cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A THOMISTIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE BEGINNING OF PERSONHOOD: REDUX

A THOMISTIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE BEGINNING OF PERSONHOOD: REDUX Jason T. Eberl Introduction I wish to thank Jan Deckers for his careful critique of my article. As it happens, I largely agree with Deckers’s overall assessment of my previous argument. Further research since the publication of that article has led me to conclude that the account I previously defended is not sufficiently compelling to negate the conclusion that, from a Thomistic metaphysical perspective, a human embryo is rationally ensouled at conception. I have developed my current view in two publications to which I refer the reader. In this response, I will indicate the points on which Deckers and I agree or disagree, and conclude by discussing a particular theological issue Deckers raises. Why Deckers Is Right Deckers asserts that “the fact that early embryos depend on the right environment for their survival cannot be used to support the claim that they are not ensouled.” This assertion, I now contend, is correct. An embryo’s requirement of a supportive, nutritive uterine environment does not preclude its possessing an active potentiality to develop itself into an actually thinking rational being. A uterus provides a supportive environment for an embryo to exercise its own developmental capacity. Uterine implantation does not
The effects of a companion on exploratory behavior in two strains of inbred laboratory mice.

In order to determine whether the presence of a companion has an effect on the exploratory behavior of laboratory mice and whether inbred strains differ in this effect, male C57BL/10J mice were run either alone (n=9) or in pairs (n=10) in a small box containing a checkered cube, and measurements were taken on exploration of the cube and escape attempts from the box during 10 min trials. Male LG/J mice were run under the same conditions, either alone (n=8) or in pairs (n=8). Following a two-way analysis of variance of the data, it was found that LG's explored considerably more than did B10's (means 130.81 and 87.00 sec, respectively,p<0.001), and that there was a significant interaction between strain and condition (p<0.01). Further analysis showed that B10's explored significantly more when run with a companion, while LG's explored significantly more when run alone. The LG's made no escape attempts, while the B10's tended but not significantly, to make more escape attempts when alone than when with a companion. The social effect on exploratory behavior differs in kind from that found previously in rats and preschool children, and in mice differs between strains.
Expectant Management of Prostate Cancer With Curative Intent: An Update of The Johns Hopkins Experience

Purpose: We updated our experience with a strategy of expectant treatment for men with stage T1c prostate cancer and evaluated predictors of disease intervention.Materials and Methods: A total of 407 men with a median age of 65.7 years (range 45.8 to 81.5) with stage T1c (99.8%) or T2a (0.2%) prostate cancer suspected of harboring small volume prostate cancer based on needle biopsy findings and prostate specific antigen density have been followed in a prospective, longitudinal surveillance program with a median followup of 2.8 years (range 0.4 to 12.5). A recommendation for treatment was made if disease progression was suggested by unfavorable followup needle biopsy findings (Gleason pattern 4 or 5, greater than 2 biopsy cores with cancer or greater than 50% involvement of any core with cancer). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the affect of multiple covariates on the outcome of curative intervention.Results: Of 407 men 239 (59%) men remained on active surveillance at a median foll...
Hostile, volatile, avoiding, and validating couple‐conflict types: An investigation of Gottman's couple‐conflict types

Using two very different sets of survey data, we investigated Gottman's (1994a, 1999) observational findings regarding couple-conflict types. We hypothesized that defensible couple-conflict types could be established using survey data based on an individual's perception of the style he or she uses in couple-conflict situations. Furthermore, we hypothesized that membership type would be related to relationship quality indicators such as satisfaction, stability, communication processes, and affect regulation. Our results showed that survey data can reliably produce couple-conflict types similar to Gottman’s. We further found that, on satisfaction, stability, positive communication, and soothing, hostile couple-conflict types had the lowest mean scores and validating couple-conflict types the highest mean scores. The types related in the opposite manner to negative communication, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and flooding. The other couple-conflict-type means - volatile and avoiding - are almost always between the extreme means of the hostile and validating couple-conflict types. Implications for research and practice conclude the article.
The effect of wearing a restrictive neck brace on driver performance.

OBJECTIVE Thousands of Americans are prescribed cervical orthoses each year. These orthoses restrict motion, which may influence the patient's driving performance. No legal restrictions exist that prohibit patients from wearing cervical orthoses while driving. No study addressing this issue has been published to date. Thus, we sought to assess the effects of wearing a restrictive neck brace on driver performance on the open road. METHODS We conducted a prospective, randomized block design study in 23 volunteers. Twenty-three adult licensed drivers from the state of Iowa were recruited. Evaluation of neck motion was performed with and without the rigid cervical orthosis. On-road performance testing was conducted with the use of a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory. Drivers were randomly assigned to one of two testing groups. Each driver was evaluated during two separate drives. Volunteers in Group A (n = 11) wore a neck brace for the first drive but not during the second. Participants in Group B (n = 12) did not wear a neck brace in the first drive but did for the second. The assessment included velocity, acceleration, cervical axial rotation, and evaluation of the driver's blind spot. RESULTS Driving performance measures were collected and analyzed for both drives. Wearing a cervical orthosis resulted in decreased velocity (P < 0.05), decreased lateral acceleration (P < 0.05), decreased axial rotation (P < 0.05), inadequate evaluation of intersection traffic, and an increase in the blind spot. CONCLUSION A rigid cervical orthosis alters driver performance.
Photographic Method for Hypervelocity Measurements

A slit camera has been designed to permit reliable velocity measurements in low-pressure chambers too small for ballistic pendulums. At two or more viewing ports along a horizontal trajectory, the shadow of the projectile is cast upon a vertical slit. A reduced image of each slit is focused on a film transported in a standard high-speed camera. Timing marks also are put on the film by means of a flashing strobe light. These, together with the measured displacement between projectile images, permit computation of the velocity. The system appears to be the most satisfactory means of attaining accurate hypervelocity measurements. It has been operated with excellent results over a variety of base lengths and gun sizes.
Exchange-rate uncertainty and workers' remittances

A panel of nine Western Hemisphere nations is employed to test the proposition that the remittances of immigrants respond to risk variables, in particular to exchange-rate uncertainty. To estimate annual exchange-rate uncertainty, a nonparametric estimator based on monthly exchange rate returns is used. Also the instrumental variables procedure of Pagan and Ullah (Journal of Applied Econometrics, 3, 87–105, 1988) is employed to insure that the conclusions are robust to possible error in the measurement of exchange-rate uncertainty. The results give credence to the ‘new economics of migration’ approach which argues that immigrants are highly motivated by portfolio variables.
Evaluation of the catalytic decomposition of H2O2 through use of organo-metallic complexes--a potential link to the luminol presumptive blood test.

Forensic scientists use several presumptive tests to detect latent blood stains at crime scenes; one of the most recognizable being the luminol reagent. Luminol, under basic conditions, reacts with an oxidizing species which, with the help of a transition metal catalyst facilitates a luminescent response. The typical oxidizing species used in the luminol reaction is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). While the luminol reaction has been studied since its inception, the mechanistic pathway is still an area of great debate. Previous work suggests that the luminol reaction with latent blood stains possesses a correlation to the Fenton-Decomposition reaction mechanism, which decomposes H2O2 into the strongly oxidizing hydroxyl radical (*OH) species. This work seeks to understand the luminol reaction on a mechanistic level and to determine if a synergy exists between the chemiluminescence observed in the reaction and the production of the hydroxyl radical via Fenton-like processes. Results indicate that organo-metallic complexes produce hydroxyl radicals at different rates and different concentrations. These findings appear to be related to structural differences in the organo-metallic complex, which conform to the 18 electron rule or are one electron rich/deficient. Furthermore, the production of *OH is controlled by the chemical environment which governs complex stability at high pH conditions, reflective of the luminol process. Model hemoglobin systems reveal a strong correlation between the rate of *OH production via the Fenton-like pathway and maximum chemiluminescent intensity.
Taiwanese Chinese people's conceptions of intelligence.

Abstract This study investigated Taiwanese Chinese conceptions of intelligence. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, people were asked to characterize an intelligent person. In the second study, people were asked to rate the attributes compiled from the first study according to the frequency or importance of the attribute. Five factors emerged from the ratings of frequency: general cognitive ability, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, intellectual self-promotion , and intellectual self-effacement . Four factors emerged from the ratings of importance: interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence, intellectual enjoyment, intellectual self-assertion , and general cognitive ability .
Bh[g]-Sequences with Large Upper Density

Abstract For any positive integers h , g , let m = m ( h , g ) be the largest possible integer such that for every a ∈ Z m the equation a ≡ x 1 + x 2 +…+ x h (mod m ) has at most g solutions (up to rearrangement of the x i 's). It is proved in this paper that there exists a B h [ g ]-sequence B ⊆[1, n ] with[formula]In particular, there exists a B 2 [2]-sequence B ⊆[1, n ] such that[formula]which improves an earlier result of Kolountzakis. It is also proved that for every g ⩾2 there exists an infinite B 2 [ g ]-sequence B ={ n 1 n 2
Hypoxia/hypotension evoked release of glutamate and aspartate from the rat cerebral cortex

Glutamate and aspartate levels in cerebral cortical superfusates rose rapidly after introduction of artificial cerebrospinal fluid into cortical cups to reach stable levels within 5-10 min. These equilibrated levels (glutamate 1.33 +/- 0.1 microM; aspartate 0.29 +/- 0.04 microM), which are very similar to those in fourth ventricular CSF (glutamate, 1.5 +/- 0.2 microM; aspartate, 0.27 +/- 0.03 microM), are likely to reflect basal interstitial amino acid levels in the superficial layers of the cortex. During and following brief (5 min) hypoxemic/hypotensive episodes, release of both excitatory amino acids into the cortical superfusates was enhanced. The finding of an hypoxia/hypotension-evoked release of excitatory amino acids is consistent with recent speculation that these agents may play an important role in the destruction of neurons in ischemic regions of the brain.
Charge splitting among anodes of a CdZnTe strip detector

We have studied charge splitting among the anodes of a CdZnTe (CZT) strip detector using a 30 micrometer collimated X-ray beam. The results indicate that charge splitting is a consequence of photoelectron range and diffusion. We also studied charge loss to the inter-anode regions. We showed that the charge loss increases as depth of interaction increases for interactions occurring above the inter-anode region.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Diffusion fields associated with prolate spheroids in size and shape coarsening

The diffusion field or solute concentration distributed around a prolate spheroidal particle simulating a rod- or needle-shaped precipitate has been solved for varying aspect ratios of the precipitate and varying concentrations along the precipitate surface owing to the curvature effect. With the prolate spheroidal coordinates, the principal curvatures of the prolate spheroidal surface are derived as functions of the angular variable, and the Laplace field equation is separated into two Legendre equations either on the radial variable or on the angular variable. The analytical solution fitting the present boundary conditions is secured as the sum of a Legendre function of the second kind of order zero and a Legendre series. The Legendre function of the second kind gives the concentration distribution when the curvature effect can be ignored, whereas the Legendre series represents the concentration contributed from the curvature effect. Numerical results of normalized concentrations are presented as functions of the radial and angular variables for selected aspect ratios. The tangent component of the concentration gradients, contributed from the curvature effect, may cause complicated mass transfer, which is responsible for shape coarsening.
LU Factorization with Partial Pivoting for a Multicore System with Accelerators

LU factorization with partial pivoting is a canonical numerical procedure and the main component of the high performance LINPACK benchmark. This paper presents an implementation of the algorithm for a hybrid, shared memory, system with standard CPU cores and GPU accelerators. The difficulty of implementing the algorithm for such a system lies in the disproportion between the computational power of the CPUs, compared to the GPUs, and in the meager bandwidth of the communication link between their memory systems. An additional challenge comes from the complexity of the memory-bound and synchronization-rich nature of the panel factorization component of the block LU algorithm, imposed by the use of partial pivoting. The challenges are tackled with the use of a data layout geared toward complex memory hierarchies, autotuning of GPU kernels, fine-grain parallelization of memory-bound CPU operations and dynamic scheduling of tasks to different devices. Performance in excess of one TeraFLOPS is achieved using four AMD Magny Cours CPUs and four NVIDIA Fermi GPUs.
Fluid flow in partially saturated, welded-nonwelded tuff units

Abstract A discrete fracture, porous matrix model and a composite medium model were used to study hydrological responses to cycles of pulse infiltration at Yucca Mountain, a potential site for a nuclear waste repository. The pulses were applied to fractures at the top of a vertical column composed of alternating layers of welded and nonwelded volcanic tuff. For average infiltration rates of 0.1 mm/yr, pulses expressed as short durations separated by periods up to 5000 yr, most effects of the transient infiltration pulses were damped by the Paintbrush nonwelded unit. The effects of eastern tilting of the units at Yucca Mountain on the steady state fluid flow distribution were studied using a two-dimensional model. Ghost Dance Fault was modeled as a seepage face. Under the expected flux conditions, saturation increased just to the west of the fault, but the water did not enter the fault with the seepage boundary condition.
Younger and Older Adults' Perception of the Wundt-Hering Illusion as a Function of Display Illumination and Reflectance Contrast:

Summary.-Reflectance contrast (i.e., black as compared to grey figures on white ground) and display illumination were manipulated to vary the brightness contrast of Wundt-Hering figures. 16 college students and 16 older adults were presented with high, medium, and low reflectance contrast figures. For half the participants, display illumination was manipulated by covering the figures with a .5 yellow neutral density filter. Magnitude of the illusion increased signjficantly with increased reflectance contrast for college students, and college students were significantly more susceptible to the high contrast figures than were older adults. Display illumination had no effect on
Effects of race, visual anonymity, and social category salience on online dating outcomes

Abstract This study investigates the two facets of the social identity model of deindividuation (SIDE) within the context of online dating and racial stereotyping; visual anonymity and salience of social categorization cues. Experiment 1 ( N = 23) employed a 2 (stereotypic attributes) × 2 (gender) × 12 (repetition) within-subject design where participants rated individuals as more attractive when their profiles were white-stereotypic compared to black-stereotypic. Experiment 2 ( N = 178) employed a 2 (gender) × 2 (race) × 2 (stereotype congruence) × 3 (repetition) mixed-factorial design to investigate effects of stereotype congruence on evaluations of attractiveness, attitudes, and dating behavioral intentions (DBI). Heterosexual white participants ( N = 126) had more favorable evaluations (attractiveness, attitudes, and DBI) of white profile owners with stereotype-congruent profiles than others. Findings are discussed in relation to models of computer-mediated communication and racial bias.
Clinical Validity of Prototype Personality Disorder Ratings in Adolescents

A growing body of research shows that personality pathology in adolescents is clinically distinctive and frequently stable into adulthood. A reliable and useful method for rating personality pathology in adolescent patients has the potential to enhance conceptualization, dissemination, and treatment effectiveness. The aim of this study is to examine the clinical validity of a prototype matching approach (derived from the Shedler Westen Assessment Procedure-Adolescent Version) for quantifying personality pathology in an adolescent inpatient sample. Sixty-six adolescent inpatients and their parents or legal guardians completed forms of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) assessing emotional and behavioral problems. Clinical criterion variables including suicide history, substance use, and fights with peers were also assessed. Patients' individual and group therapists on the inpatient unit completed personality prototype ratings. Prototype diagnoses demonstrated substantial reliability (median intraclass correlation coefficient =.75) across independent ratings from individual and group therapists. Personality prototype ratings correlated with the CBCL scales and clinical criterion variables in anticipated and meaningful ways. As seen in prior research with adult samples, prototype personality ratings show clinical validity across independent clinician raters previously unfamiliar with the approach, and they are meaningfully related to clinical symptoms, behavioral problems, and adaptive functioning.
The Assessment of Performance and Self-report Validity in Persons Claiming Pain-related Disability

One third of all people will experience spinal pain in their lifetime and half of these will experience chronic pain. Pain often occurs in the context of a legally compensable event with back pain being the most common reason for filing a Workers Compensation claim in the United States. When financial incentives to appear disabled exist, malingered pain-related disability is a potential problem. Malingering may take the form of exaggerated physical, emotional, or cognitive symptoms and/or under-performance on measures of cognitive and physical capacity. Essential to the accurate detection of Malingered Pain-related Disability is the understanding that malingering is an act of will, the goal of which is to increase the appearance of disability beyond that which would naturally arise from the injury in question. This paper will review a number of Symptom Validity Tests (SVTs) that have been developed to detect malingering in patients claiming pain-related disability and will conclude with a review of studies showing the diagnostic benefit of combining SVT findings from a comprehensive malingering assessment. The utilization of a variety of tools sensitive to the multiple manifestations of malingering increases the odds of detecting invalid claims while reducing the risk of rejecting a valid claim.
The MDG Hunger Target and the Competing Frameworks of Food Security

AbstractThis paper explores the effects of global goals on policies and ideas in development. The paper analyzes the consequences of the Millennium Development Goal hunger target on international development priorities and discourse. We argue that while the target did little to mobilize support to hunger as a global priority, it had more important implications for reshaping food security strategies. It reframed the narrative of hunger around under-nutrition targets that could be reached through narrowly focused and targeted interventions. Since 2000, strategies adopted by high-profile and well-resourced global initiatives emphasize short-term achievements of results, technological solutions, and the important role of the private sector. This contrasts with the 1996 World Food Summit consensus that conceptualized food as a human right, and food security as a multi-dimensional challenge emphasizing social, economic and political change. Although global goals focused on outcomes are intended to be neutral wi...
Stomach-specific anti-H. pylori therapy. I: preparation and characterization of tetracyline-loaded chitosan microspheres

The main objective of the study was to develop a stomach-specific drug delivery system to increase the efficacy of tetracycline against Helicobacter pylori. Chitosan microspheres were prepared by ionic cross-linking and precipitation with sodium sulfate. Two different methods were used for drug loading. In method I, tetracycline was mixed with chitosan solution before the simultaneous cross-linking and precipitation. In method II, the drug was incubated with pre-formed microspheres for 48 h. The cumulative amount of tetracycline that was released from chitosan microspheres and the stability of the drug was examined in different pH medium at 37 degrees C. Microspheres with a spherical shape and an average diameter of 2.0-3.0 microm were formed. When the drug was added to the polymer solution before cross-linking and precipitation only 8% (w/w) was optimally incorporated in the final microsphere formulation. When the drug was incubated with the pre-formed microspheres, on the other hand, a maximum of 69% (w/w) could be loaded. Thirty percent of tetracycline either in solution or when released from microspheres was found to degrade at pH 1.2 in 12 h. The preliminary results from this study suggest that chitosan microspheres can be used to incorporate antibiotic drugs and may be effective when administered locally in the stomach against H. pylori.
PACS: "Back to the Future"

Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) have evolved at a sporadic rate over the past ten years. Significant technological advances have transformed these systems from a theoretical concept into functional reality. The Proceedings of the first SPIE/PACS conference held in 1982 served as a 'starting point' from which progress in PACS may be measured. The panel discussion at this conference provided a valuable forum for recognized leaders from industry as well as the medical community to present their opinions. Participation from this diverse group ensured that the entire spectrum of PACS related topics was discussed. This paper retrospectively reviews the perceptions and predictions about the future of PACS as expressed at the 1982 SPIE/PACS conference. The major predictions are summarized and compared with the current state-of-the-art in PACS.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
High energy p-p and π-p scattering in serber's model

The predictions of Serber's optical model for a purely imaginary Yukawa potential are compared with experimental high energy data for p-p and pi /sup plus or minus /-p scattering. It is shown that a superposition of two Yukawa potentials gives a significantly better fit to the experimental data than a simple Yukawa potential. (C.E.S.)
Alkylbenzyl ethers of hydroquinones as monoamine oxidase B inhibitors

A series of alkylbenzylethers of substituted hydroquinone analogs of 4-(3-chlorophenyl methyloxy)-phenoxybutyronitrile I, and alcohol II were synthesized as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Incorporation of electron-withdrawing groups on the hydroquinone afforded compounds with higher levels of activity and selectivity than I or II for MAO B inhibition.
Applications of laser photoacoustic spectroscopy using an optical parametric oscillator to the study of complexation equilibria in dilute aqueous solutions

A 30 Hz YAG laser pumped, narrow-line, optical parametric oscillator (OPO) has been used to investigate the chemical states of selected compounds in aqueous solution. The OPO system has the advantage that it can scan wavelengths over large ranges without significant loss of output power. The visible spectra of rare earth complexes in dilute aqueous solutions (as chemical analogs for the actinides) have been studied and preliminary qualitative results for erbium acetate complexes at the 100 micromolar level are in good agreement with literature data. Quantitative measurements of the protonation constant for phenol red at the 100 nanomolar level were measured. The particular implementation of the OPO system used in this work introduced a number of spectral artifacts due to optical signal overlap with near-infrared water absorption bands. In addition, it was demonstrated that the concentration limiting factor for photoacoustic spectroscopy is the intrisic absorption of water in the visible region of the spectrum.
Neurotensin levels in the hepatic-portal circulation are inversely related to the circadian feeding cycle in rats.

To investigate whether the circulating level of neurotensin (NT) in the rat is related to either the 24-h pattern in food consumption or environmental lighting conditions, the plasma level of NT was determined every 4 h in the hepaticportal vein and the abdominal aorta over the course of 24 h. At each time interval, pooled plasma samples from groups of 4 rats were extracted, lyophilized, reconstituted, and subjected to HPLC. Column fractions were radioimmunoassayed with both N- and C-terminal directed antisera. Animals housed in a 12-h light, 12-h dark cycle and given food and water ad libitum had a significant (P < 0.05) 24-h variation in the level of chromatographically and immunochemically identified NT in the portal circulation while the level of NT in the systemic circulation remained unchanged. The level of NT in portal blood ranged from 12–38 fmol/ml and was highest in the afternoon, 12–16 h after peak feeding. The level of NT in aortic blood never exceeded 7 fmol/ml. Similar results were obtained ...
The hidden side of unstable DNA repeats: Mutagenesis at a distance

Structure-prone DNA repeats are common components of genomic DNA in all kingdoms of life. In humans, these repeats are linked to genomic instabilities that result in various hereditary disorders, including many cancers. It has long been known that DNA repeats are not only highly polymorphic in length but can also cause chromosomal fragility and stimulate gross chromosomal rearrangements, i.e., deletions, duplications, inversions, translocations and more complex shuffles. More recently, it has become clear that inherently unstable DNA repeats dramatically elevate mutation rates in surrounding DNA segments and that these mutations can occur up to ten kilobases away from the repetitive tract, a phenomenon we call repeat-induced mutagenesis (RIM). This review describes experimental data that led to the discovery and characterization of RIM and discusses the molecular mechanisms that could account for this phenomenon.
S-matrix theory of ultrafast optical phenomena in semiconductors

A formalism for describing optical and transport properties of semiconductors excited by ultrashort laser pulses is presented. In contrast to existing theories, the quantum dynamics is described in terms of appropriately generalized single-particle wavefunctions (S-matrix) instead of the ensemble-averaged observables such as distribution functions. The S-matrix is an operator that relates Heisenberg second quantization operators at finite times to their values in a vacuum state prior to excitation. The explicit form of the S-matrix is given by a perturbative expansion whose terms contain pairs of creation and annihilation operators. The coefficients of the expansion are found using a specially developed diagram technique for Coulomb systems. The first (c-number) term of this expansion is formed from single-electron wavefunctions in an optically excited noninteracting system. In real space, these wavefunctions are well-defined wavepackets whose properties can be investigated analytically. Linear and nonlinear ultrafast optical phenomena are controlled by overlap between conduction and valence band wavepackets. Specific cases of noninteracting electrons, coherent interactions leading to excitonic effects, and the incoherent scattering in the Born approximation are analysed within the S-matrix approach. {copyright} 1997 Academic Press, Inc.
Perianesthesia care of cardiac surgery patients: A CPAN review

Abstract Postoperative nursing management of cardiac surgery patients is considered part of perianesthesia nursing core curriculum by ASPAN. In many hospitals, however, these patients bypass the PACU and are admitted directly to the ICU. For that reason, perianesthesia nurses who do not have cardiothoracic surgical ICU experience need information related to the immediate postoperative routine and nursing care regimen of cardiac surgery patients. Bleeding, cardiac tamponade, low cardiac output syndrome, and dysrhythmias are postoperative complications that are discussed. A brief overview of postoperative nursing management and several "nursing pearls of wisdom" are also presented. © 2001 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.
Introduction: Economic Issues in Auctions

Auctions have been used to sell goods and services for thousands of years. Records of Babylonian slave auctions date back to 500 B.C. The famous auction houses of Sotheby’s and Christie’s began in the 1700s and continue to be successful by specializing in the sale of rare works of art. Research on the economics of auctions did not flourish until auctions became a more common way of selling goods and services. Research interest rose when the U.S Government decided to auction off the right to drill for offshore oil in the 1970s. Beginning in the 1990s, the government auctioned off radio spectrum for use by cell phone providers. In the last 15 years, growth of the Internet has made Internet auctions feasible. Internet auctions have lowered the cost of bringing sellers together with potential buyers who may be scattered around the globe. Today, millions of people participate in Internet auctions for awide range of items such as consumer collectables, clothing, electronic equipment, automobiles, and real estate. As auctions became a more common way of doing business, economic theorists have worked to identify auctions that are Pareto efficient and are the most profitable for sellers. The proliferation of sales by auction has generated more data, making it possible to empirically analyze buyer and seller behavior and the efficiency of real auctions. The articles in this series address a number of important issues on the economics of auctions. The first paper by Kevin Hasker and Robin Sickles contains a survey of the auctions found on eBay, the leading Internet auctioneer in the world. eBay’s behavior is interesting in general, as it uses several selling formats besides auctions. In addition, eBay auctions are not consistent with all of the formal bidding rules of
Selective immobilization of DNA and antibody probes on electrode arrays: simultaneous electrochemical detection of DNA and protein on a single platform.

A proof of concept procedure for the electroaddressable covalent immobilization of DNA and protein on arrayed electrodes along with simultaneous detection of multiple bioagents in the same sample solution is described. Carboxyphenyldiazonium was selectively deposited onto five of nine individually addressable electrodes in an array via bias assisted assembly. Amine functionalized DNA probes were covalently coupled to the carboxyl surface via carbodiimide chemistry. This was followed by the covalent immobilization of diazonium-antibody conjugates into the remaining four electrodes via cyclic voltammetry. Simultaneous electrochemical detection of a DNA sequence related to the breast cancer BRCA1 gene and the human cytokine protein interleukin-12, which is a substantial component in the immune system response and attack of tumor cells, is reported. These results demonstrate the possibility of selective patterning of diverse biomolecules on a single device and may have significant implications for future deve...
Key to the shallow water Mysidacea of the Texas coast with notes on their ecology

An illustrated key is presented for the shallow water mysid shrimp of the Texas coast. Six genera and 10 species are included. Information concerning the distribution, ecology, reproductive biology, and morphology of the species in Texas waters is given.
Y2K: Effects on pacemaker and implantable defibrillator programmers

Abstract All permanent pacemakers and implantable defibrillators (PPM/ICDs) will continue to function as programmed without regard to the date in the year 2000 (Y2K). All manufacturers contacted reassured us that some of these devices incorporate a day/year clock in the circuitry; however, these are not involved in sensing or delivering programmed therapy. Some manufacturers’ device programmers will roll over to the year 2000 without any problems at all, whereas others may have difficulty with date and time stamping on printed reports. We tested 14 different types of PPM/ICD programmers for Y2K compliance using 8 tests. Five of the 14 models passed each test and were labeled at our institution with a green “Y2K” sticker to identify them as Y2K compatible and needing no special attention after December 31, 1999. The most common test failed was the ability to roll the date forward from December 31, 1999, with the programmer power off. Organizations should consider testing and replacing noncompliant device programmers or placing a red sticker with “Y2K” crossed out on noncompliant pieces. The red sticker alerts the advanced practice nurse or physician to the need to confirm the appropriate date and time in the programmer after startup in the year 2000 and before interrogating or programming any PPM/ICD, to avoid inappropriate date and time stamping on printed reports from that programmer. (Heart Lung ® 1999;28:380-5)
Long-Term Risk of Fatal Malignancy Following Pediatric Radiofrequency Ablation

Children undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are believed to be at increased risk of developing malignancy caused by radiation, although the magnitude of this risk is incompletely understood. We previously reported a strategy to reduce radiation exposure during pediatric RFA. In a cohort of 15 subjects (median age 12 years, range 9 to 17), radiation was measured using dosimeters at 5 sites. The risk of malignancy using measured radiation absorbed dose was calculated. International Council for Radiation Protection 60 risk estimates were applied to calculate absorbed organ doses. Median duration of combined biplane fluoroscopy was 14.4 minutes. Of the 5 dosimeter locations, the right scapular location had the highest median radiation exposure (43 mGy). Incorporating data from the 5 dosimeters, the risk model calculated that the organ with the greatest absorbed dose and at greatest risk of malignancy was the lung, followed by bone marrow, then breast. Thyroid and ovary exposures were negligible. The increased lifetime risk of fatal malignancy was 0.02% per single RFA procedure. In conclusion, with appropriate measures to reduce radiation exposure, the increased risk of malignancy after a single RFA procedure in children is low. These data should be of help counseling families and will contribute to analysis of the relative risk reduction benefits of such novel imaging approaches as a magnetic resonance imaging-based catheterization laboratory.
Rotation of porphyroblasts in non‐coaxial deformation: insights from computer simulations

Porphyroblast inclusion trails have the potential to provide critical information about tectonometamorphic events. Recently, however, traditional interpretations of inclusion trails have been called into question by the suggestions that porphyroblasts do not rotate during non-coaxial deformation and that apparent spiral inclusion trails can be generated in coaxial deformation. We present a new computer model that simulates inclusion trail development. Model results suggest: (1) that the extent of porphyroblast rotation is controlled by conditions at the porphyroblast-matrix boundary; (2) that curved inclusion trails may develop in unrotated porphyroblasts; (3) that classic “snowball” inclusion trails are most simply explained by rotational growth histories; and (4) that some of the observations used to support the view that porphyroblasts do not rotate (e.g. weakly sigmoidal inclusion trails, apparent truncations of inclusion trails) can be accounted for by variations in the growth rate of rotating porphyroblasts.
PROCUREMENT AND USE OF TURTLE EMBRYOS FOR EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES.

Procedures for experiments on the embryo of the turtle are described. Methods of obtaining the gravid females, their handling, and preoperative preparation of the egg are described. The actual operation can be carried out much as it is done on the chick embryo. Post-operative care is described. Survival can be satisfactory. Hazards of the procedure are discussed and means of controlling them indicated. Most of the experiments were done with embryos of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. A few experiments were done with embryos of the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta, and of the soft-shelled turtle, Trionyx spiniferus. The embryos of the painted turtle promise to be well suited to use for experimental studies. The soft-shelled turtle is not such a promising form.
Transformation, emotional intelligence, and brain science

Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation By Daniel J. Siegel New York: Bantam Books, 2010. 316 pp. ISBN: 978-0-553-80470-6. $24.99
The Effects of Computer-Assisted Versus Teacher-Directed Instruction on the Multiplication Performance of Elementary Students with Learning Disabilities:

The acquisition of multiplication facts by 4 elementary students with learning disabilities was compared under two instructional delivery formats-teacher directed and computer assisted. The two interventions were compared in terms of opportunities to respond and success rate. All students mastered more facts in the teacher-directed condition. In addition, teachers provided many more opportunities to respond and showed a higher success rate than did the software program. Implications of teacher-directed and computer-assisted instruction are discussed in terms of efficacy and feasibility.
Spectra from nuclear-excited plasmas

The paper discusses the spectra taken from He-3(n,p)H-3 nuclear-induced plasmas under high thermal neutron flux, lasing conditions. Also, initial spectra are presented for U-235F6 generated plasmas. From an evaluation of these spectra, important atomic and molecular processes that occur in the plasma can be inferred. The spectra presented are the first to be generated by He-3 and U-235F6 nuclear reactions under high neutron flux, lasing conditions. The U-235(n,ff)FF reaction, which liberates 165 MeV of fission-fragment kinetic energy, creates plasmas that are of great interest, since at sufficiently high densities of U-235F6 the gas becomes self-critical; thus, there is no need for an external driving reactor (source of neutrons). The spectra from mixtures of He-3 and Ar, Xe, Kr, Ne, Cl2, F2 and N2 indicate little difference between high-pressure nuclear-induced plasmas and high-pressure electrically pulsed afterglow plasmas for noble-gas systems
The “Dogs of the Dow” Myth

The “Dogs of the Dow” (or “Dow Dog”) investment strategy, is a popular investment approach that promises huge abnormal returns for investors in the ten top yielding stocks from the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). However, periods of evident outperformance are balanced by periods of conspicuous underperformance. When strategy returns are adjusted for taxes and rebalancing costs, Dow Dogs perform in line with the DJIA over the 1961–1998 period. As a result, there is no robust evidence of an average return anomaly tied to Dow Dogs.
Slide: Streaming and Load-Adaptive Periodicity Estimation

We introduce a CPU-adaptive algorithm for spectrum estimation on streaming data. Our approach combines a fast and intelligent load-shedding scheme with a closed form incremental spectrum computation, which adapts gracefully to the available computational resources.
Zooplankton abundance trends on Georges Bank, 1977–2004

Interannual trends in Georges Bank zooplankton abundance are described and related to variations in environmental variables for the period 1977–2004. Total zooplankton counts increased to above average levels in 1989 and stayed over or close to average through 2004. This analysis identified a group of taxa including Centropages typicus, Metridia lucens, and Temora longicornis that had similar interannual patterns of abundance. All these taxa increased sharply in the early 1990s and remained high through 2001. Some taxa declined sharply in 2002, others have continued elevated through 2004. Total zooplankton counts in the past two years were also boosted by a substantial increase in the abundance of the copepod Calanus finmarchicus. Evidence is presented that these changes may be related to variations in Scotian Shelf inflow, which freshened water on the Northeast US continental shelf, perhaps increasing both primary production and the influx of zooplankton into the region. There was a positive correlation between the biomass of pelagic predators and the abundance of several zooplankton taxa, suggesting that bottom-up processes and advective supply are the key factors that regulate the Georges Bank foodweb.
Design of probabilistic Boolean networks under the requirement of contextual data consistency

A key issue of genomic signal processing is the design of gene regulatory networks. A probabilistic Boolean network (PBN) is composed of a family of Boolean networks. It stochastically switches between its constituent networks (contexts). For network design, connectivity and transition rules must be inferred from data via some optimization criterion. Except rarely, the optimal rule for a gene will not be a perfect predictor because there will be inconsistencies in the data. It would be natural to model these inconsistencies to reflect changes in PBN contexts. If we assume inconsistencies result from the data arising from a random function, then design involves finding the realizations of a random function and the probability mass on those realizations so that the resulting random function best fits the data relative to the expectation of its output and does so using a minimal number of realizations. We propose PBN design satisfying the biological assumption that data are consistent within a context, for which the distribution of the network agrees with the empirical distribution of the data, and such that this is accomplished with a minimal number of contexts. The design also satisfies the biological constraint that, because the network spends the great majority of time in its attractors, all data states should be attractor states in the model
An efficient FFT algorithm for real-symmetric data

A very efficient algorithm for computing the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of real-symmetric input is presented. The algorithm is based on Bruun's algorithm where, except for the last stage, all twiddle factors are purely real. It is well-known that about half of the arithmetic operations and memory requirements can be removed when the input is real-valued. It may be assumed that another half of the computational and memory requirements can be eliminated when the input is real and symmetric. This is, however, impossible with a standard radix-2 fast Fourier transform (FFT), but can be achieved by the Bruun algorithm. The symmetries within the algorithm with for real-symmetric input are exploited to remove about three fourths of the butterflies and memory locations. The algorithm presented achieves the same low arithmetic as the split-radix FFT for real-symmetric data, but has a structure that is as simple as the radix-2. The implementation on the TMS320C30 shows that the new algorithm fits a DSP processor very well. The program requires 0.51-0.60 ms to compute a length 1024 FFT with real-symmetric data. >
Modeling and optimization of drug release from laminated polymer matrix devices

The design and modeling of drug delivery devices using laminated layers to produce spatially nonuniform matrix devices leading to desired release rates were investigated with the focus on their optimal laminated hydrogel matrices for the difision-controlled release of dissolved drugs. The model consists of polymer layers laminated together through a photopolymerization process to form matrices with a spatially nonuniform initial drug distribution and/or nonuniform drug difbsivities. The model solution establishes that the drug difision behavior, especially the early time release behavior, can be manipulated by altering spatially nonuniform initial drug distributions and drug difbsiuities in the assembly. Furthermore, optimal control theory and calculus of variation were used to determine a set of initial drug concentrations in the layers to attain a Jystem that exhibits a drug release profile as close to required profile as possible for all time.
Kinetics of Hydrolysis of Barbituric Acid Derivatives

The neutral and alkaline hydrolyses of barbituric acid and some of its substituted derivatives were followed spectrophotometrically. The rate‐pH profiles for all of the 5,5‐disubstituted barbiturates were similar. A different profile was observed for barbituric acid because of its comparatively low pKa1'. The rate‐pH profile of metharbital showed no curvature at high pH values, since the 1‐methyl substituent prevents the second possible proton dissociation. All profiles could be explained by hydroxyl‐ion attack on the undissociated and monoanion forms of the barbiturate, whereas the dianions are unreactive. The reactivity of the barbiturates was correlated with the Newman rule of six as a measure of steric influence on hydrolysis. A previously unmentioned, reversible system between the barbiturate and its ring‐opened malonuric acid derivative was observed and may be used to postulate that the fraction decomposing via1,6 ring opening is a function of pH rather than a direct consequence of a unique degradation pathway for the ionic form of the barbiturate. Ionic strength effects in the alkaline hydrolyses of amobarbital and phenobarbital increase the rate of barbiturate degradation by the attack of hydroxyl ion on the monoanion and/or its kinetic equivalent. The Arrhenius parameters for all compounds were determined.