cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Injectable long-acting contraceptives.

This paper reviews the pharmacologic and epidemiologic data on injectable contraceptives and provides clinicians with clinical insights pertaining to counseling selection initiation and maintenance to facilitate successful use of injectable contraceptives. In the US women have two available options: Depo-Provera (DMPA) a 3-month progestin-only formulation containing 150 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate per injection and Lunelle (MPA/E2C) a 1-month combination containing 25 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate and 5 mg estradiol cypionate per injection. Both DMPA and MPA/E2C offer users effective convenient and reversible birth control choices. In particular DMPA is characteristically associated with amenorrhea. This progestin-only control method can be used by lactating women and by others for whom contraceptive doses of estrogen are contraindicated. However return of fertility can be delayed in women discontinuing DMPA to become pregnant. In some cases use of DMPA also confers important noncontraceptive and therapeutic benefits. On the other hand MPA/E2C is more beneficial to women who are concerned with daily pill taking who prefer regular cycles to amenorrhea and who find monthly injections acceptable and accessible. Like oral contraceptives MPA/E2C also represents an appropriate choice for women who prefer a rapidly reversible contraceptive method. Its contraindications are parallel to those for combined oral contraceptives.
The Utility of Urine Desmosine as a Marker of Lung Injury in Spine Surgery

The objective of this prospective observational study was to determine if urine desmosine levels, a marker of lung injury, increase in response to the periopreative insults of anterior and posterior spine surgery. Desmosine, a stable breakdown product of elastin, has been proposed as a surrogate marker of lung injury in patients with COPD, tobacco use, and ARDS. We recently evaluated this marker in patients undergoing knee surgery, but the utility of desmosine as a marker of lung injury in patients undergoing spine surgery remains unstudied. In this study, we enrolled ten consecutive patients, who underwent anterior/posterior spine surgery. Patient demographics and perioperative data were recorded. Urine samples were collected at baseline, 1 day, and 3 days postoperatively and analyzed for levels of desmosine using a previously validated radioimmunoassay. Desmosine levels were 35.9 ± 18.2 pmol/mg creatinine at baseline, 38.7 ± 11 pmol/mg creatinine on postoperative day 1, and 70.5 ± 49.1 pmol/mg creatinine on postoperative day 3, respectively. Desmosine/creatinine ratios measured on day 3 postoperatively were significantly elevated compared to levels at baseline, and represented a 96.3% increase. No difference was seen between levels at baseline and day 1 postoperatively. In conclusion, we were able to show a significant increase in urine desmosine levels associated with anterior/posterior spine surgery. In the context of previous studies, our findings suggest that desmosine may be a marker of lung injury in this setting. However, further research is warranted for validation and correlation of desmosine levels to clinical markers and various degrees of lung injury.
Cellular Oxygen Utilization and Radiation Response of V-79 Spheroids

Chinese hamster V-79-171 cells, when placed in stirred suspension cultures, spontaneously grow as spherical multicell aggregates (spheroids) which eventually contain many thousand tightly-packed cells. These spheroids thus provide a valuable model for the study of oxygen transport, since oxygen concentration at the spheroid periphery can be fairly precisely controlled in the stirred suspension, and the consequences of oxygen diffusion inward through the tissue-like mass can be determined experimentally and compared with theoretical calculations. As in human tumors, appearance of central necrosis can be correlated with severe hypoxia. Additionally, since severely hypoxic cells are considerably more resistant to radiation than are oxygenated cells, determination of the fraction of hypoxic cells by their radioresistance provides a noninvasive technique for monitoring respiratory processes. Using this approach, we have found an excellent correlation between the rate of cellular oxygen utilization by a single cell suspension and the net radio-sensitivity of multicell spheroids when treated with modulating agents, varying from direct control of metabolic activity by changing the ambient temperature, to less direct effects on cellular oxygen consumption induced by exposure of cells to nitroheterocyclic radiosensitizers, chemotherapeutic agents, anesthetics, antibiotics, and even cell growth factors including insulin. Our data from these studies indicate that, at least in the simplistic spheroid system where oxygen delivery to the internal cells is a direct function of the respiratory activity of the external cells, control of cellular oxygen utilization is a convenient and effective method of controlling the net radiosensitivity.
Reaction–diffusion models with large advection coefficients

The dispersal of organisms in a heterogeneous environment is rarely random as individuals can sense and respond to local environmental cues by moving towards favourable habitats. We study reaction–diffusion–advection models which describe the biased movement of species upward along the resource gradient. Our focus is on the effects of such non-random movement of organisms on the spatial distribution and dynamics of both single and multiple populations. For a single species at equilibrium, previous works show that the species with strong biased movement upward along the resource gradient will overmatch the resource at each global maximum of the resource. In this work, we show that, in fact, the species will overmatch the resource at every local maximum of the resource. As an application, we also study a reaction–diffusion–advection model for two competing species. We assume that the two species are identical except for their dispersal strategies: both species adopt random dispersal combined with the advect...
Women in US cities: urban captives

Abstract This article examines the contemporary position of women in US urban areas. It seeks to explain the increasing numbers of service-dependent women residing in urban locations through reference to the historical evolution of the urban political economy as it reflects the national and global political economy. More specifically, it recognizes that policies at the national level influence and change urban form and function, a process which has definite and identifiable consequences for society.
Justification and the Social Nature of Knowledge

In this paper I shall closely examine some of Gilbert Harman's cases that purport to show that one can have a justified true belief that does not constitute knowledge because of the social environment. I shall provide an account of these cases that helps us not only understand why the people in these situations lack knowledge, but also why philosophers have a difficult time evaluating these cases. More specifically, I shall argue that in these cases we should conclude that the cognizers lack justification. I shall also show how this account sheds some light on certain aspects of the internal-ism/externalism debate.
Knowledge transfers in the United States

Spending on research and development is rising throughout the world, driven by the belief that economic growth, competitiveness, and national security increasingly depend on prowess in science and technology. In the last quarter century, the fraction of national income invested in R&D has more than doubled in the major Western European nations. Japan has led a similar surge in the East, and other Pacific Rim nations are following that lead. R&D spending in the U.S. is expected to be about $120 billion in 1987, or about the same as the combined total of the West European nations. In the U.S., funding is divided roughly equally between government and private sources, although most of the work is performed outside the government. Federal spending for R&D has roughly doubled since 1981, rising from about $30 billion to about $60 billion. During this period, the balance of the federal R&D budget has shifted in two principal ways:
A rapid, direct test for zidovudine susceptibility in clinical isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) from infected children.

Abstract Background Existing phenotypic tests of antiretroviral susceptibility in clinical isolates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are expensive and slow, and require passage of virus in cell culture with the possible consequence of selecting variants. Objectives We sought to develop a rapid 14-day assay for zidovudine susceptibility of cell-associated HIV performed directly in patient blood samples. Study design Twenty-three tests were performed prospectively in 21 children, and the results were compared with those of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group/Department of Defense consensus drug susceptibility assay (DSA) as well as certain clinical parameters. Results Five strains from ZDV-naive children were sensitive by the rapid test. Three were tested by DSA, and all were sensitive. Six strains from children who had received ≥24 months of ZDV were resistant by the rapid assay. Four of these strains were tested by the DSA, and all were shown resistant. The viral strains from children who received Conclusions The rapid intracellular virus susceptibility assay is a test of drug sensitivity performed on HIV growing in cells obtained directly from an infected patient. The test has a two-week turn-around time and, in this preliminary report, gives results which correlate with both time on zidovudine and also subsequent CD4 cell changes.
Toward a census of genus Mimosa (Mimosaceae) in the Americas: a new species from Mexico (Baja California Sur) and two from planaltine Brazil (Goiás, Minas Gerais)

Three new species of Mimosa are described: M. (sect. Batocaulon) epitropica Barneby & Leon de la Luz from Mexico (Baja California Sur); and two from planaltine Brazil, M. (sect. Habbasia) bispiculata Barneby and M. (sect. Mimosa) demissa Barneby. The affinity of each is discussed, and all are illustrated.
Syntaxin: a synaptic protein implicated in docking of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic active zones

Synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters that are released during calcium-regulated exocytosis. The specificity of neurotransmitter release requires the localization of both synaptic vesicles and calcium channels to the presynaptic active zone. Two 35-kilodalton proteins (p35 or syntaxins) were identified that interact with the synaptic vesicle protein p65 (synaptotagmin). The p35 proteins are expressed only in the nervous system, are 84 percent identical, include carboxyl-terminal membrane anchors, and are concentrated on the plasma membrane at synaptic sites. An antibody to p35 immunoprecipitated solubilized N-type calcium channels. The p35 proteins may function in docking synaptic vesicles near calcium channels at presynaptic active zones.
Divergent Regulation of Cardiomyocyte Cav1.2 Currents by Calmodulin Mutants Associated with Human Sudden Death Syndromes

Recent reports identified six calmodulin (CaM) missense mutations associated with three distinct human arrhythmia syndromes: N54I and N98S are associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)-like clinical presentations, D96V, D130G and F142L with long QT syndrome (LQTS) and F90L with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF). We previously reported that all LQTS-CaMs exhibit reduced Ca affinity and normal or decreased (compared to WT CaM) ryanodine receptor (RyR2)-binding affinity, whereas CPVT-CaMs have normal or modestly lower Ca affinity but increase RyR2 single-channel open probability and show enhanced binding affinity to RyR2, causing significant increase in spontaneous Ca wave and spark activity in cardiac myocytes. Here, we investigate the effect of these mutant CaMs on another target potentially involved in arrhythmogenesis - Cav1.2 channels.Using whole-cell patch clamp, Cav1.2 current (ICa) was measured in freshly isolated murine ventricular myocytes pre-treated with ryanodine (50 µM) and thapsigargin (10 µM) to prevent SR Ca release. Cells were dialyzed with either wild-type or mutant CaM (6 µM) via patch pipette. All LQTS-CaMs and IVF-CaM caused significant impairment of ICa inactivation: τ=254±34 ms (D96V), 251±10 ms (F142L), 187±13 ms (D130G) and 190±8 ms (F90L) vs. 110±5 ms for WT (p<0.001, n=4-7 myocytes/group), whereas CPVT-CaMs had no effect on ICa inactivation(τ=108±3 ms (N54I), τ=132±14 ms (N98S) (NS, n=4-6 myocytes/group)). The effect of LQTS-CaMs and IVF-CaM was dominant, with a mixture of 25% mutant/75% WT CaM slowing ICa inactivation to a similar degree as 100% mutant CaM. Importantly, average peak current amplitude was unchanged in all groups. These results support the hypothesis that different targets are affected in arrhythmogenic disorders associated with LQTS-CaMs (impaired regulation of Cav1.2) vs. CPVT-CaMs (altered regulation of RyR2). The F90L CaM mutation shares characteristics with both CPVT and LQTS CaMs.
Current Algebra Applied to Properties of the Light Higgs Boson

We present a general current algebra approach to the study of the new light Higgs boson h. In particular we apply it to the Weinberg-Salam model for both standard and non-standard Yukawa couplings. The partially conserved axial-vector current for his explicitly constructed and used to calculate its mass and lifetime.
Interactions between gramicidin S and its producer,Bacillus brevis

Gramicidin S (GS) inhibition of germination outgrowth ofBacillus brevis spores was reversed completely by a short pretreatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate, moderately by ethanol or by incubation at pH 10 but not by incubation at pH 4. Of five metal ions tested (Na+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Ca2+), only Ca2+ reversed GS inhibition. When Ca2+ (but not the other four metal ions) was added to the growth medium, there was a considerable portion of the biosynthesized GS found in the extracellular fluid. These findings are interpreted in terms of the binding of GS to the external layers of theB. brevis spore.
Adam Smith and Musgrave’s concept of merit good☆

Abstract In this paper I claim that Adam Smith distinguished between economic activities without labeling these distinctions; and, that those distinctions correspond with the modern concepts of private, public and merit good. Musgrave introduced the concept of merit good, but he himself (and several commentators) limited the applicability of the concept merit good. I argue that a close reading of Adam Smith solidifies the distinction conceptualized by the modern ideas of public and merit good; gives the concept merit good a broader domain of applicability; and makes of the ideas of public and merit good concepts which are ideal concepts, and can therefore be applicable jointly and in degrees to particular economic activities.
NAD-phenol complex formation, the inhibition of malate dehydrogenase by phenols, and the influence of phenol substituents on inhibitory effectiveness

Abstract Kinetic analyses indicate that inhibition by phenols of the forward reaction of malate dehydrogenase involves the binding of two molecules of phenol. One is bound as phenol, the other as a charge transfer complex of phenol with NAD. Inhibition of the reverse reaction by phenol involves the binding of only a single phenol molecule per active unit of enzyme. Kinetic evidence for this binding pattern is supported by spectral evidence in which ultraviolet absorbance and circular dichroism studies show binding of the NAD-phenol complex by malate dehydrogenase. Circular dichroism difference spectra indicate that phenol alone also binds to malate dehydrogenase. The apparent inhibition constants for fourteen variously substituted phenols were found to be significantly correlated with the hydrophobic binding constant (π), the Hammet σ function and the NAD-phenol charge transfer association constant of the individual phenols. The degree of dependency of the apparent K i on the hydrophobicity of phenols suggests that the observed inhibition occurs via binding of phenol and/or NAD-phenol complex in hydrophobic regions of the malate dehydrogenase molecule.
Chemical Modification of Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil to Improve its Functional Properties for Candles

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (PHVO) has recently been used to make vegetable oil-based candles. However, its use is limited primarily to container candles because of its inherent physical properties, such as brittleness when a hard material is produced, and greasiness when it is soft by low degree of hydrogenation. Such material lacks the most desired cohesiveness and elasticity compared to the commercial petroleum paraffin and beeswax. To improve the cohesiveness and thermal properties of PHVO, epoxidation, ring-opening reaction, and esterification were conducted to introduce new functional groups into the fatty acyl chain of PHVO. These newly synthesized derivatives or waxes were also mixed with the fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSO) or PHVO base materials. Hardness and cohesiveness of the new waxes and the mixtures were measured with a texture analyzer. Their thermal properties were analyzed with a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the introduction of hydroxyl (OH) group significantly improved the cohesiveness of PHVO. The melting range of PHVO also increased after the reactions. However, the hardness of the new wax was lower than those of commercial paraffin wax or beeswax. For wax mixtures, the hardness of dihydroxy wax was significantly improved by the addition of FHSO, however, the cohesiveness was negatively affected by the amount of FHSO added. Both the melting and the crystallization ranges were widened by mixing the derivatives with the base materials.
Anthracenediethanol inhibits lignin degradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium by competing for oxidation by lignin peroxidase, and not by trapping singlet oxygen

The biodegradation of anthracene-9, 10-diethanol by the ligninolytic fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, previously though to involve singlet oxygen, is shown to be catalyzed by lignin peroxidases. Veratryl alcohol stimulated the enzymatic degradation of anthracenediethanol, and anthracenediethanol inhibited enzymatic oxidation of veratryl alcohol. Competition for oxidation by lignin peroxidase is suggested as the mechanism of the inhibition of lignin biodegradation by anthracenediethanol and related anthracene derivatives.
Processes affecting the behavior of dissolved aluminum in estuarine waters

Abstract Although it is well-known that reactions occur within estuaries to alter the flux of dissolved aluminum from rivers into the oceans, the nature and relative importance of these reactions are not well defined. In this study we show that sediment-water interactions can have a significant influence on dissolved Al distributions in estuaries. Undisturbed sediments will act as a sink for dissolved Al because of diffusion across the sediment-water interface and reaction of Al within the sediment. Resuspension of sediments will cause a release of dissolved Al into relatively Si-depleted estuarine waters. Flocculation of colloidal material may cause a net consumption of dissolved Al in estuaries. Our results indicate, however, that this process may not, in many cases, be the primary cause for curvature in Al-Cl − profiles. An alternative model, whereby Al is displaced from organic matter complexes and adsorption sites in the estuarine zone and reacts with Si and cations in solution, is consistent with the data presented in this study as well as many other studies. In this case, the extent of net Al removal in estuaries will be determined by both the amount and nature of the dissolved organic matter present.
Venous outflow obstruction in liver transplantation is associated with the anastomotic technique.

The outflow venovenous anastomosis represent a crucial aspect during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with inferior vena cava (IVC) preservation. The modified Belghiti liver hanging maneuver applied to the last phase of hepatectomy, lifting the liver, provides a better exposure of the suprahepatic region and allows easier orthogonal clamping of the three suprahepatic veins with a minimal portion of IVC occlusion. The outflow anastomosis constructed with a common cloacae of the three native suprahepatic veins is associated with a lower incidence of graft related venous outflow complications. The procedure planned in 120 consecutive OLT was achieved in 118 (99%). The outflow anastomosis was constructed on the common cloaca of the three hepatic veins in 111/120 cases (92.5%). No major complications were observed (bleeding during tunnel creation, graft outflow dysfunction, etc) except in one patient with acute Budd-Chiari, who successfully underwent retransplantation.
A high-density magneto-optic memory

A magneto-optic memory element which was first proposed by Chang et al. has been investigated. The element is based upon the properties of ferrimagnetic materials with a compensation temperature. It is a single crystal wafer of gadolinium iron garnet. The importance of domain walls in limiting the minimum size of a bit was recognized. This limitation was removed by scribing the wafer into square bits approximately 25 microns on a side. The reading operation was improved by utilizing a beam splitting procedure similar to one suggested by Miyata and Lentz. The optimum thickness of the memory element and the optimum wavelength for memory operation were determined. Thermal considerations were investigated. The laser power required for the writing operation and limits for the writing speed set by thermal factors were determined. Experimental results were in good agreement with these theoretical predictions.
Recanalization of chronically occluded aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass grafts by extended infusion of urokinase: initial results and short-term clinical follow-up.

Abstract Chronic occlusion of saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass grafts is a common problem. Although percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a saphenous vein with a stenotic lesion is feasible, angioplasty alone of a totally occluded vein graft yields uniformly poor results. Patients with such occlusion are often subjected to repeat aortocoronary bypass surgery. Experience with a new technique that allows angioplasty to be performed in a totally occluded saphenous vein bypass graft is reported. This technique utilizes infusion of prolonged low dose urokinase directly into the proximal portion of the occluded graft. Forty-six consecutive patients with 47 totally occluded grafts were studied. Patients had undergone end to side saphenous vein bypass grafting 1 to 13 (mean 7) years previously. All patients presented with new or worsening angina pectoris with ST-T changes or non-Q wave acute myocardial infarction and all had a totally occluded saphenous vein bypass graft. The new technique entailed the positioning of an angiographic catheter into the stub of the occluded graft and the advancement of an infusion wire into the graft. Patients were returned to the coronary care unit, where urokinase was delivered at a dose of 100,000 to 250,000 U/h. The total dose of urokinase ranged from 0.7 to 9.8 million U over 7.5 to 77 h (mean 31). After therapy, recanalization was seen in 37 (79%) of the 47 grafts. In 20 successfully treated patients, angiography was performed 1 to 24 (mean 11) months after treatment; 13 (65%) of these grafts were patent. It is concluded that direct, extended, low dose infusion of urokinase in a totally occluded saphenous vein bypass graft offers a promising alternative to repeat bypass surgery.
CALORIMETRY OF LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASE TRANSITIONS

The smectic and cholesteric phase transitions of cholesteryl myristate and cholesteryl nonanoate have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. We report calorimetric observations related to (i) the focal-conic to blue phase transition (ii), pre-transition phenomena and (iii) supercooling.
Coronary Bypass for Relief of Persistent Pain Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Between January, 1976, and April, 1980, 116 patients had urgent myocardial revascularization for clinical instability within 30 days of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Group 1 (8 patients) had coronary bypass grafting within 24 hours of acute MI; Group 2 (20 patients) had coronary bypass grafting 2 to 7 days after acute MI; and Group 3 (88 patients) had coronary bypass grafting 8 to 30 days after infarction. Indications for operation were persistent or recurrent pain (81%), pain plus ventricular arrhythmias (12%), and pain plus compelling anatomy. The incidence of single-vessel, triple-vessel, and left main coronary artery disease was 28%, 31%, and 12%, respectively. There were no hospital deaths in the series. The incidence of inotropic requirements, postoperative intraaortic balloon pumping, ventricular arrhythmias, and perioperative infarction was higher in patients operated on within 7 days of acute MI than for patients having coronary bypass grafting after this time. There have been 5 late deaths during a mean follow-up of 14 months. Actuarial survival was 97% at 18 months. Seventy-one percent of patients are presently pain free. Graft patency was 84% in 17 patients recatheterized after coronary bypass grafting and in 14 patients, grafts placed into the area of infarction were patent. This study suggests that the frequency of perioperative complications will be increased in patients operated on within one week of MI, but after this period, coronary bypass grafting can be accomplished with the same morbidity as the of elective operation.
The perception of stress as a semantic cue in aphasia.

Stress as a phonemic feature in English serves only to distinguish syntactic class membership for nouns vs verbs (convict-convict) or noun vs noun phrases (redcoat vs red coat). The capacity fo...
Boundary layer profiles in plasma chemical vapor deposition.

A nonlinear optical spectroscopy based on degenerate four-wave mixing has made possible direct measurements of species temperature and concentration profiles through the boundary layer of a reactive plasma at atmospheric pressure. Spectra were obtained for CH and C_2 radicals over a range of conditions including those for the plasma chemical vapor deposition of diamond films. Numerical simulations based on a one-dimensional stagnation-point flow model are in good agreement with the measurements. The CH mole fraction is shown to rise and fall as a function of distance from the substrate, which is compelling experimental evidence for the complex chemistry that is occurring in the plasma boundary layer.
Simulation in an object-oriented world

An object-oriented simulation (OOS) consists of a set of objects that interact with each other over time. This paper provides a presentation of OOS design elements by contrasting OOS with its procedural counterparts. The elements of component technology are addressed along with the important issue of composition (components) versus inheritance that distinguishes object-based from object-oriented languages.
Targeted Sialic Acid–Doxorubicin Prodrugs for Intracellular Delivery and Cancer Treatment

Purpose To evaluate a novel targeted anticancer prodrug consisting of several copies of sialic acid (SA, targeting moiety), doxorubicin (DOX), citric acid (multifunctional spacer) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, carrier).
Temperature rise of the silicon mask-PMMA resist assembly during LIGA exposure

Deep X-ray lithography on PMMA resist is used in the LIGA process. The resist is exposed to synchrotron X-rays through a patterned mask and then is developed in a liquid developer to make high aspect ratio microstructures. This work addresses the thermal analysis and temperature rise of the mask-resist assembly during exposure at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) synchrotron. The concern is that the thermal expansion will lower the accuracy of the lithography. We have developed a three-dimensional finite-element model of the mask and resist assembly. We employed the LIGA exposure-development software LEX-D and the commercial software ABAQUS to calculate heat transfer of the assembly during exposure. The calculations of assembly maximum temperature have been compared with temperature measurements conducted at ALS. The temperature rise in the silicon mask and the mask holder comes directly from the X-ray absorption, but forced convection of nitrogen jets carry away a significant portion of heat energy from the mask surface, while natural convection plays a negligible role. The temperature rise in PMMA resist is mainly from heat conducted from the silicon substrate backward to the resist and from the mask plate through inner cavity air forward to the resist, while the X-ray absorption is only secondary. Therefore, reduction of heat flow conducted from both substrate and cavity air to the resist is essential. An improved water-cooling block is expected to carry away most heat energy along the main heat conductive path, leaving the resist at a favorable working temperature.
Enabling Technology for On-Chip Interconnection Networks

As we enter the era of many-core processors and complex SoCs, on-chip interconnection networks play a dominant role in determining the performance, power, and cost of a system. These networks are critically dependent on a number of underlying technologies: channel, buffer, and switch circuits, router microarchitecture, flow-control and routing methods, and network topology. Too often on-chip networks are built in a naive manner using a ring or mesh topology and standard cell methodology. Compared to this approach, optimized circuits can reduce power by an order of magnitude and an optimized topology can give an additional factor of two to three in area and power efficiency. This talk can explore key enabling technologies for on-chip networks giving a number of examples and identifying opportunities for future research
GENETIC INFLUENCES AFFECTING THE OCCURRENCE OF A DIABETES MELLITUS-LIKE DISEASE IN MICE INFECTED WITH THE ENCEPHALOMYOCARDITIS VIRUS

The M variant of encephalomyocarditis virus produces a diabetes mellitus-like disease in DBA/2 mice but not in animals of the C3H strain. Fewer than one-third of infected F1 (DBA/2 x C3H) progeny exhibit the disease, whereas the prevalence in backcrosses (F1 x DBA/2, F1 x C3H) is comparable to the parental inbred strain. Thus, the mode of inheritance of the diabetic predisposition appears to be polygenic. DBA/2 animals develop striking inflammatory and necrotizing lesions of the islets of Langerhans; in contrast, alterations of the insular tissue in the C3H mice are minimal. Although metabolic abnormalities appear to be consequent to lesions of beta cells, the factors influencing the severity of these insular changes are incompletely understood.
Traffic intersections of the future

Few concepts embody the goals of artificial intelligence as well as fully autonomous robots. Countless films and stories have been made that focus on a future filled with autonomous agents that complete menial tasks or run errands that humans do not want or are too busy to carry out. One such task is driving automobiles. In this paper, we summarize the work we have dune towards a future of fully-autonomous vehicles, specifically coordinating such vehicles safely and efficiently at intersections. We then discuss the implications this work has for other areas of AI, including planning, multiagent learning, and computer vision.
Thrifty execution of task pipelines

A sequence of tasks that must be performed on a sequential database can be scheduled in various ways. Schedules will differ with respect to the number of accesses made to peripheral storage devices and the amount of memory space consumed by buffers. Buffer requirements are discussed for task schedules that avoid accesses to peripherals storing the sequential database. The relationship between certain thrifty scheduling policies and loop jamming, a standard code optimization technique, is also identified. Application to UNIX pipelines and to file processing is discussed.
Etic interpreting of emic reports of tourism behaviour: cross-cultural introspections of Hawaii

This study uses netnography to examine how foreign visitors interpret the places, people, and situations that they experience while visiting Honolulu, Hawaii. Stories offering emic interpretations about destination experiences support McKee’s (2003) proposition that ‘inciting incidents’ throwing life out-of-balance serve as powerful stories. Travel blog reports from tourists visiting Hawaii from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Germany demonstrate surprisingly similar cases of psychological imbalance experienced by foreign visitors. Heider’s (1958) balance theory in maps helps understand first-person reports that visitors communicate about themselves and interpretations about emic self-reports of own travel experiences. Etic interpretations further explain immediate and downstream positive and negative associations of concepts, events, and outcomes in visitors’ stories. The study’s findings suggest foreign visitors have common expectations. These findings may help practitioners to design services that travellers highly value. The study shows how cultural distance affects travellers’ interpretations of their own experiences.
Wars of attrition: colony size determines competitive outcomes in a guild of African acacia ants

Territorial aggression is a primary mode of population regulation among ants, and frequently leads to the formation of linear dominance hierarchies. However, few experimental studies have investigated the proximate mechanisms that underlie these hierarchies. In this study I examine the mechanisms underlying dominance relationships in interference competition for nest sites in a guild of acacia ants residing on Acacia drepanolobium. I show that (1) interspecific conflicts are fought as simple wars of attrition, with mortality ratios among combatant species approximating 1:1, (2) interspecific competitive outcomes, both within and between habitats, closely parallel differences in estimated average colony size among the four acacia ant species, and (3) experimental manipulation of colony size effectively reverses the dominance hierarchy. This is the first study to demonstrate experimentally that size asymmetries underlie dominance relationships in an entire guild of competitors. These results also highlight the contingent nature of ecological dominance in this community. Because dominance is dictated by characteristics of a trait shared by all ant species (colony size), interspecific competitive outcomes may vary if species differ in growth and/or mortality responses to factors such as disturbance or environmental conditions. Contingencies in competitive outcomes among these acacia ants may play an important role in promoting coexistence in this intensely nest-site-limited community.
Ab Initio Investigation of Electron Detachment in Dicarboxylate Dianions

Optimized structures for oxalate (C2O4), malonate (O2CCH2CO2), and succinate (O2C(CH2)2CO2) mono- and dianions are computed at the level of second-order Moller−Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). For oxalate, both anions exhibit D2d and D2h rotamers, and in addition, for the singly charged species, we find an anion−molecule complex of the form CO2-·CO2. For the malonate and succinate anions we examine both keto and enol isomers; the keto structures are characterized by unhindered rotation of the CO2 moieties about geometries of C2 symmetry, while the enol isomers are much more rigid as a result of an intramolecular hydrogen bond. In both malonate and succinate, the enol isomer is the more stable form of the monoanion, while the keto isomer is the more stable dianion, although for O2CCH2CO22- the estimated isomerization barrier is only about 7 kcal/mol. All of the dianions are adiabatically unbound and the enol dianions are vertically unbound as well. However, vertical detachment energies calculated by elec...
Management implications of the effects of marine-derived nutrients on salmon population dynamics

Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) populations transfer large quantities of nutrients from their marine habitats to their freshwater habitats, but the management implications of this nutrient import mechanism are not clear. I investigate whether the effects of these nutrient imports on salmon productivity can be detected, how well management strategies can perform if they ignore the effects of marine-derived nutrients when productivity is strongly dependent on nutrient levels, and under what circumstances nutrient-depleted stocks can recover. I find that stock-recruitment data do not usually permit the detection of the effects of nutrient imports. Some management strategies that ignore nutrient-related effects will, as they are updated, converge to policies that are similar to those that are optimal, given the nutrient effects. Constant harvest rate policies will approach optimal harvesting faster than constant escapement policies. Nutrient dependence can lead to multiple stable states for a population, s...
An HDTV compression scheme for production-quality recording and high-performance shuttle operation

A novel scheme is proposed for the efficient coding and compression of high-definition television (HDTV) sequences for recording on digital video tape. The scheme achieves a constant 8:1 compression ratio by exploiting both intraframe and interframe compression techniques and removing both statistical and psychovisual redundancies during the coding process. However, a perceptually lossless image quality is still maintained after both single and multiple generations. This scheme also allows the recognizable playback of recorded material at speeds up to 50 times normal in both the forward and reverse directions. This high-performance picture-in-shuttle mode of operation is accomplished by employing a hierarchical data structure and exploiting the head-positioning capabilities of conventional digital video tape recorders. The performance of the overall recording scheme is evaluated by simulating the compression and reconstruction of three HDTV test sequences at 1, 10, 20 and 50 times normal layback speed. >
Culture, Rights, and Norms: Women’s Rights Reform in Muslim Countries

While gender inequality in developing countries is widely studied, the obstacles facing women in Muslim countries and the efficacy of the various strategies to overcome it are less well understood. Extant strategies for improving women’s conditions rely on transnational advocacy primarily through norms building, however, the effectiveness of such approaches has largely escaped systematic evaluation. Examining discrimination in family and nationality laws, which exemplify women’s unequal citizenship, I offer a complementary perspective that emphasizes the role of core rights—improving women’s education levels and work force participation—to explain differences in women’s status. Using cross-national data, I analyze the influence of Islamic culture and the factors that advance these citizenship rights. The results suggest both that Islamic tenets influence the nature of inheritance and nationality rights in Muslim countries, and that promoting women’s core rights in education and labor force participation c...
Resting Blood Flow in the Skin: Does it Exist, and What is the Influence of Temperature, Aging, and Diabetes?

Measurement of resting blood flow to the skin and other organs is an important indicator of health and disease and a way to assess the reaction to various stimuli and pharmaceutical interventions. However, unlike plasma ions such as sodium or potassium, it is difficult to determine what the proper value for resting blood flow really is. Part of the problem is in the measurement of blood flow; various techniques yield very different measures of skin blood flow even in the same area. Even if there were common techniques, resting blood flow to tissue, such as the skin, is determined by the interaction of a plurality of factors, including the sympathetic nervous system, temperature, pressure, shear forces on blood vessels, tissue osmolality, and a variety of other stimuli. Compounding this variability, the blood flow response to any stressor is reduced by free radicals in the blood and diminished by aging and diabetes. Race also has an effect on resting blood flow to the skin. All these factors interact to make the exact resting blood flow difficult to determine in any one individual and at any one time. This review examines the main techniques to assess blood flow, the factors that alter blood flow in the skin, and how aging and diabetes affect blood flow. Recommendations for the measurement of resting blood flow are presented.
Exergame Use as a Gateway to the Adoption of and Adherence to Sport-Specific and General Physical Activity

To explore methods of promoting physical activity, research was conducted to determine whether exergame use could serve as a gateway to future physical activity and to test its efficacy as an intervention. Undergraduates (n = 103) received introductory training during weeks 0–4 through a racquetball videogame (exergame), traditional training, or no-exposure (control group). All groups then participated in the same, traditional training for weeks 5–8. No differences existed between the exergame and traditional training groups for most outcomes. Both groups increased over time in most outcomes and showed greater skills test performance at post-intervention assessments than the control group. However, baseline physical activity moderated these outcomes. These results provide partial support for a gateway mechanism and guidelines for future research.
Responsiveness and reliability of a pediatric strategy score for balance

Various motor patterns or 'strategies' can be used to maintain balance. The purpose of this study was to determine the responsiveness of a pediatric strategy score (PED-SS) compared to a standard strategy score (SS) as a measure of age-related changes in the force patterns used to maintain stance. Eighty-one healthy children between 3-6 years of age were tested during stance on a force platform while facing a visual surround. The platform, visual surround (or both) moved simultaneously with the child's body sway. Four sensory conditions that altered visual and somatosensory (support surface) inputs were presented. The PED-SS was found to be more responsive to age-related changes in balance behavior compared to the SS. The oldest children (aged 5 and 6 years) showed the greatest ability to utilize horizontal A/P shear force to maintain stance and this finding was reflected only in the PED-SS. The implications of evaluating force strategy as one component of balance in healthy children is discussed with respect to the early developmental assessment of vestibular and developmental coordination disorders.
Children and unintentional firearm death

Children in the United States are at far greater risk of unintentional gun death than children in other developed countries. The relative figures may even be worse since the estimates for US child unintentional gun deaths are derived from the Vital Statistics which have been shown to be underestimates. No study has used a national data system to investigate the circumstances of fatal child gun accidents. We use data from the National Violent Death Reporting System for 16 states from 2005 to 2012. We examine the cases of unintentional gun death involving children in five age groups, 0–1, 2–4, 5–10, 11–12, and 13–14, where the child was either the victim or shooter. We estimate that there were 110 unintentional firearm deaths to children 0–14 annually in the U.S. during this 8 year time period, 80 % higher than reported by the Vital Statistics. The victims were predominantly male (81 %). Approximately two thirds of the shootings were other-inflicted, and in 97 % of those cases the shooter was a male. The typical shooter in other-inflicted shootings is a brother or friend. Indeed, children aged 11–14 are often shot in the home of friends. The large majority of children are shot by other children or by themselves. It is rare for a child accidentally to be shot by or accidentally to shoot an adult who is not a family member. Our study highlights the fact that unintentional firearm death to children is a problem of children shooting children and thus the importance of keeping guns away from children, their siblings, and their friends.
Intakes of Calcium and Phosphorus and Calculated Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratios of Older Adults: NHANES 2005-2006 Data.

Background: High intakes of dietary phosphorus (P), relative to calcium (Ca) intake, are associated with a lower calcium:phosphorus ratio (Ca:P) ratio which potentially has adverse health effects, including arterial calcification, bone loss, and death. A substantial percentage of older adults (50 to 70 and 71 plus years) who have a higher risk of fracture rate than younger adults typically have low intakes of dietary Ca that are dominated by higher intakes of dietary P from natural and fortified foods, and lower Ca:P ratios than desirable. Objective: This investigation was undertaken to examine Ca and P intakes and the resulting Ca:P ratios (by mass) across gender and older adult age groups, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2006. Design: NHANES data are based on a cross-sectional sample of the non-institutionalized United States (US) population within various regions. This sample is selected to be representative of the entire US population at all ages. National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods and SAS survey procedures were used for analyses. Ca:P ratios were calculated using total Ca from both foods and supplements, whereas P intakes were calculated from food composition values and supplements. The amounts of P additives in processed foods are not available. Results: Mean Ca and P intakes demonstrated lower intakes of Ca and higher intakes of P compared to current Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). The Ca:P ratios in older male and female adults were influenced by both low-Ca and high-P dietary consumption patterns. Conclusions: Both low total Ca intakes and high P amounts contribute to lower Ca:P ratios, i.e., ~0.7:1.0, in the consumption patterns of older adults than is recommended by the RDAs, i.e., ~1.5:1.0. Whether Ca:P ratios lower than recommended contribute to increased risk of bone loss, arterial calcification, and all-cause mortality cannot be inferred from these data. Additional amounts of chemical P additives in the food supply may actually reduce even further the Ca:P ratios of older adults of both genders, but, without P additive data from the food industry, calculation of more precise ratios from NHANES 2005–2006 data is not possible.
GAS Tungsten-ARC Welding of High-Purity Aluminum for Aluminum-Stabilized Composite Superconductors

High-purity aluminum (99.999+% purity) is being used as a stabilizer material in many composite superconducting cables rather than copper. Since large superconducting energy storage devices require immense quantities of the stabilizer material, the more abundant high-purity aluminum is the only feasible choice for a stabilizer. Although aluminum compares favorably with copper for stabilizer use at 4.2 K because of its low density, low specific heat, and low resistivity, aluminum has a very low yield strength. †