cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aggregation of Amphiphilic Squaraines at the Air−Water Interface and in Langmuir−Blodgett Films

A series of amphiphiles incorporating the squaraine chromophore (1−3) has been synthesized and these amphiphiles have been studied as films at the air−water interface and supported Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) films on glass. For the spread films at the air−water interface, aggregate formation is observable even at very low surface pressures and in relatively diluted mixtures; in certain cases the type of aggregate formed is sensitive to the surface pressure. The most frequently encountered spectrally blue-shifted or H-aggregate (λmax = 530 nm, compared to the monomer, λmax = 630 nm), is attributed to a “unit aggregate” which we have shown previously to be a cyclic, chiral tetramer. The extended aggregate in compressed films is thus a mosaic of these unit aggregates which exist even before compression. For certain squaraine amphiphiles and mixtures we obtain evidence for a second species which has spectral characteristics consistent with the red-shifted or J-aggregate, and they form only under compression. This...
An embedding theorem for affine resolvable designs

In this note, we consider a question raised by S.S. Shrikhande [6] concerning the embedding of an ARD with deficiency d into ARBIBD. We show that such an embedding is always possible if we assume that n > 12(d^4-2d^3+2d^2+d-2) and in addition that there is one good class.
The response of several adrenocortical steroids to the administration of ACTH in hirsute women.

Abstract Thirty-three women with hirsutism and oligomenorrhea were stimulated with synthetic adrenocorticotropin, as well as 12 controls. Of these test subjects 20 demonstrated significantly greater rises of serum levels of 3,17-dihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one as well as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate suggesting an attenuated deficiency of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Five did not show similar rises of these compounds but revealed significant elevations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone as would be expected in 21-hydroxylase deficiency. None of the subjects were virilized. Eight additional hirsute women were not different than the normals. It appears that a subtle deficiency of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase may be more common as an explanation of a syndrome resembling polycystic ovarian disease than has been previously recognized.
Split-plot type cross-over designs

In this paper, we will consider cross-over designs where the treatments are combinations of the levels of two factors, and the levels of one factor have to be applied for a larger duration compared to the levels of the other factor. The designs and analysis are given in full detail when the levels of both factors are t, where t is even. A brief discussion is given in other cases.
A chemical route to the formation of water in circumstellar envelopes around carbon-rich asymptotic branch stars: Fischer-Tropsch catalysis

Fischer-Tropsch catalysis has been suggested as a means of driving hydrocarbon chemistry in oxygen rich regions such as the protosolar nebula. In addition to producing hydrocarbons, Fischer-Tropsch catalysis also produces water, and it is therefore possible that such processes could account for the recent observations of water in the circumstellar envelope of asymptotic giant branch star IRC +10216.
THE DRIVING FORCES OF LAND CHANGE IN THE NORTHERN PIEDMONT OF THE UNITED STATES

Driving forces facilitate or inhibit land‐use / land‐cover change. Human driving forces include political, economic, cultural, and social attributes that often change across time and space. Remotel...
Carbamazepine exacerbated epilepsy in children and adolescents

Forty-nine children and adolescents whose seizures reportedly worsened while receiving carbamazepine (CBZ) were studied retrospectively. Twenty-six patients met criteria for excellent documentation of carbamazepine-exacerbated seizures. Four epileptic syndromes were particularly affected: childhood absence epilepsy; focal symptomatic, frontal lobe epilepsy; Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; and severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy. Eight of the 26 patients developed new-onset absence seizures and three patients with established absence epilepsy experienced absence status. Other seizure types, including atonic, tonic-clonic, and myoclonic, developed in eight patients treated with CBZ, and new generalized spike-and-wave discharges were observed in electroencephalograms of nine patients. CBZ is a widely used, effective antiepileptic drug, particularly for partial or partial complex seizures; however, if uncontrolled, generalized seizures occur after CBZ is prescribed for children or adolescents with absence or mixed seizures, a trial of CBZ discontinuation is warranted. The data reported here do not permit calculation of the incidence of this phenomenon.
Facilitating Place-Based Learning in Outdoor Informal Environments with Mobile Computers

This paper advocates for place-based education to guide research and design for mobile computers used in outdoor informal environments (e.g., backyards, nature centers and parks). By bringing together research on place-based education with research on location awareness, we developed three design guidelines to support learners to develop robust science-related understandings within local communities. The three empirically- derived design guidelines are: (1) Facilitate participation in disciplinary conversations and practices within personally-relevant places, (2) Amplifying observations to see the disciplinary-relevant aspects of a place, and (3) Extending experiences through exploring new perspectives, representations, conversations, or knowledge artifacts. Last, we link theory to practice by illustrating how the three guidelines were applied in one outdoor science learning project called Tree Investigators.
PIPE FLOW OF SUSPENSIONS

This study shows that fully developed pipe flow of a particulate suspension is defined by four dimensionless parameters of particle-fluid interactions in addition to the Reynolds number. Effects accounted for include the Magnus effect due to fluid shear, electrostatic repulsion due to electric charges on the particles, and Brownian or turbulent diffusion. In the case of a laminar liquid-solid suspension, electrostatic effect is negligible but shear effect is prominent. Solution of the basic equations gives the density distribution of particles with a peak at the center (Einstein, Jeffery) or at other radii between the center and the pipe wall (Segre et al) depending on the magnitudes of the various flow parameters. In the case of a turbulent gas-solid suspension, the Magnus effect is significant only within the thickness of the laminar sublayer. However, charges induced on the particles by the impact of particles at the wall produce a higher density at the wall than at the center of the pipe. The velocity distribution of particles is characterized by a slip velocity at the wall and a lag in velocity in the core from the fluid phase. These results are verified by earlier measurements.
Interactions of polysaccharide-based tissue adhesives with clinically relevant fibroblast and macrophage cell lines.

The effects of polysaccharide-based tissue adhesives on cell survival and inflammatory cell activation were determined using in vitro mouse cell cultures. Cytotoxicity of tissue adhesives was evaluated by placing adhesives in direct contact with 3T3 fibroblast cells. Polysaccharide-based tissue adhesives composed of dextran aldehyde and star PEG amine were non-cytotoxic to fibroblasts; in contrast, a commercial adhesive composed of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate was highly cytotoxic to fibroblasts. The inflammatory potential of tissue adhesives was evaluated by exposing J774 macrophage cells to adhesives, and measuring TNF-α release from macrophages. Polysaccharide-based tissue adhesives did not elicit inflammatory TNF-α release from macrophages. These results suggest that polysaccharide-based tissue adhesives are non-cytotoxic and non-inflammatory; the results are therefore significant in the design of in vitro cell culture systems to study biomaterials.
Study of high work function materials needed for close-spaced grid applications

Abstract Measurements are described of simultaneous surface electronic (i.e., work functions) and surface chemical properties of Zr and Ta in a Ba stream generated by a heated cathode. The geometries involve structures where (1) the grid is directly bonded to the cathode and therefore is always at cathode temperature and (2) where the grid is in close proximity to the cathode but non-bonded structurally so that the grid temperatures can be considerably lower than the cathode. The results showed that bonded Zr grids maintained high work functions at all cathode operating temperatures because the life times for Ba products on Zr become negligible at temperatures where appreciable Ba is evaporated onto it from the cathode. Zr non-bonded grids operating at temperatures lower than the cathode will adsorb Ba and consequently lose their high work function. At higher temperatures, the Ba leaves the Zr surface and the work function increases, being directly related to the amount of Ba on the surface. The removal of Ba from the non-bonded grid is the result of the formation of free Ba by the loss of surface O which diffuses into the Zr bulk. The free Ba leaves the Zr surface by evaporation. If appreciable O is available to the BaO, part of the Ba can also be taken into the Zr bulk to form the more thermodynamically favored zirconate which has a work function nearly as low as the cathode. Since the Zr grid “getters” tube gases, thus continually increasing the bulk O content, less and less free Ba will be formed and the grid's work function will be lowered as more and more Ba is retained as the zirconate. This appears to be the primary degradation mechanism for the Zr non-bonded grids. The Ta non-bonded grid has a higher work function than comparable Zr surfaces but the increased work function may be related to a heavy graphitic C layer covering the Ta surface.
Problem behaviours in abused and neglected children grown up: Prevalence and co-occurrence of substance abuse, crime and violence

This paper describes the prevalence of and patterns of overlap among four problem behaviours (alcohol abuse, drug abuse, non-violent crime and violence) in abused and neglected children grown up. Using data from a prospective cohort design study, abused and neglected children were matched with a control group and followed up into adulthood (n = 1190). After controlling for parental alcohol and drug problems, parental arrest, childhood poverty and ethnicity, we found that abused and neglected females, but not males, are at significantly higher risk for substance abuse/dependence diagnoses and arrests for violent crimes than control group subjects. Abused and neglected males and females, as compared with controls, have higher rates of comorbidity for substance abuse and non-violent arrests. Abused and neglected females are at greater risk for comorbidity for substance abuse and violent arrests as well, as compared with control females. Overall, the results reveal gender differences in the consequences of childhood victimisation. Copyright © 1997 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Extending the desirability function to account for variability measures in univariate and multivariate response experiments

One technique used frequently among quality practitioners seeking solutions to multi-response optimization problems is the desirability function approach. The technique involves modeling each characteristic using response surface designs and then transforming the characteristics into a single performance measure. The traditional procedure, however, calls for estimating only the mean response; the variability among the characteristics is not considered. Furthermore, the approach typically relies on the accuracy of second-order polynomials in its estimation, which are not always suitable. This paper, in contrast, proposes a methodology that utilizes higher-order estimation techniques and incorporates the concepts of robust design to account for process variability. Several examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Predicting extensive coronary artery disease.

This study examines the ability of a broad sampling of traditional risk factors, physical findings, and psychosocial measures to predict the extent of coronary vessel disease, given such disease is documented angiographically. The sample of 171 men underwent cardiac catheterization at Massachusetts General Hospital. With the exception of family history of heart disease, no individual risk factor was in and of itself significantly associated with the degree of coronary artery disease. When the variables were combined using stepwise multiple regression, significantly accurate predictions of severity of disease could be derived (p < 0.005) by considering family history, age. smoking, cholesterol, angina severity, depression, Q waves, Peel Score, and anger (listed in decreasing order of importance).
Abjection and the Melancholic Imagination: Towards a Poststructuralist Psychoanalytic Reading of Blake’s The Book of Urizen

Julia Kristeva’s work on the semiotic and the symbolic seems particularly relevant to Blake’s poem The Book of Urizen insofar as she is concerned with how we develop as speaking beings and how language both disguises and reveals evidence of a previous state of union with what she calls the maternal chora. These ideas allow for an interesting reading of Blake’s concern with the splitting off of Urizen from the Eternals and how this splitting off enables him to emerge as a signifying subject who bears traces of traumatic loss and upheaval, or of what Kristeva would term “the abject.” Abjection is a key concept for Kristeva and plays an essential role in what she describes as the “melancholic imagination.” Abjection in Urizen manifests as a sort of paranoid repression and repudiation of the drives, of mutability, multiplicity, the body, and the Other. Urizen, throughout the poem, becomes overtly identified with the Symbolic Father and becomes himself the bearer of symbolic codes, legislator of rational discourse and semantic meaning.
High frequency application of hot electrons in superlattices

Abstract The properties of lateral surface superlattices (LSSLs) as high frequency devices are investigated. The two most interesting possibilities are the use of a negative differential mobility as the basis for oscillators and amplifiers similar in nature to those obtained using Gunn devices, and the possible direct interaction between high frequency electric fields and electrons undergoing Bloch oscillations. Both of these possibilties will be discussed. The possible negative resistance device applications are investigated using standard computer simulations of Gunn-like device elements. First, Monte Carlo techniques are used to estimate the hot electron drift velocity and diffusion coefficients of a prototype LSSL. These transport coefficients are then incorporated into a device simulation. By using this simulation we illustrate the possible advantages of these structures over standard GaAs Gunn devices. These advantages stem from the substantially lower diffusion coefficients, the absence of a high field saturated drift velocity and the lack of any intervalley transfer processes. The possibility that an incident high frequency electric field can interact with electrons undergoing Bloch oscillations has been previously noted. Here we extend these discussions to include scattering mechanisms by including time-varying fields in a Monte carlo simulation of hot electron transport in a LSSL.
A function for ribophorins.

The assembly of secreted and membrane proteins in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) of eukaryotic cells is a complex process. As polypeptides are synthesized on membrane-bound ribosomes they are translocated across the RER membrane [1], the nascent potypeptide chains being modified as they emerge into the RER lumen. The N-terminal signal sequences are cleaved off by signal peptidase [2] and most nascent polypeptides are glycosylated on asparagine residues by oligosaccharyltransferase. The machinery required for the targeting of polypeptides to the RER membrane, namely the signal recognition particle and its membrane receptor, have been isolated and characterized. Much less is known, however, about the proteins involved in the later events of protein translocation-glycosylation and signal peptide cleavage.
The Effect of Furniture Arrangement on Movement, On-Task Behavior, and Sound in an Early Childhood Setting

The effects of structured furniture arrangement in an early childhood classroom were compared with an open arrangement using movement, on-task behavior and sound levels as the dependent variables. A single subject reversal design construing the classroom with fourteen five-year-olds as the single subject was used. More movement, less on-task behavior, and higher sound levels were predicted in the open arrangement than in the structured condition. The results of observations during free play did not support the predictions.
A method of using telemedicine information systems and numerical simulation for the diagnosis of rupture area in cerebral aneurysm

As highly integrated distributed networks become a reality, there are a variety of demands on the quality of healthcare service such as decentralised healthcare through integrated regional health telematics network, ubiquitous access to information on best clinical practices and exploitation of virtual environments technology. The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, distributed information architecture to achieve telemedicine is proposed to handle difference in geographic location of patient, caregiver and medical equipment. Secondly, a numerical simulation is performed for the diagnosis of a patient's intracranial blood flow using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique-based on patient-specific Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) data. Integration and distribution of the MRA data from the database system of the Wayne State University Radiology Department were conducted over the information architecture presented in this paper. The simulation results are accessed by medical experts in a remote site for the purpose of diagnosis and/or medical training.
A Presynaptic Giant Ankyrin Stabilizes the NMJ through Regulation of Presynaptic Microtubules and Transsynaptic Cell Adhesion

In a forward genetic screen for mutations that destabilize the neuromuscular junction, we identified a novel long isoform of Drosophila ankyrin2 (ank2-L). We demonstrate that loss of presynaptic Ank2-L not only causes synapse disassembly and retraction but also disrupts neuronal excitability and NMJ morphology. We provide genetic evidence that ank2-L is necessary to generate the membrane constrictions that normally separate individual synaptic boutons and is necessary to achieve the normal spacing of subsynaptic protein domains, including the normal organization of synaptic cell adhesion molecules. Mechanistically, synapse organization is correlated with a lattice-like organization of Ank2-L, visualized using extended high-resolution structured-illumination microscopy. The stabilizing functions of Ank2-L can be mapped to the extended C-terminal domain that we demonstrate can directly bind and organize synaptic microtubules. We propose that a presynaptic Ank2-L lattice links synaptic membrane proteins and spectrin to the underlying microtubule cytoskeleton to organize and stabilize the presynaptic terminal.
Privacy-Preserving Quick Authentication in Fast Roaming Networks

Vehicular networks will become an important component for information accesses in one's daily life. A vehicular network provides a vehicular user not only chances to communicate with peer vehicles but also to use Internet through roadside access points (APs). During a trip a vehicular user could roam across multiple APs either belong to their home wireless domain or to domains owned by different authorities. This poses challenges on privacy and network performance to the current public wireless network access protocols. In this paper we explore an idea that shifts the paradigm of authentcation that goes back to home networks to a paradigm of authentication that performs at the APs. We propose three authentication schemes in realizing the idea. These schemes are designed for preserving user's identity and location privacy. They also greatly reduce response time for authentication when roaming. The paper then analyzes the security and privacy properties of these schemes as well as the efficiency of them.
First record of Tomato chlorotic spot virus in the USA

A tospovirus was identified in tomato plants from two counties in Florida by reverse transcription-PCR and sequencing of portions of the S, M and L genomic segments. The predicted amino-acid sequences of the N protein of PCR products from four plant samples were >96% identical to those of TCSV. Partial nucleic acid sequences of the L and M RNA were >97% identical to those reported for TCSV isolates. Extracts from field samples infected test plants and produced symptoms similar to those reported for TCSV. This is the first report of an isolate of TCSV in Florida and in the USA.
EPA-0021 – Initial depression severity: impact of obesity and diagnosis of diabetes of depressed primary care patients

Introduction Prior studies have demonstrated an inter-relationship between the diagnosis of diabetes, obesity and depression. Our data has demonstrated that baseline body mass index (BMI) was not predictive for clinical outcomes (remission at six months). Does either obesity or diabetes impact initial depression severity? Objectives/Aims Our hypothesis was that obesity and the diagnosis of diabetes in depressed primary patients would have no effect on initial depression severity at the time of diagnosis of depression. Methods This study was retrospective analysis of 4,310 primary care patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder or Dysthymia with a PHQ-9 score of 10 or greater. ▪ Outcome variable was initial depression severity at the time of diagnosis (as measured by PHQ-9). ▪ Logistic regression modeling included the demographic variables of age, gender, marital status, the clinical variables of BMI, diagnosis of diabetes (yes/no) and clinical diagnosis (recurrent or first episode of depression, or dysthymia). Results Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Odds ratio for severe depression (PHQ-9≥20) at diagnosis in depressed primary care patients, by variable (N=4,310). Conclusions ▪ Baseline obesity was not an independent predictor for severe depression. ▪ Diagnosis of diabetes was an independent predictor for as protective for severe depression at diagnosis. This data suggests that obesity was not associated with worsening depression severity; diabetes may be seen as protective if patients were being seen sooner and diagnosed earlier in their disease course.
On the teaching of breathing for the singing voice

Summary Training the use of breath is the single most important component in the development of the singing voice. The voice teacher is responsible for the creation of imagery that will bring about the achievement of a singing technique based upon the efficient management of the muscles involved in breathing. This imagery can be varied and presented differently to singers depending upon their ages and particular point in training. The training is partially sequential, but must continue throughout a singer's career to meet the particular conditions under which the singer performs. Proper breath control is crucial to the minimalization of tension in the muscles of the throat and cannot be separated from the successful expression of the musical phrase. Breathing technique is capable of ongoing improvement and refinement.
Modeling of phase interfaces during pre-critical crack growth in concrete

Abstract Recent developments in the Rigid-Body-Spring Network (RBSN) modeling of concrete are presented, with candid assessments of research needs for the modeling of pre-critical crack growth under multi-axial stress conditions. Fracture of micro-concrete specimens is investigated through the combined use of such discrete (lattice) models, X-ray tomography, and imaging techniques. The specimens contain small amounts (10–50 wt.% fraction) of spherical glass aggregates. Acid-etching of the glass aggregate surfaces is done to vary the bond properties of the matrix–aggregate interface. Tomographic images of the unloaded specimens provide the initial configurations of the three-dimensional lattice models, which are based on a three-phase representation of the material meso-structure: fine-grained mortar matrix, glass aggregate inclusions, and matrix–aggregate interfaces. The numerical and physical test results agree well with respect to peak loads and the associated crack patterns. Material structure and interface properties affect pre-critical cracking, in accordance with expectations. Dependence of composite strength on aggregate content and arrangement is studied through simulations of large sets of nominally identical models, which differ only in random positioning of the aggregates.
Distribution of tunichrome and vanadium in sea squirt blood cells sorted by flow cytometry

Specialized blood cells of many tunicates accumulate high concentrations of vanadium and phenolic peptide pigments called tunichromes (TC). In order to determine whether V and TC reside in the same cells, Ascidia nigra and Ascidia ceratodes blood cell subpopulations were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (flow cytometry) and chemically analyzed. V was found in the spherical, green/grey signet ring cells, and to a lesser degree in the mulberry-shaped, yellow/green morula cells (MRs), whereas free TC was detected mainly in MRs.
Concepts of Pathogenesis and Lung Reactivity in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

It is surprising that forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis do not occur more frequently, given the variety of biologic dusts and airborne antigens that have been found to cause disease. Exposure is almost universal in some occupations that involve handling animals or feed products, and development of humoral immunity occurs in most; however, overt respiratory illness is relatively infrequent or not easily recognized by the subject. What differs between symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects is not certain, but unique host resistance or susceptibility, as the case may be, appears to be a factor. This may have a genetic basis, but this has not been investigated vigorously. With repeated airborne exposure to appropriate antigens, a humoral and a local respiratory antibody response occur but perhaps with little disease consequence, as most subjects so immunized remain clinically asymptomatic. So far as is known, there is no other route of antigenic exposure except through the respiratory tract, but contact with the antigens could occur on the skin or on mucosal surfaces such as the conjunctiva, or antigens could be ingested by swallowing nasopharyngeal secretions. Except for serum antibodies, however, there is little documentation that other systemic organs are affected, as may occur with sarcoidosis. Of course there is great variability in the age of the subjects and the dosage of antigen to which the subject is exposed, and the frequency and duration of exposure can vary considerably. All of these would seem to be easily tested, however, in an animal model where most of the variables could be independently controlled and varied at will. Even the genetic and aging factors, which are the most difficult parameters to control in humans, could be investigated. Yet, it has been very difficult and perplexing not to have created a more faithful model of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in the laboratory. It is virtually impossible to cause predictable lung disease without the use of an adjuvant that will induce some measure of delayed or cellular hyperreactivity. The acute lung disease caused by antigen-antibody reactions seems too explosive and severe, for its acute disease counterpart of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in humans and the persistence of histologic changes in lung tissue is brief and is usually resolved within 1-2 weeks. A chronic model producing granulomas and fibrosis has been difficult to construct, although the work reported by Fulmer and colleagues is very encouraging.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The eigenvalues of an effectively determined self-adjoint operator are computable, but the sequence of eigenvalues is not

On etudie la structure de calculabilite des valeurs propres et du spectre d'operateurs lineaires bornes et non bornes sur un espace de Hilbert
Investigation of wing shielding effects on CTOL engine noise

A full scale engine wing shielding investigation was conducted at the Lewis Research Center using a 97,900-N (22,000 lb) thrust turbofan engine and a simulated wing section sized around a conventional-take-off type four-engine narrow body airplane. Sound data were obtained for the wing placed at seven positions in a plane parallel to the engine axis, and were compared to data obtained without the wing at both take off and approach power. In addition, the engine was operated with and without extensive acoustic treatment, including a sonic inlet in order to evaluate wing shielding effectiveness with a highly suppressed engine. The wing shielding effectiveness was also calibrated using a 3.8 cm diam air nozzle as a second source. Results indicated that even though about 10 dB broad band shielding was achieved, the equivalent flyover noise reduction was less than 3.0 EPNdB for most configurations.
Microstructure dependent dynamic fracture analyses of trabecular bone based on nascent bone atomistic simulations

Abstract Trabecular bone fracture is closely related to the trabecular architecture, microdamage accumulation, and bone tissue properties. Primary constituents of trabecular tissue are hydroxyapatite (HA) mineralized type-I collagen fibers. In this research, dynamic fracture in two dimensional (2-D) micrographs of ovine (sheep) trabecular bone is modeled using the mesoscale cohesive finite element method (CFEM). The bone tissue fracture properties are obtained based on the atomistic strength analyses of a type-I collagen + HA interfacial arrangement using molecular dynamics (MD). Analyses show that the presented framework is capable of analyzing the architecture dependent fracture in 2-D micrographs of trabecular bone.
Fractal basin boundary constructed by superposition of the Weierstrass function

Abstract The structure and properties of the basin boundary of a two-dimensional map proposed by Grebogi, Ott and Yorke are investigated. Functional analysis gives the exact shape of the boundary. Using perturbation analysis it is shown that the basin boundary is constructed by superposition of the Weierstrass function which is everywhere continuous but nowhere differentiable. The Lyapunov exponent and the fractal dimension of the boundary are also estimated in terms of the results given by the perturbation method. Perturbation analysis gives a good explanation for the fractal basin boundary.
A priority-aware channel selection scheme for real-time data transmission in cognitive radio networks

In cognitive radio networks, spectrum sensing and channel assignment are very important. Each user senses the channels and sends the results to a cluster head (CH) to make a decision about the channels by combining the results from different users. Moreover, the CH can assign the channels to the secondary users based on their requirements and priorities. In this paper, we assign the best channel(s) with the higher channel holding time to the user with highest priority. We consider two types of priorities — user priority and priority of sub-streams for each user. This policy gives more continuous channel usage to higher priority users. The results show that our scheme has higher weighted goodput than priority unaware scheme in the real-time and non-real time scenarios.
Population-based optimization for heat sink design in electronics cooling applications

Smooth and scale-roughened plate-fin heat sinks for electronic device cooling are considered. Developments in modeling momentum and heat transport in heterogeneous and hierarchical devices with full conjugate effects included provide the ability to rapidly obtain nonlocal descriptions of the flow and temperature fields in such devices. Such modeling, based on Volume Averaging Theory (VAT), directly incorporates the device morphology into the governing field equations, allowing geometric optimization to be based on theoretically correct governing equations that are quickly solved and rigorously derived from the fundamental Navier-Stokes and solid and fluid thermal energy equations. A number of optimization methods for heat sink designers who model heat sinks with VAT can be envisioned due to VAT's singular ability to rapidly - compared to Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) - provide detailed solutions. Design of Experiment (DOE) has been used in the past, and more recently Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and Particle Swarm Optimizers (PSOs) have appeared attractive for multi-parameter thermal-fluid device optimization. In this study, optimization employing a GA and a PSO on two types of heat sinks modeled with VAT is carried out and the capabilities of the two optimization methods are discussed. It is found that the GA and PSO methods are both effective in locating the heat sinks' optimum configurations and that the computational time they take to do so is on the order of just several minutes when using a typical laptop computer. This study demonstrates the usefulness of population-based optimization methods in optimizing transport phenomena in heterogeneous and hierarchical heat transfer devices when VAT-based mo deling is emplo yed.
Effect of work-rest schedules on spinal shrinkage in the sedentary worker.

Abstract The relationship between duration and frequency of rest intervals and spinal shrinkage was investigated. The objective was to determine whether the amount of spinal shrinkage can be significantly reduced by rest breaks during which the individual is either walking or standing rather than sitting. Seven subjects were studied during 4-h sessions for four consecutive days. During each session the subject sat and typed for a total of 3 h 20 min. Forty minutes of rest breaks were dispersed throughout the 4-h period. One condition was administered during each day with either eight breaks of 5 min, four breaks of 10 min, two breaks of 20 min or a single break of 40 min at the end of the work session. Using a stadiometer, changes in stature were measured with an accuracy of about 0·2 mm. Measurements were taken at the beginning of each work period and before and after each rest break. For the conditions with rest breaks of 20 or 40 min, there was significantly less shrinkage at the end of the 4-h work session.
Evolution of heat shock protein and immunity.

Abstract Heat shock proteins (hsps) are among the most abundant intracellular proteins. Their synthesis is rapidly up-regulated by various ‘stressors’ including temperature, glucose deprivation, infection and cancer. Certain hsps are able to: (i) associate and chaperone a large variety of cellular peptides; (ii) be efficiently internalized by antigen presenting cells (APC) through receptor-mediated endocytosis; (iii) channel antigenic peptides they chaperone in the APC's MHC class I presentation pathway; (iv) and stimulate inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and co-stimulatory molecules through the NFκb signaling pathway. Extracellular release of hsps upon necrotic cell death and their modulated access at the surface of some cells, can be considered as a putative ‘danger’ signal. Based on the ancient origins and structural conservation of hsps, it has been proposed that, the role of hsps in immunity emerged early in evolution and to be widespread in extant organisms. Data from studies with the frog Xenopus support this proposition.
Fairness in the selection of employees

A number of fairness issues and principles are developed and discussed from the context of personnel selection. It is noted that not too much attention has been paid to these issues and concerns in the past. A distinction is made between justice and fairness having to do with the procedural components and processes of selection, the nature of the information used to make selection decisions, and the resulting outcomes of the selection process. Ideas for future research and exploration are also extended.
Dynamic allocation and replication techniques for increasing the stream capacity of a media server

High performance servers and high speed networks will form the backbone of the infrastructure required for distributed multimedia information systems. A server for an interactive distributed multimedia system may require thousands of gigabytes of storage space and high I/O bandwidth. In order to maximize system utilization, and thus minimize cost, it is essential that the load be balanced among each of the server's components vis. the disks, the interconnection network and the scheduler. Many algorithms for maximizing retrieval capacity from the storage system have been proposed in the literature. This paper presents techniques for improving server capacity by assigning media requests to the noes of a server so as to balance the load on the interconnection network and the scheduling nodes. Five policies for request assignment, round robin, minimum link allocation, minimum contention allocation, weighted minimum link allocation and weighted minimum contention allocation are developed. We also consider the issue of file replication, and develop two schemes for storing the replicas. The performance of these policies on a server model developed earlier is presented.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Restorative material and other tooth-specific variables associated with the decision to repair or replace defective restorations: Findings from The Dental PBRN

Objectives Using data from dentists participating in The Dental Practice-Based Research Network (DPBRN), the study had 2 main objectives: (1) to identify and quantify the types of restorative materials in the existing failed restorations; and (2) to identify and quantify the materials used to repair or replace those failed restorations.
PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETING

The International Physical Distribution Environment Involvement in international markets requires an awareness of the variables — both controllable and uncontrollable — which impact on a firm's distribution network. Political, legal, social and economic conditions, market structure and competition and the level of distribution technology available are all uncontrollable factors which influence a firm's distribution planning. Strategy must be directed towards administering physical distribution components so as to minimise costs and provide an acceptable level of customer service. Companies should acknowledge the differences that exist between domestic and foreign activities, and within overseas markets, country variations, regarding levels of customer service and inventory and transportation facilities that can be provided and the associated costs involved. Key managerial elements include packaging and labelling and warehousing and storage facilities dependent upon distribution systems required. Channel of Distribution Strategies Besides market potential, there are a number of reasons for entering international markets — an advanced domestic product life cycle, excess capacity, less internal overseas competition, geographical diversification and, perhaps, for materials/components saving. Four principle strategies for overseas involvement are available: exporting, licencing, joint ventures and ownership. In general firms may follow more than one strategy between markets and as circumstances change in individual market areas. Management of the Export Shipment Export distributors, customs house brokers and foreign freight forwarders are amongst the major organisations involved in exporting activity. Documentation remains of paramount importance. Operating in an unfamiliar financial environment, it is essential that account is taken of exchange rates, tax considerations, levels of inflation and other financial aspects affecting physical distribution; all will impact on profit levels and, if mismanaged or overlooked, will generate losses. Managing International Physical Distribution Activities International distribution management is complex. Success requires the correct answers to a number of difficult issues in order to develop the optimal distribution system for each target market. Planning, implementation and control of all international physical distribution activities is essential to the success of any foreign marketing efforts.
Mode of action of theophylline on sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibers.

The response of the Na efflux in unpoisoned barnacle fibers to 10mm theophylline is biphasic; i.e., inhibition is followed by stimulation. The stimulatory response is unaffected by ouabain. Fibers pretreated with ouabain show no transitory inhibition when 10mm theophylline is applied, but show prompt stimulation the magnitude of which is comparable to that observed with unpoisoned fibers. The same holds true for lower concentrations of theophylline. Prior injection of 500mm EGTA completely abolishes the biphasic action of 10mm theophylline. External application of 10mm theophylline following removal of external Ca2+ fails to bring about a biphasic effect. Ca2+ restoration, however, results in a moderate rise in the Na efflux. External application of 10mm theophylline stimulates the Na efflux into Ca2+-free artificial seawater (ASW) when the test fibers are pretreated with ouabain. Injection of the protein inhibitor of Walsh leads to reduced stimulation by 10mm theophylline of the Na efflux in unpoisoned fibers. Injection of the protein inhibitor of Corbin into unpoisoned fibers leads to reduced stimulation by 10mm theophylline. Injection of cAMP into ouabainpoisoned fibers, following internal application of Corbin's inhibitor and external application of 10mm theophylline, fails to cause a marked rise in the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux. Injection of Corbin's inhibitor into ouabain-poisoned fibers, following the onset of peak stimulation by 10mm theophylline, fails to reduce the Na efflux. Fibers injected with 1mm and 100mm EGTA and exposed to 10mm theophylline show a marked reduction in the response of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux to injected cAMP when the concentration of theophylline is 10mm. A poor response to injected cAMP is also seen in fibers bathed in Ca-free ASW containing 10mm theophylline. Theophylline (10mm) fails to cause an enhanced stimulation of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux into Ca-free 3mm-HEPES ASW or 10mm-Ca2+-3mm-HEPES ASW following the addition of protons to the bathing medium. An enhanced response is similarly not observed with injected cAMP following the addition of theophylline to the bathing medium. Injection of 8-fluorotheophylline, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and doxantrazole leads to a marked reduction in the response of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux to injected cAMP. Contraction always takes place upon injecting these substances. These results are in keeping with the theory that theophylline acts chiefly by reducing myoplasmic pCa (pCa≡-log10[Ca2+]), and that a reduced pCa leads to stimulation of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux as the result of activation of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase system by newly formed cGMP.
A Kantian Defense of Self‐Ownership*

Sharon Stanley, Robert Adcock, Jimmy Klausen, and three anonymous referees for their helpful comments and suggestions. Robert Nozick, Anarchy, State, and Utopia (New York: Basic, 1974), pp. 30–1; also see pp. 32, 228. G. A. Cohen, Self-Ownership, Freedom, and Equality (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997), pp. 238–42; also see pp. 211–13. Daniel Attas, “Freedom and self-ownership,” Social Theory and Practice, 26 (2000), 1–23 at pp. 11–15; George Brenkert, “Self-ownership, freedom, and autonomy,” Journal of Ethics, 2 (1998), 27–55 at pp. 50–2. The contrast with John Rawls, whose Kantianism is spelled out in exquisite detail in §40 of A Theory of Justice (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999), is instructive. A Kantian Defense of Self-Ownership*
In Vitro Evolution Predicts that the IMP-1 Metallo-β-Lactamase Does Not Have the Potential To Evolve Increased Activity against Imipenem

In vitro evolution was used to predict whether the IMP-1 metallo-β-lactamase has the potential to evolve an increased ability to confer resistance to imipenem. Screening of eight libraries containing 9.8 × 106 ± 1.4 × 106 (mean ± standard error) variants per library, with an average of 1.2 mutations per variant, detected no increased resistance to imipenem. The results predict, with >99.9% confidence, that even under intense selection the IMP-1 β-lactamase will not evolve to confer increased resistance to imipenem.
Role of growth factors in the developmental regulation of the human fetal adrenal cortex

Development of the human fetal adrenals is characterized by rapid growth and high levels of steroidogenic activity during the latter two-thirds of pregnancy. By midgestation, the human fetal adrenals are composed of two distinct cortical zones: the predominant fetal zone, which occupies 80-90% of the cortical volume and produces large amounts of the delta 5-steroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and the narrow definitive zone, which surrounds the fetal zone. Late in gestation, the peripheral portion of the fetal zone develops into a third, functionally distinct compartment, the transitional zone, which is the likely site of cortisol synthesis. Soon after birth, the adrenal cortex is remodeled and the fetal zone disappears. The adult cortical zones are thought to arise from the definitive zone, which persists postnatally. Development of the human fetal adrenals is regulated primarily by corticortropin (ACTH) secreted from the fetal pituitary. However, as ACTH is not a mitogen per se, its proliferative actions on human fetal adrenal cortical cells are thought to be mediated by autocrine/paracrine growth factors produced by adrenal cortical cells in response to ACTH. In addition, these growth factors appear to modulate the functional response of fetal adrenal cortical cells to ACTH. The roles of several growth factors, including the insulin like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), activin, inhibin, and the transforming growth factors alpha and beta (TGF-alpha and TGF-beta) have been examined. In cultured human fetal adrenal cortical cells, EGF, bFGF, and IGF-I and -II are mitogenic, whereas activin and TGF-beta inhibit proliferation. IGF-II, activin, and TGF-beta also modulate ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis. Human fetal adrenal cortical cells express IGF-II, bFGF and the activin/inhibin subunits, and the abundance of mRNAs for each of these factors is up-regulated by ACTH, suggesting that these growth factors are autocrine/paracrine mediators of ACTH action. Thus, although human adrenal development is primarily regulated by ACTH, its actions appear to be mediated/modulated by a cohort of locally expressed growth factors, the net effect of which results in the unique growth and steroidogenic activity of the human fetal adrenal cortex.
A Coverage Metric for the Validation of Interacting Processes

We present a coverage metric which evaluates the testing of a set of interacting concurrent processes. Existing behavioral coverage metrics focus almost exclusively on the testing of individual processes. However the vast majority of practical hardware descriptions are composed of many processes which must correctly interact to implement the system. Coverage metrics which evaluate processes separately are unlikely to model the range of design errors which manifest themselves when components are integrated to build a system. A metric which models component interactions is essential to enable validation techniques to scale with growing design complexity. We describe the effectiveness of our metric and provide results to demonstrate that coverage computation using our metric is tractable.