cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Problem of Online Manipulation

Recent controversies have led to public outcry over the risks of online manipulation. Leaked Facebook documents discussed how advertisers could target teens when they feel particularly insecure or vulnerable. Cambridge Analytica suggested that its psychographic profiles enabled political campaigns to exploit individual vulnerabilities online. And researchers manipulated the emotions of hundreds of thousands of Facebook users by adjusting the emotional content of their news feeds. This Article attempts to inform the debate over whether and how to regulate online manipulation of consumers. Part II details the history of manipulative marketing practices and considers how innovations in the Digital Age allow marketers to identify, trigger, and exploit individual biases in real time. Part III surveys prior definitions of manipulation and then defines manipulation as an intentional attempt to influence a subject’s behavior by exploiting a bias or vulnerability. Part IV considers why online manipulation justifies some form of regulatory response. Part V identifies the significant definitional and constitutional challenges that await any attempt to regulate online manipulation directly. The Article concludes by suggesting that the core objection to online manipulation is not its manipulative nature but its online implementation. Therefore, the Article suggests that, rather than pursuing direct regulation, we add the threat of online manipulation to the existing arguments for comprehensive data protection legislation.
Atrial Fibrillation After Robotic Cardiac Surgery.

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia after conventional open heart surgery. A minimally invasive robotic approach has the potential to lower its occurrence. We sought to review the literature on the incidence of post operative atrial fibrillation in robotic heart surgery and compare it to the incidence in conventional cardiac surgery. The types of operation investigated were: coronary artery bypass surgery, mitral valve repair, atrial septal defect closure and myxoma excision. Operations were performed using the first, second, and third generation of the daVinciTM surgical robotic system. Overall atrial fibrillation after robotic heart surgery has a low occurence rate in the 0% to 27.9% range. By comparing with historical series of conventional surgery, the robotic approach offers a potentially lower incidence. Reasons for this difference could be reduced tissue trauma, less frequent atrial and cardiac manipulation.
National management trends in clinical stage IIA nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) and opportunities to avoid dual therapy.

Abstract Introduction For marker-negative clinical stage (CS) IIA nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT), National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Urological Association guidelines recommend either retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) or induction chemotherapy. The goal is cure with one form of therapy. We evaluated national practice patterns in the management of CSIIA NSGCT and utilization of secondary therapies. Methods The National Cancer Data Base was used to identify 400 men diagnosed with marker negative CSIIA NSGCT between 2004 and 2014 treated with RPLND or chemotherapy. Trends in the utilization of initial and adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy only, RPLND only, RPLND with adjuvant chemotherapy, and postchemotherapy RPLND) were analyzed. Results Of the 400 cases, 233 (58%) underwent induction chemotherapy with surveillance, 51 (20%) underwent RPLND with surveillance, 89 (22%) underwent RPLND followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, and 14 (4%) underwent induction chemotherapy followed by RPLND. Thirty percent of patients received dual therapy. After RPLND with pN1 staging, 43 (61%) underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. The pN0 rate after primary RPLND was 22%. Five year overall survival ranged from 95% to 100% based on initial treatment choice. Conclusions For marker negative CS IIA nonseminoma, dual, therapy, and treatment with chemotherapy is common. With low volume retroperitoneal disease resected at RPLND, adjuvant chemotherapy was frequently administered but has debatable therapeutic value. These data highlight opportunities to decrease treatment burden in patients with CS IIA nonseminoma.
Couple processes of family economic hardship, depressive symptoms, and later-life subjective memory impairment: moderating role of relationship quality.

Objectives: To examine a) processes through which family economic hardship (FEH) contributes to spouses’ mental health and subsequent subjective memory impairment (SMI) in later years and b) the mo...
Statistical time-based intrusion detection in embedded systems

This paper presents a statistical method based on cumulative distribution functions (CDF) to analyze an embedded system's behavior to detect anomalous and malicious executions behaviors. The proposed method analyzes the internal timing of the system by monitoring individual operations and sequences of operations, wherein the timing of operations is decomposed into multiple timing subcomponents. Creating the normal model of the system utilizing the internal timing adds resilience to zero-day attacks, and mimicry malware. The combination of CDF-based statistical analysis and timing subcomponents enable both higher detection rates and lower false positives rates. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach and compare to several state-of-the-art malware detection methods using two embedded systems benchmarks, namely a network connected pacemaker and an unmanned aerial vehicle, utilizing seven different malware.
Rate dependent fracture along a silicon/epoxy interface under mixed-mode loading conditions

Abstract This paper describes the development of a dual-actuator loading device that was then used to apply asymmetric, transverse end-displacements to laminated beam specimens (silicon/epoxy/silicon) over a range of separation rates. Measurements of the reaction forces, as well as load-point displacements and rotations, were used to determine the normal and tangential components of the crack tip displacements and the corresponding components of the J-integral. This was made possible because the specimens identically satisfied a balance condition. The resulting data set obtained from experiments conducted at five separation rates at each of five mode-mix phase angles is a testimony to the efficiency of the approach. A mixed-mode beam on elastic foundation analysis established that the stiffness of the normal and shear interactions of the silicon/epoxy interface was independent of the separation rate and mode-mix. Furthermore, the stiffness values thus determined were considerably lower than those based on the bulk behavior of the epoxy in tension and shear. The analysis also allowed the crack growth to be tracked in order to establish its onset and the corresponding critical values of the normal and shear components of the J-integral, along with the corresponding strengths and critical crack tip displacements. For each mode-mix, these critical values increased with the separation rate. This increase in properties is in spite of the glassy nature of the bulk epoxy and further suggests the presence of an interphase region in the epoxy adjacent to the silicon. However, the change of mode-mix was accompanied by a change in local separation rates, leading to non-monotonic behavior in the critical J-integral. Following the onset of crack growth, the application of the transverse end-displacements along radial loading paths resulted in simultaneous changes in the local separation rates and mode-mix, implying a fracture criterion that depends on both mode-mix and rate-dependent damage evolution processes.
Distributed Control of Second Life Batteries in a Parallel Connected Network

Abstract Used batteries that are no longer fit for their original applications can be combined to form usable battery packs. Cells can be connected in series to form modules with higher voltage, and these modules can be connected in parallel to build up the capacity of the battery pack. Parallel connections may cause stray currents within the battery pack due to heterogeneous operational parameters of the modules, so the current output by each module must be controlled to eliminate this problem. We present an approach to control such a configuration by buck regulating the terminal voltage of each module. The novelty of the proposed control algorithm is to separate the control into two components: an occasional update to estimates of slow-varying system parameters, and a frequent update of control inputs to accommodate fluctuations in the load. The estimated system parameters are communicated infrequently by a central processor, while the modules individually calculate control inputs. The required communication between modules and the central processor is greatly reduced by distributing the calculation of control inputs, allowing the system to scale up efficiently even as the number of modules grows large.
Hydrogenation and CS bond activation pathways in thiophene and tetrahydrothiophene reactions on sulfur-passivated surfaces of Ru, Pt, and Re nanoparticles

Abstract Thiophene-H2 reactions proceed via sulfur removal and hydrogenation routes on dispersed metal nanoparticles that become decorated by refractory S adlayers during catalysis. The identity and kinetic relevance of the required elementary steps are described here based on rates measured at S-chemical potentials set by H2S/H2 ratios similar to those prevalent during practical catalysis on Re, ReSx, Ru, and Pt catalysts. The free energies of formation of S adatoms from H2S/H2 reactants are large and negative at low coverages ( S bonds or “over-hydrogenate” to THT in one surface sojourn. THT undergoes C S bond cleavage in secondary reactions that correct this over-hydrogenation to form the more unsaturated species that cleave C S bonds. THT/C4 product ratios are insensitive to H2S/H2 ratios and thiophene pressure, even though active interstitial spaces are covered by kinetically-detectable S* and bound thiophene; therefore, primary and secondary reactions must occur on the same active ensembles. The observed increase in THT/C4 ratios with H2 pressure shows that THT formation transition states involve a larger number of H-atoms than for C S cleavage. C S bonds cleave in species with partial unsaturation (H-contents between those in THT and thiophene), in processes that are reminiscent of the requirement to add or remove H-atoms from C and O atoms in cleaving C C and C O bonds in alkanes and alkanols, as well as C O bonds in CO hydrogenation reactions. The rate and selectivity data and the mechanistic conclusions described here show that thiophene hydrogenation and desulfurization routes require similar binding interstices within refractory S adlayers and that metal-sulfur bond energies act as indirect descriptors of reactivity because they determine the number, size, and binding properties of the exposed weakly-binding ensembles that stabilize the relevant transition states and enable catalytic turnovers.
The Effect of Wage Payment Reform on Workers’ Labor Supply, Wages, and Welfare

We examine the economic consequences of an 1886 reform in Massachusetts that mandated the weekly payment of wages. We derive conditions on key elasticities of labor supply that determine the qualitative effects of the reform on workers’ effective wages and utility. We match census and administrative data on workers in a Lowell textile mill for a period encompassing the switch from monthly to weekly payment. Empirical estimates of a labor supply equation imply that the reform increased workers’ effective wage rates and welfare. The reform also decreased the mill workers’ average wage, as predicted by the theory of compensating differentials.
Fetal inflammation induces acute immune tolerance in the neonatal rat hippocampus

Infants born preterm due to chorioamnionitis are frequently affected by a fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) and then by subsequent postnatal infections. FIRS and postnatal systemic inflammatory events independently contribute to poor neurocognitive outcomes of preterm infants. Developmental integrity of the hippocampus is crucial for intact neurocognitive outcomes in preterms and hippocampally dependent behaviors are particularly vulnerable to preterm systemic inflammation. How FIRS modulates the hippocampal immune response to acute postnatal inflammatory events is not well understood. Prenatal LPS exposed (FIRS) and control neonatal rats received i.p. LPS or saline at postnatal day (P) 5. On P7, immune response was evaluated in the hippocampus of four treatment groups by measuring gene expression of inflammatory mediators and cytosolic and nuclear NFκB pathway proteins. Microglial activation was determined by CD11b+ and Iba1+ immunohistochemistry (IHC) and inflammatory gene expression of isolated microglia. Astrocyte reactivity was measured using Gfap+ IHC. Postnatal LPS resulted in a robust hippocampal inflammatory response. In contrast, FIRS induced by prenatal LPS attenuated the response to postnatal LPS exposure, evidenced by decreased gene expression of inflammatory mediators, decreased nuclear NFκB p65 protein, and fewer activated CD11b+ and Iba1+ microglia. Isolated microglia demonstrated inflammatory gene upregulation to postnatal LPS without evidence of immune tolerance by prenatal LPS. Prenatal LPS exposure induced immune tolerance to subsequent postnatal LPS exposure in the hippocampus. Microglia demonstrate a robust inflammatory response to postnatal LPS, but only a partial immune tolerance response.
Computational Treatment of Interface Dynamics via Phase-Field Modeling

This chapter describes the phase-field approach to modeling interface dynamics, with particular emphasis on the mathematical formulation and computational aspects. We describe to approaches to derive a phase-field model. The first one can be understood as a regularization approach: We start with a sharp interface model which is later replaced by a diffuse interface. The second approach starts with a free energy functional and balance laws for mass, linear momentum and energy; the final governing equations are derived using the second law of thermodynamics and the Coleman-Noll procedure. We finish by illustrating how the phase-field method can be used to solve problems on complicated geometries using cartesian grids only. Some of the opportunities opened by the phase-field approach are illustrated with numerical simulations.
Relationships as Malleable Factors for Children’s Social-Behavioral Skills from Preschool to Grade 1: A Longitudinal Analysis

Social-behavioral functioning during early childhood is associated with children’s academic and social success concurrently and over time. This study explored how concurrent, year-to-year, and sust...
Two-week burden of arrhythmias across CKD severity in a large community-based cohort: The ARIC study

Background CKD is associated with sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, other types of arrhythmia and different measures of the burden of arrhythmias, such as presence and frequency, have not been well characterized in CKD. Methods To quantify the burden of arrhythmias across CKD severity in 2257 community-dwelling adults aged 71-94 years, we examined associations of major arrhythmias with CKD measures (eGFR and albuminuria) among individuals in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Participants underwent 2 weeks of noninvasive, single-lead electrocardiogram monitoring. We examined types of arrhythmia burden: presence and frequency of arrhythmias and percent time in arrhythmias. Results Of major arrhythmias, there was a higher prevalence of AF and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia among those with more severe CKD, followed by long pause (>30 seconds) and atrioventricular block. Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia was the most frequent major arrhythmia (with 4.2 episodes per person-month). Most participants had ventricular ectopy, supraventricular tachycardia, and supraventricular ectopy. Albuminuria consistently associated with higher AF prevalence and percent time in AF, and higher prevalence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. When other types of arrhythmic burden were examined, lower eGFR was associated with a lower frequency of atrioventricular block. Although CKD measures were not strongly associated with minor arrhythmias, higher albuminuria was associated with a higher frequency of ventricular ectopy. Conclusions CKD, especially as measured by albuminuria, is associated with a higher burden of AF and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Additionally, eGFR is associated with less frequent atrioventricular block, whereas albuminuria is associated with more frequent ventricular ectopy. Use of a novel, 2-week monitoring approach demonstrated a broader range of arrhythmias associated with CKD than previously reported.
Direct estimation of time delay using third-order cumulants

A new method is proposed when the signal is non-Gaussian with nonzero skewness and noises are Gaussian with unknown correlation function. The proposed method finds the time shift which minimizes an error function in the TOC domain where the correlated Gaussian noises are eliminated. Compared with Nikias and Pan's Parametric Bispectrum Method (1988), the proposed method not only has less computational complexity but also exhibits better performance when signal is low-pass and noises are white. Performance comparison between PBM and the proposed method is made through theoretical discussion and computer simulations. >
Licensing and Certification of Software Professionals

Abstract For many years, software organizations have needed to hire developers with a wide range of academic and professional qualifications, due to the ongoing shortage of individuals qualified to create and maintain the products required to satisfy marketplace demand. Many of these companies have used the certification credentials of such individuals to help judge whether they have the proper background for the development requirements of their particular software organization. Certification is a voluntary process intended to document the achievement of some level of skill or capability. Such certification can be awarded through a variety of organizations. To date, company-based certification programs have been dominant in the software field. These programs have been created and run by a particular company, and are usually centered on determining an individual's qualification to use a particular type of software that is marketed by that business. However, these programs are often limited in scope, and sometimes make it possible to acquire certification with little practical software development background or formal training. However, there have recently been a growing number of efforts to provide more comprehensive certification programs for software professionals through professional societies and independent organizations. Some of such certificates are offered as a specialization in areas that in a number of fields are a part of the product development process, e.g., quality assurance and project management. In other cases, there are programs intended to certify individuals for having general knowledge and abilities across a wide range of software development areas. In some countries, such certification of software engineering professionals is done on a nationwide basis by an engineering professional society. There has also been an increased interest in the licensing of software engineering professionals. Licensing is a more formal version of certification that involves a government-sanctioned or government-specified process, with the health, safety and welfare of the public in mind. Since engineering is a field where licensing is commonplace in many countries, most of this effort has focused on the licensing of software engineers. However, while licensing is commonplace in professions such as law and medicine, it has until recently been virtually unknown in the information technology field. A number of IT professionals have raised a variety of concerns about the licensing of software engineers, including issues related to liability and the body of knowledge upon which to base such licensing programs. This chapter will examine the various licensing and certification initiatives, including the history of its development, the process and content of such programs, and the arguments both for and against licensing and certification.
Synthesis of Long, Representative DNA Copies of the Murine RNA Tumor Virus Genome

Virions of Moloney murine leukemia virus can synthesize two classes of DNA molecules complementary to their 70S RNA. One class consists of molecules about 200 nucleotides long, which are of limited sequence complexity; these molecules are formed preferentially if the dNTP concentration during the reaction is low. The second class consists of very heterogeneous DNA molecules with weight-average size of about 1,000 nucleotides containing at least 70% of the viral RNA sequences in approximately equal concentration. The longest of these molecules can be 5,000 nucleotides long. This second class of DNA is formed in large amounts only in reactions containing dNTP concentrations of 0.2 mM or higher. In such reactions after 24 h of incubation, at least 35% of the input RNA is represented in DNA copies. The ability to make long, representative DNA transcripts of tumor virus RNA provides a source of excellent probes for molecular hybridization.
Tests of second-class currents in Δ(1236) production by neutrinos

Tests are presented for the presence of second-class currents in the production of the Δ(1236)-resonance by neutrinos and antineutrinos. Particularly convenient expressions are given for the six structure functions describing this process. It is shown that a knowledge of the structure functionW2 for both neutrino and antineutrino processes is sufficient to demonstrate the presence or absence of second-class currents. Prescriptions for measuringW2 are presented.
Loss of the capacity of UV-irradiated Escherichia coli B/r to grow T4D

Abstract The capacity of UV-irradiated Escherichia coli B/r cells grown on glycerol to support the growth of phage T4 was determined at intervals during postirradiation incubation of the cells. During the first 30 min capacity was virtually unimpaired, but then a rapid decrease occurred, followed by a slow increase. The dose response curve for the minimum fraction of infective centers observed at the end of the decline phase followed that for the survival of B/r for doses up to 300 ergs/mm2. At higher doses the relative sensitivity of the minimum infective centers decreased. After a dose of 520 ergs/mm2 to B/r cells, phage T4 both adsorbed to them and injected its DNA normally, regardless of the time of postirradiation incubation. After infection, individual cells either supported no phage synthesis, or a nearly normal burst was produced. Phage growth appeared to occur only in those cells that could eventually form colonies. In those cells fated not to survive, there was essentially no synthesis of phage DNA, nor was phage-induced endonuclease activity observed. Since the UV dose used causes respiration to be turned off about an hour after irradiation, we suggest that for glycerol-grown cells the loss of capacity is associated with loss of respiratory activity. Under conditions where respiration is only slightly and transiently affected by UV, as in the case of glucose-grown cells, there results a smaller but significant loss of capacity. Capacity seems to be particularly sensitive to respiratory failure after UV, but in glucose-grown cells, where respiration is not turned off, capacity may be lost for other reasons.
Unconventional AVO analysis for lithology prediction in the Britannia field, U K North Sea

Forward modeling using Britannia data shows a characteristic set of subtle reservoir AVO signatures due to the significant Vp:Vs contrast that exists between sands and shales (Figure 1). The same responses can be seen, to a certain degree, in an AVO class volume generated over the full field from nearand far-angle stack seismic volumes. A top sand class-1 AVO response was mapped over Britannia platform west and tied to existing well control. Ten of fifteen wells in the area confirmed the class-1 response was indicative of sand presence in the upper reservoir, while five of fifteen wells contain more upper reservoir sand than is suggested by the class volume. No “false positive” class volume predictions are seen. Work to date provides encouragement that AVO information can discriminate sand from shale at the Britannia reservoir level. Significant potential exists to improve reservoir characterization, optimize location of future development wells and positively impact overall field development. The workflows used in this study may also be applicable to similar high impedance reservoir characterization studies in other basins. Britannia is a Lower Cretaceous, deep water turbidite reservoir located approximately 225km north-east of Aberdeen, Scotland (Hill and Palfrey, 2003). A continuous platform drilling program is in progress, set to continue through 2007, with well targets becoming increasingly higher risk as drilling step-out increases. Optimally locating development wells is critical to the ongoing success of the field. Full stack seismic data, however, is limited in the degree of reservoir information provided. Depth of burial reduces the dominant seismic frequency at the reservoir level to about 25Hz. In addition, a major chalk interval in the overburden acts as a source of multiple energy and limits the degree of usable amplitude at far offsets.
The ARC Mantle

Through differntial (Wollastoferometric) inter- erometric diagnostics, the radial distributions of temperature and air particle density (at various times within a current pulse) within the arc mantle, and the timewise distributions of arc size and mantle thickness have been obtained in the region upstream of the throat in a single flow orifice nozzle interrupter. Effects of metal vapor were also determined using upstream electrode tips of graphite, copper-tungsten, and copper.
Effects of two variable-ratio schedules of timeout: Changes in target and non-target behaviors

Abstract Variable-ratio (VR8) and variable-ratio (VR4) schedules of timeout were applied to the high-rate inappropriate verbal behavior of a retarded boy. Both VR8 and VR4 schedules were found to be effective in suppressing the target behavior, the VR4 schedule being slightly more effective. By applying the VR8 schedule first, it was shown that a high-ratio intermittent schedule can have effects in the absence of any previous experience of the subject with timeout. A non-target appropriate behavior was observed to increase in frequency concomitant with the introduction of timeout phases of the study.
Nitrogen Mustard Therapy in Children With Frequent-Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome and Steroid Toxicity

Nitrogen mustard (HN-2) is an alkylating agent known to be effective in inducing and prolonging remissions of nephrotic syndrome in children. The fact that the drug is administered intravenously eliminates the problem of compliance, and the fact that the treatment needs to be given only for a few days may lower the incidence of side-effects observed with other cytotoxic agents. We administered HN-2 to 12 children with the steroidsensitive frequent-relapsing form of nephrotic syndrome, who had evidence of steroid toxicity. Life table analysis reveals a 46% sustained remission rate after 27 mo of follow-up. Complications of HN-2 treatment included only mild thrombophlebitis (2 patients) and mild local paresthesia (1 patient).
Faux anévrysme de l’artère poplitée après hyper-extension isolée du genou

Nous rapportons un cas peu commun de faux anevrysme traumatique de l’artere poplitee apres contusion isolee par hyper extension du genou. Un homme de 56 ans s’est presente avec une histoire d’un mois de douleurs du genou gauche survenues apres une chute sur les fesses avec hyper-extension du genou lors du transfert d’un parent hors d’un fauteuil roulant. Une volumineuse masse pulsatile posterieure du genou gauche etait palpee a l’examen physique, avec des extremites chaudes et des pouls distaux 2+ bilateralement. L’angiographie par resonance magnetique montrait un faux anevrysme de l’artere poplitee de 7,6 × 6,2 × 4,9 cm, qui fut traite par exclusion de l’anevrysme avec pontage par greffe veineuse saphene inversee termino-terminale. Le developpement d’un faux anevrysme de l’artere poplitee apres contusion du genou sans dislocation, fracture, ou lesions de ligament sont extremement peu communes, mais exigent un traitement rapide pour eviter les complications potentielles liees a une gene fonctionnelle permanente et a la perte du membre.
Weak applied voltages interfere with amphibian morphogenesis and pattern

We have imposed steady DC electric fields over developing gastrula and neurula stage axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum. These applied voltages were meant to confound cues provided by endogenous currents and fields that we have measured and believe to be controls of pattern and morphogenesis during early development. Applied voltages in the physiological range (25–75 mV/mm) cause severe disruption of development when imposed over neurulae whose orientation within the field is random or fixed. In the latter case, developmental defects are more likely to occur at that end of the neurula (rostral or caudal) that faces the cathode, or negative pole, of the applied field. In neurulae whose orientation within the field was fixed, the lowest magnitude producing developmental abnormality was between 5 and 25 mV/mm. Physiological measurement of the embryonic transepithelial potential (TEP) when perturbed by artificially applied voltages demonstrates that ectoderm facing the cathode is hyperpolarized, while ectoderm facing the anode is depolarized at all fields strengths tested. These data show that the electrical polarity of embryonic ectoderm is predictably disrupted by applied voltages. Though applied voltages exert this same effect on the ectoderm of gastrulae, exposure only during gastrulation does not lead to developmental abnormality. This observation demonstrates that the applied electric field does not harm the embryo in some non-specific way and further emphasizes the stages of neurulation as those most sensitive to artificially applied or endogenous voltages. These data strongly support the notion the polarized natural voltages within amphibian embryos are controls of their emerging pattern. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Growth of nanostructured thin films of poly(p-xylylene) derivatives by vapor deposition

Nanostructured thin films of poly(p-xylylene) derivatives are deposited by oblique angle vapor deposition method under low-vacuum conditions. We showed deposition of columnar nanostructured poly(chloro-p-xylylene) and poly(bromo-p-xylylene) thin films, and co-deposition of nanostructured poly(o-trifluoroacetyl-p-xylylene-co-p-xylylene) thin film. Characterization of both the nanostructured and planar thin films of poly(p-xylylene) are performed with different experimental methods. We developed a generalized strategy towards depositing nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) derivatives and thus promise a new generation of thin films suitable for biomedical and antifouling applications.
Anion dependence of crown ether selectivities for alkali picrates and sulfonates in dioxane and toluene. A synergistic effect

The binding constants,KN, of sodium and potassium 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate (ANS) and of sodium 5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (DNS) to benzo-18-crown-6 bound to a 2% cross-linked polystyrene network (RN18C6) were measured spectrophotometrically in dioxane and the results compared with those obtained for picrate salts. The network RN18C6 was then used to measure in dioxane and toluene by a competition method the equilibrium constant,K, of the reaction A−M+N+Cr⇄A−M+Cr+N.A−M+N denotes the ionic solute (ANS, DNS, methyl orange or picrate salt) bound to the network RN18C6 (N) and A−M+Cr is the solute bound to a soluble ligand Cr, where Cr represents a series of 18-crown-6 and 15-crown-5 compounds. Combining theKN andK values the formation constants,KL, of the crown ether complexes of the respective salts were obtained in dioxane. The data show a reversal in the complexation strength of the 18-crown-6 compounds in dioxane when sodium picrate is replaced by sodium ANS. The results were rationalized in terms of a synergistic effect exerted by dioxane, with dioxane forming a 1:1 dioxanate with the crown ion pair complex. This effect is especially strong with ANS and with a rigid planar crown ether like dibenzo-18-crown-6. The binding constants,KN, of NaANS and NaDNS to RN18C6 in dioxane are nearly three times larger than for sodium picrate, and the same holds for the potassium salts. Differences in anion interactions with the network appear to be a plausible cause for the anion dependence ofKN.
Evaluating Economic and Institutional Alternatives for Meeting Interstate ESA Instream Flow Requirements in the Platte River Basin

Four species (whooping crane, piping plover, interior least tern, pallid sturgeon) are listed as either threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the Platte River basin. In addition, a 3-mile-wide, 56-mile-long section of the central Platte River near Grand Island, Nebraska, has been designated as critical habitat for the Whooping Crane (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS]). To comply with the ESA mandate for recovery of these species, the USFWS estimates that on average, as much as 373,000 acre-feet of additional water must be made available annually to augment the flow through the critical habitat. This represents nearly 10% of the water consumed annually by irrigated crops in the basin (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS]). Under the threat of federally prescribed solutions, the governors of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Secretary of Interior in 1997 to develop and implement a program to aid species recovery in the middle-reach of th Platte River in central Nebraska (Eisel and Aiken). The Cooperative Agreement is administered by a Governance Committee, with representatives from the federal government, water users in each state, and two environmental organizations. The Governance Committee has initiated efforts to identify the "reasonable and prudent alternative" for the recovery of the four species. The Cooperative Agreement specifies that flows will be increased by a minimum of 130,000 acre-feet within the first fifteen-year phase of the program. Currently, the states have committed to specific measures estimated to generate 70,000 acre-feet with the remaining 60,000 acre-feet to come from unspecified "conservation" efforts (Platte River Endangered Species Partnership). Numerous alternatives have been proposed as potential solutions to achieve the stream flows needed for species recovery. Identification of feasible and efficient alternatives is
Segmenting business‐to‐business markets: a micro‐macro linking methodology

Purpose – This paper aims to report a research methodology that is used to identify business buyer segments by relating demographic indicators to the needs of various market segments.Design/methodology/approach – The research was based on a survey in the office systems industry. The respondents were asked to evaluate the importance of marketing services that are used by dealers to select, evaluate, and retain vendors.Findings – Market segments were identified and categorized using demographic and need‐based data. Discriminant analysis was able to distinguish between demographic market segments and to identify these segments based on their market needs.Practical implications – This paper demonstrates a methodology to identify customer needs based on demographic data, lowering the cost of identifying the product and service needs of different market segments.Originality/value – Demographic and need‐based business segmentation methods are widely used, However, empirically based research that bridges the gap ...
Gas-Phase Ion Association Provides Increased Selectivity and Sensitivity for Measuring Perchlorate by Mass Spectrometry

Perchlorate (ClO4-) competitively inhibits the uptake of iodide by the thyroid gland. Trace quantities of perchlorate are being increasingly detected in food and environmental samples. There is great concern that perchlorate contamination may be far more widespread than believed until now. Increasingly sensitive and unambiguous methods are needed for measuring perchlorate. We report here an ion chromatography−ion association-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (IC/IA-ESI-MS) method of substantially greater selectivity and sensitivity than other available single-stage MS approaches. A long chain dipositive cationic agent (D2+) is added postcolumn in low concentration. This ion associates with perchlorate, even in the gas phase. Perchlorate is, thus, detected as DClO4+ in the positive ion mode at an m/z value between 300 and 400 (depending on the choice of D2+). This results in much better S/N and selectivity, as compared to detecting 35ClO4- at m/z 99, where H34SO4- also responds. We show results for...
A QRS detection algorithm.

In this article we present the choices that the designers of any QRS detector must make and explain the constraints we adopted. We outline the signal processing that precedes and the beat analysis that follows QRS detection in our single-channel, arrhythmia-monitoring algorithm and then expound the QRS detection algorithm in detail. Finally, we present the results of a QRS detector performance evaluation and comment on their importance. This article can be read to three depths: the text affords an overview of QRS detection for on-patient, ambulatory arrhythmia analysis; the commented pseudocode documents the logic of our QRS detector; and the pseudocode “footnotes” supply technical detail.
Organ allocation for liver‐intestine candidates

1. Patients listed for combined liver and intestine transplantation have the highest waitlist mortality of any transplant candidates. 2. Liver-intestine candidates have higher mortality rates than other patients listed for liver transplantation at all model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) scores, sepsis rather than liver failure being the major cause of death in this group. 3. Increasing PELD scores appear to correlate with increasing waitlist mortality in patients awaiting combined liver and intestinal transplantation. 4. Present policy to increase MELD / PELD scores for liver-intestine patients by an additional estimated 10% mortality risk is an attempt to bridge the difference in waitlist mortality while maintaining the principle of allocating organs on the basis of disease severity. 5. Scheduled reevaluation of present allocation practices is essential to refine Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network United Network for Organ Sharing policy as it relates to patients in need of combined liver and intestinal transplantation.
Swirling flow in cylinders

The presence of vortex motion in a vertical cylinder in which water is passed upward can result in three types of velocity profiles: net upward motion at all points in the tube, an ascending outer annulus and a descending central core, and outer annulus and central core ascending and an intermediate annulus descending. All three types of velocity profiles are functions of three factors: the tangential velocity, the manner of decay of the tangential velocity, and the wall pressure drop. A fourth factor, boundarylayer growth, is proposed to explain the third type of profile. Experimental work was carried out to prove the mechanisms proposed for the first two types of profiles. Photographic observations were taken showing the existence of the third type.
A Bivalent Ligand (KDN-21) Reveals Spinal δ and κ Opioid Receptors Are Organized as Heterodimers That Give Rise to δ1 and κ2 Phenotypes. Selective Targeting of δ−κ Heterodimers

In view of recent pharmacological studies suggesting the existence of δ−κ opioid receptor heterodimers/oligomers in the spinal cord, we have synthesized and evaluated (intrathecally in mice) a series of bivalent ligands (KDN series) containing κ and δ antagonist pharmacophores. Pharmacological and binding data have provided evidence for the bridging of spinal δ−κ receptor heterodimers by KDN-21 and for their identification as δ1 and κ2. The selectivity profile of KDN-21 and the apparent absence of coupled δ1−κ2 phenotypes in the brain suggest a new approach for targeting receptors.
Electron Avalanches in Oxygen: Theory

The continuity equations for electrons and the various negative- and positive-ion species of oxygen (${\mathrm{O}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $\mathrm{O}_{2}^{}{}_{}{}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $\mathrm{O}_{3}^{}{}_{}{}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $\mathrm{O}_{4}^{}{}_{}{}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) are solved with the initial conditions and boundary conditions characteristic of electron avalanches in uniform fields. Account is made of the gain and loss reactions such as electron attachment, detachment, charge transfer, and ion conversion, as encountered in avalanches in oxygen over a wide range of pressures, and field strength over pressures (1-100 torr and 30-100 V/cm torr, respectively). Account is also made of the collision history of the velocity-distribution function of the atomic negative ion ${\mathrm{O}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. Solutions are given for two cases of interest: first, for a study of the ion component of avalanches, with a time resolution of \ensuremath{\sim} 0.5 \ensuremath{\mu}sec; second, for a study of the electron component, with a time resolution of \ensuremath{\sim} 10 nsec. In this way measurements of "effective" rates of attachment, detachment, charge-transfer, and ion-conversion reactions can be given an interpretation in terms of the basic processes involved.
Sweet's syndrome leading to acquired cutis laxa (Marshall's syndrome) in an infant with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Background: Marshall's syndrome is a rare pediatric skin disease that is characterized by acquired, localized neutrophilic dermatitis (Sweet's disease), followed by loss of elastic tissue in the dermis and cutis laxa. The cause of this syndrome is unknown. α1-Antitrypsin (α1-AT) deficiency is a codominantly inherited disorder of α1-AT, the major serum antiprotease active against a number of serine-type proteases. Observations: The first patient with classic Marshall's syndrome who had coexisting α1-AT deficiency and a review of other cases of Marshall's syndrome are pre- sented, and pathogenic mechanisms are discussed. Conclusions: A deficiency of α1-AT may allow proteases such as neutrophil elastase to destroy dermal elastin and, thus, produce cutis laxa in Marshall's syndrome. Other cases of acquired cutis laxa should be screened for α1-AT deficiency to further evaluate this association and to enable patients and their families to be counseled about possible systemic complications of α1-AT deficiency. (Arch Dermatol. 1995;131:1175-1177)
Deaggregation of Chlorophyll a by Xanthophylls

IT is known1–3 that the chlorophylls (but not their pheophytins) will aggregate in a variety of non-polar solvents (for example, benzene and carbon tetrachloride), with characteristic spectra for the respective monomers and dimers. These aggregates are concentration-dependent in the usual mass action sense up to a concentration of at least 10−2 moles/l. They may be deaggregated by solvents which co-ordinate with the magnesium, for example, alcohols, and the extent of deaggregation may be calculated from the characteristic spectra.
Phonological constraints on the emergence of two-word utterances *

Considerable interest has been generated concerning linguistic and cognitive factors influencing the onset of early combinatorial speech. The present diary study provides evidence that, for some children, the transition between the single-word and two-word stages may be governed by phonological constraints. The presence of a phonological selection strategy and consonant harmony rule in one child's developing phonological system is described. Evidence is presented suggesting that this consonant harmony constraint operated across morpheme boundaries. This had the effect not only of delaying the onset of two-word utterances, but also of influencing the selection of words that could occur in word combinations. The implications of these findings for explaining individual variation in the transition from single-word to combinatorial speech are discussed.
Fine-scale temporal variation in recruitment of a temperate demersal fish: the importance of settlement versus post-settlement loss.

In order to understand variability in recruitment to populations of benthic and demersal marine species, it is critical to distinguish between the contributions due to variations in larval settlement versus those caused by post-settlement mortality. In this study, fine-scale (1–2 days) temporal changes in recruit abundance were followed through an entire settlement season in a temperate demersal fish in order to determine 1) how dynamic the process of recruitment is on a daily scale, 2) whether settlement and post-settlement mortality are influenced by habitat structure and conspecific density, and 3) how the relationship between settlement and recruitment changes over time. “Settlement” is considered to be the arrival of new individuals from the pelagic habitat, and “recruitment” is defined as the number of individuals surviving arbitrary periods of time after settlement. Replicate standardized habitat units were placed in 2 spatial configurations (clumped and randomly dispersed) and monitored visually for cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) settlement and recruitment every 1–2 days throughout the settlement season. The process of recruitment in T. adspersus was highly variable at a fine temporal scale. Changes in the numbers of recruits present on habitat units were due to both settlement of new individuals and mortality of animals previously recruited. The relative importance of these two processes appeared to change from day to day. The magnitude of the change in recruit number did not differ between the clumped and random habitats. However, post-settlement loss was significantly greater on randomly dispersed than clumped habitats. During several sampling dates, the extent of the change in recruit abundance was correlated with the density of resident conspecifics; however, on other dates no such relationship appeared to exist. Despite the presence of significant relationships between the change in recruit number and density, there was no evidence of either density-dependent mortality or settlement. Initially, there was a strong relationship between settlement and recruitment; however, this relationship weakened over time. Within 2 months after the cessation of settlement, post-settlement loss was greater than 99%, and no correlation remained between recruitment and the initial pattern of settlement. The results of this study demonstrate that the spatial arrangement of the habitat affects the rate and intensity of post-settlement loss. Counter to much current thinking, this study suggests that in order to understand the population ecology of reef fishes, knowledge of what habitats new recruits use and how mortality varies with structural aspects of the habitats is essential.