cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An investigation into the influence of electrically conductive particle size on electromechanical coupling and effective dielectric strain coefficients in three phase composite piezoelectric polymers

Abstract Three phase epoxy/piezoelectric/conductive filler composites were fabricated. The volume fraction of the conductive filler, aluminum, was held constant at 20%, while the volume fraction of the piezoelectric material, PZT was varied from 0.10 to 0.70. Three sets of composites were examined, wherein, the size of the aluminum constituent was varied from micron in size (200 mesh) to nano -in size (∼18 nm). Both sets of composites presented enhanced loss factor (tan δ ) and piezoelectric coefficient (d33) values for volume fractions of PZT above 0.30 volume fraction. Composites having micron size aluminum particles exhibited higher loss factor and strain coefficients than those that incorporated nano-size aluminum particles, which could be due to several factors: agglomeration, contact resistance between particles, and excess air voids in the samples.
Acute myocardial infarction complicating recanalization of aortocoronary bypass grafts with urokinase therapy

Abstract The progressive occlusion of aortocoronary bypass grafts over time an important clinical problem. Studies have demonstrated closure rates of approximately 3% at 1 month 1 and 11 to 14% at 1 year. 2,3 Closure rates as high as 40 to 50% at 10 years are reported. 4,5 Thrombosis seems to be the major cause of occlusion in the early postoperative period. 6–8 Late graft occlusions are thought to be due to atherosclerotic esions with or without associated thrombus. The use of percutaneous angioplasty in stenotic aortocoronary bypass grafts may be successful but is of limited use in grafts with complete occlusions. Success rates are lower and the risk of distal embolization is present. Therefore, mechanical recanalization using balloon angioplasty has been avoided in these patients. 9 We have previously reported the successful recanalization of chronically occluded aortocoronary bypass grafts using a prolonged, direct infusion of urokinase. 10,11 Our clinical experience was favorable and not associated with clinically important distal embolization. We now report 3 cases of thrombolytic recanalization of occluded aortocoronary bypass grafts complicated by acute myocardial infarction, and strongly suggest that the need for continued urokinase infusion is critical in the treatment of this potential complication.
Experience, quality of life, and neighborhood context: A hierarchical analysis of satisfaction with police

We test three different conceptual models—“experience with police,” “quality of life,” and “neighborhood context”—for directional accuracy and ability to explain satisfaction with the police. We also investigate whether these models help to explain the common finding that African-Americans are more dissatisfied with the police than are Caucasians. To do so, we use hierarchical linear modeling to simultaneously regress our outcome measure on clusters of citizen- and neighborhood-level variables. The analysis was conducted using recently collected information from the Project on Policing Neighborhoods (POPN). The data file consisted of survey responses from 5,361 citizens residing in 58 neighborhoods located in Indianapolis, Indiana and St. Petersburg, Florida. At the citizen level, the psychologically based “quality of life” model accounts for the greatest proportion of explained variance and provides the greatest directional accuracy. Also, residents of neighborhoods characterized by concentrated disadvan...
Optical Recording of Single Channel TRPV1 Activity in Living Cells

The multi-modal cation channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which is activated by heat, protons and a variety of endogenous and exogenous ligands amongst other stimuli, senses the extracellular environment. To investigate how the cell tunes its sensitivity to this environment, we asked whether the cell imposes functional constraints on TRPV1 by exercising a control over its localization. We and others have previously shown that TRPV1 channels can be regulated by trafficking and that surface expression of the channel is increased by treatment with Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which induces inflammation. Investigation of fluorescently-labeled single channels by total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) imaging reveals a broad distribution of channel movement in the plasma membrane from immobile up to a lateral diffusion of 1.9 micrometer2/sec. We next assayed the functional subset of this large distribution by sparklet analysis, which employs an intracellular fluorescent calcium indicator as a probe for TRPV1 opening events. TRPV1 sparklets appear as both mobile and immobile. Mobile TRPV1 sparklets exhibit an average effective diffusion of 0.072 micrometer2/sec (n=9) with a maximal effective diffusion of .15 micrometer2/sec for one channel. The time dependent behavior of the more mobile subset of sparklets reveals that their mobility decreased, and our ongoing effort to understand the spatio-temporal behavior of TRPV1 is directed at how the channel's activity slows its movement. Funding provided through the University of Washington Training Grant in Cardiovascular Pathology (NIH) and the National Eye Institute (NIH).
The mechanism of glycerol conduction in aquaglyceroporins.

Abstract Background: The E. coli glycerol facilitator, GlpF, selectively conducts glycerol and water, excluding ions and charged solutes. The detailed mechanism of the glycerol conduction and its relationship to the characteristic secondary structure of aquaporins and to the NPA motifs in the center of the channel are unknown. Results: Molecular dynamics simulations of GlpF reveal spontaneous glycerol and water conduction driven, on a nanosecond timescale, by thermal fluctuations. The bidirectional conduction, guided and facilitated by the secondary structure, is characterized by breakage and formation of hydrogen bonds for which water and glycerol compete. The conduction involves only very minor changes in the protein structure, and cooperativity between the GlpF monomers is not evident. The two conserved NPA motifs are strictly linked together by several stable hydrogen bonds and their asparagine side chains form hydrogen bonds with the substrates passing the channel in single file. Conclusions: A complete conduction of glycerol through the GlpF was deduced from molecular dynamics simulations, and key residues facilitating the conduction were identified. The nonhelical parts of the two half-membrane-spanning segments expose carbonyl groups towards the channel interior, establishing a curve-linear pathway. The conformational stability of the NPA motifs is important in the conduction and critical for selectivity. Water and glycerol compete in a random manner for hydrogen bonding sites in the protein, and their translocations in single file are correlated. The suggested conduction mechanism should apply to the whole family.
Mechanistic and Synthetic Studies of the Addition of Alkyl Aldehydes to Vinylsilanes Catalyzed by Co(I) Complexes

The mechanistic details of the cobalt-catalyzed intermolecular hydroacylation reaction have been investigated using kinetic, spectroscopic, and crystallographic methods. The Co(I) bisolefin complex 1, [C5Me5Co(C2H3SiMe3)2], was shown to catalyze the addition of a series of alkyl aldehydes (2a−l) to vinylsilanes to give the corresponding ketones with exclusive anti-Markovnikov selectivity under mild conditions. The catalytic cycle exhibits two resting states, complex 1 and a bisalkyl carbonyl complex, [C5Me5Co(CO)(R)(R‘)], 4a−l which are in equilibrium. Kinetic investigations along with low-temperature NMR spectroscopy establish a sensitive balance between resting states during catalysis which is strongly dependent on substrate structure. The turnover-limiting step was established as the reductive elimination of ketone from intermediate 4. Using ferrocenecarboxaldehyde (Fc-C(O)H), 2l, as substrate, the intermediate 4l [C5Me5Co(CO)(Fc)(CH2CH2SiMe3)] was isolated at low temperatures and characterized by X-ra...
Evaluation of a Library E-Book Lending Platform for Department of Transportation Employees with Personal Reading Devices: Results of a Trial and User Satisfaction Survey

In 2012 the Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) Research Library conducted a trial of the electronic book database of EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO). The goals of the trial were to determine the level of interest by Virginia DOT employees in accessing e-books, to observe usage patterns and preferences of users in accessing content (EBSCO offered three access options for viewing onscreen or downloading to a personal device), to observe and gather usage statistics during the trial, to survey users on their experience and preferences for e-book devices, and to learn whether patrons used the library's subscriptions to the Books24x7, Knovel, or ASCE databases, which contain onscreen-only e-books. Usage statistics revealed high levels of interest in the e-book database. During the trial, 959 user sessions occurred, with 2,702 searches taking place, 694 e-books read onscreen, and 130 e-books checked out and downloaded to Adobe Digital Editions. Of the 32 respondents to a user satisfaction survey, 93....
Comparison of passive leg raising and hyperemia on macrovascular and microvascular responses

Passive leg raising is a simple diagnostic maneuver that has been proposed as a measure of arterial vasodilator reserve and possibly endothelial function. While passive leg raising has previously been shown to lower blood pressure, increase flow velocity and cause brachial artery dilation, its effects on microvascular flow has not been well studied. Also, passive leg raising has been directly compared previously to upper arm but never to lower arm occlusion of blood flow induced hyperemia responses. We compared changes in macrovascular indices measured by brachial artery ultrasound and microvascular perfusion measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry induced by passive leg raising to those provoked by upper arm and lower arm induced hyperemia in healthy subjects. Upper arm induced hyperemia increased mean flow velocity by 398%, induced brachial artery dilatation by 16.3%, and increased microvascular perfusion by 246% (p<.05 for all). Lower arm induced hyperemia increased flow velocity by 227%, induced brachial artery dilatation by 10.8%, and increased microvascular perfusion by 281%. Passive leg raising increased flow velocity by 29% and brachial artery dilatation by 5.6% (p<.05 for all), but did not change microvascular perfusion (-5%, p=ns). In conclusion, passive leg raising increases flow velocity orders of magnitude less than does upper arm or lower arm induced hyperemia. Passive leg raising-induced brachial artery dilatation is less robust than either of these hyperemic techniques. Finally, although upper arm and lower arm hyperemia elicits macrovascular and microvascular responses, passive leg raising elicits only macrovascular responses.
Fuel cells for electric utility and transportation applications

Abstract This review article presents: (i) the current status and expected progress status of the fuel cell research and development programs in the U.S.A., (ii) electrochemical problem areas, (iii) techno-economic assessments of fuel cells for electric and/or gas utilities and for transportation, and (iv) other candidate fuel cells and their applications. For electric and/or gas utility applications, the most likely candidates are phosphoric, molten carbonate, and solid natural gas, petroleum-derived, or biomass fuels to hydrogen), while the second and third will be linked with a coal gasifier. A fuel cell/battery hybrid power source is an attractive option for electric vehicles with projected performance characteristics approaching those for internal combustion or diesel engine powered vehicles. For this application, with coal-derived methanol as the fuel, a fuel cell with an acid electrolyte (phosphoric, solid polymer electrolyte or “super” acid) is essential; with pure hydrogen (obtained by splitting of water using nuclear, solar or hydroelectric energy), alkaline fuel cells show promise. A fuel cell researcher's dream is the development of a high performance direct methanol-air fuel cell as a power plant for electric vehicles. For long or intermittent duty cycle load leveling, regenerative hydrogen-halogen fuel cells exhibit desirable characteristics.
Calling and Work-Related Outcomes: Career Commitment as a Mediator.

Abstract The current study tested the hypothesis that experiencing a calling to a particular career would relate positively to work-related outcomes, and that these relations would be mediated by career commitment. Using a sample of 370 employees representing diverse occupations at a Western research university, results supported these hypotheses as calling moderately correlated with career commitment, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment and weakly correlated with withdrawal intentions. Career commitment was found to fully mediate the calling–job satisfaction relation, partially mediate the calling–organizational commitment relation, and act as a suppressor in the relation between calling and withdrawal intentions; calling was associated with somewhat greater withdrawal intentions once a person's level of career commitment was taken into consideration. These results suggest that career commitment may represent a critical link between calling and work-related well-being. Implications for research and practice are explored.
Cervical lymph node metastases: oncologic imaging and diagnosis

Cervical metastatic disease is an issue of paramount importance in the diagnosis and management of head and neck malignancies. The frequency of cervical metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract varies mainly with the site of the primary. In general, the presence of histologically confirmed metastases halves the five year survival for any given primary. With improvements in treatment and the resultant prolonged survival, the incidence of distant metastases from head and neck cancer has risen. The imaging of metastatic cervical neck nodes by CT has made a major impact on clinical assessment of nodal involvement. The treatment issues related to the presence and extent of cervical metastases will be discussed in light of the ability of CT scans to stage the neck.
Multicriteria network equilibrium modeling with variable weights for decision-making in the Information Age with applications to telecommuting and teleshopping

Abstract In this paper, we develop a multicriteria network equilibrium framework for modeling decision-making in the Information Age. We consider distinct classes of decision-makers, each of whom has a set of criteria associated with the decision along with weights which are variable and criterion-dependent. The decisions take place on a network in which links can be either physical, as in the case of transportation, or virtual, as in the case of telecommunications. We derive the equilibrium conditions and establish qualitative properties of the equilibrium pattern. The model enables the prediction of the number of decision-makers that will select particular choices, along with the incurred generalized costs. We then apply the modeling schema to telecommuting versus commuting and to teleshopping versus shopping decision-making.
Inhibition of renal ornithine decarboxylase by aminoglycoside antibiotics in vitro

Abstract The inhibition of renal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) by aminoglycoside antibiotics was characterized in the postmitochondrial fraction of a kidney homogenate from adult pigmented guinea pigs. Enzymatic activity was defined as the rate of decarboxylation of [ 14 C]ornithine sensitive to a specific ODC inhibitor, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). The K m for ornithine was 61 ± 32 , μM. There were two forms of the enzyme with respect to their affinity for pyridoxal phosphate (PLP): (I) K m = 2.1 ± 1.8 μ M; (II) K m = 36.2 ± 12.7 μ M. Putrescine, a known ODC inhibitor, acted competitively on the renal enzyme with K i = 1.7 ± 1.4 mM. Aminoglycoside antibiotics inhibited ODC by an uncompetitive mechanism with inhibitor constants of comparable magnitude: neomycin, K i = 1.3 ± 0.1 mM; gentamicin, K i = 1.6 ± 0.1 mM; kanamycin, K i = 1.9 ± 0.2 mM; and netilmicin, K i = 1.7 ± 0.2 mM. Neomycin inhibited both forms of the enzyme (low and high affinity for PLP) uncompetitively with similar inhibitor constants (1.5 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.4 mM respectively), suggesting a single mechanism of action. Inhibition of ODC suggests that aminoglycoside-polyamine interactions may be an important component of the sequence of biochemical events associated with aminoglycoside toxicity.
CNMGRAF—graphic presentation services for network management

Two key problems in the design of systems and network management applications are: how to efficiently manage large quantities of related data, and how to allow the application user to view this data at a user-defined level of detail. This paper describes an architecture for network management facilities that may help solve these problems. It also describes CNMgraf (Communications Network Management Graphics Facility), which was developed to test the presentation service model defined by this architecture.
All Hype or Real Change: Has the Digital Revolution Changed Scholarly Communication?

Digital and electronic publishing models offer the promise of revolutionary change in the way scholarly publications are created, accessed, and shared. However, real change in the scholarly communication system has lagged behind the availability of new publishing models for scholars. This paper describes some of the current trends in library acquisitions of electronic resources, as well as trends in scholar adoption of new publishing models. The author also suggests some strategies that libraries and universities might employ to accelerate a shift to a more open, effective means of sharing the results of research and scholarship.
Problematical aspects of the information/ communication revolution for disaster planning and research: ten non‐technical issues and questions

An information/communication revolution is being brought about by recent developments and innovations in computer and related technologies. Recognizes that many of the consequences will be very positive for all aspects of social life, but focuses on probable and possible negative effects of the currently accelerating cyberspace revolution. Discusses ten problematical aspects for disaster planning, management and research ranging, for example, from the creation of a new kind of disaster ‐ computer‐related system failures ‐ and the increased difficulties that will be generated for intra‐ and inter‐organizational communication and co‐ordination, to the problems that will come from an inevitable information overload and the diffusion of inappropriate or incorrect disaster relevant “facts” and “ideas”.
A stress fracture of the phalanx from rock climbing: a case report

Sport climbers are at high risk for overuse injuries. These injuries are usually soft tissue injuries. The following is the first case report of a stress fracture of the phalanx in a rock climber and a review of the literature of sport climbing injuries.
Environmental, background, and psychological variables related to optimizing achievement and career motivation for high school girls

The purpose of the study was to investigate some environmental and psychological variables related to optimizing the achievement strivings of high school girls. It was hypothesized that environmental and psychological variables would have significant relationships to achievement strivings. The criterion variables were career motivation and achievement motivation. The predictor variables were: community support, early family socialization (environmental), self-esteem, risk preference, sex role orientation, and fear of success (psychological). Subjects were 10th-grade girls (N = 158) in a suburban midwestern high school district. Procedures involved group test administration involving 2 hr during the regular school day. Multiple regression analysis indicated that high achievement motivation and career choice were significantly associated with perceived support for achievement and career goals in the school and community environment (p < .01). Implications for increasing achievement and career motivation were discussed in relation to the requirements of the Education Amendments of 1972 and 1976 (Title IX).
Absorption and Resonance Radiation of Excited Helium

PASCHEN in 1914 published results of experiments on absorption and resonance radiation in weakly excited helium. A more extensive investigation is being made of absorption in excited helium, and results have been obtained indicating absorption of the following lines:
hCASK and hDlg Associate in Epithelia, and Their Src Homology 3 and Guanylate Kinase Domains Participate in Both Intramolecular and Intermolecular Interactions

Membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins act as molecular scaffolds organizing multiprotein complexes at specialized regions of the plasma membrane. All MAGUKs contain a Src homology 3 (SH3) domain and a region homologous to yeast guanylate kinase (GUK). We showed previously that one MAGUK protein, human CASK (hCASK), is widely expressed and associated with epithelial basolateral plasma membranes. We now report that hCASK binds another MAGUK, human discs large (hDlg). Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrates that hCASK and hDlg colocalize at basolateral membranes of epithelial cells in small and large intestine. These proteins co-precipitate from lysates of an intestinal cell line, Caco-2. The GUK domain of hCASK binds the SH3 domain of hDlg in both yeast two-hybrid and fusion protein binding assays, and it is required for interaction with hDlg in transfected HEK293 cells. In addition, the SH3 and GUK domains of each protein participate in intramolecular binding that in vitro predominates over intermolecular binding. The SH3 and GUK domains of human p55 display the same interactions in yeast two-hybrid assays as those of hCASK. Not all SH3-GUK interactions among these MAGUKs are permissible, however, implying specificity to SH3-GUK interactions in vivo. These results suggest MAGUK scaffold assembly may be regulated through effects on intramolecular SH3-GUK binding.
Category vs. Object Knowledge in Category-based Induction.

Abstract In one form of category-based induction, people make predictions about unknown properties of objects. There is a tension between predictions made based on the object’s specific features (e.g., objects above a certain size tend not to fly) and those made by reference to category-level knowledge (e.g., birds fly). Seven experiments with artificial categories investigated these two sources of induction by looking at whether people used information about correlated features within categories, suggesting that they focused on feature–feature relations rather than summary categorical information. The results showed that people relied heavily on such correlations, even when there was no reason to think that the correlations exist in the population. The results suggested that people’s use of this strategy is largely unreflective, rather than strategically chosen. These findings have important implications for models of category-based induction, which generally ignore feature–feature relations.
Space and time wave shaping for transmission into a lossy medium

Electromagnetic waves traveling into a lossy medium suffer distortion in both time and space. This situation poses a design problem if it is desired to have a specified form, in both time and space, for the fields at a given location in the lossy medium. An analytical procedure is presented so that the specified field in a lossy conducting half-space can be realized with a discrete array of concentric loop currents on the surface. Each loop current is stepped on at a finite sequence of discrete times. The procedure could be applied in geophysical subsurface probing, hyperthermic cancer therapy, and digital signal transmission. >
Discovery of a novel and potent class of F. tularensis enoyl-reductase (FabI) inhibitors by molecular shape and electrostatic matching.

Enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase, FabI, is a key enzyme in the bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis pathway (FAS II). FabI is an NADH-dependent oxidoreductase that acts to reduce enoyl-ACP substrates in a final step of the pathway. The absence of this enzyme in humans makes it an attractive target for the development of new antibacterial agents. FabI is known to be unresponsive to structure-based design efforts due to a high degree of induced fit and a mobile flexible loop encompassing the active site. Here we discuss the development, validation, and careful application of a ligand-based virtual screen used for the identification of novel inhibitors of the Francisella tularensis FabI target. In this study, four known classes of FabI inhibitors were used as templates for virtual screens that involved molecular shape and electrostatic matching. The program ROCS was used to search a high-throughput screening library for compounds that matched any of the four molecular shape queries. Matching compounds...
Effectiveness of scalable vector graphics (SVG) for client-side vector mapping

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an effective web map technology for client-side vector mapping. We demonstrate this through a web map application developed for the Trans-Border Institute of the University of San Diego. The Trans-Border Institute currently releases reports summarizing data on the number of drug-related homicides in Mexico and produces maps to show drug-related killings in each Mexican state. Together, the reports and maps are used to inform U. S. audiences about the public security situation in Mexico and the effects of the war on drugs. The deadly consequences of the drug-war in Mexico become clear in the maps produced by the Trans-Border Institute. The maps, however, are not as effective as they could be because they are released as static images. These static images do not allow for the exploration of the data themselves and make it difficult to view changes over time. To facilitate data exploration and thereby assist the Trans-Border Institute in more effectively disseminating information on the drug-war in Mexico, an interactive web map was developed using SVG. For client side vector graphics, SVG provides clear advantages in that it is open, interoperable, and extensible and is resolution independent. In addition, behaviors, including animation, can be included in the markup file itself or added through scripting. These advantages make SVG optimal for developing high quality interactive (and non-interactive) vector maps. Despite these advantages, SVG has not been widely adopted. However, recent technological changes and trends have made competing systems, like Flash, less optimal and have heightened the awareness and ease of using SVG. Combined, these changes have paved the way for SVG becoming the most widely used client-side vector standard. Its effectiveness is demonstrated in an SVG-based, interactive web map developed for the Trans-Border Institute and shown in this presentation.
Text files in libraries: present foundations and future directions

Libraries must actively support humanities text files, but we must remember that to focus exclusively on texts tied to specific systems is to put ourselves in opposition to the needs of the researchers we intend to serve. A working model of the sort of system and resource provision that is appropriate is described. The system, one put in place at the University of Michigan, is the result of several years of discussions and investigation. While by no means the only model upon which to base such a service, it incorporates several features that are essential to the support of these materials: standardized, generalized data; the reliance on standards for the delivery of information; and remote use. Sidebars discuss ARTFL, a textual database; the Oxford Text Archive; InteLex; the Open Text Corporation; the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI); the machine‐readable version of the Oxford English Dictionary, 2d edition; and the Center for Electronic Texts in the Humanities.
Relationships among Supervisors' and Subordinates' Procedural Justice Perceptions and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors

We developed and tested a model in which supervisors' procedural justice perceptions lead to supervisors' organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), supervisors' OCB leads to subordinates' procedur...
Transient thermo-mechanical analysis of dynamic curving cracks in functionally graded materials

Mixed-mode dynamic crack growth behavior along an arbitrarily smoothly varying path in functionally graded materials (FGMs) under transient thermo-mechanical loading is studied. An asymptotic analysis in conjunction with displacement potentials is used to develop transient thermo-mechanical stress fields around the propagating crack-tip. Asymptotic temperature field equations are derived for exponentially varying thermal properties, and later, these equations are used to derive transient thermo-mechanical stress fields for a curving crack in FGMs. The effect of the transient parameters (loading rate, crack-tip acceleration, and temperature change) and temperature gradient on the maximum principal stress and circumferential stress associated with the propagating crack-tip is discussed. Finally, using the minimum strain energy density criterion, the effect of temperature gradient, crack-tip speeds, and T-stress on crack growth directions is determined and discussed.
Current concepts of peptic ulceration.

These observations support the theory that peptic ulceration results from failure of adequate local repair to mucosal injury. The resultant ulcer may be acute or chronic depending upon the duration of the stress or the mucosal contact of the irritative substance and on the ability of the local tissue to achieve cellular homeostasis. The role of acid and pepsin secretion would be secondary, the substances exerting their destructive influence only on susceptible tissue. In 15–20% of the duodenal ulcer patients, chronic damage in the first portion of the duodenum may lead to partial pyloric obstruction resulting in enlargement of the stomach and hyperplasia of the parietal and peptic cell masses. Whether mild impairment of gastric emptying may stimulate continuous gastrin release from the antrum is not known as yet. Such stimulation may initiate further hyperplasia of the PCM and increase gastric secretion. In gastric lesions the apparent normal volume and low acidity of gastric secretion probably results from reabsorption of hydrogen ions through the damaged mucosa. It is extremely difficult to review the controversial literature pertaining to peptic ulcer genesis without concluding as did an editorial writer forLancet: “He, who investigates the etiology and behavior of peptic ulcer must be prepared for a poverty of rewards such as plagues few other areas of medical research.”123 To compensate for this frustration, we have postulated our own theory based on the inability of the mucosa to maintain cellular homeostasis following mucosal injury.
Treatment of vulvovaginal lichen planus with vaginal hydrocortisone suppositories.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of vaginal hydrocortisone suppositories in the treatment of vulvovaginal lichen planus. METHODS: A nonprobability sample of 60 patients diagnosed with vulvovaginal lichen planus were treated with intravaginal hydrocortisone 25-mg suppositories (1–1/2) twice a day. The dose was tapered to two times a week dosing after several months to maintain symptom-free disease. The participants’ charts were reviewed and pretreatment symptoms and physical examination were compared to posttreatment symptoms and physical examination. Data were analyzed using McNemar χ2. RESULTS: The sample population included mostly white (86.7%) patients with a mean age of 58 years. Forty-three participants had complete data with follow-up subjectively and objectively after treatment. Most symptoms (eg, vulvar burning, pruritis, dyspareunia, vaginal discharge) were improved and the improvement was found to be statistically significant. Sexual activity was unchanged in the women. Additionally, most physical findings by examination (eg, erythema, erosions, vulvar and vaginal lesions) were improved and the improvement was found to be statistically significant. Vaginal stenosis did not significantly improve. Treatment was continued in 35 patients with a mean duration of 28.1 months. There was overall improvement in 81% subjectively and in 76.8% objectively. CONCLUSION: Intravaginal hydrocortisone suppositories are an effective treatment for vulvovaginal lichen planus.
Sustainable data centers: enabled by supply and demand side management

The environmental impact of data centers is significant and is growing rapidly. Servers alone in the US consumed 1.2% of the nation's energy in 2005, according to the EPA. In the following year, the EPA found that the cost of energy rose by 10%. However, there are many opportunities for greater efficiency through integrated design and management of data center components. To that end, we propose a sustainable data center that replaces conventional resource delivery models with a framework centered around the supply and demand side management of all data center resources including IT, power and cooling. We have identified five elements for achieving this vision: data center scale lifecycle design, flexible and configurable building blocks, pervasive cross-layer sensing, knowledge discovery and visualization, and autonomous control. We describe these principles and provide selected results that quantify the potential for savings.
P02-556 - Barriers to consent taking in ECT

Introduction There were 16,482 administrations of Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT) to 2835 individuals in England between January-March 1999. Controversy still surrounds the safety, ethics and necessity of ECT with some patients reporting severe adverse effects and feeling particularly strongly about it being administered without their consent. NICE guidelines along with the ECT accreditation service (ECTAS) sought to address these concerns and raise standards for ECT in UK. Aims and Objective To identify any barriers to compliance with NICE guidelines regarding consent for ECT. Methods All patients newly started on ECT during a 3 month period at Hellesdon Hospital were enrolled into this study. Case notes were analysed for 16 patients against the 21 standard ECTAS consent criteria. Results The hospital rated good (70–89%) or excellent (90–100%) for all guidance except the one which requires patients to complete some sections of the consent form. Only 63% of the patients had completed these, however 100% went on to sign the consent form before every session. Guidance compliance was excellent for 15 (72%) of items examined. Conclusions There is good compliance with NICE guideline relating to consent for ECT. The only barrier to full compliance was inadequate documentation by patients in some sections. Steps to improve patient participation can now be implemented. This will provide assurance that ECT is used appropriately and that the process fully enables informed consent. Further research is required to discover the reasons for unsatisfactory patient participation in the consent process.
Relationship of the Imported Fire Ant to Nantucket Pine Tip Moth Infestations

Field studies were conducted in southeastern Louisiana in 1966 and 1967 to determine the effect of imported fire ant, Solenopsis saevissima richteri Fore!, predation on larval and pupal populations of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock). Results indicate that predation by the imported fire ant reduced larval and pupal populations of the pine tip moth very little. Counts of both larvae and pupae indicated about equal populations in both heptachlor-treated and untreated plots from early June through October. Spider counts also suggest that spiders influence larval and pupal tip moth populations only slightly during the summer season.
Domain-Specific Data Sharing in Neuroscience: What Do We Have to Learn from Each Other?

Molecular biology and genomics have made notable strides in the sharing of primary data and resources. In other domains of neuroscience research, however, there has been resistance to adopting formalized strategies for data exchange, archiving, and availability. In this article, we discuss how neuroscience domains might follow the lead of molecular biology on what has been successful and what has failed in active data sharing. This considers not only the technical challenges but also the sociological concerns in making it possible. Though, not a pain-free process, with increased data availability, scientists from multiple fields can enjoy greater opportunity for novel discoveries about the brain in health and disease.
Optimal accelerated life-time plans that minimize the maximum test-stress

The author proposes a variation of the optimum accelerated life test plans described by Nelson and others, and shows how to minimize the maximum test-stress that is required, subject to meeting a certain standard-deviation limit on the estimate. Previous optimal life-test plans have shown how to minimize the standard-deviation of the estimated product life, subject to a given maximum test-stress. >
Enhanced responses to tumor immunization following total body irradiation are time-dependent.

The development of successful cancer vaccines is contingent on the ability to induce effective and persistent anti-tumor immunity against self-antigens that do not typically elicit immune responses. In this study, we examine the effects of a non-myeloablative dose of total body irradiation on the ability of tumor-naive mice to respond to DNA vaccines against melanoma. We demonstrate that irradiation followed by lymphocyte infusion results in a dramatic increase in responsiveness to tumor vaccination, with augmentation of T cell responses to tumor antigens and tumor eradication. In irradiated mice, infused CD8+ T cells expand in an environment that is relatively depleted in regulatory T cells, and this correlates with improved CD8+ T cell functionality. We also observe an increase in the frequency of dendritic cells displaying an activated phenotype within lymphoid organs in the first 24 hours after irradiation. Intriguingly, both the relative decrease in regulatory T cells and increase in activated dendritic cells correspond with a brief window of augmented responsiveness to immunization. After this 24 hour window, the numbers of dendritic cells decline, as does the ability of mice to respond to immunizations. When immunizations are initiated within the period of augmented dendritic cell activation, mice develop anti-tumor responses that show increased durability as well as magnitude, and this approach leads to improved survival in experiments with mice bearing established tumors as well as in a spontaneous melanoma model. We conclude that irradiation can produce potent immune adjuvant effects independent of its ability to induce tumor ablation, and that the timing of immunization and lymphocyte infusion in the irradiated host are crucial for generating optimal anti-tumor immunity. Clinical strategies using these approaches must therefore optimize such parameters, as the correct timing of infusion and vaccination may mean the difference between an ineffective treatment and successful tumor eradication.
Rearrangement of Components in a System Using Component Importance Measures

In this paper we consider the system reliability of coherent systems consisting of components with independently distributed lives. In reliability engineering, increasing the system reliability is an important issue, which can be achieved in various ways, such as, by using high quality components, by reducing the operational load on the components, by implementing better maintenance etc., but selecting the optimal way is a difficult job. Here an attempt has been made to increase the system reliability of coherent systems by rearranging the components pairwise using various component importance measures.
A Convenient Synthesis of 2-N-Methoxycarbonylaminooxazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidines†

Cette synthese met en jeu la condensation de triamino-2,5,6 3H-pyrimidone-4 et d'isothiocyanato formiate de methyle suivie de cyclodesulfuration par le dicyclohexylcarbodiimide de la diamino-2,6 methoxycarbonyl-3' thioureido-5 3H-pyrimidone-4 formee
Finite element modelling of fibre reinforced polymer sandwich panels exposed to heat

A finite element model that predicts temperature distribution in a composite panel exposed to a heat source, such as fire, is described. The panel is assumed to be composed of skins consisting of polymer matrix reinforced with fibres and a lightweight core (the paper concentrates on the crucial aspect of the problem, i.e. the behaviour of the ‘hot’ skin of the panel. The core is assumed not to decompose, and the ‘cold’ skin is treated exactly as the ‘hot’ skin.) It is assumed that the polymer matrix undergoes chemical decomposition. Such a model results in a set of coupled non-linear transient partial differential equations. A Galerkin finite element framework is formulated to yield a fully implicit time stepping scheme. The crucial input parameters for the model are carefully identified for subsequent experimental determination. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AAEE case report #16: Botulism

Botulinal toxin causes a marked reduction in the number of quanta released by autonomic and motor nerve terminals. As a result it causes blurred vision, inability to move the eyes, weakness of other cranial nerve-innervated muscles, dyspnea progressing to apnea, and generalized weakness. Electrodiagnostic findings in severe botulism can be relatively nonspecific, with low amplitude and short duration motor unit action potentials and small M wave amplitudes. A modest increment in M wave amplitude with rapid repetitive nerve stimulation may help to localize the disorder to the neuromuscular junction. Identification of the toxin in the patient's serum is diagnostic. The treatment of botulism is mainly supportive.
A Proposal to Limit Government Imposed Secrecy

The effects of government imposed secrecy in science and technology are discussed. It is argued that such secrecy is on balance harmful both to the national security and to our democratic institutions. Proposals are made for legislative remedies. Legislation is advocated that would prohibit restrictions on unclassified information, and that would constrain sharply the scope of executive orders regarding procedures for classifying information.
230 EFFECT OF PHOTOTHERAPY ON THE ELIMINATION (β) PHASE 230 OF RIBOFLAVIN AND GENTAMICIN

Phototherapy is widely used for treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. Other substances circulating in the blood might be affected by such exposure to light. Two compounds were studied in the rabbit: gentamicin and riboflavin. The latter possesses a conjugated double bond structure which fluoresces at 445 nm (similar to bilirubin). Gentamicin is a commonly used antibiotic in neonates. Adult rabbits were shaved over back, flanks, and upper legs (>60% surface area). Riboflavin (50 mg) was injected I.P., gentamicin (2 mg/kg) I.V. Venous blood samples were obtained hourly for 6-8 hrs. During sampling periods animals were exposed to ambient light (control) and to a white light bank (6-7 μ watts/cm2 at 18 inches) as “phototherapy”. 4 weeks separated control and phototherapy period. Plasma concentrations were analyzed by least squares method for slope of line of best fit; β and t1/2 was calculated. These data indicate no consistent alteration with phototherapy in vivo in the elimination phase of drug metabolism.
Evaluation of graduate engineering education by television at Purdue university

The Schools of Engineering at Purdue University have an off-Lafayette campus graduate engineering education program in which televised instruction plays a major role. A Lafayette campus class is televised and distributed by a microwave network and/or by videotape to a variety of reception sites, including industrial locations and other campuses. Over fifteen hundred evaluations from sixty courses over eight semesters have been collected from Lafayette and off-Lafayette students. The evaluation data from all televised courses in a single semester are lumped together and then the data are sorted into Lafayette student responses and off-Lafayette student responses (referred to as all-TV student responses). The all-TV responses are then subdivided into TV-with-audio-talkback responses and TV-videotape responses. The data indicate that students do learn by televised instruction, that students prefer TV-with-audio-talkback over videotaped instruction, and that students prefer live instruction to either kind of televised instruction. Some TV reception classes were Staffed with persons paid by Lafayette to provide local class monitoring. The evaluation data from these classes were indistinguishable from the evaluation data from TV classes without paid class monitors.
Diffusion of cadmium into InSb

Abstract P − N junction techniques were used to study the diffusion of the acceptor cadmium into n -type InSb. The p − n junctions were delineated at room temperature by applying an anodic stain process. Diffusions made with a source selected from the InSbCd phase diagram were found to yield reproducible junction depths which varied as the square root of time at fixed temperature. Planar diffusion interfaces were observed which produced diodes with abrupt junction behavior.
Macroeconomic effects of technology choice: Multiplier and structural path analysis within a SAM framework

Abstract The direct and indirect macroeconomic effects of technology choice on income distribution and the level and composition of output and employment are analyzed within the framework of a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM). In six specific sectors the impact of the gradual substitution of traditional technologies by modern technologies in Indonesia is examined within a highly disaggregated SAM. Fixed price multiplier analysis reveals that the pattern of income distribution and employment is quite sensitive to the adoption of new techniques. Finally, structural path analysis shows the entire network of paths through which the impact of a particular technology is transmitted on the disaggregated socioeconomic system.
Numerical study of MHD effect on liquid metal free jet under complex magnetic fields

In this paper, we present numerical studies of liquid metal free surface jet characteristic behavior under the influence of transverse fields and field gradients. The goal of the numerical simulation study is to evaluate the usefulness of a proposed numerical scheme for MHD analysis by comparing the numerical results with experimental observations. A 3D liquid metal MHD code based on an induced magnetic field formulation was developed and a penalty factor numerical method was introduced in order to force the local divergence-free condition of the magnetic field. The proposed numerical techniques give reasonable results as compared to experimental findings at a high Hartmann number.