cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Communication with tokens in repeated games on networks

A key obstacle to coordination and cooperation in many networked environments is that behavior in each bilateral relationship is not observable to individuals outside that relationship: that is, information is local. This paper investigates when players can use communication to replicate any outcome that would have been sustainable were this information public. A benchmark result is that if only cheap talk communication is possible, then public information can only be replicated if the network is 2-connected: that is, if no player can prevent the flow of information to another. In contrast, the main result is that public information can always be replicated if in addition to cheap talk, the players have access to undifferentiated tokens that can be freely transferred among neighbors (which bear some resemblance to certain models of fiat money). Sufficient conditions are provided for such tokens to expand the equilibrium payoff set relative to what would be achievable without explicit communication or with cheap talk communication only.
The mechanism and development of creep during drying of red oak

The goal of this research was to determine the magnitude of mechano-sorptive and visco-elastic creep early in drying and to investigate the relationship of creep to moisture change and load level. All of the measurements were done in the tangential direction perpendicular to the grain using red oak (Quercus sp.) Mechano-sorptive creep was measured by two different methods. The first experiments were designed to measure mechanosorptive creep under actual drying conditions. The second group of experiments were designed to measure the effect of load as well as moisture change on the development of mechano-sorptive creep. Visco-elastic creep was measured by conditioning small wafers to a specific EMC value, loading the wafers and measuring the amount of creep or elongation which occurred over time. Results indicate that mechano-sorptive creep is the major strain early in drying. The magnitude of the creep was a linear function of moisture change from the green condition and increases with decreasing moisture content. Visco-clastic creep component was small and a function of the applied load.
Engine data classification with simultaneous recurrent network using a hybrid PSO-EA algorithm

We applied an architecture which automates the design of simultaneous recurrent network (SRN) using a new evolutionary learning algorithm. This new evolutionary learning algorithm is based on a hybrid of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and evolutionary algorithm (EA). By combining the searching abilities of these two global optimization methods, the evolution of individuals is no longer restricted to be in the same generation, and better performed individuals may produce offspring to replace those with poor performance. The novel algorithm is then applied to the simultaneous recurrent network for the engine data classification. The experimental results show that our approach gives solid performance in categorizing the nonlinear car engine data.
Caperton’s New Right to Independence in Judges

In the Caperton case (2009) the USSC applied the Due Process Clause to reverse the refusal of a West Virginia Supreme Court judge to recuse himself is spite of having received $3,000,000 in campaign contributions from a defendant. The judge then cast the deciding vote to reverse a jury award of $50,000,000 in damages for driving the plaintiff out of business. The article reviews the common law origins of conflict of interest law, and summarizes procedural due process. It describes procedures for examining judicial ethics including statutory sanctions, judicial conduct commissions and recusal. It reviews in detail the opinions of the WVSCA and critiques them. It gives an overview of judicial elections as well as the First Amendment principles involved in campaign regulation and financing. It endorses the ABA proposals passed in the August, 2009 in response to the case.
Alternative Strategies for Promoting Information Literacy

This article considers strategies for promoting information literacy other than classroom instruction. Library services, such as the creation of pathfinders, excellent reference practices, and provision of user-friendly Web pages, are considered in terms of how they might be useful in supporting an information literacy initiative.
Using sensor networks for highway and traffic applications

Wireless sensor networks have been used for a variety of applications. However, many highway and traffic applications have not been tapped, primarily sensor networks for highway and traffic algorithms that alleviate generic problems such as highway congestion. This is due to the fact that sensor network technology is a very recent development. Since sensor networks are relatively new, not many applications have been explored in depth. Utilizing the new generation of TinyOS micaboard mote sensors, miniaturized sensors that utilize TinyOS, an event-based operating environment written in code similar to stylized C, the article focuses on how to achieve the best possible data results from sensor network applications and setups for traffic/highway goals. How to use sensor-network graphs for optimal placement of sensors in a network so as to minimize work and to achieve the best possible, and most accurate, signal-strength localization measurements is also be a primary focus. Also discussed is a method that optimizes the tradeoff between energy and accuracy using a variety of activation policies. Finally, simulations and distancing experiments of indoor and outdoor data are provided to encourage similar sensor work.
Pattern recognition in several sequences: Consensus and alignment

The comparison of several sequences is central to many problems of molecular biology. Finding consensus patterns that define genetic control regions or that determine structural or functional themes are examples of these problems. Previously proposed methods, such as dynamic programming, are not adequate for solving problems of realistic size. This paper gives a new and practical solution for finding unknown patterns that occur imperfectly above a preset frequency. Algorithms for finding the patterns are given as well as estimates of statistical significance.
Sulfonated latex particle as acid catalysts for the continuous inversion of sucrose

Sulfonated polystyrene latex particles were used as acid catalysts in the continuous inversion of sucrose at 50–70°C. The particles (surface charge 168 μeq/g) were confined in a stirred reactor with a semipermeable membrane; sucrose solution was pumped in, and product solution was pumped out. The catalytic activity of the particles was unchanged after 20 days continuous use. Variation of particle size (0.13 and 0.42 μm) and stirring rate showed that internal and external mass transfer was not a controlling factor. The kinetics were pseudo-first-order; the rate constant at 70°C was 2.30/N min as compared with 0.07/N min for macroporous sulfonated ion-exchange resin; the apparent activation energy was 111 kJ/mol as compared with 121 kJ/mol for the homogeneous acid-catalyzed reaction. The faster rate was attributed to the very great surface area, high charge density, and lack of internal diffusional resistance of the latex particles. The proposed mechanism comprised adsorption of sucrose on the particle surface, followed by inversion and desorption of product.
The effect of free-volume changes on partitioning in magnesium sulfate-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous two-phase systems

Abstract The relative free volume has been calculated for a series of MgSO 4 -poly(ethylene glycol) 8000 aqueous two-phase systems to which KCl was added. Addition to KCl was shown to change the free-volume difference between the phases. The partition coefficient of a dye, Safranin O, was shown to be related to the value of the free-volume difference, regardless of the KCl concentration.
Beyond Self-Management: Antecedents and Consequences of Team Empowerment

We examined the antecedents, consequences, and mediational role of team empowerment using 111 work teams in four organizations. The results indicated that the actions of external leaders, the production/service responsibilities given to teams, team-based human resources policies, and the social structure of teams all worked to enhance employee team empowerment experiences. More empowered teams were also more productive and proactive than less empowered teams and had higher levels of customer service, job satisfaction, and organizational and team commitment.
Self-Assembly of Pyrrole–Ferrocene Hybrids, Determined Inter Alia by a New Chemically Induced Electrospray Mass Spectrometry Technique

An interesting example of a noncovalently linked organometallic superstructure (shown right) is obtained from the self-assembly of tetrapyrrole-substituted ferrocene. As a result of the self-associating properties of the pyrrole–ester subunits, this system forms ribbon-like infinite chains in the solid state and small but well-characterized oligomers in organic solvents. Selective oxidation of the ferrocene moiety provides a cationic ferrocenium species amenable to electrospray mass spectrometric analysis.
Quantitative analysis of a RNA-cleaving DNA catalyst obtained via in vitro selection.

In vitro selections performed in the presence of Mg2+ generated DNA sequences capable of cleaving an internal ribonucleoside linkage. Several of these, surprisingly, displayed intermolecular catalysis and catalysis independent of Mg2+, features that the selection protocol was not explicitly designed to select. A detailed physical organic analysis was applied to one of these DNAzymes, termed 614. First, the progress curve for the reaction was dissected to identify factors that prevented the molecule from displaying clean first-order transformation kinetics and 100% conversion. Several factors were identified and quantitated, including (a) competitive intra- and intermolecular rate processes, (b) alternative reactive and unreactive conformations, and (c) mutations within the catalyst. Other factors were excluded, including “approach to equilibrium” kinetics and product inhibition. The possibility of complementary strand inhibition was demonstrated but was shown to not be a factor under the conditions of the...
On “Pinning” Domain Growth in Two-Phase Polymer Liquids

What has been reported as “pinning” or severely reduced growth rates of phase-separated domains in off-critical polymer blends is shown to be the normal effect of crossover between two kinetic regimes associated with morphology of the liquid−liquid system. The bicontinuous liquid microstructure formed by spinodal decomposition grows rapidly by hydrodynamic coarsening where size ξ ∼ Lt until the percolated system dissociates into droplets. The droplets then grow by classical coarsening with radius increasing as r 3 ∼ Kt, where K may be calculated for Ostwald ripening and/or coalescence with no impediments to mobility at any size scale. Apparent pinning persists for the induction period Δt ≈ r 3/K required for the slower particle growth to be observed, and the characteristic r ∝ t1/3 behavior is not recovered for approximately 10Δt. Numerical simulations of spinodal decomposition in polymer blends, which to date omit hydrodynamics, are unable to capture the change in growth mechanism and rate on switchin...
Burnout Among Religious Youth Workers: A Cross National Analysis

The subject of burn-out has received a great deal of popular and academic attention, as the issue is a common problem and experience in both the United States and European Union context. This paper, after a representative literature review, presents and analyzes findings about burnout among youth workers. In Fall 2006 a survey on youth ministry burn out was conducted by the author in the United States, with an N of 155. The identical survey was conducted in 2008 among youth workers in the European Union, with an eventual N of 98. This research will be of interest not only to youth ministry practitioners, but those who teach youth workers as well.
Job-Related Stress and Depression in Orphanage and Preschool Caregivers in Ukraine.

Emotional well-being of child care providers is important to the welfare of their young charges. Elevated depression and job-related stress may affect caregivers’ ability to establish empathic connections with children. This study examined work conditions, job-related stress, and depression in 51 orphanage workers and 69 preschool teachers in Ukraine. Clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms were found in both groups. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that higher levels of perceived job resources and vacation use predicted lower depression. Predictors of perceived job resources included depression, perceived job control, and proportion of children between ages 2 and 3 in the group. A moderating effect of cognitive coping on the relationship between job control and job resources was found. This article informs interventions to promote positive development of children by identifying several factors that appear to reduce caregiver stress and depression.
Not for the faint‐hearted

A Manual of Sixteenth‐Century Italian Dance Steps: A Compilation of the Original Sources By Markus Lehner. 233 pp. Freiburg: “fa‐gisis” Musik‐ und Tanzedition, 1997. DM 32 (+ DM 6 postage). ISBN 3–931344–01–0. Available from Uwe W. Schlottermuller, Postfach 5266, 79019 Freiburg, Germany.
Doping tunable enhanced extraordinary optical transmission gratings

We demonstrate doping-tunable mid-infrared extraordinary transmission through periodic sub-wavelength openings in thin metal films. This effect, known as extraordinary optical transmission, is thought to result from the excitation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons at the metal/dielectric interface. The metal aperture arrays studied were fabricated upon GaAs substrates. Because the dielectric constant of a semiconductor changes with carrier concentration, identical metallic grating show different spectral characteristics as a function of GaAs epilayer doping. Thus, the resonant transmission peaks of our grating structures can be shifted by varying the doping of the n-GaAs epilayer upon which they are fabricated. We demonstrate peak shifts of 37 cm -1 , or approximately 0.33 μm, as we move from undoped GaAs layer to highly doped n-GaAs layers. Additionally, we study the effect of doping layer thickness on the resonant transmission peak position, which allows for an estimate of the surface plasmon strength as a function of distance from the metal/dielectric interface. Furthermore, we present calculated results for our samples and compare them to our experimental results and propose an explanation for the slight discrepancy between theoretical and experimental results. The devices presented could eventually lead to voltage-tunable mid-IR mirrors, filters, or modulators.
Coupling routes to hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene, substituted-1,3-fluorine-containing butadienes and fluorinated polyenes

Abstract Hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene was readily prepared via a variety of self-coupling processes, such as Cu(0) mediated self-coupling of iodotrifluoroethene, Pd(0) catalyzed coupling of iodotrifluoroethene with the trifluorovinylzinc reagent, and CuBr 2 mediated coupling of the trifluorovinylzinc reagent. Perfluoro-2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene was readily synthesized by the reaction of pentafluoropropenyl-2-zinc reagent with either CuBr 2 or FeCl 3 . Alternatively, perfluoro-2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene was prepared by oxidation of the pentafluoropropenyl-2-copper reagent with dioxygen. Cu(0) mediated coupling of an ( E )-substituted α,β-difluoro-β-iodostyrene provided the first useful route to a ( Z )( Z )-1,4-diaryl-1,3-tetrafluorobutadiene. Extension of the Cu(0) mediated coupling methodology to a perfluorodienyl iodide demonstrated a useful stereospecific route to perfluoropolyenes.
Meso-Rex bypass to manage prehepatic portal hypertension after the failure of an intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunting

A cavernomatous transformation of the extrahepatic portion of the portal vein is a common cause of chronic portal hypertension in children. A few attempts at radiological interventions have been reported, but have rarely been successful. In this report, a surgical Meso-Rex bypass was performed to treat complicated prehepatic portal hypertension, after the insertion of an intrahepatic stent for portosystemic shunting had failed. The review of this case nicely illustrates how differently effective are these two shunting procedures-in terms of restoring hepatopetal flow, managing portal hypertension, and establishing-or not-portosystemic connections.
Social avoidance and long-term risk for cardiovascular disease death in healthy men: the Western Electric study.

Purpose Although personality traits may contribute to risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), inconsistent findings have prompted efforts to refine their measurement to include only the hostile and aggressive components. Data are sparse on the “social avoidance” (SA) subscale that measures more indirectly negative traits such as shyness. Thus, we sought to examine the association between SA and CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and non-CVD death. Methods A total of 2107 men (ages 40–55 years) free of baseline CVD were enrolled in 1957 in the Western Electric Study. SA was measured at study entry using the four-item subscale of the Cook-Medley hostility scale to divide the cohort into four groups according to the degree of social avoidance. CHD mortality, CVD mortality, and non-CVD mortality were determined by death certificate. Results After 30 years of follow-up, SA was associated with CVD mortality for the highest vs. the lowest SA group in age-adjusted models (hazard ratio 1.39; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.04–1.84) and after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors (hazard ratio 1.49; 95% CI 1.12–2.00). After further adjustment for measures of hostility, the findings were similar. Findings for CHD mortality were similar. However, there was no significant association between SA and non-CVD mortality. Conclusions Social avoidance is associated with CVD mortality but not with non-CVD mortality in middle-aged men. These findings suggest the hypothesis that social avoidance might promote CVD through physiologic, non-behavioral mechanisms.
Second-hand cigarette smoke impairs bacterial phagocytosis in macrophages by modulating CFTR dependent lipid-rafts.

Introduction First/Second-hand cigarette-smoke (FHS/SHS) exposure weakens immune defenses inducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Hence, we evaluated if SHS induced changes in membrane/lipid-raft (m-/r)-CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) expression/activity is a potential mechanism for impaired bacterial phagocytosis in COPD. Methods RAW264.7 murine macrophages were exposed to freshly prepared CS-extract (CSE) containing culture media and/or Pseudomonas-aeruginosa-PA01-GFP for phagocytosis (fluorescence-microscopy), bacterial survival (colony-forming-units-CFU), and immunoblotting assays. The CFTR-expression/activity and lipid-rafts were modulated by transient-transfection or inhibitors/inducers. Next, mice were exposed to acute/sub-chronic-SHS or room-air (5-days/3-weeks) and infected with PA01-GFP, followed by quantification of bacterial survival by CFU-assay. Results We investigated the effect of CSE treatment on RAW264.7 cells infected by PA01-GFP and observed that CSE treatment significantly (p<0.01) inhibits PA01-GFP phagocytosis as compared to the controls. We also verified this in murine model, exposed to acute/sub-chronic-SHS and found significant (p<0.05, p<0.02) increase in bacterial survival in the SHS-exposed lungs as compared to the room-air controls. Next, we examined the effect of impaired CFTR ion-channel-activity on PA01-GFP infection of RAW264.7 cells using CFTR172-inhibitor and found no significant change in phagocytosis. We also similarly evaluated the effect of a CFTR corrector-potentiator compound, VRT-532, and observed no significant rescue of CSE impaired PA01-GFP phagocytosis although it significantly (p<0.05) decreases CSE induced bacterial survival. Moreover, induction of CFTR expression in macrophages significantly (p<0.03) improves CSE impaired PA01-GFP phagocytosis as compared to the control. Next, we verified the link between m-/r-CFTR expression and phagocytosis using methyl-β-cyclodextran (CD), as it is known to deplete CFTR from membrane lipid-rafts. We observed that CD treatment significantly (p<0.01) inhibits bacterial phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells and adding CSE further impairs phagocytosis suggesting synergistic effect on CFTR dependent lipid-rafts. Conclusion Our data suggest that SHS impairs bacterial phagocytosis by modulating CFTR dependent lipid-rafts.
Teaching proofreading skills as a means of reducing composition errors

Foreign language teachers have long been frustrated by learners' written errors. Traditional approaches to the problem—grammar instruction and error feedback—when used alone are not effective. Explicit instruction in proofreading provides a missing link. When instruction in proofreading is embedded in grammar instruction and when learners use error feedback to detect, diagnose and correct errors, the writing–grammar connection becomes more obvious and learners can take better control of their own accuracy. This article presents instructional methods for teaching proofreading skills to fifth-semester college-level students of Spanish, enrolled in a grammar and composition course, but they can be adapted to other languages and levels. It includes strategies for developing general proofreading skills as well as strategies specifically tailored to the needs of second language learners.
A transitive Banach*-algebra of compact operators with no nontrivial projections

An example of a transitive Banach*-algebra of compact operators is constructed, which has no nontrivial projections.
Structural and Chemical Analysis of a Silicon Nitride Film on GaAs by Null Ellipsometry

Multiple-wavelength-angle-of-incidence null ellipsometry, together with the effective medium approximation, are used to evaluate both the composition and the geometrical structure of an insulating film made of silicon nitride and silicon oxide on a GaAs substrate. The results are found to be in good agreement with AES measurements on the same film. L'ellipsometric nulle, a ondes et angles d'incidence multiples, avec l'approximation du milieu effectif, sont utilisees pour evaluer la composition et la structure geometrique d'une couche dielectrique mince constituee de nitride du silicon et d'oxyde du silicon sur GaAs. Les resultats cont affirmes par les measurements en AES faits sur le měme echantillon.
Mission control of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles: a workload analysis

With unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 36 licensed pilots flew both single-UAV and dual-UAV simulated military missions. Pilots were required to navigate each UAV through a series of mission legs in one of the following three conditions: a baseline condition, an auditory autoalert condition, and an autopilot condition. Pilots were responsible for (a) mission completion, (b) target search, and (c) systems monitoring. Results revealed that both the autoalert and the autopilot automation improved overall performance by reducing task interference and alleviating workload. The autoalert system benefited performance both in the automated task and mission completion task, whereas the autopilot system benefited performance in the automated task, the mission completion task, and the target search task. Practical implications for the study include the suggestion that reliable automation can help alleviate task interference and reduce workload, thereby allowing pilots to better handle concurrent tasks during single- and multiple-UAV flight control.
Combined Cataract Extraction with Intraocular Lens Implant and Mitomycin-augmented Trabeculectomy

Purpose: Cataract and glaucoma commonly coexist in elderly patients and present complex treatment options. This study investigates the results of simultaneous treatment of both conditions using phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implant and mitomycin-augmented trabeculectomy (combined surgery). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 56 consecutive patients who had undergone combined surgery. Fifty-one (91 %) of 56 patients had fornix-based conjunctival flaps resutured at the limbus. A variety of postoperative interventional techniques (mechanical and pharmacologic) were used to encourage the achievement of successful filtering blebs. Results: All patients had follow-up of at least 12 months. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 20.2 mmHg (range, 14-43 mmHg) and the mean postoperative IOP was 10.7 mmHg (range, 4-17 mmHg). Fifty-three (95%) of 56 patients had IOPs of 15 mmHg or less at the completion of follow-up. All except two patients (96%) were able to discontinue all glaucoma medications. The filtering blebs that resulted from the fornix-based conjunctival flap procedures were predominantly large, diffuse, and noncystic. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 47 (84%) of 56 of patients. Conclusion: Control of IOP and improvement of visual acuity can be achieved in a high percentage of patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma by performing combined surgery using intraoperative mitomycin and fornix-based conjunctival flaps resutured to the limbus. The filtering blebs illustrated a distinctive morphology compared with blebs resulting from limbus-based conjunctival flap procedures.
Using summarization for automatic briefing generation

We describe a system which automatically generates multimedia briefings from high-level outlines. The system uses summarization in content selection and creation, and in helping form a coherent narrative for the briefing. The approach does not require a domain knowledge base.
Fifty years of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale: An update and review

The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) is a 30 item self-report instrument designed to assess the personality/behavioral construct of impulsiveness. Originally developed as part of a larger attempt to relate anxiety and impulsiveness to psychomotor efficiency, the BIS is arguably the most commonly administered self-report measure for the assessment of impulsiveness in both research and clinical settings. Over the last 50 years the BIS has significantly influenced the way that impulsivity is conceptualized in psychology and psychiatry. On its golden anniversary we thought it important to update the literature in relation to this influential psychometric instrument. The goal of this paper is threefold: (1) describe the history and development of the BIS-11; (2) present new data supporting the psychometric properties of the subscales; and to (3) review the clinical and personality literature that has reported on the BIS-11 subscales.
Hydrogen atom in a strong magnetic field: Semiclassical quantization using classical adiabatic invariance.

The method of adiabatic switching (AS) is applied to the problem of a hydrogen atom in a strong magnetic field, i.e., the quadratic Zeeman effect (QZE). The QZE is one of the simplest realistic physical problems exhibiting classical chaos which presents conceptual and computational obstacles to the implementation of many semiclassical quantization methods, while the highly nonseparable nature of the problem makes exact quantum treatments problematic. The AS method is straightforward, mainly involving integration of Hamilton's equations of motion, and in addition, unlike most other trajectory-based semiclassical methods, works even in mildly chaotic volumes of classical phase space. In AS, a zeroth-order classical torus is quantized and then the perturbation is switched on adiabatically using a time-dependent or time-independent switching function which is incorporated into the Hamiltonian. A central problem in AS is the choice of the most appropriate zeroth-order tori. Based on a comprehensive study of the classical dynamics of the QZE it is shown that the best zeroth-order tori for AS are those obtained by quantizing the zeroth-order Hamiltonian (i.e., the hydrogen atom) and simultaneously an adiabatic invariant found by Solov'ev. AS is performed for a wide variety of magnetic fields and energies including states lying in mildly chaotic regions of phase space where Solov'ev's invariant is no longer conserved. Results are generally in excellent agreement with exact quantum results, and additionally the method is self-diagnostic, yielding large standard deviations in energies should it begin to fail. However, AS is seen to break down in the strongly chaotic regions of phase space where the quantum levels display multiple avoided crossings (strongly n-mixing regime). Application of AS to the QZE leads to a number of new developments in the theory of AS, including AS in extended phase space where the Hamiltonian is explicitly independent of time.
Infrarenal aortic aneurysm structure: implications for transfemoral repair.

Abstract Purpose: The structure of infrarenal aortic aneurysm was studied as a basis for design of a transfemoral system of aneurysm repair. This information was particularly important because endovascular techniques, unlike conventional techniques, afford little opportunity for intraoperative adjustments. Methods: Three-dimensional computer reconstructions of the distal aorta, the renal arteries, the aneurysm and the iliac arteries were generated from computed tomography scanning data in 22 patients with aortic aneurysms. Results: The proximal neck of the aneurysm was longer than 20 mm in 14 patients, and the mean length (of all 22) was 26.7 ± 4.1 mm. In contrast, only one patient had a distal cuff longer than 20 mm and 14 of the others had no measurable distal cuff. The mean distal cuff length (of all 22) was 4.2 ± 1.6 mm. There was no significant difference between mean aneurysm diameter in the anteroposterior direction (58.0 ± 3.2 mm) and the transverse direction (56.4 ± 3.3 mm), although corresponding values in individual patients were often different. Aneurysm diameter correlated with aneurysm length ( r = 0.79, p Conclusions: Computerized three-dimensional reconstruction facilitated interpretation of anatomic information from computed tomography scans, particularly the length of the aneurysm neck and shape of the iliac arteries. On the basis of this information, we expect that few patients will have too short an aneurysm neck for endovascular aneurysm repair, but many will require a bifurcated graft for secure, hemostatic implantation distally. (J V ASC S URG 1994;20:44-50.)
Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase in the ventral tegmental area attenuates cocaine sensitization in rats

1. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated via bilateral infusion of the VTA with the selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (0, 8, or 40 ng/hemisphere), prior to each of 7 daily systemic cocaine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline (1 ml/kg) treatments. 2. After a 7-day treatment withdrawal period, rats received a final systemic challenge with either cocaine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline (1 ml/kg). 3. Locomotor and stereotypic activity were measured following the first and last treatments. 4. Daily cocaine treatment led to the development of sensitization to its stereotypic effects as revealed upon drug challenge. 5. The development of sensitization of cocaine-induced stereotypy was completely blocked by daily intra-VTA pretreatment with 7-nitroindazole. 6. In addition, attenuation of the locomotor effects of cocaine challenge was also observed in animals that received daily intra-VTA 7-nitroindazole (40 ng/hemisphere) infusions. 7. The results indicate that VTA nitric oxide is necessary for the development of sensitization of cocaine-induced stereotypic behavior, and that its repeated inhibition may produce lasting effects on the locomotor response to the drug.
Annihilation during positron-hydrogen collisions: Addendum and erratum

The $p$-wave contribution to the positron-hydrogen annihilation rate, in terms of ${Z}_{\mathrm{eff}}$, is corrected from a previous calculation of the authors, thereby removing the discrepancy with later calculations of Chan and McEachran. The present results should be the most accurate available. This opportunity is taken to give thermally averaged positron-hydrogen annihilation coefficients $\overline{Z}(T)$, which are of use in the analysis of solar-flare observations of the positron-electron annihilation line. For reference and experimental purposes we also present curves of the integrated elastic and momentum-transfer (i.e., diffusion) cross sections, as well as effective cross sections which account for the finite acceptance angle of the detector.
Time-scale analysis adapted for bearing diagnostics

The detection of structural defects in a ball bearing using an embedded piezoceramic load sensor and the discrete wavelet transform is presented. A model to predict the output of the embedded sensor was developed and experimentally verified. A mother wavelet was developed specifically for analyzing the response of the bearing and embedded load sensor. This wavelet was found to produce a more descriptive decomposition of the sensor signal than a standard Daubechies wavelet. Furthermore, the relationship between a bearing misalignment and the resulting load variation was established.
Clinical trial of pyridoxine to reduce vincristine neurotoxicity

In a murine model system, pyridoxine has demonstrated protective properties during administration of lethal doses of vincristine (VCR). Subsequently, pyridoxine has been evaluated in patients receiving VCR during an adjuvant chemotherapy program for stage II carcinoma of the breast. The toxicities, cumulative VCR dosage, and percentage of ideal dosage observed in 24 patients receiving pyridoxine have been compared to those observed in 88 patients who previously received VCR without pyridoxine in the same chemotherapy program. All patients ideally were to receive VCR 1.0 mg/m2 weekly for 6-weeks with dose modification for neurotoxicity. Treatment patients received pyridoxine 1.5 grams p.o. daily in three divided doses during the 6-week course. The degree of neurotoxic manifestations of VCR was similar in the treatment and comparison patients. Absent to mild neurotoxicity was observed in approximately 70% of patients in both groups; moderate or greater neurotoxicity occurred in about 30% of patients in both groups. Full dosage (6.0 mg/m2) was attained in 8 (33%) treatment patients and 18 (24%) comparison patients (p = 0.28). The mean percentage of ideal dosage of VCR was 84.6 +/- 10.8 in patients receiving pyridoxine and 81.9 +/- 21.6 in those given only VCR (p = 0.59). Gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicities were similar in both groups. Pyridoxine in this dose and schedule afforded no protection from the neurotoxic side effects of VCR.
Impacts of silica levels, and location in the detergent fiber matrix, on in vitro gas production of rice straw

Abstract Rice straw can be used as a forage for cattle, generally those whose intake potential exceeds their energy need, to provide economic savings in cattle production systems. This study evaluated how simulated field drying of rice straw, its silica level and location in the detergent fiber matrix, impacts in vitro gas production. We also determined how in vitro gas production is impacted by removing Si from rice straw entirely by growing it in a Si-free hydroponic solution. In Experiment 1, rice plants grown in controlled conditions were analyzed fresh ( i.e. , within 60 min of harvest), and when fully dried ( i.e. , 25 °C for 7 d), for dry matter, ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent (ND) extracted ADF (ND/ADF), Si in ADF (ADF-Si) and ND/ADF (ND/ADF-Si), as well as in vitro gas production. Fresh straw had a higher proportion of ADF-Si (539 versus 485 mg/g total Si; P versus 340 mg/g total Si; P in vitro gas production of fresh straw. However, in Experiment 2, the ADF-Si, ND/ADF-Si and total Si were not predictive of in vitro gas production in a set of 39 commercially grown field samples of rice straw, possibly due to the narrow range of Si values in the samples or because the location of the Si in the fiber matrix, or Si itself, is not predictive of the digestibility of its organic matter (OM). In Experiment 3, rice grown under controlled conditions in Si free or Si containing hydroponic media, in two sub-experiments, had similar gas production per unit OM. The general lack of impact of rice straw Si levels, either total or relative to location in the detergent fiber matrix, on in vitro gas production seems to demonstrate conclusively that Si is not causative to the low fermentability of rice straw OM.
Stimulation of Neovascularization by the Anti-angiogenic Factor PEDF

PURPOSE. Examine the effect of (pigment epithelium– derived growth factor; PEDF) on laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS. Adult C57Bl/6 mice were anesthetized and four laser spots were placed in each quadrant of the fundus with a krypton red laser (614 nm, 50 m, 0.05 second, 200 mW). Animals were treated with various doses of PEDF administered with miniosmotic pumps implanted subcutaneously. Seven days after laser treatment, mice were perfused with 3% FITC high-molecular-weight dextran, the eyes enucleated, and neovascularization analyzed by confocal microscopy. Data were recorded as the volume of the neovascular complex. The effect of PEDF on endothelial cell migration, vascular tube formation in synthetic basement membrane, and VEGF production was also determined. RESULTS. Mice receiving a lower dose of PEDF (90 g/mL) had significantly decreased areas of CNV. A high dose of PEDF (360 g/mL) significantly increased CNV, whereas an intermediate dose (180 g/mL) of PEDF had no effect. PEDF inhibited endothelial cell migration and vascular tube formation at lower doses (0.5–5 g/mL). High doses of PEDF (25–50 g/mL) stimulated endothelial cell migration, enhanced vascular tube formation in vitro, and stimulated VEGF production from endothelial cells. Neutralizing anti-VEGF antibody completely reversed the stimulatory effects of high doses of PEDF on CNV in vivo. CONCLUSIONS. PEDF demonstrates opposing effects on CNV and endothelial cell function. Whereas low doses are inhibitory, high doses can augment the development of the neovasculature. These results suggest that the effects of PEDF on neovascularization are more complex than originally believed and that caution should be exercised when PEDF therapies are considered. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004;45:4491– 4497)
Microbiology and geochemistry of great boiling and mud hot springs in the United States Great Basin.

A coordinated study of water chemistry, sediment mineralogy, and sediment microbial community was conducted on four >73°C springs in the northwestern Great Basin. Despite generally similar chemistry and mineralogy, springs with short residence time (~5–20 min) were rich in reduced chemistry, whereas springs with long residence time (>1 day) accumulated oxygen and oxidized nitrogen species. The presence of oxygen suggested that aerobic metabolisms prevail in the water and surface sediment. However, Gibbs free energy calculations using empirical chemistry data suggested that several inorganic electron donors were similarly favorable. Analysis of 298 bacterial 16S rDNAs identified 36 species-level phylotypes, 14 of which failed to affiliate with cultivated phyla. Highly represented phylotypes included Thermus, Thermotoga, a member of candidate phylum OP1, and two deeply branching Chloroflexi. The 276 archaeal 16S rDNAs represented 28 phylotypes, most of which were Crenarchaeota unrelated to the Thermoprotei. The most abundant archaeal phylotype was closely related to “Candidatus Nitrosocaldus yellowstonii”, suggesting a role for ammonia oxidation in primary production; however, few other phylotypes could be linked with energy calculations because phylotypes were either related to chemoorganotrophs or were unrelated to known organisms.
Corrections to 'Gradient algorithms for designing predictive vector quantizers'

An error in a paper by Chang and Gray (see ibid., vol.34, no.4, p.679-90, 1986) is pointed out and corrected. The error invalidates their observation that the generalized Lloyd algorithm is a gradient descent technique but the generalized Lloyd algorithm is a member of the related class of coordinate descent techniques. Convergence rate analysis of gradient descent algorithms for vector quantizer design is provided. >
How to Start a Cosmogony: On the Poetics of Beginnings in Greece and the Near East

AbstractIn this essay I explore the beginning lines of the most relevant cosmogonies from the eastern Mediterranean, focusing on the Enuma Elish, Genesis 1 and Hesiod’s Theogony. These opening lines reveal some of the challenges faced by the authors of these texts when committing to the written word their version of the beginning of the universe. Hesiod’s Theogony will be treated in more length as it presents an expanded introduction to the creation account. This close reading is followed by a few reflections on the question of authorship of these and other Greek and Near Eastern cosmogonies.
Variation in expression of the Haemophilus influenzae HMW adhesins: A prokaryotic system reminiscent of eukaryotes

Expression of a number of eukaryotic genes is regulated by long stretches of tandem repeats located within the 5' untranslated region of the particular gene. In this study, we describe a regulatory system in Haemophilus influenzae with striking similarities to those found in eukaryotes. We show that expression of the HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins varies based on the number of 7-bp tandem repeats in the hmw1A and hmw2A promoters. The repeats lie between two separate transcription initiation sites and exert a repressive effect, such that increases in repeat number result in step-wise decreases in levels of specific mRNA and protein production and vice versa. The range of expression of HMW1 and HMW2 varies between very weak and very strong, with a series of gradations in between. Variation in the number of repeats in the hmw1A and hmw2A promoters occurs in individual colonies passaged in vitro, in an animal model of infection, and during natural infection in humans. This system of regulation is unique in prokaryotes and likely enhances the pathogenicity of the organism by increasing adaptive potential.
Lens solutions which increase manufacturing yield

The classic method of design centering commonly used to increase the yield of electronic circuits is employed to improve manufacturability of complex lens designs.
Comparison of mutagenic and recombinogenic effects of some adenine analogues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae D7.

Abstract 2-Aminopurine, 2-amino- N 6 -hydroxyadenine and N 6 -hydroxyaminopurine were compared in suspension test with growing and non-growing cells for their mutagenic and recombinogenic (reciprocal and nonreciprocal) activities in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain D7. Ethyl methanesulfonate was used as a positive control. No increases above spontaneous frequencies were observed when non- growing cells were treated with the base analogues although EMS induced concentration- dependent responses at all 3 genetic end-points. When growing cells were treated, HAP was recombinogenic and mutagenic and AHA was mutagenic, but only weakly recombinogenic. HAP induced comparable numbers of revertants at much lower concentrations than AHA. 2AP failed to induce any detectable response even at concentrations as high as 2400 μg/ml.
The place of colleague evaluation in the appraisal of college teaching: A review of the literature

The present review considers the nature of the problem of evaluating college teaching as well as the means by which this evaluation has been attempted. This review shows that there is little agreement as to what the criteria for evaluating college teaching should be. It is stated that student and administrator evaluation of faculty are, by themselves or combined, limited in scope. A list of 10 activities and faculty behaviors that can be more reliably and validly evaluated by fellow colleagues than by anyone else is presented, as well as 22 different criteria or approaches that could be used for this evaluation. Recommendations for upgrading colleague evaluation of teaching are made in the hope that the present state of affairs can begin to reach high levels of adequacy and objectivity.
Systematic Review of Research Literature on African Americans’ End-of-Life Healthcare Preferences

The goals of this systematic review are to summarize what research has revealed about patterns of African Americans’ preferences for of end-of-life (EOL) healthcare services and to uncover as possible explanations for differences compared to those of White, non-Hispanic individuals. The first portion of this article summarizes the patterns uncovered over the past 10 years of research about EOL healthcare preferences associated with African Americans’ culture. The focus will then turn to research findings regarding possible explanations for the patterns of hospice usage, written evidence of advance healthcare planning, and preferences for so-called life-saving therapies (LSTs). Four factors emerged most often in both the qualitative and quantitative research as strongly associated with preferences and decisions made regarding EOL healthcare: trust of the healthcare providers, religion/religiosity/spirituality, social organization and dynamics, and education/healthcare literacy. Throughout the article, attention will be drawn to implications for the science of caring and nursing practice.
A Femtosecond Stimulated Raman Loss (fSRL) Microscope for Highly Sensitive Bond-Selective Imaging

ABSTRACT We demonstrate nonlinear vibrational imaging of isolated Raman bands by detecting femtosecond pulse stimulated Raman loss. Femtosecond pulse excitation produces a stimulated Raman loss signal that is 12 times larger than what picosecond pulse excitation produces. The strong signal allowe d real-time, bond-selective im aging of deuterated palmitic acid-d 31 inside live cells, and 3D sectioning of fat storage in live C. elegans. With the high peak power provided by femtosecond pulses, this system is highly compatible with other nonlinear optical modalities such as two-photon excited fluorescence. With most of the excitation power contributed by the Stokes beam in the 1.0 - 1.2 µm wavelength range, photodamage of biological samples was not observed. Keywords: stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), nonlinear microscopy, multimodal imaging, femtosecond laser, coherent Raman scattering, lipid INTRODUCTION Label-free chemically selective imaging based on inherent molecular vibrations is an attractive alternative to fluorescence imaging. Vibrational microscopes based on spontaneous Raman scattering and infrared (IR) absorption have been routinely used for chemical imaging of unstained samples. Nevertheless, the application of IR microscopy to live cell imaging has been hindered by the poor spatial resolution and IR absorption of water. Raman microscopy avoids these problems because water is a weak Raman scatterer. Moreover, a higher spatial resolution can be achieved by visible light excitation and confocal detection. However, Raman scattering has an extremely small cross section (~ 10