cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Czech women in the labour market: a European comparison

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to analyse the position of the Czech women in the labour market in a comparison to the EU‐15 countries. The paper critically reviews three domains of female labour market participation: general characteristics of the female employment, work‐life balance indicators, and disadvantages of the female labour force related to motherhood.Design/methodology/approach – The data draw on harmonized data from international/supranational institutions (EUROSTAT, OECD, ILO) in order to compile comparative statistics on gender and labour market characteristics. A cluster analysis is performed in order to group countries with similar gender and labour market characteristics together.Findings – The results identify three clusters with respect to the position of women in the labour market: southern model, Scandinavian model, and mixed model. The southern model includes Spain, Italy and Greece. These countries are characterised by women's low participation in the labour market, shorter worki...
Possible enhancement of the leptonic decays of charmed pseudoscalars

The authors raise the possibility that the leptonic decay constants of the charmed pseudoscalars are appreciably larger than those of the pion and kaon. Such a situation is actually realized in a renormalizable version of the SU(4) sigma model. In addition, it seems that, within the framework of a simple but reasonable model, the nonleptonic decay modes are not appreciably enhanced by this mechanism. Such a situation could alter the theoretical analysis of interesting exclusive-channel dilepton production experiments. (AIP)
The differentiation of the modified aleurone of wheat endosperm: Nuclear membrane-mediated endoplasmic reticulum development

Abstract The early phase in differentiation of the modified aleurone of the crease region of the developing wheat kernel is accompanied by a rapid and massive proliferation of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. The results of an ultrastructural investigation indicate a direct participation of the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope in the genesis of new membrane and it is suggested that the events described represent a specific response of the tissue to a sudden requirement for a large quantity of protein synthesizing machinery.
Language before and after temporal lobectomy: specificity of acute changes and relation to early risk factors

We evaluated language functions in 154 patients with left hemisphere speech dominance undergoing anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). Measures of phonemic and semantic fluency, confrontation naming, repetition, comprehension, and reading were administered before and 3 weeks postoperatively. Patients were grouped by focus (left, LT; right, RT) and presence of early risk factors for development of seizures (ER, early risk, < or = 5 years; NER, no early risk): (LT-ER, n = 45; RT-ER, n = 49; LT-NER, n = 27; RT-NER, n = 33). Preoperatively, the LT group showed a selective naming deficit as compared with the RT group. Postoperatively only the LT-NER group showed significant overall decline in language. For this group, the change was attributable to a selective decline in naming as compared with other functions. These data indicate that there is a specific risk to naming after dominant ATL for adult temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with a left hemisphere focus and the absence of an early risk factor for the development of seizures.
An overview of JIT

The term JIT (Just in Time), when used as a manufacturing control system, has become very confusing over the past few years. Everyone wants to claim they are users of JIT systems and because of this a variety of systems creations, all claiming themselves to be JIT systems, have sprouted up, none of which look anything like what Japan uses. This article attempts to clear up some of this confusion by showing four different variations of JIT and comparing them to the traditional MRP/MRP II environment.
Effectiveness of Early Intervention with Florfenicol on a Streptococcus iniae Infection in Blue Tilapia

Abstract A study was performed to assess the efficacy of feeding a florfenicol (FFC)-medicated diet to control experimental Streptococcus iniae infection in blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus. Tested doses of FFC were 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 mg of active ingredient per kilogram of fish body weight (BW) per day. Fish were subjected to waterborne S. iniae exposure after skin scraping, and administration of medicated feed started at 6 h postchallenge and continued for 10 consecutive days, followed by a 12-d posttreatment observation period. Administration of FFC-medicated feed for 10 d significantly increased (P < 0.05) the survival of S. iniae-infected blue tilapia from 19% in the challenged, nonmedicated positive control group to 94, 96, 99, and 98% in the 5-, 10-, 15-, and 30-mg/kg FFC treatment groups, respectively. The survival rates of the different FFC-medicated treatment groups were not significantly different. At the conclusion of the experiment, no S. iniae carriers were detected in any challenged group ...
Sleepiness and Unintended Sleep in Parkinson's Disease.

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and parkinsonian syndromes (eg, dementia with Lewy bodies, multisystem atrophy, and Shy-Drager syndrome) suffer from daytime sleepiness. Sleepiness in PD is common (10% to 50% of patients) and very real, often approaching levels observed in the prototypical disorder of sudden-onset sleep, viz, and narcolepsy with cataplexy. Physicians need to be vigilant in assessing parkinsonian patients for sleepiness, because treatment can dramatically enhance quality of life and prevent the significant morbidity and mortality that attends daytime sleepiness. Men with advanced disease, cognitive impairment, drug-induced psychosis, and orthostatic hypotension are most at risk for developing pathologic sleepiness. Because primary sleep disorders can coexist with Parkinsonism (eg, sleep apnea, insufficient or interrupted sleep), these potential causes should be carefully assessed with polysomnography and treated appropriately. Dopaminomimetics may exacerbate sleepiness in a small subset of patients. The primary pathologies involved in Parkinsonism appear to be the greatest contributors to the development of daytime sleepiness. Sleepiness in Parkinsonism, especially a narcolepsy-like phenotype, may necessitate treatment with wake-promoting agents, such as bupropion, modafinil, or traditional psychostimulants.
Electronic word-of-mouth in hospitality and tourism management

Abstract Interpersonal influence and word-of-mouth (WOM) are ranked the most important information source when a consumer is making a purchase decision. These influences are especially important in the hospitality and tourism industry, whose intangible products are difficult to evaluate prior to their consumption. When WOM becomes digital, the large-scale, anonymous, ephemeral nature of the Internet induces new ways of capturing, analyzing, interpreting, and managing the influence that one consumer may have on another. This paper describes online interpersonal influence, or eWOM, as a potentially cost-effective means for marketing hospitality and tourism, and discusses some of the nascent technological and ethical issues facing marketers as they seek to harness emerging eWOM technologies.
Delayed appearance of carbon granulomas of the scalp after use of carbon fiber pins for refixation of a stereotactic head frame: Case report

The authors present a case involving the formation of several carbon granulomas in the scalp of a woman 7 years after she underwent craniotomy. Her operation had included the use of carbon fiber pins for refixation of a stereotactic head frame. Carbon granulomas have been noted in multiple organs following surgical or traumatic carbon deposition, but have not been reported in association with neurosurgical carbon fiber pins used for head fixation. The lesions in this case arose a few months after initiation of chemotherapy for the patient's brain tumor. The relationship of carbon and cutaneous granuloma formation to adjuvant therapies and treatment strategies is discussed.
Climate impacts on landlocked sea lamprey: Implications for host‐parasite interactions and invasive species management

Altered thermal regimes under climate change may influence host-parasite interactions and invasive species, both potentially impacting valuable ecosystem services. There is considerable interest in how parasite life cycle rates, growth, and impacts on hosts will change under altered environmental temperatures. Likewise, transformed thermal regimes may reduce natural resistance and barriers preventing establishment of invasive species or alter the range and impacts of established exotic species. The Laurentian Great Lakes are some of the most invaded ecosystems and have been profoundly shaped by exotic species. Invasion by the parasitic sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) contributed to major declines in many Great Lakes fish populations. In Lake Superior, substantial progress has been made towards controlling invasive sea lamprey and rehabilitating native fish populations. Surface water temperatures in Lake Superior have been increasing rapidly since 1980 presenting a new challenge for management. Here we test how thermal changes in Lake Superior have impacted the feeding and growth of the parasitic sea lamprey. Sea lamprey have increased in size corresponding with longer durations of thermal habitat (i.e., longer growing seasons) for their preferred hosts. To compare regional differences in sea lamprey feeding and growth rates, we used a bioenergetics model with temperature estimates from a lake-wide hydrodynamic model hindcast from 1979–2006. Spatial differences in patterns of warming across the lake result in regionally different predictions for increases in sea lamprey feeding rates and size. These predictions were matched by data from adult sea lamprey spawning in streams draining into these different thermal regions. Larger sea lampreys will be more fecund and have increased feeding rates, thus increasing mortality among host fishes. Resource management should consider these climate driven regional impacts when allocating resources to sea lamprey control efforts. Under new and evolving thermal regimes, successful management systems may need to be restructured for changing phenology, growth, and shifts in host-parasite systems towards greater impacts on host populations.
Simultaneous Segmentation of Bladder and Prostate using Globally Optimal 3-D Graph Search Method

and size and also have serious mutual influence in position and shape between each other. We propose a novel method for simultaneoussegmentationofbladderandprostateusinga3-Dgraph-theoreticapproach.Thealgorithmcomputesaglobaloptimumofan objective function controlled by the cost function designed for each boundary surface. A geometric constraint is incorporated to avoid boundary leakage and to accurately detect the partially interacted boundaries of bladder and prostate. Our method is the first attempt at simultaneous segmentation of partially interacted surfaces, which admits a globally optimal solution in polynomial time. Materials/Methods: Our segmentation consists of the following steps: 1. Surface pre-segmentation. The geodesic active contours method is conducted for pre-segmentation of prostate and bladder. 2. Mesh construction. Partially interacted boundaries of prostate and bladder are defined according to the distance between two pre-segmented boundary surfaces. Then two triangulated meshes for pre-segmentedboundarysurfacesareconstructedusingisosurfacingalgorithm.3.Accuratesegmentationusinggraphsearchmethod. A graphisbuilt accordingtotwogeneratedmeshes.Thesurfacedistanceconstraintinpartiallyinteractedboundariesisincorporated by adding special edges in graph. Two globally optimal surfaces are computed by solving a maximum-flow problem in low-order polynomial time. Our method was applied on 10 CT images from 10 prostate-tumor patients with the resolution 0.90.9 3m m 3 . 50 slices of bladder and 50 slices of prostate were randomly selected to be manually traced by an expert as independent standard. The surface positioning errors were computed as the shortest distances between manually traced borders and computed surfaces. Results: All 10 images were successfully segmented. The mean unsigned surface positioning errors were 1.10±1.30 mm for bladder and 1.89±1.92 mm for prostate. The result is promising considering the low saliency of the boundary, especially for prostate segmentation. The bladder-prostate interface was correctly delineated by using a surface distance constraint. Conclusions:A novel method for simultaneous segmentation of bladder and prostate is demonstrated. The result shows good consistency with expert-defined independent standard.
OSMIOPHILIC REAGENTS: NEW CYTOCHEMICAL PRINCIPLE FOR LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.

Established histochemical procedures have been altered by utilizing reagents which contain a group capable of reacting selectively with OsO4. This permits the cytochemical demonstration of a particular enzyme or functional group of a macromolecule with the light and electron microscope. The osmiophilic groups used thus far are mercapto, thiocarbamyl, and diazothioether. The "osmium black" produced at the site of reaction is electron opaque, is insoluble in lipids, and is not altered when the issue is embedded in acrylic and epoxy resins. Its fine amorphous character enables it to be maintained precisely in the electron beam.
Hypercalcemia Associated with Infection by Cryptococcus neoformans and Coccidioides immitis

Abstract Background Of the 13 reported cases of hypercalcemia associated with fungal infection, 1 was caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and probably mediated by increased levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin 0 [1,25(OH)2D]. Eight others were associated with Coccidioides immitis, of which only 2 had measured 1,25(OHbD levels; in both, they were diminished. We report a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection and simultaneous C immitis and C neoformans pneumonia and C immitis fungemia associated with hypercalcemia. Methods: Consecutive measurements of serum total and ionized calcium, phosphorous, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, 25(OH)D, l,25(OHbD, parathyroid hormone (PTH), parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrp) and albumin were performed over a period of 46 months. Results: While the patient was hypercalcemic, intact serum PTH and PTHrp were undetectable, serum 25(OH)D levels were normal, and serum 1,25(OHbD levels were in the high normal range. Successful treatment of the C immitis and C neoformans infections resulted in resolution of the hypercalcemia and increase of PTH and PTHrp to the normal range. Conclusion: In some patients with HIV infection, coincident hypercalcemia, and severe fungal infection, the responsible factor may be 1,25(OHbD. Although total serum levels of this compound may not be frankly elevated, they are inappropriately high for the circumstances. Free 1 ,25(OH)2D levels should be determined in this situation. KEY INDEXING TERMS Hypercalcemia; HIV Cryptococcus neoformans Coccidioides immitis
Weight loss, quality of life and employment status after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: 5-year analysis

Abstract Background Obesity can have a tremendous impact on the psychosocial, physical, and economic health of those afflicted by it. We hypothesized that if surgery results in significant weight loss and improves quality of life, those unemployed and disabled as a result of their morbid obesity might be more likely to become gainfully employed after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). Methods We reviewed the medical charts of all patients who underwent RYGBP from April 1998 to December 1999. Demographics and employment status were obtained, along with preoperative weight, body mass index, Short Form 36 Health Survey and Beck Depression Inventory-II scores. For those employed, the recuperation time was also analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test and analysis of variance. Results Fifty-seven patients underwent RYGBP. Of the 57 patients, 41 were selected for analysis, 34% of whom were employed, with a mean recuperation time of 3.5 weeks. Their mean age was 32.4 years. The mean body mass index was 53.4 kg/m 2 preoperatively and 31.2 kg/m 2 at 5 years. Of the 41 patients, 27 (66%) were receiving disability and 25 (61%) attributed their disability to their morbidly obese state. At 5 years, 4 (16%) of the 25 were gainfully employed and no longer receiving public assistance. Conclusion Despite successful long-term weight loss and improvement in quality of life, many morbid obesity patients do not return to gainful employment in the workforce after RYGBP. The mean body mass index was greater in the unemployed group at both 1 and 5 years, but the difference was not statistically significant. The socioeconomic impact of morbid obesity persists long after a reduction in weight and improvement in quality of life.
Structural changes in the bovine nematode Haemonchus placei , that may be associated with host immune response

The structure of H. placei adult worms, obtained from calves at 4, 7, 10 or 11–13 weeks after primary infection, has been studied. A reorganization of rough endoplasmic reticuhim in the cytoplasm of the gut cells was seen at 10 weeks and this was followed by marked vacuolation of many of these cells, associated with an increase in lipid production. Increases of lipid were also found in the hypodermis, lateral cords and occasionally muscle cells of worms examined at 11–13 weeks after infection. It is suggested that these changes are the result of the host immune response, because they resemble changes which occur in the rat nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and which are known to be caused by host immunity.
Excitability and multistability in the electrochemical oxidation of primary alcohols

Results are presented from experiments on the electrocatalyzed oxidation of 1-butanol at a Pt electrode conducted under conditions of constant current in both acid and NaOH solutions. Several nonlinear behaviors are characterized. In acid solution, the oxidation of 1-butanol exhibits excitability, i.e. a small perturbation induces a large amplitude excursion with mixed time scales before the system returns to stationary behavior. It is argued that excitability reveals that oxides directly partake in the oxidation process. Butanol oxidation also exhibits a tristable response in acid solution in which three different stationary states exist under the same conditions. A different tristability also occurs in which an oscillatory state coexists with two stationary states. Instead of a tristable response, the oxidation of 1-butanol displays a bistable response in NaOH solution. Results are compared with those obtained for alcohols with a smaller number of carbon atoms, ethanol and methanol. In view of results from potential controlled experiments, the results of the current controlled experiments reveal what can be considered nonintuitive current-potential relations. Relations among the observed nonlinear behaviors, current-potential relations, and mechanisms, as well as the differences between results obtained in NaOH solution and those obtained in acid solution are discussed.
Electrical Conduction and Disorder in the Pyrochlore System (Gd1−xCax)2Sn2O7

Electrical conductivity measurements were made on the pyrochlore compounds (Gd1−xCax)2Sn2O7 (x =0, 0.0036, 0.0057, 0.03) as a function of temperature, oxygen partial pressure and Ca doping concentration. An effective Frenkel constant and oxygen vacancy mobility were derived. Intrinsic anion disorder was found to be lower than the expected value based on the relative radii of the cations in the A and B sites (A2B2O7). Low oxygen vacancy mobilities as well as low anion disorder resulted in considerably lower ionic conductivities in GdsSn2O7 relative to the previously studied Gd2(Ti1−xZrx)2O7 system. The temperature and composition dependence of the p-type electronic conductivity were evaluated and the oxidation enthalpy was derived.
Origins and development of human fear reactions

Abstract Factors leading to the development and maintenance of human fear reactions were investigated in 56 animal phobics and 18 individuals without phobias who served as a reference control. Subjects completed questionnaires assessing the etiology of human fear and personality styles in reacting to stressors. Results supported Rachman's theory of fear acquisition. There was evidence for fear acquisition through conditioning, vicarious processes, and information/ instructions pathways. The conditioning pathway not only included simple first-order classical conditioning, but also involved a higher-order semantic conditioning process. Animal phobics displayed significant negative evaluative reactions in their semantic differential ratings of phobic verbal stimuli. Fear relevant self-instructions of the phobic clients were also significantly polarized and negative. The animal phobic subjects displayed significant difficulties in turning off the image of their fear objects. As compared to the non-phobic control, the phobic image of the fear animal was significantly higher in clarity and movement, but not in chromatic characteristics. Imagery and self-instructions interacted with the client's personality style. Adverse events associated with the loss of reinforcing events and reinforcing resources (i.e., separation, loss, failure) were significantly related to reports of fear increment. Results are interpreted to support paradigmatic behaviorism conceptualization of human anxiety reactions.
Teaching machines and creativity

* Reprinted, with slight modifications, from Stanford Today, Autumn, 1963, by permission of the author and editor.
Effects of Molecular Structure on Segment Orientation in Poly(diethylsiloxane) Elastomers. 2. NMR Measurements from Uniaxially Stretched Samples

End-linked poly(diethylsiloxane) networks containing −CD2CH3 groups were studied in uniaxial extension by solid-state 2H NMR. Chain segment orientation was measured for samples at low extension ratios in the amorphous state. At higher extension ratios, a localized phase transition to a mesomorphic “neck” can occur. The mesophase content and segment orientation in the neck region were probed by NMR at various extension ratios. The effects of chemical cross-link density on segment orientation were deduced by studying a series of samples with varying molecular weight between cross-links.
Retrobulbar Neuritis Complicating Acute Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

A 19-year-old man presented with retrobulbar neuritis and was initially suspected to have neurosyphilis because of a positive microhemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum (MHA-TP). However, a Venereal Disease Research Laboratory assay was negative, and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with infection due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by heterophile antibody assay and serology for EBV. A biological false-positive MHA-TP has been reported in association with EBV infection. Physicians need to be aware that both retrobulbar neuritis and a biological false-positive MHA-TP can be seen in association with EBV infection.
Acute urinary retention in young homosexuals

Abstract Acute urinary retention secondary to anal intercourse was found in 4 homosexuals. All four were treated initially with an indwelling Foley catheter and then with bethanechol and phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline). Normal micturition was restored in all 4 patients. Anal dilatation can produce reflex bladder inhibition resulting in acute retention.
High-efficiency superconducting nanowire single photon detectors based on amorphous Mo0.75Ge0.25

We measure a saturation of the internal quantum efficiency of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors based on a Mo0.75Ge0.25 alloy with peak system detection efficiency of 30%.
Geographic Information Systems as an Educational Tool.

Abstract When a Geographic Information System (GIS) is implemented in a classroom environment, valuable skills such as creative thought and problem solving can be encouraged. A group of college students were given the problem of siting a sanitary landfill for Brazos County, Texas, utilizing the technology of a GIs. They decided on the criteria needed and how the data and criteria would fit into a GIS. With minimal experience, they developed a data base and completed the task in a manner acceptable to private industry and governmental agencies. The use of GIS provided a physical product displaying the interrelationships between regulations, physical environment, group actions, and individual thinking.
Overcrowding factors of mosquito larvae. 2. Growth-retarding and bacteriostatic effects of the overcrowding factors of mosquito larvae.

LT50, values of the overcrowding factors based on continuous exposure of 1st-stage larvae of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say were 1.4, 5.6, and 6.4 days for 1, ½, and ¼ unit of the factors, respectively, while LD50 was 0.31 unit. The overcrowding factors also retarded larval growth; 1 unit of these factors facilitated only 0.6% of the 1st instars to pupate on the 16th day from the start of the exposure, whereas 68.2% of the untreated larvae pupated, and the median pupation time was reached on the 10th day. First and 2nd instars were more vulnerable in terms of growth delay as well as mortality. Reduction in sizes of the egg rafts laid by females resulting from treated larvae also was noticed. Bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity of the overcrowding factors was shown by determining the number of bacteria in the treated waters and by testing the factors against Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner on nutrient agar. The rate of heartbeat was depressed markedly in larvae treated with these factors as compared with untreated larvae. Reduction in bacterial numbers in the treated water and reduced rates of heartbeat of mosquito larvae are partly responsible for high mortality and growth retardation.
"Higher" and "lower": Comparative and categorical interpretations by children

Abstract Three-, four-, and five-year-old children's categorical and comparative understanding of high and low were examined in two experiments. Categorical knowledge was assessed by presenting subjects with a single object at varying heights (from 0 to five feet above the ground), and asking if the object was high or low . Comparative understanding of the terms was assessed by showing children two objects at a time and asking which was higher or lower . We observed two patterns of performance in children's categorical treatments: younger children in particular defined disjoint categories for high and low such that they only labelled the extreme heights as high or low , and maintained that middle heights were neither high nor low . Older children defined either-or categories such that all heights were labelled either high or low . We also found that children who defined either-or categories made correct comparative judgments across the entire range of variation whereas children who defined disjoint categories could only judge which of two objects was higher if the objects were not low (at 0 and 1 feet) and which of the objects was lower if the objects were not high (at 4 and 5 feet). The results were interpreted as reflecting a lack of appreciation that the terms are interdefined as negations of each other, and were discussed in terms of the similar semantic-congruity effects found in adults.
The properties and effects of osmium tetroxide as a tissue fixative with special reference to its use for electron microscopy

Abstract Osmium tetroxide has been demonstrated to produce excellent fixation of the cytoplasm of cells, particularly for those to be examined in the electron microscope. The action of osmium tetroxide on various tissue constituents differs in its rate and nature. The reaction with lipids is probably by way of an affinity of osmium tetroxide for double bond configurations, thus forming unstable osmium esters which decompose to deposit osmium oxides or hydroxides at the site of activity. Little is known of the reaction of osmium tetroxide with proteins, but in preliminary studies it has been shown to produce quickly an initial gelation of protein solutions which, in the case of albumin, show no well-defined structure in the electron microscope. Coagulation images are, however, evident after other fixing agents. It is postulated that by virtue of its tetrahedral configuration, OsO4 may form polymer-like structures with proteins establishing linkages at double bond containing groups. This initial gelation may then be followed by a further oxidation and the production of soluble end products, which after long fixation wash out of the cell.
Assessing fluid change in hemodialysis: Whole body versus sum of segmental bioimpedance spectroscopy

ment. Recent studies have shown that SBIS may be more Methods. Twenty-eight patients (male 10, female 18) were accurate in measuring ECF change than WBIS, as SBIS studied during their regular hemodialysis. ECF changes esti- is less affected by the change of body position [5‐7]. We mated by both techniques were compared with actual weight have evaluated both these techniques for their accuracy change during the inter- and intradialytic periods. in tracking changes in fluid compartments in HD patients Results. Both techniques tracked fluid changes that correlated well with fluid loss during the dialysis run (WBIS, r 0.75, P during and between dialysis sessions; and their ability to 0.001; SBIS, r 0.65, P 0.001) and fluid gain in the interdialytic precisely estimate changes in the extracellular fluid (ECF) period (WBIS, r 0.73, P 0.01; SBIS, r 0.6, P 0.01). and identify patients at risk for dialysis related morbidity. ECF changes estimated by SBIS and WBIS underestimated weight loss 0.78 0.01 L and 0.6 0.01 L, respectively; and underestimated weight gain 0.66 0.18 L and 0.76 0.18 L, METHODS respectively. Conclusions. While both WBIS and SBIS can be used to Patients and dialysis procedures track relative ECF volume changes in HD patients, they are not accurate in quantifying changes in ECF volume. More studies Eighteen adult females aged 48 16 years, and 10 adult are needed to evaluate the benefit of SBIS over WBIS in clinical males aged 46 12 years, on maintenance hemodialysis practice. at UCSD Medical Center were recruited for this study. All patients gave their informed consent. Patients were dialyzed for 3.5 0.4 hours three times a week using a polyFluid shifts are commonplace in chronic hemodialysis sulfone dialyzer and a bicarbonate dialysate with 138 (HD) patients during the intra- and interdialytic periods mmol/L sodium with a volumetrically controlled Fresenand are associated with dialysis related complications. Bio- ius machine. Fluid was removed to achieve a clinically impedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a simple noninvasive determined dry weight at the end of the treatment. Net method of assessing body composition that is being used ultrafiltrate volume removed was computed for each sesto determine the compartmental distribution of body wa- sion (ultrafiltrate volume from the dialysis machine miter in HD patients [1‐6]. Whole body BIS (WBIS) mea- nus fluid intake and fluid replacement). Patient’s height sures fluid compartments by measuring differences in elec- was measured with a stadiometer (reproducibility 0.5
Inflammatory mediator production in swine following endotoxin challenge with or without co-administration of dexamethasone.

Abstract The inflammatory response in swine challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has only been partially characterized. As swine are increasingly used in biomedical research, it is important to determine if they respond to endotoxin challenge in a manner similar to other model systems. Accordingly, 24 Poland China×Landrace barrows were treated with saline, LPS, dexamethasone, or LPS and dexamethasone, with six animals in each treatment group. The kinetics of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, nitric oxide (nitrate/nitrite), and neopterin production in swine plasma were examined at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 24 h after acute LPS challenge. Lipopolysaccharide increased plasma TNFα levels, which peaked 1 h post-challenge. Dexamethasone decreased LPS-induced TNFα by approximately 60%. Plasma IL-6 levels peaked 3 h post-LPS challenge, returning to basal levels by 9 h. Swine given both LPS and dexamethasone had minimal IL-6 levels. Control and dexamethasone-only treated animals never exhibited systemic TNFα or IL-6 levels. Lipopolysaccharide increased plasma IL-10 1 h after challenge. Dexamethasone did not alter plasma IL-10 levels in LPS-challenged swine. Interleukin-1β was constitutively present in plasma and was not altered by any combination of treatments. Plasma IL-8 was not observed in any treatment group. Plasma nitrate/nitrite levels were maximal 24 h post-challenge. Dexamethasone treatment prevented increases in plasma nitrate/nitrite levels in LPS-treated animals. Lipopolysaccharide induced levels of neopterin; dexamethasone served to further increase plasma neopterin levels in LPS-challenged animals. The discordant regulation of inflammatory mediators suggests that the immunological responses by swine to LPS are distinct from the responses seen in rodent and human studies.
Local search for quantified Boolean formulas

Emerging applications demand to solve problems that are considered to be more difficult than NP-complete problems. Evaluating a quantified Boolean formula (QBF) is one of those problems. For the satisfiability problem (SAT), the NP-complete subclass of QBF, excellent solvers have been developed. However, research on subclasses of QBF at higher levels has only recently surged. We explore the possibility and potential of local search algorithms, which have been proved to be very successful in the case of SAT. Though local search cannot be applied directly to QBF, we introduce an approach to solve QBF at the second level of the polynomial hierarchy that profits significantly from local search.
Psychoneuroimmunology: an emerging framework for nursing research

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is concerned with the mechanisms of bidirectional communication between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Investigators in other disciplines have used this framework to guide the examination of possible relationships between behavioural factors and the progression of immunologically mediated illnesses and to evaluate the role of immune products in central nervous system disturbances. Nurse scientists have an opportunity to make unique contributions to the growing field of PNI. Unlike basic science research, which has as its goal the generation of fundamental knowledge concerning biological or behavioural processes, nursing research is driven by the need to promote excellence in nursing science as a guide for nursing practice. Although a few nurse scientists have conducted PNI research to date, additional studies are needed to generate new knowledge concerning mind-body interactions in health and illness and to develop strategies that promote mental and physical well-being in persons at risk for immune dysfunction. This paper highlights the few recently conducted nursing studies grounded in a PNI framework to illustrate the utility of PNI in advancing nursing science.
Intelligent Control Strategy for Energy Storage in Distribution Systems

With the rapid development of energy storage technologies, there is a growing interest in integrating these devices into distribution systems. Energy storage can be utilized to provide various benefits to the distribution systems. In this paper, the reliability and economic benefits (i.e. energy cost) are the focus. Different control strategies of energy storage have corresponding reliability and economic impacts on the systems. An intelligent Model Predictive Control (MPC)-based control strategy for energy storage is first introduced and compared with a conventional standby backup control strategy. Then a modified MPC-based control strategy is proposed to more effectively utilize limited energy storage capacity to improve system reliability and save energy cost. Simulation results are shown to illustrate different control strategies and demonstrate benefits.
Creating a Better Place: Physical Improvements in Academic Libraries, 1995–2002

Many academic institutions have benefited from new, expanded, renovated, or reconfigured facilities since the mid-1990s. Given current concerns about the future of the physical library and the nature of space needs, it is important to know what improvements have been made in recent facility projects and what impact these improvements have had on use of the physical library. Based on findings from a survey of 354 academic libraries, this article describes the types of projects undertaken and the kinds of improvements provided. A companion article describing the impact of these improvements on usage of the physical facility is in preparation.
S-RNases and sexual incompatibility: structure, functions, and evolutionary perspectives.

S-RNase-based gametophytic self-incompatibility appears to be the most phylogenetically widespread form of self-incompatibility found in the angiosperms, having been reported in the Solanaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Rosaceae. This intraspecific breeding barrier is controlled by a single genetic locus termed S. Rejection of self-pollen has been shown to be mediated in the pistil by a highly polymorphic series of ribonucleases, but as yet the pollen component of this recognition system has not been identified. Here we review our present knowledge concerning the structure, functions, and evolution of S-RNases and the S-loci in which they reside. In addition we present two new phylogenetic analyses of S-RNases which suggest that (1) sequence variability between S-alleles is spread across the whole gene and is not as clustered as is generally believed and (2) there is evidence of recombination and/or diversifying selection in two distinct regions of S-RNases. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Organic molecules in oxygen-rich circumstellar envelopes: methanol and hydrocarbons

The existence of anomalously high abundances of gaseous CH4 has been invoked to explain the unexpectedly high abundances of the carbon-bearing molecules HCN and H2CO in the outflows from O-rich red giants. We have modelled the chemistry that proceeds in the outer envelope when CH4 is injected from the inner envelope. We find that photolysis by the interstellar radiation field drives an ion-neutral chemistry which produces several organic molecules. The calculated abundances of CH3OH, C2H and C2 can be comparable to those calculated for H2CO and HCN. Species such as C2H4, C2H2 and CH3CN can also be abundant. A search for CH3OH and C2H in several O-rich outflows known to exhibit strong HCN emission is needed. As it derives entirely from the CH4 photochain, is insensitive to the envelope temperature distribution, and has accessible transitions at millimetre wavelengths, the detection of the C2H radical would provide further indirect support for the presence of the hypothesized methane.
Deluxe Jim Crow: Civil Rights and American Health Policy, 1935–1954. By Karen Kruse Thomas. (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 2011. Pp. xvii, 372. $24.95.)

For the author of this book, “deluxe Jim Crow” refers not to first‐class train compartments for blacks (for which the phrase was coined in 1927) but rather to the “ethical complexity and ambiguity ...
Noise-margin analysis of a-Si:H digital circuits

— The noise margin is one of the fundamental metrics in evaluating the viability and robustness of digital circuits. An analytical model of amorphous-silicon digital-circuit noise margin was developed, including the effects of circuit aging. The threshold voltage of a-Si:H transistors increases over time with electrical stress, degrading the performance and eventually leading to circuit wear-out. Since static and dynamic inverters are the basic digital-circuit design elements, they are the basis for this analysis. The analytical model is verified with experimental measurements. The lifetime of dynamic a-Si:H digital circuits is found to exceed the lifetime for static a-Si:H circuits by a factor of 2–3. Although the lifetimes are relatively short (∼105 sec) and under continuous electrical stress, they are sufficient for low-duty-cycle applications.
Quantum Mechanical Description of Maser Action at Optical Frequencies

This paper consists of a theoretical discussion of maser action at optical frequencies with emphasis on the differences between stimulated emission and absorption in coherent and incoherent fields. Use is made of a geometrical representation of the equations of motion of the density matrix to illustrate the conditions for continuous-wave operation, amplification, production of large pulses, and for the appearance of relaxation oscillations.
Crystal and electronic structures of metallic Ba2Pd5Ge4

Crystals of a new intermetallic germanide Ba2Pd5Ge4 have been grown out of a binary PdGe flux. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the compound crystallizes in a novel structure type in the Cmca space group, with a = 10.9296(9) A, b = 14.1639(12) A, and c = 5.8808(5) A at 173(2) K. This structure type features a three-dimensional [Pd5Ge4] network made of distorted tetrahedral and square planar PdGe4 units, with Ba atoms filling the voids. The magnetic susceptibility and the electrical resistivity measurements show that Ba2Pd5Ge4 is a Pauli paramagnet and a metal with the room temperature resistivity value of ρ(300 K) ≈ 0.096 mΩ cm. The band structure calculations confirm that Ba2Pd5Ge4 is a good metal with no magnetic instability.
Amplified spontaneous emission and gain characteristics of Fabry-Perot and traveling wave type semiconductor laser amplifiers

Semiconductor laser amplifiers are investigated with respect to amplified spontaneous emission power and gain characteristics. The influence of the spontaneous emission coefficient, input power, and facet reflectivity on amplifier saturation characteristics is analyzed. It is shown that a small beta , zero reflectance device has advantageous properties in terms of high gain and output power at the 3-dB compression point. The low reflectance contributes to a slow saturation, whereas a low beta means a larger optical model and hence lower intensities and less saturation for a given output power or gain. >
Circular patch UWB antenna with time domain analysis

In this paper, a compact design and construction of microstrip Ultra Wide Band (UWB) antenna is proposed. The proposed antenna has the capability of operating between 3.6GHz to 12GHz frequency range. The antenna parameters in frequency domain analysis have been investigated to show its capability as an effective radiating element. Furthermore, time domain Gaussian pulse excitation analysis in UWB systems is also demonstrated in this paper. As a result, the simulation results demonstrated reasonable agreement with the measurement results and good ultrawideband linear transmission performance has also been achieved in time domain.
Simultaneous Hoffmann reflex measurements in multiple muscles around the ankle

Measurement of the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) provides an estimate of alpha motoneuron activity in the target motoneuron (MN) pool. The H-reflex has been assessed for a wide variety of reasons in neuroscience research. However, the majority of protocols have focused on the assessment of only one muscle and its corresponding motoneuron pool at any instant. Previously established protocols do not simultaneously assess reflex activity in multiple muscles elicited from a single stimulation. This new protocol allows for assessment of alpha motoneuron activity in three muscles around the ankle joint from a single stimulus to the sciatic nerve. To elicit the responses, the sciatic nerve was stimulated just prior to its bifurcation into the tibial and common peroneal nerves in the popliteal fossa. Electromyographic recording electrodes were placed on the tibialis anterior, peroneal longus, and soleus muscles. The 1-ms square wave pulse was delivered every 15 s during the recruitment curve mapping. The maximum H reflex and M waves were measured in each muscle and their ratios calculated. The measurement of these ratios simultaneously allows for assessment of the cumulative alpha motoneuron activity about the ankle at a given point in time.
Robust STAP detection in a dense signal airborne radar environment

This paper presents the performance of several space-time adaptive processing (STAP) detection methods in a dense signal environment. These include the normalized parametric adaptive matched filter (N-PAMF), the joint domain localized (JDL), and a variant of JDL referred to as the normalized JDL (NJDL). Issues considered here include robust detection with respect to signal contamination of training data and efficient estimation procedures with limited training data. The paper also introduces the innovations power sorting (IPS) pre-processing procedure for representative training data selection. Performance analyses are carried out with measured data from the Multichannel Airborne Radar Measurement (MCARM) program.
Knowledge of Being v. Practice of Becoming in Higher Education Overcoming the dichotomy in the Humanities

This essay suggests ways to overcome what I take to be a widespread problem of a dichotomy between the knowledge of being and the practice of becoming and an emphasis on the former at the expense of the latter within contemporary Humanities at the university. First, I trace the genealogy of this dichotomy and its effects on contemporary Humanities' higher education, especially in the guise it takes as a dichotomy between contemplation and action – thinking and acting. Secondly, I elaborate an account of self-directed development as a process of bridging the gap between being and becoming. Thirdly, I point towards often undervalued and even neglected philosophical traditions that provide us with alternative resources to engage in effective processes of self-directed development, enabling us to develop our human potentiality.
Reliability of headache diagnosis

The literature on diagnosis of head pain associated with psychological factors indicates that these diagnoses rely almost exclusively on self-report criteria. The reliability of self-report criteria for diagnosis of headache has not been previously reported. The present study investigated the reliability of headache diagnosis based on the criteria suggested by the Ad Hoc Committee on Classification of Headache. The results indicated modest rater agreement. It was concluded that the headache literature may be confounded by unreliable diagnostic procedures. Improved methods of classifying headache types using self-report, behavioral, and physiological measures during pain-free and headache states are required before adequate reliability of headache classification can be achieved. It is suggested that reliable and valid measurement and classification would eliminate much of the confusion currently existing in the headache literature.
A new finger placement algorithm for the Generalized RAKE receiver

Generalized RAKE (G-RAKE) and linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) are two equalization techniques designed for advanced receivers in wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) / high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) systems. In this paper, we first review the theoretical properties and discuss some implementation issues of the G-RAKE technique. The equivalence between G-RAKE and LMMSE chip-level equalization (CE) was then evaluated under various system implementation constraints. Finger placement algorithm is a key factor in implementation and greatly affects the performance of G-RAKE. Optimal solution is prohibitively complex even for small number of fingers since the symbol signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) is not a convex function of the finger delays. Here we proposed a novel and computationally efficient finger placement algorithm that significantly reduces the complexity of the optimal solution with a reasonable performance loss. Such algorithm is based on the maximum diagonal weight and therefore named maximum weight placement (MWP). The balance on the performance and the complexity of such algorithm is compared to many proposed algorithms through analysis and simulation results.