cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Head and Neck Injuries in Snow Sports: Evaluating the Influence of Helmets

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported in 1999 that head injuries represent approximately 14 % of all skiing and snowboarding injuries. Cadman and Macnab showed that children were twice as likely as other age groups to sustain injuries to the head, face, and neck. While helmets have been shown to reduce the overall number of head injuries for the pediatric population, some members of the skiing and medical communities have indicated that pediatric helmets may increase the likelihood of neck injuries. We conducted a two-part experimental study to examine the potential effects of pediatric helmets during severe collisions. In the first part of the study, we measured the speeds of 154 children on beginner and intermediate ski slopes. Across all locations at a resort, the average speed of the children was 18.7 kph (11.6 mph). In the second part of the study, we used an instrumented Hybrid-III 10-year-old anthropomorphic test device (ATD) to determine the head accelerations, neck loads, and chest deflection associated with two impact conditions: (1) inertial neck loading created during torso impacts into a rigid barrier and, (2) direct head contact and neck loading during skier-to-pole and skier-to-skier impacts. For these tests, the ATD was accelerated to the average observed speed of pediatric skiers and snowboarders. The data show that the use of a helmet did not increase the likelihood of severe neck injury during the inertial neck loading condition. The results of the direct head contact tests showed that compressive loads on the neck were reduced with helmet use, but always exceeded injury thresholds with or without a helmet. As expected, helmet use did reduce substantially the likelihood of severe brain injury in the skier-to-pole (by 47 %) and skier-to-skier (by 69 %) impacts by decreasing the linear accelerations, angular accelerations, and head injury criterion.
Slack analysis in the system design loop

We present a system-level technique to analyze the impact of design optimizations on system-level timing dependencies. This technique enables us to speed up the design cycle by substituting, in the design the loop, the time-consuming simulation step with a fast timing update routine. As a result, we can significantly reduce the design time from on the order of hours/days to the order of seconds/minutes. The update algorithm is defined on the Transaction Level Model (TLM) and can be used by any design flow that invokes TLM-based optimizations. This algorithm has linear-time complexity in the program size and experimental results indicate that any loss of accuracy due to this technique is negligible (
Fetal central auditory system metabolic response to cochlear implant stimulation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of profound auditory deprivation and its treatment by cochlear implantation and stimulation on the metabolic activity of the central auditory system in fetal sheep. Methods: Six ovine fetuses at 85% to 90% gestation were bilaterally deafened by kanamycin perfusion and unilaterally implanted with cochlear electrode arrays. Half of the implanted animals were stimulated with an extrauterine sound processor, and half were not. Four animals served as hearing controls. One week postoperatively, central nervous system metabolic activity was evaluated in ambient laboratory noise by quantitative autoradiography using 14C-deoxyglucose. Results: Kanamycin perfusion deafened all treated animals as verified by auditory brainstem response and scanning electron microscopy. Glucose utilization in the inferior colliculus was markedly lower in deafened and unstimulated animals relative to hearing controls. Glucose utilization in implanted-stimulated animals was similar to normal controls. Conclusions: Changes in central auditory system metabolic activity associated with congenital deafness may be minimized by prompt auditory habilitation. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;127:131-37.)
A review of clozapine: an antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia

This report reviews over 25 years of literature of the development, pharmacology, proposed mechanism of action, efficacy, adverse effects, and recommendations for use of clozapine. Clozapine, synthesized in 1960, is an efficacious antipsychotic that rarely causes extrapyramidal side effects. However, in the mid-1970s, it was associated with an increased incidence of agranulocytosis resulting in restrictions of use. Recent trials with treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients found clozapine to be superior to chlorpromazine and haloperidol, fortifying the potential contribution of this drug. This has generated optimism that clozapine will obtain Food and Drug Administration approval. Generally well tolerated, the 1% to 2% risk of agranulocytosis can be minimized with careful patient selection, white blood cell (WBC) count monitoring, and weighing of risks versus benefits for use beyond the relatively safe initial 4-week period.
Radionuclide Mineral Studies,3. The Effect of Breed and Dietary Zinc, Calcium, and Vitamin D3 on the Retention of Zinc65 in Chicks

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE indispensability of zinc in the ration of chicks was first shown by O’Dell and Savage (1957a, b). They presented data showing that the addition of supplements of zinc and potassium to the ration formulated by Dannenburg et al. (1955) produced growth responses similar to that obtained from ash of distillers’ dried solubles. Their data indicated that most of the growth promoting value obtained from ash of some natural feedstuffs was due to zinc and not to an unidentified nutrient as suggested by Dannenburg et al. (1955), Morrison et al. (1955, 1956), Camp et al. (1956), Menge et al. (1956). O’Dell et al. (1958) described the zinc deficiency syndrome as slow growth, shortening and thickening of the long bones, keratosis, development of frizzled feathers, an abnormal respiration and an unsteady gait. Morrison and Sarett (1958) also reported that a zinc deficiency in chicks resulted in enlarged hocks as well…
“Somatic Worry” and Medical Illness in Depressed Inpatients

The relationship of "somatic worry" to age, actual medical illness, and depression severity was examined in 91 psychiatric inpatients with unipolar major depression. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the independent contributions of demographic, psychopathologic, and medical illness variables to the measures of somatic worry. Increased age and higher Ham-D scores were significantly and independently associated with greater somatic concern in the sample as a whole, but medical illness was not. Therefore somatic worry in depressed inpatients cannot be conceptualized as a direct consequence of poor physical health; age and the depressed state itself play important, though poorly understood, roles.
Latency inflation with MPLS-based traffic engineering

While MPLS has been extensively deployed in recent years, little is known about its behavior in practice. We examine the performance of MPLS in Microsoft's online service network (MSN), a well-provisioned multi-continent production network connecting tens of data centers. Using detailed traces collected over a 2-month period, we find that many paths experience significantly inflated latencies. We correlate occurrences of latency inflation with routers, links, and DC-pairs. This analysis sheds light on the causes of latency inflation and suggests several avenues for alleviating the problem.
Local Heat Transfer Measurements in Microchannels Using Liquid Crystal Thermography: Methodology Development and Validation

Microchannel heat transfer governs the performance of the microchannel heat sink, which is a recent technology aimed at managing the stringent thermal requirements of today’s high-end electronics. The microencapsulated form of liquid crystals has been well established for use in surface temperature mapping, while limited studies are available on the use of the un-encapsulated form. This latter form is advantageous since it offers the potential for high spatial resolution, which is necessary for microgeometries. A technique for using un-encapsulated thermochromic liquid crystals (TLCs) in order to measure the local heat transfer coefficient in microchannel geometries is shown in the present study. Measurements were made in a closed loop facility combined with a microscopic imaging system and automated data acquisition. A localized TLC calibration was used to account for a non-uniform coating and variation of lighting conditions. Three test section configurations were investigated with each subsequent configuration arising due to a shortfall in the previous. Two of these configurations are comprised of single wall heated rectangular channels, while the third is a circular tube channel. Validation results are also presented; overall, the methods developed and utilized in this study have been shown to provide the local heat transfer coefficient in microchannels.
Fatigue Crack Propagation of Notched Steel Rebar in RC Beams Repaired with Externally Bonded CFRP

AbstractThis paper presents the results of an experimental study on the fatigue performance of RC beams strengthened with different externally bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) systems. Seven specimens were fabricated; three had no CFRP, while the remaining four had one of two CFRP systems. The objective of the research reported in this paper was to determine the effect the CFRP repair had on the growth rate of a fatigue crack initiating from a notch in the tensile rebars. The steel reinforcement was selected for focus because similar studies have found this reinforcement to be the limiting fatigue component in RC beams. The experimental results reported in this paper showed an extended fatigue life and a slowed crack growth rate in specimens repaired with both CFRP systems. The crack growth rates were used to determine material constants for the Paris law, which describes growth of a stable fatigue crack. These results are then used to propose recommendations for design of CFRP repair systems...
Drosophila MAD, a Member of the Smad Family, Translocates to the Nucleus Upon Stimulation of the DPP Pathway

Smads are a novel group of proteins which act to mediate signaling by members of the TGF-beta superfamily. Seven vertebrate Smad genes, which fall into three classes, have been reported. Members of the Class I Smads have been shown to bind to the cytoplasmic portion of the TGF-beta like receptors, where they become phosphorylated and translocate to the nucleus. Once in the nucleus they may function as transcriptional activators. We wondered if translocation to the nucleus is a general property of the Smads and whether it was evolutionarily conserved. We examined the subcellular localization of Drosophila MAD and found that it is capable of nuclear translocation, in Drosophila S2 cells, when the dpp pathway is stimulated. To prove the functional conservation of receptor/Smad interactions, we used the mouse BMP type I receptor ALK6 to stimulate the pathway and found that it is capable of sending MAD to the nucleus. These results show that cytoplasmic localization with translocation to the nucleus upon stimulation is a feature of the Smads that is conserved through evolution.
Optimum Shapes For Lightweighted Mirrors

Two types of monolithic lightweight mirrors with arched backs, the center-supported single arch and the ring-supported double arch, are discussed. It is shown that, assuming a maximum permissible rms tolerance of 6 x 10 to the -6th in, the single arch mirror weighs about 50 percent of an equivalent solid mirror up to a diameter of 24 in. The single arch is relatively simple to construct and uses a simple center support. Where a better figure is required, or for larger sizes, the double arch is superior in performance to the single arch. The weight of the double arch will vary from about 50 to under 40 percent of an equivalent conventional mirror as the diameter is increased from 20 to 144 in. Further weight reduction for the double arch is possible through the reduction of the size of the support.
On capacity of a class of acoustic channels

We use a per-path Rician fading model to analyze the capacity of acoustic channels, and provide experimental data to confirm the practicality of simulation results. Three power allocation policies are considered: water-filling, uniform power allocation across selected, channel-favored frequencies (“on-off” carriers in an OFDM system), and uniform power allocation across all carriers irrespective of the channel (“all-on”). The impact of channel estimation errors and feedback delay is taken into account. The three policies are found to differ little in terms of the achievable rate, and to suffer similar loss from imperfect channel knowledge at the receiver (about 1 bps/Hz loss from 4 bps/Hz at 20 dB for the experimental channel). Unlike water-filling and on-off power allocation, which are additionally sensitive to outdated channel feedback, all-on uniform power allocation does not require feedback and is simple to implement, thus emerging as a justified practical solution.
SYSTEM LEVEL SINGLE EVENT UPSET MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Use of a systems engineering process and the application of techniques and methods of fault tolerant systems are applicable to the development of a mitigation strategy for Single Event Upsets (SEU). Specific methods of fault avoidance, fault masking, detection, containment, and recovery techniques are important elements in the mitigation of single event upsets. Fault avoidance through the use of SEU hardened technology, fault masking using coding and redundancy provisions, and solutions applied at the subsystem and system level are available to the system developer. Validation and verification of SEU mitigation and performance of fault tolerance provisions are essential elements of systems design for operation in energetic particle environments.
Deep marine arc apron deposits and syndepositional magmatism in the Alisitos Group at Punta Cono, Baja California, Mexico

Rocks exposed at Punta Cono include very fine-grained to coarse-grained tuffs, lapilli tuffs, and tuff breccias deposited in a deep marine environment. Syndepositional basaltic intrusive activity was common. In one locality a hyaloclastite-peperite complex formed. Slumped sections with fluidal basalt ‘clasts’, derived from intrusions that entered the sediment pile from below, are present elsewhere. Abundant soft-sediment folds in fine-grained laminated subaqueous fall-out tuff suggest steep gradients; these are cut by shallow channels filled with coarse-grained tuff, lapilli tuff, and rare tuff breccia. The combination of marine fossils, extreme textural immaturity, abundant slump features, and syndepositional magmatism indicates deposition upon the submarine flanks of an active volcano. Recognition of magma-wet sediment interaction is hampered in volcaniclastic rocks because of the similarity between host and intrusive fragments. Products of magma-water-sediment interactions at Punta Maria include: (1) jigsaw-puzzle hyaloclastite, formed by non-explosive hydroclastic fragmentation of magma upon contact with water and water-bearing sediment; (2) peperites, produced by mixing of magma with sediment; and (3) an unusual tuff breccia unit, the result of non-explosive mixing of ‘wisps’of lava with sediment during remobilization of an unconsolidated section. Low-explosivity magma-water-sediment interactions are favoured by relatively high hydrostatic pressures in sub-wave base settings.
Estimating premorbid WAIS-R intelligence in the elderly: an extension and cross validation of new regression equations.

Recently developed equations that combine WAIS-R subtests and demographic information to estimate premorbid intelligence were evaluated in persons 75 years and older. The equations underestimated the obtained IQs of elderly persons. Therefore, new equations were developed using the old age WAIS-R standardization sample. The new equations cross-validated well and demonstrated adequate ability to detect possible intellectual deterioration in a brain damaged sample. The demographic formulas of Barona, Reynolds, and Chastain worked as well as the new equations in suggesting possible deterioration in a sample of elderly persons with chronic and diffuse cognitive impairment. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 53: 647–656, 1997.
Transverse modes, vortices and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Abstract Injection locking dramatically modifies the phase and transverse output intensity profile of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). Injection can induce a VCSEL to emit a high-order transverse mode. Vortices are generated by three different methods: insertion of a helicoidal phase mask, interference of two Gaussian beams, and injection locking of the TEM01 and TEM10 modes of a VCSEL to form the TEM∗01 donut mode. The first two methods stem from geometrical optics; the third method involves nonlinear mode competition in the laser cavity.
Time domain optical molecular imaging of small animals in vivo

The advent of optical molecular probes has taken optical imaging beyond approaches limited to intrinsic optical contrast mechanisms. Fluorophores are typically used as the source of contrast for optical molecular probes and the field of optical molecular imaging is concerned with measuring and quantifying their in vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetics. Most optical molecular imaging systems are based on Continuous Wave (CW) approaches which enable rapid, full-body imaging of small animals and readily yield images of probe location, however quantification of probe concentration is challenging. Time Domain (TD) approaches, although more expensive and complicated than CW, provide more information to assist in determining the probe location and concentration. Moreover, the TD approach permits access to measuring the fluorophore lifetime which can be indicative of the probe's environment. The eXplore Optix TM system, developed by ART (Canada) and distributed by GE Healthcare, has enabled TD optical molecular imaging of small animals in vivo and preliminary studies conducted with the system will be presented. In addition, the initial research and development of a full-field TD optical molecular imaging system incorporating a high-power laser for area illumination and a gated-intensified CCD camera for area detection will be presented.
Further Appraisal of Correspondent Inference Theory

Jones and McGillis (1976) present a revision of correspondent inference theory (Jones & Davis, 1965) and articulate the relationship between this revised theory of correspondent inference and the covariational model of causal attribution (Kelley, 1967). The multiple definitions of correspondence used in this revision lead to problems in the proposed interface between the two theories. The present article reconsiders the concept of correspondence and extends the revisions proposed in the original theory of correspondent inference. The implications of these changes for the relationship between the theory of correspondent inference and the covariational model of causal attribution are discussed.
Exact Distribution for the chi Square test in the one way table

The author has computed the exact distribution of the test criterion used in testing that the probabilities in a one way table are equal. A set of tables is given to facilitate picking out the critical region corresponding to 13, 33, and 10th type 1 error. With the aid of graphs, it is shown that the continuity corrections that reduce the value of the computed test criterion are actually making the error in the chi-square approxitation verse.
Interferon-γ induces caspase-8 in neuroblastomas without affecting methylation of caspase-8 promoter

Abstract Background The expression of caspase-8, a cysteine protease that is crucial for the apoptotic cascade, is absent in a high percentage of neuroblastomas, the most frequent extracranial solid tumor of infants and children. Resistance of neuroblastomas to death-receptor (eg, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) receptor)—mediated apoptosis is thought to be caused by loss of caspase-8 expression. Gene silencing by hypermethylation of caspase-8 promoter has been proposed for the loss of caspase-8 expression in neuroblastoma cells. Methods To further evaluate the role of caspase-8 in neuroblastoma, we assessed the induction of caspase-8 expression in neuroblastoma cells by treating the cells with a physiologic agent such as interferon-γ. Results The authors found that interferon-γ induces caspase-8 expression in neuroblastoma cells irrespective of the gene silenced by hypermethylation of caspase-8 promoter. The authors show that interferon-γ also regulates other apoptosis related gene expression. Moreover, they show that interferon-γ treatment in combination with TNF-α decreases neuroblastoma cell proliferation. Conclusions Interferon-γ induces procaspase-8 expression in neuroblastoma cells, and this induction is not dependent on demethylation of the caspase-8 promoter. Therapies aimed at inducing caspase-8 expression by adjunctive treatment, such as interferon-γ, may increase the effectiveness of current chemotherapeutic regimens.
Rheology of a dilute suspension of dipolar spherical particles in an external field

Abstract A theoretical analysis is presented of the effects of an external field on the rheological properties of a dilute suspension of spherical particles containing embedded dipoles. These permanent dipoles may be gravitational, magnetic, or electrical in nature. Rotary Brownian motion is assumed negligible. Free rotation of the suspended particles resulting from the shear is hindered by the action of the field. This gives rise to a system of body couples and, hence, to a state of antisymmetric stress. In particular, the suspension is non-Newtonian and displays shear-thinning. The dynamical theory is applied to a diverse variety of fluid motions including Couette flow, two- and three-dimensional Poiseuille flows, and the flow arising from the translation of a macroscopic sphere through the suspension. The apparent viscosity is shown to vary with the orientation of the viscometer relative to the direction of the external field.
Anticonvulsants III: Alkyl Esters of 4-Bromo-2-sulfamoylbenzoic Acid and 4-Chloro-2-sulfamoylbenzoic Acid

In addition to steric factors, electronic effects may also be important in the anti-convulsant activity of alkyl o -sulfamoylbenzoates and related compounds. To further explore the relationship between electronic properties and antielectroshock activity, three esters of 4-bromo-2-sulfamoylbenzoic acid and four esters of 4-chloro-2-sulfamoylbenzoic acid were prepared by the alcohlysis reaction of passing hydrogen chloride into a refluxing solution of 6-bromo- or 6-chlorosaccharin in the appropriate alcohol. The following alkyl 4-bromo- and 4-chloro-2-sulfam-oylbenzoates were thus obtained: methyl; ethyl; i -propyl; and sec -butyl. In these compounds the bromine or chlorine atom is in the 4-position para to the alkoxycarbonyl group; thus, they do not possess the steric interactions between the large halogen atom and the ester moiety, which are believed to be necessary in the anticonvulsant activity of the related, potent ortbo -substituted alkyl 6-chloro-2-sulfamoylbenzoates. Preliminary pharmacological results indicate that isopropyl 4-bromo-2-sulfamoylbenzoate lacks antielectroshock effects in mice.
Wittgenstein + Heidegger on the stream of life

This paper combines views of Wittgenstein and Heidegger into an account of mind/ action. It does this by suggesting that these two philosophers be viewed in part as descendants of Life‐philosophy (Lebensphilosophie). Part I describes the conception of life that informs and emerges from these thinkers. Parts Two and Three detail particular aspects of this conception: Wittgenstein on the constitution of states of life and Heidegger on the flow‐structure of the stream of life. The Conclusion offers reasons for believing their combined viewpoint.
Like minds can be small minds

An adviser to US President Barack Obama argues that people's tendency to seek out those with similar views can entrench extreme opinions. But many other forces can fuel outlandish beliefs, says Herbert Gintis.
Amplified spontaneous emission measurements in a diamond anvil cell: A tool to investigate laser diode gain under high pressure

In this work we report on results of amplified spontaneous emission measurements on InGaAsP laser diodes from which gain spectra at different biases and as a function of hydrostratic pressure were obtained. From the analysis of the gain spectra, peak net modal gain, internal losses and quasi-Fermi energy separation are determined. Knowledge of the latter provides a pathway to determine the injected carrier density and henceforth to calculate the rate of change of the peak gain with carrier density (dg/dN), the transparency carrier density and their pressure behaviour. The evolution of these parameters with pressure allows us to develop a comprehensive picture of the behaviour of the laser threshold current of 1.3 μm communication lasers.
Linking course web sites to library collections and services

A five-month research study at Cornell University Library (CUL) confirmed the strategic importance of a library presence in faculty-created course Web sites. It sparked specific recommendations to support the seamless integration of the CUL digital library within the virtual learning environments created by faculty.
Isoation and partial characterization of toxins from the dinoflagellate gymnodinium breve davis

Three neurotoxins were isolated from unialgal cultures of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve Davis. Of the three toxins, only one toxin (T1) has hemolytic activity. The major toxin (T2), in chromatographically pure form, appears to have a molecular weight of 725. The neurotoxin T2 has no antiacetylcholinesterase activity.
INTERACTION BETWEEN PRESENILIN 1 AND UBIQUILIN 1 AS DETECTED BY FLUORESCENCE LIFETIME IMAGING MICROSCOPY AND A HIGH THROUGHPUT FLUORESCENT PLATE READER

Presenilin 1 (PS1) in its active heterodimeric form is the catalytic center of the γ-secretase complex, an enzymatic activity that cleaves amyloid precursor protein (APP) to produce amyloid β (Aβ). Ubiquilin 1 is a recently described PS1 interacting protein, the overexpression of which increases PS1 holoprotein levels and leads to reduced levels of functionally active PS1 heterodimer. In addition, it has been suggested that splice variants of the UBQLN1 gene are associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD). However, it is still unclear whether PS1 and ubiquilin 1 interact when expressed at endogenous levels under normal physiological conditions. Here, we employ three novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based techniques to investigate the interaction between PS1 and ubiquilin 1 in intact cells. We consistently find that the ubiquilin 1 N terminus is in close proximity to several epitopes on PS1. We show that ubiquilin 1 interacts both with PS1 holoprotein and heterodimer and that the interaction between PS1 and ubiquilin 1 takes place near the cell surface. Furthermore, we show that the PS1-ubiquilin 1 interaction can be detected between endogenous proteins in primary neurons in vitro as well as in brain tissue of healthy controls and Alzheimer disease patients, providing evidence of its physiological relevance.
Conformations and barriers of haloethyl radicals (CH2XCH2, X = F, Cl, Br, I): Ab initio studies

Radicals such as CH2XCH2•, where X is a halogen, play an important role in the stereochemical control observed in many chemical reactions. To elucidate the origin of the stereoselectivity, we calculated the structures and potential energy surfaces of the haloethyl radicals (CH2XCH2•, X = F, Cl, Br, I) using ab initio quantum mechanics [HF, local MP2, DFT (both B3PW91 and B3LYP)]. We find that the CH2BrCH2• and CH2ICH2• radicals strongly favor the symmetrically bridged structures while the CH2ClCH2• radical leads to similar energy for symmetric bridging and classical structures. (In contrast, X = H and F leads to dramatically different structures). This confirms the Skell hypothesis of symmetric bridging to explain the stereochemical control of the CH2BrCH2• and CH2ICH2• radicals, indicating that such bridged structures play an important role in the dissociation processes involving CH2XCH2• with X = Cl, Br, and I. The trends in the rotational barriers and structural parameters are consistent with hyperconj...
Have I met you before?: using cross-media relations to reduce SPIT

Most legitimate calls are from persons or organizations with strong social ties such as friends. Some legitimate calls, however, are from those with weak social ties such as a restaurant the callee booked a table on-line. Since a callee's contact list usually contains only the addresses of persons or organizations with strong social ties, filtering out unsolicited calls using the contact list is prone to false positives. To reduce these false positives, we first analyzed call logs and identified that legitimate calls are initiated from persons or organizations with weak social ties through transactions over the web or email exchanges. This paper proposes two approaches to label incoming calls by using cross-media relations to prior contact. One approach is that a potential caller offers the callee his contact addresses which might be used in future calls. Another is that a callee provides a potential caller with weakly-secret information. In order to be identified as someone the callee contacted before through other means, the caller can convey the information in future calls. The latter approach enables a callee to label incoming calls even without caller identifiers. Reducing false positives during filtering using our proposed approaches will contribute to the reduction in SPIT (SPam over Internet Telephony).
Breakthrough Curves for Toluene Adsorption on Different Types of Activated Carbon Fibers: Application in Respiratory Protection

Activated carbon fibers (ACF) are considered viable alternative adsorbent materials in respirators because of their larger surface area, lighter weight, and fabric form. The purpose of this study was to characterize the breakthrough curves of toluene for different types of commercially available ACFs to understand their potential service lives in respirators. Two forms of ACF, cloth (AC) and felt (AF), with three surface areas each were tested. ACFs were challenged with six toluene concentrations (50–500 p.p.m.) at constant air temperature (23°C), relative humidity (50%), and air flow (16 l min −1 ) at different bed depths. Breakthrough data were obtained using continuous monitoring by gas chromatography using a gas sampling valve. The ACF specific surface areas were measured by an automatic physisorption analyzer. Results showed unique shapes of breakthrough curves for each ACF form: AC demonstrated a gradual increase in breakthrough concentration, whereas AF showed abrupt increase in concentration from the breakpoint, which was attributed to the difference in fiber density between the forms. AF has steeper breakthrough curves compared with AC with similar specific surface area. AC exhibits higher 10% breakthrough times for a given bed depth due to higher mass per bed depth compared with AF, indicating more adsorption per bed depth with AC. ACF in respirators may be appropriate for use as protection in environments with toluene concentration at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Permissible Exposure Limit, or during emergency escape for higher toluene concentrations. ACF has shown great potential for application in respiratory protection against toluene and in the development of thinner, lighter, and more efficient respirators.
Architecture of Multi-segmented Inspection Robot KAIRO-II

Hyper-redundant robot architectures are suitable for usage in mobile inspection robots. An on-site inspection scenario can be characterized by the need to bring any user-defined sensor module into the area and to position this module precisely at the measuring point. Such inspection manoeuvres are complex and require extensive control techniques. In the past few years much effort has been spent into development of multi-segmented mobile robots. Such systems offer great driving capabilities due to their kinematics.
Exercise pressor response and arterial baroreflex unloading during exercise in chronic kidney disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have poor exercise capacity, which contributes to cardiovascular risk. We sought to determine whether patients with stage 2 or stage 3 CKD have an augment...
Building an atlas of hippocampal subfields using postmortem MRI

This paper presents preliminary work on the construction of a computational anatomical atlas of the human hippocampus. The atlas is derived from high-resolution 9.4 Tesla MRI of postmortem samples. The main subfields of the hippocampus (cornu Ammonis fields CA1, CA2/3 and CA4; dentate gyrus; and the vestigial hippocampal sulcus) are labeled in the images manually using a combination of distinguishable image features and geometrical features. A synthetic average image is derived from the MRI of the samples using shape and intensity averaging in the diffeomorphic non-linear registration framework, and a consensus labeling of the template is generated. The agreement of the consensus labeling with manual labeling of each sample is measured, and the effect of aiding registration with landmarks and manually generated mask images is evaluated.
Contention Window and Transmission Opportunity Adaptation for Dense IEEE 802.11 WLAN Based on Loss Differentiation

In high density (HD) WLANs, packet losses can occur due to hidden terminals (asynchronous interference) or collisions (synchronous interference). Without differentiating above packet losses, the standard backoff algorithm of IEEE 802.11 with binary exponential backoff (BEB) can greatly degrade throughput and fairness. In this work, we exploit differentiated PER (packet error rate) to propose a novel CWTO (joint contention window and transmission opportunity) adaptation algorithm to improve the aggregate throughput as well as network fairness for multi-cell HD WLANs. Contention window and transmission opportunity adaptation are dedicated to throughput maximization and fairness provision respectively and their effectiveness supported by extensive simulation results.
Contextual factors influencing informal learning in a workplace setting: The case of “reinventing itself company”

Informal learning is one of the most prevalent forms of learning in the workplace. However, little is known about how such learning is best supported, encouraged, and developed within organizational settings. While organizational context is considered to be significant in facilitating or inhibiting informal learning, limited research has been conducted that explores such factors and how they influence informal learning. Therefore, a qualitative case study was conducted to explore the contextual factors that influence informal learning. Findings associated with the organizational contextual factors that positively and negatively influence informal learning are presented along with implications for practice and future research.
A method for hunting bugs that occur due to system conflicts

A very important class of bugs that occurs in VLSI projects, and especially in System on Chip (SoC) type projects, are bugs caused by two or more processes on chip trying to access a shared resource simultaneously. These kinds of bugs are both hard to find and very likely have the potential to cause a respin if not found since it is very hard to work around them in software (SW). In this paper we present a framework to define such conflict cases and a tool for automatically generating test cases from this definition. We have implemented this framework and tool, generated test suites, and simulated them on the Design Under Verification. Our method immediately proved its effectiveness by catching an unknown problem in a project which has already established a reasonable test suite regression that is simulated periodically.
Large deviations for random walks in a mixing random environment and other (non‐Markov) random walks

We extend a recent work by S. R. S. Varadhan [8] on large deviations for random walks in a product random environment to include more general random walks on the lattice. In particular, some reinforced random walks and several classes of random walks in Gibbs fields are included. c � 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Renal Function

The effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on renal hemodynamics vary widely depending on the preexisting physiologic and pathologic state of the kidneys. Although some studies of ACE inhibitors in primary essential hypertension have demonstrated increases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow in patients with renal impairment, other studies have not shown these same beneficial results. The difference may involve the choice of ACE inhibitor used in the investigations, but controlled comparison trials are needed to determine whether this is the case. The use of ACE inhibitors in renovascular hypertension remains controversial. ACE inhibition can interfere with the autoregulation of GFR mediated by angiotensin II and may lead to deterioration of renal function, especially in patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis of a solitary kidney. Additionally, ACE inhibitors have been shown to cause a decline in GFR in the kidney affected by the stenosis, whether or not clinically apparent renal insufficiency occurs. Although the functional impairment associated with ACE inhibitors in renal artery stenosis has generally been reversible following removal of the drug, the consequences of a long-term reduction in GFR are unknown. Treatment of stable congestive heart failure (CHF) with ACE inhibitors can result in enhancement of GFR and reduction of sodium and fluid retention, thus improving the clinical state. However, in patients with decompensated cardiac failure, renal perfusion pressures may already be at or near the autoregulatory breakpoint and ACE inhibition may cause deterioration of renal function. In general, ACE inhibitors can be used safely in CHF if they are initiated cautiously, with adjustment of ACE inhibitor and diuretic dosages to avoid systemic hypotension and sodium and fluid depletion. In studies comparing the agents, enalapril and lisinopril have both been shown to cause higher incidences of renal function deterioration than has captopril. These findings suggest that the more complete or sustained ACE inhibition seen with the longer-acting agents may be detrimental to renal function in patients with CHF. The use of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of proteinuria is the newest area of research with these agents. At present it appears that ACE inhibitors reduce urinary protein excretion the most effectively in diabetic patients with mild proteinuria and in hypertensive patients with renal insufficiency and proteinuria due to glomerular disorders. More study is needed to determine whether these agents can reduce the rate of renal failure progression and to define the patient populations expected to benefit most.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Public Archives of Greece

establishment of a national archives system in Greece resulted from the initiative of a gifted amateur historian, Giannes Vlachogiannes (i 867-1 945), and from the sympathetic support of the brilliant statesman, Elef therios Venizelos, who, when he was out of office late in life, used his leisure to translate Thucydides. The General State Archives (Genika Archeia tou Kratous) began to function in Athens in temporary quarters in 191 5, and Vlachogiannes, the first director, remained in charge until 1936. Despite a pitifully small budget and grossly inadequate space and staff, the General Archives has managed to collect and preserve a considerable quantity of historical papers, both public and private. The revolutionary governments of Greece and the administration of Count Kapodistrias (1 821-31) kept their accumulating papers in excellent state. But during the reign of the first "King of the Hellenes,'* the Bavarian prince Otho (1832-62), while current records were preserved, the older archives were confided to the care of the Audit Department {Elengtikon Synedrion), which either neglected or dispersed them. Moreover, the mass of manuscripts and documents which Otho's government obtained from the many monasteries it dissolved suffered a like fate at the Ministry of Public Instruction, to whose care they had been entrusted. The governmental authorities during the long reign of George I (186319 13) were generally indifferent to the need of preserving past collections or establishing a national archives service. Nor did the learned societies show any greater concern. In 1893 the Audit Department, in need of space, decided to sell the revolutionary archives and other materials as waste paper at public auction. A quantity of paper estimated at between twenty and thirty thousand okas
Descending thoracic aortomyoplasty: effect of chronically conditioned muscle on heart failure.

The effect of descending thoracic aortomyoplasty using conditioned latissimus dorsi muscle on cardiac output in five mongrel dogs with pharmacologically induced congestive heart failure was evaluated. A neurovascular left latissimus dorsi flap was lifted and through a left thoracotomy placed around the proximal descending thoracic aorta. The flap was conditioned for 4-6 weeks with a neurostimulator using the following parameters: amplitude 0.5 V, pulse width 210 microseconds and frequency 2 Hz. The neurostimulator was then removed and a cardiomyostimulator inserted and programmed to burst-stimulate the muscle during diastole. Baseline measurements of central venous pressure, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and cardiac output were obtained with the cardiomyostimulator off and on (study 1). Heart failure was induced with a combination of propranolol and verapamil, and measurements again taken with the stimulator off and on. The neurostimulator was reimplanted to continue stimulation of the latissimus dorsi muscle, and another set of measurements taken at 6 weeks with the cardiomyostimulator off and on (study 2). Counterpulsation in control conditions (before cardiac failure) in both studies demonstrated no significant increase in cardiac output. However, mean(s.d.) cardiac output was significantly (P < 0.1) increased by muscle stimulation in dogs with heart failure (study 1: from 2.39(1.10) to 3.14(1.41)l/min; study 2: from 1.89(0.64) to 2.38(0.57)l/min). There was no significant difference in the increase in cardiac output associated with muscle stimulation between studies 1 and 2. The results indicate that the model can increase cardiac output in heart failure and that this improvement is constant over a 4-6 week period, suggesting that muscle fatigue may not occur.
Canopy gaps affect the shape of Douglas-fir crowns in the western Cascades, Oregon

Abstract Silvicultural regimes that aim at an increased stand structural diversity typically promote small-scale heterogeneity in horizontal and vertical structures, e.g. through the creation of gaps. We used terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to investigate impacts of altered growing conditions on trees adjacent to artificial gaps as compared to responses of trees in a regularly spaced, thinned forest interior. Based on the TLS-based point clouds we calculated a number of structural tree crown properties that were hypothesized to be sensitive to spatial variability in growing conditions. We found several significant differences between structural properties of trees in the two growing conditions. Compared to trees in regular spacing, border trees near gaps had a lower crown base height (CBH) and a lower height of maximum crown projection. Crown surface area and crown volume of border trees were significantly larger than those of trees growing in a regular spacing. Also, the asymmetry of entire tree crowns of border trees, and in particular of the lower third of crowns, was directed towards the gap center, reflecting the increased light level in the gap. Our results raise concerns that the economic value of border trees is negatively affected by gap creation. These trees had shorter branch free boles and additionally, due to horizontal branch elongation, larger knots. Conversely, the overall increase in structural variability contributed by the border trees in stands with artificial gaps is likely to positively affect several ecosystem functions as well as biodiversity.
'Preface to' Bridges Over Water: Understanding Transboundary Water Conflict, Negotiation and Cooperation

Bridges over Water places the study of transboundary water conflicts, negotiation, and cooperation in the context of various disciplines (such as international relations, international law, international negotiations, and economics), analyzing them using various quantitative approaches, such as river basin modeling and game theory. Case studies of particular transboundary river basins, lakes and aquifers are also considered. This is the first textbook for a relatively recent yet rapidly expanding field of study.
Oncolytic Immunotherapy Through Tumor-specific Translation and Cytotoxicity of Poliovirus

Achieving tumor-specific, robust, and durable effector cytotoxic immune responses is key to successful immunotherapy. This has been accomplished with adoptive cell transfer of ex vivo-expanded autologous tumor-infiltrating or engineered T cells, or with immune checkpoint inhibitors, enhancing inherent T cell reactivity. A natural ability to recruit effector responses makes tumor-targeting ('oncolytic') viruses attractive as immunotherapy vehicles. However, most viruses actively block inflammatory and immunogenic events; or, host innate immune responses may prevent immune initiating events in the first place. Moreover, the mechanisms of how virus infection can produce effector responses against host (tumor) neo-antigens are unclear. We are pioneering oncolytic immunotherapy based on poliovirus, which has no specific mechanism to interfere with host immune activation, exhibits lytic cytotoxicity in the presence of an antiviral interferon response and pre-existing immunity, and engages a powerful innate immune sensor implicated in recruiting cytotoxic T cell responses. Central to this approach is a unique confluence of factors that drive tumor-specific viral translation and cytotoxicity.