cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Three Methods for Relief of Pain After Ear Canal Ablation in Dogs

This study compared three methods of pain relief in dogs that had total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy. The hypothesis was that systemic opioids with preoperative local nerve blocks would provide superior pain relief. Thirty-one dogs with chronic otitis externa were included in the study. Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three protocols: systemic opioids alone (10 dogs, group 1), systemic opioids with bupivacaine splash block (11 dogs, group 2), and systemic opioids with preoperative local bupivacaine nerve blocks (10 dogs, group 3). Twenty-one dogs had bilateral ear ablation and 10 had unilateral ablation. Pain was assessed preoperatively, at extubation, 2 hours postextubation, and 1 day postoperatively by a single observer blinded to the analgesic protocol used. Pain scores were not significantly different within or between groups, nor did unilateral versus bilateral ablation have a significant effect on the score. Mean scores were less than 3 (scale 1 to 5) for all groups at all observation times. Rough recoveries were noted in 30% of group 1 dogs, 0% of group 2, and 20% of group 3 dogs. Ninety-four percent of dogs were moderately to heavily sedated at extubation. Sixty percent of group 3 dogs remained moderately to heavily sedated 2 hours postextubation. Rectal temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and postoperative change in serum cortisol levels were not significantly different between groups. Postoperative increase in blood glucose was significantly higher in groups 1 and 3 compared with preoperative levels. Twenty-three percent of the dogs required additional analgesia or tranquilization after surgery, as determined by the anesthetist; 1 dog in group 1, 2 in group 2, and 4 in group 3. Each of the three analgesic protocols provided similar pain relief in dogs undergoing total ear canal ablation.
Human Submandibular Saliva Aggregates HIV

Incubation of HIV with human whole, parotid, or submandibular saliva leads to a decrease in viral infectivity in Sup-T1 cells. The effect is most pronounced with submandibular saliva. Inhibition is seen within 2 min, and increases with time. There is little inhibition seen after incubation of saliva with HSV, and no effect with adenovirus, suggested that there is some viral specificity. Electron microscopic studies revealed that HIV-saliva aggregates are trapped in 0.45-μm pore size nitrocellulose filters. If these inhibitory effects are manifest in vivo, this could account for the low level of virus detected in oral secretions.
Bone health in HIV-infected children, adolescents and young adults: a systematic review.

Background: Children and adolescent, who acquire HIV infection early in life either perinatally, from contaminated blood products or via sexual transmission, have the greatest cumulative exposure to the negative direct and indirect effects of HIV infection and ART on bone. This may lead to increased lifetime risk for osteoporosis and fracture. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the literature on bone health in children and adolescents with HIV. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of the Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases (up to April 1, 2014) for studies that reported on bone imaging or bone fractures in HIV-infected children, adolescents, or young adults. Results: A total of 32 publications met our inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies were cross-sectional and 15 were longitudinal. The majority of studies were conducted in high-income countries, three in middle-income countries and none in low-income countries. Overall, the studies we reviewed indicate that measures of bone mass are reduced, with increased prevalence of low BMD in children and adolescents with HIV. However, the studies are highly variable with respect to comparison sources, measurement methods, adjustment techniques for body size or growth retardation, and highlighted risk factors, including aspects related to medication exposures as well as the effects of HIV infection per se. Conclusions: HIV infection appears to be associated with decreased bone accrual throughout childhood and adolescence. Sub-optimal bone accrual may persist through childhood and adolescence and result in reduced peak bone mass, an important determinant of future risk of osteoporosis and fracture. Important areas for future research include evaluation of bone mass, bone quality and fracture risk across the life course among those with early-life infection with HIV, particularly in resource-limited settings where the majority of children with HIV live.
Effects of overstory retention, herbicides, and fertilization on sub-canopy vegetation structure and functional group composition in loblolly pine forests restored to longleaf pine

The desirable structure of longleaf pine forests, which generally includes a relatively open canopy of pines, very few woody stems in the mid-story, and a well-developed, herbaceous ground layer, provides critical habitat for flora and fauna and contributes to ecosystem function. Current efforts to restore longleaf pine to upland sites dominated by second-growth loblolly pine require information about how restoration treatments affect sub-canopy vegetation. We established a field experiment at Fort Benning in Georgia and Alabama, USA to determine the effects of four levels of approximately uniform canopy density (Control [16 m 2 /ha basal area], MedBA [ 9m 2 /ha basal area], LowBA [ 5m 2 /ha basal area], and Clearcut [0 m 2 /ha basal area]) and three cultural treatments (NT [untreated], H [chemical control of woody and herbaceous vegetation] and H + F [chemical control plus fertilization]) on vegetation structure and functional group composition for three growing seasons following canopy removal. In general, cover (a measure of abundance) of ground layer vegetation increased with the amount of canopy removal. The ground layer was dominated by herbaceous vegetation in each year. Canopy trees generally suppressed the cover of graminoids in the first two years after treatment but only the Control plots had lower graminoid cover than Clearcut plots after the third growing season. Forb cover was significantly lower on Control plots than on Clearcut plots after only the first growing season, and woody stems/shrubs had lower cover on Control plots than on LowBA or Clearcut plots in each year. Vegetation cover increased following the first year after canopy removal, and the relative dominance of functional groups did not change through time. Canopy retention limited the development of mid-story woody stems, with the greatest stem densities in the Clearcut plots. The herbicide treatment (on both H and H + F) significantly reduced woody stem density in the mid-story in 2009, but the effect was no longer significant in 2010. Traditional methods for converting stands of other pine species to longleaf pine commonly include clearcutting followed by planting, but our results suggest that clearcutting may release woody vegetation to increase mid-story stem densities and will reduce the amount of pine needles in the fuel bed. Retaining low to moderate levels of canopy density (5–9 m 2 /ha basal area) in loblolly pine stands may provide an effective balance for reaching multiple restoration objectives that include maintaining desirable vegetation structure and creating fuel conditions for a frequent fire regime.
Second Generation Hazmat Cam Wireless Tactical Video System for hazardous response

This paper describes the development and application of the original Hazmat Cam Wireless Tactical Video System and the newly developed Generation II Hazmat Cam Tactical Wireless Video System. The Idaho National Laboratory designed the original Hazmat Cam Wireless Video System to assist the National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction - Civil Support Teams during their mission of emergency response to incidents involving chemical, biological or radiological contamination. The R&D 100 Award winning Hazmat Cam system is a lightweight, handheld camera capable of transmitting encrypted, real-time video from inside a contaminated area, or hot-zone, to a command post located a safe distance away. The system includes a small wireless video camera, a true-diversity receiver, viewing console, and an optional extension link that allows the command post to be placed up to five miles from danger. It can be fully deployed by one person in a standalone configuration in less than 10 minutes. The complete system is battery powered. Each rechargeable camera battery powers the camera for 3 hours with the receiver and video monitor battery lasting 22 hours on a single charge. The camera transmits encrypted, low frequency analog video signals to a true-diversity receiver with three antennas. This unique combination of encryption and transmission technologies delivers encrypted, interference-free images to the command post under conditions where other wireless systems fail. The lightweight camera is water resistant and submersible for quick and easy decontamination after use. The Hazmat Cam Wireless Video System is currently being used by several National Guard Teams, the US Army, and by fire fighters. The system has been proven to greatly enhance situational awareness during the crucial, initial phase of a hazardous response allowing commanders to make better, faster, safer decisions. The author describes several improvements designed into the Generation II Hazmat Cam System along with the technical and financial challenges associated with developing an effective, affordable tactical video system for emergency response. Design considerations such as cost versus performance for different radio frequency transmission technologies, video encryption techniques, and heat management are addressed.
In vitro clonal multiplication of the actinorhizal plant Comptonia peregrina

Micropropagation of the actinorhizal plant Comptonia peregrina of the Myricaceae was achieved successfully by the induction of root buds in excised root culture with cytokinin (1.0 μM benzyladenine). Excised root segments with initiated root buds were subcultured in Woody Plant Medium (WPM) lacking growth regulators, developing extensive callus which subsequently gave rise to multiple adventitious buds. Shoot elongation was facilitated by transfer of calluses to more aerated conditions. Root initiation was induced on shoots by brief treatment with auxin (<1 μM indolebutyric acid) and transfer to WPM for plantlet development. Controlled light and aeration in liquid medium were critical conditions for successful micropropagation.
Some temperature‐dependent properties of niobium tunnel junctions

Some measurements of the electrical properties of Nb tunnel junctions in the temperature range 2–9 °K are described. These include (i) the quasiparticle tunneling current, (ii) the gap voltage 2Δ/e, (iii) the dc Josephson current i1, and (iv) the London penetration depth λ. With regard to (i) the tunnel current is well described by an empirical model in which the density of states within the forbidden gap of the top electrode is finite and sharply peaked at the gap edges. This, and the temperature dependence of i1, are consistent with the proximity‐effect model proposed by Schwidtal to describe Nb‐NbOx‐Pb junctions. The temperature and frequency dependences of the penetration depth show fair agreement with the BCS theory in the local ’’dirty’’ limit. Some results are also given on the variation of junction capacitance with Josephson current density.
Flow birefringence and computational studies of a shear thinning polymer solution in axisymmetric stagnation flow

Abstract Flow of a shear thinning, moderately concentrated solution of monodisperse high molecular weight polystyrene has been studied in a nonhomogeneous axisymmetric stagnation flow. Shear and extensional rheometry have been used to characterize the rheology of the solution. Multimode Giesekus and Phan–Thien–Tanner (PTT) models, and a single mode PTT model with a White–Metzner rate dependent relaxation time (PTT–WM) were fit to the rheological data. Transient uniaxial elongational measurements show significant extension hardening, which could only be predicted by the PTT model. The Giesekus model provided the best representation of shear flow data, but substantially underpredicted the measured extensional viscosity. Flow birefringence was used to measure integrated axisymmetric shear and normal stress profiles as a function of position. These measurements were compared with the results of numerical simulations, performed using an adaptive finite element technique, with the three constitutive models. The computed results with the 3-mode Giesekus model accurately portrayed experimental shear and normal stresses in both forward and rear stagnation flow up to Weissenberg numbers (We) of O(1). At higher We, the Giesekus model underpredicts normal stresses in the rear stagnation flow, where elongational gradients dominate. Both PTT and PTT–WM models gave rise to unrealistically large extensional stresses in the rear stagnation flow even at moderate We which led to poor agreement with experimental data. On the basis of these comparisons, it appears that the elongational properties of the solution are intermediate between the Giesekus and PTT, but much closer to the Giesekus, predictions. This is in conflict with the experimentally measured uniaxial viscosity, which suggests that the PTT model should be superior in flows with significant uniaxial extension.
Polyhydrated ionogen enhances postoperative sinonasal ciliated remucosalization

Background Mucosalization of the sinonasal cavity following surgery is critical for successful outcomes. Recently a novel anti-protease compound, polyhydrated-ionogen (PHI) with Mg2+/Br−, demonstrated improved dermal wound healing. We set out to investigate the effect of PHI Mg2+/Br− on sinus remucosalization following surgery. Methods A total of 24 rabbits underwent bilateral medial-wall maxillary mucosal stripping followed by placement of an indwelling irrigation catheter. In a randomized fashion 1 side received 3 cc normal saline (NS) daily, while the contralateral side received PHI Mg2+/Br−. Following a 14-day therapeutic trial, remucosalization was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry for β-tubulin, a marker of cilia. A semiquantitative grading of ciliated remucosalization was applied with a chi-square test used to compare distributions for each treatment. Results H&E staining comparison demonstrated NS treated sinuses (n = 24) had substantial bare areas with predominant ciliation scores under 30%. The PHI Mg2+/Br−-treated group (n = 24) achieved a statistically significant improvement in reciliation (>60%) when compared with NS (p < 0.01). These results were confirmed with Type IV β-tubulin staining (p < 0.01). Conclusion Poor postsurgical sinonasal mucosa healing results in adverse clinical outcomes. In a rabbit model of sinonasal mucosal healing, daily irrigation for 14 days with PHI Mg2+/Br−-enhanced ciliated remucosalization compared to saline. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
Experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Wolframtransport in fluorhaltigen Systemen

Durch die IR- und UV-spektroskopische sowie massenspektrometrische Analyse der Gasphase sowie die Untersuchung gebildeter Belage und der Veranderungen am Gluhkorper werden Aussagen uber die chemischen Vorgange in Wolframlampen mit fluorhaltigen Fullgasen erhalten. Fluortragergase werden in der brennenden Lampe durch die Einbeziehung der Wand in das Reaktionsgeschehen irreversibel in SiF4 umgewandelt, das selbst transportaktiv ist. In Fluor und Brom enthaltenden Systemen werden Siliciumbromidfluoride, SiBr4−xFx, gebildet. Experimental Investigations on the Tungsten Transport in Systems Containing Fluorine Compounds Information on the chemical processes in tungsten incandescent lamps containing gaseous fluorides are obtained by i.r. and u.v. spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analysis of the gasphase as well as by investigating the deposits at the wall and the changes at the filament. Due to the involvement of the wall in the reaction fluorine carrier gases are converted irreversibly into SiF4 which also maintains the chemical tungsten transport. In systems containing fluorine and bromine silicon bromide fluorides are formed.
Half-Factorial Domains in Quadratic Fields

Abstract In this paper, we give a norm-theoretic proof of the characterization of HFDs that appear as orders in quadratic fields. The original characterization of orders that are HFDs in quadratic fields is due to F. Halter-Koch (1983, Ber. Mat. Stat. Sektion Forschung. 191 ). Our approach will pay special attention to the normset of such HFDs, and we will give a characterization that relates to the generalized class number of such an order. Additionally, it will be shown that such HFDs are characterized by the factorization properties of their normsets.
Étude expérimentale du phénomène de dégradation dans des petites bobines supraconductrices de Nb-25% Zr

Das Modell eines thermisch isolierten Supraleiters III. Art gestattet eine einfache Erklarung fur den in (kleinen) drahtgewickelten Spulen von Nb-25% Zr festgestellten Ubergang in den normal leitenden Zustand, der schon fur einen Spulenstromi auftritt, der unterhalb dem an freien Nb-25% Zr-Proben gemessenen kritischen Werti c erfolgt. Es wird mit dem Begriff einer lokalisierten Temperaturerhohung ΔT l operiert, die durch die Verlustleistung infolge endlicher raumlicher Verschiebung der Flux-Linien im supraleitenden Material hervorgerufen wird. Die experimentellen Resultate lassen sich auch auf ein System koaxialer Spulen ubertragen.
Using Curriculum-Specific Progress Monitoring to Assess Head Start Children's Vocabulary Development

Children's vocabulary development represents a critical foundation for their reading skills. This article describes a curriculum-based vocabulary progress monitoring tool that was used to track the development of Head Start children—and particularly those at highest risk for later reading difficulty—as they learned new words during the school year and then presents evidence that the progress monitoring tool measures the same underlying construct as a standardized assessment of vocabulary. Further, we explain how teachers used these data to adjust their instruction for individual children and then describe children's growth on the measure. Finally, we provide practical guidance about how this vocabulary progress monitoring tool could be strengthened, implemented, and further evaluated in other contexts.
Large-Scale Interferometric Fiber Sensor Arrays Incorporating Multiple Optical Switches

Abstract We have developed a novel fiber sensor array telemetry that uses multiple all-fiber, all-optical switches for time domain multiplexing. Incorporating optical switches improves the telemetry by connecting only one sensor at a time to the buses and thus delivering the largest possible signal power to each sensor and to the receiver. We report the first laboratory demonstration of such an array using optical Kerr effect switches and discuss the requirements of the switches needed for a practical array.
Plant-mediated effects of soil nitrogen enrichment on a chemically defended specialist herbivore, Calophasia lunula

1. Nitrogen enrichment is an important driver of environmental change. In the present study, plant-mediated effects of increased nitrogen on a specialist herbivore, Calophasia lunula Hufnagel, which sequesters antirrhinoside, an iridoid glycoside produced by its host plants, were examined. 2. Caterpillars were reared on Linaria dalmatica plants grown under low or high N treatments, and C. lunula performance traits and antirrhinoside levels were measured. Additionally, a bioassay was conducted with predatory ants to examine their response to antirrhinoside. 3. Nitrogen enrichment increased larval biomass and decreased larval antirrhinoside concentrations, but had no effect on plant iridoid glycoside concentrations or larval antirrhinoside content. Thus, differences in larval antirrhinoside concentrations were evidently a consequence of increased larval biomass. Additionally, nitrogen treatment had no effects on pupal performance or defence traits. 4. Bioassay results demonstrated a deterrent effect of antirrhinoside, but additional tests are necessary to evaluate the defensive role of this compound in insects. 5. Surprisingly, this study demonstrated little effect of a six-fold increase in nitrogen availability on L. dalmatica iridoid glycoside concentrations or sequestration by C. lunula. Moreover, the results suggested that changes in plant primary chemistry were more important than secondary chemistry for this specialist herbivore, and that some insects may be insensitive to N enrichment.
Coupled convective instabilities at crystal-melt interfaces

The stability of the parallel flow between a vertical crystal-melt interface and a vertical wall held at a temperature above the melting point of the crystal is analyzed for Prandtl numbers, P, ranging from 0.01 to 100. Three modes of instability occur: (1) a buoyant mode, (2) a shear mode, and (3) a coupled crystal-melt mode. The buoyant and shear modes are similar to those that occur for flow between two vertical rigid walls held at different temperatures. For Prandtl numbers greater than approximately two, the coupled crystal-melt mode occurs at a lower Grashof number than the other two modes. Specific results are given for succinonitrile (P = 22.8) and lead (P = 0.0225). These calculations and similar calculations for a cylindrical geometry were motivated by and are in general agreement with recent experiments on succinonitrile.
A theory of underwriters’ risk management in a firm-commitment initial public offering

A cynosure of the academic literature relating to initial public offerings (IPOs) is the question of why they are “mispriced” so frequently. The large and growing literature addressing this question is evidence as to its intractability. This paper develops a theory of underwriters’ behavior suggesting that they will exploit their private information to minimize the bilateral risks to themselves of firm-commitment IPOs. That minimization may cause them to knowingly underprice the issue. The main result in this paper is based, in part, on the premise that the random character of the investors’ demand for shares in the secondary market, given the spread, is governed by an estimable conditional probability distribution. The underwriters exploit their private knowledge of that probability distribution to influence the number of shares in the offering in such a way as to minimize their expected loss function.
Protocol Conversion in Multimedia Networks: Simulation and Algorithm

Out of recently proposed high speed networks such as DQDB, FDDI, ATM, etc., various issues have been examined to determine the most suitable type of backbone network for multimedia networks[1]. At this point in time, evaluations are still inconclusive. As a result, different high speed networks using different protocols will co exist in an integrated multimedia network in the near future. Like the traditional heterogeneous data networks, the inter-operability among the interconnected heterogeneous high speed networks will be the key to success for integrated multimedia networks. On the other hand, unlike the traditional heterogeneous data networks, a simulation study presented in this paper shows that, due to the special characteristics (e.g., high speed and high connectivity) of these integrated multimedia networks, the traditional protocol conversion model will introduce long transmission delays and render a network system useless. Thus, in addition to the simulation study, efforts are made in this pape...
The use of visual and verbal memory processes by three-year-old children☆

Abstract Nonverbal (imagery) materials become more effective than verbal materials in aiding memory as age increases; indeed, children under five years have shown superior memory for verbal over nonverbal materials. The present study points out and changes four commonalities in the design of studies finding this latter relationship in an attempt to determine if nonverbal materials would prove superior to verbal ones. Four six-item paired-associate lists were presented individually using a study-test procedure. Presentation of the lists involved either pictures, words, or both. Recognition was tested either verbally or visually. Results indicated that the combined visual-verbal study materials produced performance superior to visual materials alone, which in turn were superior to verbal materials alone. Recognition of pictures was superior to recognition of words, regardless of mode of input. The relationship of these results to the procedural changes made are discussed, along with implications for current hypotheses of children's use of imagery.
Interleukin-1 in Human Skin: Dysregulation in Psoriasis

Cytokine dysregulation is an attractive concept to explain many of the observed abnormalities in psoriasis. IL-1, in particular, can potentiate immune cellular activation, activate fibroblasts, and increase endothelial cell adhesiveness to leukocytes. Here, we review IL-1 regulation in normal and psoriatic skin in vivo in relation to normal skin and cultured keratinocytes. Contrary to expectations, IL-1 functional activity in psoriatic lesions is reduced, not increased, relative to normal skin. The reduction is attributable to the presence of IL-1 inhibitors, reduced IL-1α levels, and an IL-1β that lacked function in T-cell assays. IL-1β protein is actually significantly increased in psoriatic lesions, but the mechanism of its non-functionality remains unclear. Unlike cultured keratinocytes, which accumulate large, inactive IL-1β precursors, both normal and psoriatic skin process IL-1β to a mature form. Novel mechanisms of post-translational processing by epidermis in vivo may generate a novel form of IL-1β with unknown functions. The marked abnormalities of IL-1 regulation in psoriatic skin suggest that this molecule may be important in normal skin homeostasis.
Temporal relation of epicardial electrographic, contractile and biochemical changes after acute coronary occlusion and reperfusion.

The increasing use of changes in the S-T segment of local epicardial electrograms to quantitate myocardial infarct size has led to the need for a better understanding of this method. Accordingly, we studied the local electrographic, tension and biochemical changes that occurred after coronary occlusion and subsequent reperfusion in 44 dogs using epicardial electrograms from 10 to 12 sites, Walton-Brodie strain gauge arches and myocardial ratios of potassium ion to sodium ion (K+Na+). After coronary occlusion for 1 hour, total S-T segment elevation increased from 10.2 ± 2.4 to 78.3 ± 13.7 mv (P < 0.001) and tension development decreased to 63.6 ± 7.0 percent of control value (P < 0.001); occlusion for 3 hours resulted in a total S-T segment elevation increase from 5.8 ± 3.4 to 56.7 ± 8.7 mv (P < 0.001) and a tension decrease to 61.4 ± 5.3 percent (P < 0.001) of control value. After reperfusion two types of response were observed. In nine experiments new local pathologic Q waves appeared in an average of 5.3 of 8.2 ischemic electrode sites within 5 to 10 minutes of reperfusion concomitant with a marked further decrease in total tension from 67.3 ± 05.5 percent to 42.4 ± 6.0 percent of control value (P < 0.001). Simultaneously, total S-T elevation decreased from 66.1 ± 8.2 to 25.3 ± 3.4 mv (P < 0.001). In seven experiments no Q waves appeared after reperfusion and there was no significant change in tension. Total S-T elevation again decreased from 58.3 ± 12.7 to 27.1 ± 5.7 mv (P < 0.025). When normal saline solution was perfused distal to the coronary arterial occlusion total S-T elevation decreased from 68.0 ± 3.6 to 36.3 ± 5.2 mv (P < 0.001). After 3 hours of coronary occlusion, myocardial K+ decreased and Na+ increased in the ischemic zone, resulting in a significant decrease in the K+Na+ ratio (P < 0.005). Reperfusion for 2 hours resulted in a further depletion of K+ and an increase in Na+ with a resultant complete reversal of the K+Na+ ratio (P < 0.001). In summary, after reperfusion the S-T segment abnormalities rapidly decreased in all experiments despite the appearance of new Q waves in more than half of these studies concomitant with either a decrease or no change in contractile ability and continuing myocardial K+ loss and Na+ accumulation. S-T segment mapping therefore appears to be of limited value in assessing the effect of reperfusion on infarct size. The decrease in S-T segments that occurred with perfusion of either blood or saline solution suggests a “washout” phenomenon.
Procedures to improve the house list segment tests

Abstract An important aspect of direct marketing research focuses on developing and segmenting a house list (customer database) using various geographic, socioeconomic, and recency, frequency and monetary (RFM) measures. For a typical promotion, direct marketers may take a simple random sample from the house list as a test mailing to forecast the segment rollout response rates. Decisions about the final rollout are made in such a way that only the segments with response rates over the prespecified threshold or break-even response rate will be used. In this article, it is shown that the commonly used simple random sampling procedure may seriously underestimate the variability of the rollout response rates of segments with higher test response rates, overforecast the potential number of buyers from the rollout, and inflate forecast accuracy. Several procedures are proposed to improve the house list tests, and examples are used to compare the new procedures with the existing one. Results show that the proposed house list test procedures provide more statistically efficient, cost-effective, and reliable forecasts for segment response rates while improving the accuracy of forecasts generated.
Concurrent driver upgrade: method to eliminate scheduled system outages for new function releases

The reliability, availability, and serviceability goal for an IBM zSeries® system is to provide 24-hour-per-day, 365-day-per-year service with reduced system downtime. The continuous reliable operation rate has been improved with every new zSeries release by using error prevention, error detection, error recovery, and other methods that contribute to avoiding unplanned interruptions. Until now, planned downtime--for example, the time needed to upgrade a zSeries to the nextfirmware driver--had not yet been addressed. We developed the concurrent driver upgrade (CDU) feature so that customers could add new functions without downtime. It is now possible to upgrade the zSeries firmware engineering change (EC) driver to the next EC level without any performance impact during the upgrade. This paper describes the motivation and strategy of the CDU and describes its use.
Lipid-dependent differential effects of stereoisomers of anesthetic alcohols.

Abstract The cis - and trans -alkenols are equally potent general anesthetics but, respectively, lower and raise the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of saturated phosphatidylcholines (Pringle, M.J. and Miller, K.W. (1978) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 85, 1191–1198). Here we show that although this differential effect is somewhat reduced when a double bond is introduced into the sn -2 position of phosphatidylcholine, it is abolished when the ethanolamine head group is substituted for the choline head group in dimyristoyl lipids at neutral pH. At high pH, however, dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine assumes a negative charge, and its phase transition temperature drops to a value close to that for the corresponding phosphatidylcholine. Under these conditions the differential effect of the alkenol isomers is restored; the cis -alkenol lowers, while the trans -alkenol raises, the phase transition temperature of deprotonated dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine. Thus, the differential effects of cis - and trans -alkenols on the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition are dependent on the physical chemical characteristics of the polar region of the perturbed lipid species, but only weakly on that of the acyl region.
User Acceptance of Speech-Enabled Technologies for Configuration of Computer and Network Security

AbstractComputer and network security administration has gained vital importance as online banking, corporate documents, and business to business transactions are now all carried out over computational networks. Designing security systems that satisfy the requirements of both network administrators and end-users brings with it the paradox of ease of use and absolute security. This research investigates the acceptance, by users, of speech recognition as a mechanism for alleviating computer and network security configuration. The study finds that, while the perceived usefulness of speech-enabled systems for security configuration leads to greater future intention to use the system, ease-of-use indirectly affects future use. This is a vital finding for developers of speech-enabled security configuration systems.
TCP-LP: a distributed algorithm for low priority data transfer

Service prioritization among different traffic classes is an important goal for the future Internet. Conventional approaches to solving this problem consider the existing best-effort class as the low-priority class, and attempt to develop mechanisms that provide "better-than-best-effort" service. In this paper, we explore the opposite approach, and devise a new distributed algorithm to realize a low-priority service (as compared to the existing best effort) from the network endpoints. To this end, we develop TCP Low Priority (TCP-LP), a distributed algorithm whose goal is to utilize only the excess network bandwidth as compared to the "fair share" of bandwidth as targeted by TCP. The key mechanisms unique to TCP-LP congestion control are the use of one-way packet delays for congestion indications and a TCP-transparent congestion avoidance policy. Our simulation results show that: (1) TCP-LP is largely non-intrusive to TCP traffic; (2) both single and aggregate TCP-LP flows are able to successfully utilize excess network bandwidth; moreover, multiple TCP-LP flows share excess bandwidth fairly; (3) substantial amounts of excess bandwidth are available to low-priority class, even in the presence of "greedy" TCP flows; (4) the response times of web connections in the best-effort class decrease by up to 90% when long-lived bulk data transfers use TCP-LP rather than TCP.
From molecular control to quantum technology with the dynamic stark effect

The application of nonresonant lasers to quantum systems can modify energy levels in a general way. This approach, using the nonresonant dynamic Stark effect, is an effective mechanism for modifying chemical dynamics. These molecular techniques have analogous implementations in quantum technologies. Applications include controlling vacuum fluctuations to create molecular alignment and broadband light sources, photonic catalysis, quantum memories in atomic vapours, and photonics in bulk diamond phonons. The links between these different applications are investigated.
Identifying cancer biomarkers by network-constrained support vector machines

Background One of the major goals in gene and protein expression profiling of cancer is to identify biomarkers and build classification models for prediction of disease prognosis or treatment response. Many traditional statistical methods, based on microarray gene expression data alone and individual genes' discriminatory power, often fail to identify biologically meaningful biomarkers thus resulting in poor prediction performance across data sets. Nonetheless, the variables in multivariable classifiers should synergistically interact to produce more effective classifiers than individual biomarkers.
Statistical geometry of a small surface patch in a developed sea

The fractal and marginal fractal regimes in surface geometry are studied. The basic notions of fractal geometry are applied to a small surface patch in a developed sea, corresponding to the equilibrium wave number spectrum. Topothesy, outer and inner boundaries of the fractal range, and a cascade pattern in surface geometry are discussed. Theoretical predictions of whitecap and foam coverage are presented. A fractal decomposition for a surface patch is developed based on the Karhunen-Loeve expansion. The resulting series formalizes the cascade process of constructing realization of a Gaussian random patch. The implications of the research for microwave remote sensing signatures are considered.
Decision making and quality of life in the treatment of cancer: a review.

Introduction Complexity in decision making for cancer treatment arises from many factors. When considering how to treat patients, physicians prioritize factors such as stage of disease, patient age, and comorbid illnesses. However, physicians must balance these priorities with the patient’s preferences, quality of life, social responsibilities, and fear of uncertainty. Although these factors are important, physicians are often unable to effectively judge their patients’ preferences. Patients are often unable to fully understand their prognoses and the treatment intent.
Use of bioassays and sediment polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations to assess toxicity at coastal sites impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

The goal of the present study was twofold: to rapidly assess the potential environmental toxicological response following the storm surge and flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, USA, in August 2005, and to establish post-Katrina baseline toxicological profiles for three environmental matrices (water, suspended sediments, and sediments) within the intertidal zone. Sediment and water samples were collected monthly from September 2005 to 2006 from 10 sites along the Gulf Coast from Gulfport, Mississippi, to Mobile Bay, Alabama. Water samples and suspended sediment matrices were extracted, assayed, and toxic equivalent values calculated for compounds with estrogenic potential, using the yeast estrogen screen, and CYP1A induction potential, using the H4IIE rat hepatoma ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase assay. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in surface sediments. It was hypothesized that the more heavily storm impacted sites, those closest to Katrina's path and time of landfall (e.g., Gulfport, September–October 2005), would elicit higher bioassay responses and PAH concentrations compared to those further east or approximately a year post-Katrina (e.g., Mobile Bay, August– September 2006). Benzo[a]pyrene equivalents decreased along spatial and temporal storm intensity gradients, but estrogenic compounds and sediment PAHs did not. Estrogen equivalents (∼1 ng/L) from water and suspended sediment samples occurred primarily in samples collected within a few months post-Katrina. Site-averaged surface sediment total PAHs varied significantly between sites and were higher than the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's probable effects level at the Gulfport Marina and Back Biloxi Bay, Mississippi, sites. Results from the present study suggest that CYP1A inducing compounds elicited a short-term bioassay response in the water matrix shortly (within weeks) after Katrina's passing but were quickly reduced. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1409–1418. © 2010 SETAC
Coarse sample complexity bounds for active learning

We characterize the sample complexity of active learning problems in terms of a parameter which takes into account the distribution over the input space, the specific target hypothesis, and the desired accuracy.
Targeted inhibition of the Shroom3–Rho kinase protein–protein interaction circumvents Nogo66 to promote axon outgrowth

Inhibitory molecules in the adult central nervous system, including NogoA, impede neural repair by blocking axon outgrowth. The actin-myosin regulatory protein Shroom3 directly interacts with Rho kinase and conveys axon outgrowth inhibitory signals from Nogo66, a C-terminal inhibitory domain of NogoA. The purpose of this study was to identify small molecules that block the Shroom3–Rho kinase protein–protein interaction as a means to modulate NogoA signaling and, in the longer term, enhance axon outgrowth during neural repair. A high throughput screen for inhibitors of the Shroom3–Rho kinase protein–protein interaction identified CCG-17444 (Chem ID: 2816053). CCG-17444 inhibits the Shroom3–Rho kinase interaction in vitro with micromolar potency. This compound acts through an irreversible, covalent mechanism of action, targeting Shroom3 Cys1816 to inhibit the Shroom3–Rho kinase protein–protein interaction. Inhibition of the Shroom3–Rho kinase protein–protein interaction with CCG-17444 counteracts the inhibitory action of Nogo66 and enhances neurite outgrowth. This study identifies a small molecule inhibitor of the Shroom3–Rho kinase protein–protein interaction that circumvents the inhibitory action of Nogo66 in neurons. Identification of a small molecule compound that blocks the Shroom3–Rho kinase protein–protein interaction provides a first step towards a potential new strategy for enhancing neural repair.
Adaptive fuzzy system for disassembly process planning

Disassembly is rapidly growing in importance as manufacturers face increasing pressure to deal with obsolete products in an environmentally responsible and economically sound manner. This paper builds, upon our previous work to address uncertainty management and human factors in disassembly. A fuzzy Petri net (FPN) model is proposed to mathematically represent uncertain factors in disassembly. An adaptive fuzzy system is then designed to dynamically estimate their impact on the disassembly process. Finding the disassembly path of a discarded product with the highest economic value and prediction confidence is accomplished through a recursive algorithm.
Suxamethonium-induced hyperkalaemia 6 weeks after chemoradiotherapy in a patient with rectal carcinoma

Suxamethonium causes an efflux of potassium (K+) ions by depolarizing acetylcholine receptors within the neuromuscular junction and produces a transient, small rise in serum K+ concentration in normal individuals that is usually of little clinical importance. Despite the clear efficacy and relative safety of suxamethonium in many patients, anaesthetists are also very aware that acute, severe hyperkalaemia resulting in important cardiovascular sequelae (e.g. malignant ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest) may also occur with administration of suxamethonium in susceptible patients, including those with skeletal muscle injury or thermal trauma. In the current report, we describe a patient with rectal cancer initially treated with chemoradiotherapy who developed hyperkalaemia after suxamethonium and further discuss the potential factors that contributed to this response.
ROC analysis in biomarker combination with covariate adjustment.

Rational and Objectives Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis is often used to find the optimal combination of biomarkers. When the subject level covariates affect the magnitude and/or accuracy of the biomarkers, the combination rule should take into account of the covariate adjustment. The authors propose two new biomarker combination methods that make use of the covariate information. Materials and Methods The first method is to maximize the area under the covariate-adjusted ROC curve (AAUC). To overcome the limitations of the AAUC measure, the authors further proposed the area under covariate-standardized ROC curve (SAUC), which is an extension of the covariate-specific ROC curve. With a series of simulation studies, the proposed optimal AAUC and SAUC methods are compared with the optimal AUC method that ignores the covariates. The biomarker combination methods are illustrated by an example from Alzheimer's disease research. Results The simulation results indicate that the optimal AAUC combination performs well in the current study population. The optimal SAUC method is flexible to choose any reference populations, and allows the results to be generalized to different populations. Conclusions The proposed optimal AAUC and SAUC approaches successfully address the covariate adjustment problem in estimating the optimal marker combination. The optimal SAUC method is preferred for practical use, because the biomarker combination rule can be easily evaluated for different population of interest.
Infant feeding: initiation, problems, approaches.

m c ( t o o T he impetus for this issue comes from a Topic Symposium entitled, “Infant Feeding: Initiation, Problems, Approaches” held at the Peditric Academic Societies meeting in Toronto May 6, 007. The symposium focused on four aspects of eeding infants and young children. Each aspect was iscussed by an authority in the field. One presentation concerned the developmental spects of swallowing and feeding infants and oung children. Another addressed the development f gut motility in the premature infant and its elationship to enteral feeding. The third topic oncerned the behavioral treatment of feeding disrders in toddlers and finally, feeding issues related o neurologically impaired children were reviewed. Feeding premature and full-term infants through he first few years of life has become an area of nterest and study over the past two decades. The ealization that some infants and children are not fed asily or may develop feeding problems resistant to raditional approaches has led to the institution of eeding teams at larger pediatric centers. Hopefully, nformation presented at the Topic Symposium and ontained within this issue will be shared with thers as we follow emerging research concerning he optimal feeding of normal infants and children, nd those with feeding disorders.
Effects of salinity on the survival and aggression of the invasive Rio Grande cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus)

AbstractThe spread of non-native Rio Grande cichlids (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) in southeast Louisiana includes brackish habitats. We studied the effects of three different salinity levels on the biology of juvenile H. cyanoguttatus for 13 months to determine the potential of this species to spread through local estuaries. The highest salinity tolerated was 30.0 psu, and these fish did not survive acclimation to the 32 psu treatment. Fish in brackish conditions grew slower than fish in freshwater conditions, indicating a potential long-term detriment to juvenile fish living in brackish conditions. Aggression levels were notably higher for fish in brackish (15 psu) vs. freshwater conditions. This persisted through the entire experiment even after acclimation back to freshwater. This study indicates that higher salinity habitats in Louisiana can be tolerated by this species. It also raises a question about the effect of higher salinities on aggressive behavior.
Quasi-Newton methods for stochastic optimization

In statistics, response surface methodology (RSM) is a popular approach to stochastic optimization. RSM uses least-squares regression to construct local linear or quadratic approximations of the objective function. In standard practice, the objective function is assumed to be quadratic and several iterations using linear approximations culminate in a final iteration using a quadratic approximation. If the objective function is more complicated, then it is natural to construct a sequence of quadratic approximations. We study two techniques for constructing such a sequence. One uses quadratic regression to construct second-order approximations directly from noisy function values; the other uses linear regression to construct first-order approximations from noisy function values, then approximates second-order terms by the BFGS updating formula. Results from numerical experiments suggest that the second approach performs more efficiently than the first approach. Pathologies occasionally occur. We argue that these pathologies motivate the use of various safeguards