cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbohydrate moieties on the procofactor factor V, but not the derived cofactor factor Va, regulate its inactivation by activated protein C.

Factor V (FV) is a single-chain plasma protein containing 13−25% carbohydrate by mass. Studies were done to determine if these carbohydrate moieties altered the activated protein C (APC)-catalyzed cleavage and inactivation of both FV and the cofactor which results from its activation by α-thrombin, factor VaIIa (FVaIIa). Treatment of purified FV with N-glycanase and neuraminidase under nonprotein-denaturing conditions removed ≈20−30% of the carbohydrate from the heavy chain region of the molecule. When glycosidase-treated FV was analyzed in an aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)-based APC sensitivity assay, the APC sensitivity ratio (APC-SR) increased from 2.34 to 3.33. In contrast, when glycosidase-treated FV was activated with α-thrombin, the addition of the resulting FVaIIa to the plasma-based APC sensitivity assay produced no substantial increase in the APC-SR. Additional functional analyses of the APC-catalyzed inactivation of FVaIIa in an assay consisting of purified components indicated th...
Inhibition of agonistic acts between domestic hens by a dominant third party

Abstract We studied the inhibitory effects of adults males and of dominant females on frequency of agonistic acts between pairs of feeding hens. Three flocks were used in each of 2 experiments. When a cock was in their immediate presence, hens had only 5 peck-avoidances in 24 10-min trials; when he was 1 m distant, there were 21; and when he was absent, there were 74. Threat-avoidances followed the same general pattern, but the effects were less pronounced. Cocks exhibited little aggressive behavior toward the hens. Dominant hens inhibited all categories of agonistics acts between subordinate pairs of hens feeding in their close presence. Subordinate pairs had reduced agonistic activity when 1 m distant from dominant hens in 2 flocks, but not in the third flock. In contrast to cocks' behavior, dominant hens frequently threatened members of the subordinate pair or were avoided by them. The results support the hypothesis of Craig et al. (1969) that the frequency of agonistic acts is generally reduced between pairs of individuals when close to an individual socially dominant to both of them.
Fabrication Considerations For Acousto-Optic Systolic Processors

The number of multiplications per second and fabrication issues associated with several different acousto-optic systolic processors are discussed and the flexibility in the operations achievable by format control are briefly reviewed. Emphasis is given to the effects of divergence of the optical input beam. Various input sources and interconnection schemes are considered. These include: fiber and GRIN optics, multi-channel acousto-optic cells and individually collimated laser diodes. Quantitative theoretical and experimental data are provided. A new architecture using spatial-multiplexing of the input sources and frequency-multiplexing of the acousto-optic cell data is described and used for handling bipolar and complex-valued matrix and vector elements.
Effects of microstructure on the mechanical properties of copper films for high aspect ratio structures

In this study the mechanical behavior and fracture properties of copper films used in high aspect ratio features of modern microelectronic devices are examined for three different electroplating conditions and yield stresses. Characteristic microstructure of the films is defined using atomic force microscopy and orientation imaging microscopy. Nanoindentation, utilizing continuous stiffness, was used to determine the hardnesses of the copper films, 750–1500 nm in thickness. Nanoindentation and stressed overlayers were then used to induce film delamination to determine the adhesion of the protective tungsten film on copper on a SiO2 substrate. The dimensions of these delaminations were used in mechanics based models to calculate the interfacial fracture toughness of the interface. Results have shown that as the grain size decreases from 1.9 to 1.1 μm the interfacial fracture toughness decreases from 2.6 to 1.4 J/m2.
Temperature dependence of the ideal fracture strength of a b.c.c. crystal

Abstract The temperature dependence of ideal strength is studied for a b.c.c. crystal in [001] and [001] loadings. Born's criterion, with Milstein's variables, is employed to determine the strength. The Helmholtz free energy is calculated under the self-consistent Einstein model devised by Matsubara. For mathematical convenience, a Gaussian type pair-wise central potential is employed to represent atomic interactions. We attempt to fit both elastic constants at 0 K and the thermal expansion for α-Fe, but both cannot be fitted simultaneously. Three different potentials are used for calculation and the results are compared. The calculated value of the strength is closely related to the predicted value of C 11 – C 12 or Young's modulus. With a potential which is approximately fitted to the experimental Young's modulus at 0 K, the calculated strength and the fracture strain are found to be in fair agreement with the experimental results for the α-Fe whiskers. Tensile strength in [011] loading is about five ti...
Hybrid IMRT plans--concurrently treating conventional and IMRT beams for improved breast irradiation and reduced planning time.

Purpose To evaluate a hybrid intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique as a class solution for treatment of the intact breast. Methods and materials The following five plan techniques were compared for 10 breast patients using dose–volume histogram analysis: conventional wedged-field tangents (Tangents), forward-planned field-within-a-field tangents (FIF), IMRT-only tangents (IMRT tangents), conventional open plus IMRT tangents (4-field hybrid), and conventional open plus IMRT tangents with 2 anterior oblique IMRT beams (6-field hybrid). Results The 4-field hybrid and FIF achieved dose distributions better than Tangents and IMRT tangents. The volume of tissue outside the planning target volume receiving ≥110% of prescribed dose was largest for IMRT tangents (average 158 cc) and least for 6-field hybrid (average 1 cc); the FIF and 4-field hybrid were comparable (average 15 cc). Heart volume ≥30 Gy averaged 13 cc for all techniques, except Tangents, for which it was 32 cc. Average total lung volume ≥20 Gy was 7% for all. Contralateral breast doses were Conclusions The 4-field hybrid technique is a viable class solution. The 6-field hybrid technique creates the most conformal dose distribution at the expense of more normal tissue receiving low dose.
Effect of preovulatory concentrations of estradiol and initiation of standing estrus on uterine pH in beef cows

Previous studies have indicated that initiation of standing estrus within 24h of fixed-time AI influenced pregnancy rates. Furthermore, uterine environment at time of insemination can influence sperm transport. We hypothesized that preovulatory concentrations of estradiol would influence uterine pH at time of insemination. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of elevated preovulatory concentrations of estradiol on uterine pH following a fixed-time AI protocol. Cows were synchronized with the CO-Synch (n=57) protocol, and 29 cows were treated with an injection of estradiol cypionate (ECP; 1mg) 36h before the second injection of GnRH. Cows that exhibited standing estrus or were treated with ECP had increased (P<0.05) concentrations of estradiol compared to cows not in estrus and not administered ECP, respectively. There was an ECP by standing estrus interaction on uterine pH (P=0.01). Control cows that exhibited estrus had a reduced uterine pH (6.72+/-0.10; P=0.05) compared to control cows not exhibiting estrus (7.0+/-0.06). Cows treated with ECP and detected in standing estrus had a greater uterine pH (7.0+/-0.07) compared to control cows in estrus (P=0.02) and ECP cows not in estrus (6.81+/-0.09; P=0.06). The interval between the initiation of standing estrus and when pH was determined also influenced uterine pH. Cows that initiated standing estrus within 4h of pH determination had a lower uterine pH (6.74+/-0.12) compared to cows that initiated estrus 4-8h (7.09+/-0.08; P=0.07) or 8-12h (7.10+/-0.15; P=0.03) after pH determination. In summary, elevated concentrations of estradiol influenced standing estrus but only influenced uterine pH when pH was determined within 4h of the initiation of standing estrus.
The technical aspects of epidural steroid injections: a national survey.

Although epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a common treatment for chronic pain conditions, it is not clear whether there is consensus on their technical aspects. The current literature suggests that variations in technical aspects may affect ESI outcomes. The goal of the survey was to help establish a standard frame of reference for the performance of ESIs. We analyzed survey results from 68 academic anesthesia programs and 28 private practices in the United States. The main finding in this survey is that there is no clear-cut consensus as to the ideal method to perform ESI. There is a wide variation among individual practices in almost every technical aspect of ESI. Private practices use significantly more fluoroscopy than academic centers. The large difference was found in the cervical region where 73% of private practices and only 39% of academic institutions polled perform the ESIs with fluoroscopic guidance (P 0.005). A similar discrepancy was found in approaches to the epidural space after laminectomy where 61% of private practices, but only 15% of academic centers, use the transforaminal approach. The study results indicate that there is no consensus, and that there is a wide variation in current practices.
A study of precision in modern liquid Chromatography using a dedicated computer

Abstract The on-line coupling of a small digital computer to a liquid chromatograph is described. A new real-time language, MIRACL II, is used for programming. The experimental set-up is presented and a ndw automatic sample loop valve is described. The system has been studied in terms of the precision in peak area, peak height and retention attainable with commercial liquid chromatographic equipment. Precision in peak area and height is found to be significantly improved with the sampling valve relative to syringe injection. The influence of several pumping systems on precision was also studied and marked differences in the relative standard deviations of peak area and height were found. The relationship of the relative standard deviation of the peak area to sample size has also been studied. In addition, the important role of the flow-rate of the mobile phase on detection limits and precision is shown. Finally, some results are presented on the reproducibility of retention over short and long time periods.
Using immersive simulation for training first responders for mass casualty incidents.

Objectives: A descriptive study was performed to better understand the possible utility of immersive virtual reality simulation for training first responders in a mass casualty event. Methods: Utilizing a virtual reality cave automatic virtual environment (CAVE) and high-fidelity human patient simulator (HPS), a group of experts modeled a football stadium that experienced a terrorist explosion during a football game. Avatars (virtual patients) were developed by expert consensus that demonstrated a spectrum of injuries ranging from death to minor lacerations. A group of paramedics was assessed by observation for decisions made and action taken. A critical action checklist was created and used for direct observation and viewing videotaped recordings. Results: Of the 12 participants, only 35.7% identified the type of incident they encountered. None identified a secondary device that was easily visible. All participants were enthusiastic about the simulation and provided valuable comments and insights. Conclusions: Learner feedback and expert performance review suggests that immersive training in a virtual environment has the potential to be a powerful tool to train first responders for high-acuity, low-frequency events, such as a terrorist attack. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2008; 15:1152‐1159 a 2008 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Kierkegaard’s Analysis of Human Existence in Either/Or: There is No Choice Between Aesthetics and Ethics

Abstract According to Alasdair MacIntyre, Kierkegaard fails to provide rational reasons to choose between an aesthetic lifestyle and an ethical lifestyle. This claim subsequently initiated a significant discussion that investigated whether one can rationally choose between ethics and aesthetics. I will be challenging both MacIntyre’s criticism and in large part the basis of the subsequent discussion by arguing that there is no choice between aesthetics and ethics at all. Specifically, I will be arguing that in Either/Or Kierkegaard demonstrates that the essence of human existence is the freedom to make choices. Given that the ethical is the existential reality of having to make choices, human existence is therefore necessarily ethical. This conclusion follows from my thesis that the essential difference between the aesthete and the ethicist in Either/Or is their opposing views on whether choices are necessary elements of experience.
Prison Gang Members' Tattoos as Identity Work: The Visual Communication of Moral Careers

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how symbolic self-completion and moral careers are identity work by examining prison gang tattoos. Data were derived from one author's six-year full-member participation as a correctional officer in the California prison system. We examine tattoos specific to members of the Nuestra Familia, a California-based prison gang. Tattoos make an individual's self-definition more complete by visually communicating gang membership, status, rank, and personal accomplishments; they reflect a person's past career accomplishments and possible future career objectives. To analyze the moral careers communicated by these tattoos, we identify and elaborate upon five distinct phases in a prison gang moral career: pre-initiate, initiate, member, veteran, and superior. The article concludes with discussion of the importance of incorporating symbolic self-completion into an identity work perspective and consideration of some implications for future research on gang tattoos in particular and identity construction more generally.
Separation performance of single-stranded DNA electrophoresis in photopolymerized cross-linked polyacrylamide gels

Considerable effort has been directed toward optimizing performance and maximizing throughput in ssDNA electrophoresis because it is a critical analytical step in a variety of genomic assays. Ultimately, it would be desirable to quantitatively determine the achievable level of separation resolution directly from measurements of fundamental physical properties associated with the gel matrix rather than by the trial and error process often employed. Unfortunately, this predictive capability is currently lacking, due in large part to the need for a more detailed understanding of the fundamental parameters governing separation performance (mobility, diffusion, and dispersion). We seek to address this issue by systematically characterizing electrophoretic mobility, diffusion, and dispersion behavior of ssDNA fragments in the 70-1,000 base range in a photopolymerized cross-linked polyacrylamide matrix using a slab gel DNA sequencer. Data are collected for gel concentrations of 6, 9, and 12%T at electric fields ranging from 15 to 40 V/cm, and resolution predictions are compared with corresponding experimentally measured values. The data exhibit a transition from behavior consistent with the Ogston model for small fragments to behavior in agreement with the biased reptation model at larger fragment sizes. Mobility data are also used to estimate the mean gel pore size and compare the predictions of several models.
Uveal melanoma expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors and susceptibility to TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Purpose The study had two purposes: to examine the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors on uveal melanoma cells and metastases arising from uveal melanoma and to determine the susceptibility of uveal melanoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Methods Nine human uveal melanoma cell lines and three cell lines derived from uveal melanoma metastases were examined for TRAIL receptor expression by flow cytometry. In vitro apoptosis assays were performed to determine the relative susceptibility of uveal melanoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Annexin V staining was also used to determine the capacity of either cycloheximide or interferon-beta to enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Results Five of the nine uveal melanoma cell lines expressed TRAIL-R2 on more than 60% of the cells. All three of the cell lines derived from uveal melanoma metastases expressed TRAIL-R2 on more than 50% of the cells. Cycloheximide exerted a profound effect in enhancing TRAIL-induced apoptosis in all but two of the uveal melanoma cell lines and in all three of the metastases cell lines. Interferon-beta produced a similar enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis, even in cell lines that were previously shown to be resistant. Conclusions TRAIL is a potentially useful therapeutic modality for the management of uveal melanomas and their metastases. Moreover, pharmacological agents and biological response modifiers that independently display antineoplastic properties can enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis in resistant uveal melanoma cells.
Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on lipoproteins stored at low temperatures

Summary Preliminary studies suggest the apparent ability of DMSO to prevent the denaturation of serum lipoproteins during freezing, thawing, and intermediate storage at −196°C. The ability to freeze and store lipoproteins without alteration of the molecular structure would aid considerably in studies on lipoproteins per se and suggests that cryolabile macromolecules may previde a model for the study of the mechanisms of cryobiological injury and its prevention.
A CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease) Screening Tool for OR Staff

ISSUE: CJD and related infectious disorders, which cause progressive neurological disease can have extended incubation periods. Prions are very resistant to routine decontamination and sterilization procedures used in healthcare facilities. All patients known or suspected of having CJD and all patients who are at risk must be screened prior to certain surgeries. PROJECT: A subcommitteee was formed that included Medicine,Infection Control, OR Management, Sterilization/Processing Department and Risk Management. Patients needed to be screened for certain high risk procedures prior to all eye, spinal cord(including laminectomy) and brain cases. Attending physicians were initially asked to screen patients before surgery. A peri-op screening form was developed by the task force. Physicians involved in these types of surgeries and the OR staff were educated to the screening form. Download : Download full-size image RESULTS: Patients responding to “yes” to any question on the CJD form activated the “CJD precautions” policy. The Sterilization/Processing Department (SPD) was notified. A special “prion processing” label is affixed to all instruments used on high risk tissue. No flash sterilization is permitted. Disposal items/instruments are used as a priority for cases.Covers for power equipment are utilized. If device can be cleaned and decontaminated, sterilize in a pre-vac at 270° F for 18 minutes or gravity displacement at 250° F for 60 minutes. If device cannot be cleaned, soak in 1:10 bleach solution for 30 minutes and discard in rigid container. LESSONS LEARNED: Problems encountered included: physicians were not screening their patients prior to surgery; OR staff requested more information on the other rare infectious disorders besides CJD. OR staff were then educated to interview patients in the pre-admission setting or while in the OR Holding area. The screening tool was redesigned to define obscure medical conditions such as Gertsmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease and Fatal Famialial Insomnia. Using the screening form, five cases in 2005 activated the “CJD precautions” policy. Communication between the physician,the OR, SPD and Infection Control is critical in the screening process of these cases while not compromising patient care and outcomes.
Pyloromyotomy: a comparison of laparoscopic, circumumbilical, and right upper quadrant operative techniques.

Background Ramstedt pyloromyotomy through a right upper quadrant (RUQ) transverse incision has been the traditional treatment for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Recently, laparoscopic (LAP) and circumumbilical (UMB) approaches have been introduced as alternative methods to improve cosmesis, but concerns about greater operative times, costs, and complications remain. This study compares the three operative techniques and examines their advantages and complication rates. Study design We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing pyloromyotomy at a children's hospital between January 1997 and June 2003. Results Two hundred ninety patients underwent pyloromyotomy by LAP (n = 51), RUQ (n = 190), or UMB (n = 49). Complication rate, time to ad libitum feeding, incidence of emesis, and postoperative length of stay did not differ considerably among groups. Two LAP patients were converted to RUQ. Mucosal perforation occurred in three patients each in the RUQ and UMB groups, but none in the LAP group. Operative times were considerably less for LAP (25 ± 9 minutes) than for RUQ (32 ± 9 minutes) and UMB (42 ± 12 minutes) (p Conclusions Advantages of LAP include a shorter mean operative time without higher complications or costs. UMB is associated with the greatest mean operative time and costs. Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is a safe and effective approach to the treatment of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
Development of multispectral image processing algorithms for identification of wholesome, septicemic, and inflammatory process chickens ☆

A multispectral imaging system and image processing algorithms for food safety inspection of poultry carcasses were demonstrated. Three key wavelengths of 460, 540, and 700 nm, previously identified using a visible/near-infrared spectrophotometer, were implemented in a common-aperture multispectral imaging system, and images were collected for 174 wholesome, 75 inflammatory process, and 170 septicemic chickens. Principal component analysis was used to develop an algorithm for separating septicemic chickens from wholesome and IP chickens based on average intensity of first component images. A threshold value of 105 was able to correctly separate 95.6% of septicemic chickens. To differentiate inflammatory process chickens, a region of interest was defined from which spectral features were determined. The algorithm was able to correctly identify 100% of inflammatory process chickens by detecting pixels that satisfied the spectral feature conditions. A decision tree model was created to classify the three chicken conditions using inputs from the two image processing algorithms. The results showed that 89.6% of wholesome, 92.3% of inflammatory process, and 94.4% of septicemic chickens were correctly classified.
Extensions of Generalized Binary Search to Group Identification and Exponential Costs

Generalized Binary Search (GBS) is a well known greedy algorithm for identifying an unknown object while minimizing the number of "yes" or "no" questions posed about that object, and arises in problems such as active learning and active diagnosis. Here, we provide a coding-theoretic interpretation for GBS and show that GBS can be viewed as a top-down algorithm that greedily minimizes the expected number of queries required to identify an object. This interpretation is then used to extend GBS in two ways. First, we consider the case where the objects are partitioned into groups, and the objective is to identify only the group to which the object belongs. Then, we consider the case where the cost of identifying an object grows exponentially in the number of queries. In each case, we present an exact formula for the objective function involving Shannon or Renyi entropy, and develop a greedy algorithm for minimizing it.
The Illinois Pattern Recognition Computer-ILLIAC III

This report describes the system design of an all-digital computer for visual recognition. One processor, the Pattern Articulation Unit (PAU), has been singled out for detailed discussion. Other units, in particular the Arithmetic Unit and the Taxicrinic Unit, are treated in reports listed in the bibliography. The PAU has been shown to be a processor of fundamentally new design-its logical organization has no analog in the central processing unit of existing computers. The PAU is the first modular parallel processor which because of its digital organization is capable of more reliable visual identification than part analog/part digital preprocessors of much less generality and potential virtuosity; is faster than any presently suggested alternative realizable today at comparable cost; and can serve as a prototype to a new generation of parallel computers that will capitalize upon thin film and integrated semiconductor circuitry of the immediate future.
“Moralism” and the Gender Gap: Judgments of Political Ethics in Japan

This article investigates whether women are, as many claim, “moralists”—that is, moral and ethical standard-setters who seek clean politics and have strict standards for public officials. An analysis of data from the 1996 Japanese Elections and Democracy Study survey and from 18 focus groups conducted in 1996 indicates that women in Japan are not moralists. As elsewhere, there is a gender gap in Japan on “issue preference sets,” with women favoring a “care” agenda, but women assign political ethics less importance than do men, even though women are more likely to see adverse effects from political corruption. Studying people's judgments of four ethics scenarios reveals minimal gender gaps; controlling for education and age, women's judgments overall are less, not more, strict than men's. Among women, age is a better predictor of moralism than education; older women are stricter than younger women on political ethics. This is attributed to gender-based differences in moral reasoning: Japanese women and men both rely heavily on a “relation-based” frame (which is situation-specific and requires extensive social information), but gender stratification patterns create information inequalities. Younger women lack social information necessary for judging political misconduct, whereas older women overcome the information deficit through life experience.
Efficiently Mining Maximal 1-complete Regions from Dense Datasets

We propose a new search algorithm for maximal 1-complete regions in high dimensional dense binary datasets. A maximal 1-complete region indicates a poten- tial functional cluster, and it is mathematically equivalent to a formal concept and also a closed itemset. Our algo- rithm is designed for dense datasets, where the percentage of 1?s in the dataset is higher than 10%, and the total num- ber of maximal 1-complete regions is much larger than the number of objects in the dataset. Our algorithm is memory efficient and unlike other closed set mining algorithms, it does not require all patterns mined so far to be kept in the memory. We show that our algorithm has solid theoretical foundations, and it is also very time efficient compared with other existing algorithms.
Partial Purification of Rat Urinary Anorexigenic Substance

Partial purification of an anorexigenic component (FMS 1A) of fat- mobilizing substance extracted from rat urine was accomplished through ultrafiltration, aniA³nexchange chromatography on DEAEâ€"celluloseand gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. Bioassay consisted of measuring body weight and spontaneous intake of a standardized diet before and after i.p. injection of various materials into male assay rats weighing approximately 200 g. Losses of body weight paralleled reductions of food intake in all cases. Specific anorexigenic activity was defined as percentage reduction in food intake 24 hours after injection/milligram injected. A fraction of FMS 1A of approximate molecular weight (m.w.) 30,000 to 50,000, separated by ultrafiltration, showed specific activity 8.2, a nearly threefold improvement over that of the starting material, dialyzed FMS 1A, with specific anorexigenic activity 2.8. Anorexic responses to this fraction were linear in the dosage range 0 to 12 mg. A fraction isolated by chromatography on DEAE- cellulose showed specific anorexigenic activity 5.5, a twofold improvement over the starting material. The m.w. of this fraction was not determined. A more potent fraction was obtained by the use of Sephadex G-75. This fraction, of m.w. apparently above 80,000, showed specific anorexigenic activity 27.0 when injected in a dose of 1.5 mg. This represents a nearly tenfold increase in biological activity. There was no apparent relationship between anorexic response and dose injected over the range 0.9 to 3.6 mg. The m.w. of the active material in the above preparations appears to be either about 40,000 or 80,000, or higher, depending upon the method of investigation employed and possible aggregation or disaggregation of subunits. These results demonstrate again the presence of a powerful anorexigenic substance in the urine of rats. J. Nutr. 103: 1616-1624, 1973.
The Location of US States' Overseas Offices

Forty US states operated an overseas office in 2002. Treating overseas offices as sales offices, the model assumes offices facilitate exports by reducing the transaction cost of selling abroad. From theory, states operate an office if aggregate savings outweigh operating costs. Exploiting the differences in where states locate offices in the data, and controlling for aggregate characteristics, the paper estimates the impact of exports on the probability of an office existing. In addition, the average state savings from an office is 0.04–0.10% of exports, with a cut-off threshold of US$850 million.
What Is Library Use? Facets of Concept and a Typology of Its Application in the Literature of Library and Information Science1

The “use” of library resources and services is frequently presented in library and information science (LIS) literature as a primitive concept: an idea that need not be defined when it is being measured as an operational variable in empirical research. This project considered representations of library use through the Evolutionary Concept Analysis (ECA) method, developed by nursing scholar Beth L. Rodgers to explore the significance of concepts within specific disciplinary, chronological, and theoretical contexts. Analysis of a 200-item sample of the LIS journal literature revealed that “use” is not a monolithic concept but, in fact, has multiple facets of meaning that are deployed in diverse contexts across the LIS publication spectrum. In addition to reviewing key discussions of library use in the LIS literature, this article presents a typology of its conceptual facets.
Corner salience varies linearly with corner angle during flicker-augmented contrast: a general principle of corner perception based on Vasarely's artworks

When corners are embedded in a luminance gradient, their perceived salience varies linearly with corner angle (Troncoso et al., 2005). Here we hypothesize that this relationship may hold true for all corners, not just corner gradients. To test this hypothesis, we developed a novel variant of the flicker-augmented contrast illusion (Anstis and Ho, 1998) that employs solid (non-gradient) corners of varying angles to modify perceived brightness. We flickered solid corners from dark to light grey (50% luminance over time) against a black or a white background. With this new stimulus, subjects compared the apparent brightness of corners, which did not vary in actual luminance, to non-illusory stimuli that varied in actual luminance. We found that the apparent brightness of corners was linearly related to the sharpness of corner angle. Thus this relationship is not solely an effect of corners embedded in gradients, but may be a general principle of corner perception. These findings may have important repercussions for brain mechanisms underlying the early visual processing of shape and brightness. A large fraction of Vasarely's art showcases the perceptual salience of corners, curvature and terminators. Several of these artworks and their implications for visual processing are discussed.
Differential regulation of metabolism by nitric oxide and S-nitrosothiols in endothelial cells

S-nitrosation of thiols in key proteins in cell signaling pathways is thought to be an important contributor to nitric oxide (NO)-dependent control of vascular (patho)physiology. Multiple metabolic...
Living with a purpose.

Thomas Mahaney is a nursing student, Recipient of the Rhode Island Nurses in AIDS Care Scholarship, Community College of Rhode Island, Newport, Rhode Island. Recently, during the first semester of my nursing clinical rotation, my assignment was to spend a day observing the activities in the hospital operating room. I watched as a surgical technician set up her station, which consisted of a stainless steel table draped with a plastic tarp called a chuck. A variety of surgical instruments were placed on the top, many of which were sharp. As the technician sorted and counted the instruments, we had a conversation and she inquired about my desired nursing specialization. I replied that I wanted to work in the field of HIV care. I know from my experience that talking about HIV and AIDS can still elicit fear and prejudice. Moreover, although standard and universal precautions are implemented, talking about HIV in an operating room can exacerbate any stressful situation. As expected, the tone of the conversation changed abruptly. The technician stopped her work and said, ‘‘That scares me.’’ I was not offended by her response, only a little disappointed. So I redirected the conversation to my questions about safety precautions to relieve the technician’s anxieties by reinforcing the effectiveness of the said precautions. Remarkably, the medical profession has come a long way since the onset of the HIV epidemic. However, the U.S. medical system remains overwhelmed, understaffed, and underfunded. Our public policy regarding HIV is similar to that of the military, with ‘‘don’t ask, don’t tell’’ restrictions. Because of this stigma, I fear someone living with HIV will not seek the care needed out of fear of exposure. There are many reasons why I want to be a nurse in HIV care, but the most significant one is because I have a firsthand experience of what it means to live with this terrible virus.
Exploring Moral Situations, Moral Emotions, and Moral Self as Predictors of Juvenile Delinquents' Global Self-Esteem

Shoplifting or theft, offenders'immature or mature emotional responses to shoplifting, and moral predictors of global self-esteem were explored. Phase 1 classified moral emotions by shoplifting situations. Phase 2 predicted effects of moral situations on moral emotions and moral self and their overall effect on global self-esteem. Implications address moral education and shoplifting.
A negative simpliRED D-Dimer Assay result does not exclude the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus in emergency department patients

Abstract Study objective: To determine whether a negative SimpliRED D -dimer assay result excludes the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus (PE) in emergency department patients. Methods: This prospective, institutional review board–approved, clinical trial enrolled consecutive adult ED patients with the suspected diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (DVT or PE). Initial ED evaluation included the SimpliRED D -dimer assay (American Diagnostica Inc, Greenwich, CT). Physicians were blinded to assay results. The diagnosis of DVT was made with positive findings on lower-extremity ultrasonography. PE was confirmed by a high-probability ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan, a positive pulmonary angiogram, or a positive finding on lower-extremity ultrasonography. A presumptive diagnosis of VTE was made in patients who had VTE at follow-up or unexplained death during the study period. Results: One hundred ninety-eight patients were enrolled during the study period. Twenty-five patients were excluded from data analysis; 9 had no diagnostic testing and 16 were lost to follow-up. Of the 173 patients analyzed, 57 (33%) had VTE—16 of 48 evaluated for DVT and 41 of 125 for suspected PE. The SimpliRED assay had a sensitivity of 65% and a negative predictive value of 81% for detection of VTE. In patients evaluated for DVT alone, the sensitivity was 56% and the negative predictive value was 77%. For patients with suspected PE, the sensitivity and negative predictive value were 68% and 83%, respectively. Conclusion: In contrast to earlier reports on the SimpliRED D -dimer assay, a negative result failed to exclude the diagnosis of VTE in our ED population. [Farrell S, Hayes T, Shaw M. A negative SimpliRED D -dimer assay result does not exclude the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus in emergency department patients. Ann Emerg Med. February 2000;35:121-125.]
The promise of dielectric nanocomposites

Several research groups worldwide have now been able to document some significant improvements that can be made in the electrical, and other, properties of polymer composites through the incorporation of nanoparticulates. Although it is now becoming clear that the mechanisms responsible for these changes are by no means universal, some of the benefits are substantial and rely on the large interface areas which are inherent in the introduction of materials of nanometric dimensions. By examining a variety of nanomaterials, this contribution seeks to review the property changes that can be brought about and examines the possibilities for commercial applications. This involves not only the electrical properties, but the implications for the attendant mechanical characteristics and the polymer processing necessary for utilization of this emerging breed of dielectric material. In this context, the functionalization of the participate surfaces to provide preferential coupling to the host polymer will be explored since, by this means, a degree of preferred assembly can be accommodated. Through experimental examples, the use of this technique to tailor the properties of nanodielectrics is illustrated.
Groupcast in Wavelength-Routed WDM Networks

Multiparty communication in high-speed networks is gaining momentum due to the increasing demands of bandwidth-intensive parallel computing and collaborative applications. Groupcast is a generalized multiparty communication paradigm, where multiple collaborative parties deliver traffic streams to all parties participating in the collaboration. This paper investigates the routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) problem for efficient groupcast traffic provisioning in wavelength-division-multiplexing optical networks. The mathematical formulation of groupcast RWA is presented via integer linear programming, and two heuristic algorithms are proposed to efficiently solve the groupcast RWA problem. The first heuristic (in-group per-group-grooming) allows traffic grooming within each collaboration group, while the second heuristic (cross-group per-source-grooming) allows cross-group traffic grooming at common source nodes. The performances of the proposed heuristics with regard to the number of line terminators (consisting of transmitters and receivers) and the number of wavelength channels are compared under various network topologies and traffic configurations
Original descriptions of the classic signs of aortic valve insufficiency

The valves of the heart and their diseases have generated a great deal of interest since ancient times. The early observations regarding valvular deformities were confined to the morbid changes with no reference to the hemodynamic significance. The classic clinical signs of aortic valve insufficiency indicating hemodynamic disturbances were described later. The historical background and original descriptions of these classic signs of aortic valve insufficiency are presented.
Factors Affecting Mathematically Talented Females' Enrollment in High School Calculus

The purpose of this study was to determine if identifying factors existed that would explain differential mathematics participation among females in high school, specifically the enrollment in high school Calculus. The factors investigated were socioeconomic status, educational aspirations, the education of both parents, and the number of siblings. The database used for this study was taken from the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS: 88) and the follow-up conducted in 1992. The sample for the present research was composed of females enrolled in algebra at the onset of this study who scored in the fourth quartile on the mathematics section of the standardized test. The results showed a difference between the two groups in mother's education, SES, and educational aspirations. However, when applying all factors together in a logistical regression, the results of this research determined that the factors did not have predictive value in determining the probability of a mathematically talented fema...
Scaling Evaluation of the Effect of Surface Characteristics on Potential for Deep Convection over Uniform Terrain

The effect of surface characteristics on the daytime change in the potential for development of deep convection resulting from surface flux of heat and moisture is evaluated by conceptual, scaling, and numerical modeling approaches. It is shown that deep convection depends significantly on the Bowen ratio; for smaller Bowen ratio, the thermodynamic potential for deep convection increases. The elevation and the intensity of the capping stable layer have an opposing impact on deep convection: increasing moisture accumulation through evapotranspiration was supportive but was counteracted by the enhancement of dry entrainment. Based on an approximnate treatment of the effect of cloudiness on solar irradiance, it was found that development of fair weather cumulus has a secondary effect on deep convection potential. Observational and operational aspects of the influence of surface conditions on evapotranspiration and development of deep convection are presented.
The response of the brachial ventral horn of Xenopus laevis to forelimb amputation during development

The normal development of the brachial ventral horn of the frog Xenopus laevis and the response of the brachial ventral horn to complete forelimb extirpation at five developmental stages were assessed histologically. Differentiation of brachial ventral horn neurons occurred in pre-metamorphic tadpoles between stages 52/53 and 57. Mean cell number in the brachial ventral horn reached a peak of 2576 (S.E.M. equals +/- 269, N equals 2) per side of the spinal cord at stage 55 and decreased to 1070 (S.E.M. equals +/- 35, n equals 7) by the end of metamorphosis. Cell degeneration was presumed to be the mode of cell loss since it was most prevalent during the period of rapid decrease in cell numbers. The response of the ventral horn to forelimb removal varied with the stage of the animal at amputation. Following amputation at stage 52/53 or 54 the ipsilateral ventral horn neurons appeared less differentiated than those on the control side and a rapid cell loss of about 80% occurred on the operated side. These effects occurred more rapidly after ablation at stage 54 than at stage 52/53. Amputation at stage 58, 61, or 66 caused chromatolysis in the ventral horn, a period of relative cell excess on the operated side, and a delayed neuronal loss of 32-66%. It was concluded that excess cell degeneration accounted for cell loss and that suppression of normal neuronal degeneration caused the relative cell excess on the operated side. The data indicate that the brachial ventral horn was indifferent to the periphery before stage 54, was quickly affected by limb removal between stages 54 and 58, and by stage 58 had entered a phase in which a delay preceded cell death. No forelimb regeneration occurred.
Description of a new species of Athanas Leach, 1814 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Alpheidae) from Madagascar and Japan

A new species of alpheid shrimp, Athanas ahyongi sp. nov., is described based on two type specimens from Nosy-Be, Madagascar, and one additional specimen from Okinawa, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. The new species differs from all other species of Athanas by a unique combination of morphological features, mostly on the frontal region and chelipeds, and has a very characteristic colour pattern. The specimens from Nosy-Be were collected from burrows of unknown hosts, suggesting a commensal life style.
Mental Health Outreach to Persons Who are Homeless: Implications for Practice from a Statewide Study.

In order to help states establish best practice standards for mental health outreach and engagement teams for persons who are homeless, this study aimed to identify key functional elements needed to effectively address the multiple needs of these persons. A statewide survey across six representative outreach programs was initiated in Connecticut. Focus groups with staff and clients, interviews with program administrators, shadowing of outreach workers on their rounds, and review of relevant written materials were conducted. Four main functional themes regarding optimal outreach work—constructive outreach team characteristics; availability of a wide range of services and resources for clients; navigation of multiple service systems; and favorable work demands and training opportunities—were identified through thematic analysis. The article concludes with recommendations for incorporating these four essential functional elements into mental health outreach and engagement practice to effectively meet the varied needs of the target group.
The [O III] Veil: Astropause of η Carinae's Wind?

We present narrowband images of η Carinae in the light of [O III] λ5007 obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Planetary Camera 2, as well as a ground-based image in the same emission line with a larger field of view. These images show a thin veil of [O III] emission around η Car and its ejecta, confirming the existence of an oxygen-bearing cocoon inferred from spectra. This [O III] veil may be the remnant of the preoutburst wind of η Car, and its outer edge probably marks the interface where η Car's ejecta meet the stellar wind of the nearby O4 V((f)) star HD 303308 or other ambient material in the Carina Nebula; i.e., it marks the astropause in η Car's wind. This veil is part of a more extensive [O III] shell that appears to be shaped and ionized by HD 303308. A pair of HST images with a 10 yr baseline shows no significant proper motion, limiting the expansion speed away from η Car to 12 ± 13 km s-1, or an expansion age of a few times 104 yr. Thus, this is probably the decelerated preoutburst luminous blue variable wind of η Car. The [O III] morphology is very different from that seen in [N II], which traces younger dense knots of CNO-processed material; this represents a dramatic shift in the chemical makeup of material recently ejected by η Car. This change in the chemical abundances of the ejecta may have resulted from the sudden removal of the star's outer envelope during η Car's 19th century outburst or an earlier but similar event.
Effects of temperature and oxygenation on predator-prey overlap and prey choice of Notonecta glauca.

Etude en laboratoire. La temperature et l'oxygenation affectent la repartition verticale de N.g. ce qui influence ses rapports avec les proies (Culex, Musca)