-based solar cells and plasmonic structures for enhanced light absorption that open up new design approaches to very thin photovoltaic devices.
Genetic heterogeneity among adult and recruit red sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus

Allozyme electrophoresis was used to characterize genetic variation within and among natural populations of the red sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus. In 1995 to 1996, adult urchins were sampled from twelve geographically separated populations, seven from northern California and five from southern California (including Santa Rosa Island). Significant population heterogeneity in allelic frequencies was observed at five of six polymorphic loci. No geographic pattern of differentiation was evident; neighboring populations were often more genetically differentiated than distant populations. Northern and southern populations were not consistently distinguishable at any of the six loci. In order to assess within-population genetic variation and patterns of recruitment, large samples were collected from several northern California populations in 1996 and 1997, and were divided into three size classes, roughly representing large adults (>60 mm), medium-sized individuals (31 to 60 mm, “subadults”) and individuals <2 yr of age (≤30 mm test diam, referred to as “recruits”). Comparisons of allelic counts revealed significant spatial and temporal differentiation among size-stratified population samples. Recruit samples differed significantly from adult samples collected at the same locale, and showed extensive between-year variation. Genetic differentiation among recruit samples was much higher in 1997 than in 1996. Between-year differences within populations were always greater for recruits than for adults. Potential explanations for the differentiation of recruit samples include pre- and post-settlement natural selection and high interfamily variance in reproductive success or “sweepstakes” recruitment. Unless recruit differentiation can be attributed to an improbable combination of strong and spatially diverse selection, such differentiation across northern California populations indicates that the larval pool is not well mixed geographically (even on spatial scales <20 km), despite long planktonic larval duration.
Sensitivity analysis and model optimization for reaction-diffusion systems

This paper presents a computational framework for the optimization and sensitivity analysis of a process whose state depends upon several parameter functions. Assuming that the process is described by a system of quasilinear, parabolic, partial differential equations, we show how determining the problem parameters so as to improve an associated objective functional is directly related to knowing the state function sensitivities. An expression for the gradient of the objective functional in terms of the solutions of an adjoint system enables one to bypass the calculation of state function sensitivities. These concepts are illustrated for a simple model of cooperative processes in chemical kinetics. Since sensitivity analysis and model optimization are important tools for investigating parameter dependence and validating mathematical models, research developments in such diverse fields as optimal design theory, chemical kinetics, and parameter identification are important motivations for this paper.
In vitro cytotoxicity and antiviral efficacy against feline herpesvirus type 1 of famciclovir and its metabolites

Author(s): Groth, Allyson D; Contreras, Marcos T; Kado-Fong, Helen K; Nguyen, Kyvan Q; Thomasy, Sara M; Maggs, David J | Abstract: ObjectivesTo assess in vitro the antiviral efficacy against feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and cytotoxicity for cultured feline cells of famciclovir and its metabolites, BRL 42359 and penciclovir. To investigate the effect of timing of penciclovir application on in vitro antiviral activity.ProceduresPlaque reduction assays were used to estimate antiviral efficacy of all compounds and the effect of penciclovir exposure before or after exposure to a FHV-1 field isolate. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by assessing cell morphology and viable cell number for 72 h following exposure to each compound.ResultsThe penciclovir concentration that inhibited FHV-1-induced plaque formation by 50% (IC50 ) was 0.86 μg/mL (3.4 μm). Famciclovir and BRL 42359 had no antiviral effect against FHV-1 at any concentration assessed. Antiviral activity was significantly enhanced when cells were exposed to 4 μm penciclovir (approximate IC50 ) for 1 h but not for 24 h before viral adsorption. Delaying exposure of cells to penciclovir for 1, 2, or 4 h after viral adsorption significantly enhanced antiviral activity. Relative to untreated control wells, g88% of cells remained viable when exposed to famciclovir (100 μm), BRL 42359 (1.06 mm), or penciclovir (40 μm) for 72 h. No morphologic evidence of cytotoxicity was noted.ConclusionsPenciclovir demonstrates potent antiviral activity against FHV-1 and may be effective at lower tissue, tear, and plasma concentrations than previously targeted. The duration of in vitro antiviral effect of penciclovir suggests that frequent famciclovir administration may be necessary in vivo. Famciclovir and BRL 42359 showed no signs of in vitro cytotoxicity.
Combining organic petrography and palynology to assess anthropogenic impacts on peatlands: Part 1. An example from the northern Everglades of Florida

Abstract Wetland peat deposits can be excellent archives of past changes in the depositional and ecological conditions under which they formed. Part of the story of these changes can be obtained from analysis of the palynomorphs preserved in these deposits; however, a more meaningful reconstruction can be achieved by combining organic petrography with palynology. An example of this approach is presented from a study of three sites in the northern Everglades of Florida. The primary purpose of this study was to test these combined methods for their utility in distinguishing between long-term, natural successions and recent, anthropogenically-derived disruptions of the ecosystem (such as diversions of drainage and introductions of contaminants from human sources). The combined palyno-petrographic method (supported by 137 Cs and 210 Pb dating) was able to establish with some certainty the first appearance of contaminant-driven plant types (such as cattails and duckweeds) into the region, with the organic petrography being more accurate in determining the actual presence of invading plants at a particular site and the palynologic analysis providing a broader picture of regional changes in the ecosystem (such as the direction of the plant invasion). The distribution of petrographic pyrite in these freshwater peats provided an additional new piece of evidence for contamination from the agricultural lands and also supported other evidence relative to the direction of contaminant infusion into the region. Additionally, the occurrence of significant quantities of pyrite at all three sites suggests that, in fact, none of these sites can be said to be totally unaffected by anthropogenic contamination. Longer hydroperiods were generally indicated by both methods for all sites before the early 1900s, confirming persistently wetter conditions in the Everglades prior to manmade changes in drainage. More specific paleohydrologic conditions could also be elucidated by this combined method, with all three sites displaying significant differences in hydrologic histories. Additionally, one of the sites is hypothesized to have been, until recently, in the center of a surface–water flow pathway, as indicated by the continuous presence at this site of deeper water aquatics (such as water lilies) and the smaller number of zones containing algal-derived carbonates and/or other petrographic indicators of oxidation or bioturbation.
Behavior of male rats copulating with tethered females

Male Long Evans rats copulating with tethered females periodically enter the female's compartment, copulate several times, and exit after one to several mount bouts. The interval between each exit and the next return depends on whether the last event of the preceding visit was a mount, an intromission, or an ejaculation. The results indicate that when the female's behavior is controlled, the male's pattern of ending mount bouts is embedded in a larger pattern of changes in his proximity to her.
Topological properties of full groups

We study full groups of countable, measure-preserving equivalence relations. Our main results include that they are all homeomorphic to the separable Hilbert space and that every homomorphism from an ergodic full group to a separable group is continuous. We also find bounds for the minimal number of topological generators (elements generating a dense subgroup) of full groups allowing us to distinguish between full groups of equivalence relations generated by free, ergodic actions of the free groups Fm and Fn if m and n are sufficiently far apart. We also show that an ergodic equivalence relation is generated by an action of a finitely generated group if an only if its full group is topologically finitely generated.
A Different Method of Preparing Scientific and Technical Material

The author suggests that scientific and technical material be written at five successive levels of abstraction rather than the two normally employed (the full report and the abstract). Of these five levels, only the higher three would normally be published. The two lowest levels, comprising an author's extensional, first-person statement, and a complete, formal report, would be printed separately and mailed to readers at their request. Such a system would be more efficient than the present method of writing and publishing and have other advantages for both authors and readers.
The Quality of Helpfulness: A Research Approach

Summary.-Sociometric rating scales assessing such dimensions as empathic sensitivity, open-mindedness, trustworthiness, and helpfulness were completed by 202 subjects in 16 peer groups. On the basis of these sociornetric questionnaires, the 16 subjects cared as most helpful and least helpful (top and bottom four percent of the distribution) were selected for further study. These subjects compleced additional questionnaires and participated in a small-group. structured exercise which allowed trained judges to assess the subjects' behavior on a number of variables. The results were (a) that those subjects seen as helpful and unhelpful by members of the long-term peer groups were similarly seen as helpful and unhelpful by relative strangers indicating the identifiability and stability of helpfulness as a personal characteristic and (b) there was strong agreement between sociometric ratings of personality dimensions and judgerated behavioral assessments of the same dimensions indicating the validity of peer perceptions. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the training and selection of professional helpers and in terms of their methodological significance. Social psychologists have extensively investigated whether a bystander will help or not help a stranger in distress, i.e., the quantity of helpfulness (Latane 8r Darley, 1970). Much less is known about the quality of helpfulness, i.e., once a person has decided to help another, what characterizes that help as either growth promoting or retarding (Shulman, 1976). With growing numbers of professionals and paraprofessionals entering the helping fields and the ever increasing public pressure to credentialize helpers manifested by developments such as state licensing statutes, competency certification, etc., helpfulness as a personal characteristic assumes the status of a dimension of importance to study. There is an extensive body of literature which attempts to differentiate effective from ineffective professional helpers. This literature contains contradictory conclusions (Shulman, 1976). A further review of the topic of helpfulness shows that little research in the psychology journals has focused on the characteristic of helpfulness as it is found to differing degrees in aU people and in all human relationships. This paper reports data from a srudy in which the quality of helpfulness within peer relationships was investigated.
Work Disability Before and After Total Hip Arthroplasty

We evaluated the impact of total hip arthroplasty (THA) on work disability among working age persons. Just over one-third of those totally work disabled prior to THA were working at 1 or at 4 years after surgery. A significant long-term decrease in work disability after surgery was demonstrated by estimating disability prevented by THA, but the decrease was less than suggested by the literature. Preoperative work status and the number of painful joints were significant predictors of return to work.
Real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry study of theelectrochemical deposition of polypyrrole thin films

The first real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry study of an electropolymerizationprocess is reported. The deposition of nitrate-doped polypyrrole on gold from an aqueous solution of KNO3 has been characterized. Ellipsometric spectra, obtained as a function of time at a fixed potential, provide the bulk dielectric function from 1.5 eV to 3.3 eV and the evolution of the density and microstructure during the preparation of films up to approximately 500 A thick. The polypyrrole dielectric function obtained at 0.6 V (with respect to a saturated calomel electrode), on harmonic oscillator analysis, reveals an interband electronic transition at 3.8 eV and band-to-defect transitions near 1.65 eV and 2.3 eV. The latter have been interpreted within conventional models of dopant-induced bipolaron states in the band gap. Dielectric functions obtained as the potential is reduced show that the relative doping level can be assessed from real-time measurements. A detailed analysis of the ellipsometric spectra vs. time during deposition at 0.6 V suggests that, in the initial 150A, the film is discontinuous, having originated from a low density of nuclei. Coalescence occurs at a roughly constant thickness of 150 A. For thicker films, the thickness increases linearly with time as the film density gradually increases.
Abstract 1802: IGF-1R inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy for small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which makes up approximately 15% of all lung cancer cases, is characterized by short responses to standard chemotherapy and a median survival duration of less than one year. New therapies are critically needed to improve the outcome for patients with this disease. Signaling through the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) leads to activation of the PI3K-AKT and MAP kinase pathways, resulting in inhibition of apoptosis and stimulation of proliferation. The IGF-1R pathway is commonly upregulated in SCLC. Recent evidence suggests that inhibition of IGF-1R may be a potential treatment strategy for many types of cancer, including SCLC. We sought to characterize the relative sensitivity of SCLC cell lines to a novel IGF-1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor, OSI-906, identify predictive biomarkers of sensitivity, and evaluate the efficacy of OSI-906 in vivo on SCLC cell line xenografts and primary patient xenografts as a single agent and in combination with etoposide. We assessed the sensitivity of a panel of 16 SCLC cell lines to OSI-906. Approximately one third of these cell lines were highly sensitive to OSI-906, with an IC 50 Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1802. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1802
An improved method for the isolation of polysomes from synchronous macroplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum.

Abstract An improved method for the isolation of polysomes from synchronous macroplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum is described. The procedure involves preincubation and homogenization of the macroplasmodia in high ionic strength media supplemented with high concentrations of Mg 2+ and ethylene glycol bis (β-aminoethyl ether) N,N′ -tetraacetic acid. The polysomes recovered from plasmodial postmitochondrial lysates or heavy particle fractions prepared in this way are sensitive to RNase and EDTA and more than 90% of the total single ribosome population is present as polysomes. The polysomes obtained could also be utilized as a beginning point for the isolation of poly(A)-containing RNA which showed a mass average sedimentation value of 18 S. The development of a satisfactory procedure for the isolation of intact polysomes and poly(A)-containing RNA from macroplasmodia should facilitate studies on mRNA metabolism and translational activity during a naturally synchronous mitotic division cycle.
Ageing, computer-based task performance, and stress: Issues and challenges

An emerging problem that encompasses both traditional ergonomic as well as macroergonomic concerns involves assessing the potential implications of computer-based tasks for older workers. An increasing older workforce and the influx of computer technology into a wide variety of work settings has motivated both a re-examination of the literature concerning ageing and work performance and research that more directly addresses the computer-interactive task domain. In this paper, we overview this literature and raise a number of crucial issues concerning potential age differences in performance and stress associated with computer-based tasks. Underlying our discussion throughout is the intention of identifying the challenges that await interested practitioners and researchers.
New NLRB rules on collective bargaining units in the health care industry

(1989). New NLRB rules on collective bargaining units in the health care industry. Journal of Legal Medicine: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 738-754.
A methodology for estimating capacity at ramp weaves based on gap acceptance and linear optimization

Abstract Freeway weaving areas are those formed when the paths of two or more traffic streams cross, i.e., when a merge area is closely followed by a diverge area, and the two are joined by an auxiliary lane. Previous research on weaving areas has mostly focused on developing methods for estimating speeds for the weaving and non-weaving traffic streams, and on determining freeway weaving level of service; there are no methods available for estimating freeway weaving capacity. The recently published Highway Capacity Manual (HCM, 2000) presents capacity values for weaving areas that are solely based on a density of 27 pc/km/ln. The objective of this study is to develop a method for estimating capacity of ramp weaves based on gap acceptance and linear optimization. The methodology provides estimates of the capacity of ramp weaves, as a function of the capacity of the equivalent basic freeway segment lane, and for given proportions of origin–destination demands within the weave. The paper presents the methodology along with results of the capacity estimation for the range of possible weaving and non-weaving flows. It also presents the results of sensitivity analyses conducted to assess the impact of the assumptions used in the methodology. Finally, the results obtained by this method are compared to the HCM (2000) capacity values.
Neoaortoiliac reconstructions using femoropopliteal veins: MDCT angiography findings

OBJECTIVE. In this article, we discuss the neoaortoiliac system procedure, a surgical procedure that uses femoropopliteal vein segments for arterial reconstructions in patients with aortofemoral prosthetic graft infections.CONCLUSION. CT angiography (CTA) is a powerful imaging tool that can be used in the follow-up of patients after this complex surgery. CTA accurately detects early and late complications that may develop after the neoaortoiliac system procedure.
Retrospective Analysis of Local Sensorimotor Deficits After Radial Artery Harvesting for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Objectives The radial artery (RA) has gained widespread acceptance as a conduit for coronary artery bypass. We analyze patient-based data to determine risk factors for long-term upper limb morbidities associated with RA harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting. Study design/methods Between April 1997 and March 2004, a total of 1030 patients underwent RA harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting for a total of 1704 harvest sites. Patients were contacted by telephone and asked to report any ongoing severe sensory and functional motor deficits for each harvest site since surgery. Retrospective chart review was performed and preoperative risk factors were evaluated. Patient-based risk factors were evaluated for development of significant long-term local sensorimotor deficits including gender, elderly age (>70 y), diabetes, smoking, and whether the RA was harvested from the dominant hand. Results Successful evaluation of 629 patients for a total of 1048 RA harvest sites was completed. The mean follow-up time was 48.3 mo (range, 2 to 86 mo). The mean age of the patients analyzed was 62.2 y. On statistical analysis, diabetics and elderly did not report significantly greater functional or sensory deficits than nondiabetics and nonelderly, respectively. There was a significantly higher incidence of sensory deficits in smokers compared with nonsmoker patients (4.2% versus 1.4%; P = 0.005) but no difference in their functional impairment was noted. Harvesting from the dominant hand did not influence the occurrence of sensory or motor functional deficits. Conclusions RA harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting can be done with minimal serious long-term upper limb morbidity in higher risk patients. Based on our findings, harvesting of the RA from the dominant hand is not contraindicated in these patients.
Structural change, marginal land and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Empirical evidence indicates that in Latin America and the Caribbean, households on less favored, or marginal, agricultural land form a “residual” pool of rural labor. Although the modern sector may be the source of dynamic growth through learning-by-doing and knowledge spillovers, patterns of labor, land and other natural resources use in the rural economy matter in the overall dynamics of structural change. The concentration of rural populations on marginal land is essentially a barometer of economy-wide development. As long as there is abundant marginal land for cultivation, they serve to absorb rural migrants, increased population, and displaced unskilled labor from elsewhere in the economy. Moreover, the economy is vulnerable to the “Dutch disease” effects of a booming primary products sector. As a consequence, productivity increases and expansion in the commercial primary production sector will cause manufacturing employment and output to contract, until complete specialization occurs. Avoiding such an outcome and combating the inherent dualism of the economy require both targeted polices for the modern sector and traditional agriculture on marginal land.
Cardiovascular Responses to Heat Stress in Chronic Heart Failure

Clinical reports have suggested that patients with heart diseases may be particularly vulnerable to heat injury. This review examines the effects of heat stress on cardiovascular and autonomic functions in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Laboratory investigations have shown that cutaneous vasodilator responses to heating are impaired in patients, whereas activation of skin sympathetic nerve activation is not attenuated in CHF as compared to controls. Attenuated cutaneous vasodilation may increase the risk of a heat related illness when CHF subjects are exposed to hyperthermic conditions.
Lead-tainted candy: A possible source of lead exposure to children

Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common preventable pediatric health problems in the United States. Well-documented past sources of lead exposures are from paint, gasoline, contaminated soils and dust, soldered cans, water pipes, pottery, jewelry, and home remedies and cosmetics. Lead has also been detected in a number of consumer products and food items such as home remedies, cosmetics, crayons, chocolates, and candy. The focus of this article is to highlight the issue of lead in imported candy as a possible source of lead exposure in children.
Pericardioesophageal Fistula Following Left Atrial Ablation Procedure

We present a case of pericardioesophageal fistula formation in a 40 year old male who 23 days after undergoing a repeat ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation developed chest pressure, chills and diaphoresis. After initial labs and tests that demonstrated no evidence for acute myocardial ischemia, the patient underwent CT angiography of the chest. The study revealed pneumopericardium and a pericardial effusion. Suspicion was raised of perforation of the posterior left atrial myocardial wall with injury to adjacent esophagus. Water soluble contrast with transition to barium sulfate esophagram subsequently performed identified a perforation further affirming the postulate of a fistulous communication between the esophagus and pericardium. Transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed pericardial effusion but did not demonstrate myocardial defect. Endoscopic management was preferred and an esophageal stent was placed. Follow up esophagram showed an intact esophageal stent without evidence of extravasation.
Antirandom testing: a distance-based approach

Random testing requires each test to be selected randomly regardless of the tests previously applied. This paper introduces the concept of antirandom testing where each test applied is chosen such that its total distance from all previous tests is maximum. This spans the test vector space to the maximum extent possible for a given number of vectors. An algorithm for generating antirandom tests is presented. Compared with traditional pseudorandom testing, antirandom testing is found to be very effective when a high-fault coverage needs to be achieved with a limited number of test vectors. The superiority of the new approach is even more significant for testing bridging faults.
Integrating publisher/subscriber services in component middleware for distributed real-time and embedded systems

Although component-based software development has widespread acceptance in the enterprise business and desktop application domains, developers of distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) systems have encountered limitations with the available component middleware platforms, such as the CORBA Component Model (CCM) and the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE). These limitations often preclude developers of DRE systems from fully exploiting the benefits of component software. In particular, component middleware platforms lack standards-based publisher/subscriber communication mechanisms that support key quality-of-service (QoS) requirements, such as low latency, bounded jitter, and end-to-end operation priority propagation. QoS-enabled publisher/subscriber services are available in object middleware platforms, such as Real-time CORBA, but such services have not been integrated into component middleware due to a number of development and configuration challenges.This paper provides three contributions to the integration of publisher/subscriber services in component middleware. First, we outline key challenges associated with integrating publisher/subscriber services into component middleware. Second, we describe a methodology for resolving these challenges based on software patterns. Third, we describe a pattern-oriented component middleware platform that we have developed to integrate publisher/subscriber services into component middleware applications.
Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of ifosfamide in male and female rats

The stereoselective pharmacokinetics of ifosfamide (IF) were investigated in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Following intravenous administration of IF deuterium-labeled pseudoracemates into rats at 40 mg/kg, IF enantiomers and their metabolites, 4-hydroxyIF (HOIF), N2-dechloroethylIF (N2D), N3-dechloroethylIF (N3D), and isophosphoramide mustard (IPM) were quantitated in plasma and urine using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry techniques with appropriately deuterium-labeled analogs as the internal standards. In addition, the intrinsic clearances of IF isomers in rat liver microsomes were estimated by the in vitro metabolism study. Following drug administration in male rats, (R)-IF exhibited a lower area under the curve value and a shorter half-life of 34.2 minutes than (S)-IF, which gave a half-life of 41.8 minutes. In female rats, the half-lives of (R)- and (S)-IF were found to be 62.1 and 75.1 minutes, respectively, significantly longer than those in male rats. No change in volume of distribution or renal clearance for IF enantiomers in all rats was observed, and the protein binding value was low, with no enantioselectivity. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that metabolism of (R)-IF proceeded in favor of the 4-hydroxylation pathway, whereas (S)-IF preferentially underwent N2- and N3-dechloroethylation. The observed stereoselectivity and gender difference in pharmacokinetics of IF in the rat are mainly attributed to its stereoselective metabolism.
Real-time B-mode venous ultrasound

The ability of real-time B-mode ultrasound to directly visualize arteries and veins and thereby give anatomic rather than physiologic information is unique among the currently available noninvasive methods of vascular evaluation. The usefulness of this technique for examination of the carotid arteries has been well proven. Little attention, however, has been given to its applicability for deep venous evaluation. Over the past 12 months the veins of 108 upper and 215 lower extremities have been studied with high-resolution real-time ultrasound. The technique and interpretive criteria are presented. Thirty extremities underwent confirmatory venography, and in this group the specificity and sensitivity of the ultrasound were 94% and 100%, respectively. In addition, the age of the thrombi detected was accurately predicted in 93% of this group. These preliminary results suggest that real-time B-mode venous ultrasound is an accurate, clinically useful noninvasive technique for the detection of deep venous thrombosis that complements the more widely used physiologic screening tests.
High-speed multilevel halftoning hardware

A high speed multilevel color printer required custom halftoning hardware. For this multitone environment we revised traditional halftone thresholding (i.e. turning the output from no intensity to full intensity). Unfortunately, intermediate values did not print large areas reliably. Legacy image data files existed that were already halftoned. To correct these problems, binary halftone methods were modified to produce multi-bit outputs. This was accomplished by using threshold matrices to determine when to allow printing. The input minus the threshhold value was used to index into a lookup table to select the output intensity. Design of the down-loadable threshold matrices solved the print consistency problem. The custom hardware ensured that a zero input value did not print and a maximum value printed as a saturated output. These solutions were implemented using custom high-speed logic capable of outputting 66 MegaPels/sec.
Layering residential peer networks and geospatial building networks to model change in energy saving behaviors

Abstract Complex human or engineered network systems can be examined as a series of coexisting layers. A variety of dynamic perturbations, such as information flows across computer networks, traffic flows across transportation networks and the spread of energy saving practices across human networks, have been treated separately as single networks in previous research. However, because these phenomena often consist of human networks interacting with engineered networks, analyzing the properties of the multi-layer network systems may provide more accurate insights. In this paper, we examine a multi-layer network system to provide insight into the diffusion of energy consumption practices through peer networks within and across residential buildings. We introduce a new model-the Layered Network Model-that treats that treats a residential peer network and a geospatial building network as a single, layered network. We compare this model to a previously published Multi-Layer Interactive Network Model by simulating diffusion through a real multi-layer network system consisting of a residential peer network and a geospatial building network from three experimental data-sets. We found our model to be more accurate and efficient, hence contributing an efficient mathematical model and set of simulation algorithms that accurately capture the post-perturbation response of a layered, residential peer network and a geospatial building network.
Shock-tube studies on the ignition of ethylene-oxygen-argon mixtures

Abstract Ignition induction times were measured for 9 different ethylene-oxygen-argon mixtures with stoichiometric ratios between 0.125 and 2, with ethylene mole fractions ranging from 0.0025 to 0.02 and total pressures of 3 and 12 atm. The overall correlation equation is τ = 10 − 11.9 [ C 2 H 4 ] 0.3 [ O 2 ] − 1.1 [ A r ] 0.4 e 34.200 / R T where the time, τ, is in seconds and the concentrations are in moles per cc. Analytical data on quenched, partially reacted samples indicate that oxygen does not participate in the initiating steps of the reaction, but promotes chain-branching steps later on.
Attitudes to Dishonesty: An Analysis of Financial Services Compliance Officers' Attitudes

Compliance officers are those specifically employed in financial services companies to ensure compliance with the legal requirements imposed by the Financial Services Act 1986, and other relevant legislation. This paper discusses the perceptions of a sample group of compliance officers of the relative seriousness of specific criminal acts involving dishonesty and the implications for the effective regulation of the financial services industry. The data were gathered during research for the degree of Master of Arts in Police Studies at the University of Exeter.
Integrating Sphere Measurements of Directional-Hemispherical Transmittance of Window Systems

Equations are presented that express the directional-hemispherical transmittance of window systems in terms of the experimental parameters of an integrating sphere. The construction and operation of a 2-meter-diameter sphere is described. Experimental results are given for both conventional and novel window systems.
The impact of Israel's reprisals on behavior of the bordering Arab nations directed at Israel

Since the termination of the British Mandate in 1948 the use of force has been a persistent element in the relations between Israel and each of the bordering Arab nations-Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Sporadically the basic chronic level of hostilities has been punctuated by sharp, sometimes severe applications of military force by Israel on the territory of its neighbors. These actions, known as reprisals, have been directed at military and civilian targets in the bordering states, ostensibly in response to acts or omissions on the part of the target governments which Israel perceived to be provocative. More than one hundred such events have occurred since 1948. They range from minor operations by a dozen or fewer men to brigade-size assaults, and include artillery salvos, air strikes, and heliborne commando raids, as well as conventional ground attacks. A complete listing of the reprisals is presented in the appendix.
RoMAA-II, an Open Architecture Mobile Robot

The aim of designing and developing an open architecture mobile robot called RoMAA (in accordance with its name in Spanish) arises from the necessity to have a vehicle suitable for carrying out different experiments in the robotics research field. This vehicle has to have the ability to be easily adapted to different experiments in the research field of mobile robotics and computer vision. The present paper describes in detail the development of the final version of the robot -RoMAA-II- as an improvement of the original version RoMAA. The different parts that compose the robot are described which include the electromechanical components, the onboard embedded system, along with the high level software running in the on-board computer; together with the description of its more relevant characteristics. Nowadays, four fully operational RoMAA-II robots are available in the CIII, which are regularly used for experiments of different research projects.
Contributions of Fas-Fas Ligand Interactions to the Pathogenesis of Mouse Hepatitis Virus in the Central Nervous System

The pathogenesis of the neurotropic strain of mouse hepatitis virus in Fas-deficient mice suggested that Fas-mediated cytotoxicity may be required during viral clearance after the loss of perforin-mediated cytotoxicity. The absence of both Fas- and perforin-mediated cytolysis resulted in an uncontrolled infection, suggesting a redundancy of cytolytic pathways to control virus replication.
A methodology for the interconnect performance evaluation of 2D and 3D processors with memory

Stochastic wire length distribution models often overlook the presence of a large amount of on-chip memory, treating it as random logic. Based on layout considerations for the memory, a methodology for interconnect performance evaluation is proposed that takes the memory into account. It is shown that not taking the complete model can lead to erroneous results. The benefits of 3D integration are then evaluated with different possible arrangements of memory on different active layers.
A Cognitive Approach to Student-Centered E-Learning

Like traditional classroom instruction, distance/electronic learning (e-Learning) derives from largely behaviorist computer-based instruction paradigms that tend to reflect passive training philosophies. Over the past thirty years, more flexible, student-centered classroom teaching methods have been advocated based on the concepts of “discovery” learning and “active” learning; student-centered approaches are likewise encouraged in the development of e-Learning applications. Nevertheless, many e-Learning applications that employ state-of-the art multimedia technology in which students interact with simulations, animations, video, and sounds still fail to meet their expected training potential. Implementation of multimedia-based training features may give the impression of engaging the student in more active forms of learning, but sophisticated use of multimedia features does not necessarily produce the desired effect. This paper briefly reviews some general guidelines for applying cognitive science princip...