cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Day and Night Electrofishing: Size Structure and Catch per Unit Effort for Smallmouth Bass

Abstract Catch per hour of effort (CPUE) of all smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui; CPUE of small ( 280 mm) smallmouth bass; and proportional stock density (PSD = 100 [number of quality-length fish/number of stocklength fish]; stock length = 180 mm or longer) were compared between day and night electrofishing samples. Data were from catches of smallmouth bass in the Maquoketa River, Iowa, during spring 1978. The CPUE for smallmouth bass was significantly higher for nighttime electrofishing (P < 0.01) than for daytime electrofishing. The CPUE for sampling at night for all length ranges of smallmouth bass was also significantly higher (P < 0.01) than during the day, and the PSD calculated from the daytime catch was 27, whereas it was 33 for electrofishing at night, a 22% increase. Night electrofishing in rivers is recommended for this species to improve gear efficiency, reduce the time necessary to make population estimates, and increase sam...
The best simple code generation technique for WHILE, FOR, and DO loops

This code generation technique for WHILE, FOR, and DO loops is simple to implement and usually results in the best loop code in the absence of flow analysis. Also the technique makes it possible to move code from inner loops without doing flow analysis and without ever moving code from a less frequently executed block to a more frequently executed block.
Gas Chromatographic Determination of Water Content in Commercial Cheese

The water content of commercial cheese was determined by a gas chromatograph equipped with a DBWAX fused-silica megabore column and a thermal conductivity detector. Cheese samples were homogenized with acetone and centrifuged. The supernatants were directly analyzed for water by gas chromatography. Water content of commercial cheese varied from 23.4% in Cheddar to 81.2% in Cottage.
Conservation laws in elasticity. III. Planar linear anisotropic elastostatics

The first order conservation laws for an arbitrary homogeneous linear planar elastic material are completely classified. In all cases, both isotropic and anisotropic, besides the standard Betti reciprocity laws, there are two infinite-dimensional families of conservation laws, each depending on an arbitrary analytic function of two complex variables.
Design and evaluation of a fiberoptic fluorescence guided laser recanalization system

Current angioplasty techniques for recanalization of totally occluded arteries are limited by the inability to cross the occlusion and by the risk of perforation. A fiberoptic fluorescence guided laser recanalization system was developed and evaluated in vitro for recanalization of 17 human femoral or tibial totally occluded arterial segments (length 1.9-6.8 cm, diameter 2.5-6.0 mm). A 400 or 600 micron silica fiber was coupled to a helium-cadmium laser (lambda = 325 nm) for fluorescence excitation and to a holmium: YAG laser (lambda = 2.1 micron) for tissue ablation. Fluorescence was recorded during recanalization after every other holmium laser pulse. During recanalization, each arterial segment was bent 30-90 degrees with respect to the fiber to simulate arterial tortuosity. Ablation continued with fiber advancement as long as the fluorescence confirmed that the target tissue was atherosclerotic. Arterial spectra were classified as normal or atherosclerotic by an on-line computerized fluorescence classification algorithm (sensitivity 93%, specificity 95%). Normal fluorescence necessitated redirection of the fiber greater than 30 times per segment to continue recanalization. Fifteen of 17 totally occluded arteries had multiple recanalization channels created following total energy delivery of 40-1,016 Joules per segment with no angiographic or histologic evidence of laser perforation. Two heavily calcified arterial occlusions were not recanalized due to inhibition of holmium: YAG laser ablation by the recording of normal fluorescence spectra. Therefore, this fluorescence guided laser recanalization system appears safe and effective for recanalization of totally occluded arteries and merits in vivo evaluation. However, the lower sensitivity of fluorescence detection of heavily calcified plaques may limit the efficacy (but not safety) of fluorescence guided recanalization of heavily calcified occlusions.
Modulating molecular and nanoparticle transport in flexible polydimethylsiloxane membranes

Abstract The ability to fabricate flexible filtration membranes that can selectively separate particles of different sizes is of considerable interest. In this article, we describe a facile, reproducible and simple one-step method to produce pores in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes. We embedded micron-sized NaHCO 3 particles in 50 μm thick PDMS films. After curing, the membranes were immersed in concentrated HCl acid. Pores were generated in the membrane by the evolution of CO 2 gas from the reaction of NaHCO 3 and HCl. High resolution scanning electron microscope images clearly reveal the presence of openings on the surface and the cross-section of the membranes. Fluorescence and back-scattered electron imaging of porous PDMS membrane with embedded gold nanoparticles and comparison with non-porous PDMS membranes provided unambiguous evidence of pores in the membrane. Transport studies of molecular fluoresceinate ions, ions (sodium and chloride) and 240 nm polystyrene nanoparticles through these membranes demonstrate passable pores and existence of channels within the body of the membrane. Mechanically stretching the porous PDMS membrane and comparing the flow rates of fluoresceinate ions and the polystyrene beads through the stretched and unstretched membranes allowed a direct proof of the modulation of transport rate in the membranes. We show that stretching the membranes by 10% increases the flow rate of fluorescein molecules by 2.8 times and by a factor of approximately ∼40% for the polystyrene nanoparticles.
Design for the evaluation of management information systems

Abstract This paper describes a technique for evaluating management information systems. The authors set up a matrix of various features to be considered (such as inputs or environment) and a classification scheme for characterizing aspects of these features (eg as physical properties or attitudes). This matrix is applied to the system and to the evaluation of the system. The use of an evaluation matrix in CMI (computer-managed instruction) is discussed.
Effect of cathode composition on impedance rise in high-power lithium-ion cells: Long-term aging results

Abstract Extended cycle- and calendar-life testing of lithium-ion cells has shown the effect of aluminum concentration in the cathode on the area-specific impedance versus time behavior of the cell. In cells with a LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (5% Al) cathode, the change in mechanism from t1/2 to t occurred at about 35 weeks. Increasing the aluminum concentration to 10% (LiNi0.8Co0.1Al0.1O2) delayed the change for, approximately, an additional 30 weeks. The factors affecting the rate of increase during the parabolic and linear portions of the curve depended on cathode composition and particle size. The difference in the time it took for the change in mechanism was related to the cathode composition.
Human Monocyte Chemotaxis: A Quantitative in Vivo Technique

This report describes a new quantitative technique for evaluating monocyte chemotaxis to a site of superficial epidermal abrasion. Micro-acrylic chambers containing 50% Zymosan activated autologous serum were separated from a 5-mm diameter epidermal abrasion by 2 Nucleopore filters which entrapped migrating monocytes but allowed free neutrophil migration. Monocytes were specifically identified by alpha napthyl acetate esterase activity. Monocytes accumulated within the filters by 4 hr and maximized at 16 and 20 hr. This technique is superior to previous skin chamber techniques in the high yield of monocytes and in specific histochemical identification of monocytes. In contrast to the Rebuck window, it does not generate attractants and has greater reproducibility. This technique will be useful in the study of diseases characterized by monocytic infiltrates, in contrasting the function of peripheral blood monocytes to those available in the skin, and in testing the effects of drugs, immunodeficiency and infection on monocyte function in vivo .
Voltage-induced anomalies in the coplanar conductance of amorphous semiconductor-insulator multilayers.

The electrical properties of compositionally modulated multilayer films consisting of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and amorphous silicon nitride (a-${\mathrm{SiN}}_{\mathrm{x}}$:H) possess several anomalies that are not observed in unlayered a-Si:H films. Long time constants and an increase in coplanar dark conductance are observed when a moderately large bias is applied to the samples. A brief exposure to light while the sample is under bias further increases the dark conductance. This metastable state lasts for hours and can be removed either by annealing at higher temperatures or by a brief exposure to light with no bias applied. The results are explained by charge accumulation in the semiconductor layers due to the potential difference across the insulating layers. This happens when the inhomogeneities in the a-Si:H layers produce different potential profiles of the applied bias in adjacent a-Si:H layers.
Knowledge Maps and the Presentation of Related Information Domains

Abstract An experiment was conducted to assess the relative effectiveness of multiple-relationship knowledge maps and traditional text for the presentation of related information domains. A secondary purpose was to investigate comparative versus sequential presentations. Knowledge maps were found to be superior to traditional text in acquisition and affect associated with studying for one type of material. Moreover, students in the map groups reported gaining more knowledge about their information processing and study strategies that would help them in future learning than did those in the text groups. However, these results were not replicated with respect to a second sample of text on a different topic. Subject matter and structural parameters that might account for the inability to replicate the knowledge map effect across passages are identified.
Identification of the lunar flash of 1953 with a fresh crater on the moon’s surface

Abstract A 1953 telescopic photograph of a flash on the Moon is the only unequivocal record of the rare crash of an asteroid-sized body onto the lunar surface. We estimate that this event would create an impact feature up to several km in size and that the diameter of the impacting body would be about 20 m. Such an event would cause regional devastation if it occurred on Earth. Although not detectable with ground- based telescopes, the lunar crater should be visible in space-based images of the Moon. A search of images from the Clementine mission reveals an ∼1.5-km high-albedo, blue, fresh-appearing crater with an associated ejecta blanket at the location of the flash. The identification of this crater offers an opportunity to investigate subsurface unaltered lunar soils.
Personal health records: meaningful use, but for whom?

Providers and hospitals have received more than $5 billion from the federal government for meaningfully using electronic health records as of April 2012. Meaningful Use stage 1 makes adoption of the personal health record optional. The proposed Meaningful Use stage 2 regulations make personal health record use mandatory. There is peer-reviewed literature to support a personal health record adoption rate of 10%, which is optional in stage 1 and required in stage 2. The literature also supports the use of secure messaging required in stage 2. However, there is little evidence to support other stage 2 personal health record requirements and dependencies. Further study is urgently needed to ensure that Meaningful Use stage 2 is meaningful for both patients and providers. Mt Sinai J Med 79:593–602, 2012 © 2012 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Self-efficacy and mental models in learning to program

Learning to program is a unique experience for each student, and it is not fully understood why one person in an introductory programming course learns to program better and more quickly than the next. Self-efficacy is an individual's judgment of his or her ability to perform a task within a specific domain [1]. A mental model is a person's internal (mental) representation of real world objects and systems [9]. Research has shown that high self-efficacy and a good mental model are important to knowledge acquisition and transfer. This research investigates the effects of students' self-efficacy and mental models of programming on learning to program. The results show that self-efficacy for programming is influenced by previous programming experience and increases as a student progresses through an introductory programming course. The results also show that the student's mental model of programming influences self-efficacy and that both the mental model and self-efficacy affect course performance.
Attenuated adrenocorticotropic responses to psychological stress are associated with early smoking relapse

Research has demonstrated that psychosocial stressors increase smoking and risk for smoking relapse. Alterations in biological systems involved in the stress response caused by chronic smoking may contribute to early relapse. We examined the extent to which pituitary–adrenocortical and cardiovascular responses to stress following the first 24 h of a quit attempt predict early relapse. Seventy-two smokers interested in cessation attended a laboratory stress session 24 h after the beginning of their cessation attempt. Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), plasma and salivary cortisol concentrations, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) responses to acute psychological stressors (public speaking and cognitive challenges) were used to predict relapse over a 4-week follow-up period. Those who relapsed within 4 weeks showed attenuated hormonal and cardiovascular responses to stress and exaggerated withdrawal symptoms. Cox proportional hazards survival analysis showed that attenuated ACTH, plasma cortisol, systolic and diastolic BP, positive affect, and exaggerated withdrawal symptoms and smoking urges during acute stress predicted early relapse. Stepwise model showed that ACTH, diastolic BP, and exaggerated withdrawal symptoms remain as significant predictors. When baseline smoking and psychological measures were included in the model, changes in ACTH, diastolic BP, and both factors of smoking urges remained significant predictors of relapse. These results demonstrate that altered stress response predicts increased vulnerability for smoking relapse.
Synthesis and Reactions of the Triruthenamonocarboncarborane Cluster Complex [NHMe3][Ru3(CO)8(η5-7-CB10H11)]†

In thf (tetrahydrofuran) at reflux temperatures the compounds [Ru3(CO)12] and [NHMe3][nido-7-CB10H13] give the anionic triruthenium complex [Ru3(CO)8(η5-7-CB10H11)]-, characterized as its [PPh4]+ salt (4a). Protonation of [NHMe3][Ru3(CO)8(η5-7-CB10H11)] (4b) with HBF4·Et2O yields the hydrido cluster complex [Ru3(μ-H)(CO)8(η5-7-CB10H11)] (5), the structure of which has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The molecule has a triangle of ruthenium atoms. One ruthenium atom is ligated by the η5-7-CB10H11 cage system and carries two CO groups, while the other two ruthenium atoms each carry three CO molecules with a hydrido ligand bridging the metal−metal bond which joins them. In addition, these two metal atoms are linked to the cage through two exopolyhedral B−H⇀Ru bonds. These are formed using boron atoms lying in β sites with respect to the carbon in the open face of the nido-CB10H11 fragment ligating the Ru(CO)2 group. Treatment of 4b in thf with [CuCl(PPh3)3] in the presence of TlPF6, or with Ag[BF4] and...
The Effects of Vertical and Horizontal Power on Individual Motivation and Satisfaction1

This research examined the effects of both vertical and horizontal power on participants in an experimental decision task. Both power variables had substantial positive impacts on individual motiva...
Generation and Trapping of Radicals Derived from Cyclobutadieneiron Tricarbonyl

Trapping products consistent with the formation of radical intermediates α to and on the ring carbon of cyclobutadieneiron tricarbonyl have been synthesized. These examples constitute the first strong experimental evidence for the formation of radicals derived from cyclobutadieneiron tricarbonyl.
Influence of Oxidation States on Plutonium Mobility during Long-Term Transport through an Unsaturated Subsurface Environment

Lysimeter and laboratory studies were conducted to identify the controlling chemical processes influencing Pu(IV) mobility through the vadose zone. A 52-L lysimeter containing sediment from the Savannah River Site, South Carolina and solid PuIV(NO3)4 was left exposed to natural wetting and drying cycles for 11 years before the lysimeter sediment was sampled. Pu had traveled 10 cm, with >95% of the Pu remaining within 1.25 cm of the source. Laboratory studies showed that the sediment quickly reduced Pu(V) to Pu(IV) (the pseudo-first-order reduction rate constant, Kobs, was 0.11 h(-1)). Of particular interest was that this same sediment could be induced to release very low concentrations of sorbed Pu under oxidizing conditions, presumably by oxidation of sorbed Pu(IV) to the more mobile Pu(V) species. Transport modeling supported the postulation that Pu oxidation occurred in the lysimeter sediment; the inclusion of an oxidation term in the model produced simulations that capture the Pu depth profile data. By not including the oxidation process in the model, Pu mobility was grossly underestimated by a factor of 3.5. It is concluded that both oxidation and reduction mechanisms can play an important role in Pu transportthrough the vadose zone and should be considered when evaluating disposal of Pu-bearing wastes.
An Interdisciplinary Health Care Accounting Class: Content, Student Response, and Lessons Learned

Abstract The increased national attention on health care issues in the United States has created the opportunity and the responsibility for action by the academic community, particularly in the fields of health care, accountancy, and finance. Innovative and creative courses must be developed and implemented to integrate acounting-related and health care-related topics. This article reports on a graduate level course in health care accounting and finance that used an interdisciplinary approach with faculty from the Department of Accountancy, the College of Nursing, and the School of Public and Allied Health. The article details the content and structure of the course, students' response, and lessons learned.
Dissolving the State: Three Recent Perspectives on International Relations

Transnational Relations and World Politics by Robert O. Keohane; Joseph S. Nye,; The Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis by Graham Allison; Political Leadership and Collective Goods by Norman Frohlich; Joe A. Oppenheimer Review by: R. Harrison Wagner International Organization, Vol. 28, No. 3 (Summer, 1974), pp. 435-466 Published by: University of Wisconsin Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2706301 . Accessed: 25/03/2014 13:42
Further observations on the empty "amnion sign"

Objective. To assess the positive predictive value of the empty “amnion sign” (visualization of an amnion without concomitant visualization of an embryo) for the diagnosis of early pregnancy failure. Methods. Retrospective study of 882 1st trimester sonographic examinations with abnormal findings among women who were threatening to abort. Eight hundred six met the inclusion criteria. Results. In the study cohort 286 (35.5%) had no identifiable embryo and 71 of those without an identifiable embryo had a visible amnion (24.8%). The breakdown of the mean sac diameter of the study cohort was as follows: those measuring less than 16 mm (n = 16); those measuring 16–20 mm (n = 20); those measuring 21 mm or more (n = 35). Sixty-eight of the 71 patients had adequate follow-up. Pregnancy failure was confirmed in all 68 patients (positive predictive value = 100%). Conclusions. The data from this study indicate that visualization of an amnion without concomitant visualization of an embryo (the empty “amnion sign”) confirms pregnancy failure regardless of the mean sac diameter and with a sufficiently high positive predictive value to make a definitive diagnosis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2010
Dental caries and alveolar bone loss in gnotobiotic rats infected with capsule forming streptococci of human origin.

Abstract Strains of streptococci have been isolated from each of three human carious lesions which proved cariogenic when tested in pure culture in gnotobiotic rats. The presence of two of these strains also resulted in extensive localized loss of alveolar bone. A streptococcus strain isolated from one of the human carious lesions studied was unable to induce caries in gnotobiotic rats. The biochemical and serological characteristics of these organisms indicate that the human cariogenic strains are similar to rodent cariogenic streptococci. Seven rodent and human cariogenic streptococci have been found to synthesize large quantities of extracellular non-dialysable capsule like carbohydrate from sucrose, while three strains of non-cariogenic streptococci formed lesser amounts, suggesting that capsule formation may be important in the caries process.
A multidimensional approach towards malingering detection.

A validation study using 62 subjects was conducted on the Multidimensional Investigation of Neuropsychological Dissimulation (MIND), a new neuropsychological instrument used to detect exaggeration of brain-injury symptoms. This instrument has eight scoring indices that use multiple, empirically based strategies to detect poor effort. Discriminant function analysis was used to classify three groups of subjects: normals responding in a sincere manner (N=24); normals who were educated about mild to moderate head injuries and given substantial incentives to malinger without obvious detection (N=21); and clinically diagnosed, brain-injured patients with mild to moderate impairments (N=17). A univariate F test indicated significant group differences on six of the eight original predictor variables. Using these six variables, there was an overall classification rate of 68%, reflecting only a 10% false negative rate in the dissimulating group. For a two-group classification (i.e., dissimulating and mildly to moderately brain-injured subjects), an 82% overall accuracy rate was achieved. The MIND appears to have potential for identifying individuals exaggerating mild to moderate neuropsychological deficits.
The variability of free tropospheric ozone over Beltsville, Maryland (39N, 77W) in the summers 2004-2007

Abstract Ozone profiles are often used to investigate day-to-day and year-to-year variability in origins of free tropospheric ozone. With this in mind, more than 50 ozonesonde launches were conducted in Beltsville, MD, during the summers of 2004 through 2007. Budgets of free tropospheric ozone were calculated for each ozone profile in the four summers using a laminar identification (LID) method and unusual episodes were analyzed with respect to meteorological variables. The laminar method showed that stratosphere-to-troposphere transport (ST) accounted for greater than 50% of the free tropospheric ozone column on 17% of days sampled, a more pronounced influence than regional convective and lightning (RCL) sources. The ST origins were confirmed with trajectories, and tracers (water vapor and potential vorticity). The amount of free tropospheric ozone from ST and RCL sources varied from year-to-year (up to 13%) and can be explained by differences in mean meteorological patterns. On average, almost 30% of the free tropospheric column was attributed to ST influence, about twice as much as RCL, although the LID method may not capture weeks-old lightning influences as in a chemical model. The prevalence of ST ozone in summertime Beltsville soundings was similar to six sounding sites in the IONS-04 campaign [Thompson, A.M., et al., 2007b. Intercontinental Transport Experiment Ozonesonde Network Study (IONS, 2004): 1. Summertime upper tropospheric/lower stratosphere ozone over northeastern North America. J. Geophys. Res. 112, D12S12; Thompson, A.M., et al., 2007c. Intercontinental Transport Experiment Ozonesonde Network Study (IONS, 2004): 2. Tropospheric ozone budgets and variability over northeastern North America. J. Geophys. Res. 112, D12S13.] and to statistics from a 30 year climatology of European soundings [Collette, A., Ancellet, G., 2005. Impact of vertical transport processes on the tropospheric ozone layering above Europe. Part II: Climatological analysis of the past 30 years. Atmos. Environ. 39, 5423–5435]. The Beltsville record also demonstrated the value of soundings for air quality forecasting in an urban area. The 22 nighttime soundings collected over Beltsville in 2004–2007 can be divided into distinct polluted and unpolluted subsets, the former 20 ppbv higher in residual layer ozone (1 km) than the latter. These distinctions propagated to daytime differences of 10 ppbv at the surface in the Washington, DC, area, with the high-ozone residual layers leading to non-attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. More frequent ozone observations aloft appear essential for better understanding ozone variability and for enabling air quality modelers to achieve more accurate ozone forecasts.
Pseudo-whiskers of Ice, grown from Clouds of Supercooled Water in an Electric Field

INTERESTING effects of ice formation in an electric field and from a supercooled water fog have been observed by Schaefer1 and later confirmed by Marshall and Gunn2, who pointed out at the same time that electrical charging of a suitable support which is immersed in a supercooled cloud greatly accelerates growth of supercooled droplets (and later crystals) on the sustaining medium. Schaefer's report mentions, in fact, very rapid growth of whisker-like aggregates from the tips of which, at high electrical gradients, supercooled water appears to be projected outwards.
Speech-and Network-Adaptive Layered G. 729 Coder for Loss Concealments of Real-Time Voice Over IP

In this paper, we propose a layered CELP speech coding (LC) scheme that adapts dynamically to the characteristics of the speech encoded and the network loss conditions in real time transmissions of voice over IP. Based on the ITU G.729 CS-ACELP codec operating at 8 Kbps, we design a variable bit-rate codec that is robust to losses and delays in IP networks. To cope with bursty losses while maintaining an acceptable end-to-end delay, our scheme employs LC with redundant piggybacking of perceptually important parameters in the base layer, with a degree of redundancy adjusted according to feedbacks from receivers. Under various delay constraints, we study trade-offs between the additional bit rate required for redundant piggybacking and the protection of perceptually important parameters. Experimental results show that our scheme works well and has quality comparable to full replication
Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation and Its Related Risk After Myocardial Infarction

In this issue of Circulation , Bursi et al1 report that ischemic mitral regurgitation is a more common finding after myocardial infarction (MI) than was previously thought and is an independent predictor of heart failure and death among 30-day infarct survivors. Seldom is mitral regurgitation actively investigated, and investigation is often only prompted by clinical examination. The data Bursi et al report support findings from the 1970s, which suggested that clinical examination is not sensitive in the detection and assessment of mitral regurgitation.2 The authors conclude that Doppler echocardiographic assessment of mitral regurgitation should be actively sought and included in post-MI risk stratification. See p 295 Early invasive studies demonstrated an association between mitral regurgitation and increased 1-year mortality. Tcheng et al3 reported a mitral regurgitation prevalence of 17% in 255 patients. One-year mortality rates showed a graded association with the degree of mitral regurgitation: 11%, 22%, and 52% in patients with no regurgitation, angiographic grade 1 to 2 regurgitation, and grade 3 to 4 regurgitation, respectively. When clinical confounders were adjusted for by multivariate analysis, only grade 3 to 4 mitral regurgitation carried a significantly increased 1-year mortality risk. A similarly designed study reported a post-MI mitral regurgitation prevalence of 13% and showed that mitral regurgitation predicted cause-specific cardiovascular mortality.4 The larger SAVE (Survival and Ventricular Enlargement)5 study of 727 patients reported that even mild (grade 1 to 2) ischemic mitral regurgitation was an independent predictor of cause-specific post-MI cardiovascular mortality. Echocardiographic studies of ischemic mitral regurgitation also have confirmed the prognostic significance of even mild mitral regurgitation.6,7 One-year mortality rates of 4.8%, 12.4%, and 24% were observed among 417 patients assessed within 48 hours of MI with absent, mild, and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that even mild …
Analysis of VSAM's free-space behavior

The main difference between IBM's VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) and ISAM (Indexed Sequential Access Method) is that with the former a certain amount of free space has been reserved at loading time for later insertion of records while with the latter none has been reserved. Therefore, VSAM maintains a balanced tree structure, while no balancing of the structure is done with ISAM. The "appropriate" amount of free space which should be pre-reserved for a VSAM file needs careful study. A VSAM file with an underestimated amount of free-space will require more frequent, time-consuming file-reorganization because of the likelihood of using up reserved free-space sooner. On the other hand, a file with an overestimated amount of free-space will waste useful and highly demanded storage space. In this paper, the appropriate free space is represented as a function of two variables, namely: (1) the insertion rate and (2) the number of records in the file at loading time. Using these two variables as known parameters, the appropriate amount of free space can be reasonably determined and reserved in every data block (called CINV by IBM) as follows.
Studies in Neural Tube Defects II. Pathologic Findings in a Prospectively Collected Series of Anencephalics

This report presents the pathologic anatomy of a prospectively collected series of 36 anencephalic infants. This series provides an opportunity to investigate the epidemiology of organ system pathology in anencephaly (AN) as well as other facets of its natural history. AN infants had a mean gestational age 2.5 weeks younger than normal controls, though birthweight was normal for gestational age. Nearly 1/3 of the liveborn infants with AN died within 15 minutes, 2/3 within 3 hours; 3 AN infants survived to 48 hours. Details and discussions of the pathologic findings and their physiologic significance are presented. Regarding those AN infants who received detailed neurologic examinations, correlations are made between the brain pathology and neurologic function prior to death.
Detecting burst-mode optical label or payload generated by OCSS technique using conventional receivers

We have experimentally demonstrated how to realize clock recovery for the preamble free label and payload generated by optical carrier suppression and separation (OCSS) technique. A continuous clock information is always added to the burst-mode optical label or payload generated by OCSS technique at the transmission node. Therefore, we can use a conventional receiver containing a high Q filter to extract the clock at the receiving node. The extracted clock can be used to synchronize the burst-mode label or payload. Our experimental results show that the extracted clock exhibits small jitter, which can be used for synchronizing and detecting the preamble free label and payload in burst-mode.
The quest for personal control over mobile location privacy

How to protect location privacy of mobile users is an important issue in ubiquitous computing. However, location privacy protection is particularly challenging: on one hand, the administration requires all legitimate users to provide identity information in order to grant them permission to use its wireless service; on the other hand, mobile users would prefer not to expose any information that could enable anyone, including the administration, to get some clue regarding their whereabouts; mobile users would like to have complete personal control of their location privacy. To address this issue, we propose an authorized-anonymous-ID-based scheme; this scheme effectively eliminates the need for a trusted server or administration, which is assumed in the previous work. Our key weapon is a cryptographic technique called blind signature, which is used to generate an authorized anonymous ID that replaces the real ID of an authorized mobile device. With authorized anonymous IDs, we design an architecture capable of achieving complete personal control over location privacy while maintaining the authentication function required by the administration.
GPR characterization of buried tanks and pipes

Ray-based numerical simulations of monostatic and bistatic GPR responses for several tank and pipe configurations reveal the potential for noninvasive diagnostic evaluations. Examples include discrimination of the material from which a tank is constructed, its size, contents, fluid levels, and shape changes. Ambiguities occur when different configurations give similar responses, and evaluations become less reliable as noise increases. Simulations are able to reproduce the salient features of field GPR data recorded over a metal pipe, and over plastic pipes filled with air, fresh water, and salt water.
Prospective Randomized Single-Blinded In Vitro and Ex Vivo Evaluation of New and Reprocessed Laparoscopic Trocars

Background Reprocessing of single-use medical instruments has been proposed as a mechanism for managing the rising costs of health care. We compared the performance of new and reprocessed laparoscopic trocars. Study Design New and reprocessed laparoscopic trocars were evaluated. Testing consisted of visual and microscopic inspection, force of trocar insertion and removal through a porcine abdominal wall, trocar seal leak rate determination, and testing of blade shield speed. Results Three hundred twenty-eight reprocessed trocars and 199 new trocars were evaluated. Trocars undergoing force testing were inspected for imperfections. In this group, 28.2% of reprocessed and 3.79% of new trocars manifested some gross or microscopic imperfections (p = 0.063). D12LT trocars (Ethicon) required more force with insertion with reprocessed compared with new trocars (0.021). D5LT (Ethicon) new trocars required more force to remove than reprocessed trocars (p = 0.004). Both the shield cover time and the shield response time were found to be faster in the reprocessed (p = 0.0001) compared with the new trocars. Leak testing performed with probes (4.7 mm and 12.9 mm) in place demonstrated a significantly greater amount of leakage for the reprocessed trocars compared with the new trocars, both before and after insertion of the right-angled instrument (p = 0.0001). Conclusions When comparing new and reprocessed trocars, there are significant differences in visual trocar defects, insertion and extraction forces, shield response times, and trocar leak rates for some of the device comparisons. The clinical significance of these changes should be weighed against cost savings and environmental impact. Additional testing is necessary for a better understanding of the impact of trocar reprocessing.
Estimates of body composition as intermediate outcome variables: are DEXA and BIA ready for prime time?

Abstract The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified malnutrition as a "critical issue" in the care of patients with ESRD. Ultimately, efforts aimed at correcting malnutrition and reducing mortality and morbidity related to malnutrition, should be a high priority for clinician-investigators in the field. In this session, we ask whether variables in the pathway of nutrition-morbidity-mortality ("intermediate variables") should themselves serve as outcomes in clinical trials, and if so, whether DEXA and BIA should be among these variables. To these questions, I answer a resounding "Yes". It would be unwise to design a nutrition intervention trial in dialysis patients powered to observe a significant survival advantage with treatment. Such a study would likely require multiple sites and a prohibitively large sample size (and budget), because the intervention would have to overcome random variation in the dialysis-related mortality rate, as well as competing hazards that might not be favorably affected by the intervention. In contrast, smaller-scale, carefully conducted studies using DEXA, BIA, and other intermediate variables will provide important data on the strength of the intervention's effect, which could later be used to refine larger-scale trials. DEXA may be preferable, particularly if a proxy for the ICW or ECW compartment is provided (an alternative measure of muscle bulk [eg, creatinine, or computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging] or an isotope dilution method [eg, sodium bromide] to estimate the ECW space). Phase angle is inversely related to the ECW:ICW ratio. 17 Therefore, a combination of DEXA and BIA may be especially elucidative. Much remains to be learned about nutrition and renal disease and about the application of DEXA and BIA in dialysis patients. Nevertheless, on the basis of available evidence, DEXA and BIA are ready for prime time.
Evaluation of low energy threshold settings for PVI PET systems

The authors studied the effects of adjusting the low level energy discriminator (LLD) for positron volume imaging (PVI) mode acquisitions using a GE Advance PET system. NEMA scatter fraction and count loss measurements were performed for a 20 cm right circular cylinder at LLD between 300 keV and 450 keV. From these data, noise equivalent count rate (NECR) curves were calculated to estimate effects of LLD on scans of head sized objects. To evaluate the effects of LLD on whole-body image quality, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values were obtained from images processed without attenuation or scatter correction. CNR data were acquired for 1.6 cm and 1.0 cm spherical lesions within the liver region of a Data Spectrum torso phantom scanned with arms, and activity outside the field of view. The results indicate that the NECR for a head-sized object is fairly insensitive to LLD differences between 300 keV and 425 keV for activity concentrations up to 0.4 /spl mu/Ci/cc. The NECR improved slightly for higher concentrations with 375 keV<LLD<425 keV. Torso phantom images processed without scatter or attenuation correction show some CNR improvement with increasing LLD up to 425 keV for clinically relevant activity concentrations.
Diffusion of [3H] Testosterone from Hypothalamic Microimplants in Castrated Male Gerbils: Correlation with Acute Changes in Plasma LH

Quantitative aspects of the movement of radiolabelled testosterone from microimIants placed in the basal hypothalamus were studied and the acute effects of these implants on plasma LH levels were determined in castrated Mongolian gerbils. Movement of �3 HI testosterone (ST) from both extruded and nonextruded (i.e., retained in cannula) implants was evaluated at 30 mm, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h and I week after implant. There was no difference between (3 HI cholesterol and T in the distance and amount of diffusion at any time. The amount of label which diffused did not increase within the first 24 h, but averaged 8 times greater for extruded than for nonextruded implants at any given time. The distance of diffusion was not different at any time for the 2 implant types. The most rapid movement of label beyond the implant was in the first 6 h (up to 400 �m) with no further increase by 24 h. After I week, radioactivity was detectable as far as 1.1 mm beyond the implant site, but only 9.2% of the radioactivity in the brain was present beyond the implant site. Radioactivity was detectable in pituitary tissue in 45% of the pituitaries in the 30 mm group, but not in any other group. Significant metabolism of the diffused (3 HI testosterone occurred within the hypothalamus. Only 49% of the radioactivity recovered from the chromatogram of hypothalamic tissue samples taken 6 h after implant placement migrated as testosterone. Dihydrotestosterone was the major metabolite. Only implants containing testosterone resulted in a decrease in plasma LH concentration below castrate control levels. Within 6 h after placement of implant, LH was decreased 30% and by 24 h, LH was decreased 81%. No difference in LH concentration was observed between groups with extruded and groups with nonextruded implants. The timing and amount of decrease in LH was not different whether radioactivity was or was not detectablein the pituitaryat any time. These results suggest that diffusion from site of implant and hormone metabolism should be carefully considered in evaluating effects of hypothalamic implants of steroid hormones. Correlation of testosterone diffusion with changes in plasma LH and possible pituitary mediation of the testosterone effect is discussed.
Dissipative homoclinic loops of two‐dimensional maps and strange attractors with one direction of instability

We prove that when subjected to periodic forcing of the form p�;�;! .t/ D�.�h.x;y/ C sin.!t//; certain two-dimensional vector fields with dissipative homoclinic loops generate strange attractors with Sinai-Ruelle-Bowen measures for a set of forcing parameters .�;�;!/ of positive Lebesgue measure. The proof extends ideas of Afraimovich and Shilnikov and applies the recent theory of rank 1 maps developed by Wang and Young. We prove a general theorem and then apply this theorem to an explicit model: a forced Duffing equation of the form d 2 q
Computational study of chaotic mixing in co‐rotating two‐tipped kneading paddles: Two‐dimensional approach

This study attempts to investigate the kinematics of the mixing occurring in the lenticular kneading disc section of the co-rotating twin screw extruder, employing the tools of dynamics. The Eulerian velocity field distributions, generated by a two-dimensional isothermal and creeping flow of Newtonian fluid under the periodic co-rotation of the kneading discs, were obtained by Finite Element Method. A simple and novel particle tracking technique based on the FEM solution of the velocity field was employed to follow individual particles, and to produce the Poincare section mapping. Furthermore, fingerprints of chaotic motion were revealed essentially through the Lyapunov exponents, which were positive. The results suggest that the dynamics in the two-dimensional kneading disc section of the twin screw extruder can be characterized as capable of imparting chaotic motion. The tools developed in this study should facilitate a better understanding of the mixing capabilities of the twin screw extrusion process.
An integrated environment for technology closure of deep-submicron IC designs

With larger chip images and increasingly aggressive technologies, key design processes must interoperate, PDS, a physical-synthesis system, accomplishes technology closure through interacting processes of logic optimization, placement, timing, clock insertion, and routing, all using a common infrastructure with robust variable-accuracy analysis abstractions.
Stability of thrombosis induced by electrocoagulation of rat middle cerebral artery.

Although it is often assumed in experimental stroke studies that cautery-induced occlusion is permanent, surgeons commonly expect cauterized vessels to recanalize spontaneously. We used the rat middle cerebral artery to determine if electrocoagulation would produce a permanent occlusion in this preparation.A standard bipolar coagulator, calibrated to determine actual power output, was adjusted to induce platelet aggregation in the middle cerebral artery of anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats without inducing bleeding through the arterial wall. A reliable temporary thrombosis was induced by a Malis Bipolar Coagulator set to deliver 10 bursts of 1.5 seconds each at a rate of 24 min-1 and a power setting of 3 W. This thrombus was responsive to the antithrombotic agent flunarizine. An apparently permanent occlusion was produced by 30 bursts at 3 W followed by 20 bursts at 5 W. To our surprise, seven of seven such occlusions recanalized spontaneously within 4 hours.The electrocoagulation process commonly used in ...
The ecology of pneumocystis: perspectives, personal recollections, and future research opportunities.

I am honored to receive the second Lifetime Achievement Award by International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists and to give this lecture. My research involves Pneumocystis, an opportunistic pulmonary fungus that is a major cause of pneumonia ("PcP") in the immunocompromised host. I decided to focus on Pneumocystis ecology here because it has not attracted much interest. Pneumocystis infection is acquired by inhalation, and the cyst stage appears to be the infective form. Several fungal lung infections, such as coccidiomycosis, are not communicable, but occur by inhaling < 5 μm spores from environmental sources (buildings, parks), and can be affected by environmental factors. PcP risk factors include environmental constituents (temperature, humidity, SO2 , CO) and outdoor activities (camping). Clusters of PcP have occurred, but no environmental source has been found. Pneumocystis is communicable and outbreaks of PcP, especially in renal transplant patients, are an ongoing problem. Recent evidence suggests that most viable Pneumocystis organisms detected in the air are confined to a patient's room. Further efforts are needed to define the risk of Pneumocystis transmission in health care facilities; to develop more robust preventive measures; and to characterize the effects of climatological and air pollutant factors on Pneumocystis transmission in animal models similar to those used for respiratory viruses.
Content-based three-dimensional engineering shape search

We discuss the design and implementation of a prototype 3D engineering shape search system. The system incorporates multiple feature vectors, relevance feedback, and query by example and browsing, flexible definition of shape similarity, and efficient execution through multidimensional indexing and clustering. In order to offer more information for a user to determine similarity of 3D engineering shape, a 3D interface that allows users to manipulate shapes is proposed and implemented to present the search results. The system allows users to specify which feature vectors should be used to perform the search. The system is used to conduct extensive experimentation real data to test the effectiveness of various feature vectors for shape - the first such comparison of this type. The test results show that the descending order of the average precision of feature vectors is: principal moments, moment invariants, geometric parameters, and eigenvalues. In addition, a multistep similarity search strategy is proposed and tested to improve the effectiveness of 3D engineering shape search. It is shown that the multistep approach is more effective than the one-shot search approach, when a fixed number of shapes are retrieved.