cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical child abuse: A dual-component analysis.

Abstract Previous etiological models of child abuse are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the current social interactional analysis. It is argued that while this model accounts for the documented correlates of abuse, it fails to provide a plausible mechanism for explaining the rapid acceleration from low- to high-intensity punitive behavior characteristic of abusive episodes. Drawing from research on interpersonal aggression by Berkowitz, Zillmann, and other social psychologists, a model is developed in which an arousal-mediated respondent component is added to the current instrumentally based punitive processes. Implications of this improved analysis for treatment and prevention are considered.
Inherent vs. derived clisis: evidence from Czech proclitics

I investigate a diverse set of Czech words of unclear prosodic status. The analysis reveals that while it is possible to make a clear distinction between proclitics and nonclitics, certain nonclitics are disposed to occasional clitic-like behavior. I propose to capture this fact by distinguishing between inherent clisis vs. derived clisis, the latter being sensitive to certain semantic, pragmatic, and prosodic conditions. This approach allows us to address the striking similarities in certain behaviors between clitics and nonclitics without ignoring their equally important differences.
Reversal of Allergen-induced Airway Remodeling by CysLT1 Receptor Blockade

Rationale: Airway inflammation in asthma is accompanied by structural changes, including goblet cell metaplasia, smooth muscle cell layer thickening, and subepithelial fibrosis. This allergen-induced airway remodeling can be replicated in a mouse asthma model.Objectives: The study goal was to determine whether established airway remodeling in a mouse asthma model is reversible by administration of the cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT)1 receptor antagonist montelukast, the corticosteroid dexamethasone, or the combination montelukast + dexamethasone.Methods: BALB/c mice, sensitized by intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) as allergen, received intranasal OVA periodically Days 14–73 and montelukast or dexamethasone or placebo from Days 73–163.Measurements and Main Results: Allergen-induced trafficking of eosinophils into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung interstitium and airway goblet cell metaplasia, smooth muscle cell layer thickening, and subepithelial fibrosis present on Day 73 persisted at Day 163, 3 mo a...
AN EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH TO PAIN

This study explores the evolutionary significance of pain and examines criteria possibly useful in deciding which nonhuman species can experience pain. First, problems of definition will be addressed before approaching pain's evolutionary significance in humans. Then, criteria for assessing pain capability will be considered in preparation for the question of pain perception in other species. We can expect to arrive at some theories regarding how much pain other species experience (ranging from probable to possibly highly probable) but few, if any, firm convictions. Considering the barriers to studying perception in other species, firm convictions may be beyond reach. Two general types of pain are recognized: acute or "quick" pain, which usually initiates evasive behavior, and chronic or "slow" pain, which may induce protective inactivity favoring recovery. Many definitions of pain in people are necessarily anthropomorphic and possibly misleading when applied to nonhuman species. Some investigators have avoided this and other problems by adopting the behavioral definition that pain is the phenomenon characterized by withdrawal or flight in response to stimulation in any animal, vertebrate or invertebrate. The shortcomings of this approach (including its inadequate treatment of neural and evolutionary factors) have been put into perspective by Bunge [I]. The physiological, neural, and behavioral factors characterizing pain in a person and, say, an insect are so very different as not to justify inclusion under a common rubric. Since enough is now known about these factors to justify this article, I have chosen not to employ the behavioral definition. Pain, understood by layperson and clinician as conscious suffering, and its absence observed by the surgical patient during anesthesia, has long-standing priority over the behavioral definition. The difficulties resulting from coupling the two ill-understood concepts of "pain" and "consciousness" are probably no greater than would
Lysolecithin acyltransferase and alveolar phosphatidylcholine palmitate in experimental acute alveolar injury in the dog lung.

Abstract Lysolecithin acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1. 23) activities in lung homogenates and in subcellular fractions, and fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in lung lavage were studied in dogs with acute alveolar injury induced by N -nitroso- N -methylurethane. The specific activity in the microsomal fraction was 10 and 3 times higher than those of homogenate and mitochondrial fractions, respectively. Both the lysolecithin acyltransferase activities and the proportions of palmitate in alveolar lavage PC increased during the early phase of injury (days 2–4), and decreased during peak injury (days 6–8). Such correlation was not found during the recovery period (day 15). During recovery, specific and total activities of the enzyme were nearly 2- and 3-fold, respectively, those of controls. Nevertheless, the palmitate proportions in PC were normal, indicating that the increased enzyme activity in vitro was not reflected in increased PC palmitate during recovery. This finding indicates that the enzyme activity per cell was normal during recovery and suggests that the increase in specific and total activities is due to massive regeneration of type II cells and that the enzyme is localized mainly in these cells. The decrease in the proportion of palmitate in lavage PC during peak injury may lead to abnormality of surfactant function.
The sources of pain in knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose of reviewTo review the mechanisms for the production of pain in knee osteoarthritis.Recent findingsNociception is produced by stimulation of unmyelinated and small myelinated fibers in the joint and surrounding tissue. To produce pain, the stimuli must be either repeated or spatially cluster
Nutrient contents of washed and unwashed grain sorghum plant tissues compared

Abstract Analyses of deionized, distilled, water‐washed grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) plant‐tissue parts throughout the plant's growth cycle for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, and Ca contents showed no significant change, except for Fe, in nutrient concentrations from those of unwashed tissue. Iron concentrations were considerably higher in unwashed blade, sheath, and head tissue than in washed parts. Differences between unwashed and washed tissues varied throughout the plant's growth cycle. Iron concentrations in the culm were affected only slightly by washing. Zinc, Cu, and Mn concentrations in plant tissue were affected least by washing. Average Zn concentrations of washed tissue were higher in all plant parts, but not consistently higher from one sampling date to the next. Average Mg and Ca concentrations were slightly higher in unwashed than washed blade and sheath tissue, primarily because concentrations in unwashed tissue tended to be higher late in the growth cycle.
Impact of the Illinois child passenger protection act: a retrospective look

This paper considers the Illinois child restraint use law which took effect in July 1983. This law requires parents to use safety seats for children under age 4, and seat belts or safety seats for those aged 4 or 5. ARIMA time series models and a monthly data set of fatalities and injuries from 1980 through 1986 were utilized. The law reduced the total number of children under 5 killed or injured in traffic crashes by 10% along with a 17% decline in the number of child injuries per crash. No spillover effect was found for older children.
Efficient Interpolation of Computationally Expensive Posterior Densities With Variable Parameter Costs.

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is nowadays a standard approach to numerical computation of integrals of the posterior density π of the parameter vector η. Unfortunately, Bayesian inference using MCMC is computationally intractable when the posterior density π is expensive to evaluate. In many such problems, it is possible to identify a minimal subvector β of η responsible for the expensive computation in the evaluation of π. We propose two approaches, DOSKA and INDA, that approximate π by interpolation in ways that exploit this computational structure to mitigate the curse of dimensionality. DOSKA interpolates π directly while INDA interpolates π indirectly by interpolating functions, for example, a regression function, upon which π depends. Our primary contribution is derivation of a Gaussian processes interpolant that provably improves over some of the existing approaches by reducing the effective dimension of the interpolation problem from dim(η) to dim(β). This allows a dramatic reduction of the numb...
Serious leisure: a case study of model railroading in relation to successful aging.

We examined longstanding model railroading as serious leisure in relation to successful aging in two older men. We used case study qualitative procedures to collect and analyze interview and observational data. Four themes emerged from the cross-case analyses: (a) distinct occupational profiles, (b) MRR as serious leisure, (c) MRR within activity-filled lives, (d) demonstrations of successful aging. For these two men railroading was a serious leisure activity that added to their engagement with life and fostered their overall successful aging by promoting well-being and function. Their model railroading was serious leisure that included fulfillment and accomplishment, as well as ongoing knowledge and skill development.
Characteristics of deoxythymidine transport and deoxythymidine kinase in 3T3 cells

Abstract The structural requirements for deoxythymidine transport are specific. Structural alteration of deoxythymidine at the 2′- and 5′-positions results in compounds which do not compete for deoxythymidine transport. Similarly, naturally occurring nucleosides do not have a demonstrable affinity for the deoxythymidine transport site. An exception is an apparent tolerance for replacement of the 5-methyl group by certain substituents. The structural requirements for deoxythymidine kinase and the transport process are similar for 5-bromodeoxyuridine, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, and deoxyuridine. However, 5-aminodeoxyuridine inhibits deoxythymidine transport but not deoxythymidine kinase, whereas 2′,5′-dideoxythymidine inhibits deoxythymidine kinase but has no effect on deoxythymidine transport. These differences indicate that deoxythymidine kinase is dissociated from the transport process. Confirmatory evidence for this conclusion is provided by the finding that intracellular deoxythymidine has the highest specific activity of all intracellular deoxythymidine-containing compounds after exposure to radioactive deoxythymidine for 1 min. These data show that extracellular deoxythymidine is transported into the cell as deoxythymidine. Deoxythymidine is rapidly converted to dTMP intracellularly by deoxythymidine kinase. Accumulation of dTMP in the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol confirms previous studies that intracellular phosphorylation of deoxythymidine is very rapid even when ATP production is limited.
Kinetics of Propargyl Radical Dissociation.

Due to the prominent role of the propargyl radical for hydrocarbon growth within combustion environments, it is important to understand the kinetics of its formation and loss. The ab initio transition state theory-based master equation method is used to obtain theoretical kinetic predictions for the temperature and pressure dependence of the thermal decomposition of propargyl, which may be its primary loss channel under some conditions. The potential energy surface for the decomposition of propargyl is first mapped at a high level of theory with a combination of coupled cluster and multireference perturbation calculations. Variational transition state theory is then used to predict the microcanonical rate coefficients, which are subsequently implemented within the multiple-well multiple-channel master equation. A variety of energy transfer parameters are considered, and the sensitivity of the thermal rate predictions to these parameters is explored. The predictions for the thermal decomposition rate coeff...
Determination of scytophycins in cyanophyte cultures by high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract A high performance liquid chromatography method is described for the determination of scytophycin macrolides in algal extracts and culture filtrates. Samples of lyophilized algae were disrupted by ultrasonication in methanol. Algal extracts and culture filtrates were concentrated by adsorption onto C-18 solid-phase extraction columns and elution with methanol. Scytophycins were analyzed on a C-18 column with UV detection at 261 nm. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (33%), methanol (33%), and water (33%). Overall recovery exceeded 93%.
Forced unilateral nostril breathing (FUNB) effects on the autonomic nervous system: An unsupported claim

Previous claims that forced unilateral nostril breathing (FUNB) has several specific measurable effects on the autonomic nervous system were examined. Using the technique suggested by Backon, 4 subjects were tested, using an ABABA design. The results did not demonstrate any significant changes in heart rate, pulse amplitude, temperature, skin conductance response, or respiration force as a result of FUNB.
On the occurrence of transient puffs in a rotary kiln incinerator simulator I. Prototype solid plastic wastes

In the operation of practical rotary kiln incinerators, the hazardous waste charge is often introduced in drums or containers in a batch mode. The ensuing transient condition, caused by the rapid devolatilization of waste materials, can momentarily deplete or displace local levels of excess oxygen in the kiln, resulting in heavy transient loadings of unburned gaseous and particulate hydrocarbons (here denoted as "puffs") leaving the kUn. This system upset must then be handled by an afterburner and subsequent air pollution control devices downstream. Such an overcharging or transient condition may even result in unacceptably low destruction of principal organic hazardous constituents (POHC) and the formation of products of incomplete combustion (PIC). A 73-kW (250,000-Btu/h) rotary kiln simulator was designed and constructed to provide engineering insight into the chemical and physical parameters associated with failure mode conditions. To this end, a statistically designed parametric investigation was und...
Adsorption and dissociation of oxygen on Pt(335)

Abstract Oxygen adsorption and dissociation on Pt(335) have been studied with high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and temperature-programmed desorption. Five vibrational peaks are found: from atomic oxygen on the terraces at 470 cm −1 and on the steps at 560 cm −1 , from molecular oxygen on the terraces at 860 cm −1 and on the steps at 830 cm −1 , and, under limited conditions, from a distinct molecular step species at 700 cm −1 . Four desorption features correspond to the first four vibrational peaks: terrace O 2 at 125 K, step O 2 at 210 K, terrace O at 750 K and step O at 850 K. Our analysis of the HREELS intensities suggests that the step species are bound on the exposed step edges, not in the trough as suggested by previous studies. Dissociation occurs almost exclusively at the steps: At saturation coverage about 95% of the step O 2 dissociates before desorbing, while 95% of the terrace O 2 desorbs directly. Dissociation of the edge O 2 occurs in part directly and in part through the metastable 700 cm −1 state. Direct dissociation produces step O and terrace O with equal probabilities, while the 700 cm −1 state produces predominantly step O. Equilibration between step and terrace O occurs only above 400 K.
ONE-LOOP STRING CORRECTIONS TO GAUGE CHARGE

We derive explicit formulae in terms of ϑ-functions for calculating the one-loop string corrections to the low-energy gauge group charges of the Z3 orbifold. An operator-expansion motivated regularization scheme, which resolves the “0/0” ambiguity arising in such calculations, is proposed and analyzed. An appearance of a special “quadratic-divergent” term, not predicted by a naive field-theoretic analysis, is discussed. Finally we numerically estimate the influence of the massive string states on the renormalization group calculations of the gauge charge.
Mars Deep Drill - A Mission Concept for the Next Decade

In the not too distant future, NASA may consider sending a robotic mission to Mars to drill tens of meters below the surface to search for evidence of life. Mars science groups, including NASA's Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG), have repeatedly concluded that in situ scientific analyses of samples from significant depths below the surface are important for understanding Mars in general and for searching for evidence of past or present life in particular. Furthermore, there are several ongoing technology developments for relevant drills, the readiness of which seem promising for use by the second decade of this century. By accessing and analyzing material from tens of meters below the surface, in situ science investigations may help answer some important questions about Mars, in particular about whether life ever existed there. Drilling is a proven technique for terrestrial applications that appears viable for accessing Martian subsurface samples and bringing them to the surface for analysis by a variety of instruments. An end-to-end mission concept for a Deep Drill mission has been developed and appears feasible for launch in the next decade.
Native Mutant Huntingtin in Human Brain EVIDENCE FOR PREVALENCE OF FULL-LENGTH MONOMER

Huntington disease (HD) is caused by polyglutamine expansion in the N terminus of huntingtin (htt). Analysis of human postmortem brain lysates by SDS-PAGE and Western blot reveals htt as full-length and fragmented. Here we used Blue Native PAGE (BNP) and Western blots to study native htt in human postmortem brain. Antisera against htt detected a single band broadly migrating at 575–850 kDa in control brain and at 650–885 kDa in heterozygous and Venezuelan homozygous HD brains. Anti-polyglutamine antisera detected full-length mutant htt in HD brain. There was little htt cleavage even if lysates were pretreated with trypsin, indicating a property of native htt to resist protease cleavage. A soluble mutant htt fragment of about 180 kDa was detected with anti-htt antibody Ab1 (htt-(1–17)) and increased when lysates were treated with denaturants (SDS, 8 m urea, DTT, or trypsin) before BNP. Wild-type htt was more resistant to denaturants. Based on migration of in vitro translated htt fragments, the 180-kDa segment terminated ≈htt 670–880 amino acids. If second dimension SDS-PAGE followed BNP, the 180-kDa mutant htt was absent, and 43–50 kDa htt fragments appeared. Brain lysates from two HD mouse models expressed native full-length htt; a mutant fragment formed if lysates were pretreated with 8 m urea + DTT. Native full-length mutant htt in embryonic HD140Q/140Q mouse primary neurons was intact during cell death and when cell lysates were exposed to denaturants before BNP. Thus, native mutant htt occurs in brain and primary neurons as a soluble full-length monomer.
Teacher's academic optimism: The development and test of a new construct

Abstract The objective of this exploratory study of teacher beliefs was twofold: first, to determine whether the construct of academic optimism could be defined and measured as an individual teacher characteristic as it has been at the collective school level, and second, to identify sets of teacher beliefs and practices that were good predictors of academic optimism. With a diverse sample of American elementary teachers, a second-order principal components analysis supported the hypothesis that academic optimism was a general construct composed of efficacy, trust, and academic emphasis. In addition, dispositional optimism, humanistic classroom management, student-centred beliefs and practices, and organizational citizenship behaviour were individually and collectively related to the explanation of a teacher's sense of academic optimism, controlling for SES.
Direct measurement of 235U in spent fuel rods with Gamma-ray mirrors

Abstract Direct measurement of plutonium and uranium X-rays and gamma-rays is a highly desirable non-destructive analysis method for the use in reprocessing fuel environments. The high background and intense radiation from spent fuel make direct measurements difficult to implement since the relatively low activity of uranium and plutonium is masked by the high activity from fission products. To overcome this problem, we make use of a grazing incidence optic to selectively reflect K α and K β fluorescence of Special Nuclear Materials (SNM) into a high-purity position-sensitive germanium detector and obtain their relative ratios.
Evaluation of wheelchair drop seat crashworthiness.

Wheelchair seating crash performance is critical to protecting wheelchair users who remain seated in their wheelchairs during transportation. Relying upon computer simulation and sled testing seat loads associated with a 20 g/48 kph (20 g/30 mph) frontal impact and 50th percentile male occupant were estimated to develop test criteria. Using a static test setup we evaluated the performance of various types of commercially available drop seats against the loading test criteria. Five different types of drop seats (two specimens each) constructed of various materials (i.e. plastics, plywood, metal) were evaluated. Two types of drop seats (three of the total 10 specimens) met the 16650 N (3750 lb) frontal impact test criteria. While additional validation of the test protocol is necessary, this study suggests that some drop seat designs may be incapable of withstanding crash level loads.
Cucumber mosaic virus-associated RNA 5. V. Extensive nucleotide sequence homology among CARNA 5 preparations of different CMV strains.

Abstract The RNA components from purified preparations of five strains of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and from peanut stunt virus (PSV) were used to compete in hybridization experiments between 3H-labeled CMV-associated RNA 5 (CARNA 5) and double-stranded (ds) CARNA 5 from CMV-S infections. All CARNA 5 preparations competed almost fully with [3H]CARNA 5 for the minus strands in dsCARNA 5. In contrast, PSV-associated RNA 5 (PARNA 5) did not compete at all. Apparently the five CARNA 5s have an extensive if not complete nucleotide sequence homology and could represent one and the same satellite RNA associated with different CMV strains. PARNA 5, although associated with another cucumovirus, has no sequence homology with CARNA 5 and evidently is a different molecule. Thus, the ability of different cucumoviruses to support production of specific types of RNA 5 molecules could probably be used in estimating the degree of their strain relationship.
Association of Atrial Fibrillation and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background— Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after electrocardioversion. OSA is highly prevalent in patients who are male, obese, and/or hypertens...
The American City in the Age of Terror: A Preliminary Assessment of the Effects of September 11

The terror attacks of September 11, 2001, on New York and Washington, D.C., may be seen among other things as assaults on American cities as urban places. It would not be surprising in this light if Americans began to rethink the role and functions of cities in the aftermath of terror. This article explores the early effects of terror on government and policy, the urban economy, and city life. It concludes first that cities have taken on a range of new responsibilities focused on homeland security and that a new, though fractious, set of inter governmental relations is emerging to support these activities. Urban economies were initially hurt by the declines in tourism and business travel, but most cities appear to be recovering. Few lasting effects on city life are evident. It would appear that the fortunes of American cities are less subject to one-time external shocks such as the terror attacks than to larger, long-term forces in the economy and society.
Review of Microscopic Lane-Changing Models and Future Research Opportunities

Driver behaviors, particularly lane-changing behaviors, have an important effect on the safety and throughput of the roadway-vehicle-based transportation system. Lane-changing models are a vital component of various microscopic traffic simulation tools, which are extensively used and playing an increasingly important role in Intelligent Transportation Systems studies. The authors conducted a detailed review and systematic comparison of existing microscopic lane-changing models that are related to roadway traffic simulation to provide a better understanding of respective properties, including strengths and weaknesses of the lane-changing models, and to identify potential for model improvement using existing and emerging data collection technologies. Many models have been developed in the last few decades to capture the uncertainty in lane change modeling; however, lane-changing behavior in the real world is very complex due to driver distraction (e.g., texting and cellphone or smartphone use) and environmental (e.g., pavement and lighting conditions) and geometric (e.g., horizontal and vertical curves) factors of the roadway, which have not been adequately considered in existing models. Therefore, large and detailed microscopic vehicle trajectory data sets are needed to develop new lane changing models that address these issues, and to calibrate and validate lane-changing models for representing the real world reliably. Possible measures to improve the accuracy and reliability of lane-changing models are also discussed in this paper.
Looks Can Be Deceiving: Reconsidering the Evidence for Gliotransmission

Gliotransmission, a process involving active vesicular release of glutamate and other neurotransmitters by astrocytes, is thought to play a critical role in many brain functions. A new paper by Nedergaard et al. (2014) identifies an experimental flaw in these previous studies suggesting that astrocytes may not perform active vesicular release after all.
The von Willebrand Factor Gene and Genetics of von Willebrand's Disease

The von Willebrand factor (vWF) gene spans 178 kilobases in the human genome, is interrupted by 51 introns, and has been localized to human chromosome 12p12→12pter. In addition, a pseudogene that duplicates the midportion of the vWF gene has been identified on chromosome 22. In several families, large vWF gene deletions have been identified as the basis for von Willebrand's disease (vWD). In most patients, however, the vWF gene is found to be grossly intact by Southern blot analysis, a result that implies a more subtle molecular defect. The advent of the polymerase chain reaction has allowed a more direct analysis in this group of patients. By this approach, missense mutations, all clustered within the same small region in the midportion of the vWF molecule, have been identified in several patients with type IIA vWD. Expression of mutant vWF by transfection into COS cells suggests that the characteristic loss of high-molecular-weight multimers seen in type IIA vWD may occur through at least two distinct mechanisms. In preliminary studies of nondeletional type III vWD, a family has been identified with decreased vWF as a result of failure of production of messenger RNA from the affected vWF allele. This disorder could be due to defects in vWF gene transcription, RNA processing, or stability. As additional defects are identified, the accurate diagnosis of vWD at the molecular level may eventually become possible.
Gender differences in chronic major and double depression.

Background: While the sex difference in prevalence rates of unipolar depression is well established, few studies have examined gender differences in clinical features of depression. Even less is known about gender differences in chronic forms of depression. Methods: 235 male and 400 female outpatients with DSM-III-R chronic major depression or double depression (i.e., major depression superimposed on dysthymia) were administered an extensive battery of clinician-rated and self-report measures. Results: Women were less likely to be married and had a younger age at onset and greater family history of affective disorder compared to men. Symptom profile was similar in men and women, with the exception of more sleep changes, psychomotor retardation and anxiety/somatization in women. Women reported greater severity of illness and were more likely to have received previous treatment for depression with medications and/or psychotherapy. Greater functional impairment was noted by women in the area of marital adjustment, while men showed more work impairment. Limitations: Since our population consisted of patients enrolling in a clinical trial, study exclusion criteria may have affected gender-related differences found. Conclusions: Chronicity of depression appears to affect women more seriously than men, as manifested by an earlier age of onset, greater family history of affective disorders, greater symptom reporting, poorer social adjustment and poorer quality of life. These findings represent the largest study to date of gender differences in a population with chronic depressive conditions.
How to identify patients with vulnerable plaques

Multiple strategies are available for clinicians to identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular events. Two commonly discussed strategies are the identification of vulnerable plaques and the identification of vulnerable patients. The strategy of identifying vulnerable patients is less invasive, easy to implement and not restricted primarily to one vascular bed (e.g. coronary or cerebral). This review discusses the utility as well as the limitations of global risk assessment tools to identify such patients. The utility of biomarkers [C-reactive protein, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) and lipoprotein(a)] and non-invasive measures of atherosclerosis burden (coronary artery calcium scores, carotid intima-media thickness and ankle-brachial index) in identifying patients at high risk for cardiovascular events are also discussed.
Intelligent Retrieval Agent based on Distributed Environment

Intelligent search agent is popularly used for searching relative information in the Internet and there are a lot of tools that are used to satisfy the needs of the users. These intelligent agents are independent to each other and there is insufficient cooperation to make an efficient search of information in the distributed environment. Therefore, a typical search agent is difficult to use in the distributed environment and can contain irrelevant information for the users. To solve the problem in a distributed environment, we use the CORBA architecture to create an agency by the broker agent and provide more reliable information to the users. Also, the propose intelligent information search system used the NFC and filtering technique by the multi-agents for a rapid and reliable searching of information.
Current injection efficiency induced efficiency-droop in InGaN quantum well light-emitting diodes

Abstract Current injection efficiency and its impact on efficiency-droop in InGaN single quantum well (QW) based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are investigated. The analysis is based on current continuity relation for drift and diffusion carrier transport across the QW-barrier system. A self-consistent 6-band k · p method is used to calculate the band structure for InGaN QW. The analysis indicates that the internal quantum efficiency in the conventional 24-A In 0.28 Ga 0.72 N–GaN QW structure reaches its peak at low injection current density and reduces gradually with further increase in current due to the large carrier thermionic emission. Structures combining 24-A In 0.28 Ga 0.72 N QW with 15-A Al 0.1 Ga 0.9 N barriers show slight reduction in quenching of the injection efficiency as current density increases. The use of 15-A Al 0.83 In 0.17 N barriers shows significant reduction in efficiency-droop (10% reduction of the internal quantum efficiency at current density of 620 A/cm 2 ). Thus, InGaN QWs employing thin layers of larger bandgap AlInN barriers suppress the efficiency-droop phenomenon significantly.
Thyrocalcitonin: Stimulation of Secretion by Pentagastrin

Administration of a small dose of pentagastrin, a synthetic pentapeptide containing the biologically active portion of the native hormone gastrin, results in a marked, rapid, transitory increase in thyrocalcitonin secretion in the pig. Gastrin or a related gastrointestinal peptide may be important in the physiological secretion of thyrocalcitonin, such as that which occurs when calcium salts are introduced into the gastrointestinal tract.
Training-induced alterations of glucose flux in men

Friedlander, Anne L., Gretchen A. Casazza, Michael A. Horning, Melvin J. Huie, and George A. Brooks. Training-induced alterations of glucose flux in men. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(4): 1360–1369, 1997.—W...
Outgassing of Glass Caused by Thermal Neutrons and Gamma Radiation

Prebaked evacuated glass bulbs were exposed to gamma radiation and thermal neutrons. The gases initially present in the bulb plus those evolved in a subsequent baking were measured and analyzed with a mass spectrometer. Several glasses were exposed to a gamma dosage of more than 107 rads. Small quantities of hydrogen as well as some CO, CO2, and water were detected. Several boron-containing glasses were exposed to more than 10 17 thermal neutrons/cm2. The gas evolved was almost entirely helium, formed as a result of alpha-particle emission in the reaction The total quantity of helium formed can be predicted from the thermal neutron dose and the boron content of the glass. The role of helium permeability is also discussed.
Optical Amplifiers Placement in WDM Mesh Networks for Optical Multicasting Service Support

The problem of placing optical amplifiers (OAs) in wavelength-routing mesh networks has been studied in the literature in two contexts: network provisioning and connections provisioning. In this paper, we introduce optimal and heuristic solutions for the network provisioning problem. The solution is based on constructing a multicast forest for each multicast connection with the goal of minimizing the total number of OAs needed in the network, hence reducing its cost. The optimal solution is formulated as a mixed integer linear program (MILP). On the other hand, the heuristic solution is obtained by dividing the problem into subproblems and solving them separately while taking the interdependency between these subproblems into consideration. The results obtained from both solutions are compared and they are found to be a good match.
Experimental and Clinical Origins of Peritoneal Dialysis for Renal Failure

The experimental and clinical origins of peritoneal dialysis have been reviewed. Shortly after World War II understanding of acute renal failure, of fluid and electrolyte balance and dialysis reached a level that encouraged clinical application of peritoneal dialysis. This achieved the first survival attributed to control by peritoneal dialysis of the effects of acute renal failure. Subsequent developments in the dialysis procedure have been reviewed.
173 Challenges in Preventing, Eradicating, and Controlling Invasive Seaweeds: The Southern California Invasion of Caulerpa Taxifolia as a Model

Invasions of marine communities by seaweeds are increasing globally. Vectors for introductions are primarily aquaculture and the aquarium trade. Attention to these vectors has been minimal, and few, if any, regulations exist to prevent seaweed introductions. Challenges in preventing, eradicating, and controlling invasive seaweeds will be discussed using the invasion of Caulerpa taxifolia in southern California as a model.
Exploring technology acceptance for mobile services

Purpose: Mobile phone industries are no longer relying on voice services. It is predicted that data services are expected to be a remediation for the declining of average revenue per user (ARPU) in telecommunication market. The purpose of this paper is to find the factors that influence the acceptance/adoption of mobile services. Design/methodology/approach: This paper utilizes quantitative method. Questionnaire were distributed to collect the data. The questionnaires are designed specifically to address the factors related to mobile services. Later on, this paper uses Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and Cluster analysis to identify the factors that influence the adoption of mobile services. Findings: The results show that ease of use and usefulness are top two factors that influence the adoption of mobile services.
Aminoglycoside ototoxicity in Nicaraguan children: patient risk factors and mitochondrial DNA results.

Objective Aminoglycoside ototoxicity remains a major problem in developing countries and accounts for 3 percent to 30 percent of hearing loss. This high prevalence rate may be related to genetic susceptibility from mitochondrial mutations in the 12S rRNA gene, comorbidity factors, or unregulated use of the medication. This study investigates the risk factors and prevalence of mtDNA mutations in serum from rural Nicaragua children with aminoglycoside-related hearing loss. Study Design Cross sectional study. Subjects Deaf children from rural Nicaragua. Methods Mitochondrial DNA isolated from serum collected from 31 deaf children with childhood or in utero exposure to gentamicin was amplified, sequenced, and analyzed for mutations in the 12S rRNA gene. Results No known pathologic mutations of the 12S rRNA gene were identified in this subpopulation of deaf children. In addition, patients with gentamicin exposure were often likely to have other comorbidity factors. Conclusion These results suggest that genetic susceptibility is not a major factor in the high rate of gentamicin ototoxicity in this population sample. The high prevalence of gentamicin ototoxicty in this population is presumed to be due to unrestricted access to the drug.
A Content and Methodological Review of Self-Advocacy Intervention Studies

A content and methodological review of the literature of 25 self-advocacy intervention studies was conducted. First, each article was analyzed in terms of purpose, participants, design, dependent variable(s), independent variable(s), and results. Second, each manuscript was reviewed in terms of the quality indicators for single subject (n = 11), group experimental (n = 11), or qualitative (n = 3) studies. Our findings (a) provide preliminary evidence that individuals of varying ages and disabilities can learn self-advocacy skills using both researcher-developed interventions and published curricula, and (b) indicate the need for increasing methodological rigor in implementing and reporting self-advocacy intervention studies. Results are discussed in terms of implications for research and instruction.
Subject-specific measures of Achilles tendon moment arm using ultrasound and video-based motion capture.

The Achilles tendon (AT) moment arm is an important biomechanical parameter most commonly estimated using one of two methods: (A) center of rotation and (B) tendon excursion. Conflicting findings regarding magnitude and whether it changes with contraction intensity have been reported when using these methods. In this study, we present an alternate method of measuring the AT moment arm by combining ultrasound and video-based motion capture. Moment arms for 10 healthy male subjects were measured at five different joint angles in 10° increments ranging from 20° of dorsiflexion (DF) to 20° of plantar flexion (PF). Moment arms were measured at rest and also during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). For both conditions, the AT moment arm increased in magnitude as the ankle moved from DF to PF. In 20° of DF, the moment arm at rest averaged 34.6 1.8 mm and increased to a maximum value of 36.9 1.9 mm when plantar flexed to 10°. Moment arms during MVC ranged from 35.7 1.8 mm to 38.1 2.6 mm. The moment arms we obtained were much more consistent with literature values derived using ultrasound and tendon excursion compared to center of rotation or in vitro methods. This is noteworthy as the hybrid method is easy to implement and as it is less costly and timing consuming than other methods, including tendon excursion, it is well suited for large-scale studies involving many subjects.
Oligodendroglial cyclic AMP response element-binding protein: a member of the CREB family of transcription factors.

Several laboratories have shown that cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays an important role in inducing oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin synthesis. Our previous results have shown that oligodendrocytes contain a nuclear protein that binds to the DNA sequence TGACGTCA or cAMP response element (CRE) known to be involved in the transcriptional regulation of cAMP-responsive genes. In this report the oligodendroglial CRE-binding protein was further identified by using two different antibodies which specifically recognize the CRE-binding protein known as CREB. In DNA-shift assays CREB-1 (X-12) antibody interacted with the CRE-protein complexes resulting in further retardation (“super shift”) of the mobility of the bands in the gels. Immunoprecipitation of oligodendroglial nuclear extracts with CREB(240) antibody prior to the DNA binding assays resulted in a lack of formation of CRE-protein complexes. In addition immunoreaction with CREB(240) antibody identified the CRE-binding species as a 45 kDa phosphoprotein. Immunocytochemical staining with CREB(240) antibody in oligodendrocytes from 10-, 14-, and 18-day-old and adult rats indicated that this protein in expressed before the appearance of myelin basic protein (MBP) which was used as a marker of myelin synthesis. Collectively, these observations support our previous results and indicate that the oligodendroglial CRE-binding protein species is highly homologous to the CREB protein. The developmental expression of this CREB protein supports the idea of a possible role during the early stages of oligodendrocyte differentiation preceding the peak of myelin synthesis in rat CNS. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Significant Toxicities Associated with Antiretroviral Therapy

Use of at least three potent antiretroviral agents has become the standard of care in the management of HIV infection. The potential toxicities associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) however, may limit a patient’s ability to adhere to and tolerate these agents. Although a comprehensive discussion of all toxicities associated with HAART is beyond the scope of this article, selected short-term and long-term significant toxicities will be reviewed. Short-term toxicities that will be discussed include abacavir-induced hypersensitivity reactions, efavirenz-associated central nervous system side effects and rash associated with the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and the protease inhibitor (PI) amprenavir. Several long-term toxicities associated with the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are hypothesized to be due to mitochondrial toxicity. These toxicities include myositis and lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis, pancreatitis and peripheral ne...
The effect of salinity on the growth, water status, and ion content of a leaf succulent perennial halophyte, Suaeda fruticosa (L.) Forssk

Suaeda fruticosa (L.) Forssk plants grown in saline conditions (200 to 400 mol m !3 NaCl) had greater fresh and dry weights than those grown in non-saline controls, and 600 to 1000 mol m !3 NaCl inhibited growth. Gibberellic acid and kinetin both alleviated some of the inhibitory effects of salinity at 800 mol m !3 NaCl on shoot growth of S. fruticosa while root growth was promoted by kinetin. Tissue water content increased in up to 200 mol m !3 NaCl but decreased with a further increase in salinity. Water potential and osmotic potential of plants became more negative with an increase in salinity. Leaf Ca 2 ' ,M g 2 ', and K' concentration decreased with increasing salinity, while both Na' and Cl ! increased and reached 1391 and 1673 mmol kg !1 dry weight, respectively. Total glycinebetaine content of shoots was highest at 600 to 1000 mol m !3 NaCl. ( 2000 Academic Press
Requirements for guidelines systems: implementation challenges and lessons from existing software-engineering efforts

A large body of work in the clinical guidelines field has identified requirements for guideline systems, but there are formidable challenges in translating such requirements into production-quality systems that can be used in routine patient care. Detailed analysis of requirements from an implementation perspective can be useful in helping define sub-requirements to the point where they are implementable. Further, additional requirements emerge as a result of such analysis. During such an analysis, study of examples of existing, software-engineering efforts in non-biomedical fields can provide useful signposts to the implementer of a clinical guideline system.
The evolving pharmacotherapeutic profile of brimonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, after four years of continuous use.

Since its introduction in 1996, use of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% ophthalmic solution (Alphagan, Allergan), a highly selective alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, has become increasingly popular for the initial and long-term management of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Recently, ongoing clinical comparison trials of up to three years in length have reported sustained intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy with brimonidine 0.2% b.i.d., which was comparable with timolol 0.5% (Timoptic; Merck & Co.), accompanied by a favourable tolerability and safety profile. Also, many post-market studies have demonstrated the utility of brimonidine 0.2% b.i.d. as mono- and adjunctive therapy. Furthermore, major inroads have been made in the study of other possible pharmacotherapeutic benefits of brimonidine treatment, namely the potential for neuroprotection. This review will present a brief developmental history and examine key pharmacotherapeutic characteristics of brimonidine, including its receptor selectivity, IOP-lowering mechanism of action and potential neuroprotective activities. Moreover, the literature on brimonidine's efficacy and safety profiles in the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma will be perused, and new four-year data from an ongoing double-masked clinical study comparing brimonidine tartrate 0.2% with timolol 0.5%, b.i.d. will be introduced. Brimonidine 0.2% b.i.d. provided sustained IOP-lowering efficacy comparable to timolol 0.5% b.i.d., with no significant differences at trough or peak during year four of continuous use. Visual fields were well preserved in both treatment groups with 93% of brimonidine patients and 91% of timolol patients showing no change or improvement. Brimonidine continued to appear safe and well-tolerated, with no clinically significant effects on mean heart rate or blood pressure, and no serious drug-related adverse events (AEs). Two out of 36 brimonidine patients developed ocular allergy; both were resolved without sequelae. Overall post-market surveillance found no reports of unexpected or serious drug-related AEs. These long-term results, in conjunction with those reported in the literature, suggest that brimonidine 0.2% b.i.d. is a highly appropriate first- and second-line therapy for long-term management of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Potential neuroprotective effects of brimonidine therapy, which might provide additional vision sparing benefit, although supported by compelling animal studies, await clinical verification.